August 2013 Current Affairs Bit Bank

INTERNATIONAL
1) Which country blocked the import of milk powder from New Zealand in the month of August 2013 after it discovered bacteria that can lead to botulism in some of its dairy products ? Ans:- China 2) On 20 August 2013 the US has imposed sanctions on a Pakistani being used for training bomb makers and suicide attackers for the LeT and Al-Qaeda, the first time such action has been taken against a seminary ? Ans:- Madrassa 3) Which country court has disqualified the countrys largest Islamic party from t aking part in the next general election ? Ans:- Bangladesh 4) Who was declared open the new International Container Terminal of the Colombo harbour on 5 August 2013 ? Ans:- Sri Lankas President, Mahinda Rajapakse 5) In the month of August which country released the worlds first zinc-enriched rice variety capable of fighting diarrhoea and pneumonia-induced childhood deaths and stunted growth ? Ans:- Bangladesh 6) Which country on 26 August 2013 rejected the proposal of Japan to hold talks on disputed Sekaku and Diaoyu islands ? Ans:- China 7) The Chinese and Pakistani air forces on 28 August 2013 decided to hold a joint-drill in Chinas Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region bordering Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) .What is the code name assigned to this joint drill? Ans:- Shaheen -II 8) UN Security Council failed to reach an agreement on a resolution that could authorise the use of military force against ? Ans:- Syria 9) It was recently reported in some sections of media that a 1,750 MW nuclear power plant is being established, which will be the largest nuclear power plant in the world till date. This plant is reportedly being established in which country? Ans:- China 10) The population Ans:- Brazil of which BRICS nation crossed 200 million mark recently?

INDIA & WORLD

1) India and Pakistan exchanged fire at which area of Poonch Sector of Jammu and Kashmir on 6 August 2013 killing five Indian Soldiers? Ans:- Chakan Da Bagh

2) In the recently released Academic Ranking of 500 World Universities (ARWU) for 2013 only one Indian institute features in the list. Which institute is this? Ans:- Indian Institute of Science (IIS), Bangalore 3) 1) An avian flu emergency was declared in the capital of which neighbouring country of India on 17 August, 2013 after fresh cases emerged from different areas of the capital? Ans:- Nepal 4) Name the country which India surpassed to become worlds third largest Internet user? Ans:- Japan 5) Which country has suggested Myanmar to set-up a Joint Border Working Group to address the issues of demarcation of border between the two countries ? Ans:- India

NATIONAL
1) Which union territory of the country celebrated its 60th Liberation Day on 2 August 2013? Ans:- Dadra and Nagar Haveli 2) Union Cabinet on 9 August 2013 approved the proposal for establishment of which new Wing in the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting? Ans:- Media Wing 3) Ministry of Communications and Information Technology inaugurated Data portal of India in New Delhi on 8 August 2013. Name the URL of the website? Ans:- www.data.gov.in 4) Which house of Parliament passed the historic companies Bill 2012 on 8 August 2013? Ans:- Rajya Sabha 5) Janata Party led by Subramanian Swamy has merged with which party on on 11 August 2013? Ans:- Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) 6) Union Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution Minister K.V. Thomas on 7 August 2013 introduced National Food Security Bill 2013 in Lok Sabha. This will replace which ordinance? Ans:- National Food Security Ordinance, 2013 7) Union Finance Minister P Chidambaram on 16 August 2013 unveiled the National Skill Certification and Monetary Reward Scheme. What is the objective of the scheme? Ans:- To motivate the youth for acquiring vocational skills

STATES
1) For the first time a pilot-project for use of Electronic Voting Machines (EVM) with Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) will be undertaken during an upcoming assembly by-election to be held in an Indian state. Which state is this? Ans:- Nagaland 2) In the month of August 2013 Which State Government has decided to revoke the suspension order of mining leases in the state ? Ans:- Goa

3) In the month of August 2013 ADB and Union government signed an agreement for 300 million US dollars in additional loan to upgrade highways in ? Ans:- Bihar 4) Which state on 20 August, 2013 became the first to launch the food security scheme for its citizens? Ans:- Delhi 5) Which state Governments Department of Town and Country Planning on 20 August 2012 notified an affordable housing policy, 2013 ? Ans:- Haryana 6) Which state became the only state of India to have increased its forest cover in the past two decades, as announced recently by the state govt.? Ans:- Sikkim 7) Which state government has recently decided to introduce 11 different coloured strips for the threewheelers based on the zones ? Ans:- Delhi 8) State Government of Rajasthan on 21 August 2013 laid the foundation stone for worlds biggest solar park at which place? Ans:- Bhadla of Jodhpur District 9) Which state government on 22 August 2013 laid the foundation store of Bio 360, a Life Sciences Park ? Ans:- Kerala 10) During 2011-12, which state replaced Maharashtra to become the state with the largest number of HIV patients in India? Ans:-Andhra Pradesh

CONFERENCES
1) The 2nd ASEAN Defense Ministers Meeting-Plus was concluded in on 29 August 2013 ? Ans:- Brunei

AWARDS & HONOURS

1) Who is the Malayalam poetess was awarded 22nd Saraswati Samman of K.K. Birla Foundation ? Ans:- Sugathakumari C)Shibani Bathija D)Urvashi Butalia 2) Which former US President was one among the 16 recipients of the Presidential Medal of Freedom for the year 2013, which were announced on 8 August 2013? Ans:- Bill Clinton 3) Who was conferred the Gujar Mal Modi Award for Science and Technology for year 2013 on 9 August, 2013? Ans:- Vinod Prakash Sharma 4) Subrata Kumar was nominated for the Prime Ministers Shram Ratna Award for year 2012 as announced by the union govt. on 14 August, 2013 on the eve of the Independence Day. He is associated

with Ans:- Tata Steel Limited

which

company?

5) Who is the Professor of economics, conservationist and mountaineer was selected on 12 August 2013 to receive the Sir Edmund Hillary Mountain Legacy Medal ? Ans:- Harshwanti Bisht

SPORTS & GAMES

1) Indian Police Wrestlers won five gold medals on 5 August 2013 (the fifth day) in the World Police and Fire Games. At which place the games were held? Ans:- Belfast, England 2) Name the Wimbledon 2013 Womens Singles winner who announced her retirement from Lawn Tennis on 14 August 2013? Ans:- Marion Bartoli 3) Who won Ans:- Rafael Nadal Mens Singles Title in Rogers Cup 2013?

4) India won six medals at the 7th Asian Junior Wushu Championships which concluded on 13 August 2013. Where was the Championship held? Ans:- Manila, Philippines 5) Which Indian player has won 10000 dollar the Internalional Tennis Federation (ITF) Womens Tennis Tournament on 11 August 2013? Ans:- Sowjanya Bavisetti 6) Who won the mens singles title at the World Badminton Championships held at Guangzhou? Ans:- Lin Dan of China 7) Who won the Belgian Ans:- Sebastian Vettel of Red Bull Formula One Grand Prix on 25 August, 2013?

8) India won Asian Cricket Councils (ACCs) Emerging Team under -23 title in the final held on 25 August, 2013 at Singapore. India defeated which team in the finals? Ans:- Pakistan 9) Who equaled the world record of highest golds after winning the 4x100m relay at the World Athletics Championships on 18 August 2013 at Moscow, Russia? Ans:- Usain Bolt 10) Which franchisee team became the winner of the 1st edition of Indian Badminton League (IBL), final of which was played on 31 August, 2013? Ans:- Hyderabad Hotshots

ECONOMY
1) Central Government on 13 August 2013 raised customs duty on gold, silver and platinum to percent in a bid to curb the surging imports and burgeoning Current Account Deficit. Ans:- 10%

2) The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has recently transferred its surplus profit to the government for the year ended June 2013, which is the highest amount to be transferred by the RBI to the government, except year 2007. How much amount was transferred as surplus profit to the govt.? Ans:- Rs. 33,010 crore 3) Reserve Bank of India (RBI) on 8 August 2013 announced its decision to sell govt. bonds on a week day with an objective of controlling the volatility in the foreign exchange market. Which day of the week was chosen for proposed weekly sale of govt. bonds? Ans:- Monday 4) What is the name of a proposed commission that will look into removing ambiguity and establishing a stable and non-adversarial tax administration in the country and establishment of which was approved by the union govt. recently? Ans:- Tax Administration Reform Commission TARC 5) The new Petronet LNG terminal near Kochi in Kerala received its first cargo vessel carrying liquified gas on 20 August, 2013. This new LNG terminal, which has been built at a cost of Rs 4,200 crore, is situated at ? Ans:- Puthuvype 6) Cheraman Financial Services Limited (CFSL), which became the first Islamic financial services company to be launched in India, started its operations in which Indian state recently? Ans:- Kerala 7) On 24 August, 2013 the Union Govt. approved the initiative for free supply of essential medicines to the patients availing treatments. How much budget outlay has been made available under this initiative, which comes under the 12th Five Year Plan? Ans:- Rs. 16,000 crore 8) The Indian Rupee fell sharply on 28 August, 2013 to hit a record low of 68.80 to the dollar. This was its biggest single-day percentage fall since how many years? Ans:- 18 years

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

1) Name the indigenously developed rockets which were successfully test-fired by India on 7 August 2013from a multi-barrel rocket launcher (MBRL) from a base at Chandipur-on-sea near Balasore, off the Odisha coast? Ans:- Pinaka rockets 2) NASA is all set to launch its next mission to Mars in November 2013 from Florida. What will be the project called? Ans:- Mars Atmosphere and Volatile Evolution (MAVEN) 3) Name the first ever indigenously designed and built aircraft carrier launched by India on 12 August 2013? Ans:- INS Vikrant 4) Name the indigenously-developed nuclear-capable surface-to-surface missile successfully test-fired by India on 12 August 2013? Ans:- Prithvi-II

5) ISRO called off GSLV-D5 launch with just an hour to go before the launch as a leak had been detected in fuel tank on 19 August 2013. GSLV-D5 was supposed to carry which satellite? Ans:- GSAT-14

PERSONS IN NEWS A) APPOINTMENTS

1) Who was appointed as 11th Director of the IIM A (Indian Institute of Management, Ahmadabad) on 13 August 2013? Ans:- Ashish Nanda 2) Who was appointed as the new Director-General of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) on 17 August, 2013? Ans:- Dilip Trivedi 3) Who recently took over as the new Ambassador and Permanent Representative of India to the UN Conference on Disarmament at Geneva? Ans:- D. Bala Venkatesh Varma 4) Who was appointed as the new Chairperson of the National School of Drama (NSD) Society on 19 August, 2013? Ans:- Ratan Thiyam 5) For the first time an Uttarakhand High Court judge has been made the Chief Justice of a High Court of the country. Who is this judge? Ans:- Justice P.C. Pant 6) Robert Mugabe was sworn in as the President of Zimbabwe on 22 August, 2013.Mugabe won a landslide victory in the 31 July elections with 61% of the presidential votes.What is the name of his political party? Ans:- Zimbabwe African National Union Patriotic Front (ZANU-PF) 7) How many Additional Solicitors General (ASGs) were appointed in the Supreme Court on 26 August, 2013? Ans:- Three 8) Who was appointed Head of Atomic Energy Organisation in Iran on 16 August 2013? Ans:- Ali Akbar Salehi

B)RESIGNS
1) Who is the Irans representative to the UN International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) since 2005, announced his resignation on 22 August 2013 ? Ans:- Ali Asghar Soltanieh

C)

DEATHS

1) A Dronacharya Award winner and the coach of former Indian cricket captain Kapil Dev passed away on 16 August, 2013 at Mohali. What was the name of this famous cricket coach? Ans:- Desh Prem Azad

2) Leading anti-superstition activist Dr. Narendra Dabholkar was shot down on 20 August, 2013 in Pune. He was founder of which organisation which was engaged in spreading the movement against antisuperstition in Maharashtra? Ans:- Maharashtra Andhashraddha Nirmulan Samiti

D) VISITORS
1) Who is the Afghanistan vice president visited India from Ans:- Mohammad Karim Khalili 20 22 August 2013 ?

E) MISCELLANEOUS
1) Which tennis player topped the Forbes list of highest-paid female athletes for the ninth straight year? Ans:- Maria Sharapova 2) A Street in Winnipeg city of which country has been named after Mahatma Gandhi on the occasion of Indias 67th Independence Day? Ans:- Canada 3) Name the oldest penguin of the world which turned 36 years old on 12 August 2013 ? Ans:- King Penguin Missy 4) What is the name of a dreaded terrorist from the 1980s who was arrested on 16 August, 2013 and who was allegedly involved in a series of blasts including the 1993 Mumbai train blasts? Ans:- Abdul Karim Tunda 5) Indian-American Trio won top honours at the 11th National Geographic World Championship. Where was it held? Ans:- Russias St. Petersburg city

PLACES IN NEWS
1) Which country was hit by earthquake with a magnitude of 6.8 on 16 August 2013? Ans: New Zealand

ABBREVIATIONS IN NEWS
1) What is the fullform of Ans:- National Bank for Agricultural and Rural Development NABARD ?

BOOKS IN NEWS
1) Gitanjali, the collection of poems (song offerings) by Rabindranath Tagore was released in 14 different languages at Kolkata. Who hasa released it? Ans:- . Mamata Banerjee, the Chief Minister of West Bengal 2) My Journey: Transforming Dreams into Actions, which was published recently by Rupa, is a new book written by ? Ans:- A.P.J. Abdul Kalam

COMMITTEES IN NEWS
1) A committee constituted by the Corporate Affairs Ministry to look into ways to improve the countrys overall business climate is ready to submit its report to the Union Govt. Who is heading this 25-member committee? Ans:- M. Damodaran, Former SEBI Chairman

DAYS & DATES

1) World Ans:- 12th August Youth Day is observed on ?

August 2013 Current Affairs Study Material

INTERNATIONAL
Bangladesh Court Disqualifies Jamaat-e-Islami Party On 1 August a Bangladesh court has disqualified the countrys largest Islamic party from taking part in the next general election.The High Court panel ruled that the opposition Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami partys regulations violate the constitutional provision of secularism. Robert Mugabe Re-elected As President Of Zimbabwe On 3 August Zanu-PF (Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front), the political party of the incumbent President Robert Mugabe has won the Presidential election of Zimbabwe .Mugabe won 61 percent of the vote against the 34 percent won by the Morgan Tsvangirai, the Prime Minister of Zimbabwe of Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) party.With this win, Mugabe has won his seventh term to the office of the President of Zimbabwe .Robert Mugabe is one of the leaders of the guerrilla movements against white-minority rule of Zimbabwe and was elected to power in 1980. China Built Port Terminal Opens In Sri Lanka On 5 August Sri Lankas President, Mahinda Rajapakse declare d open the new International Container Terminal of the Colombo harbour.The $500 million Colombo International Container Terminal (CICT) was built by China Merchants Holdings.The new South Port is the only harbor in South Asia that can accommodate the Triple-E Class vessels.85-pct of the investment is by CICT and the remaining 15-pct has been funded by the by the Sri Lanka Ports Authority. Ibrahim Boubacar Keita Elected As New President of Mali On 12 August Former Prime Minister Ibrahim Boubacar Keita was elected as President of Mali.He won the Malis Presidential elections , after his opponent and Ex -Finance Minister Soumala Cisse, conceded defeat. He was Prime Minister of Mali from 1994 to 2000 and President of the National Assembly of Mali from 2002 to 2007. He founded a political party, Rally for Mali (RPM), in 2001 and he has led the party since then. In addition to serving in the National Assembly, Keita was a member of the Parliament of the Economic Community of West African States. Britain Parliament Votes Against Possible Military Action In Syria On 29 August the Britain Parliament rejected a proposal for military action in Syria .By a 285 to 272 margin British MPs rejected the governments motion to support in principle military action against Syria.

INDIA & WORLD

India Signs DTAC protocol with Morocco On 8 August India signed a Protocol amending the India Morocco Double Taxation Avoidance Convention (DTAC) in New Delhi .The Protocol was signed by Dr Sudha Sharma, Chairperson, Central Board of Direct Taxes on behalf of Government of India and H.E. Mr. Larbi Reffouh, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Morocco to India on behalf of Government of the Kingdom of Morocco.The Protocol is based on international standards of transparency and exchange of information. It provides for effective exchange of information including banking information between tax authorities of the two countries. 5th India China Strategic Dialogue Held In Delhi The 5th India-China Strategic Dialogue was held at New Delhi on 20 August .The Indian side was led by Foreign Secretary Sujatha Singh and the Chinese side was led by Vice Foreign Minister Liu Zhenmin.The two sides discussed several issues including enhancing understanding on the utilization of trans-border river waters, expanding bilateral trade and investment while addressing problems of the large and growing deficit faced by India, ways of maintaining peace and tranquility along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in the India-China border areas, methods of boosting cultural cooperation as well as people-topeople exchanges and expansion of scientific and technological cooperation. India Third Largest Internet Using Nation On 21 August According to research firm com Score latest report titled India Digital Future in Focus 2013 , India with 73.9 million Net users is the worlds third largest Internet population, overtaking Japan (4th position) but behind China (First position) and the US. (Second position) Riding on a 31 per cent year-onyear increase, Indias online population grew to 73.9 million.With an extended online universe in excess of 145 million the market is at a tipping point for online businesses.India overtook Japan by adding 17.6 million users in 2012. Indians Third Largest Immigrant Group In US On 23 August According to the Migration Policy Institute latest study report , Indians have emerged as the third-largest immigrant group in the US behind Mexicans and Chinese, with nearly 1.9 million of them living in the country.Indian population in the US has grown to over 150 times its size since 1960, when the slightly more than 12,000 Indian immigrants represented less than 0.5 per cent of the total immigrant population of 9.7 million immigrants.Till 2011, Indian-born immigrants accounted for almost five per cent (1.86 million) of Americas 40.4 million immigrants.Almost one-third of all Indian immigrants resided in just two states- California and New Jersey.More than a quarter of them lived in three major metropolitan areas- New York, Chicago and San Jose.Two per cent of all unauthorised immigrants in the United States were also from India. India and Iraq Signed Energy Cooperation Agreement On 23 August India and Iraq signed an agreement on energy cooperation to boost the bilateral ties.The agreement was signed along with three other agreements after comprehensive talks between Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh and his Iraq Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki on strategic bilateral, regional and international issues. Iraq is an important Gulf nation and has emerged as Indias second largest crude oil supplier after Saudi Arabia. India Announced Rs 5,000 crore For Bhutan On 31 August India announced an aid of Rs 5,000 crore, including a special package of Rs 500 crore, for Bhutan as part of commitment to its continued socio-economic development, a move that assumes significance against the backdrop of unease in the bilateral ties recently. India will contribute Rs 4500 crore towards Bhutans 11th Plan, as well as Rs 500 crore towards an Economic Stimulus Package.The decision was announced after talks in NewDelhi between Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Bhutan Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay.

NATIONAL
India Lost 220 Languages In Last 50 Years On 9 August A two-year survey by Bhasha Research and Publication Centre based in Vadodara has revealed that India has lost around 20 per cent of its languages over the last 50 years.Officials of the survey, called the Peoples Linguistic Survey of India (PLSI) has held that the country had 1,100 languages in 1961 of which 220 have vanished. The survey has found 780 languages and might have missed another 100, which makes it around 880.The 1961 census had recorded that India had 1,652 languages in all but the number was narrowed down to 1,100 later for variants of same languages were also included in the list. The 1971 census registered only 108 languages for it was decided that only those languages with over 10,000 speakers will be included. Rajya Sabha Passed The Registration of Births and Deaths (Amendment) Bill, 2012 On 13 August Rajya Sabha passed a bill to make registration of marriages mandatory.The Registration of Births and Deaths (Amendment) Bill, 2012, which was passed by Rajya Sabha, seeks to provide compulsory registration of marriages irrespective of religion. The registration of marriages will not apply to those who have registered their marriage under any other law.At present, there is provision for registration of only births and deaths. Lok Sabha Passed National Food Security Bill, 2013 On 26 August Lok Sabha passed the National Food Security Bill, 2013.The Bill seeks to give legal rights to get subsidized grains every month to 67 percent of the overall population (of which 75 percent is rural and 50 percent is urban population).A beneficiary will be entitled to 5 kg of rice, wheat or coarse cereals at Rs. 3, Rs. 2 and Re. 1 per kg a month, respectively.The beneficiaries will be identified by the States based on parameters prescribed by the Union government.Once the Bill gets its nod in the Rajya Sabha and Presidents accent, India will join the selected league of countries that guarantee food grants to a majority of its population. Rajya Sabha Passed The Marriage Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2010 On 26 August the Rajya Sabha passed The Marriage Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2010 was passed by voice vote .It seeks to amend the Hindu Marriage Act 1955 and the Special Marriages Act, 1954 which provides for irretrievable breakdown on marriage as a ground for divorce as well as grants women the right to a share in the property of their husbands.Under the new bill, a provision has been made to restrict the grant of decree of divorce on the ground of irretrievable breakdown of marriage if the court is satisfied that adequate provision for the maintenance of children born out of the marriage has not been made consistently with the financial capacities of the parents. Lok Sabha Passed Land Acquisition Bill The Lok Sabha passed the landmark land acquisition and rehabilitation bill on 29 August 2013 that aims to provide fair compensation to those whose land is taken, brings transparency to the process and details measures for rehabilitation of those displaced.The bill, which will now be called, The Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Bill, 2012, replaced a nearly 120-year-old law enacted during British rule in 1894. Companies Bill 2013 Receives Presidents Assent The new Companies Bill has received Presidents assent, that will make it into a law replacing the nearly six-decade old regulations that govern corporates in the country.The Companies Bill 2013 received assent from the President Pranab Mukherjee on 29 August 2013.The Companies Bill 2012 was passed in Rajya Sabha on 8 August 2013 . Earlier, the bill was passed by the Lok Sabha on 18 December 2012. With the Presidents assent, the Companies Bill 2012 became the Companies Act, 2013 (New Act).The

new Bill, providing for sweeping changes in the way companies operate and are regulated in the country, received Parliamentary approval earlier this month. It would replace the Companies Act 1956.

STATES
Karnataka Becomes First State To Establish Calamities Relief Fund On 5 August Karnataka Government has become the first state in the country to establish State Natural Calamities Relief fund of Rs. 125 crore.The Relief Fund will provide for a natural calamities relief fund which would provide for building capital assets and relief in respect of man-made disasters that are not covered under the state disaster response fund guidelines of the Government of India. First Public Sector Breast Milk Bank Inaugurated In Kolkata On 7 August A modern and sophisticated breast milk bank was inaugurated at the state-run Seth Sukhlal Karnani Memorial Hospital (SSKM) by West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee . This novel scheme was launched to cater to the basic needs of a child who is just born, but does not get the milk from the mother or when the mother dies after giving birth to the child.The breast milk bank would help specially to non-lactating mothers. The stored milk can be used to feed babies whose mothers fall ill during the sixmonth lactating period after pregnancy. Indias First Cyber Forensic Laboratory (CFL) Established In Tripura The first Cyber Forensic Laboratory (CFL) of India was established in Tripura on 11 August .The lab was established at the Tripura High Court and the purpose of the lab is to facilitate information related to court cases. The CFL was inaugurated by Supreme Court judge Justice Madan B. Lokur. Agar-Malwa Becomes The 51st District Of Madhya Pradesh Madhya Pradesh government gave nod to creation of the new district of Agar-Malwa, taking the number of districts in the state to 51.The district will come into existence on 16 August.The new district will be created by bifurcating Shajapur district; it will comprise the tehsils of Agar, Badoud, Susner and Nalkheda. Headquarters would be at Agar town.Spread over 2,785 square km, Agar-Malwa will have population of 4.80 lakh. Sonia Sonia Gandhi Launches Food Security Scheme In Delhi On 20 August Congress president Sonia Gandhi launched the Centre-Sponsored Food security scheme on the occasion of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhis 69th birth Anniversary.Delhi was the first state to implement the scheme.Under the scheme, a total of 73.5 lakh people will get foodgrain at highly subsidised rates.The food security programme would provide subsidised grains for 67 per cent of the population and would see government spending an estimated Rs. 1,25,000 crore to supply 62 million tonnes of grains. Under the scheme, beneficiaries would get wheat at Rs. 2 a kg, rice at Rs. 3 a kg and coarse grain at Rs. 1 a kg.Congress party ruled northern states Haryana and Uttarakhand have also launched this scheme. Maharashtra Cabinet Approved Anti-Black Magic and Superstition Ordinance On 21 August the Maharashtra Cabinet has approved the Anti-Black Magic and Superstition Ordinance after the death of anti-superstition activist Narendra Dabholkar.The decision was taken by the state cabinet in wake up of the protests that followed after the murder of Dabhokar in Pune on 20 August 2013.Dabholkar was at the forefront of a campaign to persuade the Maharashtra government to pass an anti-superstition and black magic bill. Rajasthan Government Laid Foundation Stone For Worlds Largest Solar Park

On 21 August State Government of Rajasthan laid the foundation stone for worlds biggest solar park at Bhadla of Jodhpur District of Rajasthan.The solar park with generation capacity of 3000 MW would be commissioned in phased manner. In its first phase the solar park will generate 1000 MW.Solar Park would be established in 10 thousand hectare land and Asian Development Bank (ADB) will provide 3000 crore rupees loan for development of transmission lines of this solar park.

CONFERENCES
BRICS Business Council Meeting Held In Johannesburg The first BRICS Business Council Meeting was held on 19 20 August 2013 in Johannesburg , South Africa.The objective of the meet is aiming to increase the trade and investment ties between participating economies.The two-day meeting was attended by the Chairpersons of the respective chapters of the BRICS Business Council that attended the meeting are: Jose Rubens de la Rosa (Brazil), Sergey Katyrin (Russian Federation), Onkar Kanwar (India) and MA Zehua (China).The meeting was chaired by Patrice Motsepe, Chairman of the South African and BRICS Business Council.In a joint statement following the first BRICS Business Council meeting ,the council made several recommendations includ es urging governments to facilitate convenience in expediting multiple entry business visas for longer periods, as well as considering a proposal to create a BRICS business travel card ; Enhancing connectivity; and Creating a BRICS business portal, which will be facilitated by the BRICS Business Council Secretariat, among others.The council has agreed to work together in areas such as infrastructure, mining and mineral beneficiation, value-added manufacturing development, skills development and sustainable development.BRICS an acronym for the Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa group of countries.The BRICS Business Council was established during the 2013 BRICS Summit in Durban in March, with South African businessman Patrice Motsepe named chairman of the body. Second ASEAN Defence Ministers Meeting Plus Held In Brunei The 2nd ASEAN Defense Ministers Meeting-Plus has concluded in Brunei on 29 August .Defense ministers from ASEAN signed a declaration of commitment to enhance peace and security in the AsiaPacific region.They committed to adhere to the principles of equality, mutual respect, mutual benefit and respect for international laws in the handling of disputes. The defense ministers also agreed to promote better understanding and confidence-building measures among defense establishments.ASEAN Defence ministers meeting firstly convened in Vietnams capital Hanoi on October 12, 2010, the regional event has involved 18 member states, including ministers from the 10 ASEAN nations.ASEAN Defence Ministers Meeting Plus was established in 2010.This forum is convened every two years.The third ADMM-Plus is scheduled to be held in Malaysia in 2015.

AWARDS & HONOURS

Malayalam Poetess Sugathakumari Awarded With Saraswati Samman 2013 On 2 August Renowned Malayalam poetess and social activist Sugathakumari has been conferred with the prestigious Saraswati Samman 2012 for Manalezhuthu (the Writings on the Sand), a collection of poems in Malayalam.Manalezhuthu was published in the year 2006.Saraswati Samman Award was instituted by KK Birla Foundation in 1991.This award is given every year to the literary work in any Indian language which is the part of Eighth Schedule of the Constitution. US Presidential Medal To Bill Clinton and Oprah Winfrey On 8 August Barack Obama, the US President would confer the Presidential Medal of Freedom on former

US President, Bill Clinton and talk show queen, Oprah Winfrey. It is the highest civilian honour of America. Indian American Professor Received Top US Environmental Award On 16 August An Indian American professor of biological and agricultural engineering has been recognised by a top US environmental and water resources institute for his pioneering work in hydrology. Vijay P Singh, professor and Caroline ; William N Lehrer distinguished chair in the department of biological and agricultural engineering at Texas A&M University, was named a recipient of the 2013 Lifetime Achievement Award by the American Society of Civil Engineers Environmental and Water Resources Institute (ASCE-EWRI).Singh is an internationally recognised and pre-eminent engineer specialising in water resources engineering and hydrology. His work has developed the application of kinematic wave theory to the point where it is widely used throughout the world in hydrologic models used for water resource modelling, flood planning and hydrologic design. Harshwanti Bisht Selected For Sir Edmund Hillary Mountain Legacy Medal 2013 On 12 August Professor of economics, and conservationist, and mountaineer Dr. Harshwanti Bisht has been selected to receive the Sir Edmund Hillary Mountain Legacy Medal 2013.The award is presented for remarkable service in the conservation of culture and nature in mountainous regions.In 2003 the Sir Edmund Hillary Mountain Legacy Medal was initiated by unanimous resolution of the Namche Conference: Parks, People and Mountain Tourism. Malala Yousafzai Wins International Childrens Peace Prize On 27 August Pakistani school pupil and education activist Malala Yousafzai won the International Childrens Peace Prize 2013. The peace prize carries a cash value of 100000 euros (133000 US dollars) which is invested in projects relating to the winners cause. The International Childrens Peace Prize is an initiative of the Amsterdem-based Dutch KidsRights Foundation. It was launched in the year 2005 by former Soviet President Mikhail Gorbachev, when he chaired the Summit of Nobel Peace Laureates in Rome. Since then, the prize has been awarded every year by a Nobel Peace Prize Laureate. The prize is presented annually to an exceptional child, whose courageous or otherwise remarkable actions have made a difference in countering problems, which affect children around the world. Mandela Is The First Recipient Of Mahathir Award For Global Peace On 27 August Former South African President Nelson Mandela was awarded the first Lifetime Campaigner for Peace and Freedom of the Mahathir Award for Global Peace .Current South African President Jacob Zuma received the award on behalf of Mandela, who is in a critical condition in a hospital in Pretoria.The Mahathir Award for Global Peace is a peace award instituted by the Mahathir Global Peace Foundation. The foundation was formed to contribute to worldwide peace efforts.Mahathir bin Mohamad is a Malaysian politician who was the fourth Prime Minister of Malaysia. He held the post for 22 years from 1981 to 2003, making him Malaysias longest serving Prime Minister.

SPORTS & GAMES

India Won Bronze Medal at Junior Women Hockey World Cup On 4 August Indian Junior Women Hockey team won its first ever Bronze medal in ERGO Hockey Junior World Cup at Monchengladbac, Germany .India defeated England by 3-2 in a penalty shoot-out.Indian forward Rani was declared the Best Player of the ERGO Junior Women Hockey World Cup 2013.The Netherland team won the final against Argentina and clinched the trophy for a record third time. Parimarjan Negi Won Politiken Cup On 4 August Indian Grandmaster Parimarjan won the Denmarks Politiken Cup at Copenhagen,

Denmark by gaining 9 out of the total possible 10 points. He defeated the seventh seed, Italian Sabino Brunello in just 31 moves of Ruy Lopez. Jadeja First Indian After Kumble To Top ODI Bowlers List On 4 August Left-arm spinner Ravindra Jadeja became the first Indian bowler to top the bowlers chart in the latest ICC ODI Player Rankings after former captain Anil Kumble claimed the pole position way back in 1996.Overall, Jadeja is the fourth India bowler after Kapil Dev (March 1989), Maninder Singh (December 1987-November 1988) and Kumble to claim the number-one spot in ODIs. Franklin Wins Record 6 Golds at World Swimming Championships On 5 August American swimmer Missy Franklin became the first woman to win six gold medals at a world-championships.She claimed her record sixth gold medal of the world championships , swimming the leadoff leg for the Americans in the 400-meter medley relay in Barcelona, Spain.Missy Franklin won four golds and a bronze at the 2012 London Games, joins American men Michael Phelps and Mark Spitz as well as German woman Kristin Otto with six golds in either a world or Olympic competition.Franklin became the winningest female swimmer ever at a world meet, eclipsing the record that was shared by Tracy Caulkins, who won five times in 1978, and Libby Trickett, who did it in 2007. PV Sindhu Won Bronze Medal at World Badminton Championships On 10 August Indian shuttler P V Sindhu lost to the Ratchanok Intanon of Thailand in the semi-final match at the World Badminton Championships at Guangzhou, China.P V Sindhu now became the only second Indian singles player to win a medal after Prakash Padukone .Jwala Gutta and Ashwini Ponnappa had won the doubles bronze in London in 2011. World Badminton Championship 2013 Winners Womens Singles :- Thailands Ratchanok Intanon won the womens singles title ,after defeated Li Xuerui (China) in the final at the World Badminton Championships at Guangzhou.This is the first time any shuttler from Thailand has won a gold at the Worlds in any category. Mens Singles :- Chinas Lin Dan reinforced his claim to being the greatest badminton player in history after he defeated arch rival Malaysian Lee Chong Wei in the World Championship final to become the first man to win five world singles titles. Rogers Cup Tennis Tournament 2013 Winners Womens Singles :- On 11 August Serena Williams (U.S) won the Rogers Cup Tennis Tournament Womens singles title ,after defeated Romanias Sorana Cirstea in the final at Montreal (Canada).Serena Williams won the Rogers Cup womens title for the third time. Mens Singles :- Rafael Nadal (Spain) won his third Rogers Cup Mens Singles title , after defeated Canadas Milos Raonic in the final. Marion Bartoli Retires From Tennis On 14 August Wimbledon champion Marion Bartoli of France announces her retirement from professional tennis.She announced the retirement after losing in the second round of the Cincinnati Masters to Romanias Simona Halep. She is ranked seventh in the world.Besides Wimbledon 2013, Bartoli won seven other WTA Tour titles, the first one was in Auckland in 2006. Recently she won two tournaments both in 2011 at Eastbourne and Osaka, Japan, prior to Wimbledon. 2013 World Championships in Athletics Winners The 14th World Championships in Athletics are held in Moscow, Russia from 10 18 August 2013. Russia (17 medals )topped the medal table with seven gold, four silver, and six bronze medals.The US (25 medals) came in second place at the event, receiving six gold, 13 silver, and six bronze medals. Jamaica (19 medals )placed third, with its athletes earning six gold, two silver, and one bronze. Winners Of The 2013 World Championships in Athletics :* Jamaicas Usain Bolt and Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce both won three gold medals in the mens and

womens 100 m, 200 m and 4 x 100 m relay respectively to become the most successful athletes at the event.Usain Bolt moved to the top of the all-time World Championships medal table by winning three gold medals.It was Bolts second three gold performance at the World Championships.With this victory Usain Bolt has joined the club of highest (8) gold medal winners list along with American womens 200m specialist Allyson Felix, and retired US track stars Carl Lewis and Michael Johnson including relays. * Christina Obergfoll of Germany won the womens javelin title with a throw of 69.05 metres . * French athlete Teddy Tamgho claimed gold in the mens triple jump event ,, with a jump measuring 18.04m. * In the Mens 1, 500 metres race Kenyan Asbel Kiprop ( 3min:36.2 sec) won the gold and Eunice Jepkoech Sum of Kenya won gold in Womens 800 metres race (1min :57.38 sec) * Womens 10,000 meters Race :Tirunesh Dibaba (Ethiopia) *Mens 10,000 meters Race :- Double Olympic champion Mo Farah of Britain created history once again in Moscow as he became the first British man to win a 10,000m world title.The Somalia-born Mo Farah went down in the history books as just the second man to win the 5000 and 10,000m races at the Olympics and the world championships. * Mens 20 kilometres Walk :Aleksandr Ivanov (Russia) * Womens Marathon :- Kenyas Edna Ngeringwony Kiplagat becomes the first women in history to defend her world championship marathon title. * Shot put :- New Zealands Valerie Adams has become the first woman to win four individual world athletics titles in the same event. * Mens 110 metres Hurdles :David Oliver (USA) * Mens 400metres Hurdles :Jehu Gordon (Trinidad) * Womens 400 metres Hurdles :Zuzana Hejnova (Czech Republic ) * Russian pole vaulter Yelena Isinbayeva won gold..Yelena Isinbayeva is a two-time Olympic gold medalist (2004 and 2008), a three-time World Champion (2005, 2007 and 2013), the current world record holder in the event, who is widely considered the greatest female pole-vaulter of all time. Cincinnati Tennis Tournament 2013 Winners Womens Singles :- On 18 August Victoria Azarenka of Belarus won the Cincinnati Tennis Tournament womens singles title.Azarenka defeated Serena Williams of the U.S in the final at Cincinnati (U.S ) Mens Singles :- In the Mens category Rafael Nadal (Spain) has won the Cincinnati Tennis Tournament title for the first time.He defeated John Isner (U.S) in the final.Nadals five Masters titles this season are a career best. Hes tied with Novak Djokovic for most Masters titles in a season since 1990. Hes won seven of the nine Masters events during his career. Sania Mirza Jie Zheng pair Won New Haven Open Title On 24 August Indias Sania Mirza won the womens doubles title at the New Haven Open Tennis tournament along with her partner Jie Zheng of China.Sania and Jie defeated the pair of Anabel Medina Garrigues (Spain) and Katarina Srebotnik (Slovenia) in the final at Yale.This is Sania Mirzas 17th WTA doubles title and the third Title in 2013. Australias Aaron Finch Hits T20 World Record Australian batsman Aaron Finch hit a new record in Twenty20 Internationals in Southampton (England), when he scored 156 runs off 63 balls against England at Southampton on 29 August.Finch mashed 14 sixes and 11 fours in his innings and surpassed the previous international record of 123, scored by New Zealands Brendon McCullum.In the process he also became the first Australian to score a T20 international century.

ECONOMY

Union Cabinet Approved the Setting up of Bharatiya Mahila Bank On 8 August the Union Cabinet approved the proposal for setting up of Bharatiya Mahila Bank (BMB) with an initial corpus of Rs 1,000 crore.The proposed bank will be headquartered in New Delhi.The Mahila Bank will start with 6 branches one each in north, south, east, west, central and north eastern part of the country.The proposed bank is likely to begin operations by November this year. India Signed Agreement With World Bank For Low Income Housing Finance Project On 14 August the government of India and the World Bank signed a $100 million credit agreement aimed at helping low-income households in Indian cities access loans to purchase, build or upgrade their dwellings.The Low Income Housing Finance Project would be implemented by the National Housing Bank (NHB).The credit agreement for the Low Income Housing Finance Project was signed between the Government of India, National Housing Bank (NHB) and World Bank in New Delhi. Muslims Have Lowest Living Standard In India According to the National Sample Survey Organisation (NSSO) stud y titled Employment and Unemployment Situation Among Major Religious Groups in India among various religious groups,Muslims have the lowest living standard in the country * According to the survey data , Muslims average per capita expenditure of just Rs 32.66 in a day.At the other end of the spectrum, Sikh community enjoys a much better lifestyle as the average per capita spending among them is Rs 55.30 per day, while the same for Hindus is Rs 37.50. For Christians it is Rs 51.43. * At all-India level, the average monthly per capita expenditure (MPCE) of a Sikh household was Rs 1,659 while that for a Muslim household was Rs 980 in 2009-10.The average MPCE for Hindus and Christians were Rs 1,125 and Rs 1,543, respectively.The survey said that average monthly per capita consumption at all-India level was Rs 901 in villages and Rs1,773 in cities. Overall, the average MPCE was Rs 1,128. * Muslims were at the bottom in rural areas, with an average MPCE of Rs 833, followed by Hindus at Rs 888, Christians at Rs1,296 and Sikhs 1,498. * In urban areas, Muslims average MPCE was also the lowest at Rs 1,272 followed by Hindus at Rs 1,797, Christians Rs 2,053 and Sikhs at Rs 2,180. Per Capita Income Up 6.7% in 2004-12 On 25 August According to official sources data ,the per capita income in the country increased 6.7 per cent per annum during 2004-05 to 2011-12, while the percentage of poor declined by 2.2 per cent over the period.For 2011-12, the Planning Commission has estimated percentage of people living below the poverty line at 21.9 per cent.The poverty line in 2011-12 in terms of monthly per capita consumption expenditure was estimated at Rs 816 in rural areas and Rs 1,000 in urban areas.State-wise, Uttar Pradesh had highest number of people living below poverty line during 2011-12 at 598.19 people below poverty line out of every lakh.It was followed by Bihar at 358.15 people (per lakh), Madhya Pradesh 234.04 people, Maharashtra 197.92 people and West Bengal at 184.98 people living below the poverty line. 27 crore People Live Below Poverty Line In India Indias population was estimated at 123 crore as of March 1, 2012, while as many as 27 crore people lived below the poverty line in 2011-12, Minister of State for Planning Rajeev Shukla explained in a written reply to Rajya Sabha on 29 August.As per the Population Census of 2011 conduced by the Office of Registrar General of India, the population in the country was estimated at 121 crore as of March 1, 2011.The poverty ratio in the country has decreased to 21.9 per cent in 2011-12 from 37.2 per cent in 2004-05.The rate of decline between 2004-05 and 2011-12 is three times faster than experienced between 1993-94 and 2004-05.As per the Millennium Development Goals Report 2013, the poverty rate in India fell from 49 per cent in 1994 to 42 per cent in 2005 and 33 per cent in 2010.

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

Australias Most Powerful Super Computer Unveiled On 1 August Australias most powerful supercomputer Raijin was unveiled in Canberra.Raijin, named after the Japanese God of thunder and rain, has costed USD 45.2 million to build and will cost USD 10.85 million a year to run.The super computer, unveiled at Australian National University (ANU),and it is the 27th most powerful computer in the world. Indias DRDO Launches Explosive Detection Kit In US On 2 August the India-developed US-manufactured Explosive Detection Kit (EDK) was launched at the US Chamber of Commerce building in Washington.In a first of its kind of reverse technology sharing between India and the US, an innovative Explosive Detection Kit developed by Indian scientists would be manufactured in America and sold globally for quick detection and identification of combinations of explosives.This was probably for the first time that technology developed by Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO) was being manufactured and marketed in the US. Japan Sends Worlds First Talking Robot Into Space On 4 August Japan has successfully launched the worlds first talking humanoid robot called Kirobo in to space. The robot was sent by H2B rocket from the island of Tanegashima. The rocket carried food, water and other supplies. Kirobo will serve as a companion for Japanese astronauts.Kirobo was put through a series of zero-gravity and other safety tests prior to sending him into space. Kirobo is 34 centimetres tall and can speak Japanese. It will provide emotional support for people in space. Kirobo will talk to JAXA astronaut Koichi Wakata when he arrives at the space station in November. The name of Kirobo is a merging of Kibo and robot. Kirobo was designed by scientists and engineers at the University of Tokyo. It is equipped with voice-recognition and face-recognition technology, as well as a camera, emotion recognition software and natural language processing. Japan Unveils Largest Warship On 6 August Japan has unveiled its biggest warship since the Second World War as part of a plan to bolster its defense of territorial claims in disputed waters.The ship, named the Izumo, is classified as a helicopter destroyer, though its flattop design makes it look like an aircraft carrier.The ship is nearly 250 metres (820ft feet) long and is designed to carry up to 14 helicopters.Japanese Defense Ministry announced the ship is not intended to be used as an aircraft carrier and will not be used to launch fighter jets.It will also be used to bolster the nations ability to transport personnel and supplies in response to large-scale natural disasters. Pinaka Rockets Successfully Test Fired On 7 August India successfully test fired two rounds of indigenously developed Pinaka rockets from a multi-barrel rocket launcher (MBRL) from a defence base in Chandipur-on-sea near Balasore, off the Odisha coast.The tests were routine trials conducted for training purpose. The tests were conducted by personnel from Armament Research and Development Establishment (ARDE), Pune unit at Proof and Experimental Establishment (PXE) firing point-2. Pinaka is an area weapon system with a range of 40 km.Pinaka system can fire a salvo of 12 rockets in 44 seconds. Ten rounds of Pinaka rockets were tested from the same base on 30 and 31 January and 28 February this year. INS Arihant Nuclear Reactor Activated On 10 August India has activated the reactor on board the INS Arihant nuclear submar ine, the first to be designed and built in India.With this success, India became a member of the exclusive club of countries that have built their own nuclear powered submarines along with Russia, US, UK, China and France.After the nuclear reactor is activated, INS Arihant has been undergoing trials at Navys key submarine base in Vishakhapatnam (Andhra Pradesh) and would be launched for sea trials soon since the nuclear reactor has gone critical.Nuclear triad has the ability to fire nuclear-tipped missiles from land, air and sea.Arihant means destroyer of enemies in Sanskrit is an Indian submarine, which is 111 meter long, 11 broad and

15 meter tall.The 6,000 tonne vessel was built under the Advanced Technology Vessel (ATV) project at the Ship Building Centre in Visakhapatnam ,at a cost of around Rs 15,000 crore .INS Arihant, was introduced to the public on 26 July 2009 at a symbolic launch ceremony by Prime Minister Manmohan Singhs wife Gursharan Kaur.India operates the INS Chakra, which is an Akula II cla ss submarine leased from Russia for ten years and has plans of building two more nuclear submarines indigenously. ICGS Rajveer Commissioned On 10 August Seventh in the series of eight inshore patrol vessels (IPV), ICGS Rajveer was commissioned at Visakhapatnam (Andhra Pradesh) by defence secretary R K Mathur in the presence of vice-admiral Anurag G Thapliyal, director general of Indian Coast Guard.The IPV is equipped with the most advanced and sophisticated navigational and communication sensors and equipment. The ship is propelled to a maximum speed of 31.5 knots and has an endurance of 1,500 nautical miles. The special feature include an integrated Bridge System, Integrated machinery control system and an indigenously built 30mm gun mount with fire control system. India Launched First Indigenous Aircraft Carrier INS Vikrant India launched its first indigenous aircraft carrier INS Vikrant on 12 August .Defence Minister A K Antonys wife Elizabeth launched the 37,500 tonne carrier INS Vikrant at K ochi shipyard.This will mark Indias entry into a select club of countries capable of designing and building a carrier of this size. Other countries capable of designing and building an equivalent size ship are the US, the UK, Russia and France.Fighter aircraftMig-29K, Light Combat Aircraft and Kamov-31 helicopterswill deployed on board the carrier which will also carry an array of other weapons systems.INS Vikrant has a length of 260 metres and it is 60 metres wide.It is behind schedule by three years.The carrier is expected to be delivered to the Navy by the end of 2018. India Successfully Test Fired Nuclear Capable Prithvi -II Missile On 12 August India has successfully test-fired its indigenously developed nuclear capable Prithvi -II missile from a mobile launcher in salvo mode from launch complex-3 of the Integrated Test Range (ITR) at (Odisha) Chandipur.Prithvi-II missile was launched by the personnel of the Strategic Force Command (SFC) from ITRs Launch Complex-III as part of routine user training. The missile scientists of the Defence Research and Development Organisation(DRDO) monitored the launch operations.The missile, with a range of 350 km, developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) .The missile, 9 metres in height with a launch weight of 4.6 tonnes, is capable of carrying a warhead of more than 500 kg.The last users trial of Prithvi-II was successfully carried out from the same base on on December 20, 2012. Voyager Becomes First Man-Made Object To Leave The Solar System According to the new research shows ,NASAs long-lived Voyager probe crossed into interstellar space last year, becomes the first man-made object to leave the solar system.Voyager 1 space craft was launched in 1977 along with a sister probe, Voyager 2, to observe the outer planets. Voyager 1 is now approximately 120 times farther away from the sun than Earth. Voyager 2 is heading out of the solar system in a different direction.The probes are powered by the slow decay of radioactive plutonium. Voyager 1 will begin running out of energy for its science instruments in 2020. By 2025, it will be completely out of power. Indias Super Hercules Lands At Highest Airfield On LAC The Super Hercules C 130 J transport plane landed at the worlds highest and re cently-activated Daulat Beg Oldie airstrip in Ladakh area of Jammu and Kashmir for the first time on 20 August .The Daulat Beg Oldie airstrip located at 16614 feet (5065 metres) in the Aksai Chin area..In April, the area saw a 21-day stand-off between Indian and Chinese troops who came and pitched tents in the vicinity of the airfield and returned only after several rounds of flag meetings between both sides.The achievement will enable the armed forces to use the heavy-lift aircraft to induct troops, supplies, improve communication network and also serve as a morale booster for maintenance of troops positioned there.C-130J is capable of lifting upto 20 tonnes of load.

Indias First Defence Satellite GSAT -7 Launched Successfully Indias first exclusive defence satellite GSAT-7 was successfully launched by European space consortium Arianespaces Ariane 5 rocket from Kourou spaceport in French Guiana on 30 August.This launch will push ahead Indias maritime security.GSAT7 has been built at an expense of 185 crore rupees and will act as the countrys maiden dedicated spacecraft for defence applications.The frequency bands of GSAT 7 will help space-based marine communications. It has coverage over India landmass as well as surrounding seas.Earlier, satellite communication in ships was through Inmarsat, a major provider of global mobile satellite communications services.The state-of-the-art satellite carrying payloads operating in UHF, S, C and Ku bands, had a lift-off mass of 2625 kg and is based on ISROs 2500 kg satellite bus with some new technological elements, including the antennae.According to ISRO, GSAT-7 is an advanced communication satellite to provide wide range of service spectrum from low bit rate voice to high bit rate data communication.Payload of the GSAT7 is designed to provide communication capabilities to users in distant oceanic regions. Its solar arrays generate 2900 W of electrical power. US Scientists Created the Most Precise Clock of the World The National Institute of Standards and Technology Scientist from U.S , revealed in the month of August 2013 that they created the most precise clock of the world. The ticking rate of this clock varies less than two parts in one quintillion, or ten times better than any clock in the world. The clock is made up of the element ytterbium. This element can be used for technological advancements beyond the timekeeping. The clock can be used for various purposes such as checking temperature, navigation systems as well as magnetic fields.The co-author of the study which revealed the clock, Andrew Ludlow explained that the stability of this ytterbium lattice clock paves way for other practical applications of high-performance timekeeping.

PERSONS IN NEWS
A) APPOINTMENTS
Rajeev Rishi is new CMD of Central Bank of India On 1 August Rajeev Rishi took over as the Chairman and Managing Director of Central Bank of India .His appointment is for a period of five years.Prior to the new appointment, Mr. Rishi served as the Executive Director of Indian Bank, since October 2010. Before joining Indian Bank, he was the General Manager of Oriental Bank of Commerce.Rajeev Rishi, who belongs to Chandigarh, holds a BA and an LLB and an expert in Banking. Arundhati Bhattacharya Appointed Managing Director Of SBI On 2 August Arundhati Bhattacharya was appointed the managing director and chief financial officer of the State Bank of India(SBI).She is the first managing director at SBI, which is Indias largest bank.Arundhati succeeded Diwakar Gupta. Hassan Rouhani Sworn In As Irans New President On 4 August Hassan Rohani was sworn in as the new President of Iran in the ceremony held at the Iranian Parliament in Tehran.Rouhani is the seventh (different) President of Iran after the Islamic Revolution of 1979. Raghuram Rajan Appointed as the New Governor of RBI On 6 August Chief economic adviser Raghuram Govind Rajan has been appointed as the Governor of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI).Rajan will have a term of three years.He will be the 23rd Governor of RBI.He is 50 years of age and so far, he is the youngest person to become the Governor of the Reserve Bank of India.He was appointed as the youngest-ever Economic Counselor and Director of Research (chief economist) at the International Monetary Fund (IMF) from October 2003 to December 2006.Rajan

was appointed as Chief Economic Advisor to the Ministry of Finance, Government of India on 10 August 2012. Dilip Trivedi is new CRPF chief On 17 August Senior IPS officer Dilip Trivedi has been appointed as the new chief of the countrys largest paramilitary force CRPF (Central Reserve Police Force). Trivedi, a 1978-batch officer of Uttar Pradesh cadre has served in various positions in the state police and has also served in the Centre as ADG of the Indo-Tibetan Border Police.He succeeded Pranay Sahay who retired on 31 July 2013. Michel Djotodia Sworn In As Central African Republic President On 18 August Former rebel leader Michel Djotodia was formally sworn in as the Central African Republics President.Djotodia has been in charge of the country during the chaos that followed the rebels seizure of control in March 2013, when they swept into power from their northern bases, overpowering South African forces protecting former leader Francois Bozize.Djotodia was a leader of the Seleka rebel coalition in the December 2012 rebellion; following a peace agreement, he was appointed to the government as First Deputy Prime Minister for National Defense in February 2013. Robert Mugabe Sworn In As Zimbabwe President On 21 August Robert Mugabe has been sworn in for a new five-year term as President of Zimbabwe.Mugabe of Zanu-PF (Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front) party won the Presidential election (Parliamentary Election) by winning 61 percent votes in his favour on 3 August . Parthasarathi Shome Appointed As Chairman Of TARC On 26 August the Union Government of India set up a commission under the chairmanship of Parthasarathy Shome to review tax laws and suggest ways for a stable and non-adversarial tax administration.The seven-member Tax Administration Reform Commission (TARC) will have a 18-month tenure to suggest various measures including an appropriate organisational structure for tax governance. Justice N V Ramana Appointed as Chief Justice of Delhi High Court On 30 August Justice Nuthalapati Venkata Ramana, Judge of the High Court of Andhra Pradesh,was appointed as the Chief Justice of the High Court of Delhi.Justice Ramana replaced Chief Justice D. Murugesan, who retired in June.Justice Ramana was appointed as a permanent judge of the Andhra Pradesh High Court on 27 June 2000.Ramana had enrolled as an advocate in February 1983 and has practiced in the Andhra Pradesh High Court, central and state administrative tribunals and the Supreme Court.He holds specialisation in constitutional, criminal, service and inter-state river laws.He has specialized in Constitutional, criminal, service and Inter-State River laws. He has functioned as Panel Counsel for various Government organizations.

B)RESIGNS
Egypt Vice President ElBaradei Resigned Egyptian vice-president, Nobel laureate Mohamed ElBaradei, announced his resignation in a letter to the interim president on14 August .The resignation comes after scores were killed in a crackdown by security forces on loyalists of ousted Islamist president Mohamed Morsi.

C)DEATHS
Veteran Music Director Dakshinamoorthy Died Venkateswaran Dakshinamoorthy, the veteran veteran carnatic musician and music director died on 2 August in Mylapore, Chennai.The veteran was known as Swamy in the music industry and gave music to songs of more than 125 films in Tamil, Malayalam and Hindi.He has to his credit about 859 songs that were composed by him over seven decades of his service to the world of Music. He debuted as a Music composer in the a Malayalam movie Nalla Thanka (Nalla Thankal in Tamil) in 1950.He was the proud

recipient of Kerala State Film Award for best music director in 1971.In 1998, he received the Kerala State Film Award for Lifetime Achievement. Former Air Commodore Jasjit Singh Died On 4 August Noted strategic analyst Air Commodore (retired) Jasjit Singh died in NewDelhi. He was conferred with the Padma Bhushan, the second highest civilian award, in the year 2006 by the former president APJ Abdul Kalam. Former Union minister Devendra Prasad Yadav Died On 11 August Former Union minister and senior Congress leader from Bihar, Devendra Prasad Yadav, died in NewDelhi.Yadav was a three-time Member of Parliament from Munger parliamentary seat of Bihar and had served as Minister of State for Education between 1971-77 in Indira Gandhis cabinet. Renowned Naturalist and Ornithologist Zafar Futehally Died On 11 August Zafar Rashid Futehally an Indian naturalist, ornithologist and conservationist has died on 11 August at Kihim in Maharashtra.Zafar Futehally led the early years of the conservation movement in India and served as a link between conservationists and corporate.He was conferred with several national and international honours, including the Padma Shri in 1970.He also edited and published an anthology of writings by Indian birdwatchers, India through its birds, which was published in 2007. Former Nepal Prime Minister Man Singh Shrestha Died Former Nepalese Prime Minister Marich Man Singh Shrestha has died in Kathmandu on 15 August.He had served as Nepals Prime Minister for about four years till April 1990, when the political parties launched an agitation to restore democratic rights. Kapil Devs Former Coach Desh Prem Azad Died On 16 August Desh Prem Azad, the former coach of cricketer Kapil Dev and Dronacharya awardee died in Mohali.He trained cricketers such as Kapil Dev, Ashok Malhotra, Chetan Sharma and Yograj Singh in the late 1970s.Desh Prem Azad represented Haryana, the Maharaja of Patialas XI and Southern Punjab, while playing 19 first-class matches. In these matches, he scored 658 runs while grabbed 8 wickets in all. Crime Novelist Elmore Leonard Died Elmore Leonard, one of Americas best known crime novelists,has died on 20 August .Twenty -six of his books and short stories have been adapted for the screen, inc luding Hombre, Get Shorty, Jackie Brown, (based on 1992s Rum Punch) and Justified, a TV shows based on 1993s Pronto, 1995s Riding the Rap and the 2001 short story Fire in the Hole. His most recent novel, Raylan, was released in 2012. Eminent Classical Singer Raghunath Panigrahi Died On 25 August Eminent Indian classical singer and music director Pandit Raghunath Panigrahi died in Bhubaneswar.Pandit Panigrahis effort to popularise poet Jayadevas Gita Govinda.Pandit Raghunath Panigrahi was born at Gunupur in Odishas Rayaga (earlier Koraput) district.Pandit Raghunath was the first Odia singer to be honoured by the French government for his Gita Govinda composition way back in the 70s.He was also conferred with the Padmashri award in the year 2010. Nobel Literature Laureate Seamus Heaney Died On 30 August Irish writer and poet Seamus Heaney, who won the 1995 Nobel Prize in Literature, died in Dublin.Seamus Heaney was born on 13 April 1939 in Northern Ireland.Northern Ireland-born Heaney published his first major collection of poems, Death of a Naturalist, in 1966 and went on to become one of the English languages leading poets.Heaney worked as the professor of poetry at Oxford University between 1989 and 1994.

D)VISITORS

Afghanistan Vice-President Mohammad Karim Khalili Visited India The vice president of Afghanistan, Mohammad Karim Karim Khalili visited India from 20 22 August.During the visit Khalili met Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in New delhi .In the meet both nations discussed security issues and trade among other bilateral issues.Khalili also meets Indias president Pranab Mukherjee, vice-president Mohammad Hamid Ansari, and external affairs minister Salman Khurshid and discussed on both countries bilateral issues. Iraqs Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki Visited India Nouri Al-Maliki, Prime Minister of the Republic of Iraq visited India from 22 -25 August.During his four day visit , Maliki met with the Prime Minister of India, Manmohan Singh and President of Indian Union, Pranab Mukherjee, Vice President of India, Hamid Ansari in New Delhi.Both the nations exchanged views on bilateral, regional and multilateral issues of mutual interest and reached a broad consensus. The discussions enabled better understanding and appreciation of each others concerns and perspectives and helped in forging closer understanding at the highest political level and also several MoUs were signed between the two nations. This was the first visit of Maliki to India

E)MISCELLANEOUS
Amazon Founder & CEO Jeff Bezos Buys Washington Post Amazon Founder & CEO Jeff Bezos has purchased the Washington Post Newspaper of US. Seattlebased Amazon owner Jeffrey P Bezos has agreed to buy the newspaper assets of The Washington Post Company for USD 250 million.Bezos, whose entrepreneurship has made him one of the worlds richest men, will pay $250 million in cash for The Post and affiliated publications to The Washington Post Co., which owns the newspaper and other businesses.The Washington Post (WP) is an American daily newspaper. It is the most widely circulated newspaper published in Washington, D.C., and oldest extant in the area, founded in 1877. 11-year-old UK girl has higher IQ than Einstein On 5 August An 11-year-old schoolgirl in the U.K. has achieved the highest possible score of 162 on a Mensa IQ test, making her brainier than scientists Stephen Hawking and Albert Einstein. Cerys Cooksammy-Parnell, a grade six schoolgirl took up the test with the aim of beating her fathers score of 142. She also scored the highest mark possible in the test, scoring 162 on the Cattell B scale. Sharapova Tops Forbes List of Best Paid Female Athletes On 6 August Russian tennis star Maria Sharapova has topped the Forbes list of highest -earning female athletes for the ninth-straight year, raking in $29 million over the last 12 months.American Serena Williams is second on the list with earnings of 20.5 million US dollars, Chinese star Li Na in third with $18.2 million and Victoria Azarenka of Belarus in fourth with $15.7 million. Indian American Students Wins National Geographic World Championship On 9 August A team of three young Indian American students defeated teams from 17 other regions to win top honours at the 11th National Geographic World Championship in Russias St Petersburg.The team was made up of captain Gopi Ramanathan from Sartell, Minnesota; Asha Jain from Minocqua, Wisconsin; and Neelam Kaur Sandhu from Bedford, New Hampshire.In the biennial competition, teams of students answered questions on physical, cultural and economic geography.Ramanathan, already has won his state geography bee twice. He had finished seventh in the 2012 National Bee in Washington, DC. The competition was sponsored by Google, and presented by the US National Geographic Society in partnership with the Russian Geographical Society. Canadian Street Named After Mahatma Gandhi On 15 August A street in Canadas Winnipeg city has been named after Mahatma Gandhi on the occasion of Indias 67th Independence Day. The street leading to the Canadian Museum for Human Rights will now be known as Honorary Mahatma Gandhi Way. At a ceremony , the Mayor of Winnipeg

Sam Katz explained that the street was named so after an individual who is synonymous with the struggle for human rights. Dhoni Beats Rafael Nadal Usain Bolt In Forbes List Of Highest Paid Athletes On 20 August Indian cricket team captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni has been ranked 16th in the latest Forbes list of highest-paid athletes with an earning of $31.5 million (around Rs.180 crore).In the list, he was placed above Rafael Nadal and Usain Bolt.As per the latest Forbes list of highest-paid athletes in the world, dhoni earned $31.5 million between June 2012 and June 2013.List of places don above F1 Fernando Alonso, who is on the 19th, Lewis Hamilton on the 26th, Novak Djokovic on the 28th, Rafael Nadal is in 30th place, and Usain Bolt in the 40th grade.Doni has risen 15 places in this years list. It took 31 th rank in the last year. Sachin Tendulkar is the only Indian athlete, who is one of the rank of 31 and a total annual revenue of $ 22 million (Rs 125 crore).List is topped by golfer Tiger Woods, who made $ 78.1 million last year, followed by Roger Federer, who earned $ 71.5 million, basketball player Kobe Bryant with earnings of $ 61.9 million.The calculation is based on earnings estimates, which includes salaries, bonuses and cash prizes from both the club and the national team, as well as approval of revenue. Madonna Tops Forbes 2013 Highest -Paid Celebrities List On 27 August According to Forbes 2013 list of highest-paid celebrities Madonna was the worlds highest-earning celebrity in 2012-13.Madonna made $US125 million between June 2012 and June 2013.Veteran film director Steven Spielberg took second place in the list, while musical talent show mogul Simon Cowell tied for third with Fifty Shades of Grey author EL James and disc jockey Howard Stern. Most Wanted Indian Mujahideen Terrorist Yasin Bhatka Arrested Indian Mujahideen co-founder and one of Indias most wanted terrorists, Ya sin Bhatkal was arrested on 30 August.Yasin has been on the run since 2008. The IM leader is wanted in a string of terror attacks in Ahmedabad, Surat, Bangalore, Pune, Delhi and Hyderabad.Yasin, who co-founded IM in 2008 along with brother Riaz, is also wanted in the German Bakery bomb blast in Pune on February 13, 2010.

PLACES IN NEWS
Strong Earthquake HitsChina On 14 August China hit by strong earthquake with magnitude of 6.1.The earthquake occured in jolted parts of Tibet.Due to this earthquake at least 87 people were injured and over 45,000 homes damaged .The epicenter of the earthquake was identified nearer to the Ringo town. Submarine INS Sindhurakshak Sinks After Major Blast In Mumbai On 14 August in a huge setback to the Indian Navy, a conventional submarine INS Sindhurakshak exploded after a fire on board and sank in the naval dockyard in Mumbai , in which 18 personnel, including three officers are feared killed.A smaller intensity explosion was followed by two massive blasts, causing a major fire in the Russian-made submarine.In 2010, a fire broke out on board Sindhurakshak leaving a sailor dead and two others injured. INS Sindhurakshak was a Russian-made Kilo-class 877EKM(Sindhughosh-class) diesel-electric submarine of the Indian Navy.Commissioned on 24 December 1997, it was the ninth of the ten Kilo-class submarines in the Indian Navy.On 4 June 2010, the Indian Defence Ministry and Zvezdochka shipyard signed a contract worth US$80 million to upgrade and overhaul the submarine. After the overhaul, it returned to India from Russia in 2013. 1300 People Killed In Chemical Attack On Syria On 21 August nearly 1300 people, including children were killed in in Damascus, the capital of Syria..This was one of the deadliest chemical attacks in the civil war of Syria. Toxic gas was fired from the rockets.

ABBREVIATIONS
DRDO Defence Research and Development Organisation SAARC South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation AGOC Asian Games Organisation Committee CDRI - Central Drug Research Institute FEMA Foreign Exchange Management Act FIPB - Foreign Investment Promotion Board IFTU International Federation of Trade Unions IRDA Insurance Regulatory Development Authority NABARD - National Bank for Agricultural and Rural Development SEBI - Security Exchange Board of India UNHCR United Nations High Commission for Refugees WMO World Meteorological Organisation

BOOKS IN NEWS
The Moon Baller Book Released On 5 August Former India No.1 and tennis ace Nirupama Vaidyanathans autobiographical account The Moon Baller was released at a function held at the Madras Cricket Club.The book, which goes back in time to chronicle the times when professional tennis for Indian women was quite unheard of, was launched by tennis legend Vijay Amritraj. My Journey: Transforming Dreams into Actions by Abdul Kalam Released In the month of August My Journey: Transforming Dreams into Actions by former President of India, Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam was launched by the Rupa Publication.In his new book Kalam shares the inspiration and the lessons he learned from personal stories of his life. The book describes the lesser known events from his life. Dhyan Chand The Wizard of Hockey Book Released The first-of-its-kind graphic biography on former Indian Hockey player Dhyan Chand titled Dhyan Chand-The Wizard of Hockey was launched at Dhyanchand Stadium in New Delhi on 29 August .The biography was launched on the National Sports Day to commemorate the 108th birth anniversary of the legend.The book has been written by Luis Fernandes, who researched extensively on the subject.The book is being printed by comic-series publication Amar Chitra Katha.The book focussed on Dhyan

Chands achievements and goal-scoring feats at 1928, 1932 and 1936 Olympics that got him the title The Wizard.

COMMITTEES
Virginius Xaxa Committee To Asses Status Of Scheduled Tribes On 17 August On the pattern of Sachar Committee for Muslims, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has set up a committee to assess the status of scheduled tribes with an aim of ensuring their uplift, particularly in socio-economic, health and education fields.Prof. Virginius Xaxa was appointed as the chairman of the seven-member committee.The committee will finalise and present its report within nine months from the date of this notification.The Prime Ministers decision of setting up a committee came after the government found that the STs, who form 7.5 percent of the countrys population, are not getting e nough dues despite the special status in the constitution.

IMPORTANT DAYS AND DATES

International Day of the Victims of Enforced Disappearances The United Nations (UN) observes the International Day of the Victims of Enforced Disappearances on August 30 each year.The UN General Assembly declared this day by its resolution 65/209, on 21 December 2010. The UN General Assembly, by this same resolution also welcomed the adoption of the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance. The involuntary or enforced disappearances are a result of abduction, detention or arrest or other factors or reasons. Also, there are growing numbers of reports which include ill-treatment, harassment as well as intimidation of the witnesses of these disappearances or of the persons or the relatives who have disappeared. National Sports Day Is Observed On 29 August National Sports Day in India is observed on 29 August of every year to commemorate the birth anniversary of Indian hockey legend Dhyan Chand.National sports day celebrated every year on 29 August to bring awareness about sports in public.This year, events like walkathon and football tournaments were held across the country for the first time as part of the National Sports Day celebrations. On the occasion of National Sports Day, a scheme known as Come and Play has been launched for general public to make optimal use of Sports Authority of India stadia. Major Dhyan Chand is an iconic Indian hockey player who is remembered as a magician of Indian hockey. He was the prime member of Indian hockey team which brought three Olympic gold medals in field of Hockey in 1928 (Amsterdam), 1932 (Los Angeles) and 1936 (Berlin).He was honored with Padma Bhushan by the Government of India in 1956 for his outstanding contribution to Indian Hockey.Major Dhyan Chands birthday, 29 August is celebrated as National Sports Day in India. Major sports awards like Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna, Arjuna, Dronacharya awards are presented on this occasion to the sportsperson who has shown tremendous commitment towards the game and made the Country proud.

July 2013 Current Affairs Bit Bank

INTERNATIONAL

1) Name the two countries that offered asylum to US intelligence leaker Edward Snowden, on 6 July 2013, who is waiting at a Moscow airport for some nation to offer him sanctuary? Ans:- Venezuela and Nicaragua 2) The European Union (EU) launched the first formal trade dispute with Russia at the ? Ans:- World Trade Organisation (WTO) 3) Which party scored victory in the General Elections held in Bhutan for Nation Assembly, countrys parliament? Ans:- Peoples Democratic Party PDP 4) Which Ans:- Britain country has legalized gay marriage on 17 July 2013 ?

5) Which country moved to put more than 25,000 state workers on notice for dismissal by the end of the year ? Ans:- Greece 6) Which country Ans:- Pakistan 7) Which country Ans:- Afghanistan and China signed eight agreements on 5 July 2013 ?

President

signed

new

election

law

on

17

July

2013

8) Which country has signed an agreement to export gas to Iraq on 21 July 2013 ? Ans:- Iran

INDIA & WORLD

1) On 11 July 2013 India-Vietnam 15th Ans:- New Delhi Joint Commission Meeting was held in ?

2) India recently overtook the United States to become the top buyer of crude oil from a prominent African crude producing country. Which country is this? Ans:- Nigeria 3) Which country on 15 July 2013 agreed to take payments for oil it sells to India entirely in rupees ? Ans:- Iran 4) What Ans:- Third is Indias global rank in term of number of internet users?

5) Which country and India signed an solar power plant agreement on 22 July 2013 ? Ans:- Nigeria

NATIONAL
1) Union government on 11 July 2013 approved a proposal to replace DGCA with a new aviation regulator with full operational and financial autonomy. What would be the name of new regulator? Ans:- Civil Aviation Authority (CAA)

2) Union government on 17 July 2013 approved a proposal to amend Act for providing more powers to the market regulator SEBI to crack down on Ponzi schemes? Ans:- SEBI Act 3) On 18 July 2013 the Supreme Court rejected the one-nation-one-test proposal for medical admissions.What was the name of this all-India medical entrance test? Ans:- National Eligibility Entrance Test NEET 4) By which name will the Bengaluru International Airport be known after it was approved by the Union Cabinet on 17 July 2013? Ans:- Kempegowda International Airport 5) Supreme Court of India on 17 July 2013 refused to reduce the age of juvenile from 18 to years and dismissed a plea that minors involved in heinous crimes should not be protected under the law. Ans:- 16 6) Name the National Tobacco Control Campaign launched recently by Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Government of India? Ans:- Tears You Apart

STATES
1) Which state launched a state-wide Hausla family health campaign on 15 July 2013 ? Ans:- Uttar Pradesh 2) Which state government gave its nod for tapping unfermented sap or neera from the coconut all over the state ? Ans:- Kerala 3) Supreme Court of India on 16 July 2013 upheld a Bombay High Court verdict which quashed the state governments order to ban dance bars in Maharashtra. In which year dance bars were banned in Maharashtra? Ans :- 2004 4) Which state government on 17 July 2013 has decided to issue concession passes to incoming vehicles for the districts of Maharashtra and Karnataka ? Ans:- Goa 5) Which state on 19 July 2013 announced a ban extension on nicotine-laced gutkha and paan masala ? Ans:- Maharashtra 6) Ministry of Environment and Forests on 19 July 2013 gave green clearance for an international airport in which district of Kerala? Ans:- Kannur

CONFERENCES
1) The G20 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors Meeting was held on 19-20 July 2013 in ? Ans:- Moscow,Russia

AWARDS & HONOURS

1) Who got the Best Actor award at 14th IIFA (International Indian Film Academy) awards 2013 held in Macau on 6th July 2013? Ans:- Ranbir Kapoor 2) Who is the Indias first high commissioner in Britain, was honoured with a Blue Plaque on 17 July 2013? Ans:- VK Krishna Menon 3) On 17 July 2013 the British firm Real VNC was presented MacRobert Award by the Princess Royal for ? Ans:- Engineering Innovation 4) Which two journalists were awarded Ramnath Goenka Journalist of the Year award for print and broadcast categories respectively on 23 July 2013? Ans:- Josy Joseph and Ravish Kumar 5) Habiba Sarabi, Afghanistans first and only female governor, was one among three recipients of the prestigious Ramon Magsaysay Award for 2013. She is the governor of which province of Afghanistan? Ans:- Bamyan 6) Who was conferred with the Major Port of the Year award for its excellent performance in the year 2012-13 ? Ans:- Paradip Port

SPORTS & GAMES

1) Recently who became the youngest boxer from the country to clinch a gold medal at the Asian Boxing Championships held at Amman in Jordan ? Ans:- Shiva Thapa 2) Which golfer on 14 Ans:- American golfer Phil Mickelson July 2013 won the Scottish Open title?

3) Which country on 11 July 2013 won the West Indies Tri-Nation Series 2013 final after defeated Sri Lanka ? Ans:- India 4) Which country boxers won nine medals in international boxing tournament held in Kikinda, Serbia ? Ans:- India 5) Who won Swedish Open title in the final of the Swedish Open at Bastad in Sweden on 21 July 2013 ? Ans:- Serena Williams 6) Who won the Hungarian F1 Grand Prix on 28 July 2013? Ans:- Lewis Hamilton

ECONOMY
1) The Telecom Commission of India on 2 July 2013 approved the enhancement of the Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) limit in the telecom sector from 74 percent to

..percent. Ans:- 100 % 2) State Bank of India, in month of July 2013 launched a card which will enable the holder to receive the remittance directly on the card. What is the name of the card? Ans:- State Bank Xpress Money Card 3) Reserve Bank of India (RBI) on 15 July 2013 imposed fines of around 49.5 crore on 22 private and public sector banks. Why RBI has taken such an action? Ans:-For violatingKYC/anti-money laundering norms 4) IT Company Satyam Ans:- Tech Mahindra on 15 July 2013 formally merged with which company?

5) Name the Asian country which on 19 July 2013 lifted control on banks allowing them to set their own lending rates, a move to arrest slowdown and spur growth as well as to liberalise the economy? Ans:- China 6) As per the latest data by World Federation of Exchanges, which stock exchange in India has regained its position as the worlds largest bourse in terms of volume in equity trade in June 2013? Ans:- National Stock Exchange (NSE) 7) All public sector banks have been asked to set up ATMs in all branches to enable customers in rural pockets to do banking round-the-clock. What is the deadline for setting-up branch-ATMs for these banks? Ans:- March 2014

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

1) Which university Ans:-Princeton University scientists recently created a 3D-printed bionic ear?

2) Who is the Indian-origin student in Australia recently developed a smartphone application which helps in detecting the breast cancer early ? Ans:- Sanjay Sreekumar 3) Which country Ans:- New Zealand on 17 July 2013 launched Joint US-German space project ?

4) Which country palaeontologists recently discovered the fossil of a previously unknown dinosaur, a bizarre horned beast that roamed on an island continent 76 million years ago ? Ans:- U.S 5) What is the name of the new virus found by the French Scientists in the river water of Australia and Chile? Ans:-Pandoraviruses 7) What is the name of Indias newest weather satellite, which was successfully placed in an elliptical orbit on 26 July 2013 after being launched from Kourou, French Guiana? Ans:- INSAT-3D

PERSONS IN NEWS

A) APPOINTMENTS
1) Who was appointed Ans:- Virendra Kataria as the new Lt. Governor of Puducherry on 1 July 2013?

2) Who was appointed as the Chairman and Managing Director (CMD) of IDBI Bank by the Union Govt.? Ans:- M.S. Raghavan 3) Who was appointed as Chairman and Managing Director (CMD) of public sector Syndicate Bank? Ans:- Sudhir Kumar Jain 4) Who took over as Chief of Integrated Defence Staff to the Chairman Chiefs of Staff Committee (CISC) on 1 July 2013? Ans:-Lieutenant General Anil Chait 5) Who is the Ans:- Iqbal Qasim Pakistan Chief selector resigned his on 4 July 2013?

6) Who was appointed as the Coach of the Senior Mens Hockey team of India, on 10 July 2013? Ans:- Maharaj Krishan Kaushik 7) Who was announced Ans:- Priyadarsini Govind as the new director of Kalakshetra on 10 July 2013?

B)RESIGNS
1) Who is the Syrias rebel interim prime minister has announced his resignation , nearly four months after his appointment and having failed to form a government on 8 July 2013 ? Ans:- Ghassan Hitto

C) DEATHS
1) Douglas Engelbart, who passed away on 2 July 2013, was associated with invention of which part of the PC? Ans:- Mouse 2) Name the acknowledged food scientist and the former Director of the Central Food Technological Research Institute (CFTRI) who died on 9 July 2013 ? Ans:- H.A.B. Parpia 3) One of Indias senior-most ophthalmologists, who performed the first corneal transplant operation in Northern India, passed away on 12 July 2013. Who was he? Ans:- Dr. Dhanwant Singh Grewal 4) Italian businessman Ottavio Quattrocchi, who passed away in Milan on 13 July 2013, was main accused in which scam? Ans:- Bofors scam

D) VISITORS
1) In which country Indias External Affairs Minister, Salman Khurshid, visited on 9th July 2013 ? Ans:- Nepal

2) Who is the US Vice President visited India from 22 25 July 2013 ? Ans:- Joe Biden

E) MISCELLANEOUS
1) Name the Egypts first democratically elected President who was on 3 July 2013 ousted from his office in a military coup? Ans:- Mohamed Morsi 2) Wikileaks founder Julian Assange launched his political party on 25 July 2013 in Australia to contest the general elections later this year. What is the name of this party? Ans:- Wikileaks Party 3) What name was announced for the newborn son of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge Prince William and Kate Middleton)? Ans:- George Alexander Louis

PLACES IN NEWS
1) In which country on 22 July 2013 a strong earthquake with measuring 6.6 on Richter scale , killed at least more than 50 people and injured 296 ? Ans:- China

ABBREVIATIONS IN NEWS
1) What is the full form of DGCA ? Ans:- Directorate General of Civil Aviation

BOOKS IN NEWS
1) In which country on 22 July 2013 a strong earthquake with measuring 6.6 on Richter scale , killed at least more than 50 people and injured 296 ? Ans:- China

COMMITTEES IN NEWS
1) Who is the head of the committee constiuted by the government of India to take a suggessions regardi ng limit of FDIs in different sectors? Ans:- Arvind Mayaram DAYS & DATES 1) World Population Day is observed on - ? Ans:- July 11

July 2013 Current Affairs Study Material

INTERNATIONAL
Croatia Joins The EU as 28th Member State On 1 July Croatia became the 28th member of the European Union.It is the first addition since Bulgaria and Romania joined EU in 2007.Croatia formally applied for EU membership in 2003. International Assistance Force In Mali Transformed into UN Force On 1 July A new United Nations peacekeeping mission for insurgent-affected Mali was launched on 1 July .The previous African-led International Support Mission in Mali (AFISMA) has been transformed to the UN Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA).The transfer of authority from the forces of the African-led International Support Mission in Mali (AFISMA) to the UN Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA) took place during a ceremony in Bamako, capital of the West African country. Pakistan China Signed 8 Agreements On 5 July Pakistan and China signed eight documents of cooperation in various areas of economy , for furthering already strong economic and technical ties between two friendly countries.The first pact signed pertained to the building of a long term project (Pak-China Economic Corridor) a 200KM tunnel which will be built at a cost of $18 billion.These agreements and MoU were signed in the presence of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and Chinese Premier Li Keqaing.Federal Minister for Planning and Development Ahsan Iqbal signed the pact from the Pakistani side while Chairman National Development and Reforms Commission of PRC, Xu Shao Shi inked the pact from the Chinese side. Hazem El-Beblawi Named As New Egyptian Prime Minister On 9 July Hazem el Beblawi a liberal economist and Egypt s former finance minister was named as the new Prime Minister of Egypt by the Interim President Adly Mansour.El-Beblawi is a founding member of the Egyptian Social Democratic Party, Al Ahram.He has also served as the undersecretary-general at the United Nations between 1995 and 2000. Taiwan and New Zealand Signed Free Trade Agreement On 10 July New Zealand signed a free trade agreement with Taiwan.Two-way trade is worth 1.6 billion New Zealand dollars (US$1.2 billion) annually, with New Zealand exporting mainly agricultural products like milk and Taiwan shipping largely electronics.Taiwan is New Zealands 12th la rgest trading partner, with bilateral trade totalling about $120.7 million. France and Switzerland Signed New Inheritance Tax Agreement On 11 July France and Switzerland have signed an agreement on inheritance tax as part of an amended double taxation agreement. Paris hopes will help it bring in more money.Under the agreement inheritances would be taxed based on where the recipient resides, not where the deceased lived, as used to be the case. Bhutans Opposition Party Wins Parliamentary Elections On 14 July Bhutans Election Commission formally announced that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) won the National Assembly elections by having secured a majority of thirty two seats.The Druk Phuensum Tshogpa (DPT) won fifteen seats and was elected as the opposition party.PDP leader Tshering Tobgay is likely to be named prime minister of the new government. Bangladesh Passes Labour (Amendment) Bill 2013 On 15 July the Bangladesh Parliament passed Bangladesh Labour (Amendment) Bill 2013 aimed to

protect the interest and rights of the workers and ensuring their safety.The new law has seen amendments to a total of 87 sections of the Labor Act 2006. Britains Queen Elizabeth II Signed Bill Legalizing Gay Marriage On 17 July Britain has legalized gay marriage after Queen Elizabeth II gave her royal stamp of approval.The queens approval was a formality.Britain became the 15th country to legalize gay marriage after a bill cleared Parliament and Queen Elizabeth II signed off on the law. Iran and Iraq Signed Gas Export Agreement On 21 July Iran has signed an agreement to export gas to Iraq, worth 3.7 billion dollars a year.The agreement was signed in the Iraqi capital of Baghdad by Irans Oil Minister Rostam Qasemi and his Iraqi counterpart, Abdul Kareem Luaibi. EU Declared Hezbollahs Military Wing As Terrorist Organization On 22 July The European Union (EU) declared the military wing of Hezbollah a terrorist organization.The EUs 28 foreign ministers reached the decision unanimously at their meeting.The Iranian -backed group plays a major role in Lebanese politics and has dominated the government since 2011.The blacklisting would mean imposing visa bans on individuals and asset freezes on organizations associated with the group. Thirty Meter Telescope Partners Signed Agreement On 26 July The partners building the worlds largest and most advanced optical telescope at Mauna Keas summit have signed an agreement laying the foundation for the telescopes operation.Mauna Kea is a volcano on the island of Hawaii.The Thirty Meter Telescope project representatives from partnering institutions in the U.S., Canada, China, India and Japan signed the document.The agreement defines project goals, member party rights, obligations and benefits. It also establishes a governance structure.The telescope is a partnership of the Association of Canadian Universities for Research in Astronomy, the California Institute of Technology, the National Astronomical Observatory of Japan, institutions in India, a consortium of Chinese institutions and the University of California. Liberals, Smaller Tribes Win Seats In Kuwaits Parliamentary Elections On 27 July Liberals and candidates from some of Kuwaits more marginalised tribes have won seats in a parliament .The ballot was the sixth since 2006 in the major oil producer, where political upheaval and bureaucracy have held up the vast majority of projects in a 30-billion-dinar (68 billion pounds) economic development plan announced in 2010.Kuwait has the most open political system in the Gulf Arab region but parliaments have been repeatedly dissolved over procedural disputes or for challenging the government in which members of the ruling Al-Sabah family hold top posts.Shiites estimated at 20-30 percent of the population won just eight seats in the 50-member parliament compared to 17 in the last election in December, after Sunnis in their districts ramped up a campaign to win seats. Myanmar China Gas Pipeline Starts To Deliver Gas To China On 28 July Myanmar-China natural gas pipeline (Myanmar section) was inaugurated in northern Myanmars Mandalay and started to deliver gas to China.The gas pipeline stretches for 793 kilometers onshore within Myanmars territory with six processing stations, while the crude oil pipeline, which is nearing completion, starts from Made Island and extends onshore for 771 kilometers. Republican Turkish Party Wins Turkish Cypriot Parliamentary Elections On 29 July the centre-left Republican Turkish Party (CTP) emerged as the winner on in the Turkish Cypriot parliamentary elections, but came short of winning an outright majority.The CTP won 38.49 per cent of the vote and 21 seats in the 50-seat Parliament of the breakaway Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, results showed.The nationalist National Unity Party (UBP) won 27.16 per cent and 14 seats and the centre-right Democratic Party (DP) took 23.1 per cent of the vote and 12 seats.The centre-left Communal Democracy Party (TDP) won 7.41 per cent of the vote and three seats.The CTP will now need to form a coalition government.The election was called a year early after the Government of Prime

Minister Irsen Kucuk, in power since 2009.Cyprus has been divided into a Turkish northern part and a Greek south since a Turkish invasion in July 1974. Mamnoon Hussain Elected As Pakistans New President On 30 July Pakistan Muslim League-Nawazs (PML-N) nominee Mamnoon Hussain was elected as the 12th President of Pakistan.Hussain emerged as a clear winner in the contest with ex-judge Wajihuddin Ahmed of Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf party , headed by cricketer-turned politician Imran Khan.Mamnoon Hussain has secured 432 votes whereas justice Wajihuddin (Ahmed) secures 77 votes.The presidential office of Pakistan will be vacated on 8 September 2013 by the incumbent Asif Ali Zardari, as his term of 5 years ended.Mamnoon Hussain will be administered the oath of the office on 9 September 2013. Mamnoon Hussain was born on 2 March 1940 in Agra, India.He is the textile businessman as well as politician of Pakistan.He migrated to Pakistan from India in 1954. Ireland President Signed The Abortion Bill In To Law On 31 July Ireland President Michael D. Higgins has signed the abortion bill into law. The bill, overwhelmingly passed by both houses of the Irish parliament on 12 July 2013, permits abortions only in cases where doctors deem the womans life at risk from continued pregnancy.

INDIA & WORLD

India Ranks 66th On Global Innovation Index On 2 July India ranked 66th in the Global Innovation Index 2013, published by Cornell University, INSEAD, World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) and Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) as a knowledge partner.Switzerland and Sweden maintained rank 1 and 2 respectively The study ranked 142 economies across the world on their innovation capacity and efficiency. India and Mauritius Signed 5 MoUs On 5 July India and Mauritius signed 5 MoUs (Memorandum of understanding).The 5 MoUs are signed in the presence of the Union Minister of Commerce & Industry Shri Anand Sharma and Mr. Sayyad Abd-AlCader Sayed Hossen, Minister of Industry, Mauritius, in Port Louis.Five institutional level MoUs were signed to take the partnership forward. These are: * MoU between Apparel Export Promotion Council (AEPC) and Enterprise Mauritius (EM) * MoU between Northern India Textile Research Association (NITRA) and Mauritius Standards Bureau * MoU between NITRA and National Productivity and Competitive Council (NPCC) of Mauritius * MoU between Clothing Manufacturers Association of India (CMAI) and Mauritius Export Association (MEXA); and * MoU between Institute of Apparel Management (IAM) and Fashion and Design Institute of Mauritius (FDI) UN Millennium Development Goals Report 2013 On 5 July According to the UN Millennium Development Goals Report 2013, the world has reached the poverty reduction target five years ahead of schedule. In developing regions, the proportion of people living on less than $1.25 a day fell from 47 per cent in 1990 to 22 per cent in 2010. Extreme poverty is also falling in every region.Nevertheless, the gender gap in employment persists, with a 24.8 percentage point difference between men and women in the employment-to-population ratio in 2012. India, Albania Signed Agreement For Avoidance Of Double Taxation On 8 July India and Albania signed an agreement for avoidance of double taxation and the prevention of fiscal evasion with respect to taxes on income and on capital.The agreement was signed by Ms Sudha Sharma, chairperson, Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT), and Mr Fatos Kerciku, Ambassador, Republic of Albania.

India, Iraq Signed Agreement To Enhance Co-operation In Energy Sector On 8 July India and Iraq signed a agreement to enhance co-operation in energy security, bilateral trade & commerce, infrastructure development among others.The agreement was signed between the Union Petroleum Minister Veerappa Moily and his counterpart from Iraq, Abdul Karim Luaibi at the end of the India-Iraq Joint Commission on technical co-operation in Baghdad. India, SriLanka & Maldives Signed Tripartite Maritime Security Agreement On 8 July India, Sri Lanka and the Maldives have entered into a tripartite agreement on maritime cooperation to secure sea routes in the Indian Ocean region at the end of the Meeting on Trilateral Cooperation on Maritime Security.The agreement was reached by all on the importance of raising the maritime cooperation between the three countries in the current context of maritime security environment in the Indian Ocean region. India Tanzania Signed Agreements On Bilateral Cooperation On 9 July India and Tanzania have signed agreements on bilateral cooperation in several sectors, including agriculture, health and education, mines and minerals.All the agreements were signed between the Union Minister of State for External Affairs, Preneet Kaur and the Tanzanian Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Bernard K. Membe at Dar es Salaam. 15th India Vietnam Joint Commission Meeting On 11 July India and Vietnam held 15th Joint commission meeting in New Delhi.The meeting was cochaired on the Vietnams side Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh and on the Indian side by Indias External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid .In the meeting both nations discussed the strengthening of strategic partnership which included an exchange of a co-operative agenda on bilateral relations.At the end of the meeting, both nations signed the Agreed Minutes of the JCM and witnessed the signing of an Agreement on the US$19.5 million LOC for setting up Nam Trai-IV hydropower project and Binh Bo Pumping station by CMD, Exim Bank and the Vietnam Vice Minister of Finance. India, Nigeria Signed Solar Power Plant Agreement On 22 July India and Nigeria have signed an agreement to locate sites for solar power plants in Niger state.The agreement will provide additional energy for Nigerias national grid.The agreement was signed between Nigerias permanent secretary in the Ministry of Power Godknows Igali and the secretary to the Government of India, Sutanu Behuria. India, Belarus Signed Protocol To Enhance Trade Ties On 24 July 2013 India and Belarus signed a protocol to enhance trade ties during the sixth session of the Inter-Governmental Commission on Trade, Economic, Scientific, Technological and Cultural Cooperation held in New Delhi.The session was co-chaired from the Indian Side by Dr. E.M. Sudarsana Natchiappan, Minister of State for Commerce and Industry, and Dmitry S. Katerinich, Minister of Industry of the Republic of Belarus. India and France Hold Talks On Military Cooperation On 26 July India and France discussed their ongoing military cooperation including the progress over Rs 50,000 crore 126 multirole combat aircraft deal during the defence minister-level talks in NewDelhi.The two sides are also holding negotiations for a Rs 30,000-crore project for co-developing the Maitri surfaceto-air missile defence system.In a joint statement issued after the deliberations between defence minister A K Antony and his French counterpart Jean-Yves Le Drian, they agreed that such cooperation should continue to be progressed to the mutual benefit of both countries, including in high technology areas involving joint research and development and transfer of technology. India and Afghanistan Signed MoUs for SDP scheme projects On 30 July India and Afghanistan have signed memoranda of understanding (MoUs) in Kabul for implementing 60 projects in ten Afghan provinces under the Small Development Projects (SDP) scheme.The MoUs signed by Afghan Minister of Economy Abdul Hadi Arghandiwal and Indian

Ambassador Amar Sinha in Kabul are related to the third phase of the SDP scheme and will be completed in the next four years.

NATIONAL
Government Announced National Cyber Security Policy On 2 July the Union Government of India announced the National Cyber Security Policy with an aim to protect information and build capabilities to prevent cyber attacks. The National Cyber Security Policy 2013 to safeguard both physical and business assets of the country.This policy aims at facilitating creation of secure computing environment and enabling adequate trust and confidence in electronic transactions and also guiding stakeholders actions for protection of cyber space.The National Cyber Policy in order to create a secure cyber ecosystem has planned to set-up a National Nodal Agency to coordinate all matters related to cyber security in the country. President Pranab Mukherjee Signed Ordinance On Food Security On 5 July President Pranab Mukherjee signed the ordinance on food security ,which seeks to give legal rights to 67 per cent of the population over subsidised grains every month.Now, with the presidential consent, the bill will be presented before the Parliament when it convenes for the Monsoon Session.The Government had issued the ordinance to give nations two -third population the right to get 5 kgs of foodgrains every month at highly subsidised rates of 1-3 Rupees per kg amid political opposition. District Rural Development Agency Disbanded On 9 July the Union government announced disbanding of the Rural Development Agency (DRDA), the body which looks after implementation of anti-poverty programmes of Rural Development Ministry.The agency will now be rechristened and it will perform its role under zila parishads, the local elected bodies at the district level.The District Rural Development Agencies (DRDAs) were set up as independent societies in 1980 and since then have been principal organs at the district level to oversee the implementation of the ministrys anti-poverty programmes. Cabinet Approved For Aviation, Women Varsities In Raebareli On 11 July the Union cabinet has approved two universities for Raebareli, the parliamentary constituency of Congress president Sonia Gandhi in Uttar Pradesh.Raebareli will get the first ever all-women university and first national aviation university in the country.National University for Women in Uttar Pradesh by the name of The Indira Gandhi National University for Women.This will be the first university of the country to be established exclusively for women.The cost involved is Rs.500 crore.National Aviation University (NAU) in the name of Rajiv Gandhi National Aviation University at the District of Rae Bareli in the State of U.P. as a Central University.The Rajiv Gandhi National Aviation University will be established as a Central University and as an autonomous body under the administrative control of Ministry of Civil Aviation in Rae Bareli District of U.P. with an estimated Central Governments funding of Rs. 202 crore in 12th Plan period.Both universities bills will be introduced in the coming Monsoon Session of Parliament. Govt Approved To Replace DGCA With Civil Aviation Authority On 11 July The government cleared a proposal to replace Directorate General of Civil Aviation(DGCA) with a new aviation regulator with full operational and financial autonomy.The new regulatory body would be called the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) and it would replace the DGCA.The estimated cost of establishing the new Authority would be over Rs 110 crore. Free Medical Treatment For Pregnant Women On 16 July Union Health Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad announced the government will provide free prenatal health care and ambulance facilities to pregnant women across the country .Under the Janani Suraksha Yojna (JSY) scheme, pregnant women are provided free medical treatment during the delivery

and post natal care.Pregnant women will be given free medical and ambulance facilities from conception to delivery. They will also be able to avail free consultation from doctors at government hospitals for 45 days from delivery and infants will be given free treatment at the hospitals for one year. Indian Telegram Service Stopped The 163-year old telegram service in the country ends on 14 July.Started in 1850 on an experimental basis between Koklata and Diamond Harbour, it was opened for use by the British East India Company in 1851and it was opened to the public in 1854.Within a short time of BSNL handling telegram services in 1990s, the PSU had a rift with the Department of Posts following which telegrams were accepted as phonograms from various villages and other centres from telephone consumers. Bengaluru International Airport Renamed as Kempegowda International Airport On 17 July the Union Cabinet gave its approval for renaming Bengaluru International Airport as Kempegowda International Airport to fulfill the long pending demand of the people of Karnataka, as well as the State Government of Karnataka.Hiriya Kempegowda, known as Kempegowda was a ruler under the Vijayanagar Empire, who ruled most parts of Karnataka during the sixteenth century. He had the vision of building a large futuristic city and is widely accepted as being the founder of Bengaluru. Kempegowda built Bengaluru Fort and moved his capital from Yelahanka to the new Bengaluru. President Of India Promulgated The Securities Laws (Amendment) Ordinance 2013 On 18 July Pranab Mukherjee, the President of India promulgated the Securities Law Amendment Ordinance 2013. The ordinance would grant Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI), the powers to regulate any pooling of funds under an investment contract involving a corpus of 100 crore rupees or more and attach assets in case of non-compliance.The Chairman of SEBI would have powers to authorize the carrying out of search and seizure operations, as part of its efforts to crack down on ponzi schemes. Acid Attacks On Women Non-bailable Offence On 18 July the Supreme Court o made acid attack a non-bailable offence and ordered all state governments to pay Rs 3 lakh compensation to acid attack victims. The states were also directed to frame rules for regulating sale of acid within three months.The material cannot be sold to a person who is below the age of 18 years.Going through the compensation schemes of 17 states and seven Union Territories (UTs), the bench found the amount being paid to the victims as grossly inadequate.The compensation for after-care and rehabilitation at present ranges between Rs 5,000 and Rs 1,50,000. Union Tourism Minister Launched Clean India Campaign On 24 July Union Tourism Minister K. Chiranjeevi launc hed the Project Clean India Campaign at Taj Mahal.Clean India Campaign has been initiated by the Ministry of Tourism with the objective to increase tourist arrivals to the country and to improve quality of services and provide a hygienic environment in and around tourist destinations across the country.Taj Mahal is the second heritage site to be covered under this project. The first being Qutub Minar Delhi, which has been adopted by India Tourism Development Corporation in June 2012.On the request from the Tourism Minister, the Oil and Natural Gas Commission (ONGC) has agreed to adopt and upkeep the environs of Taj Mahal Complex including up gradation of tourist facilities in the monument.Besides Taj Mahal, the ONGC has also agreed to adopt five more monuments including Ellora and Elephanta Caves in Maharashtra, Red Fort in the national capital, Golkonda Fort in Hyderabad and Mahabalipuram in Tamil Nadu.

STATES
Himachal Pradesh Declared First Smoke Free State In Country On 2 July Himachal Pradesh has been declared the first smoke -free State in the country in compliance

with Section 4 of the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA), 2003. The State has achieved 85.45% compliance with the relevant parameters. Uttar Pradesh Grants District Status To Amethi On 5 July the Uttar Pradesh government granted district status to Amethi ,which will include three tehsils of Sultanpur and one of Rae Bareli. The district headquarters of Amethi will be Gauriganj.Sultanpurs Amethi, Gauriganj and Musafirkhana tehsils and Rae Barelis Tiloi will be part of Amethi district.Some revenue villages of Maharajganj tehsil of Rae Bareli were included in Tiloi tehsil of Amethi and in exchange some villages of Tiloi were included in Maharajganj. Karnataka Launched Anna Bhagya Scheme On 10 July Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah launched the ambitious Anna Bhagya scheme in Bangalore.The scheme under which 30 kg of rice per month will be given to BPL (below poverty line) families across the state at Re 1 per kg. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah had announced the scheme after taking oath on June 13.The government will spend Rs 4,300 crore every year on the scheme. Kudankulam Nuclear Power Project Starts Fission On 13 July Indias 21st nuclear power reactor and the countrys first pressurised water reactor under the light water reactor category ,Kudankulam Nuclear Power Project (KNPP) in Tamil Nadu began the nuclear fission process.Indias atomic power plant operator, NPCIL is setting up two 1 ,000 MW reactors with Russian technology and equipments at Kudankulam, around 650 km from Chennai.The over Rs 17,000 crore project, which generated severe protests from the locals, has started generating heat and steam from the 163 uranium fuel bundles loaded in the reactor. Night Policing Scheme Launched In Punjab On 14 July Punjab government launched the Night Policing Scheme (NPS) with 4000 police personnel and an independent cadre and command structure. The NPS is aimed at augmenting and strengthening the deployment of police personnel, through the usage of modern technology during night hours in cities and towns of the state.The NPS will also focus on the national and state highways and major roads crisscrossing the state, mainly to instill a sense of security among the citizens. UP Launched Family Health Campaign On 15 July the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, Akhilesh Yadav, launched the Hausla awareness state wide campaign to improve family health in 75 districts of the State.The campaigns twin goa ls include galvanizing state health systems to deliver high-quality, accessible health programs and services, while also increasing awareness and utilization of services by families and communities across the states 75 districts. Kerala Govt.Approved Tapping Sweet Toddy From Coconut On 16 July the Kerala Government has given its nod for tapping neera or unfermented sap from coconut across the State.Neera, which is also called sweet toddy, is the non-alcoholic drink which is extracted from immature inflorescence of coconut.This decision would prove to be very beneficial for depressing coconut sector.Neera tapping will take place in units of 1500 coconut trees in each and every district all over Kerala, in the beginning as a part of the pilot project.lic content. Madhya Pradesh Police Health Security Scheme On 17 July Madhya Pradesh state cabinet has decided to implement Madhya Pradesh Police Health Security Scheme for police officers and employees. The scheme will be applicable only to the police personnel working in the state.The scheme will not be applicable to Indian Police Service officers. It will be run by a registered trust, whose state-level management committee will be headed by the Director General of Police. Members and their dependents will be entitled for treatment of up to 8 lakh rupees in a financial year. They can avail the treatment facility in hospitals recognised by the state government.

Maharashtra Extended Ban On Gutkha and Paan Masala On 19 July Maharashtra state government has announced a ban extension on nicotine-laced gutkha and paan masala for another year considering health hazards of these products.In July 2012, the government had banned the sale, storage and consumption of nicotine-laced gutkha and paan masala in any form for a year, which was to end on 19 July 2013. The government move was prompted by the incidence of oral diseases, including cancer due to consumption of such gutkha and paan masala. Latest Statistics Data On Tourism In India Released By Ministry Of Tourism On 23 July According to the latest statistics on tourism in India released by Ministry of Tourism during the year 2012. * Andhra Pradesh has become the top tourist destination in the country recording 206.8 million domestic tourists last year. * Tamil Nadu and Uttar Pradesh stood at second and third positions respectively with 184.1 million and 168.4 million domestic tourists. * According to the data, the top ten states in terms of number of domestic tourist visits (in millions) during 2012 are: Andhra Pradesh (206.8), Tamil Nadu (184.1), Uttar Pradesh (168.4), Karnataka (94.1), Maharashtra (66.3), Madhya Pradesh (53.2), Rajasthan (28.6), Uttarakhand (26.8), Gujarat (24.4) and West Bengal (22.7).The contribution of these States was about 84.5% to the total number of domestic tourist visits during 2012. * The number of foreign tourists visiting the country too registered a growth of 6.33 per cent during the same year. * Maharashtra (5.1 lakh) topped the list in number of foreign tourist visits, followed by Tamil Nadu (3.6 lakhs) and New Delhi(2.3 lakhs). * The top ten most sought after states by foreign tourists (in millions) during 2012 were :- Maharashtra (5.1), Tamil Nadu (3.6), Delhi (2.3), Uttar Pradesh (2.0), Rajasthan (1.5), West Bengal (1.2), Bihar (1.1), Kerala (0.8), Karnataka (0.6) and Himachal Pradesh (0.5). First Textile Park Inaugurated at Bagru near Jaipur On 24 July First Textile Park dedicated to hand block printing and craft was inaugurated by the Union Minister of Textile, Dr. Kavuru Sambasiva Rao at Bagru near Jaipur. The textile park would bring in new opportunities for exporters and artisans, as the textile sector holds vast potential of employment. The park has been named Jaipur Integrated Texcraft Park Pvt. Ltd. (JITPPL) and is also known as is also known as Jaipur Bloc.Bagru the place where the park is located is known all over the world for its traditional textiles, various styles of hand block printing and related skills. This is the first park in India that will cater to the segment of hand block printing. The textile park is equipped with state-of-the-art technology to conserve and preserve water. WIFS Programme Launched In Rajasthan On 25 July the Weekly Iron Folic Acid Supplementation (WIFS) Programme for the State of Rajasthan was launched by ShriGhulamNabi Azad, Union Minister of Health & Family Welfareat Jaipur.Adolescents form 22 % of Indias total population who are the future of the country. But half of the adolescent population, both girls and boys, suffers from anaemia.Anaemia results in poor physical growth, poor school performance and reduced concentration in daily tasks.Anaemia contributes to poor maternal and child health, resulting in increased morbidity and mortality.For this reason, the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare has taken upWeekly Iron and Folic Acid Supplementation (WIFS) programme to prevent and control the anaemia situation in adolescents.The programme will reach out to 13 crore boys and girls of the country enrolled in government, government aided and municipal schools as well as out-of-school girls. Himachal Government Launched Video Chat In Prisons On 26 July Himachal Pradesh state government launched video chat facility in all six prisons of the state .The video conference facility, first of its kind in the country, would help family and friends save time and money on travelling to prisons to meet the inmates. Even foreigners can avail this facility.The government has already amended the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC), enabling the courts to utilize the video-

conference facility between the jails and the courts. This would also help save time and money of the prison department in escorting the prisoners from jails to courts. Two New Rail and Road Projects Launched In Haryana On 28 July Two rail as well as road projects which are worth 1500 crore Rupees were launched in Haryana.The foundation stone of 68 Kilometer rail line between Hansi-Meham and Rohtak at Hansi was laid down by Union Railway Minister Mallikarjun Kharge. The cost of this project is 500 crore Rupees. The rail route would include eight railway stations, four halt stations as well as four crossing stations.The projected rail line will connect the crucial parts of Haryana, i.e., Fatehabad and Sirsa direct with Delhi. The Union Transport Minister Oscar Fernandes, at Hansi laid the foundation of 99 Kilometer long HisarRohtak four lane National Highway. The cost of this project would be 1000 crore Rupees. The road project would include two road-over bridges, under pass as well as 29-bus bays at both the sides. Government Of Odisha Announced Rice For Olive Ridley Conservation Scheme The Government of Odisha announced Rice for Olive Ridley Conservation (ROrC) scheme for the year 2013 in order to help the fishermen families affected by seven-month ban on marine fishing at Odisha coastal areas.The identification of beneficiaries under Rice for Olive Ridley Conservation (ROrC) Scheme was announced on 22 July 2013.The main aim of the ROrC scheme is to help the fishermen families who are affected by seven-month ban on marine fishing as an Olive Ridley turtle protection measure.

CONFERENCES
First IOR-ARC Economic and Business Conference (IOR-ARC) Economic and Business Conference held in Port Louis, Mauritius on 4 5 July 2013.The Union Minister of Commerce & Industry Shri Anand Sharma co-chaired the Indian Ocean Rim Association for Regional Cooperation (IOR-ARC) Economic and Business Conference.India and Mauritius co-hosted the first economic and business conference under the theme of Deepening Economic Linka ges for Balanced, Inclusive & Sustainable Growth. The IORARC has 20 members, of which India and Australia are the largest economies.During the meet Trade and industry ministers of member countries and dialogue partners of the Indian Ocean Rim Association for Regional Cooperation (IORARC) agreed to push trade within the grouping to promote economic cooperation and development in the strategic Indian Ocean region.The Indian Ocean Rim-Association for Regional Cooperation (IOR-ARC), initially known as the Indian Ocean Rim Initiative, is an international organization with 20 member states.It was first established in Mauritius on March 1995 and formally launched on 67 March 1997. National Conference Of State Tourism Ministers Held In New Delhi The National Tourism Ministers Conference was held in New Delhi on 18 July 2013.The Conference was chaired by Union Tourism Minister Shri K. Chiranjeevi. State and Union Territory Tourism Authorities were represented in the conference either through their Tourism Ministers and/ or senior officials.The objective of the conference was discussion of the future strategies for realising the complete tourism potential of India.The Departments of Tourism of all States and UTs will consider setting up of a special force such as a Tourist Police, where it does not exist at present, either by taking few companies on deputation from the Police Department or by engaging Ex-Servicemen or Home Guards.During the conference, a new campaign known as I Respect Women was also launched.The campaign was launched with Ministry of Tourism issuing badges in Hindi and ten international languages. G20 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors Meeting Held in Moscow The G20 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors Meeting was held on 19-20 July in Moscow,Russia.G20 Countries ministers ,Central Bank Governors and Indian Finance minister P.Chidambaram ,RBI governor D Subbarao attended the meeting.In the meeting delegates discussed traditional G20 agenda including the G20 Framework agreement for strong, sustainable and balanced

growth, the financial regulation reforms, and market transparency. The final communique contains the usual sentence urging convergence stressing this time how convergence can contribute to financial stability:At the end of the meeting Finance Ministers and Central Banks Governors approved the Joint Communique.

AWARDS & HONOURS

27 Individuals Conferred With National Youth Awards 2011-12 National Youth Award 2011-12 was conferred by Pranab Mukherjee, the President of India on 4 July 2013 to 27 individuals and an organization at a function held at Rashtrapati Bhawan. It is for the first time that the National Youth awards were given by the President of India.A total of 27 individuals and one organisation received he award this year.The youth award carries a Silver Medal, a Certificate and a cash prize of 40000 rupees in cases of individual awardees and 2lakh case prize for voluntary organizations.The selected individuals are expected to possess leadership qualities and use them in carrying out voluntary activities in the field of youth development. IIFA Awards 2013 Winners The 14th IIFA awards held at Macau on 6 July 2013. And this years IIFA will always be remembered for some outstanding performances by veteran actresses Madhuri Dixit and Sridevi.Ranbir Kapoor won the Best Actor Award for Barfi, while Vidya Balan took the Bes t Actress Award home for Sujoy Ghoshs Kahaani. Winners List :* Best Actor: Ranbir Kapoor (Barfi!) * Best Female Actor: Vidya Balan (Kahaani) * Best Film: Barfi! * Best Director: Anurag Basu (Barfi!) * Best Story : Tani and Anurag Basu (Barfi!) * Best Supporting Actor (Male): Annu Kapoor (Vicky Donor) * Best Supporting Actor (Female): Anushka Sharma (Jab Tak Hai Jaan) * Best Music Director: Pritam (Barfi!) Zubin Mehta Conferred Tagore Award 2013 On 10 July Zubin Mehta, western classical music conductor of Indian-Parsi origin, has been awarded 2nd Tagore Award For Cultural Harmony ( for 2013).He was named for the award because of his outstanding contribution to cultural harmony.The first Tagore Award was conferred on Pt. Ravi Shankar, the Indian Sitar Maestro in 2012 Two Indians Among 7 Girls Awarded On Malala Day On 12 July Two Indians were among the seven young girls honoured with the UN Special Envoy for Global Educations Youth Courage Award for Education as part of Pakistani teen activist, Malala Yousafzai, Malala Day celebrations at the world body.Among them were two Indians,Ashwini from Bangalore and Razia from Uttar Pradesh who were awarded with UN Special Envoy for Global Educations Youth Courage Award for Education. Tongam Rina Selected For German Media Prize On 13 July Senior journalist of Arunachal Pradesh-Tongam Rina has been selected for the prestigious Prize for the Freedom and Future of the Media 2013 instituted by Media Foundation, Leipzig, Germany.Brigitte Alfter and Ides Debruyne are the initiators of the European Fund for Investigative Journalism. Instituted in 2001, the award, which carries a prize of 30,000 Euros.

Human Powered Helicopter Wins US prize On 13 July The worlds first human-powered helicopter by a Canadian engineer has become the first winner of a decades-old US$250,000 (S$316,255) engineering prize ,after performing a minute-long flight at an altitude of 3.3 meters fueled only by the pilots pedaling of a modified bicycle.The winning vehicle is called the Atlas , and was designed by a team of about 20 students and young professionals.The aircraft is extremely light just 121.4 pounds (55 kilograms) but it spans a sprawling 162 feet (49.4 meters). Shalini Singh Wins 2013 Prem Bhatia Award Shalini Singh, a deputy editor with The Hindu, has bagged the prestigious Prem Bhatia Award for Political Reporting 2013.She has been selected for her excellent coverage of several key issues, particularly her reporting of the telecom and Coalgate scandals.Previous award -winners include Harish Khare, Praveen Swami, P. Sainath, Gargi Parsai, Nirupama Subramanian, Pallavi Aiyar and Amit Baruah for their works in The Hindu. Amitabh Bachchan Received Maestro Award On 17 July Amitabh Bachchan, classical flautist Hariprasad Chaurasia and ace santoor exponent Shivkumar Sharma were honoured with the WWI (Whistling Woods International) Maestro Awards.The honour was bestowed on the trio by filmmaker Subhash Ghais film and media institute. 2013 Ramon Magsaysay Award Winners On 24 July the Ramon Magsaysay Award Foundation announced the Ramon Magsaysay Awards for the year 2013.Three individuals and two organizations from Afghanistan, Indonesia, Myanmar, Nepal and the Philippines to receive the Ramon Magsaysay Award, the Asias premier p rize.The Ramon Magsaysay Award is an annual award established to perpetuate former Philippine President Ramon Magsaysays example of integrity in government, courageous service to the people, and pragmatic idealism within a democratic society.The prize was established in April 1957. The Awardees are:* Habiba sarabi Afghanistans first woman governor, was selected for helping build a functioning local government and pushing for education and womens rights in Afghanistans Bamyan province despite working in a violent and impoverished environment in which discrimination is pervasive. * Lahpai Seng Raw of Myanmanr honoured for helping the rehabilitate work in damaged communities amid armed conflict. *Ernesto Domingo, from the Philippines.He is being recognized for his exemplary embrace of the social mission of medical science and his profession, his steadfast leadership in pursuing health for all as a shared moral responsibility of all sectors. *Komisi Pemberantasan Korupsi (Corruption Eradication Commission), from Indonesia.The organization is being recognized for its fiercely independent and successful campaign against corruption in Indonesia. *Shakti Samuha (Power Group), from Nepal.The organizations founders and members are being recognized for transforming their lives in service to other human trafficking survivors, their passionate dedication towards rooting out a pernicious social evil in Nepal. Azim Premji Bags Asian Business Leaders Award On 24 July Wipro chairman Azim Premji has been awarded the Asian Business Leaders Award 2013 for his impressive business credentials and service to society by London-based Asia House.Past recipients of the honour includes Ratan Tata, chairman of the Tata Group, and Lord Stephen Green, UKs minister of state for trade and investment and former group chairman of HSBC Holdings. Four Indian Americans Won Simons Investigators Awards On 27 July Four Indian-American Professors Kannan Soundararajan, Rajeev Alur, Salil P Vadhan and Senthil Todadri won Simons Investigators Awards 2013. Apart from these, 9 other mathematicians, theoretical physicists and theoretical computer scientists were also selected for the Simons Investigators Awards for their cutting edge research.The 2013 awards were announced by the New York-based Simons Foundation, which is a non-profit organisation. Its mission is to advance the lines of research in mathematics and basic sciences. The Simons Investigators program provides a stable base of support for

outstanding scientists, enabling them to undertake long-term study of fundamental questions. The foundation was incorporated in 1994 by Jim and Marilyn Simons. Metro Man Sreedharan Chosen For 2013 Lokmanya Tilak Award On 29 July Metro Man E. Sreedharan has been selected for the prestigious Lokmanya Tilak award for 2013 for his outstanding contribution to society.Name of Sreedharan, considered as the architect of the ambitious Delhi metro project, was announced by Lokmanya Tilak Trust.The Padmashree laureate is also credited for pulling off the Konkan Railway project. Amjad Ali Khan To Get Rajiv Gandhi National Sadhbhavna Award On 30 July Sarod maestro Amjad Ali Khan was chosen for the 21st Rajiv Gandhi National Sadhbhavna Award for his contribution towards promotion of communal harmony and peace. The award was instituted by All India Congress Committee of the Indian National Congress Party (INC).

SPORTS & GAMES

Negi Won Continental Chess Open Title On 2 July Indias young Grand Master Parimarjan Negi has won the Continental Chess Associatio n Open title in Washington.The second and third places are won by the International Master Bindi Cheng of Canada and American Grand Master Konrad Holt from Kansas respectively. Chris Martin Announced Retirement From All Cricket On 3 July Chris Martin, the fast Bowler of New Zealand has announced his retirement from all forms of cricket.Chris Martin is New Zealands third-highest Test wicket taker only after Richard Hadlee and Daniel Vettori. He had taken 233 Test wickets with an average of 33.81.Martin played 71 Tests, 20 ODIs and six Twenty20s for his country in an international career. Wimbledon Tennis Tournament Title 2013 Winners Womens Singles :- On 6 July Frances Marion Bartoli won the Wimbledon 2013 womens title after defeated Germanys Sabine Lisicki in the final.Bartoli is the fifth oldest woman to become a first-time Grand Slam winner in the Open Era.By finally winning her maiden major title in the 47th Grand Slam appearance of her career, Bartoli surpassed the previous record set by Jana Novotna, who won Wimbledon in 1998 after 45 appearances at the majors. Mens Singles :- On 7 July Andy Murray (Britain) won the Mens Singles title after defeated Novak Djokovic (Serbia) in the final.Andy Murray became the Britains first male winner after al most eight decades, to win the championship. Earlier he was Fred Perry, who won his last Championship in 1936. Womens Doubles :- Hsieh Su-wei (Taiwan) and Peng Shuai (China) won the womens doubles title after defeated Australian duo Ashleigh Barty and Casey Dellacqua in the final at Wimbledon. Mens Doubles :- Americans Bob Bryan and Mike Bryan won the Wimbledon mens doubles title after defeated Ivan Dodig (Croatia )and Marcelo Melo (Brazil) in the final. Indian Women Won Gold At Asian Athletics Championship On 7 July India clinched a gold medal in womens 400m relay in a sensational race to finish sixth overall as the curtains were drawn on the 20th Asian Athletics Championships with China confirming their supreme status in the continent.The home team came up with a rich haul of eight medals, one gold, two silvers and five bronzes on the fifth and final day .India ended the Championships with two golds, five silvers and 10 bronzes, a much improved performance than the last edition in 2011 in Kobe.As expected, China, who had been ruling the Asian Championships for the last 15 editions, finished at the top spot with 16 golds, six silvers and five bronzes.

Sebastian Vettel Won German Grand Prix On 7 July Red Bulls Sebastian Vettel won the German Grand Prix title .Kimi Raikkonen and Romain Grosjean got second and third positions respectively.It was Vettels first victory in his home race and the 30th of his career. Shiva Thapa Wins Gold at Asian Boxing Championships On 8 July Nineteen-year-old Shiva Thapa became the youngest Indian to win a gold medal at the Asian Boxing Championships in Amman, Jordan.Thapa defeated local pugilist Obada Alkabeh,on a split decision to win the gold in the 56kg class.The nimble-footed boxer, who made his Olympic debut in London last year, thus followed Suranjoy Singh (2009) and Rajkumar Sangwan (1994) into the history books as a rare Indian gold-medallist at the premier continental event. Lajja Goswami Won Silver In Shooting World Cup On 9 July Indian woman shooter Lajja Goswami has won silver medal in womens 50-metre Rifle 3 Position event at the ISSF World Cup in Granada, Spain.Gauswami, a silver medallist at the 2010 Commonwealth Games, shot 454 in the finals to bag the silver ahead of Norways Malin Westerheim.Petra Zublasing of Italy won the gold medal. Shane Warne Inducted into the ICC Cricket Hall of Fame On 11 July ICC announced that Shane Warne, former Australian spinner would be inducted into the ICC cricket hall of fame .On 19 July during the tea interval of the second Ashes Test between England and Australia at Lords, Shane Warne was officially inducted into the ICC cricket hall of fame.Warne becomes the 69th male member of the Hall of Fame, and joins fellow 2012-13 inductees Brian Lara of the West Indies, Englands Enid Bakewell and former Australia team-mate Glenn McGrath in being recognised by the ICC and the living members of the Hall of Fame.He played for Australia in 145 tests between 1992 and 2007. He claimed 708 test wickets with a strike rate of 25.41. He was the first bowler to take 700 test wickets.He was the part of the Australian cricket team that won the World Cup in 1999 at Lords against Pakistan. Martina Hingis Inducted In Tennis Hall Of Fame On 13 July Swiss tennis legend Martina Hingis was induc ted in Tennis Hall of Fame.She became one of the youngest members to be included in the one of the most elite clubs of tennis.Hingis won three Australian Open titles (1997, 1998, 1999), one Wimbledon (1997) and a US Open title (1997).She also won nine grand slam doubles titles and a mixed doubles title. Abhijeet Gupta Won Commonwealth Chess Championship On 14 July Indian Grandmaster and former world junior champion Abhijeet Gupta has won the Commonwealth Chess Championship ,after settled for a draw with Indian national title-holder G. Akash in the final round at Port Elizabeth in South Africa. Nicolas Mahut Won Hall Of Fame Championship On 14 July Frenchman Nicolas Mahut has won the title after defeated Lleyton Hewitt of Australia in the Hall of Fame Tennis Championships final.Mahut won his second career ATP title. Serena Williams Won Swedish Open Title On 21 July Serena Williams (U.S) won Swedish Open Tennis title, after defeated Johanna Larsson(Sweden) in the final of the Swedish Open at Bastad in Sweden.The win is her 53rd WTA title and 51st match win of the year. Indian Women Won Recurve Gold At Archery World Cup On 21 July Indian womens archery team Deepika Kumari, Laishram Bombayla Devi and Rimil Biruly won Gold medal in the Womens Recurve Team event at the Archery World Cup Stage-3 in Medellin, Colombia.In the final Indian womens archery team defeated China in the recurve event to claim the gold

medal.India claim their second medal of this World Cup and their first World Cup Womens team gold since Shanghai 2011. Divij Sharan Purav Raja Won First ATP Title On 21 July Purav Raja and Divij Sharan of India clinched their first ever ATP tour doubles title after defeated Edouard Roger-Vasselin of France and Igor Sijsling of the Netherlands in the final match of Claro Open in Bogota, Colombia. Devendra Jhajharia Won Gold In World Paralympic Championships On 22 July Indias Paralympian Devendra Jhajharia has won a gold medal in the Javelin Throw at IPC (International Paralympic Commitee) athletics World Championships in France.He became the first differently-abled Indian to win gold at the IPC Athletics World Championships.He threw the javelin to 57.04 meters in F-46 category, which is meant for one-armed athletes.He won a Gold medal at the 8th FESPIC Games in Korea, 2002.In March 2012, he received the Padma Shree Award and became the first paralympian to win the award. Dhyan Chand Nominated For Bharat Ratna The sports ministry has chosen hockey legend late Dhyan Chand for Indias highest civilian award, the Bharat Ratna.Dhyan Chand, who passed away in 1979, won three gold medals at the Olympics in 1928 ( Amsterdam), 1932 ( Los Angeles) and 1936 ( Berlin). Jennitha Wins World Chess Title For Disabled On 24 July Indias K. Jennitha Anto has became the Wor ld Chess Champion for disabled, after won the 13th IPCA World Womens Individual Chess Championship in Velke Losiny, Czech Republic.Hailing from Tamil Nadu, Jennitha scored 4.5 points in nine games after winning three, drawing three and losing three games.She competed in a combined group with men and became the highest scorer among the women players.The title came along with the Woman International Master title. Lewis Hamilton Won Hungarian Grand Prix Title On 28 July Lewis Hamilton of Great Britain and Mercedes won the Hungarian Grand Prix title 2013 held on Buadpest.Raikkonen and Vettle got second and third positions respectively. Afridi Becomes First Batsman To Hit 400 Sixes Pakistans Shahid Afridi became the first cricketer to hit 400 sixes in an inter national career on 26 July.Afridi reached the landmark in the 16th over of Pakistans reply to the West Indies 152 for seven in the first Twenty20 international.Chris Gayle, playing for the West Indies, is next on the list having hit 353 sixes in his Test, ODI and T20 career. Indian Wrestlers Won 15 Medals In Asian Cadet Championship On 27 July Indian wrestlers finished the Cadet Asian Championships with a rich haul of three golds, nine silvers and three bronze medals, besides winning the Champion Trophy in the freestyle category in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia.The gold came through Amit Kumar (58kg), Vikas (63kg) and Parveen (85kg) of the freestyle category while silver medals were won by Ravi Kumar (54kg), Ankur Rathi (69kg), Balraj (76kg) and Gursewak Singh (100kg) in the same division.The freestyle team secured 84 points and finished ahead of Iran who were the runners-up. Aditya Mehta Won Snooker Gold In World Games On 30 July Indias numero uno snooker player, Aditya Mehta won the gold medal in the World Games after defeated Chinas Liang Wenbo in the final of the quadrennial event at Cali, Columbia. India Won Under-16 SAFF Championship On 30 July India won the South Asian Football Federation (SAFF) Under-16 Championships held at the Dasharath Stadium in Kathmandu.Indian boys defeated Nepal 1-0 in final to lift the South Asian Football Federation Under-16 Championship title. This is the first time that India have won the championship.

ECONOMY
Indian Internet Economy To Touch USD 100 Billion By 2015 On 3 July According to the Economist Intelligence Unit Good to Grow: The Environment of Asias Internet Business report ,Indias Internet Economy that stands at 1.6 per cent of GDP is slated to touch USD 100 billion by 2015 .Online advertising in Asia will grow from 24 per cent of worldwide online advertising in 2010 to 26 per cent by 2015.However, Asias mobile advertising market is expected to account for one third of the mobile advertising market globally by 2015. Latvia Gets EU Approval To Join Eurozone On 9 July European Union (EU) states approved the adoption of the euro by Latvia as of January 1, 2014. The country will be the 18th member of the European Monetary Union.Latvia is the second Baltic republic to join the euro zone. In 2011, Estonia adopted the currency. Lithuania plans to do so as well, in 2015. Indias Growth Forecast To 5.6% For 2013-14 On 9 July the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has scaled down Indias economic growth forecast by 0.2 percentage points to 5.6 per cent for 2013-14 from 5.8 per cent forecasted in April 2013 World Economic Outlook (WEO) projections.The growth projection for FY 2014-15 was also scaled down by 0.1 percentage points to 6.3 per cent. Indians Among Top Five Buyers Of Property In US On 10 July According to the National Association of Realtors survey report ,Buying property worth nearly $3.5 billion .Indians are among top five international real estate buyers in the US.India along with Canada, China, Mexico and the United Kingdom accounted for approximately 53 percent of international transactions worth $68.2 billion. Government Approved 100 percent FDI In Telecom Sector On 16 July the Union Government of India raised the FDI limit in Telecom Sector from 74 percent to 100 percent. Government also cleared that the FDI in the Insurance and Telecom sectors will be up to 49 per cent through automatic route.The foreign direct investment limit in insurance sector will be hiked to 49 per cent from the existing 26 per cent.The Government also confirmed that the FDI in Defence Production will continue to be 26 percent. Colombia Among Worlds Most Corrupt Nations On 17 July According to the Global Corruption Barometer 2013 report , was released by NGO Transparency International (TI) ,Colombia is among the countries with the highest rate of corruption in the world.Colombia was placed 5th among the seven countries whose citizens realize that Congress is one of the most corrupt public bodies.Transparency International (TI) was Founded in 1993 and based in Berlin, Germany, the T has 100 branches and operates in 70 countries. India Becomes Largest Nigerian Crude Oil Buyer India has overtaken the U.S. as the top buyer of Nigerian crude oil.On the bilateral trade,the present figure stands at $10 billion, even as the total investment of India in Nigerian economy could be valued at $16.6 billion. Poverty In India Drops To 21.9 percent In 2011-12 On 23 July the Planning Commission of India released its report on the Poverty Estimates for 2011-12. The report was based on the Large Sample Surveys on Household Consumer Expenditure conducted by the National Sample Survey Office (NSSO) of the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation.However, since 2009-10 was not a normal year because of a severe drought, the NSSO repeated the large scale survey in 2011-12 (NSS 68thround). The summary results of this survey were

released in June 2013.Since the data from the NSS 68th round (2011-12) of Household Consumer Expenditure Survey is now available .Now the Planning Commission has updated the poverty estimates for the year 2011-12 as per the methodology recommended by Tendulkar Committee.The commission present ,released estimates of state wise poverty lines for rural and urban areas for 2011-12 . Poverty Estimates 2011-12 :* Poverty ratio in the country has declined to 21.9 per cent in 2011-12 from 37.2 per cent in 2004-05 on account of increase in per capita consumption. * According to the Planning Commission, in 2011-12 for rural areas, the national poverty line by using the Tendulkar methodology is estimated at Rs. 816 per capita per month in villages and Rs. 1,000 per capita per month in cities.This would mean that the persons whose consumption of goods and services exceed Rs. 33.33 in cities and Rs. 27.20 per capita per day in villages are not poor. * For a family of five, the all India poverty line in terms of consumption expenditure would amount of Rs. 4,080 per month in rural areas and Rs. 5,000 per month in urban areas. The poverty line, however, will vary from state to state. * The percentage of persons below poverty line in 2004-05 was 41.8 per cent in rural areas, 25.7 per cent in cities and 37.2 per cent in the country as a whole.In actual terms, there were 26.93 crore people below poverty line in 2011-12 as compared to 40.71 crore in 2004-05. * State-wise, the Commission said ,highest poverty rate of 39.93% was recorded in Chhattisgarh (201112)followed by Jharkhand (36.96 per cent), Manipur (36.89 per cent), Arunachal Pradesh (34.67 per cent) and Bihar (33.47 per cent). * Among the union territories, the Dadra and Nagar Haveli was the highest, with 39.31 per cent people living below poverty line followed by Chandigarh at 21.81 per cent. * Lowest poverty rate of 5.09% was recorded in Goa (2011-12) followed by Kerala (7.05 per cent), Himachal Pradesh (8.06 per cent), Sikkim (8.19 per cent), Punjab (8.26 per cent) and Andhra Pradesh (9.20 per cent).

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

ISRO PSLV C22 Successfully Launched IRNSS 1A Navigation Satellite On 1 July ISROs Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle, PSLV-C22, has successfully launched IRNSS-1A, the first satellite in the Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System (IRNSS) from Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota ,Nellore District (Andhra Pradesh)This is the 23rd consecutively successful mission of PSLV.The IRNSS-1A was launched on 1 July 2013 at 11.41 p.m.It was the first near midnight satellite launch by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO).The satellite has been designed to provide accurate position information services to users in India as well as to the regions extending up to 1,500 km from its boundary.IRNSS-IA is among the first seven satellites that constitutes the Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System (IRNSS) Space Segment. The mission has a life of 10 years. IRNSS will provide two types of services :- standard positioning service using signals in the L5-band to an accuracy of 20 meters for all users and an encrypted service in S-band provided for authorized users. About PSLV-C22 :* Rocket Height 44-metres * Weight 320 tonnes * Satellite IRNSS-1A * Satellite Weight 1425 kg Russias Proton-M Rocket Failed On 2 July Russia has launched an unmanned Proton-M , carrying three Russian Glonass positioning, navigation and timing satellites failed 17 seconds after liftoff , with the rocket crashing some 2.5 kilometers from the Baikonur Cosmodrome launch pad in Kazakhstan. Scientists Created 3D Bionic Ear With 3D Printer On 4 July Princeton University scientists , including an Indian-origin researcher Naveen Varma,have

created a 3D-printed bionic ear that can hear radio frequencies far beyond the range of normal human capability.Using off-the-shelf printing tools, the scientists at Princeton University explored 3D printing of cells and nanoparticles followed by cell culture to combine a small coil antenna with cartilage, creating a bionic ear.This is the first time that researchers have demonstrated that 3D printing is a convenient strategy to interweave tissue with electronics. World`s First Human Liver Created From Stem Cells Japanese scientists have grown a functional human liver tissue from stem cells for the first time.Takanori Takebe and Hideki Taniguchi at Yokohama City University showed the generation of vascularised and functional human liver from human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) by transplantation of in vitro grown liver buds (rudimentary liver). UK Inaugurates Worlds Largest Offshore Wind Farm On 4 July British Prime Minister David Cameron has inaugurated London Array, the worlds largest offshore wind farm ,a 630-megawatt project capable of producing enough electricity to power 500,000 homes. The $2.3 billion project is located 12 miles offshore in the North Sea, east of London .Powered by 175 Siemens wind turbines. US Missile Defense Test Fails Over Pacific On 6 July Americas missile defense system failed in a test over the Pacific, with an interceptor failing to hit an incoming ballistic missile.The tests objective was to have an interceptor, launched from Vandenberg air base in California, knock out a long-range ballistic missile fired from a US military test site at Kwajalein atoll in the Marshall Islands. ISRO Readies To Launch Orbiter To Mars On 7 July ISRO Chairman K Radhakrishnan announced ,ISRO is readying up for the 450-crore Mars Orbiter mission which is expected to be launched between October and November this year.The mission is aimed at searching for possible signs of life as well as to find out why Mars lacks atmosphere.The Mars Orbiter will be launched aboard the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre at Sriharikota. The Mars orbiter will be carrying a total of five payloads weighing about 14.49 kg. It will carry a methane sensor to determine the presence of methane, a sign which suggests that life once existed on the Martian soil.The Mars Orbiter will enter into a 372 km by 80,000 km elliptical orbit around Mars.The spacecraft will orbit the red planet once in every three days. It will study the surface and the minerals on Martian soil. Scientists Discovered MRI Scan To Detect Cancer Using Sugar Scientists from University College London (UCL) have discovered a technique they called glucose chemical exchange saturation transfer (glucoCEST) a new way of detecting cancer by giving patients an injection of sugar before doing an MRI scan (magnetic resonance imaging).The researchers found that when sensitizing an MRI scanner to recognize glucose, tumors appeared as bright images on the MRI scans of mice. The tumors can be detected using the same amount of sugar found in half a standard chocolate bar. Ecuador Starts Using New Aviation Radar System On 10 July Ecuador Starts new Aviation Radar System.Ecuadorian Vice President Jorge announced the Ecuadorian airspace will be covered in 95 percent by eight radars that will be located nationwide.The devices that form the Integrated Surveillance System Civil Radar will be located in the provinces of Guayas, Manabi, Pichincha, Cotopaxi, Pastaza, Azuay, Loja and the island of San Cristobal, in the Galapagos archipelago.Ecuadorian Vice President started this system at the offices of the Civil Aviation General Management (DAC) in Guayaquil.The investment to implement this high-technology equipment was $20 million USD.The eight radars would be part of a single system, meaning that the air-traffic controller can see all the trace of a plane in a monitor.Guerrero specified that it would be complicated to detect illegal flights of light aircraft, because for the crew to cheat these controls turn off a device that transmit data to the radars, as altitude and speed of the flight.

China Russia Joint Sea-2013 Naval Drills Chinese and Russian naval forces Joint Sea-2013 drills was held from 6th to11th July in the Sea of Japan.In the Joint exercises China used seven warships, included a guided-missile destroyer with Aegistype radars that track and guide weapons to destroy enemy targets, and missile frigates with antisubmarine abilities.The Russian lineup included the flagship of its Pacific fleet, the guided-missile cruiser Varyag, and a Kilo-class submarine.The six-day maneuvers focused on joint maritime air defense and the defense of marine traffic arteries, with exercises involving joint escorts, marine search and rescue operations, anti-submarine tactics and anti-hijacking tactics.They were the ninth bilateral and multilateral joint military exercises carried out by the Chinese and Russian militaries. Iran Secret Nuclear Site Discovered By MEK On 11 July the paris based militant group organisation of the Peoples Mujahedin o f Iran (MEK) has discovered credible evidence of a secret new nuclear site, gathered over a year by 50 sources in various parts of the regime.The codename of the project is Maadan -e Sharq (literally the mine of the east) or Project Kossar.This site is hidden in a series of tunnels under a mountain near the town of Damavand.The Paris-based militant group MEK alleges that the site has existed since 2006, with the first series of subterranean tunnels and four external depots recently completed. US Autonomous X-47B Drone Successfully Lands On Aircraft Carrier On 11 July the US Navys next-generation autonomous drone, the X-47B, has successfully landed on the deck of the USS George H.W. Bush,during a milestone test run off the coast of Virginia.Developed by aerospace contractor Northrop Grumman, the X-47B is the first UAV designed to refuel, take off, and land without any human intervention. U.S. Bill For A National Park On Moon On 12 July Lawmakers of US proposed a Bill in the US Congress for establishing a national park on the Moon.The new Bill seeks creation of the Apollo Lunar Landing Sites as National Historical Park on the Moon.The bill has been named as the Apollo Lunar Landing Legacy Act, the Bill and was referred to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology in addition to the House Committee on Natural Resources.It calls for no later than one year, after the date of enactment of the act, the establishment of a Apollo Lunar Landing Sites National Historical Park, as a unit of the National Park System. NASAs Hubble Discovered Blue Planet Scientists from NASA have discovered a blue planet that possibly rains glass, orbiting a star 63 lightyears away.This is the first time an exoplanets true colour has been determined. Astronomers has used NASAs Hubble Space Telescope and made visible light observation spotting the planet HD 189733b which is one of the closest exoplanets that can be seen crossing the face of its star. Neptunes 14th Moon Discovered On 16 July the U.S. space agency NASA has announced the discovery of Neptunes 14th moon.The Hubble Space Telescope captured the moon as a white dot in photos of the planet on the outskirts of our solar system.The new moon, Neptunes tiniest at just 19.3 km across, is designated S/2004 N1. China Successfully Launched Three Experimental Satellites In To Space On 20 July China successfully launched three satellites to carry out scientific experiments into space.A Long March-4C carrier rocket carrying three satellites ,blasts off from the launch pad in the Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center in Taiyuan, capital of north Chinas Shanxi Province.The three satellites for scientific experiments, namely the Chuangxin-3 , Shiyan-7 and Shijian-15 .The three satellites will be used mainly for conducting scientific experiments on space maintenance technologies. Worlds Largest Virus Discovered By French Researchers On 20 July French National Centre for Scientific Research Scientists have discovered a huge viruses in the world.The virus is one micrometre big ,up to ten times the size of other viruses, and only six per cent of its genes resemble anything seen on Earth before.The size of each virus must be 2500 genes.93

percent of genes in this virus is new for the world.The scientists named this virus as a Pandoraviruses.Ten years back these Scienists found a new virus called mimiviruses . Biological E vaccine Prequalified By WHO On 22 July Biological E (BioE) and European biotech company announced the World Health Organization (WHO) has pre-qualified its Japanese Encephalitis vaccine for global use in adults.BioE has developed the vaccine based on the technology of Valneva SE, a French biotech company. Advanced Weather Satellite INSAT -3D Launched Successfully On 26 July The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has successfully launched its advanced weather satellite Insat-3D from the spaceport of Kourou in French Guiana, using a European launch vehicle, Ariane-5 .The rocket also launched Alphasat a co-passenger of INSAT-3D and Europes largest telecommunication satellite-ever manufactured.INSAT-3D was placed in an elliptical Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit (GTO),very close to the intended one.With a lift-off mass of 2060 kg, INSAT-3D carried four payloads Imager, Sounder, Data Relay Transponder (DRT) and Satellite Aided Search & Rescue payload.INSAT-3D will facilitate new dimension to the weather monitoring because of its atmospheric sounding system. The atmospheric sounding system provides the vertical profiles of integrated ozone, humidity as well as temperature, from top of the atmosphere.The new satellite, INSAT-3D will be operational for next seven years.The satellite Insat-3D will give a push to the weather forecasting as well as help in facilitating disaster warning services. ISRO, Tata Motors Developed Indias First Fuel Cell Bus On 28 July Tata Motors Limited (TML) and Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), in collaboration, developed the first Hydrogen-powered automobile bus of India.The hydrogen fuel-fitted bus was demonstrated at Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre, an ISRO facility in Mahendragiri in Tamil Nadu.According to Honorary Adviser of ISRO V Gnana Gandhi, who led the technical team in this project, ISRO and TML entered into an MoU in 2006 to design and develop an automobile bus using hydrogen as a fuel through fuel cell route. HAL Delivers Lakshya-1 To Indian Army On 26 July the first Lakshya-1, a fully indigenous Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) developed for the Indian Army by Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd. (HAL) was delivered to Bharat Dynamics Ltd. (Hyderabad).Lakshya-1 has been designed and developed by the Aero Engine Research & Development Centre, a HAL facility in Bangalore.It is powered with PTAE-7 Engine, an aero gas turbine engine that was also designed and developed by the Aero Engine Research & Development Centre.

PERSONS IN NEWS
A) APPOINTMENTS
New Governors and Lieutenant Governors Appointed * On 1 July Vice Chancellor of Jamia Milia University Najeeb Jung was appointed as the 20th Lt Governor of Delhi.Njaeeb Jung has replaced Tejendra Khanna, who was the 1961 batch Indian Administrative Service officer and the last Lt Governor of Delhi. * Former Delhi police commissioner K.K. Paul has been appointed the Meghalaya governor, replaced Ranjit Shekhar Mooshahary. * Lt. General A.K. Singh (retd) was appointed as the Lt. Governor of Andaman and Nicobar Islands, replaced Lt. General Bhopinder Singh (retd). * Virendra Kataria has been appointed as the new Lt. Governor of Puducherry, replaced Iqbal Singh. * Senior parliamentarian Shriniwas Dadasaheb Patil has been appointed as the new governor of Sikkim.He is also a former IAS officer, replaced incumbent B P Singh.

Sujatha Singh Is New Foreign Secretary Of India On 2 July Sujata Singh has been appointed as Indias new foreign secretary.She succeeds Ranjan Mathai..Singh is the third woman to head the services after Chokila Iyer and Nirupama Rao.Previously Singh worked in Europe including Italy ,France and Germany. Adli Mansour Sworn In As Egypts Interim President On 4 July the Chief Justice of Egypts Constitutional Court ,Adli Mansour has been sworn in as Egypts interim president.Mansour will serve as Egypts head of state until a new president is elected.Earlier, the first democratically elected President of Egypt, Mohamed Morsi was deposed from his office in a military coup. Abdoulaye Bathily Appointed As Deputy Head Of UN Mission In Mali On 8 July UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon announced the appointment of Abdoulaye Bathily of Senegal as his new Deputy Special Representative for the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA).Mr. Bathily has been serving as Senior Minister in the office of the President of Senegal since 2012. Mr. Bathily also served as a Member of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Parliament, member of the African Union Contact Group on the crisis in Madagascar. Kaushik Appointed As The Coach Of Indian Mens Hockey Team On 10 July Hockey India (HI) appointed Olympic gold medallist Maharaj Kishan Kau shik as the mens hockey team coach.The decision comes in the wake of Michael Nobbs removal as the teams head coach.Kaushik was a member of the team when it won the gold medal at the 1980 Summer Olympics in Moscow.Under the Coaching of MK Kaushik , India mens hockey team had won their last major international tournament, the 1998 Asian Games, Bangkok. In 1998, he received the Arjuna Award. S. B. Mainak Appointed LIC MD On 8 July S B Mainak has been appointed as MD of Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC).He will hold office from the date of assuming charge till 29 February 2016. Phumzile Mlambo Ngcuka Appointed UN Women Chief On 10 July Former South African deputy president Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka has been appointed as the head of UN Women agency.Ms. Mlambo-Ngcuka replaces Michelle Bachelet, a former president of Chile who served as the first Executive Director of the UN Entity for Gender Equality and Empowerment of Women (UN Women).Mlambo was the first woman to hold the position of Deputy President of South Africa from 2005 to 2008. Hemant Soren Sworn in as 9th Jharkhand Chief Minister On 13 July Jharkhand Mukti Morcha leader Hemant Soren was sworn in as the ninth Chief Minister of Jharkhand. Syed Ahmed, the Governor of Jharkhand administered the oath of the office to Hemant Soren in the premises of Raj Bhavan in a swearing-in ceremony.Hemant Soren, who heads the ninth ministry in less than 13 years, became the fifth tribal Chief Minister after Babulal Marandi, Arjun Munda, Shibu Soren and Madhu Koda since the state was created on November 15, 2000.Soren, who gave the Governor a list of 43 MLAs supporting him in the 82-member Assembly, is expected to expand his ministry after taking the floor test. The alternative coalition comes nearly six months after the imposition of Presidents rule.The Presidents Rule was imposed on Jharkhand on 18 January 2013 after the failure of the Constitutional Machinery in the state after JMM withdrew support to the BJP-led government under Arjun Munda on 8 January 2013. ElBaradei Sworn In As Egypts Vice President On 14 July a former head of the UN nuclear watchdog and a Nobel peace laureate, Prominent liberal Egyptian leader Mohamed ElBaradei was sworn in as Egypts interim vice president for foreign relations.

Moin Khan Appointed Pak Cricket Teams Chief Selector On 15 July Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) appointed former Pakistan team captain Moin Khan as chief selector after the resignation of Iqbal Qasim.Moin, is the youngest person to be named to the chief selectors post by the cricket board.Khan played 69 Tests and 219 one-day internationals for Pakistan in 1990s and was also a member of World Cup winning team in 1992. Santosh B Nayar is new CEO & MD of IFCI On 15 July Santosh B Nayar has been appointed as Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of the Industrial Financial Corporation of India.The IFCI was the 1st specialised financial institution setup in India to provide term finance to large industries in India. Nisha Desai Biswal Nominated For The Post Of Assistant Secretary Of State Of USA On 18 July Nisha Desai Biswal, an Indian-American woman was nominated for the Post of Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asia by US President Barack Obama .Nisha Desai Biswal, held the post of the Assistant Administrator for Asia at the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) at the time her of nomination to the post of Assistant Secretary of state.Nisha Desai Biswal will oversee the US Foreign Policy and relations at the State Department for India, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Kazakhstan, Kirghizstan, Maldives, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan.This is the first time an Indian-American is heading the South Asia Bureau, a new milestone for the community.Nisha Desai Biswal worked at the American Red Cross from 1993 to 1995 in the Washington headquarters, and as an overseas delegate in Armenia, Georgia and Azerbaijan.Nisha Desai Biswal held the post of assistant administrator for Asia at the US Agency for International Development (USAID), since September 2010. Justice P Sathasivam Sworn In As The New Chief Justice Of India On 19 July Justice P Sathasivam was sworn in as the 40th Chief Justice of India (CJI) by President Pranab Mukherjee.Justice Sathasivam is first CJI from Tamil Nadu .The term of his office will be till 26 April 2014. Justice Palanisamy Sathasivam succeeded CJI Altamas Kabir who left the office on 18 July 2013. Rana Kapoor is new Assocham President On 20 July Rana Kapoor, Founder, Managing Director & CEO of Yes Bank,took over as the new president of the Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (Assocham) at the end of the industry bodys 92nd annual general meeting (AGM) in Delhi.He succeeds Rajkumar Dhoot, who is the managing director of Videocon Group. Philippe-1 Sworn In As Seventh King Of Belgium On 21 July Prince Philippe -1 was sworn-in as the seventh king of Belgium,after his father Albert II abdicated as the head of this fractured nation.The ceremony capped a day of transition which started when Philippes father, the 79-year-old Albert, signed away his rights as the kingdoms largely ceremonial ruler at the royal palace in the presence of Prime Minister Elio Di Rupo, who holds the political power in this 183-year-old parliamentary democracy.The position of the king in the country is nominal and total powers are having the Prime Minister. Indian-Origin Peer Ajay Kakkar Appointed To Lords Post On 23 July Indian-origin peer Ajay Kakkar has been made the chairman of the influential House of Lords Appointments Commission, an advisory body which selects new independent members of UKs House of Lords.Lord Kakkar is Professor of Surgery at university College London (UCL) and Consultant Surgeon University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust since 2011. His research interests focus on the prevention and treatment of venous and arterial thromboembolic disease and cancer associated thrombosis. Five Members From Tamil Nadu Sworn In To Rajya Sabha On 25 July Senior leaders V. Maitreyan of All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) and D. Raja of Communist Party of India (CPI) were among the five newly elected MPs from Tamil Nadu who

took oath as members of Rajya Sabha.While Maitreyan and Raja were re-elected, T. Rathinavel, K.R. Anjuman and K. Lakshmanan (all AIADMK) have been elected for the first time to the Upper House in the recent biennial elections.The oath-taking ceremony was held in the chamber of Rajya Sabha chairman Hamid Ansari in his presence.DMK member Kanimozhi ,who has also been elected for a second term, did not take her oath .Maithreyan, who is also the leader of his party in Rajya Sabha, has won a third term while CPI secretary Raja secured his second stint in the house with the extended support from the ruling party AIADMK. Barack Obama Nominates Indian-American Vince Girdhari Chhabria To Judiciary Post On 26 July Indian-American legal luminary Vince Girdhari Chhabria has been nominated by US President Barack Obama to a key judiciary post in California..Chhabria, nominated to be US district judge for the Northern District of California, is currently deputy city attorney for government litigation and the co-chief of appellate litigation at the San Francisco city attorneys offic e.Obama announced his nomination along with five other judicial posts, all of which requires Senate confirmation. K D Singh is new Indian Hockey Federation President On 29 July Trinamool MP KD Singh was elevated to the post of president of the Indian Hockey Federation (IHF) after incumbent Dinesh Reddy opted to resign from the position.The decision to elevate Singh to the top post was taken at a special executive council meeting of IHF . Sharad Kumar is new NIA chief On 30 July Senior IPS officer Sharad Kumar has been appointed as the new chief of the National Investigation Agency (NIA).The 1979-batch Indian Police Service (IPS) officer will take over from additional DG N R Wasan, who was given charge of NIA in April following appointment of Sinha as member of National Human Rights Commission. Cheryl Boone Isaacs Elected President Of Oscars Academy On 30 July Cheryl Boone Isaacs has been elected as the president of Oscars Academy.The Springfield native is the first woman to hold the post in three decades and the first African-American president in the academys 86-year history. The academy oversees the annual Academy Awards and Oscars broadcast.Isaacs is currently head of her own CBI Enterprises.

B)RESIGNS
Madhya Pradesh Finance Minister Raghavji Resigned On 5 July Madhya Pradesh Finance Minister Raghavji resigned following allegations that he sodomised his domestic help.Raghavji had set a record by presenting the state budget for 10 years in succession from 2004 to 2013.He is the Finance Minister of Madhya Pradesh since last 9 years. Syria Interim Prime Minister Ghassan Hitto Resigned On 8 July Syrias rebel interim prime minister Ghassan Hitto has announced his resignation , nearly four months after his appointment and having failed to form a government. Luxembourgs PM Jean-Claude Juncker Resigned On 11 July Luxembourgs long-serving Prime Minister Jean-Claude Juncker has resigned from his post ,following a spying scandal involving illegal phone-taps and other illicit activities.Jean-Claude Juncker is a Luxembourger politician, 23rd and current Prime Minister of Luxembourg since 20 January 1995. Kumar Mangalam Birla Resigned From RBI Board On 23 July Aditya Birla Nuvo Chairman , Kumar Mangalam Birla resigned from the Reserve Bank of Indias Central Board .The resignation is to avoid the conflicts because Aditya Birla Nuvo applied for the bank license to RBI.Kumar Mangalam Birla was also nominated as the member of the Directors of the Central Board of the RBI in 2006.

C)DEATHS
Douglas Engelbart, Inventor Of Computer Mouse Died Doug Engelbart, the U.S inventor of the computer mouse and developer of early incarnations of email, word processing programs and the internet, has died on 2 July in Atherton, California. He was 88 years old.Douglas Engelbart invented the mouse in 1963 when he was working at the Stanford Research Institute (now SRI International) along with his lead engineer Bill English.Sadly Engelbart did not hold the patent for the mouse, which was held by SRI and the patent ran out in 1987, before the mouse became popular. Renowned Food Scientist Dr. H.A.B. Parpia Died Dr. H.A.B. Parpia, renowed food scientist and the former Director of the Central Food Technological Research Institute (CFTRI) died on 9 July .There exist more than 2500 papers and documents published by the name of Dr. Parpia on food and technology and advanced education.Dr. Parpia served Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations at Rome and was Assistant Director in charge of Information, Statistics, Process Development and Food Plant Design at the CFTRI.In 1987, he received Wattumull Foundation Award from Honolulu, Hawaii, USA. Veteran Bollywood Actor Pran Died On 12 July Veteran Bollywood actor and the winner of Dadasaheb Phalke Award ,Pran Kishan Sikand died in Mumbai.Pran acted in more than 350 Hindi movies in a long, prolific career dating back to the 1940s.He was one of the highest-paid Bollywood actors in the 70s and 80s.He was conferred with Dada Saheb Phalke Award in April 2013.In 2001 he was awarded with Indias third highest civilian award Padma Bhushan.In his career span, he received four film fare awards. Bose Audio System Inventor G.Bose Died On 12 July Amar Gopal Bose, Indian-American entrepreneur and founder and chairman of Bose Corporation, died at the age of 83 in Wayland, Massachusetts.Bose founded the company, based in Framingham, just outside Boston, in 1964.As company, Bose focused relentlessly on acoustic engineering innovation.Though his first speakers fell short of expectations, Bose kept at it. In 1968, he introduced the Bose 901 Direct/Reflecting speaker system, which became a best seller for more than 25 years and firmly entrenched Bose, based in Framingham, Massachusetts, as a leader in a highly competitive audio components marketplace. Bofors Scam Accused Ottavio Quattrocchi Died On 13 July Italian businessman Ottavio Quattrocchi, who was a accused in the Bofors scam, has died in Milan, Italy.The Bofors chargesheet filed in 1999 by CBI had named Quattrocchi,as one of the accused in the case regarding the Rs 64 crore payoffs for supply of Swedish Howitzer guns to the Indian Army. The Rs 1,600 crore contract was clinched in 1986. Veteran CPI(M) Leader Samar Mukherjee Died On 18 July Freedom fighter ,Veteran leader and the oldest member of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) Samar Mukherjee, whose 100th birthday was celebrated by the party in November last year, died in Kolkata.Mukherjee joined the Communist Party of India-Marxist in 1964.He had joined CPI in the year 1940.He was the representative of Howrah in the Lok Sabha for three years in a row between 1971 and 1984.He was also elected to Rajya Sabha in 1986.His biography titled 100 Years of Samar Mukherjee: A Tribute was released on his 100th Birthday in English as well as Bengali languages. Veteran Tamil Film Lyricist Vaali Died On 18 July Famous Tamil lyricist T.S. Rangarajan, popularly known as Vaali, has died in Chennai.Vaali had penned more than 10,000 songs and worked with three generations of music directors.He has also acted in some movies like Sathya, Hey Ram and others.In 2007, he was awarded the Padmashri by the Indian government.

Former Union Minister Khurshed Alam Khan Died On 20 July Khurshed Alam Khan, a former Union minister and father of external affairs minister Salman Khurshid died in NewDelhi.He served as the member of Rajya Sabha from 1974-1984.Alam Khan served as the Minister if State in the Governments led by former Prime Ministers of India, Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi. As an Union Minister, he had held portfolios of education, textiles, tourism, transport besides external affairs.He served as Governor of Goa and Karnataka in 1989 and 1991 respectively. Pioneer American Women Journalist Helen Thomas Died On 20 July Legendary American journalist Helen Thomas, a pioneer for women in journalism who reported on ten US presidents from Dwight D Eisenhower to Barack Obama,died in Washington.In 197576, Thomas served as the first woman president of the White House Correspondents Association (WHCA).She was a columnist for Hearst Newspapers from 2000 to 2010, writing on national affairs and the White House.She retired on June 7, 2010, following controversial comments she made about Israel, Israeli Jews and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Former Union Minister Arun Nehru Died On 25 July Arun Nehru, former Union minister and the cousin of Rajiv Gandhi as well as the Minister for Internal Security during his government, died in Gurgaon.Arun Nehru was born in Lucknow.He was a three-time Lok Sabha member.When Rajiv Gandhi became the prime minister in 1984, he was his close adviser and minister of state for internal security. Acclaimed Biologist Obaid Siddiqi Died On 26 July Obaid Siddiqi, National Research Professor at the National Centre for Biological Sciences, Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR) died in a Bangalore.Siddiqi, born in 1932 in Uttar Pradesh, received his early education at Aligarh Muslim University.He established the Molecular Biology Unit at the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research in Bombay in 1962. Siddiqi was honoured with several awards, including Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan, BC Roy Award for Biomedical Research and Firodia Award for Basic Sciences.

D)VISITORS
Indian Defence Minister AK Antonys Visited China Indian Defence Minister, Mr AK Antony visited China from 4-7 July 2013.During the visit Antony met China Defence Minister General Chang Wanquan and also called on Premier Li Keqiang .Both countries Ministers discussed an extensive exchange of views on a wide range of defence and security issues.The two sides also agreed to hold talks on China India Border Defence Cooperation Agreement (BDCA).The both countries Defence Ministers discussed ongoing and proposed bilateral exchanges and welcomed the holding of the counter-terrorism bilateral joint exercise between their armies in China in 2013.Antonys trip is the first by an Indian defence minister since 2006 and comes after a spat between the two nucleararmed neighbours in May over troop movements in a disputed Himalayan border region. Indias External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid Visited Nepal Indias External Affairs Minister, Salman Khurshid, visited Nepal on 9th July.During the visit Salman Khurshid met Nepals top leaders and discussed important bilateral issues, including the finalis ation of an extradition treaty and controlling of criminal activities along the porous border.In the visit Khurshid also called on President Dr Ram Baran Yadav and Chairman of Council of Ministers Khil Raj Regmi , Nepalese counterpart Madhav Prasad Ghimire and both the nations held official talks covering all feature of bilateral relations and issues of mutual interests. US Vice President Joe Biden Visited India US Vice President Joe Biden visited India from 22 25 July .He is the first U.S. vice-president visited India after three decades.On 22 July Joe Biden visited Gandhi Smriti Museum in New Delhi.On 23 July Biden met President Pranab Mukherjee, Vice President Hamid Ansari, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and discussed on a broad array of issues, includes ways to enhance economic growth, and cooperation

in trade, energy and climate change, security and strategic opportunities, besides investments in innovation and education.On 24 25 July Biden visited in Mumbai.Biden met business leaders and delivered a policy speech at the Bombay Stock Exchange.It is Bidens first trip to India as vice president. He visited New Delhi in 2008 as a senator. France Defence Minister Yves Le Drianis Visited India Defence Minister of France, Mr Yves Le Drianis visited India from 25-27 July.During the visit Yves Le Drianis met Indian Defence Minister A.K. Antony and discussed on regional and international security challenges of mutual interest.The Ministers noted that defence cooperation is an important pillar of the strategic partnership between both countries and that the ongoing dialogue and cooperation is mutually beneficial to both nations.The Ministers agreed that exchanges between respective defence institutions and armed forces should continue to be progressed, including in the areas of military education and training and through the conduct of military exercises.

E)MISCELLANEOUS
Egypt President Mohamed Morsi Ousted By Military On 3 July Mohamed Morsi, the Islamist president of Egypt whose rule sparked protests that had engulfed the country , was removed from power by the Egyptian military.After Morsi had rejected the militarys ultimatum to surrender to public pressure and resign within 48 hours.Morsis election as the first democratically elected President was a turning point in the political history of Egypt after the downfall of 30 years reign of Hosni Mubaraq. Pope Francis Clears John Paul II, John XXIII For Sainthood On 5 July Pope Francis on Friday cleared two of the 20th centurys most influential popes to become saints, approving a miracle needed to canonize Pope John Paul II and waiving Vatican rules to honour Pope John XXIII.The announcement ceremony is expected before the end of the year. Bangladesh Islamist Ghulam Azam Sentenced To 90 Years In Prison On 15 July Bangladesh Islamist leader Ghulam Azam, 91 has been sentenced to 90 years in prison on charges of war crimes.Azam, was accused of setting up militia groups that carried out mass killings and rape during Bangladeshs 1971 war of independence with Pakistan. Pakistans Women Paratroopers Create History On 15 July Female officers of the Pakistan Army have jumped from military helicopters for the first time in the countrys history.A total of 24 lady officers of the Pakistan Army successfully completed a three -week basic airborne course at the Parachute Training School in the northwestern city of Peshawar.Pakistan Army, in another landmark achievement, successfully completed the first ever Lady Officers Para Trooping Course at Para Training School.Captain Sadia was the first women officer who jumped from an MI-17 helicopter, while Captain Kiran Ashraf was declared the best paratrooper of the batch. Che Manuscripts Added To UNESCO Heritage Program On 20 July the writings of Cuban Revolution leader Ernesto Che Guevara have been added to UNESCOs Memory of the World Register.The documents include original manuscripts from Ches youthful Motorcycle Diaries days, to his diary from the mountains of Bolivia where he was executed by that nations military in 1967.They are now recognized as world heritage and will be protected and cared for with the help of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization. Indian Woman Scientist Sunetra Gupta Joins Famed UK League On 22 July Sunetra Gupta, an India-born chemist and physicist has joined the big league of female scientists like Marie Curie in a first-of-its-kind art exhibition at the prestigious Royal Society.Gupta, who was born in Kolkata and is now a professor at Oxford University, is among an exclusive group as part of the Women in Science Portrait Exhibition of the greatest female Fellows of the Royal Society together with newly-commissioned drawings featuring Royal Society Research Fellows.Her main area of interest is

the evolution of diversity in pathogens, with particular reference to the infectious disease agents that are responsible for malaria, influenza and bacterial meningitis. Wikileaks Founder Julian Assange Launched Political Party In Australia On 25 July Wikileaks founder Julian Assange has launched his political party to contest Australian elections this year. As per Assange, his party which he named Wikileaks Party would be fielding seven candidates including Assange for upper house Senate seats in the states of New South Wales, Victoria and Western Australia.Two Indian-origin persons are among the seven candidates who will contest elections on a Wikileaks Party ticket in Senate polls in Australia. Indian-origin academician Binoy Kampmark, who was born in Malaysia and has Bengali heritage, will stand for the Upper House election from Victori whereas Suresh Rajan, who is based out of Kerala, will stand for the party in Western Australia. Britain Royal Baby Named George Alexander Louis On 24 July Britains new prince has been named George Alexander Louis .The announcement from Royal baby parents Prince William and Kate.It was declared that the third-in-line successor to the throne will be known as his Royal Highness Prince George of Cambridge. Salustiano Sanchez-Blazquez Is Worlds Oldest Man On 25 July A man from the Niagara falls area in New York has received the Guinness World Records title for Worlds oldest man.Salustiano Sanchez-Blazquez, nicknamed Shorty is 112 years old, and he was awarded the title after the demise of 116-year-old Jiroemon Kimura of Japan. As documented, the worlds oldest person is 115-year-old Misao Okawa, also a Japan resident.Sanchez-Blazquez was born in El Tejado de Bejar, Spain on 8 June 1901. Stanford Ranked Top US university On Forbes List On 25 July According to the Forbes magazines annual ranking of the top U.S. colleges list ,Stanford University in Northern Californias Silicon Valley ranked No. 1 and much smaller Pomona College was in second place.Princeton University in New Jersey slipped to third place, followed by Yale University in Connecticut in fourth place and Columbia University in New York City at No. 5.For the sixth year, Forbes worked with the Center for College Affordability and Productivity in Washington to produce the list.

PLACES IN NEWS
Incheon Named World Bank Capital For 2015 On 19 July UNESCO announced South Koreas western port city of Incheon has been chosen to be the World Book Capital for the year 2015.Incheon became the 15th city to be designated as the World Book Capital following the Nigerian city of Port Harcourt for 2014 and Bangkok for the year 2013. Strong Earthquake Hits China On 22 July a strong earthquake in northwestern China ,measuring 6.6 on Richter scale, that has killed more than 89 people and injured 412.The quake hit along the border of two counties Min and Zhang.The epicenter, with a depth of 20 km, was 170 km away from the provincial capital Lanzhou.The earthquake was also felt in Tianshui city and the provincial capital city of Lanzhou besides in the cities of Xian, Baoji and Xianyang in neighboring Shaanxi Province.

ABBREVIATIONS

PSLV Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle IRNSS Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System WIPO World Intellectual Property Organization CMAI Clothing Manufacturers Association of India AEPC Apparel Export Promotion Council CISF Central Industrial Security Force CRPF Central Reserve Police Force DGCA Directorate General of Civil Aviation CAA Civil Aviation Authority GSPA Gas Sale Purchase Agreement MMRCA Medium Multi Role Combat Aircraft ESMA Essential Services Maintenance Act

BOOKS IN NEWS
A Bouquet Of Vivekanandas Writings Book Released Swami Vivekananda The book titled A Bouquet Of Vivekanandas Writings was released on 10 July.The book contains a number of hand-written poetries, essays and even letters written by Vivekananda in Bengali and English.19th century philosopher-monk Swami Vivekananda have been compiled in a book as a facsimile copy of his original handwriting. An Uncertain Glory: India and its Contradictions Book Released An Uncertain Glory: India and its Contradictions authored b y Jean Dreze, the development economist and Amratya Sen, an economist, a philosopher and a Nobel Prize winner.The book was released in month of July 2013.The book has been published by Penguin Books India.In the book authors have presented a far reaching analysis of the conditions of contemporary India with a compilation of the wealth of illuminating data. The New Bihar Rekindling Governance and Development Book Released On 21 July The New Bihar Rekindling Governance and Development was released by Noble laureate Amartya Sen.President Pranab Mukherjee received a copy of book from Nobel Laureate Amartya Sen (centre) at Rashtrapati Bhavan .The book has been edited by N.K. Singh. An Agenda for Indias Growth: Essays in Honour of P. Chidambaram Bo ok Released On 31 July The book entitled An Agenda for Indias Growth: Essays in Honour of P. Chidambaram was released in New Delhi by Prime Minister of India, Dr. Manmohan Singh.The book, which is edited by Sameer Kochhar of the Skoch Foundation, encompasses various excellent essays by well known distinguished experts. In the book, all the authors dated their association with P. Chidambaram from 1991, when he was the Minister of Commerce as well as a key reformer initiating trade policy reform.

COMMITTEES
Harshvardhan Patil Committee On Agricultural Marketing Submits Report On 3 July The Committee of State Ministers In-charge of Agriculture Marketing to Promote Marketing Reforms has submitted final report to the Agriculture Minister, Shri Sharad Pawar.It has called for an effective implementation of Model APMC Act in all the states. This committee was constituted in March, 2010 under the Chairmanship of Shri Harshvardhan Patil, Minister for Cooperation and Parliamentary Affairs, Govt.of Maharashtra.The committee has also recommended the setting up of multiple and

competitive marketing channels; independent regulatory authority to encourage private investors; need for viability gap funding to attract private sector investment; higher investment in marketing infrastructure.

IMPORTANT DAYS AND DATES

Nelson Mandela International Day Observed On 18 July Nelson Mandela International Day was observed across the world on 18 July 2013 to earmark freedom, justice and democracy. The overarching objective of Mandela Day is to inspire individuals to take action to help change the world for the better, and in doing so build a global movement for good. Ultimately it seeks to empower communities everywhere. Take Action; Inspire Change; Make Every Day a Mandela Day.In November 2009, the UN General Assembly declared 18 July as the Nelson Mandela International Day to recognize the former South African Presidents contribution to the culture of peace and freedom. World Population Day Observed Across The World On 11 July World Population Day was observed on 11 July 2013 across the world. The theme for the year 2013 is Focus is on Adolescent Pregnancy. In 1989, in its decision 89/46, the Governing Council of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) declared 11 July as the day that should be observed as World Population Day by the International Community.The UNDP recommended 11 July as world Population Day, in order to focus attention on the urgency and importance of population issues in the context of overall development plans and programmes and the need to find solutions for these issues.The 2013 World Population Day is being observed with an aim of raising awareness on the issue of adolescent pregnancy with the hope of delivering a world where every pregnancy is wanted and every childbirth is safe, and every young persons potential is fulfilled. The 2013 aim has been proposed because as per reports about 16 million of girls under 18 years of age give birth to a child every year. Apart from this about 3.2 million undergoes an unsafe abortion and about 90 percent of the pregnant adolescents in the developing world are married. Malala Day Observed Across The World On 12 July 12 July 2013 was observed as Malala Day across the World and by United Nations. The day is being observed by the United Nations to highlight the fight of education of the Pakistani child activist Malala Yousafzai. Seminars, conferences and other ceremonies were held across Pakistan wherein scholars, educationists and analysts participated to pay tribute to Malala, who fought for girls education in Swat valley against the Taliban. 12 July, the day of Malalas Birth was declared as Malala Day by UN General Secretary Ban-Ki-Moon on her 16th Birthday.Malala is the girl from Pakistan, who was shot in head and neck by the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) on 9 October 2012 for advocating girls for their right to education and speaking against Taliban.

June 2013 Current Affairs Study Material

INTERNATIONAL
Egypts Top Court Rules Parliament Invalid On 2 June Egypts Supreme Constitutional Court invalidated the nations upper house of parliament and a panel that drew up the constitution.The upper house, or Shura Council, holds legislative powers. It will be dissolved after a new lower house is elected.The court dissolved the lower house of parliament 2012 June.The constitution was drafted by an Islamist-dominated assembly in 2012 November and approved by voters in December.

Nigerias Parliament Passed a Bill Criminalising Gay Marriage On 2 June Nigerias parliament has passed a bill criminalising gay marriage, making it punishable with a 14-year prison term.The countrys lower house, House of Representatives, followed the action of the Senate and endorsed the bill. UN Finds Evidence Of Toxic Chemicals and a Worsening War in Syria On 3 June A United Nations (UN) human rights investigation report ,finds some kind of chemical has probably been used on Syrias battlefield.Paulo Pinheiro, chairperson of the UN commission of inquiry submitted their latest report at the UN in Geneva . Obesity and Poor Nutrition Report Released by UN FAO On 4 June According to the UNs Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) report ,obesity and poor nutrition weigh heavily on the global economy and told governments that investing in food health would bring big economic as well as social returns.Lost productivity and spiralling health care bills linked to malnutrition could account for as much as five per cent of global gross domestic product (GDP), equivalent to US$3.5 trillion (S$4.4 trillion) a year.In its yearly report, the Rome-based agency said 12.5 percent of the worlds population (some 868 million people) are undernourished in terms of energy intake, while 26 percent of children worldwide are stunted by malnutrition.Some two billion people suffer from micronutrient deficiencies and 1.4 billion people are overweight of which 500 million are obese. US Slapped Economic Sanction on Iran On 4 June The US has slapped new sanctions on Iran ,targetting the countrys al ready-devalued currency and automobile industry.This is the ninth set of sanctions that the Obama administration has imposed against Iran.The executive order also empower the imposition of new sanctions against those who intentionally engage in major financial or other transactions for the sale, supply, or transfer to Iran of significant goods or services used in connection with Irans automotive sector. Similar sanctions were earlier imposed on Irans shipping, shipbuilding, and energy sectors.It is for th e first time that the US has directly targeted the Iranian currency. U.S. and China Hold Bilateral Talks On 7 June The U.S. President Barack Obama and China President Xi Jinping concluded their latest round of high-level trade talks.In the meeting both countries agreed to inject new vitality to bilateral trade and economic relations.The US and China will work together and with other countries to use the expertise and institutions of the Montreal Protocol to phase down the consumption and production of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), among other forms of multilateral cooperation.Both nations agreed to work together on the crucial cyber security issues that have spiraled tensions between the two nations. Bangladesh Amends Anti-Terror Law On 12 June Bangladeshs parliament amended the tough anti-terrorism law re-defining terrorism and allowing courts to accept internet.The (anti-terror) bill suggests provisions to effectively control terrorism through inter-state cooperation.It offers the central bank the authority to freeze suspicious accounts without court orders.The law was first enacted in 2009 after the December 2008 elections while it was amended last year incorporating some provisions.The law was first enacted in 2009 when the incumbent Awami League assumed office after the December 2008 elections while it was amended last year incorporating some provisions. EU Launched New Nuclear Safety Rules

On 12 June The European Commission released a new set of nuclear power safety rules aimed at eliminating the risk of a Fukushima-type disaster in the region.The directive will require countries to submit to an international review of their nuclear power systems every six years, and fix any shortcomings discovered.There are 132 nuclear reactors in operation in Europe. Hasan Rowhani Elected As Irans New President On 15 June moderate cleric Hasan Rowhani elected as Irans new President.Rowhani has won the countrys presidential election.Rowhani won with 50.7 percent of the more than 36 million votes cast.Other contenders such as Tehran Mayor Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf got 16.5 percent and Hard-line nuclear negotiator Saeed Jalili came in third with 11.3 percent of votes. Another conservative Mohsen Rezaei got 10.6 percent votes. Kuwaits Constitutional Court Dissolved Parliament On 16 June The Kuwait Constitutional Court has dissolved the Kuwaiti parliament and ordered new elections.The Constitutional Court had decided not to make a ruling on the constitutionality of the Emir Sheik Al-Sabahs change to the electoral laws after the y had examined and rejected the challenge. Afghanistan Rejects Talks With Taliban And U.S On 19 June Afghanistan President Hamid Karzai rejected peace talks with the Taliban in a new office in Qatar .Karzai also suspended talks on a new U.S.-Afghan security deal that would allow some American troops to remain in the country after the international combat mission ends in 2014 to protest the fact that his government was being left out of the initial process. China Russia Cooperation 2013 Held in Beijing Chinese Armed Police Force and the Russian internal security forces Cooperation -2013 Joint training was held from 11th to 20th June in Beijing at Armed Special Police Academy.46 personnel from the Snow Leopard Commandoes, an elite anti-terrorism force under the Chinese Peoples Armed Police Force (PAPF), and 29 from a special task force unit of Russias domestic security force.Before this joint training held in Beijing, the two sides previously conducted a joint anti-terrorism drill, Cooperation 2007, in Moscow . Russia and China Signed $270bn Oil Deal On 21 June Russias oil giant Rosneft and Chinese state firm CNPC signed a agreement to supply China with $270bn worth of oil over the next 25 years.The agreement was signed by Rosneft chief executive Igor Sechin and CNPC head Zhou Jiping in the presence of Putin and visiting Chinese Vice Premier Zhang Gaoli. UK and China Signed Currency Swap Agreement On 23 June UK and China have signed a three-year agreement worth 200bn to establish a renminbi currency swap to promote trade between the two countries.The agreement was signed by The Bank of England and the Peoples Bank of China.Currency-swap agreements basically allow central banks to swap currencies which can be used by firms to settle trade in local currencies rather than in US dollars. Kevin Rudd Re-elected As Australian PM On 26 June Kevin Rudd re-elected as Australian Prime Minister.In these election Kevin Rudd defeated the present Leader of the Labor Party and Prime Minister Julia Gillard.Kevin Rudd won 57 and Julia

Gillard got 45 votes.Before three years Julia Gillard became a Prime Minister of Australia in place Kevin Rudd is the first Woman Prime Minister of Australia.Now Kevin Michael Rudd is the Prime Minister of Australia, as well as Leader of the Labor Party.He was previously Prime Minister from 2007 to 2010, and Labor Leader from 2006 to 2010. Qatars Emir Transfers Power To Son On 25 June Qatari Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani has handed power to his son, Crown Prince Sheikh Tamim.On 26 June Qatars new Emir formed a government from which he excluded powerful former Prime Minister Hamad bin Jassim bin Jaber Al Thani , replaced him with the former minister of state for internal affairs.Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa al-Thani was named both the Prime Minister and Interior Minister.Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa Al Thani is a Qatari politician.In 2005,Nasser Al-Thani he became the minister of state for internal affairs.

INDIA & WORLD

China, Pakistan, India Increased Nuclear Arsenals On 3 June According to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute annual report ,China, India, and Pakistan have increased their nuclear arsenals over the past year.India and Pakistan have each added around 10 new warheads to bring their totals to between 90 and 110 and between 100 and 120 respectively. China now has 250 nuclear warheads, compared to 240 in 2012.Only the two old superpowers have cut their arsenals, with the United States reducing its warheads from 8000 to 7700, and Russia from 10,000 to 8,500. 65 Countries Signed Arms Trade Treaty On 3 June More than 65 countries of the world signed signed the Arms Trade Treaty and the United States announced it will sign soon. key arms exporters including Russia and China and major importers including India, Saudi Arabia, Indonesia and Egypt abstained and have given no indication yet that they will sign it.The treaty will require countries that ratify it to establish national regulations to control the transfer of conventional arms and components and to regulate arms brokers, but it will not control the domestic use of weapons in any country. It prohibits the transfer of conventional weapons if they violate arms embargoes or if they promote acts of genocide, crimes against humanity or war crimes. India Singapore Signed Agreement On Joint Army Training On 4 June India and Singapore have signed a fresh agreement to extend the use of training and exercise facilities in India by the Singapore Army for a further period of five years from August this year.The agreement was signed between Defence Secretary Radha Krishna Mathur and his Singaporean counterpart Chiang Chie Foo.A bilateral agreement for utilisation of facilities in India by the Singapore Air Force and Army was signed in October 2007 and August 2008 respectively. 348 Million Internet Users Expected In India By 2017 On 5 June According to the Ciscos Visuals Networking Index (VNI) forecast (2012 -17) report , India has the fastest Internet traffic growth globally and is expected to have 348 million users by 2017.In India, there will be 348 million Internet users in 2017, up from 138 million in 2012.Internet traffic in India will reach 2.5 Exabytes per month in 2017.Worldwide, by 2017, the number of Internet users will rise to 3.6 billion, which will be more than 48 per cent of the worlds estimated population of 7.6 billion.

US exempted India & Eight Other Countries for Importing Oil from Iran On 6 June United States exempted India and eight other countries from sanctions for importing oil from Iran, noting that these countries have significantly reduced their dependence on Iranian oil in the last six months.US Secretary of State John Kerry announced ,India, China, Malaysia, Republic of Korea, Singapore, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Turkey, and Taiwan have qualified for an exception to sanctions under Americas Iran Sanctions Act. India & Germany Signed Development Cooperation Agreement On 6 June India and Germany have signed an umbrella agreement on financial and technical cooperation in the field of energy, environment and management of natural resources.The agreement was signed by German Embassys Deputy Chief of Mission Cord Meier -Klodt and Indias Joint Secretary in the Department of Economic Affairs Rajesh Khullar. India Ranked 141 in Global Peace Index 2013 On 11 June According to the Global Peace Index (GPI) 2013 released by Institute for Economics and Peace (IEP) , India ranks 141st out of 162 in this years Global Peace Index (GPI).Iceland (First Rank) ,Denamark (2nd rank) , Austria (3rd rank) ,Switzerland (5th rank).Other important countries ranks in Global Peace Index (GPI) :- Japan (6th rank) ,US (100th rank) ,China (101 rank) ,Bangladesh (105 rank) , Srilanka (110 rank) ,Iran (137th rank) ,Russia (155th rank) ,Pakistan (157th rank) , Iraq (159th rank) and Afganistan (162 rank) ranks at bottom.The Global Peace Index (GPI) is an attempt to measure the relative position of nations and regions peacefulness. World Population Projected To Reach 9.6 Billion By 2050 On 14 According to the United Nations (UN) World Population Prospects: the 2012 Revision report ,The current world population of 7.2 billion is projected to increase by 1 billion over the next 12 years and reach 9.6 billion by 2050.India is expected to become the worlds largest country, passing China around 2028, when both countries will have populations of 1.45 billion. After that, Indias population will continue to grow and Chinas is expected to start decreasing. India, UK Signed MoU On Cooperation In Healthcare Sector On 14 June India and the United Kingdom have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for strategic and technical cooperation on health care policy and practice.The MoU was signed by Department of Health Research (DHR) Secretary V M Katoch and UK-based National Institute for Health and Care (NICE) Excellence chief executive Andrew Dillon in London. 33% Of Women Suffer Domestic Violence On 20 June According to the World Health Organization (WHO) survey ,In the first major global review of violence against women, a series of reports released found that about a third of women have been physically or sexually assaulted by a former or current partner.The rate of domestic violence against women was highest in Africa, the Middle East and Southeast Asia, where 37 percent of women experienced physical or sexual violence from a partner at some point in their lifetimes. The rate was 30 percent in Latin America and 23 percent in North America. In Europe and Asia, it was 25 percent.More than 38 percent of slain women are killed by a former or current partner, six times higher than the rate of men killed by their partners. US Senate Passed Landmark Immigration Bill

On 27 June The U.S. Senate has passe the landmark comprehensive Immigration Reform Bill ,which provides a pathway to citizenship to more than 11 million undocumented people, including over 240,000 Indians.The immigration reform received a bipartisan support in the US Senate; the bill received 88 votes in favour and 32 votes in against.For further approval, the Bill has been sent to House of Representatives and after being approved in the house it will be sent to US President, Barack Obama to be signed into a law. China India Hold Border Talks On 28 June China and India held their 16th round of border talks in Beijing.State Councilor and Special Representative Yang Jiechi and Indian National Security Adviser and Special Representative Shiv Shankar Menon attended the boundary talks, exchanging ideas for solving border problems and developing bilateral relations.The China-India special representative mechanism was established in 2003 and serves as an important platform for solving border disputes between both sides.

NATIONAL
Union Cabinet Approved Real Estate Regulatory Bill On 04 June The Union Cabinet approved the (Regulation and Development) Bill 2013.The bill seeks to make it mandatory for developers to launch projects only after acquiring all the statutory clearances from the relevant authorities.The Bill has provisions under which all relevant clearances for real estate projects would have to be submitted to the regulator and also displayed on a website before starting the construction.The proposed legislation has tough provisions to deter builders from putting out misleading advertisements related to the projects carrying photographs of the actual site. Union Cabinet Approved Extension Of The RSBY Scheme On 4 June Union Cabinet has approved the extension of the Rashtriya Swasthya Bima Yojana (RSBY), to rikshaw pullers, rag pickers, mine workers, sanitation workers and auto rickshaw drivers and taxi drivers.The scheme became operational from 1 April 2008. Roshni Scheme Launched In Naxal Affected Districts On 7 June Union Government of India launched a placement linked skill development scheme Roshni targeting 50,000 rural men and women, mostly tribals, in 24 worst affected districts.Under the scheme, national-level agencies will be designated to act as monitoring and coordinating agencies in the Naxal-hit districts.The three-year initiative aims at skilling and placement of 50,000 youth from 24 Naxalite-affected districts in nine states.The funding for the Roshni scheme would be in the ratio of 75:25 to be shared between the Centre and the states. National Skill Development Agency Constituted On 7 June The Government has constituted the National Skill Development Agency (NSDA) by subsuming the Prime Ministers National Council on Skill Development (PMNCSD), the National Skill Development Coordination Board (NSDCB) and the Office of the Adviser to the Prime Minister on Skill Development.The NSDA will endeavour to bridge the social, regional, gender and economic divide by ensuring that the skilling needs of the disadvantaged and marginalised groups like SCs, STs, OBCs, minorities.The NSDA will be an autonomous body chaired by a person of the rank and status of a Cabinet

Minister supported by a Director General and other staff. The office of the NSDA is located in the Ministry of Finance. Indias First Dedicated Air Ambulance Launched On 8 June Indias first state-of-the art Air Ambulance, Flying Doctors India, was launched in NewDelhi.The new aircraft is tailor-made and equipped with a state-of-the-art Intensive Care Unit on a dedicated chartered aircraft. The goal is to provide critical care even when a patient is in transit. 50 Lakh Child Labours In India On 12 June According to the National Sample Survey Organisation (NSSO) report , nearly 50 lakh children are eking out their livelihood in the country, of whom 17.5 lakh are in Uttarakhand.The secondlargest share of child labourers comes from West Bengal (5.5 lakh), Rajasthan (4.05 lakh) and Gujarat (3.9 lakh).The NSSO estimated this figures on the eve of the World Day against Child Labour. Central Cabinet Reshuffled On 17 June Eight new ministers were inducted into Union council of ministers headed by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.4 Cabinet ministers and 4 Ministers of State were administered the oath of office and secrecy by President Pranab Mukherjee in the Durbar Hall of Rashtrapati Bhavan.Mallikarjun Kharge was given the charge of Railways Ministry.With the new induction, the strength of the Union Council of Ministers has gone up to 77. List of Four newly appointed Cabinet Ministers and their Departments:* Sis Ram Ola * Oscar Fernandes * Girija Vyas Labour and Employment Ministry Road Transport and Highways Ministry

Housing and Urban Poverty Alleviation Textiles Ministry

* Kavuru Sambasiva Rao

List of Four newly appointed State Ministers and their departments:* Manikrao Gavit Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare Minister of State for Finance and - Minister of State for Commerce and Industry

* Santosh Chowdhury * Jesudasu Seelam * E.M.S. Natchiappan

40 Percent Indian Women Use Internet On 20 June According to the Google study report ,About 40 percent of the 150 million internet users in the country are women and close to 24 million of them log in everyday to check emails, interact on social networking sites and shop online.Around 60 million women in India are now online and use the Internet to manage their day-to-day life.75 percent are in the 15-34 age group with over 24 million women accessing the Internet daily.

Union Government Launched New Scheme For Pregnant Women On 22 June The Union Minister for Health Ghulam Nabi Azad launched a new scheme for the pregnant women across the country that would cover all expenses of women from birth of a baby to treatment of the sick child. Free medicines will be provided to new-born babies up to the age of one month while expecting mothers, who deliver baby at government hospital, will receive assistance as provided under the scheme. Union Govt Banned Anti-Diabetes Drug Pioglitazone and Painkiller Analgin On 26 June The Union government has banned three major medicines the widely prescribed antidiabetes drug pioglitazone, painkiller analgin and anti-depressant deanxit.The decision to ban the drug was taken in wake of health risks associated with them. Union Cabinet Approved For Setting Up Of Coal Regulatory Authority On 28 June the Union Cabinet has approved the setting up of a Coal Regulatory Authority meant to address controversial issues like supply and quality.The coal authority would be empowered to specify methodology for determining coal prices.Union Cabinet also approved Mumbai metro line 3.The estimated cost for the metro project has been pegged at Rs 23,136 crore.

STATES
First All Women Police Station Opens In Arunachal Pradesh On 4 June the first all-women police station in Arunachal Pradesh has started functioning in Itanagar to specifically deal with crimes against women.To tackle crime against women, the state cabinet has also approved the creation of separate cells in all the seventeen district headquarters and the Police headquarters of the state. Haryana Govt. Launched Priyadarshni Awaas Yojna On 8 June Haryana Chief Minister Bhupender Singh Hooda launched Priyadarshni Awaas Yojna in the state at Karnal to provide affordable housing facility to the people living in rural areas.People eligible under Indira Awaas Yojna and those who get 100 square yard plot under Mahatma Gandhi Gramin Basti Yojna would also be included in the scheme. West Bengal Tops Chart For Crime Against Women On 14 June According to the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) statistics ,West Bengal is the most unsafe place for women in India.West Bengal tops the list with 30,942 such cases, followed by Andhra Pradesh with 28,171 cases, UP 23,569, Rajasthan 21,106, Madhya Pradesh 16,832 and Maharashtra 16,353. PM announced Rs 1000 crore Relief Fund For Uttarakhand On 19 June Prime Minister Manmohan Singh announced Rs 1,000 crore for disaster relief in Uttarakhand .Prime Minister also announced an ex-gratia assistance of Rs 2 lakh each to the families of those killed in the devastating floods and Rs 50,000 each to those injured from the Prime Ministers National Relief Fund

(PMNRF). He also announced ex-gratia assistance of Rs 100,000 each to those whose houses have been completely destroyed and Rs 50,000 each to those whose houses have been damaged from the PMNRF. Maharashtra Govt To Set Up Education Commissionerates For Tribals In Month of June 2013 Maharashtra government has decided setting up separate education commisionerates in order to provide education to students of the tribal community.The Commissionerates for tribals will be named by Adivasi Shikshan Ayuktalay and will first come up in four divisons of the state and the head office will be in Nashik. President Inaugurated Gas-based Power Plant in Tripura On 21 June The President Mr. Pranab Mukherjee has inaugurated first Gas based Power Plant at Palatana in Tripura.The Palatana Gas Based Power Project is the first such Power Company in India to be awarded with the Clean Development Mechanism by the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change .The Rs 9000 crore project set up by ONGC. Nitish Kumar Won Confidence Vote In Bihar Assembly On 19 June Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar won the confidence vote in the state assembly, with the support of 126 MLAs ,after parting away with BJP. The trust motion was opposed by 24 MLAs.Four members of congress and one of CPI voted in favour of the trust motion. Four independent MLAs also supported the motion. In the 243 member assembly, the ruling party JD(U) has 118 MLAs and it needed just four MLAs to prove its majority. PM Lays Foundation Stone For GVKs Ratle Hydel Plant In J&K On 25 June Prime Minister Manmohan Singh laid foundation st one for GVK Powers 850 mw Ratle hydroelectric power plant on the River Chenab in Jammu and Kashmir.The 850 MW Ratle project, which is the nations first hydroelectric project that was bid out through tariff based international competitive bidding, will cost Rs 5,500 crore.The project was awarded to GVK Power which offered the lowest tariff for generating power. Prime Minister Inaugurated Banihal-Qazigund Rail Link In J&K On 26 June Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh and UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi inaugurated the newly constructed railway line between Banihal (Jammu region)-Qazigund (Kashmir valley) section.The Banihal- Qazigund rail link is the 18 km long rail link, which also includes the 11km long tunnel across Pir Panchal range. This is the longest tunnel of India and second longest tunnel of Asia.The tunnel was constructed by making use of the New Austrian Tunnelling Method (NATM). It is for the first time that the method of this kind was used on a large scale in India. The project was implemented by Hindustan Construction Company. Rajasthan Launched A Scheme For Energy Conservation On 27 June the Rajasthan government launched a unique scheme called Mukhyamantri Bijli Bachat Lamp Yojna for energy conservation. The State government will provide 2 CFL bulb free of cost to all electricity consumers of villages and BPL consumers in urban areas. This unique scheme will continue till August 2013.The state Government will spent 100 crore rupees on this scheme.The purpose of this scheme is to save energy and conservation of environment. Karnataka Govt Launched Helpline Arogyavani

On 30 June The Karnataka government has launched a health information help line service Arogya Vani .The Call Centre has to provide information on the nearest Governmen t Hospital, before providing a private-sector alternative.The main objective of this facility is to assist people living in rural or remote areas who face difficulty in accessing the service of qualified doctors and to provide information on any health problem.

CONFERENCES
Chief Ministers Conference on Internal Security held in New Delhi Chief ministers Conference on Internal Security held in NewDelhi on 5th June 2013.The conference chaired by the Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh.In his address, the Prime Minister called for effective coordination between the Centre and the States to face the challenges of Internal Security.The Prime minister stated that the government has instituted several measures in 34 Naxal-hit areas to combat the Naxal menace.The key agenda of the chief ministers conference organised by Home Minister P Chidambaram is the strengthening of anti-terror capabilities and intelligence, Maoist violence, police reforms and capacity building. 39th G8 Summit Held in North Ireland The 39th G8 summit was held on 17 and 18 June 2013 at Lough Erne county, Northern Ireland .The leaders of the G8 countries Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Russia, the US, the UK ,attended the summit.In the G8 countries Summit discussed on syria crisis and advancement of trade, ensuring tax compliance and promoting greater transparency in the use of natural resources among countries.At the end of the two day summit, the leaders of G8 nations agreed on the seven point document and released a joint statement on Syria.The G8 leaders also agreed on providing new fund of nearly 1.5 billion US dollar to help the people affected by the raging conflict. Future of the Syrian President Bashar al-Assad was not made clear in the released statement.Russia to hold next G8 Summit in Sochi on 4 5 June 2014.The Group of Eight (G8) is a group made up of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Russia, the United Kingdom and the United States. The European Commission is also represented in the committee.

AWARDS & HONOURS

Sulabh Founder Pathak Received French Award On 4 June Environmentalist Bindeshwar Pathak, founder of the famed Sulabh project that provides basic and affordable toilet access to Indias poor, has been presented with the Legend of Planet award in Paris.The award was presented to Pathak by the Vice-President of the French Senate, Chantal Jourdan, at Palais du Luxembourg. Hugo Chavez Awarded Simon Bolivar National Award of Journalism 2013 On 5 June The late Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez has been awarded the Simon Bolivar National Award of Journalism 2013 even though he was accused of persecuting the press during his 14 years in power.Chavez family will be given the award on June 27 at a ceremony in Miraflores Palace, in Caracas. Kiran Bedi Received Nomura Award

On 11 June Former IPS officer Kiran Bedi was honoured with USD 10,000 Nomura Award at Singapore for her outstanding humanitarian works.Bedi was given the award constituted by Nomura Group of Japan for improving the world for future generations. The group is one of the leading financial services group. Bill Clinton Awarded Father of the Year On 11 June Former President of the United States Bill Clinton was honored as 2013 Father of the Year award from the National Fathers Day Committee at a New York City , which benefitted international NGO Save the Children. Shabana Azmi Received Fourth Doctorate On 12 June National award-winning actress Shabana Azmi received her fourth doctorate from Simon Fraser University in Vancouver .Shabana has received doctorates from Leeds University in Britain, the Jamia Millia Islamia in Delhi and the Jadavpur University in Kolkata, previously. Delhis IGI Airport Gets Worlds Second Best Airport Award On 14 June Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport has been named the worlds second best airport in the 25-40 million passengers category by the Airport Council International. The airport also has been adjudged as the fourth best in the world among 199 airports across all categories.IGI has managed to retain its position of second best airport in the 25-40 million passengers per annum category for 2012 year. Anish Kapoor Honoured With Knighthood On 15 June Indian-origin sculptor Anish Kapoor has been honoured with knighthood, one of the highest honours in Britain, by Queen Elizabeth II in her birthday honours list 2013 for services to Visual Arts.Kapoor is famous for his monumental public sculptures and his enigmatic sculptural forms that have been exhibited all over the world. Tan Twan Eng Wins The 2013 Walter Scott prize On 14 June Malaysian writer author Tan Twan Eng has won the 2013 Walter Scott prize for Historical Fiction for his second novel The Garden of Evening Mists.The Walter Scott Prize for the historical fiction was founded in the year 2010. Indian Artist Selected For Dubai Art Prize On 16 June Bangalore-based artist Anup Mathew Thomas, whose works featured at the Kochi biennale, is among five winners of Dubai Abraaj Group Art Prize.The Abraaj Group Art Prize was established in 2008. Three Biotechnology Scientists Awarded 2013 World Food Prize On 20 June Three biotechnology researchers were named the winners of the 2013 World Food Prize for their independent, individual breakthrough achievements in founding, developing, and applying modern agricultural biotechnology.The three scientist are Marc Van Montagu of Belgium, and Mary-Dell Chilton and Robert T. Fraley .The Iowa based award is often referred to as the Nobel Prize for agriculture.The World Food Prize was created in 1987 by the late Nobel Peace Prize winner, Dr. Norman Borlaug, and is the foremost international award recognizing individuals who have contributed landmark achievements in increasing the quality, quantity or availability of food in the world.

Taj Mahal Ranked Third Among Top Land Marks In The World On 30 June According to the Trip Advisors 2013 Travellers Choice Attractions Awards,Travellers from across the globe have ranked Indias Taj Mahal among the top three landmarks in the world, a leading travel website has announced. Taj Mahal was ranked third in the list of Top 25 landmarks.The top two places were taken by Machu Picchu in Peru and Angkor Wat in Cambodia respectively.

SPORTS & GAMES

Indian Won Six Medals In Slovakia Junior Table Tennis On 3 June Indian paddlers annexed four gold and two silver medals in the Slovak Junior ITTF Open table tennis championship in Slovakia.In the girls singles Sutirtha Mukherjee won the title. Dhoni receives ICC ODI Championship Shield On 3 June India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni received the prestigious ICC ODI Championship Shield for finishing as the No. 1 ODI team in the Championship table on the April 1, 2013 cut-off date. French Open 2013 Tennis Title Winners Womens Singles :- On 8 June Serena Williams from US won the Womens Singles title of French Open Tennis tournament. In the final, she defeated Maria Sharapova .This is Serenas second French Open title and 16th grand slam. It was the 31-year-old Americans 16th Grand Slam title win.At 31 years, 247 days she is the oldest women in the Open Era to win the French Open title. Mens Singles :- On 9 June Rafael Nadal won his 8th Mens Singles Tittle of the French Open Tennis Tournament. In the final at Paris, Nadal defeated Spanish compatriot David Ferrer . With this, he became the first player to win 8 Singles Titles at the same Grand Slam Tournament. It was his 12th Grand Slam title overall. Womens Doubles :- Russian fourth seeds Ekaterina Makarova and Elena Vesnina won the French Open womens doubles title by defeating top seeds Sara Errani and Roberta Vinci of Italy in the final.It was a first Grand Slam title for the Russian pair. Mens Doubles :- American twins Bob and Mike Bryan won the Mens doubles .American twins extended their record by clinching their 14th Grand Slam trophy after defeated Michael Llodra and Nicolas Mahut of France in the mens doubles final. Sebastian Vettel Won Canadian Grand Prix Title On 9 June Red Bulls Sebastian Vettel won the Canadian Grand Prix at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve in Montreal.Ferraris Fernando Alonso took the second position followed by Lewis Hamilton of Mercedes, who conquered the third position. This is the third win of the Garman F1 driver, before the Canadian Grand Prix, Vettel won the Malaysia and Bahrain Grand Prix of the year. Srikanth Won Thailand Open Badminton

On 9 June Indian shuttler Srikanth has won the Thailand Open Grand Prix Gold Badminton trophy.In the Mens Singles final Srikanth defeated Boonsak Ponsana from Thailand. Indonesia Badminton Tournament 2013 Winner Mens Singles :- On 16 June Lee Chong Wei (Malaysia) won the Indonesia Badminton Tournament Mens Singles title after defeated Germanys Marc Zwiebler in the final. Womens Singles :- Li Xuerui of China won the title.In the womens singles final Li Xuerui defeated Juliane Schenk from Germany. Singapore Open Badminton 2013 Winners Mens Singles :- On 23 June Indonesias Tommy Sugiarto has won the Singapore Open badminton championship Mens singles title .Sugiarto defeated Boonsak Ponsana of Thailand in the final in Singapore. Womens Singles :- Chinas Wang Yihan won the womens singles title , after defeated Li Xuerui in the final. India Won ICC Champions Trophy 2013 On 23 June India has won the ICC Champions Trophy 2013 after defeated England at Edgbaston in Birmingham with a five-run victory.Ravindra Jadeja was declared as the Man of the Match .He was also awarded with the Golden Ball for grabbing maximum number of wickets in the series.Sikhar Dhawan was declared as the Man of the Series. This was the second Champions Trophy title of India. Koneru Humpy Won FIDE Womens Grand Prix On 28 June Koneru Humpy won the FIDE Womens Grand Prix chess tournament at Dilijan, Armenia.Koneru Humpy finished her campaign with a flourish, defeated Mongolias Tuvshin tugs Batchimeg in the final .Slovenias Anna Muzychuk finished second and Georgias Nana Dzagnidze finished third. Nico Rosberg Won British Grand Prix On 30 June Mercedes driver Nico Rosberg has won the British Formula One Grand Prix.Red Bulls Mark Webber got second position and Ferraris Fernando Alonso claim third position.

ECONOMY
India 4th In World Steel Production On 5 June According to the World Steel Association (WSA) data , Indias rank in the world order of steel production remained unchanged at fourth slot with an output of 77.06 MT (million tonnes) steel produced in 2012.China gets first ranked in world steel production .China produced 716.05 MT in 2012.Japan produced (2nd rank) 107.02 MT and US (3rd rank) 88.07 Mt in 2012. Dhoni Ranked 16th On Forbes List Of Highest Paid Athletes

According to the Forbes List Of Highest Paid Athletes Indian cricket captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni,with earnings of $31.5 million, has been ranked at 16th place.Sachin Tendulukar got 51st place.This list is prepared based on last year annual income.The annual income of MS Dhoni is $31.5 million.But he earned $3.5 million from matches and remaining amount from advertisements and other business.Sachin Tendulkars annual income is $22 million . The Golfer Tiger Wood(America) got a 1st place in this list with annual income of $78.1 million followed by tennis star Roger Federer at $71.5 million. Kobe Bryant, American professional basketball player, is third at $61.9 million. Worlds Highest Density Of Millionaires In Qatar On 10 June According to the Boston Consulting Groups (BCG) 13th Annual Global Wealth Management Report ,Qatar has the highest density of millionaires in the world, with 14.3 pc of the oil-rich Gulf nations population holding private wealth of $1 mn.The figure shows 143 out of every 1,000 households in Qatar holding private wealth of at least $1 million, much higher than the global average.Kuwait ranks third with 11.5%, while Bahrain (4.9%) and the UAE (4.0%) rank seventh and ninth, respectively. World Bank Expected India To Grow 5.7% In FY 13 On 13 June According to the World Bank Global Economic Prospects (GEP) report ,Growth in India is projected to rise to 5.7 percent in the 2013 fiscal year and firm to 6.5 percent and 6.7 percent in FY2014 and FY2015, respectively.Global GDP is expected to expand about 2.2 percent this year and strengthen to 3.0 percent and 3.3 percent in 2014 and 2015. 2011-12 Poverty and Household Consumer Expenditure Indicators Released On 20 June The National Sample Survey Office (NSSO) in its 68th round survey has released the poverty and key indicators of household consumer expenditure in India, generated from the data collected during July 2011June 2012 .The National Sample Survey Offices (NSSO) 68th round of survey is based on samples consisting of 7,496 villages in rural India and 5,263 urban blocks except some remote areas. Highlights of the Poverty and Household Consumer Expenditure Indicators Data Report :* 5 per cent population on the bottom rung had an average monthly per capita expenditure (MCPE) of Rs 521.44 in rural areas and Rs 700.50 in urban areas. * Poorest of poor in the country survive on barely Rs 17 per day in villages and Rs 23 a day in cities. * On the other end of the spectrum, top five per cent of the population had an MPCE of Rs 4,481 in rural areas and Rs 10,282 in urban areas. * On an average on the all-India basis, MPCE was around Rs 1,430 for rural India and about Rs 2,630 for urban India. * For the average rural Indian, food accounted for 52.9 per cent of the value of consumption during 201112.Among non-food item categories, fuel and light for household purposes (excluding transportation) accounted for 8 per cent, clothing and footwear 7 per cent, medical expenses 6.7 per cent, education 3.5 per cent, conveyance 4.2 per cent, other consumer services (excluding conveyance) 4 per cent, and consumer durables 4.5 per cent. * For the average urban Indian, 42.6 per cent of the value of household consumption was accounted for food, including 9 per cent by beverages, refreshments and processed food, 7 per cent by milk and milk products, and 6.7 per cent by cereals and cereal substitutes.Education accounted for 6.9 per cent, fuel and light 6.7 per cent, conveyance 6.5 per cent, and clothing and footwear 6.4 per cent.

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

Lightest Alien Planet Outside Solar System On 3 June European scientists have discovered a new alien planet orbiting a young star about 300 light years from Earth.The exoplanet, HD 95086 b , was observed directly by the European Southern Observatorys (ESO) Very Large Telescope in Chile.Nearly 1,000 exoplanets have been detected indirectly through various means such as radical velocity and transmit method.Of the 12 exoplanets ,the newly discovered HD 95086 b is the least massive planet to have been directly observed outside the solar system .HD 95086 b orbiting its parent star, HD 95086, is estimated to have a mass of four to five times that of Jupiter. Japan Unveiled 500 kmph Bullet Train On 5 June Japan has unveiled its new levitating bullet train, designed to travel at speeds of upto 500 kmph.The track is being extended to 43 kilometres to enable full-fledged test runs.Commercial runs of the maglev train are scheduled to start between Tokyo and Nagoya in 2027.The train magnetic levitation (maglev) as opposed to conventional wheels.The train will travel at speeds of up to 500 kilometres per hour and will link the 2 cities in 40 minutes. Researchers Leads To Discovery To Create Early Warning System For Tsunamis On 7 June Researchers from Stanford University have identified key acoustic characteristics of the 2011 Japan earthquake that indicated it would cause a large tsunami.In 2011, a magnitude 9.0 undersea earthquake occurred 43 miles off the shore of Japan. The earthquake generated an unexpectedly massive tsunami that washed over eastern Japan roughly 30 minutes later.Now, computer simulations by Stanford scientists reveal that sound waves in the ocean produced by the earthquake probably reached land tens of minutes before the tsunami. If correctly interpreted, they could have offered a warning that a large tsunami was on the way. China Successfully Launches Fifth Manned Space Mission On 11 June China successfully launched its fifth and longest manned space mission with three astronauts, including a woman, on board Shenzhou-10 as part of the Communist giants efforts to build a permanent space lab of its own by 2020. Shenzhou-10 (Divine Craft) spaceship carried the three astronauts blasted off from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Centre in Gansu province for a 15-day-long mission during which it would dock with Tiangong-1 space lab orbiting round the Earth and conduct a host of experiments.Now Chinas fifth manned mission and would last a fortnight compared to last years 13 days.Wang Yaping the second Chinese woman to go into space after Liu Yang last year. India and US Launched Space Solar Power Initiative In the month of June India and a top US science body have forged an international organisation to develop space solar power ,an initiative that has the potential of solving humanitys energy needs and greatly mitigating climate change.In his Address to the 2013 National Space Societys Internati onal Space Development Conference (ISDC 2013) Mark Hopkins asserted to include specific mechanisms such as the Global Space Knowledge Platform, the International Virtual Laboratory, and the International Advisory Committee that Abdul Kalam has elaborated through discussion papers. New Human Cornea Layer Discovered

On 12 June Indian researcher Harminder Dua, Professor of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences at the Nottingham University, has found a previously undetected layer in the cornea , the clear window at the front of the human eye and named Duas layer.Scientists previously believed the cornea to be composed of five layers, from front to back, the corneal epithelium, Bowmans layer, the corneal stroma, Descemets membrane and the corneal endothelium.The new layer that has been discovered is located at the back of the cornea between the corneal stroma and Descemets membrane.Although it is just 15 microns thick the entire cornea is around 550 microns thick . Andaman Tsunami Warning System Can Alert In 3 Minutes On 12 June The Early Tsunami Warning System installed at Rangachang in Andaman and Nicobar Islands can predict a tsunami immediately after an earthquake.The system can predict tsunami within 3 minutes after the occurrence of the initial tremors and send alerts.Following the alerts sent from the Tsunami Warning System, the tsunami alerts can be issued to the risk zones via Centre in consultation with Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services, INCOIS at Hyderabad. IAF Gets C-17 Globemaster-III Airlifters On 12 June The Indian Air Force (IAF) inducted the first of the 10 C -17 Globemaster-III heavy airlifters it has purchased from the US, and then order six more.Now the Indian Air Force on this milestone as India joins the worldwide community of C-17 operators.Boeing is on track to deliver four more C-17s to the IAF this year and five in 2014.India signed an agreement with the U.S. in 2011, to acquire 10 C-17 airlifters, making India the largest C-17 customer outside the U.S. China Super Computer Tianhe-2 Named Worlds Fastest Computer On 17 June Chinas National University of Defense Technology developed worlds fastest supercomputer Tianhe-2. The Tianhe-2 has a peak performance speed of 54.9 quadrillion operations per second.Tianhe-2 means Milky Way-2.This Chinese supercomputer Tianhe-2 and it replaced US machine called Titan, which was earlier said to be the fastest computer of the world. World Bank Released Global Warming In India Report On 19 June According to the World Bank new report prepared by the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research and Climate Analytics, the report warns that global warming could lead to more extreme droughts across large parts of India,over the next few decades.The impact of a possible global temperature rise of 2 degrees Celsius in the next few decades threatened to trap millions of people in poverty.Depicting life in a not-too-distant future shaped by already present warming trends, the new report warns that by the 2040s, India will see a significant reduction in crop yields because of extreme heat.The warming will impact significant reduction in crop yields and some 63 million people may no longer be able to meet their caloric demand. Scientists Discovered New Language In Australia On 19 June Scientists have discovered a new language in northern Australia which contains rare grammatical innovations and a unique combination of elements from other languages.The language, now known as Light Warlpiri, is spoken by approximately 300 people in a remote desert community about 644 kilometres from Katherine, a town located in Australias Northern Territory. Japan To Send Kirobo The Talking Robot Into Space Japan announced a humanoid robot named Kirobo will be used in the worlds first communicati on experiments between a human and a robot in space.The pint-sized robot developed by Toyota Motor

Corp ,the University of Tokyo and venture firm Robo Garage.Just 13 inches tall and weighing 2.2 pounds, Kirobo will launch aboard an H-IIB rocket in August from the Tanegashima Space Center in Kagoshima Prefecture and head for the International Space Station. NASA Launched IRIS Spacecraft To Study Suns Atmosphere On 27 June NASA has launched Interface Region Imaging Spectrograph (IRIS) spacecraft from Vandenberg Air Force Base, California.The mission to study the solar atmosphere was placed in orbit by an Orbital Sciences Corporation Pegasus XL rocket.The Pegasus XL carrying IRIS was deployed from an Orbital L-1011 carrier aircraft over the Pacific Ocean at an altitude of 39,000 feet, off the central coast of California about 100 miles northwest of Vandenberg. The rocket placed IRIS into a sun-synchronous polar orbit that will allow it to make almost continuous solar observations during its two-year mission. INS Trikand Commissioned Into Indian Navy On 30 June INS Trikand, the last of the three Follow on Talwar Class frigates built in the Russian Federation, was commissioned into the Indian Navy on 29th June at Kaliningrad, Russia by Vice Admiral R. K. Dhowan, the Vice Chief of the Naval Staff, Indian Navy.The commissioning of INS Trikand marks the culmination of a three ship contract for Follow on Talwar Class ships built in Russia. Her sister ships INS Teg and INS Tarkash were commissioned in 2012.INS Trikand carries a state-of-the-art combat suite which includes the supersonic BRAHMOS missile system, advanced Surface to Air missiles Shtil, upgraded A190 medium range gun, Electro-optical 30 mm Close-in Weapon System, Anti-Submarine weapons such as torpedoes and rockets and an advanced Electronic Warfare system.

PERSONS IN NEWS
A) APPOINTMENTS
Justice Kaul Sworn in as Punjab and Haryana High Court Chief On 1st June Haryana Governor Jagannath Pahadia administered the oath of office to Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul as the Chief Justice of the Punjab and Haryana High Court at Haryana Raj Bhavan.Justice Kaul, 54, earlier served as the senior most judge of the Delhi High Court and was the acting Chief Justice there in September last year.the strength of judges of Punjab and Haryana High Court has reached 41 as against the sanctioned strength of 68 judges. Shortage of judges leads to pendency in the cases and the ideal strength should be between 50 to 55. Jagmohan Dalmiya is new Interim President of BCC On 1 June Cricket Association of Bengal president Jagmohan Dalmiya , a former president of the BCCI and ICC, has been appointed as the new interim president of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).BCCI chief N. Srinivasan agreed to step aside, with Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) president Jagmohan Dalmiya took over as the boards interim president. Narayana Murthy Re-elected as Executive Chairman in Infosys On 1 June NR Narayana Murthy has been re-elected as Executive Executive Chairman of the Board in Infosys.He would serve as board chairman for 5 years.Narayan Murthy was appointed as the chairman for the second time.Murthy, who founded Infosys in 1981, had stepped down from the Board and became Chairman Emeritus in 2011. He has served as companys CEO from 1981 to 2002.

Indian-Origin Diplomat is New Australian Envoy to Israel On 2 June 2013 Indian origin diplomat appointed Devanand Sharma appointed as a Australian envoy to Israel.Devanand Sharma has made history by becoming the countrys youngest Ambassador after he was appointed Canberras envoy to Israel.He got Medicine degree from Sydney University.Mr Sharmas prior international service includes postings as Counsellor at the Australian Embassy in Washington. Nawaz Sharif Sworn in as Pakistans PM On 5 June Nawaz Sharif has been sworn-in for a record third term as Pakistan`s Prime Minister, after he was elected with 244 votes in the 342-seat Parliament.He was sworn-in by the President Asif Ali Zardari at a function in an ornate hall at the Presidency.Sharif has served as the Pakistani Premier during 19901993 and 1997-1999 but was ousted from office before he could complete his term, once on corruption charges and later because of a military coup led by Pervez Musharraf. Virginius Xaxa is new National Advisory Council Member On 6 June Union government has reconstituted the National Advisory Council by including prominent sociologist Virginius Xaxa into the 12-member panel chaired by Sonia Gandhi.Virginius Xaxa was inducted with the exit of Aruna Roy from the panel.Virginius Xaxa is a Professor at the Tata Institute of Social Sciences, Guwahati and has worked extensively on tribal communities of the country.The NAC comprises distinguished professionals drawn from diverse fields of development activity who serve in their individual capacities. TCA Raghavan is Indias new High Commissioner To Pakistan On 6 June TCA Raghavan has been appointed as the new High Commissioner to Pakistan.A 1982-batch IFS officer, Raghavan is currently serving as Indias high commissioner to Singapore.Raghavan will replace Sharat Sabharwal, who was on an extension after he retired last year. K R Kamath Re-elected as IBA chairman On 6 June Punjab National Banks (PNB) Chairman and Managing Director K. R. Kamath was re -elected as Chairman of Indian Banks Association (IBA) for 2013-14 tenure.Indian Banks Association (IBA) was formed on 26 September 1946.It is an association of Indian banks and financial institutions. It is based in Mumbai. Justice Usha Mehra Becomes Full Time Member Of Law Commission On 13 June Justice Usha Mehra, retired Judge of the High Court of Delhi, has been appointed as full-time Member of the 20th Law Commission of India.Bijai Narain Mani, eminent law author, and Gurjeet Singh, Director General of the National Law School and Judicial Academy Assam, were appointed part-time members of the panel.The panel, which advices government on complex legal issues, is headed by Justice D K Jain, former judge of the Supreme Court. S K Roy Appointed New Chairman of LIC S K Roy has been appointed as the Chairman of Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC).Roy succeed D.K. Mehrotra, and get a five-year term as chairman.On May 31, 2013, he assumed charge as Managing Director of LIC along with Thomas Mathew and Sarkar.Roy joined the largest insurance company in the country in 1981. John Ashe Elected UN General Assembly President

On 15 June John Ashe, the ambassador to the United Nations for Antigua and Barbuda has been elected President of the United Nations General Assembly.He selected as the President of UN General Assembly for its 68th session. Ratan Tata is new Chief Advisor of AirAsia India Board On 16 June Ratan Tata has been appointed as the chief Advisor to the board of AirAsia Indian, the joint venture between the Tata Group and Malaysian low-cost carrier AirAsia.AirAsia has also named Mittu Chandilya as the CEO of its Indian venture. Manmohan Singh Takes Oath as Rajya Sabha Member On 17 June Prime Minister Manmohan Singh took oath as member of Rajya Sabha.Manmohan Singh was re-elected a member of Rajya Sabha from Assam for the fifth consecutive term on 30 May 2013.Another Congress member from Assam Santius Kujur also took oath as member of Rajya Sabha. Indian Named Editor Of The Independent On 17 June Indian-origin journalist Amol Rajan was named the editor of The Independent,becoming the first non-white editorial head of a UK national paper. Amol Rajan will replace Chris Blackhurst, becoming Fleet Streets first non-white newspaper editor. S Ramadorai is AirAsia India new Chairman On 17 June Subramanian Ramadorai, former head of the Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), has been appointed as the Chairman of AirAsia India.Subramanian Ramadorai, holds the rank of cabinet minister in the Government of India. Indian-American Sri Srinivasan Sworn In As Top US Court Judge On 18 June Indian-American legal luminary Sri Srinivasan was sworn in as a judge in the US Court of Appeals for the DC Circuit, the second most powerful court in the United States after the Supreme Court.Srinivasan from Chandigarh has become the first Indian American judge in the second most powerful court of the country. Krishna Chaudhary is new NDRF chief On 25 June Senior IPS officer Krishna Chaudhary has been appointed as Director General, National Disaster Response Force and Civil Defence.His appointment will take effect from the date he assumes charge of the post and until his superannuation on June 30, 2017. Kevin Rudd Sworns As Australian PM For Second Time On 27 June Kevin Rudd was sworn in as Australias prime minister for second time ,replaced Julia Gillard who was removed in a Labor Party caucus vote.He was sworn in at Government House in Canberra by Governor General Quentin Bryce.Now Kevin Michael Rudd is the 28th Prime Minister of Australia, as well as Leader of the Labor Party. Justice P Sadasivam Appointed As New Chief Justice Of India On 29 June P. Sathasivam was appointed as the 40th Chief Justice of India . He will take over the charge on completion of the tenure of present incumbent Altamas Kabir which will end on July 18, 2013.As the

40th CJI, Sathasivam will serve the nation till his 26 April 2014.Sathasivam joined as a permanent judge of the Madras high court in January 1996 after which he was transferred to the Punjab and Haryana high court in April 2007.He was appointed as a Supreme Court judge on August 21, 2007.

B)RESIGNS
Rajiv Shukla Resigned as IPL chairman On 1st June 2013,Rajiv Shukla has resigned as the Chairman of the Indian Premiere League.He has decided to quit in the wake of recent controversies in the IPL Spot Fixing Scandal. Union MinistersAjay Maken and CP Joshi Resigned On 15 June Union Housing and Urban Poverty Alleviation minister Ajay Maken ,Surface Transport and Highways Minister as well as Railway Minister CP Joshi, resigned from their offices.Their resignation was accepted by the President Pranab Mukherjee. Czech Republic Prime Minister Petr Necas Resigned On 17 June Czech Republic prime minister Petr Necas has resigned ,after a fraud and spying scandal involving his closest aide, pitching the European Union member state into a period of uncertainty.Petr Necas is a former Prime Minister of the Czech Republic and leader of the Civic Democratic Party. He was sworn into office in 2010. Palestinian Prime Minister Rami Hamdallah Resigned On 23 June Palestinian Prime Minister Rami Hamdallah announced his resignation ,following a dispute between the prime minister and his two deputies, Mohammed Mustafa and Ziad Abu Amru, who also serve as senior advisors to President Abbas.Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas accepted the resignation of newly appointed Prime Minister Rami Hamdallah.Prime Minister Rami Hamdallah takes charges on 2 June and he had served only 20 days.

C)DEATHS
British Comic Author Tom Sharpe Died On 6 June British comic novelist Tom Sharpe has died in the coastal town of Llafranc in north-eastern Spain.His first two books were satires about South Africas apartheid regime.Sharpe travelled to South Africa in 1951 after leaving Cambridge, to work as a teacher and photographer. Sharpes other books include Riotous Assembly, Indecent Exposure and Porterhouse Blue, all written in the 1970s. Worlds Oldest Person Luo Meizhen Died Worlds oldest person Luo Meizhen from China has died on 11 June.Meizhen was born in 1885 and was 127 years old.But the Guinness Book of World Records never recognized her claim. Former Union Minister VC Shukla Died VC Shukla, a former Union minister and Congress veteran from Chhattisgarh, died on 11 June in Gurgaon.Shukla was injured in 2013 May Chhattisgarh Maoist attack.He was elected to the Lok Sabha nine times.He first became a minister in 1966, when he was 37 years old, in Prime Minister Indira Gandhis cabinet.He held many important portfolios in his long career span which includes

Communications, Home, Defence, Finance, Planning, Information & Broadcasting, Civil Supplies, External Affairs, Parliamentary Affairs and Water Resources. Worlds Oldest Person Jiroemon Kimura Died On 12 June The worlds oldest person Jiroemon Kimura has died in Japan.116 -year-old Jiroemon Kimura was born on 19 April 1897.He became the worlds oldest person on December 17, 2012, follow ing the death of 115-year-old Dina Manfredini, who lived in the US state of Iowa. Veteran Communist Leader Satyapal Dang Died On 15 June Veteran Veteran communist party leader Satyapal Dang died in Amritsar.Satya Pal Dang was Born in 1920 in Gujranwala in Pakistan and had married to Vimla, another CPI leader, in 1952. Vimla died in 2009.Dang had contested his first Vidhan Sabha election in 1966-67 from Amritsar west constituency.He was elected four times to Punjab assembly from Amritsar.Satypal Dang was awarded Padma Shri in 1998 for his contribution to the social sphere, as he, along with Vimla, had fought many relentless battles for the cause of the downtrodden.However, Satyapal Dang had returned the Padma Bhushan and demanded abolition of all such awards contending a persons contribution to society is judged by his deeds and not by honours. Former Union Minister Bhavna Chikhalia Died Former Union minister of state and the first woman to get elected to the Lower House (Lok Sabha) from Gujarat for four consecutive terms, Bhavna Chikhalia died on 28 June.She was union minister of state for tourism, culture and parliamentary affairs from 1998-2003 in the NDA government headed by Atal Behari Vajpayee. She was also the chairperson of the Railway Convention Committee from 1999-02.Bhavnaben Chikhalia first got elected to the Lok Sabha from 1991, before registering victories again in 1996, 1998 and 1999.

D)VISITORS
Union External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid Visited Iraq Salman Khurshid, the Union External Affairs Minister visited Iraq from 19 to 20 June 2013.During the visit Khurshid met with the Prime Minister of Iraq Nouri al-Maliki and the two nations discussed issues of bilateral and mutual interests including import of oil for energy security along with the avenues of partnership.This is the first visit of any Minister from Indian Union to Iraq after 23 years in the war-raved country.Former Prime Minister of India, Inder Kumar Gujral visited Iraq in 1990 during his tenure as an External Affairs Minister of Indian Union. U.S. Secretary Of State John Kerry Visited India U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry visited India from 23 25 June 2013.During the visit Kerry co-chaired the fourth India-US Strategic Dialogue with External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid and discussed on bilateral trade, defence and security cooperation besides energy and higher education ,including Indias relations with Pakistan.On 24 June Kerry also met Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in New Delhi.Both have discussed issues of mutual interest.This is Kerrys first visit in India after his appointment as the US Secretary of State. E)MISCELLANEOUS Raghav Joneja Becomes Youngest Indian To Climb Mt Everest

Raghav Joneja youngest Indian to climbed the Mount Everest .He is one of the member in La rens school youngest team of mountaineers in the world.Climbing at the age of 15 years and seven months Raghav Joneja broke the record set by Nameirakpam Chingkheinganba of Manipurs, who climed the everest at the age 16 years seven months and 11 days.Lawrence School in Kasuali became the first school in the world to send a team to the highest peak . China Woman Astronaut Astronaut Delivers First Space Lecture On 20 June Chinas second woman astronaut Wang Yaping, who is currently orbiting the earth in an experimental space lab, has become the countrys first space teacher as she delivered a lecture to over 60 million Chinese students about various aspects life in space.In a 45 minutes lecture, Wang, an air force pilot assisted by her two male colleagues demonstrated weightlessness and how it affects the Newton laws of gravity. Ancient Chinese Documents On Tibet Won UNESCO Recognition On 21 June Historical Chinese documents describing Tibet during Chinas Yuan Dynasty (1271 -1368) and showing the ancient financial and messaging service of the period, have won a major UNESCO recognition.The documents showing how finances and messages were exchanged between overseas Chinese and their domestic relatives in that era, were stored and recommended for the UNESCO honour by the archives bureaus of Guangdong and Fujian provinces, from which the first batch of overseas Chinese originated. Italys Ex-Prime Minister Berlusconi Sentenced To 7 Years In Prison On 24 June Italys Ex-Prime Minister Former Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi was sentenced to seven years in prison and banned from public office for corruption and underage prostitution case. Two Year Old Boy Becomes Youngest Ever To Join Mensa On 27 June A two-year-old boy Adam Kirby in UK has become the youngest ever member of the genius club Mensa, after he scored an incredible 141 on an IQ test.Adam Kirby scored 141 in the IQ test that reportedly ranked him smarter than US President Barack Obama and British Premier David Cameron.Adam Kirby was invited to join the elite group after demonstrating his ability to read Shakespeare and understand Japanese, Spanish and French.

PLACES IN NEWS
Bangkok Ranked Worlds Top Travel Spot On 2 June According to a ranking by the MasterCard Index of Global Destination Cities study report ,Bangkok is this years number one city for air travel.While London reached the top spot in 2012.Now Bangkok becoming the first Asian city to earn the distinction.Visits to Bangkok were expected to grow by 9.8 percent this year.If all of the top 10 cities maintained their current growth rates, the index predicted that by 2016 Bangkok and London would be followed by Istanbul in the No. 3 spot, with Paris at No. 4 and Dubai at No.5, with Singapore and New York behind them.The ranking was based on a citys expected international air travel arrivals and the amount of money spent in the city by those arrivals. Dubai Inaugurated Worlds Tallest Twisted Tower

On 13 June Dubai has inaugurated the worlds tallest twisted tower named Cayan" Tower built at a cost of 272 million US dollar, setting a yet another record for skyscrapers and other engineering marvels. Earlier it was named the Infinity Tower.The tower was inaugurated in Dubai Marina.The 310-metre (1,017-foot), 75-storey residential Cayan" Tower is twisted at 90 degrees from top to bottom.The developer of this tower is Cayan Real Estate Investment and Development Company. Worlds Longest and Widest Cable Bridge Inaugurated In China On 18 June The worlds longest and widest multi-pylon cable-stayed bridge named Jiaxing-Shaoxing Sea Bridge with a span of 10km has opened in China after seven years of construction work.The Jiaxing Shaoxing Sea Bridge stretches 6.2miles (10 kilometres) over the Hangzhou Bay, in Shaoxing, China.It is mainly supported by two cable-towers, both of which reach 745ft in the air, and has a main body stretching 2,560ft wide.The high speed bridge is designed for vehicles travelling exclusively above 60mph and pedestrians, motorbikes and cars with a maximum speed below 45mph are not allowed to cross. Earth Quake Hits Northern Italy On 21 June 2013 a magnitude 5.2 earthquake struck Italy,causing some minor damage in Casola in Liguana. The tremors were felt across central and northern Italy. According to the national geophysics institute,the epicenter of earthquake was between the towns of Massa and Lucca in Tuscany and La Spezia in the Liguria region. UNESCO Declared Six Rajasthan Forts World Heritage Sites On 22 June Six hill forts in Rajasthan have be en selected to be included in the Unescos World Heritage List. The hill forts are Amber, Chittorgarh, Gangron, Jaisalmer, Kumbhalgarh and Ranthambore. Thousands Of People Are Died In Uttarakhand Floods In the month of June 2013 the North Indian states of Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh, some regions of Western Nepal and their adjoining areas experienced heavy rainfall that triggered devastating floods and landslides.More than thousands of people are died in Uttarakhand state floods and landslides.This years early monsoon rains in the Uttarakhand region are believed to be the heaviest in 80 years.Damage to bridges and roads left over 70,000 pilgrims and tourists trapped in various places of whom, many were rescued.

ABBREVIATIONS
BCCI Board of Control for Cricket in India UNDP - United Nations Development Programme RSBY - Rashtriya Swasthya Bima Yojna FIFA - Federation Internationale de Football Association WSA World Steel Association

FCI Food Corporation of India

APEC Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation FICCI Federation of India Chambers of Commerce and Industry

BOOKS IN NEWS
Dard-E-Dil Likhun Kab Tak Book Released by Vice President of India On 6 June The Vice President Mohammad Hamid Ansari released a book entitled Dard -e-Dil Likhun Kab Tak (in Urdu and Hindi) authored by Rukhsar Amrohvi. The book is a compilation of poems composed by poetess Rukhsar Amrohvi and some rare pictures of the historic moments of Indian Cinema. This book is a valuable addition to the Urdu Literature. Ambedkar Speaks Book Released On 20 June M Hamid Ansari, vice president of India released a book titled Ambedkar Speaks in New Delhi.The book was authored by by Dr. Narendra Jadhav.The book has been published by Konark Publishers.Ambedkar Speaks is the first ever attempt at a systematic study of Dr Ambedkars 537 speeches.The series is available in four languages Marathi, English, Hindi and Gujarati. The first series was first launched in Marathi. 1857-1947: Forgotten Heroes and Martyrs of Indias Freedom Movement Book Released On 24 June The book titled, 1857-1947: Forgotten Heroes and Martyrs of Indias Freedom Movement, is written by journalist Shivnath Jha was launched on 24 June 2013 in Mumbai by former Bombay High Court chief justice C S Dharmadhikari.The book will act as a campaign to highlight the miserable conditions of descendants and families of freedom fighters as well as an attempt to bring about a change. Distressing Encounters Real Life Stories Book Released On 30 June Indian Ambassador to the UAE M. K. Lokesh released a book titled Distressing Encounters Real Life Stories from a Reporters Diary by Dubai -based Indian journalist V. M. Sathish.The book narrates real-life stories of distressed and marginalised expatriates from different countries and cultures and the role played by the media, especially the English media, in extending a helping hand to such people.

COMMITTEES
Anil Swarup Committee Set Up To Re-start Stalled Projects On 7 June Union Finance Minister P Chidambaram announced a committee has been appointed to identify and help re-start as many as 215 large projects worth over Rs 7 lakh crore which have been stalled for years and assured that each of these projects will be off the ground at the earliest.A committee headed by Anil Swarup. Chandrashekhar Committee To Frame Rules For Foreign Investors

The Market regulator Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) Committee under the chairmanship of Cabinet secretary KM Chandrashekhar,submitted its report on 12 June.The committee has recommended doing away with prior direct registration of foreign institutional investors (FIIs) and sub accounts with Sebi. It also recommended merging FIIs, sub accounts and qualified foreign investors (QFIs) into a new investor class to be called the foreign portfolio investor. Arvind Mayaram Committee Recommends Rise In FDI Limit In Various Sectors On 23 June The Union Government constituted a committee to clearly define the Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) and Foreign Institutional Investment (FII). The report of this committee was submitted to the Ministry of Finance (FinMin) . The committee that was headed by the Arvind Mayaram recommended raising the Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) limit to 49 percent from 26 percent at present in almost all sectors through automatic route.

IMPORTANT DAYS AND DATES

International Olympic Day Celebrated Across the World on 23 June 2013 On 23 June International Olympic Day was celebrated across the world . The day is celebrated for promotion of participation of people in the sports all across the world, irrespective of athletic, gender or age ability. The International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking Observed On 26 June The United Nations General Assembly declared 26 June as the International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking in the year 1987. The objective of observing this day is to strengthen the action as well as cooperation in order to achieve the aim of a society free of drug abuse.The General Assembly however found out that inspite of increasing efforts by the international community to curb this menace, the world problem of drug abuse increased. Drug abuse poses serious threat to safety as well as well being of humanity as well as to the public health. Eventually, the Commission and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) was directed to continue its work towards international drug control.

June 2013 Current Affairs Bit Bank

INTERNATIONAL
1) According to EU new Nuclear Safety rules ,for how many years European countries to submit to an international review of their nuclear power systems to fix any discovered shortcomings ? Ans:- Six 2) What is the name of the whistleblower who exposed the US Governments internet spy program and who is being wanted by the CIA presently? Ans:- Edward Snowden 3) Which country recently became the first European and NATO member country to make military services obligatory for males as well as the females? Ans:- Norway

4) Which country Lower House Parliament on 11 June 2013 approved the anti-gay bill that bans providing children any information about homosexuality in the country ? Ans:- Russia 5) World leaders on 8 June 2013 signed a global agreement to fight malnutrition in children and made commitments of up to 4.15 billion dollars to tackle under nutrition up to ? Ans:- 2020 6) Which South American country witnessed tens of thousands of protestors taking part in marches and demonstrations in large cities of the country on 17 June 2013? Ans:- Brazil 7) Which country parliament in the month of June 2013 passed a bill to ensure the voting rights of the displaced people in the North ? Ans:- Sri Lanka

INDIA & WORLD

1) On 18 June 2013 India signed an agreement for loan of 255 million US dollars with World Bank for the ? Ans:- National AIDS Control Project (NACP-IV 2) According to the recently released UN report World Population Prospects 2012, by which year India would surpass China to become the most populous country in the World? Ans:- 2028 3) Which country and India agreed to enhance cooperation in oil and hydrocarbon sector ? Ans:- Iraq 4) ) Which country Competition and Consumer Commission and Competition Commission of India (CCI) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on Cooperation at Canberra ? Ans:- Australia 5) Which country planned to introduce a new scheme under which Indians and Pakistanis are required to pay 4600 US dollars more for visa ? Ans:- Britain 6) The Union Government of India on 22 June 2013 planned to introduce Visa-on-Arrival facilities for the - ? Ans:- Chinese nationals

NATIONAL
1) In a landmark judgment on 3 June 2013, which commission held that political parties are answerable to citizens under the Right to Information Act (RTI Act)? Ans:- Central Information Commission (CIC) 2) In the month of June 2013 Union Health Ministry launched free medicine scheme.what is the name of the Scheme ? Ans:- Free Drug Service and Free Diagnostics Service

3) What was the total foreign tourist arrival in India during 2012, as stated in the latest tourist immigration data of the Bureau of Immigration? Ans:- 6.57 million 4) Which administrative division of the country has recorded no rape of minors since 2007, as stated in data of the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) released recently? Ans:- Lakshdweep 5) BSNL decided to put an end to the 160 years old Telegram Services in India from ? Ans:- 15 July 2013 6) Which party on 16 June 2013 broke away its 17 year old alliance with National Democratic Allaince (NDA) led by BJP in Bihar? Ans:- Janta Dal United (JD(U) 7) CCEA on 21 June 2013 decided to extend the for the 12th Five-Year Plan period in order to strengthen the distribution sector Ans:- R-APDR

STATES
1) What were the results of the bypolls for 4 Lok Sabha seats, results for which were declared on 5 June 2013? Ans:- BJP-2, RJD-1, TMC-1 2) Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda on 6 June 2013 sought the status of mega cities for two cities of the state, which are part of the NCR. Which cities are these? Ans:- Gurgaon and Faridabad 3) What was the name given to an operation launched by the Indian Air Force (IAF) to rescue stranded pilgrims in Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh? Ans:- Operation Rahat 4) Which state government on 13 June 2013 signed MoU with the (IRCTC) Ltd for a scheme as per which it will bear all the expenses for senior citizens to go on select pilgrimages ? Ans:- Rajasthan 5) Recently government decided to set up Indias highest Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) at Nyoma, Leh district of which Indian State? Ans:- Jammu and Kashmir 6) Which state government on 11 June 2013 amended the Police Act, 1963 ? Ans:- Karnataka 7) Which state Agricultural University in Month of June 2013 launched a Sustainable Sugarcane Initiative (SSI) to improve productivity of water, land and labour ? Ans:- Tamil Nadu 8) Tripuras first gas-based power plant was commissioned on 21 June 2013 by President Pranab Mukherjee. Where in Tripura is this plant situated? Ans:- Palatana

CONFERENCES

1) The 39th Summit of G-8 (Group of Eight Developed Nations) was held on 17 and 18 June 2013 at ? Ans:- Lough Erne, Northern Ireland 2) Which Indian city will host the 29th annual meeting of the World Economic Forum (India chapter) to be held here in November 2013? Ans:- Kochi, Kerala

AWARDS & HONOURS

1) Who is the Ans:- Tan Twan Eng Malaysian author won the Walter Scott Prize 2013 ?

2) Which country advertising agencies grabbed gold and bronze lions in Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity 2013 ? Ans:- India 3) International Data Groups Computerworld Honours Program, Computerworld Honors Laureate selected UIDAI for 21st Century Achievement Award 2013 under the category ? Ans:- Economic Development 4) How many awards India got at the third SAARC Film Festival in Colombo ? Ans:- Three 5) What is the name of the Indian short film has won the Yellow Oscar award at the Uranium Film Festival at Rio-de-Janeiro, Brazil ? Ans:- High Power 6) Who is the Legal activist received the India abroad publishers special award for excellence 2012 ? Ans:- Amrit Singh 7) Which country film The Major won Golden Goblet on 23 June 2013 for best feature film at the 16th Shanghai International Film Festival ? Ans:- Russia

SPORTS & GAMES

1) Who won the Ans:- Justin Rose ,England US Open Golf title on 17 June 2013 ?

2) Who won French Open Mens singles title 2013 ? Ans:- Rafael Nadal 3) Who won the Indonesia Badminton Tournament Mens Singles title 2013 ? Ans:- Lee Chong Wei (Malaysia) 4) Which Indian pair won silver medal at the World Cup (Stage-II) Archery competition in Turkey on 16 June 2013? Ans:- Rajat Chouhan and Manjudha Soy 5) India won the ICC Champions Trophy for 2013 on 23 June 2013 by defeating the hosts England by 5 runs in the final played at Edgbaston. Who was awarded the Golden Bat for his consistent performance

throughout the series? Ans:- Shikhar Dhawan 6) Who won the Silver medal for India at the 3rd China Open boxing tournament on 22 June 2013 ? Ans:- Manjeet Singh 7) Who won the 8th Tal Chess Championship 2013, which concluded on 23 June 2013 at Moscow? Ans:- Boris Gelfand (Russia)

ECONOMY
1) Which global rating agency on 12 June 2013 revised Indias sovereign credit outlook from negative to stable, thus bringing cheer to the union government? Ans:- Fitch 2) Tata Coffee, the largest plantation company of Asia on 19 June 2013 inaugurated the premium extraction plant at ? Ans:- Theni near Madurai in Tamil Nadu 3) Which bank in Zurich on 20 June 2013 unveiled that the Indian money in Swiss banks dropped to record low at 9000 crore Rupees ? Ans:- Swiss National Bank (SNB) 4) The World Bank report released on 3 June 2013 forecasted that India and China will become largest investors of the world in the year - ? Ans:- 2030 5) Which country on 3 June added some more items, including gems and jewellery to its list of items prohibited for trade with North Korea,directly or indirectly ? Ans:- India 6) The government hiked the import duty on Gold and Platinum on 05 June 2013. What is the present import duty? Ans:- 8 percent 7) How many mini LIC offices were inaugurated by Finance Minister P. Chidambaram on 25 June 2013? Ans:- 300

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

1) Where the early Tsunami warning system was installed to predict a tsunami immediately after an earthquake? Ans:-Rangachang in Andaman and Nicobar Islands 2) China recently achieved an incredible breakthrough in diverting river water to its arid areas by linking two mighty rivers. Which are these two rivers? Ans:- Yangtze and Huang He 3) Which pain killer drugs production, sales and distribution was banned in India by the union govt. on 12 June 2013? Ans:- Dextropropoxyphene

4) Name the fastest Super Computer in the world which was announced recently, developed by China? Ans:- Tianhe-2 5) Recently Venus Remedies Limited, the global pharmaceutical company received novel antibiotic product Potentox patented from ? Ans:- Mexico 6) Name the Boieng series Aircraft received by Indian Air Force from United States on 18 June 2013? Ans:- Boeing C-17 Globemaster III Aircraft 7) Which is Indias fastest supercomputer according to the recently released TOP500 list of World Fastest Supercomputers? Ans:- iDataPlex

PERSONS IN NEWS
A) APPOINTMENTS 1) Who was appointed as the new Chief Executive of the Federation of International Cricketers Association (FICA) on 6 June 2013? Ans:- Paul Marsh 2) Who is the new secretary of the BCCI, announcement about whom was done by the BCCI Working Groups chief Jagmohan Dalmiya on 6 June 2013? Ans:- Sanjay Patel 3) Who has been appointed as the chairman and managing director of the public sector foodgrains distribution company Food Corporation of India (FCI) on 5 June 2013 ? Ans:- C Viswanath 4) Who is the chairman of Swedens Stampen Media Group has been elected president of the World Association of Newspapers and News Publishers ( WAN- IFRA) on 5 June 2013 ? Ans:- Tomas Brunegard 5) Who replaced Ms. Aruna Roy in the 12-member National Advisory Council (NAC), an advisory body led by Sonia Gandhi? Ans:- Virginius Xaxa 6) Which India-born person recently became the first non-white journalist to run a UK national newspaper? Ans:- Amol Rajan 7) Who was appointed the new Railway Minister in the cabinet reshuffle done on 17 June 2013? Ans:- Mallikarjun Kharge 8) Who was appointed as the Nodal Officer for relief and rescue operations in the rain-ravaged Uttarakhand by the Union Government on 21 June 2013? Ans:- VK Duggal 9) Who was nominated as the next Director of US investigative agency the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)? Ans:- James Comey

B)RESIGNS
1) Who is the Czech Republic prime ministe has resigned from his post on 17 June 2013 ? Ans:- Petr Necas

C) DEATHS
1) Who is the worlds oldest person (116-year-old) from Japan died on 12 June 2013 in Tokyo ? Ans:- Jiroemon Kimura 2) Name the Tamil actor-director who passed away on 15 June 2013 at his residence in Chennai ? Ans:- Manivarnnan 3) Name the Veteran CPI leader who passed away in Amritsar on 15 June 2013? Ans:- Satya Pal Dang

D) VISITORS
1) Recently the Union External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid visited a foreign country, which is the first visit of any Minister from Indian Union to that country after 23 years. Identify the country? Ans:- Iraq

E) MISCELLANEOUS
1) Former Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf was on 13 June 2013 formally arrested on charges of murder of which popular leader of Balochistan during 2006? Ans:- Akbar Bugti 2) On 23 June 2013 who became the first person to successfully cross the Grand Canyon on a tightrope? Ans:- Nik Wallenda

PLACES IN NEWS
1) Which state of India on 17 June 2013 stuck by severe flash floods and landslides? Ans:- Uttrakhand 2) In June 2013 Dubai inaugurated the tallest twisted tower of the world called - ? Ans:- Cayan Tower

ABBREVIATIONS IN NEWS
1) What is the the full form of WSA ? Ans:- World Steel Association

BOOKS IN NEWS

1) Who is the Ans:- Dr. Narendra Jadhav

author

of

Ambedkar

Speaks

COMMITTEES IN NEWS
1) Who was appointed as the head of a newly constituted committee to examine aspects related indecent portrayal of women in mass media ? Ans:- K Ratnaprabha 2) The first meeting of the Cauvery Supervisory Committee was held on 8 June 2013 which decided to review the position of storage levels.Who headed this committee? Ans:- S.K. Sarkar ,Union Water Resources Secretary

DAYS & DATES

1) Ans:- June 5 World Environment Day is observed on ?

May 2013 Current Affairs Bit Bank

INTERNATIONAL
1) Which organization representatives agreed to widen and strengthen regional cooperation to promote the integral development of those territories on 4 May 2013? Ans:- ACTO(Amazon Cooperation Treaty Organization) 2) Who elected as a Prime Minister of Pakistan on 14 May 2013? Ans:- Nawaz Sharif

INDIA & WORLD

1) With how many votes UN General Assembly Approved Syria Resolution? Ans:-107 2) Which country PM talk with the Indian PM on a civil nuclear deal on 29 May 2013? Ans:-Japan 3) With which country India sign extradition treaty on 30 May 2013? Ans:- Thailand

NATIONAL
1) What is the name of the program launched by Women and Child Development Minister to improving child development and nutritional outcomes for children? Ans:- ICDS Systems Strengthening and Nutrition Improvement Project (ISSNIP) 2) What is the name of the scheme will launch the Government of India from 1 June 2013? Ans:- Direct Benefit Transfer for LPG (DBTL)

3) Which area in India declared as a World Biosphere Reseve by UNESCO? Ans:- Nicobar Islands

STATES
1) How many seats Congress won in Karnataka Assembly Elections? Ans:-121

CONFERENCES
1) When the SAARC judges meeting was held in Thimpu on Child rights in South Asia? Ans:- 23 May 2013

AWARDS & HONOURS

1) Which product of Zydus Wellness Ltd got the Product of the year 2013 award? Ans:- Nutralite Omega-3 2) Who is the Miss Panama 2013? Ans:- Carolina Brid 3) Who honoured with the Whitley award, also known as Green Oscar in London on 2 May 2013 by Princess Anne, daughter of Queen Elizabeth? Ans:- Aparajita Datta 4) Who got the ISRO young scientist award 2013 from Meghalaya? Ans:- Jenita Mary 5) Who got the National Florence Nightingale award 2013 from Andhra Pradesh? Ans:- N.Leela Samuel 6) Who was elected for the prestigious Global Leadership Award-2013? Ans:- Malala Yousafzai 7) Who is the Indian-American girl won Americas Top Young Scientist Award for inventing a super capacitor device that could potentially charge a cellphone in less than 20 seconds? Ans:- Esha Khare 8) Who conferred with the 47th Jnanpith Award for the Year 2011? Ans:- Pratibha Ray

SPORTS & GAMES

1) Who won the FWA player of the Year Award on ? Ans :-Gareth Bale 2) Who won the World Snooker Championship title? Ans:- Ronnie OSulivan

3) Who won the Spanish Grand Prix Title in Barcelona? Ans:- Fernando Alonso 4) Who won the Players Championship title on 12 May 2013? Ans:- Tiger Woods 5) Who won the England Player of the award-2013? Ans:- Prior 6) Who is the Indian archer bagged two silver medals in the Archery World Cup? Ans:- Deepika Kumari 7) Who won the Mess Singles Rome Masters Tennis Tournament title on 19 May 2013? Ans:- Rafael Nadal 8) Who won the Womens Singles Rome Masters Tennis Tournament title on 19 May 2013? Ans:- Serena Williams

ECONOMY
1) According to a survey by global research firm Ipsos ,which country got the first position in the most economically confident countries in the world? Ans :- Saudi Arabia 2) Who got the place in Forbes Philanthropy List on 30 May 2013 from India(first place)? Ans:- Biocon Chief Kiran Mazumdar

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

1) Which computers are more faster than the super computers? Ans:- Quantum computers 2) What are the names of two exoplants discovered by the NASA on 1May 2013? Ans:- KOI-200b,KOI-889b 3) What is the name of the second Inshore Patrol Vessel built by the Hindustan Shipyard Ltd for the Coast Guard? Ans:- Rani Avantibayi 4) What is the new type of wheat developed by the British scientists to increase productivity? Ans:- Super Wheat 5) What is the name of the planet discovered with the help of Einsteins General Relativity Theory? Ans:- Einstein or Kepler-76b 6) What is the name of the unmanned carrier Fight Deck? Ans:- X-47B 7) What is the name of the Vaccine developed by the India to eradicate the Rotavirus diarrhoea in infants? Ans:-Rotavac Vaccine

8) What is the name of the aircraft received by the Indian Navy on 15 May 2013? Ans:-Boeing P-8I Aircraft

PERSONS IN NEWS
A) APPOINTMENTS 1) Who Ans:- Gyating is the present MCC president ?

2) Who is the new president of Asian Football Confederation? Ans :- Bahrains Sheikh Salman Ebrahim Al-Khalifa 3) Who Indian leg spinner elected as a player representative on the ICC Cricket Committee? Ans :- Laxman Sivaramakrishnan 4) Who is the new Director General of WTO? Ans:- Roberto Azevdo 5) Who is the 4-years old boy elected as a Mayor of the town Dorset of Minnesota town in America ? Ans:-Robert Tufts 6) Who is Sworn as Chief Minister of Karnataka? Ans:-Siddaramaiah 7) Who is the present CAG of India ? Ans:- Shashi Kant Sharma

B)RESIGNS
1) Who is the Union Ans:-Pawan Kumar Bansal Railway Minister of India resigned on 10 May 2013?

C) DEATHS
1) Who is the Ans:- Brad Drewett executive chairman of ATP died on 3 may 2013?

2) Who is the english film director,actor,screenwriter and novelist died on 8 May 2013? Ans:- Bryan Forbes 3) Who is the former Maharashtra MLA and first woman MLA of Cngress from Sinnar died on 9 May 2013? Ans:- Rukminibai Waje 4) Who is the famous Bollywood photographer died in Mumbai on 13 May 2013? Ans:- Jagadis Mali 5) Who is the Islamic scholar,author and activit died in Mumbai on 14 May 2013? Ans:- Asghar Ali

6) Who is the PCC Chief of Chhattisgarh dead in naxels attack on 25 May 2013? Ans:- Nanda Kumar

D) VISITORS
1) Which country Ans:- Japan PM visited the Myanmar on 23 May 2013( first time Since 1977)?

E) MISCELLANEOUS
1) Who is the first woman included Ans:- Joanne Chesimard alias Assata Shakur in a FBIs Most Wanted Terrorist List?

2) Who is he the Indian-American become the youngest graduate topper of the prestigious University of California in more than a century? Ans:- Ritankar Das 3) Who is the first Saudi Woman climbed the Mount Everest? Ans:- Raha Moharrak 4) Who are the two Indian twins climb Mount Everest? Ans:-Tashi and Nancy Malik

PLACES IN NEWS
1) What is the name of the Cyclonic Storm formed over Bay of Bengal on May 2013? Ans:- Mahasen

ABBREVIATIONS IN NEWS
1) What is the full form of CNEN ? Ans:- National Commission for Nuclear Energy

BOOKS IN NEWS
1) What is the name of the Ans:- Understanding Bhagat Singh book released by Prof. Chamanlal on 3 may 2013?

2) Who wrote the book Gandhis Outstanding Leadership ? Ans:- Pascal Alan Nazareth

COMMITTEES IN NEWS
1) When the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) committee recommended setting up of the Indian Bill Payment System (IBPS) in the country formed? Ans:- 6 May 2013

DAYS & DATES

1) Which day was celebrated on 11 May 2013? Ans:- National Technology Day

May 2013 Current Affairs Study Material

INTERNATIONAL
Every year 2,70,000 Pedestrains are died in the World On May 2 , World Health Organization (WHO) announced that every year 2,70,000 pedestrains are died in road accidents. In case of pedestrains protection is ignored by goverments.So,every week 5 thousands of pedestrains are died. Maryland became the First southern US state to Abolish Death Penalty Maryland, the U.S. state located in the Mid-Atlantic region of the United States, on 2 May 2013 became the first southern US state to abolish the death penalty.The measure on it was signed by Democratic Governor Martin OMalley on 2 May 2013.The person who was attended was former Maryland death row inmate Kirk Bloodsworth.He will be the first person in the country freed from death penalty because of DNA evidence after being convicted in a death penalty case.On the global level, Maryland is the 18th state to abolish the death penalty. UN Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) Released Somalia Famine Conditions Report On 3 May According to the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) study report, nearly 260,000 people died during the famine that hit Somalia from 2010 to 2012.Half of them were children under the age of five.The number of deaths was higher than the estimated 220,000 people who died during the 1992 famine.An estimated 4.6% of the total population and 10% of children under five died in southern and central Somalia.In Lower Shabelle, 18% of children under five died and in Mogadishu 17%.Somalia was worst hit by the extreme drought in 2011 that affected more than 13 million people across the Horn of Africa.Tens of thousands of people fled their homes in search of food. Japan UAE signed Nuclear Agreement On 3 May Japan and the United Arab Emirates signed on the transfer of nuclear cooperation agreement .It was the first bilateral nuclear agreement signed by Japan since the 2011 Fukushima nuclear crisis triggered by the devastating earthquake and tsunami.The agreements was signed by Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and UAE Vice President and Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. Amazonian Countries Signed Strengthen Regional Cooperation Agreement On 4 May The representatives of the member countries of the Amazon Cooperation Treaty Organization (ACTO) agreed to widen and strengthen regional cooperation to promote the integral development of those territories.Foreign ministers and representatives of Colombia, Peru, Brazil, Bolivia, Venezuela, Guyana, Surinam and Ecuador signed the Coca Declaration, by which they agreed to support initiatives as that presented by Ecuador and the establishment of the Regional Observatory for the Amazon.The countries that signed the document also intend to facilitate the coordination between OTCA, the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (Celac), the Union of South American Nations

(UNASUR), the Andean Community (CAN), the Southern Common Market (MERCOSUR) and the Caribbean Community (CARICOM). Malaysias Barisan Nasional wins parliamentary election The National Front coalition or Barisan Nasional (BN) led by Prime Minister Najib Razak triumphed in Malaysias general parliamentary election on 05 May 2013. The BN won 133 seats in the 222 -seat parliament, taking 60% of the votes, while the opposition Pakatan Rakyat (PR) party secured 89 seats.80% of Malaysias 13.3 million voters cast their ballots in what is being called the closest race ever in Malaysia. Russia and U.S. Agreed on Syria Peace Process On 7 May Russia and the United States agreed to work together to bring the warring sides in Syria to the negotiating table raising hopes for an end to carnage in the war-torn country and a thaw in frosty relations between Moscow and Washington.U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry met Russian President Vladimir Putin and bid to narrow the differences between Moscow and Washington on the conflict. 73 Million Youth Will Be Unemployed By 2013 On 8 May According to the International Labour Organisation (ILO) Global Unemployment Trends 2007 13 report , more than 73 million young people are unemployed around the world .The situation i s particularly grim in the European Union, West Asia and North Africa.73.4 million people aged between 15 and 24 would be out of work at the end of the year an increase of 3.5 million since 2007.The youth unemployment rate in South Asia decreased in 2011 by 0.4 percentage points to reach 9.2 per cent, but increased to 9.3 per cent in 2012.The current jobless rate for the young of 12.6% was expected to keep swelling to 12.8% by 2018, when more than two million more youths would likely be out of work Brazil, Argentina Signed Agreement To Build Nuclear Reactors On 8 May Brazil and Argentina have agreed to extend their nuclear cooperation by jointly commission will jointly build two research reactors.The agreement, signed by the Brazilian National Commission for Nuclear Energy (CNEN) and the National Commission of Atomic Energy (CNEA), is centred on the construction of two reactors. Argentine Passed Judicial Reform Bill On 8 May Argentinas Senate passed a Judicial Reform Law, by 38 votes in favor to 30.According to Argentine President Cristina Fernandez it aims at democratizing the judiciary. Nawaz Sharif Re-elected for Third term as Pakistan PM On 14 May Two time former Prime Minister of Pakistan Nawaz Sharif re-elected as Pakistan Prime Minister for the third time after won the general elections with a thumping majority.The Election Commission of Pakistan announced results of 272 National Assembly seats, with Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz heading the count with 126 seats, followed by the Pakistan Peoples Party with 31 seats.The Sharif, belongs to Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (N) party. Pakistan Muslim League-N attained an overpowering lead with 130 seats. The first runner up is Imran Khan`s Pakistan Tehreek-eInsaf (PTI) with 37 seats and the last is Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) with 31 seats.Nawaz Sharif previously having been Pakistans 12th and 14th Prime Minister for two non -consecutive terms from November 1990 to July 1993 and from February 1997 to October 1999. Sharif is the President of Pakistan Muslim League-N, one of Pakistans largest political parties.

France became the 14th Country in the World to legalise Gay Marriage In France now onwards allow same-sex couples to marry. Frances President Francois Hollande on 17 May 2013 signed into law a controversial bill to legalise gay marriage. It makes France the ninth in Europe and 14th in the world to do so. Zimbabwes President Signed New Constitution Into Law On 22 Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe signed Zimbabwes new constitution into law. The new constitution was approved overwhelmingly in a referendum in March 2013.The constitution cut short the powers of the president, limits presidential tenures to two five-year terms and does away with the post of prime minister. Afghanistan Parliament Approved new Election Law On 22 May The Lower House of the Afghan Parliament approved two new Election laws , that will take effect in the elections next spring. The law contains 79 articles and 16 chapters. EU Lifted Arms Embargo on Syrian Rebels On 27 May European foreign ministers have lifted an arms embargo on Syria,, paving the way for individual EU member states to provide weapons to the Syrian rebels.After long and continuous hour of talk EU governments failed to agree on extending the arms embargo, which effect ively ends the EUs ban on supplying arms to the rebels.Some other restrictive measures against Syria , which include financing restrictions, travel bans and asset freezes is also supposed to be extended for a year, as there is a fear that the entire sanctions regime could fall over a failure to agree on the arms issue. Australia the worlds happiest nation: OECD The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development released its Better Life Index, which ranks the worlds most developed economies on jobs , income environment and health. Australia got first place for the third consecutive year.Sweden, Canada, Norway , Switzerland,United States, Denmark, The Netherland Iceland and United Kingdom were also in the top ten.In Australia 84 percent of the people accepted that their life is happy.So,Australia got the first place in Better Life Index.

INDIA & WORLD

US, India and Japan hold trilateral cooperation talks On May 2 ,India, the United States and Japan held their fourth trilateral dialogue at the State Department in Washington, exchanging views on a wide range of regional and global issues of mutual interest.These discussions focused on the prospect of greater Indo-Pacific commercial connectivity and regional and maritime security, and cooperation in multilateral fora.The Indian delegation was headed by External Affairs Ministry joint secretaries D.B. Venkatesh Varma and Vikram Doraiswami.The group agreed to meet again in autumn in Tokyo to continue their deliberations. 17th India-Iran Joint Commission Meeting

The 17th Session of the India-Iran Joint Commission was held in Tehran on May 4, 2013.The Session was co-chaired by Dr. Ali Akbar Salehi, Foreign Minister of Islamic Republic of Iran and by Salman Khurshid, External Affairs Minister of India.The two sides discussed bilateral and regional issues of mutual interest.Both countries agreed to study the prospects of joint investment in both countries.The two sides also signed on MOU between the Government of India and the Government of Iran on cooperation in the field of water resources management. India Tops Born to Die same Day List On 7 May According to the humanitarian organization Save the Children charity in an annual report entitled State of the Worlds Mothers ,India tops the list of babies that di e on the day they are born.India has the dubious distinction of recording the most first-day deaths of children.Every year, 3,09,000 children die on the day they are born in India. It accounts for 29% of all the first-day deaths globally, the highest for any country.India is followed on this grim list by Nigeria (89,700 deaths, or 9 percent); Pakistan (59,800, or 6 percent); China (50,600, or 5 percent); and Democratic Republic of Congo (48,400, or 5 percent). Finland Top Ranked in World To Be a Mother On 8 May According to the annual report called State of Worlds Mothers 2013 was issued by an international NGO Save the Children , Finland has topped the list of countries where mothers enjoy the best conditions in the world, while India ranks a low 142nd, below China and Pakistan.The US places 30th this year while Pakistan was 139th on the list. China ranked at the 68th place.The top ten countries attained very high scores for mothers and childrens health, educational, economic and political status.The report was featured by a ranking list of Mothers index, showing the conditions of mothers in 176 countries .Among the reviewed countries, Finland was ranked the best country for being mothers followed by Sweden, Norway, Iceland while Democratic Republic of Congo was considered to be the toughest place. Karnataka, Israel Signed Bilateral Agreement On 8 May Israel and the Indian state of Karnataka have signed an R&D cooperation agreement. This is the first-ever such agreement between Israel and an Indian state. The agreement aims to further bilateral business, technology, and economic relations and sees Israel benefiting from Karnatakas human resources and the Indian state benefitting from Israels innovations. India Tops Cervical Cancer Deaths On 10 May According to the Cervical Cancer Global Crisis Card report released by the Cervical CancerFree Coalition, with nearly 73,000 women dying every year, India now tops the world in cervical cancer deaths .India represents 26.4 per cent of all women dying of cervical cancer globally, with China, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Indonesia and Thailand also showing high death incidence.The cervical cancer kills an estimated 275,000 women every year .Cancer Registry Programme (NCRP) report in 2009 the number of cervical cancer cases were 101938 which has increased to 107690 in 2012.It is being estimated that the number of cervical cancer cases and deaths are estimated to increase by 2025 to 203,757 and 115,171, respectively. Britain launched Super Priority Visa Service for Travellers from India On 12 May 2013, Britain launched super priority same-day visa service for urgent travellers from India. Britain launched this kind of service first time for India only . The super priority visa service was announced by British Prime Minister David Cameron during his visit to India in February 2013.

Google signs MoU to train engineering students in Andhra Pradesh On May 14,Google India Private Limited signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Andhra Pradesh government to train engineering students of Jawahar Knowledge Centres (JKC) in latest technologies like mobile and cloud computing.The MoU was signed between the IT minister and Nelson Mattos, vice president (Europe & Emerging Markets), Google Hyderabad. Google will also train the trainers/mentors of AP Society for Knowledge Networks (APSFKNW) and provide required software, services and training material free of cost. India and Netherlands Signed MoU on Urban Planning On 14 May India and Netherlands signed on a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for Technical Cooperation in the field of Spatial Planning, Water Management, and Mobility Management .The agreement was signed by Kamal Nath, Minister for Urban Development & Parliamentary Affairs, and Ms Melanie Schultz van Haegen, Minister for Infrastructure and Environment, Netherlands UN General Assembly Approved Syria Resolution On 15 May The U.N. General Assembly approved an Arab-backed resolution calling for a political transition in Syria and condemning President Bashar al-Assad Government for its increasing use of heavy weapons. A majority of 107 states voted to adopt the resolution. There were 12 votes against and 59 abstentions.Russia was fiercely opposed to the resolution, termed it as unbalanced and inadequate to address adequately atrocities allegedly committed by rebel groups.The resolution was drafted by Arab states who have supported the rebels.India abstained from voting on the non-binding resolution on Syria.Pakistan voted in favour of the resolution. India Granted Observer Status in Arctic Council On 15 May India granted observer status in the Arctic Council was successful along with that of five other countries, China, Italy, Japan, South Korea and Singapore at a meeting in Kiruna, Sweden.The council is made up of the eight Arctic nations are Canada, Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, Russia, Sweden and the United States.This membership will give India chances of navigation and oil and gas exploration.The European Union also applied as an observer, but its final status remained unresolved pending resolution of a dispute with Canada over trade in seal products. India, UK Signed Agreement on Health Sector On 19 May India and Britain have signed an agreement for cooperation in the health sector with specific focus on strengthening primary health care and technological development.The agreement was signed by Union Minister of Health & Family Welfare India, Ghulam Nabi Azad and Secretary of State for Health, UK, Jeremy Richard Hunt. Indians Largest Foreign Born Group in London On 20 May According to the Oxford Universitys Migration Observatory latest study report , Indians have become the largest foreign-born group in London, followed by residents born in Poland and Ireland.Migration Observatory, 262,247 persons born in India were living in London in 2011, which represents 8.8 per cent of all foreign-born residents in London.This accounts for 37.8 per cent of all residents that had been born in India resident in England and Wales in 2011.Other important foreign-born groups in London, with more than 100,000 residents, include those born in Ireland (129,807), Nigeria (114,718), Pakistan (112,457) and Bangladesh (109,948). India China Signed 8 Agreements

On 20 May India and Chine signed eight important agreements covering a wide range of issues like trade, culture and water resources. The agreements were finalised after delegation-level talks between Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Chinese counterpart Le Keqiang. The list of eight agreements/memoranda of undrstanding (MoUs):(i) Protocol between Indias external affairs ministry and Chinas foreign affairs ministry on Indian Official Pilgrimage (the Kailash Mansoarovar Yatra) to the Tibet Autonomous Region of China. (ii) Work Programmes of the Three Working Groups under Joint Economic Group (JEG) between Indias commerce and industry ministry and Chinas commerce ministry. (iii) MoU on Buffalo meat, fishery products and Agreement on feed and feed ingredient s between Indiss Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority and The Marine Products Export Development Authority and Export Inspection Council and Chinas General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine (AQSIQ). (iv) MoU between Indias urban development ministry and Chinas National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) on cooperation in sewage treatment. (v) MoU between Indias water resources ministry and NDRC on cooperation in water -efficient irrigation. (vi) MoU between the external affairs ministry and Chinas State Administration of Press, Publication, Radio, Film and Television (SAPPRFT) on cooperation in mutual translation and publication of works, both classic and contemporary. (vii) MoU between the water resources ministries of both countries for provision of hydrological information by China to india on the Yaluzangbu/Brahmaputra River during the flood season. (viii) MoU between the foreign ministries of both countries to promote cooperation and linkages between the cities and states/provinces of the two countries. Visa on Arrival facility to passengers travelling through RGIA The central government has extended Visa-On-Arrival facility to international passengers travelling through Rajiv Gandhi International Airport (RGIA) in Hyderabad managed by the GMR Group.Visitors from 11 countries will be eligible to get a VoA from May 31 at RGIA.The Centre had introduced an Indian tourist VoA scheme on January 1, 2010 at certain airports which was initiated for citizens of five countries. Subsequently, a year later, the facility was extended to a total of 11 countries viz Finland, Japan, Luxembourg, New Zealand, Singapore, Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam, Philippines, Myanmar and Indonesia. US Senate Committee Approves Immigration Reform Bill On 22 May The U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee has approved a massive immigration reform bill that grants 11 million undocumented immigrants currently living in the country an earned path to citizenship.The legislation was passed by a vote of 13 to 5 with three Republicans joining 10 Democrats to approve it.The bill, which requires major advances in border security and expansion of a comprehensive e-verify system for employers before any undocumented worker is allowed to pursue citizenship, will need 60 votes to pass the 100-seat Senate. US and India Pledge To Collaborate on Combating Terrorism

On 22 May The US has pledged to collaborate with India on developing global approach to combat increasing terror threats and asked international community to take effective steps to eliminate sanctuaries and infrastructure that support terrorism.After talks between Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde and US Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano, a joint communique said the two countries also agreed to enhance bilateral co-operation to combat terror financing and currency counterfeiting. India, Japan to speed up talks on civil nuclear deal On 29 May 2013,Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and his Japanese counterpart, Shinzo Abe decided to speed up talks on a civil nuclear deal to allow Japan to export nuclear reactors to India and to bolster maritime security cooperation at a time when Chinas postures in the seas of the regional have caused concerns.A joint statement issued at the end of exhaustive talks between Singh and Abe said the two Prime Ministers reaffirmed the importance of civil nuclear cooperation between the two countries, while recognising that nuclear safety is a priority for both governments.In this context, they directed their officials to accelerate the negotiations of an Agreement for Cooperation in the Peaceful Uses of Nuclear Energy towards an early conclusion India and Thailand sign extradition treaty On 30 May 2013,in a major boost to bilateral security cooperation, India and Thailand signed the much awaited extradition treaty after 20 years of negotiations.The MoU was signed by External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid and Thai Deputy Premier and Foreign Minister Surapong Tovichakchaikul.The treaty was signed in the presence of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and his Thai counterpart Yingluck Shinawatra.The treaty provides the legal framework for seeking extradition of fugitive offenders, including those involved in terrorism, transnational crimes and economic offences among others.The two countries totally signed on seven pacts. They are extradition, education,financial intelligence mapping , geospatial technology applications , investigation of persons suspected of money laundering and criminal activity related to money laundering and terrorism financing. UNESCO Declares Nicobar Islands as World Biosphere Reserve On 31 May The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) has declared and designated the Nicobar Islands in India as a world biosphere reserve .The International Coordinating Council of UNESCOs Man and the Biosphere Programme added the Nicobar Islands to the list of eleven other sites which are designated as world biosphere reserves.Great Nicobar now 9th Indian reserve in Unesco world network.Member countries establish such reserves. UNESCO recognizes them under the programme to promote sustainable development based on local community efforts and sound science.

NATIONAL
National Urban Health Mission Approved By Cabinet On 1 May The Union Cabinet approved the launch of the National Urban Health Mission (NUHM) to reduce rates of infant mortality, maternal mortality and for universal access to reproductive health care.The cost of the National Urban Health Mission for 5 years is 22507 crore rupees and the Central government will share 16955 crore rupees.The mission will be implemented in 779 cities and towns each with the population of more than 50,000 has expected to cover about 7.75 crore people.The Cabinet also gave its nod to a bill which provides for confiscating property illegally acquired by corrupt public servants.

19.57 lakh Hectares of Forest Land Encroached On 1 May According to the latest figures compiled by the Ministry of Environment and Forests reveal that unchecked encroachment on forest land is on the rise.According to the figures, over 19.57 lakh hectares of forest land is under encroachment in various parts of the country.Madhya Pradesh tops the list with 4.87 lakh hectares under encroachment. Followed by Assam (3.30 lakh ha), Andhra Pradesh (2.57 lakh ha) and Maharashtra (1.83 lakh ha). Mobile subscribers largest in Uttar Pradesh, Tamil Nadu The countrys most populous state, Uttar Pradesh, accounts for the largest number of mobile subscribers in the country followed by Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh and Bihar, which together account for almost half of the total wireless connections.India, which is the worlds second largest mobile phone market in terms of subscribers, had a total of 861.66 million mobile connections as on February 2013, data from telecom regulator Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) showed.Uttar Pradesh has a total of 121.60 million mobile phone connections, while, Tamil Nadu has 71.81 million subscribers, according to the TRAI data.Maharashtra is at the third position, with a subscriber base of 67.73 million followed by Andhra Pradesh and Bihar at 64.12 million and 60.73 million, respectively. Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant got Approval for Operations by the Supreme Court of India On 06 May, the Supreme Court of India directed that the Kudankulam nuclear plant situated in Tamil Nadu could start its operations now. A bench of Justice K.S. Radhakrishnan and Dipak Misra issued the directions to the government on safety as well as security of the plant, along with its operations. Govt Sets Up 39 Special NIA Courts Across The Country On 7 May Minister of State for Home R P N Singh announced in the Parliament that under the National Investigation Agency (NIA) Act, the central government has set up the 39 special courts to take up terrorrelated cases. Cabinet Approved Gandhi Heritage Sites Mission On 16 May The Union Cabinet approved the establishment of the Gandhi Heritage Sites Mission with the objective of conserving and restoring the heritage sites associated with Father of the Nation.Gandhi Heritage Sites Mission will be assigned with the identification, collation and assessment of the information on Gandhi Heritage material, its management and deployment. Indias First Yoga University in Gujarat On 23 May Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the countrys first yoga university in Ahmedabad.Lakulish Yoga University, established by Life Mission Trust of Gujarat, is claimed to be the first ever such private sector self-financed institution in the country.

STATES
Congress Won in Karnataka Assembly Elections

On 8 May Congress has won 121 seats of the 223 seats on which polls were contested in Karnataka Assembly Elections , the elections were held on 5 May 2013. The ruling BJP and the JD-S won 40 seats each.The Karnataka Janata Party led by former Chief Minister B.S. Yeddyurappa bagged a mere six seats.The assembly has 224 elected and one nominated members. The election took place for 223 seats. Tamil Nadu Bans Gutka Products On 8 May The Tamil Nadu government banned the production, possession, distribution and sale of tobacco products such as pan masala and gutka in the state.Tamilnadu Government had constituted a separate department Tamil Nadu Food Safety and Medical Administration, after the Centre announced the Food Safety and Standards Act. Cabinet Approved 2 Major Ports in West Bengal, Andhra Pradesh On 9 May the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs approved the proposal of the Ministry of Shipping for setting up of two major ports.The ports will come up in West Bengal and Andhra Pradesh each, through a Public-Private-Partnership mode. As per the proposal, one port will be developed at Dugarajapatnam, Nellore district, in Andhra Pradesh and second port will come up at Sagar Island in West Bengal.

CONFERENCES
ADBs 46th Annual Meeting Held in New Delhi 46th Annual Meeting of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) Board of Governors, held in Delhi, India, from 2 to 5 May 2013.Prime Minister Manmohan Singh , Finance Minister P. Chidambaram and ADB member board of directors and related financial institutions were attended the meeting.Asian Development Bank (ADB) announced that it is going to provide about 6 billion dollars loan to India over the next three years which was decided at the concluding day of the 46th annual meeting of the funding agency.

AWARDS & HONOURS

Indian Wildlife Biologist Aparajita Datta Honoured with the Whitley Award 2013 On 2 May An Indian wildlife biologist Dr. Aparajita Datta was honoured with the Whitley award, also known as Green Oscar, in London . Aparajita Datta, the Indian wildlife biologist was conferred with the award by Princess Anne, daughter of Queen Elizabeth, at the Royal Geographical Society in London for her efforts in order to save the endangered hornbills in Eastern Himalayas.Aparajita Datta is the head of the program for conservation of the hornbills in dense tropical forests of Arunachal Pradesh, at Nature Conservation Foundation. The tropical forests of Arunachal Pradesh are an abode to five hornbill species. Dr Pankaj Chaturvedi Awarded with Judy Wilkenfeld On 2 May An Indian doctor of Mumbais Tata Memorial Hospital has been awarded with the prestigious Judy Wilkenfeld Award for International Tobacco Control Excellence for his innovative efforts in reducing

tobacco consumption in India.He received the award by the Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids on at a function in Washington. Indian Police Unit in Congo Gets UN medal On 17 May An Indian police unit in the Democratic Republic of Congo has received the United Nations Peacekeeping Medal.The 135 Indian Formed Police Unit-2 (FPU) was honoured with the medal as an appreciation for their service in Goma/North Kivu. Malala Yousufzai Selected For Prestigious Global Leadership Award On 20 May Teenager Pakistani activist Malala Yousafzai, who was shot at last year by the Taliban for advocating education of girls, has been selected for the prestigious Global Leadership Award this year.Malala will receive the award for her role as a global activist in advocating for educating and empowering girls worldwide.She was targeted for her outspoken views and advocacy on behalf of girls education. Indian-American Girl Won Americas Top Young Scient ist Award On 20 May An Indian-American girl has invented a super-capacitor device that could potentially charge a cellphone in less than 20 seconds. The California teen has attracted the attention of tech giants Google for her potentially revolutionary invention which charges a phone in 20 seconds flat.The super-fast charging device has been dubbed a supercapacitor by 18-year-old Esha Khare, of Saratoga as she took home $50,000 from the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair. American Writer Lydia Davis won 2013 Man Booker International Prize On 22 May American writer Lydia Davis won 2013 Man Booker International Prize for her innovative and influential writing.This was the fifth Man Booker International Prize.Lydia Davis is a professor of creative writing at the University of Albany. She is also an accomplished translator. Her works include The End of the Story and Varieties of Disturbance.The Man Booker International Prize recognises one writer for his or her achievement in fiction.Worth 60000 ponds, the prize is awarded every two years to a living author who has published fiction either originally in English or whose work is generally available in translation in the English language. Carole King Became the First Woman to Receive Gershwin Prize US singer-songwriter Carole King became the first woman to receive the Library of Congress Gershwin Prize for Popular Song.The President of America, Barack Obama conferred upon her, the Gershwin Prize that is given as a lifetime achievement in popular music. APJ Abdul Kalam Received Wernher Von Braun Memorial Award On 24 May United States based National Space Societys (NSS) has conferred Wrenher von Braun Memorial Award upon former president APJ Abdul Kalam in San Diego .The award was conferred upon Kalam at International Space Development Conference. It was instituted by NSS, a non-profit organization and is dedicated to the creation of spacefaring civilization.The honour is given to recognize excellence in management and leadership in a space-related project, where the project holds significance. Biological clock scientists share Shaw Prize

On 28 May ,three scientists whose groundbreaking studies using fruit flies helped to uncover the workings of the human biological clock were named the winners of the $1 million Shaw Prize .US scientists Jeffrey Hall, Michael Rosbash and Michael Young received the award for their discovery of molecular mechanisms underlying circadian rhythms.Biological rhythms govern behaviour in plants, animals and humans, from flowers opening during the day and closing at night, to sleep patterns and the effect of jet lag.

SPORTS & GAMES

PV Sindhu won Malaysian Badminton Grand Prix Title On 4 May,Indias shuttler PV Sindhu won Malaysian Badminton Grand Prix title after winning Malaysia Open womens final match.In the final, top seed Sindhu defeated lower seed, Gu Juan of Singapore.This is the first Grand Prix title in her Career. Aamir Won Asian Squash Championship Title On 5 May Pakistan`s top seeded player, Aamir Atlas Khan won the Asian Squash individual championship for the first time in 14 years after he defeated Kuwait`s Abdullah Al Mezayan in straight sets in Islamabad.Pakistan had last won the Asian individual title in 1998, but since then has only been able to win the Asian team title in the last Asiad. Ronnie OSullivan Won World Snooker Championship On 7 May Ronnie OSullivan claimed his fifth World Snooker Championship crown after defeated Barry Hawkins at the Crucible in Sheffield.OSullivan is now a five -time Crucible champion after his wins in 2001, 2004, 2008 and 2012 to move within one of Steve Davis and Ray Reardon and two behind Stephen Hendry in the all-time list. India Bagged 2 Silver and 7 Bronze Medals in Commonwealth Championship India on 10 May 2013 finished their candidature in the tournament with a record haul of 2 Silver and 7 Bronze in the 19th Commonwealth Table Tennis Championships that concluded in New Delhi. Mens Singles :- Zhan Jian (Singapore) won the title after defeated Li Hu from Singapore in the final at New Delhi Womens Singles :- Mo Zhang (Canada) won the Womens Singles title after defeated Yu Mengyu (Singapore) in the final. Alonso Won Spanish Grand Prix Title On 12 May Fernando Alonso of Spain won the Spanish Grand Prix in Barcelona .Kimi Raikkonen second, Felipe Massa secured third position.It was Alonsos second win in Barcelona ,the first coming in 2006 and his seventh career podium on the Circuit de Catalunya. Madrid Open Tennis Tournament 2013 Winners

Womens Singles :- On 12 May Serena Williams of the United States bagged her 50th career Singles title.In the final She defeated Russian Maria Sharapova and got the title . Mens Singles :-Rafael Nadal from Spain won the Mens Singles title after defeated Swiss Stanislas Wawrinka in the final. Womens Doubles:-Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova ,Lucie Safarova won the Womens Doubles title. Mens Doubles : Bob Bryan and Mike Bryan won their fifth Mutua Madrid Open doubles title . It was their 87th career trophy and fifth crown of the 2013 ATP World Tour season. Barcelona Won Spanish League Title On 12 May Barcelona won the Spanish league title (football) for the 22nd time after closest rivals Real Madrid could only manage a 1-1 draw with Espanyol.The title is Barcas fourth in five seasons and the 22nd of their history. The last team other than Barcelona or Madrid to win the title was Valencia in 2004.Barcelonas Lionel Messi finished the Spanish League as the top -scorer.He has already 46 goals, 12 clear of Cristiano Ronaldo, who finished second. Rome Masters Tennis Tournament 2013 Winners Womens Singles :- On 19 May Serena Williams (USA) won her fourth consecutive title of the year after defeated Victoria Azarenka from Belarus in the Rome Masters final.This is the second Rome Open title won by Serena, before this Serena won the Rome title 11 years ago in 2002. Mens Singles :- Rafael Nadal from spain claimed his seventh Rome Masters title after defeated Roger Federar (Switzerland ) in the final Mumbai Indians Won 2013 IPL Title On 26 May Mumbai Indians won the Indian Premier League title for the first time , after defeated Chennai Super Kings by 23 runs in the final at Eden Gardens. * Man-of-the-Match Kieron Pollard (Mumbai Indians) * Most Valuable Player Shane Watson (Rajasthan Royals) * Orange Cap ( (Highest Run Getters) Michael Hussey (Chennai) : 733 Runs * Purple Cap (Highest Wicket Takers) Dwayne Bravo (Chennai) : 32 Wickets * Best Youngest Player Sanju Samson (Rajasthan Royals) * Fair Play Award Chennai Super Kings * Best catch of the season Gurkeerat Mann Singh (Kings Eleven Punjab) Rosberg Won Monaco Grand Prix Title On 26 May The Mercedes driver Nico Rosberg won the Monaco Grand Prix title.Rosbergs team -mate Lewis Hamilton dropped from second to fourth after losing out thro ugh the safety car.Force Indias Adrian Sutil took fifth from McLarens Jenson Button.

China Won Sudirman Cup In Badminton On 26 May China won their fifth consecutive Sudirman Cup and ninth overall, after defeated South Korea.At the Putra Stadium Chinas W orld No. 1 Xu Chen and Ma Jin defeated their South Korean opponents Ko Sung Hyun and Kim Ha Na in straight games in the mixed doubles.In mens singles, Chinas Chen Long defeated South Korean Lee Dong Keun .In mens doubles Chinese Liu Xiaolong and Qiu Zihan defeated South Korean players Ko Sung Hyun and Lee Yong Dae.Huser Ayla, of Switzerland won the Womens Singles after defeated Rankin Anna, from New Zealand Sudirman Cup is the world mixed team badminton championship which takes place every two years.

ECONOMY
RBI Cuts Repo Rate By 25 Basis Points On 3 May The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) reduced the policy repo rate under the liquidity adjustment facility (LAF) by 25 basis points, from 7.5 percent to 7.25 per cent with immediate effect as part of its annual monetary policy statement 2013-14.The reverse repo rate under the LAF also stands adjusted to 6.25 per cent. The RBI took this step to boost flagging economic growth.The cash reserve ratio (CRR) of scheduled banks has however been retained at 4 per cent of their net demand and time liabilities. Asian Development Bank (ADB) to provide about 6 billion dollars loan to India Asian Development Bank (ADB) on 5 May 2013 announced that it is going to provide about 6 billion dollars loan to India over the next three years which was decided at the concluding day of the 46th annual meeting of the funding agency. The bank is working on partnership strategy and is planning to maintain the level of lending to India.It is important here to note that India is the biggest borrower of ADB and ADB had extended a 2.4 billion dollars loan to India in 2012 across sectors like transport, energy, commerce, industry, trade and finance. Delhi Tops in the Creative Index Report 2013 On 6 May According to the Creative Index Report 2013 report ,Delhi has been ranked as the most creative state in India with the greatest potential for success in todays creative economy. The ranking is based on the population of creative class. This class is of individuals are often engaged in either complex problem solving or in the generation of new ideas, new technology, and new creative content.Chandigarh, Punjab, Kerala, Goa, Mizoram, Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Puducherry, and Maharashtra round out the top nine. Mobile Phones To Out Number Human Population By 2014 On 12 May According to the International Telecoms Unions (ITU) report ,The number of mobile phone subscriptions are set to outnumber the worlds population by the end of 2014.Mobile phone subscriptions will pass a whopping seven billion early in 2014.Currently, there are 6.8 billion mobile phone subscriptions while the worlds population is 7.1 billion. More than a third of the global population are online, the ITU World in 2013 report also found. The Commonwealth of Independent States, the alliance of countries formerly in the Soviet Union, is believed to have the highest mobile penetration with 1.7 subscriptions for every person.Africa has the least, with 63 subscriptions per 100 people.The report also found that 2.7 billion people, almost 40 per cent of the worlds population, are online. Government Raises OBC Creamy Layer Income Limit to Rs 6 Lakh

On 16 May The Union Cabinet gave its approval for increase in the present income criterion of Rs. 4.5 lakh per annum for applying the Creamy Layer restriction throughout the country, to avail benefits of reservations in government jobs and admissions to central educational institutions.The decision came up in a view to increase the income limits in tune with the increase of the consumer price index. This would enable more people to take an advantage of reservation benefits that are extended to OBCs. Creamy layer is the income limit beyond which OBCs are not eligible for quotas Gujarat Tops in Port Development Projects On 24 May According to the Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (Assocham) Ports Development in India report ,While 21 PPP projects in the port sector worth over Rs.43,000 crore are under construction, eight projects worth about Rs.14,000 crore are under bidding.Gujarat gets first place , accounting for more than 50 per cent of the port projects completed in India during the last Plan. It has wrapped up 12 projects valued at Rs 12,453 crore, consolidating its presence in the Indian maritime map.Gujarat is followed by Odisha (2nd place) and Maharashtra (3rd place ), which account for a share of 16.9 per cent and 15.3 per cent respectively in the completed projects.Odisha saw two projects worth Rs 4,169 crore getting completed, while Maharashtra finished five projects worth Rs 3,772 crore.Andhra Pradesh (4th place) and Tamil Nadu (5th place) each with three projects under operation have garnered a share between 5-6 percent followed by Kerala (2.8 percent). Biocon Chief Kiran Mazumdar Shaw in Forbes Philanthropy List On 30 May According to the Forbes Asia magazines list of As ia-Pacifics most remarkable givers" , Biocon chief Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw, P N C Menon, Vineet Nayar and Ronnie Screwvala named in 2013 year list of Asia-Pacifics most remarkable givers.The annual list of Heroes of Philanthropy is compiled by Forbes Asia magazine. It features a total of 48 persons from the Asia-Pacific region which includes countries like China, Singapore, Hong Kong and Indonesia.Keeping into view Kiran Mazumdars work on improving cancer care and her pledge to give away 75 per cent of wealth she was listed as one of the major Philanthropist.

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

China Launched Zhongxing-11 Satellite On 2 May China successfully launched a communications satellite called Zhongxing-11 from Xichang Satellite Launch Center in southwest Sichuan province. The satellite was launched into its present orbit from Long March-3B rocket. Worlds First 3D Printed Gun Successfully Fired On 4 May The worlds first gun made with 3D printer technology has been successfully fired in the US.The anti-gun campaigners criticised this project, while the law enforcement of Europe is monitoring the developments of this project.All 16 parts of the controversial gun, called the Liberator, are made from a tough, heat-resistant plastic used in products such as musical instruments, kitchen appliances and vehicle bumper bars. The new Navy patrol ship Rani Avantibayi Indian Coast Guard Ship Rani Avantibai, the second Inshore Patrol Vessel (IPV) built by the Hindustan Shipyard Ltd for the Coast Guard. This was commissioned into Indian Navy in Visakhapatnam on 9 May

2013 by Minister of State for Defence Jitendra Singh in the presence of Director-General of Indian Coast Guard Vice-Admiral Anurag G. Viranari Rani Avantibayi is the inshore patrol vessels (IPV) in Madhya Pradesh for Ramgadh Coast Guard.This is used in Tracking thieves, coastal conservation, marine disaster relief efforts.This is the first in the series of five inshore patrol vessels (IPV) built by the Hindustan Shipyard Limited for the Coast Guard. MiG-29K fighter planes commissions into Navy On May 11,Defence Minister AK Antony commissioned warfare aircraft MiG-29K Black Panther squadron into the Indian Navy.The commissioning was held at INS Hansa which would be the base for Black Panther squadron along with other fighter aircraft squadrons of Indian Navy. The squadron initially comprising 16 aircraft would be known as IANS 303. U.S. Launched First Unmanned Aircraft From Carrier Flight Deck The United States Navy launched an unmanned aircraft from a modern carrier flight deck for the first time ever on 14 May.The unmanned aircraft was the X-47B Unmanned Combat Air System demonstrator, and its first-ever launch from a modern aircraft carrier represents how manned and unmanned aircraft on carrier flight decks will be merged in the future.A mission operator aboard the USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77) controlled X-47B, showing off how well it works within a carrier environment. It landed back at Naval Air Station Patuxent River in Maryland. Rotavirus Vaccine Developed in India India developed a Rotavac Vaccine to eradicate the Rotavirus diarrhoea in infants.The Government of Indias Department of Biotechnology (DBT) and Bharat Biotech announced positive results from a Phase III clinical trial of a rotavirus vaccine. First Boeing P-8I Aircraft joins Indian Navy Indian Naval Aviation received a major fillip with the arrival of the first of eight Boeing P-8I Long Range Maritime Reconnaissance and Anti Submarine Warfare aircraft at Naval Air Station Rajali, Arakkonam, Tamil Nadu on 15 May 13. The P-8I aircraft, based on the Boeing 737-800(NG) airframe, is the Indian Naval variant of the P-8A Poseidon of the US Navy. The aircraft is equipped with both foreign as well as indigenous sensors for Maritime Reconnaissance, Anti Submarine operations and for Electronic Intelligence missions. Scientists Converted Human Skin Cells Into Embryonic Stem Cells On 15 May In a major medical breakthrough, researchers at the Oregon National Primate Research Center (ONPRC) have for the first time ever successfully converted human skin cells into embryonic stem cells , via a technique called nuclear transfer.Scientists for the first time converted human skin cells into embryonic stem cells.These embryonic stem cells are capable of transforming into any other cell type in the human body.This technique involves transplanting the nucleus of one cell, containing an individuals DNA, into an egg cell that has had its genetic material removed. BrahMos Supersonic Cruise Missile Successfully Test Fired On 22 May India successfully test fired the 290-km range BrahMos supersonic cruise missile from Russian-built INS Tarkash off the coast of Goa.The launch was carried out by the Navy as part of Acceptance Test Firing (ATF) of the ship.INS Tarkash, which is an advanced Talwar Class frigate, was commissioned on 9th November, last year.The BrahMos missile jointly developed by India and Russia.

Indian Air Force Inducted Trainer AirCraft Pilatus PC-7 On 31 May Pilatus, PC 7 Mk II aircraft was formally inducted into the IAF by Jitendra Singh MoS, Defence at IAFs premier Academy located at Dundigal, Hyderabad.This marked the first formal flight of the Basic Trainer Aircraft over the skies at the Air Force Academy in Hyderabad.The induction of PC-7Mk II as Basic Trainer Aircraft in Indian Air Force is a very importa nt landmark in our nations quest to modernise its Armed Forces.

PERSONS IN NEWS
A) APPOINTMENTS
Sheikh Salman is New AFC President On 2 May Bahrains Sheikh Salman Ebrahim Al-Khalifa was elected as the new president of Asian Football Confederation (AFC). He replaced disgraced ex-leader Mohamed Hammam. Najib sworn in Malaysias PM Najib Razak was sworn in as Malaysias Prime Minister for a second term on 06 May 2013 after his Barisan Nasional (BN, National Front) coalition won 133 of the 222 Parliament seats in 2013 election.Najib Razak became the sixth Prime Minister of Malaysia in year 2009. Roberto Azevedo Appointed as WTO new Director General On 8 May Brazils Roberto Azevedo has been named as the new Director General of the World Trade Organisation, the first Latin American to hold the post.He will take charge of his office from Pascal Lamy of France in the Geneva-based Body in September 2013. Siddaramaiah Sworn in as Chief Minister of Karnataka On 13 May Congress leader Siddaramaiah was sworn in as the 22nd chief minister of Karnataka by the Governor H R Bharadwaj.In year 1992 Siddaramaiah was appointed as Secretary General of Janata Dal.In Year 1994 became the Minister for Finance in the Janata Dal government headed by Deve Gowda.He served as a Deputy Chief Minister of Karnataka twice, first in 1996 when JH Patel became Chief Minister and again in 2004 when JDS formed a coalition government with Dharam Singh. Nirbhay Sharma Appointed Governor of Arunachal Pradesh On 16 May Lieutenant General (retd) Nirbhay Sharma has been appointed as Governor of Arunachal Pradesh as the term of present incumbent Gen (retd) J J Singh ended in January 2013. He was appointed as Member of UPSC in May 2008 and after completion of his five year stint .He was also a part of the Airborne Assault Group, the first Indian Army Unit to enter Dacca (Dhaka) during 1971 war. Shashi Kant Sharma is the new CAG On 21 May Defence Secretary Shashi Kant Sharma was appointed as the new Comptroller & Auditor General (CAG) ,replaced outgoing Vinod Rai.Sharma, an IAS officer from 1976 batch of Bihar cadre, has earlier assumed various important offices during his tenure as Secretary in the Department of Financial

Services and has spent over 10 years in the Defence Ministry in various capacities.The CAG is appointed for a term of six years or till the incumbent attains the age of 65 years, whichever is earlier. Indian Origin Srinivasan Appointed as Top US Court Judge On 23 May The United States Senate voted 97-0 to appoint Srikanth Srinivasan as a Judge of the prestigious US Court of Appeals.It is the highest judicial appointment to an Indian -American . Srinivasan has become the first Indian-American to be appointed to the court.He is the Principle Deputy Solicitor General and defends the policies of US President Barack Obama before the Supreme Court Radha Krishna Mathur is new Defence Secretary On 25 May Senior IAS officer Radha Krishna Mathur has been appointed as new Defence Secretary.He succeeds Shashikant Sharma who has taken over as Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG). A 1977batch IAS officer of Manipur-Tripura cadre, Mathur was serving as Secretary (Defence Production) in the Defence Ministry. Justice Raveendran is new NBSA Chief On 25 May Former Supreme Court judge Justice R V Raveendran has been appointed as the new Chairman of the News Broadcasting Standards Authority (NBSA) , the self regulatory initiative of the News Broadcasters Association (NBA).He succeeds justice (Retd.) J.S. Verma, chairperson of the NBSA, who passed away on 2013 April.NBSA is an independent redressal body set up by the News Broadcasters Association (NBA) and has leading TV news channels as its members. Kushal Singh Appointed as the Chairperson of NCPCR On 27 May Mrs. Kushal Singh has been appointed as the Chairperson of National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR), by the Ministry of Women and Child Development.Mrs. Kushal Singh has held several high level posts in the Government of Rajasthan and the Central Government.She was the Chief Secretary, Government of Rajasthan. PM Manmohan Singh elected to Rajya Sabha On 30 May 2013 ,Prime Minister Manmohan Singh was elected to Rajya Sabha from Assam for fifth consecutive term.Dr Singh got 49 first preference votes, while the second Congress candidate bagged 45 votes and All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF)s Aminul Islam, who polled 18 votes, lost in the 126member state Assembly.

B)RESIGNS
Union Railway Minister and Law Minister of India Resigned On 10 May Union Railway Minister Pawan Kumar Bansal and Union Law Minister of India Ashwani Kumar resigned from their posts.Railway Minister PK Bansal resigned from his office since his nephew Vijay Singla was arrested for his alleged involvement of bribery of 90 lakh rupees from the Railway Board Member, with a promise of promotion. Ashwani Kumar the Union Law Minister submitted his resignation after being into attack by the opposition and the CBI affidavit submitted to Supreme Court for vetting up the CBI report in the Coal Block allocation scam.

C)DEATHS

ATP chairman Brad Drewett died Brad Drewett(54), the former tour player who led the ATP as executive chairman and president since January 2012 died on 3 May 2013 . He helped in increasing the prize money at Grand Slam tournaments. Giulio Andreotti, the former Italian Prime Minister died On 6th May, the former Italian Prime Minister ,Giulio Andreott(94) was dies in Rome.He was one of the most powerful figures in the politics of the country after World War II. Islamic scholar Asghar Ali Engineer Died On May 14,Leading Islamic scholar, author and activist Asghar Ali Engineer, 74, died at his Santacruz home in Mumbai. He was born in 1940 and completed his BSc in civil engineering from Vikram University.From 1980, he edited the journal named the Islamic Perspective and during 1980s he published a series of books on Islam and communal violence in India. His books were based on his investigations in the post-independent India. The USA International Student Assembly and the USA Indian Student Assembly honoured him with Distinguished Service Award in 1987. Bengali filmmaker Rituparno Ghosh dead On 30 May 2013,Award-winning Indian film director Rituparno Ghosh was died from a heart attack in the city of Calcutta.Ghosh directed 18 films in that 12 films got national awards.Ghosh began his remarkable journey by directing a childrens film Hirer Angti (Diamond Ring) in 1994, which won him an immediate recognition. He shot to fame after his next film Unishe April (19 April) won the national award in 1995.His other award-winning films include Dahan, Asukh, Chokher Bali, Raincoat, Bariwali, Antarmahal, Noukadubi, Abohoman, Chitrangada and Amitabh Bachchan starrer The Last Lear. Academic Vina Mazumdar Dead On 30 May 2013,Noted academic and a leading figure of Indias womens movement, Dr Vina Mazumdar, died in New Delhi.Born in 1927 in a middle-class Bengali household in Kolkata, she did her schooling in the city and studied in Banaras Hindu University and Calcutta University, before going to Oxford in 1947, soon after independence. She went back to Oxford University later and received her D.Phil in 1962.

D)VISITORS
China Prime Minister Li Keqiang Visited India Chinas new Prime Minister Li Keqiangs visited India on his first f oreign trip to India from 19th to 21st May 2013 since taking his office in March 2013. During the visit he met Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and discussed India-China border issues , bilateral, regional and global issues of common interest.After the both countries signed on 8 agreements.The Chinese have also agreed to provide greater facilitation to Indian pilgrims on the Kailash Manasarovar Yatra. Afghanistan President Hamid Karzai Visited India Hamid Karzai , President of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan visited India from 20-22 May, 2013.During the visit Hamid Karzai was on 20 May conferred an honorary doctorate degree by President Pranab Mukherjee at a professional university in Phagwara.He met Prime Minister Manmohan Singh at New Delhi and discussed on various key bilateral and regional issues , the situation in the region in the

backdrop of Afghanistans keenness to enhance defence cooperation with India and get supply of lethal and non-lethal weapons.

E)MISCELLANEOUS
First Woman Named To FBIs Most Wanted Terrorist List On 3 May Joanne Chesimard (also known as Assata Shakur), a member of the Black Liberation Army who killed a New Jersey state trooper 40 years ago and has since fled to Cuba,has been named as one of the FBIs most wanted terrorists, making her the first woman ever to make the list.Chesimard was convicted for killing Foerster and sentenced to life in prison. In 1979 she escaped with the help of the Black Army Liberation and has been on the run ever since.The U.S. Justice Department announced a doubling of the reward for her capture to $2 million. Ritankar Das is Centurys Youngest California University Topper On 10 May An 18-year-old Indian-American has become the youngest graduate topper of the prestigious University of California in more than a century.Kolkata-born Ritankar Das, has been named as the University Medalist, the prize which is given to the years top graduating senior.Das has taken just three years to complete his studies with a double major in bioengineering and chemical biology and a minor in creative writing from the University of California, Berkeley.Further he is the first student from the College of Chemistry in 58 years, and the first ever from the Department of Bioengineering. Sreesanth,Ajit Chandila and Ankeet Chavan were arrested S Sreesanth and two of his Rajasthan Royals teammates Ajit Chandila and Ankeet Chavan were arrested by the Delhi police on charges of spot fixing in the ongoing Indian Premier League. First Saudi Woman Ever Climbs Mount Everest On 18 May Raha Moharrak has become the first Saudi Arabian woman to climb Mount Everest. Moharrak also became the youngest Arab to reach the 8,850-meter peak (29,035 feet). She was part of a group that included the first Qatari man and the first Palestinian man to reach the summit. Indian Sisters First Twins To Climb Mount Everest On 19 May Two Indian girls have scripted history by becoming the first twins ever to climb Mount Everest together.Tashi and Nancy Malik from Dehra Dun achieved this feat by successfully reac hing the worlds highest mountain peak at 8,848 meters.The duo were among other record-makers including the first women from Saudi Arabia and Pakistan who climbed the Everest on 18 May. Arunima Becomes First Indian Amputee To Scale Mt Everest On 21 May Arunima Sinha, a former national level volleyball player who had lost one of her legs after being thrown off a moving train by, created history by becoming the first Indian amputee to conquer Mount Everest. Sinha reached the 8,848 metre-high summit of the worlds highest peak as a member of the Eco Everest Expedition from the Tata Group.Sinha, a resident of Ambedkar Nagar in Uttar Pradesh.Arunima successfully scaled the 6,622-metre-high Mount Chhamser Kangri of Ladakh last year, but her ultimate goal was to climb Mount Everest. Yuichiro Miura, Became Oldest Man to Climb Mount Everest

Yuichiro Miura, the 80-year old mountaineer from Japan reached Mount Everests summit on 23 May 2013. With this, he became the oldest man to climb the highest mountain peak of the world. Yuichiro Miura climbed the Everest at the age of 70 and 75 as well. Indian-origin Boy Won National Geographic Bee Contest On 23 May Sathwik Karnik, a 12-year-old Indian-American boy, has won the prestigious National Geographic Bee 2013 after gruelling rounds testing his geographic knowledge about lions in Botswana, mountain ranges in Asia and port cities in England.To clinch the title, Karnik, 12, correctly named Chimborazo as the mountain in Ecuador that represents the farthest point from the Earth s center.US.Karnik took home the spoils of the Bee prize that include a USD 25,000 college scholarship, an all-expenses paid trip to the Galapagos Islands, and a lifetime membership to the National Geographic Society. Jiroemon Kimura Becomes Last Living Man Born in 19th Century The oldest person in the world, Japanese Jiroemon Kimura,116 years Japanese man became the last male of the 19th century in the world. Jiroemon Kimura was given the title of last male alive to be born in the 19th century after the death of Barbados in the month of May 2013 at the age of 113 years and 90 days.Gerontolgy Research Group at University of California, Los Angeles found out that as far as female were concerned, there are in all 21 women born before 1 January 1901 and they are still alive.But amongst the male, Jiroemon Kimura is the only alive person of 19th century.Jiroemon Kimura was born on 19 April 1897. Premlata becomes the first Indian woman to complete seven summits Asian woman mountaineer Premlata Agrawal has become the first Indian woman mountaineer to scale the seven continental peaks after climbing Alaskas McKinley Peak.With this, she became the first Indian woman mountaineer to step on the highest peak of North America. Arvind Mahankali Won National Spelling Bee 2013 On 31 May Arvind Mahankali, a 13-year old Indian-American won the Scripps National Spelling Bee contest, as children from the community scripted history by dominating the prestigious competition for the sixth year in a row, grabbing top three slots this year.Arvind, from New York, won the contest by correctly spelling the German word knaidel which means a small mass of leavened dough, overcoming his fear of German-derived words during his past four appearances at the contest.This is the sixth consecutive year that an Indian-American has won the contest, which was watched live by millions of people in the United States.

PLACEES IN NEWS
Cyclonic Storm Mahasen Hits Bangladesh On 16 May The cyclonic storm Mahasen hit Bangladeshs southern Patuakhali coast with wind speed up to 90 kilometers per hour.More than 48 persons were killed as inflated waters coupled with gusts started ravaging parts of Patuakhali alongside the other areas adjacent to the Bay of Bengal in the region.The system is now located in the west-central bay and is likely to intensify further, move in northeast direction and cross the Bangladesh coast close to Chittagong.

ABBREVIATIONS
NESAC - North Eastern Space Applications Centre ACTO Amazon Cooperation Treaty Organization ILO International Labour Organization

CNEN National Commission for Nuclear Energy CNEA - National Commission of Atomic Energy IPV Inshore Patrol Vessel BWF - Badminton World Federation

BOOKS IN NEWS
Understanding Bhagat Singh by Prof. Chamanlal released Understanding Bhagat Singh a book by Prof. Chamanlal was released in the on 3 May 2013.Professor Randhir Singh, Eminent Thinker released the book at School of Social Sciences (SSS- I) Auditorium, JNU in New Delhi.The book Understanding Bhagat Singh has tried to explain the soul or spirit of Bhagat Singh like his principle of achieving objectives with dignity, honesty and fearlessness. Gandhis Outstanding Leadership Book Released On 27 May Gandhis Outstanding Leadership , written by former Indian diplomat-turned-Gandhian Pascal Alan Nazareth, was released at the Peking Universitys Centre.Prof Shang Quanyu, a history professor with the South China Normal University, translated the book into Madarin.

COMMITTEES
G Padmanabhan Committee on Services for the Exporters On 6 May A Reserve Bank of India (RBI) committee recommended setting up of the Indian Bill Payment System (IBPS) in the country.The committee chaired by G. Padmanabhan, Executive Director, RBI, has recommended a cap on interest margins charged by banks lending to exporters.The committee also recommended that export credit be allowed to be a part of priority sector lending (PSL) for all commercial banks, including foreign banks, for a period of three to five years.

IMPORTANT DAYS AND DATES

National Technology Day was Observed on 11 May 2013 National Technology Day was celebrated on 11 May 2013 as a symbol of quest for scientific inquiry, technological creativity and the translation of that quest in the integration of Science, Society and Industry. This day is also celebrated to honour technological innovations and their successful commercialization which makes fruits of research reach people at large.

April 2013 Current Affairs Bit Bank

INTERNATIONAL
1. Who winner of the Venezuelan Presidential elections? Ans:- Nicolas Maduro 2. When the US House of Representatives has passed the controversial Cyber Intelligence Sharing and Protect Act (CISPA)? Ans:-18 April 2013 3. Who is the present Italys President? Ans:-Giorgio Napolitano 4. Who is the present President of Paraguays? Ans:-Horacio Cartes 5. Which country is the first country in Europe to outlaw discrimination on caste? Ans:-Britain 6. Which of the two counries have singned for 51 joint projects worth two billion US dollars? Ans:- Cuba and Venezuela 7. Who got the life ban from any elections in Pakistan by Peshawar high court? Ans:- Musharraf

INDIA & WORLD

1.Who won the Spelling Championship title held in Singapore? Ans:-Ashwin Kumar

NATIONAL
1. When the Cabinet Committee was approved for 13 power projects that involves investment of 33000 crore rupees? Ans:- 22 April 2013

STATES
1. What is the name of the online service launched the Andhra Pradesh Government for entrepreneurs and grievance redressal system? Ans:- Parishkaram for Enterpreneurs

AWARDS & HONOURS

1. Who won the Prestigious 2013 Templeton Prize ? Ans:-Desmond Tutu 2. Which film won the best film award in The Times of India Film Awards? Ans:- Barfi 3. Who is the Indian-American got the Baby Noble prize(John Bates Clark young economist award)for the year 2013? Ans:- Raj Chetty 4. According to Skytrax-World Airport Awards,which Airport rated as the fifth best regional airport in Asia? Ans:- Rajiv Gandhi International Airpor,Hyderabad 5. Who received the Queens Award on 20 April 2013? Ans:-Kartar Lalvani 6. Who will honoured with Dadasaheb Phalke Academy Award on 30 April 2013? Ans:- Pran Krishan Sikand 7. Who will get the Kirti Chakra from President on 30 April 2013? Ans:- Anup Joseph

SPORTS & GAMES

1. Who got the Gold medal in ISSF World Cup in Korea on 5 April 2013?

Ans:- Rahi Sarnobat 2. Which country won the T-20 International Series between India and Bangladesh? Ans:-India 3. Which country won the women One-Day International Series bewteen India and Bangladesh? Ans:-India 4. Who is head of the committe announced a ban on two Pakistani umpires over spot-fixing? Ans:- Zaka Ashraf 5. Who won the Augusta 77th Masters Golf Tournament? Ans:- Adam Scott 6. Who won the gold medal in men`s 55kg category in the Senior Asian Wrestling Championship in New Delhi on 20 April 2013? Ans:- Amit Kumar 7. Who won the Monte Carlo Masters title on 21 April 2013? Ans:-Novak Djokovic 8. Who won the gold medal in Mens 66kg Freestyle at New Delhi on 22 April 2013? Ans:- Amit Kumar Dhankar 9. Who is Chennai Super Kings Skipper fined due his team slow over rate? Ans:- Mahendra Singh Dhoni 10 . Who won the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix Title? Ans:- Maria Sharapova

ECONOMY
1. Which company developed the cheapest bike of the World in India? Ans:- Yamaha 2. Accorrding to the Sunday Times Rich List 2013,who are the 20th richest persons in the world? Ans:- Ambani Brothers

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

1. What is the name insects found in Australia having the capacity to kill the bacteria with their wings? Ans:-Cicadas 2. The Supreme Court of India on 1 April 2013 rejected the plea of Novartis, the Swiss drug maker, to patent the updated version of the cancer drug. What is the name of the drug? Ans:-Glivec 3. Who developed a New Laser powered Camera System that can take image of any object from a distance of about one kilometer? Ans:- researchers from Heriot-Watt University in Edinburgh 4. What is the name of the Satellite using the NASA to find earth like planets in the entire Space? Ans:- TESS 5. Who discovered the Blue Super-Giant Starlocated in the constellation Virgo, far beyond our Milky Galaxy? Ans:- Dr. duo Ananda Hota

PERSONS IN NEWS
A) APPOINTMENTS 1. Who is the present CII president? Ans:- S.GopalaKrishnan 2. Who is the presnt Kenua President? Ans:-Kenyatta 3. Who is the 20th president of Bangladesh? Ans:- Abdul Hamid 4. Who is the present ICC Vice Chairman? Ans:-Sunil Bharti Mittal 5. Who is the SAARC ambassador from India? Ans:- Ajay Devgn 6. Who is the present ADB president? Ans:- Takehiko Nakao

7. Who is the present PM of Italy? Ans:-Enrico Letta B)RESIGNS 1. Who is the Palestinian Prime Minister resigned on 13 April 2013 after falling out with President Mahud Abbas? Ans:- Salam Fayyad C)DEATHS 1. Who is the Oscar, the Booker Prize winner novelist died on 3 April 2013?( Ans:-Ruth Prawer Jhabvala 2. Who is the Former British Prime Minister died on April 8? Ans:-Margaret Thatcher 3. Who is the first successful oral vaccination developer for polio died in Philadelphia on 11 April 2013? Ans:-Dr Hilary Koprowski 4. Who is the Playback singer died on 14 April 2013? Ans:- PB Srinivas 5. Who is the former woman CEC and former governor of Karnataka died on 17 April 2013? Ans:-V. S. Ramadevi 6. Who is the Veteran journalist and managing director of Tamil daily Dina Thanthi died on 20 April 2013? Ans:-B Sivanthi Adithan 7. Who is the Mathematical genius also called as human computer died on 21 April 2013? Ans:-Shakuntala Devi 8. Who is the former England Captain died on 19 April 2013? Ans:- Mike Denness 9. Who is the former chief justice of India died on 22 April 2013 in New Delhi? Ans:- JS Verma 10. Who is the Veteran violinist died on 22 April 2013 in Chennai?

Ans:-Lalgudi Jayaraman 11. Who is the Legendary singer died in Mumbai on 23 April 2013? Ans:- Shamshed Begum 12 Who is the former Telugu Desam Minister died on 28 April 2013 in Hyderabad? Ans:- Sripathi Rajeswara Rao 13. Who is the Police officer was attempting to cross the River Teesta in the state of West Bengal on 28 April 2013 for creating world record? Ans:- Sailendra Nath Roy 14. Who is the Padma Shri award recipient and ONGC Chairman died in Hyderabad on 29 April 2013? Ans:- Nuthakki Bhanu Prasad D)MISCELLANEOUS 1. Who is the first American teenager with Downs syndrome to reach a Everst Base Camp? Ans:- Eli Reimer 2. Who is the Nepali TV Anchor Made Guinness Record for longest talk show ? Ans:- Rabi Lamichhane 3. Who is the Egypt PM sentenced to one-year jail in failing to implement a verdict to return privatised company to the state? Ans:-Hesham Qandil 4. Who is the Permanent Representative of India to the United Nations at New York? Ans:- Shri Asoke Kumar Mukerji

BOOKS IN NEWS
1. Who is the author of the book Religion, Law & Society Across the Globe? Ans:- Prof.Tahir Mahmood

COMMITTEES IN NEWS
1. What is the name of the committee established by the Government of India that will work as a Single Window clearance system for International and domestic film projects? Ans:- Uday Kumar committee

April 2013 Current Affairs Study Material

INTERNATIONAL
China, Russia, Pakistan discuss Afghanistan situation Officials from China, Russia and Pakistan on 3 April 2013 held talks on the issue of coordination between their positions on Afghanistan.The officials from three nations backed the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) that is grouping to play a great role in Afghanistan after the withdrawal of NATO Forces in 2014. These talks were held to enhance coordination. The talks followed a similar meeting India, China and Russia held in Moscow recently, reflecting the delicate balancing act and increasingly complicated regional dynamics as different countries look to push their interests in the lead up to 2014. Malaysia PM Dissolves Parliament On 3 April Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak has dissolved the Parliament ahead of a general election.This dissolution will pave the way for the 13th general election.The elections have to be held before June 2.The Barisan Nasional coalition that has ruled Malaysia since independence in 1957 is expected to face a stiff challenge in the polls from the opposition three-party Pakatan Rakyat (Peoples Pact). Tammam Salam named as Lebanon new Prime Minister On 6 April well-known Sunni lawmaker Tammam Salam has been named Lebanons new prime minister , after receiving overwhelming parliamentary support.His appointment comes after previous prime minister Najib Mikati resigned and effectively brought down his Hezbollah-dominated government. China, Australia Signed Direct Currency Exchange Agreement On 10 China and Australia have signed a currency swap agreement in a bid to promote bilateral trade and investment.The agreement makes the Australian dollar the third major currency to directly trade in Chinas mainland foreign exchange market, after the US dollar and the Japanese yen.Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard discussed bilateral security issues with China s President Hu Jintao. China Pledges $548 million Aid To Cambodia On 10 April China has pledged $548 million in aid to Cambodia for infrastructure and irrigation systems.Agreements covering $500 million in soft loans and $48 million in grants were signed during Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen . Nepal Peace Process Ends On 13 April Nepals much delayed peace process with end of the decade long civil war has finally reached conclusion.Though the peace process had started on 2006, the Special Committee was formed in 2008 to oversee the army integration process.The last meeting of the cross-party Special Committee decided to accept application of 47 Maoist combatants to quit the Nepal Army training. Nicolas Maduro Wins Venezuelan Presidential Election

Nicolas Maduro,Socilist Party member who became Hugo Chavezs protege, was declared the winner of Venezuelas presidential election on 14 April 2013.Maduro secured 50.8% of votes while opposition candidate Henrique Capriles Radonski won 49.0%.Maduro got 3 lakhs votes of majority than Henrique. New Zealand Approved Gay-Marriage Bill On 17 April New Zealands parliament has approved the bill to legalise same -sex marriage.New Zealand has become the first country in the Asia-Pacific region to do so. No other country in the Asia-Pacific region allows gay marriage.Cheers and applause ring out in parliament building after 77 of 121 members vote to allow gay couples to wed.New Zealand is now the 13th country to legalise gay marriage. U.S Senate Rejects Gun Control Bill On 18 April The US Senate has rejected a strong gun control bill.US Senators supported the measure with just 54-46 votes , falling short of the 60 votes required to pass the amendment.The legislation was considered the best hope for gun control sought by President Obama in the wake of the mass shooting at Newtown Elementary School last year.Among them, a vote to ban assault weapons was rejected by 40 votes to 60, while a measure to limit the size of gun clips received just 46 votes in its favor. US House of Representatives Passed CISPA On 18 April The US House of Representatives has passed the controversial Cyber Intelligence Sharing and Protect Act (CISPA).The aim of CISPA is to fight with the cyber threats, by enabling the law enforcers to get access to the web data.This is the second time Cispa has been passed by the House.Senators threw out the first draft, saying it did not do enough to protect privacy.Senators had earlier rejected the first draft of this bill on the grounds that it wasnt providing enough for protecting the privacy. Napolitano Re-elected as Italys President On 21 April Italys Parliament re-elected Giorgio Napolitano as the Italys President for second 7 -year term .Giorgio Napolitano will be the first Italian president to be re-elected to serve a second term.He got 738 votes, far more than the 504 needed for victory.More than 1,000 national and regional lawmakers had convened to elect the next Italian president, with the overwhelming majority of them ultimately backing Napolitano.The People of Freedom party of former Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi got second place in Italy elections.He is the first President of Italy to have been a member of the Italian Communist Party and the first to be elected to a second term as President.Giorgio Napolitano is the 11th President of the Italian Republic since 2006. Horacio Cartes Elected as Paraguays new President On 22 April Businessman Horacio Cartes of the Colorado Party has been declared Paraguays new president.The electoral board announced that Cartes had 46.1 percent of the vote and his main rival Senator Efrain Alegre of the ruling Liberal Party 36.9 percent.The conservative Colorados held Paraguays presidency for 60 years until leftist former Catholic bishop Fernando Lugo was elected in 2008. French Parliament Approved Gay Marriage Law On 23 April France parliament approved a new law to allow gay marriage. Parliament passed the bill by 331 votes for and 225 against.France has become the 14th country to allow gay marriage.. UK Approved Caste Discrimination Bill

On 25 April Britain has outlawed caste discrimination, after the House of Lords voted for legal protection to be given to the most vulnerable, mainly in the Indian and Sikh communities.The UK now looks set to become the first country in Europe to outlaw discrimination based on caste. Cuba and Venezuela Signed 51 Cooperation Projects On 28 April Cuba and Venezuela have signed at Havana accords for 51 joint projects worth two billion U.S. dollars.At the close of 13th Cuba-Venezuela Intergovernmental Meeting , Cuban President Raul Castro and Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro announced the deals for projects in such areas as education, health, sports, cultur, food production, construction, transport, communications, energy and support of social missions.Havana and Caracas agreed to jointly invest two billion dollars to develop these projects and also signed a memorandum to establish a bilateral medium- and long-term economic agenda.The investment also covers joint ventures in vital and strategic economic areas in both countries. Pakistan court bans Musharraf from contesting polls for life A four-judge bench of the Peshawar high court headed by chief justice Dost Muhammad Khan imposed the life ban while dismissing Musharrafs appeal challenging the rejection of his nomination papers for May 11 general election.The lifetime ban was imposed because Musharraf had abrogated the Constitution twice and detained judges during the 2007 emergency.

INDIA & WORLD

India and Singapore Signed MoU on Air Services On 2 April India and Singapore signed a new Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on bilateral air services arrangement in the presence of Civil Aviation Minister, Shri Ajit Singh and Minister of Transport of Singapore, Mr Lui Tuck Yew in Singapore. India, Azerbaijan ink 3 key pacts Aimed at creating the necessary legal framework in areas of extradition, India and Azerbaijan on 04 April 2013 inked three key pacts which also included treaties for mutual legal assistance in criminal and civil matters.Visiting Justice Minister of Azerbaijan Fikrat Mammadov held a meeting with Home Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde where the extradition treaty was signed. India and Tanzania Signed Agreement To Explore Mineral Wealth On 6 April India and Tanzania have signed an agreement for forging an alliance to explore mineral wealth in the African nation.The agreement was signed by the Union Minister of Steel, Beni Prasad Verma and Sospeter Muhongo, the Minister of Energy and Minerals, United Republic of Tanzania at Der es Salaam. India and Russia signed Regulation of Co-operation Agreement On 10 April India and Russia signed a Regulation defining the structure, functions and procedure of the Joint Commission at Moscow.The agreement was signed by Vladimir Puchkov, Minister of the Russian Federation for Civil Defense, Emergencies and Elimination of Consequences of Natural Disasters and Sushil kumar Shinde, the Union Minister of Home Affairs.

Two Day India-China Counter-Terrorism Dialogue on Afghanistan ended The two-day India-China counter-terrorism dialogue ended on 12 April 2013 in Beijing China. The two nations discussed upon the ways to step up cooperation to counter terror in Afghanistan as a follow up plan after the withdrawal of US forces from Afghanistan in 2014. India Mauritius Signed MoU on Electoral Cooperation On 12 April India and Mauritius signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in New Delhi on cooperation in the field of Election Management and Administration. The MoU was signed by Chief Election Commissioner of India, V.S. Sampath and the Electoral Commissioner of Mauritius, Mohammad Irfan Abdool Rahman. India Mauritius Signed MoU on Electoral Cooperation On 12 April India and Mauritius signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in New Delhi on cooperation in the field of Election Management and Administration. The MoU was signed by Chief Election Commissioner of India, V.S. Sampath and the Electoral Commissioner of Mauritius, Mohammad Irfan Abdool Rahman. Bangladesh Inks $1.6 Billion Power Deal with India On 20 April India and Bangladesh signed its biggest-ever joint venture agreement with India involving investment of $1.6 billion for 1,320 MW coal-fired power plant which is expected to be operational in the next five years.The two countrys signed three deals under a pact to run the plant at Rampal of Bagerhat while the two others were Power Purchase Agreement and Implementation Agreement.A supplementary joint venture agreement floating the company was signed by Bangladesh Power Development Board (BPDB) chairman Abdual Wahab Khan and NTPC Chairman and Managing Director Arup Roy Choudhury while the two others agreements were signed by officials concerned of the two countries. Indian origin boy won spelling championship 12 years old Indian origin boy won the very popular spelling competition beating another 30 competitors, held at Singapore. The name of the competition was R.B.H- The Straight Times National Spelling Championship. The name of the boy is Ashwin Shiv Kumar, who won the top place in this championship on 27 April 2013 . He is the student of 6th grade at Anglo-Chinese school. He was awarded by 5000 Singapore Dollars, as a prize he got. He passed through 10 stages and won the competition.

NATIONAL
Prez Pranab Mukherjee clears anti-rape bill President Pranab Mukherjee had given his assent to the anti-rape bill which provides for life term and even death sentence for rape convicts besides stringent punishment for offences like acid attacks, stalking and voyeurism.Mukherjee accorded his assent to the Criminal Law (Amendment) Bill-2013 on 03 April 2013.This is called as the Criminal Law (Amendment) Act, 2013.The law, passed by Lok Sabha on March 19 and by Rajya Sabha on March 21. Union Government Approved Project for NOFN Creation in Gram Panchayats

On 12 April The Government of India approved the project for creation of National Optical Fibre Network (NOFN) connecting all the 250000 Gram Panchayats (GPs) in the country through Optical Cable (OFC). The Union Government decided to fund the project through Universal Service Obligation Fund (USOF). Government Approved For 13 Power Projects On 22 April The Cabinet Committee on Investment cleared 13 power projects that involves investment of 33000 crore rupees. The projects on which the investments will be made include one hydro and two thermal project as well as ten transmission projects. 25 oil and gas blocks with investment commitment of about seven billion US dollars also got approval during the same meet. Of these 16 blocks were given conditional clearances, while nine blocks were approved without any condition. Approval of these projects was pending due to the objections raised by the Ministry of Defence over national security. Mukherjee Gives Assent To Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace Bill On 25 April President Pranab Mukherjee has given his assent to the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Bill, 2013.Sexual harassment at workplace is a violation of womens right to gender equality, life and liberty.It creates an insecure and hostile work environment, which discourages womens participation in work, ther eby adversely affecting their economic empowerment and the goal of inclusive growth. (ANI)

STATES
Andhra Pradesh Government launched Online Services named Parishkaram for Entrepreneurs Andhra Pradesh Government on 1 April 2013 launched the AP Industrial Infrastructure Corporations online services for entrepreneurs and grievance redressal system. The platform is proposed to be a link between the APIIC and entrepreneurs which would make the process of application and registration of land for setting up industries a paperless one. EC issues notification for Karnataka assembly polls The Election Commission on April 10 issued the notification for the Karnataka Assembly polls.The nomination papers will be scrutinised on April 18. The last day for withdrawing the nominations is April 20. The votes polled on May 5 will be counted on May 8. Himachal Govt To Connect All Gram Panchayats With Broadband On 12 April Himachal Pradesh government signed memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Department of Telecommunication, Govt of India (GOI) and Bharat Broadband Network Limited (BBNL) for providing broadband connectivity to all Gram Panchayats of the state by establishing of an optical fiber network. Himachal celebrates 66th anniversary On 15 April 2013 Himachal Pradesh celebrated 66th Himachal Day.Himachal Pradesh came into existence on 15 April 1948 with the merger of 30 princely states.During the function, the Chief Minister announced many schemes for the state which are under development phase like Mukhyamantri Adarsh Krishi Gaon Yojana, Skill Development Allowance. In the skill development Allowance, the government

would provide 1000 rupees per month to educated unemployed youths and 1500 rupees to persons with disabilities of the state. Indias first automatic toll collection system launched in Maharashtra The countrys first interoperable RIFD(Radio Frequency Identification Device ) -based electronic toll system was rolled out on the Ahmedabad-Mumbai National Highway and the system would allow vehicles fitted with electronic tags to sail through six toll plazas automatically. Tamilnadu Planned Rs.7000 crore Underground Hydel Power Station On 25 April Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa announced the government planned a Rs 7,000 crore underground hydel power station in Nilgiris district besides the ongoing related schemes,which in all will cost over Rs 20,000 crore.The first unit of North Chennai Thermal Power plant, third unit of Vallur project and 2x 500 MW each of Tuticorin Power project would start generating power between March 2014.The first unit of North Chennai Thermal Power plant, third unit of Vallur project and 2x 500 MW each of Tuticorin Power project would start generating power between this year May and March 2014

CONFERENCES
PM inaugurated CII national conference Prime Minister Manmohan Singh inaugurated the two-day national conference and annual general meeting of the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) in New Delhi on 03 March 2013.Around 1,500 industrialists from across the country will attended the meeting. The theme for this years deliberations is India tomorrow: Imperatives of growth, security and governance. Conference of CMs of States & Chief Justices of High Courts held at New Delhi Conference of Chief Ministers of States & Chief Justices of High Courts held at New Delhi on 7 April.The conference presided over by Chief Justice of India Altamas Kabir, aims to address pressing issues related to the countrys justice delivery system thats often criticised for being tardy.Prime Minis ter Manmohan Singh inaugurated the joint conference.Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh has called upon the judiciary and executive to work together to make the Indian judicial system an arrear free. Hyderabad will host ICSE conference in 2014 The 36th International Conference on Software Engineering, ICSE2014, will be held in Hyderabad, India from 1 June 2013 to 7 June 2013. India is home to some of the largest software companies in the world, and Hyderabad is one of the main centers for software development in India.This conference is going to be a premier software engineering conference that is going to provide a forum for researchers, practitioners and educators to present and discuss the most recent innovations, trends, experiences and concerns in the field of software engineering.This is the first time conducted in India. UNWTO Conference Held in Hyderabad United Nations World Tourism Organisation ( UNWTO) Commissions Conference on Sustainable Tourism Development and 25th Joint Meeting of the UNWTO Commission for East Asia, Pacific and South Asia will be held at Hyderabad from 12th to 14th of this month.The conference attended by dignitaries belonging to 29 countries spread across in East Asia & Pacific and South Asia, eight UNWTO

affiliate members, two regional organizations as well as industry organizations. The UNWTO Secretary General Taleb Rifai along with his team of senior delegates presented at the meeting .The delegates discussed the market trends of the region in the year 2012 and tourism prospects for the year 2013.The next Joint Meeting would be held in Philippines and the 21st Session of General Assembly of UNWTO will be held in Cambodia.

AWARDS & HONOURS

National Awards for State Industries On April 1st ,the state of Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises (MSME) got the National Awards .In the Research & Development Efforts in MSMEs category includes three Awards (First, Second and Third) for Micro and Small Enterprises and have gone to entrepreneurs from Punjab, Andhra Pradesh and Haryana respectively.Three National Awards (First, Second and Third) for Micro Enterprises in Outstanding Efforts in Entrepreneurship category Haryana , West Bengal, Andhra Pradesh got first,second and third respectively.Three National Awards (First, Second and Third) for Small Enterprises. First Award has gone to an entrepreneur from Himachal Pradesh. Second Award has been given jointly to four entrepreneurs from Andhra Pradesh, Haryana, New Delhi and Uttar Pradesh. Third Award has been given jointly to three entrepreneurs from Madhya Pradesh, Odisha and Karnataka.This awards will be presented by the President Pranab Mukherjee. Desmond Tutu Won Prestigious 2013 Templeton Prize On 4 South Africas Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu has won 2013 Templeton Prize for his lifelong work in promoting love and forgiveness.The prize was announced at the foundations headquarters in West Conshohocken in Pennsylvania and is valued at $1.7-million (about Rs.15.6-million).Last years prize was awarded to the exiled Tibetan Buddhist spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama. ICSI National Awards for Excellence in Corporate Governance 2012 Chairman of the Awards Jury of the ICSI (Institute of Company Secretaries of India) and former Chief Justice of India Shri Justice M. N. Venkatachaliah in New Delhi on 05 April 2013 presented the ICSI National Awards for Excellence in Corporate Governance -2012 to two Best Governed Companies: 1. 2. Indian Oil Corporation Limited; and HCL Technologies Limited.

The Awards were presented during the ongoing 2nd CSIA International Corporate Governance Conference. ICSI Life Time Achievement Award for the year 2012 was presented to Shri Deepak S. Parekh, Chairman, Housing Development Finance Corporation Ltd. for translating excellence in Corporate Governance into reality.Certificates of Recognition were presented to the Top Five Companies. These are : 1. 2. CMC Limited Engineers India Limited

3. 4. 5.

ONGC Limited Persistent Systems Ltd. Powergrid Corporation of India Limited

Barfi! wins top honours at The Times of India Film Awards Barfi movie was the top winner at the maiden edition of The Times of India Film Awards, bagging the Best Film, Best Director (Anurag Basu), Best Actor (Ranbir Kapoor), Best Actress (Priyanka Chopra) and Best Debut Female (Ileana DCruz) trophies. The award for the Best Debut Male went to Ayushmann Khurrana for Vicky Donor, which also won the Best Supporting Actor award for Annu Kapoor and the Best Supporting Actress trophy for Dolly Ahluwalia. Anurag Kashyaps Gangs of Wasseypur got the Critics Choice award for Best Film. Abhishek Bachchan, who won the Best Actor in a Comic Role award for Bol Bachchan, dedicated the honour to his wife Aishwarya. Pran gets Phalke Award On 12 April 2013,Hindi film actor Pran Krishan Sikand will be conferred with the prestigious Dadasaheb Phalke Award for 2012. The 93-year-old actor, popularly known as Pran, will be the 44th recipient of the top-most film award in the country.Pran, who has acted in over 400 films in his six-decade-long career.The award, named after the father of Indian cinema Dada Saheb Phalke, will be conferred on Pran on May 3, which will also mark the 100 years of cinema this year. New York Times won four Pulitzer Prizes The New York Times won four Pulitzer Prizes on 15 April 2013, including the award for investigative reporting for stories that detailed how Wal-Mart used bribery to expand in Mexico.The Sun Sentinel in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, was awarded the public service Pulitzer for its reporting on off-duty police officers reckless driving.The Pulitzer in breaking news photography went to The Associated Press for its coverage of the civil war in Syria.The Pulitzers, journalisms highest honour, are given out each year by Columbia University on the recommendation of a board of journalists and others. Each award carries a $10,000 prize except for the public service award, which is a gold medal. Raj Chetty won John Bates Clark young economist award Delhi-born Raj Chetty, the professor in the Department of Economy at the Harvard University won John Bates Clark medal for 2013, also called Baby Nobel.John Bates Clark medal is conferred upon the American economist whose age is below 40 years and the one who has made crucial contribution to economic knowledge and thought.Baby Nobel is one of the most prestigious awards of economy. Infact, it is second only after Nobel Prize in economic science.Raj Chetty, 33, is the first Indian-origin person to win this high honour. His areas of work include social insurance, tax policy as well as education policy. Telugu writer Ravuri Bharadwaja honoured with Jnanpith award Telugu writer Dr Ravuri Bharadwaja got the countrys prestigious Jnanpith award for 2012 for his contributions to Telugu literature over 60 years.He got this award for his novel Pakudurallu.He is the third recipient of the countrys highest literary award from Andhra Pradesh, after Dr Viswanatha Satyanarayana in 1970 for his Srimad Ramayana Kalpavriksham and Dr C. Narayana Reddy in 1988 for his book Viswambhara. Eighty six-year-old Dr Bharadwaja was chosen for the award by a selection Board chaired by poet Sitakant Mahapatra, said a statement of the Jnanpith award committee. RGIA is Named the Best Airport in India

On 17 April The GMR Group operated and managed Rajiv Gandhi International Airport (RGIA) has been rated as the No.1 airport in India, the fifth best regional airport in Asia and also as the eighth best airport in the 5 to 10 mppa capacity.The ratings were given at the recently concluded Skytrax-World Airport Awards held at the Passenger Terminal Expo in Geneva. Manmohan Singh, Sonia and Rahul Gandhi Named Among Top 5 Most Influential Asians On 17 April Congress president Sonia Gandhi (2nd Rank), Prime Minister Manmohan Singh (4th Rank) and AICC vice president Rahul Gandhi (5th Rank) have been named among top 5 in the worlds 100 most influential list of Asians topped by Chinas new President Xi Jinping.Among the other key Indians to make the grade included Reliance Industries chief Mukesh Ambani for owning Indias most valuable company in ninth place, followed by President Pranab Mukherjee at 19th place and steel magnate Lakshmi N Mittal at 20th position.Indian entries dominated the Top 100 with 39 names, followed by 15 from China and six from the Philippines.While Infosys co-founder Narayan Murthy was named Philanthropist of the Year, industrialist Adi Godrej bagged Entrepreneur of the Year award for his contribution to Indian industry and Ravi Ruia, vice-chairman of the Essar Group, won in the Outstanding Contribution to Sustainability category, for his companys high sustainability ratings NRI Kartar Lalvani Received Queens Award On 20 April Vitabiotics, a company founded by NRI entrepreneur Kartar Lalvani, has received the coveted Queens Award for Enterprise in Innovation for its research on vitamins.Vitabiotics, UKs largest supplier of minerals and vitamin supplements to the retail trade, won the award for the development of its Pregnacare range and in recognition of its successful Pregnacare clinic research. Saina Nehwal Selected for Yudhvir Award Yudhvir Foundation has selected ace badminton player Saina Nehwal for the 22nd Yudhvir Memorial Foundation Award for the year 2013, which was being given every year to honor the individuals who excel in some field of human endeavor. The award was established in the name of late Yudhvir, founder editor of the Hindi Milap daily in 1991 after his demise.Saina Nehwal was selected for the Award as she won a medal in Olympics in badminton and also the first to win the Asian Satellite Badminton tournament (India Chapter) twice keeping the countrys image high abroad.The previous Yudhvir awardees include Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh, Classical maestro Pandit Jasraj, Space Scientist Prof. UR Rao, Amar Chitra Katha founder late Anant Pai and eminent film maker Shyam Benegal and others. Asha Bhosle, Mala Sinha to get Phalke Academy awards The Dadasaheb Phalke Academy Awards will be bestowed on singer Asha Bhosle, actress Mala Sinha, late filmmaker Yash Chopra, and late superstar Rajesh Khanna among several others at a ceremony in Mumbai on April 30.Asha, who has regaled music lovers with her melodious voice in her over six decades old career, will receive the Phalke Ratna Award from the academy, while Mala Sinha, who has acted in Pyaasa", Maryada" and Hariyali Aur Rasta" will get the Golden Era Award. Major Anup Joseph awarded Kirti Chakra, 12 others get Shaurya Chakra Major Anup Joseph Manjali was on Saturday awarded the second-highest peacetime gallantry award Kirti Chakra by President Pranab Mukherjee for killing three foreign militants in Jammu and Kashmir. 12 defence personnel were awarded the Shaurya Charkra for their acts of bravery including Captain A Rahul Ramesh and Naik Krishna Kumar who were given the honour posthumously. Seven South African Indians get National Orders

The awards(National Orders)are presented on the Freedom Day of South Africa that is celebrated on April 27 to mark the day on which Nelson Mandela took over as the countrys first democratically-elected President in 1994. Among the recipients of the order was veteran Indian diplomat Enuga Sreenivasula Reddy who had led the fight against apartheid at the UN since 1963 received the Order of the Companions of OR Tambo(Silver).The second highest award called the Order of the Baobab was presented to Lenasia-based community worker Suraya Khan, popularly known to all as Aunty Bibi, while the same order in Silver went to journalist and community activist Yusuf Abramjee and pioneering skin cloning plastic surgeon Dr Ridwan Mia. Prof Quarraisha Abdool Karim received the Order of Mapungubwe in Bronze for her internationally acclaimed research into HIV Aids.

SPORTS & GAMES

Rahi Sarnobat won a Gold medal in 25-M Pistol Event Rahi Sarnobat clinched the first gold for India in International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF) World Cup in Korea on 5 April 2013. She defeated Kyeongae Kim 8-6 in 25m pistol final. She is the first pistol shooter from India who won the Gold in World Cup. Indian Womens Cricket Team Won the Twenty20 International Series against Bangladesh The Indian womens cricket team finished the Twenty20 International series against Bangladesh Women with 3-0 clean sweep in Vadodara in the final match on 5 April 2013. India won the final match by 10 runs against Bangladesh. The T-20 International series against Bangladesh began on 2 April 2013. Nanjappa wins bronze in mens 10m air pistol at World Cup Indias Prakash Nanjappa won a bronze medal in the mens 10m air pistol event at the ISSF World Cup at Changwon, Korea on 06 April 2013.This is Nanjappas first ever medal in an ISSF competition. He had also finished eighth at the mens 50 metre pistol final. He scored 180.2 points.The gold was won by Vietnams Xuan Vinh Hoang, the 2012 Asian champion, with a total score of 200.8 points while the silver went to Chinas Wang Zhiwei, the 2012 Olympic bronze medallist, who shot 200.1. Narayanan Srinath Won Asian Junior Chess Title On 6 April Indias International Master Narayanan Srinath won Asian Junior chess title that concluded at Sharjah in the United Arab Emirates.Sahaj Grover of Delhi was second, as he also remained undefeated just like Srinath.Top seed Grandmaster Salem Saleh of UAE finished third losing to Srinath and to a Vietnamese.Vo Thi Kim Phung (Vietnam) won the Asian Junior girls blitz championship title. Rupesh Shah Won ONGC 12th Asian Billiards championship On April 7 the world champion Rupesh Shah won the 12th Asian Billiards championship at Indore Tennis Club,Indore.He defeated Alok Kumar .It is is the 10th Asian Billiards title for Rupesh Shah.Rupesh Shah already qualified for 2013 World Championship as the defending champion. Serena Williams Won Family Circle Cup Tennis Title On 7 April The top-ranked Serena Williams (USA) won the Family Circle Cup Tennis title after defeated Jelena Jankovic (Serbia) in the final at Charleston (South Carolina).Williams successfully defended her title by claiming her third overall Charleston crown.She earned her 49th career singles title.

India got Silver in World Youth Weightlifting Championships 2013 Jamjang Deru gave India the first medal in the World Youth Weightlifting Championships as he won a silver in the 50kg boys category at Tashkent, Uzbekistan. Deru won the silver in clean and jerk with an effort of 110 kg and finished fourth in the total lift with 195kg. He lifted 85kg in snatch.In the same category, Deepak Lather finished 12th in total lift with an effort of 174kg (80+94). India Women Complete Clean Sweep Over Bangladesh India Women completed a 3-0 One-Day International series clean sweep over Bangladesh Women with a 58-run victory in the final match in Ahmedabad.India batted first in the third match and posted 154. Pakistan bans two umpires over spot-fixing Pakistan cricket authorities on 13 April 2013 banned two umpires.The allegations against the umpires first came up after a television sting operation last year. The PCB set up an inquiry committee led by PCB Chairman Zaka Ashraf soon after and passed on its findings to the boards integrity committee to determine the punishments.Nadeem Ghauri, the Pakistan umpire, has been handed a four-year ban by the PCB after its integrity committee found him guilty of being willing to accept money for favourable umpiring decisions. His colleague Anis Siddiqi was banned for three years. Ferraris Fernando Alonso wins Chinese Grand Prix 2013 Ferrari driver Fernando Alonso won the Formula One Chinese Grand Prix on 14 April 2013.Lotus Kimi Raikkonen and Mercedes Lewis Hamilton got second and third positions respectively.Red Bulls Sebastian Vettel got a 4th position.But Force Indias Paul di Resta got 8th Position. Adam Scott Won Augusta Masters Golf Tournament Australias Adam Scott won the 77th Masters (2013 Masters Tournament), become the first Australian golfer to capture the green jacket.It was Scotts first major championship and the first time an Australian has won the Masters. Chandigarh win Hockey India sub-junior mens national championship Chandigarh defeated Punjab 2-1 to lift the 3rd Hockey India Sub-Junior Men National Championship (North Zone) title at Sonepat on 15 April 2013.Meanwhile, Haryana won the 3rd Hockey India Sub-Junior Womens National Championship (North Zone) after getting the better of Chandigarh, 3-1 in the final. Amit won gold, three other Indians bag a bronze each Amit Kumar clinched a gold medal in men`s 55kg category while three other grapplers bagged a bronze medal each for India in the Senior Asian Wrestling Championship in New Delhi on 20 April 2013.In the women`s category, Vinesh (51kg) and Babita Kumari (55kg) won their bronze medal bouts while Bajrang (men`s 60kg) pocketed a bronze, to end the day three of the championships on a high after two medalless days. Sebastian Vettel Won Bahrain Grand Prix Title On 21 April The Red Bulls Sebastian Vettel from Germany won the Bahrain Grand Prix 2013 by defeating Lotus drivers Kimi Raikkonen and Romain Grosjean. Kimi Raikkonen got second postion.Lewis Hamilton of Mercedes took fifth position and Fernando Alonso of Ferrari was successful in grabbing the eighth position in the listings

Novak Djokovic Won Monte Carlo Masters Title On 21 April World Number One Novak Djokovic won his first Monte Carlo Masters title.Djokovic defeated Spains Rafael Nadal in the final.The Serbian inflicted Nadals first defeat in Monte Carlo in 47 matches and avenged last years final defeat to lift his first Masters title. Amit Kumar Dhankar won Gold Amit Kumar Dhankar won Indias second gold medal of the championships in Mens 66kg Freestyle at KD Jadhav Stadium in New Delhi on 22 April 2013. India topped the medals tally in Freestyle division with 2 gold and 2 bronze medals.India finished top of the Mens freestyle rankings with 2 golds and 2 bronze medals. India got 48 points to br crowned champion for the first time in the history of the Asian Wrestling Championships.India finished with nine medals 2 gold, 1 silver and 6 bronze. Chris Gayle Hits Crickets Fastest-ever Century in IPL Match On 23 April Chris Gayle, the West Indies opener, hit the fastest ever century in the history of cricket by reaching 100 in merely 30 balls during Royal Challengers Bangalore-Pune Warriors IPL match.Gayle scored a total run of 175 runs in merely 66 balls, which included 17 sixes and 13 boundaries. It is important to note that this is the most number of runs scored in any T20 innings. This was also his fourth century in the IPL career. Lancashires Jordan Clark hits 6 sixes in 1 over Lancashire all-rounder Jordan Clark had become only the fifth professional player to hit six sixes in one over, achieving the feat in a second XI match against Yorkshire on 25 April 2013. Clark joins an illustrious list that contains former West Indies all-rounder Garfield Sobers (1968), Indias Ravi Shastri (1985), South Africa batsman Herschelle Gibbs and India all-rounder Yuvraj Singh (both 2007). Federation Cup Senior Athletics Championship in Patiala Federation Cup Senior Athletics Championship in Patiala on 25 April 2013. Men: 4x100M relay: Andhra Pradesh (K Pavan Kumar, E Gopi, Md Baba, M Manikanand Raj) 41.06 seconds, 1; Tamil Nadu A (Silambarasan, Al Ameen, Vijayakumar, Balamurugan) 41.10, 2; Kerala A (Anuroop John, Jeris Jose, Rahul G Pillai, Renjith KG) 41.39, 3. Women: 4x100M relay: Chhattisgarh (Niksy Joseph, Shilpa, Priya PK, Sini S) 47.40 seconds, 1; ONGC A (Mounika Gaddam, Meghna Shetty, Purnima Hembram, Duteechand) 47.78, 2; Kerala A (Merlin K Joseph, Neethu Mathew, Neethu Rajan, Rengitha C) 48.24, 3. Dhoni fined for slow over rate Chennai Super Kings skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni was fined $20,000 for his teams slow over rate in their 14-run win over Kolkata Knight Riders in a Indian Premier League (IPL) encounter in Chennai on 28 April 2013. India Open Super Series Badminton Tournament Winners

Mens Singles:-On 28 April World number one Lee Chong (Malaysia) won the mens singles title at India Open Super Series badminton tournament at NewDelhi.In the final Lee Chong defeated Kenichi Tago of Japan and got the title. Womens Singles:-Ratchanok Intanon of Thailand won the women`s singles title after defeated Juliane Schenk of Germany in the final . Rafael Nadal Won Barcelona Open Tennis Title On 28 April Rafael Nadal from Spain won the Barcelona Open Tennis title for the eighth time.In the final at Barcelona ,Nadal defeated Nicolas Almagro from Spain.It was Nadals 54th career title and fourth this year Maria Sharapova Won Porsche Tennis Grand Prix Title On 28 April Maria Sharapova from Russia won Porsche Tennis Grand Prix Title.She defeated Chinas Li Na in the final at Porsche Arena in Stuttgart, Germany.It was her 16th consecutive clay court title.

ECONOMY
India Joins The Madrid Protocol System On 8 April India joined the International Registration of Marks at the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO) by depositing the instrument of accession to the Madrid Protocol.India is the 90th member to join the international trademark system.India is the 90th member to join the international trademark system and the treaty will enter into force with respect to India on 8 July 2013.The Madrid Protocol system provides for the international registration of trade marks by way of one application that can cover more than one country. The opportunity of having a single registration to cover a wide range of countries gives advantages, both in terms of portfolio management and cost savings, as opposed to a portfolio of independent national registrations. Yamaha to Develop Cheapest Bike of the World in India Yamaha, the Japanese two-wheeler company on 9 April 2013 announced that it will soon roll out the cheapest motorcycle of the world in India. The price of this bike would be around 500 US dollar or 27000 Rupees approximately. WTO cuts 2013 global trade growth forecast to 3.3% The World Trade Organisation (WTO) on 10 April 2013 cut its forecast for global trade growth in 2013 to 3.3 percent, from the previous prediction of 4.5 percent. Gujarat Tops in Attracting Private Investment According to the Composition of Outstanding Private Investments Across States report released by Assocham ,Gujarat has ranked on top for attracting investment across the country cornering about 14 per cent of total outstanding private sector investment worth over Rs 75 lakh crore as of December 2012.Odisha ranks second with private investment commitments worth over Rs 8 lakh crore.With a share of about 9.4 per cent and 9.3 per cent, Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra both have attracted private

investments worth over Rs 7 lakh crore respectively.The private sector accounts for over 62 per cent of total outstanding investments worth about Rs 122 lakh crore attracted by India as of December 2012.Of the total investments from private sources worth over Rs 75 lakh crore, the domestic private sector accounts for a majority share of about 58 per cent.Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Uttarakhand and Assam account for a share of less than even one per cent in the total private investment commitments attracted by India. IMF slashed Economic Growth Rate of India to 5.7 percent from 5.9 percent for 2013 IMF(International Monetary Fund) in its latest release on 16 April 2013 of the World Economic Outlook (WEO) slashed the growth projection of India from its earlier prediction of 5.9 percent to 5.7 percent for the calendar year 2013. Ambani Brothers 20th Richest in World Mukesh and Anil Ambani, Indias leading industrialist brothers, have been together listed as 20th richest in the world in the Sunday Times Rich List 2013.The Walton family of the US, who own Supermarkets (Walmart), are the richest in the world with a 90 billion pounds fortune in 2013 as against 51 billion pounds last year.The Hinduja brothers, Srichand and Gopichand Hinduja, Chairman and Co-Chairman respectively of the Hinduja Group, are 47th richest in the world with a fortune worth 11 billion pounds in 2013 as against 9 billion pounds last year. Spain Unemployment Rate Hits New Record On 24 April According to the National Statistics Institute data ,Spains unemployment rate soared to a new record of 27.2% of the workforce in the first quarter of 2013.The total number of unemployed people in Spain has now passed the six million figure, although the rate of the increase has slowed.The jobless rate, which stood at 7.9% in mid-2007, has risen relentlessly since the collapse in 2008 of a Spains labour-intensive property boom. India became the worlds eighth most powerful nation According to Delhi-based Foundation for National Security Research (FSNR), the worlds 10 most powerful countries, India had been ranked 8th. India is ranked eighth in 27 countries. Professor Satish Kumar says that we study about the selection of powerful countries on several grounds. Some of these countries had to fulfill the necessary criteria. For instance, were the countries, whose population was more than 5 million. The level of GDP was over U.S. $ 500 billion. India is one of such countries.Study states that the United States is the worlds most powerful country and China stood in 2nd position. Indias GDP likely to improve to 5.7% in 2013: IMF According to International Monetary Funds(IMF) Regional Economic Outlook: Asia and Pacific report ,the GDP of India in 2013 is 5.7% and in 2014 it is 6.2%.

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

Cicadas Insect Wings Kills Bacteria Human eye cells have been grown on cicadas wings after it was found that the wings surface kills bacteria and boosts cell growth.Dr Greg Watson, a researcher at James Cook University in Cairns, began

looking more closely at cicadas after noticing, while out on a walk more than a decade ago, that their wings took much longer to decompose than their bodies.It is the first time scientists have found that tiny features found on a natural surface, rather than chemicals, kill bacteria. Supreme Court of India Rejected Novartis Patent Plea for Cancer Drug Called Glivec The Supreme Court of India on 1 April 2013 rejected the plea of Novartis, the Swiss drug maker, to patent the updated version of cancer drug called Glivec. A bench of justices Aftab Alam and Ranjana Prakash Desai dismissed the patent plea to Novartis on the basis that there was no inventiveness or novelty in the new version of the drug. In its ruling, the Supreme Court of India declared that because the application for patent on beta-crystalline salt did not meet any inventiveness or novelty standard, therefore the companys plea for patent was dismissed. Worlds first solar plane to fly across US A first of its kind ultra-lightweight plane powered completely by the sun is set to fly coast-to-coast this spring.The Solar Impulse plane will stop in Dallas city in Texas during its historic cross-country journey that begins on May 1.The plane, which requires zero fuel and relies solely on solar panels and battery power, would be the worlds first plane powered purely by solar energy. Obama Announced $100 Million Brain Initiative Project On 2 April US President Barack Obama has announced the BRAIN Initiative a $100 million brain mapping project.The BRAIN initiative will attempt to find ways to treat Alzheimers disease and strokes while also aiding in job growth. Carbon aerogel worlds lightest material Chinese scientists have developed the worlds lightest substance carbon aerogel with a density only one sixth of that of the air.Scientists at Zhejiang University produced the solid material which has a density of only 0.16 mg/cubic centimetre, breaking the previous record of the worlds lightest material held by graphite aerogel.The graphite aerogel was developed by German scientists last year with a density of 0.18 mg/cubic centimetre. Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer Detected Evidence of Dark Matter On 3 April NASA scientists announced the Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer (AMS) placed on the International Space Station (ISS) may have detected the elusive dark matter. The scientists made the announcement after they observed an excess of positrons in the Cosmic Ray Flux, which can be the reason of the presence of elusive dark matter. 100 billion Earth-like planets in our galaxy Scientists have proposed a new method for finding Earth-like planets in our Milky Way galaxy and they anticipate that their number may be up to a whopping 100 billion.The strategy devised by researchers at The University of Auckland uses a technique called gravitational microlensing, currently used by a JapanNew Zealand collaboration called MOA (Microlensing Observations in Astrophysics) at New Zealands Mt John Observatory. German Shipyard Launches Worlds Largest Private Yacht On 5 April A German shipyard has launched Azzam" , the worlds largest private yacht at 590-feet long, which also happens to be among the fastest vessels, costing a whopping USD 609 million.The luxury

private vessel Azzam with a beam 68-feet high overshadows previous longest superyacht, The Eclipse, by 57-feet. Designed by Nauta Yachts in Italy and constructed by German company Lurssen Yachts, Azzam is almost two football fields long and rivals the size of some cruise ships.It took four years to complete the superyacht from concept to construction.With 94,000 horsepower generated from two gas turbines and two diesel engines, the Azzam can reach speeds of over 55.5kph, which makes it one of the fastest yachts in the world. New Camera System That Can Captured Images From 1 km Away In the month of April the team of researchers from Heriot-Watt University in Edinburgh , developed a New Laser powered Camera System that can take image of any object from a distance of about one kilometer by creating high-resolution 3D images.The technique on which the camera is based is called Time-ofFlight (ToF) navigation systems for autonomous vehicles. In this principle of photography, to capture the image of the far away object, a laser beam is bounced on the object and measure the time that is taken by the beam of light to be back to the detector. India test-fires nuclear capable Agni-II missile The medium-range, nuclear capable Agni-II missile was successfully test-fired with a strike range of more than 2,000 kms from the Wheeler Island off Odisha coast on 07 April 2013.The trial of the surface-tosurface missile was conducted from a mobile launcher from the Launch Complex-4 of Integrated Test Range (ITR).The 20-metre-long Agni-II is a two-stage, solid-propelled ballistic missile. It has a launch weight of 17 tonnes and can carry a payload of 1,000 kgs over a distance of 2,000 kms.The state-of-theart Agni-II missile was developed by Advanced Systems Laboratory (ASL) and integrated by the Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL) in Hyderabad.Agni-II is part of the Agni series of missiles developed by DRDO which includes Agni-I with a 700 km range, Agni-III with a 3,000 km range, Agni-IV with 4,000 km range and Agni-V with a more than 5,000 km range. NASA Approved TESS Project NASA has approved a The Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS), a $200 million mission to search for Earth-size planets orbiting the nearby stars.Led by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology with seed funding from Google, TESS was one of 11 proposals selected for NASA funding in September 2011, down from the original 22 submitted in February of that year.TESS, along with the Neutron star Interior Composition ExploreR (NICER), had been selected for launch in 2017. The project will come into full swing within the next four years. Pakistan Tests Nuclear-Capable Hatf-IV Missile Pakistan successfully test-fired the nuclear-capable Hatf-IV ballistic missile on 10 April 2013. The missile has a range of 900 km and it can also hit targets in India. Hatf- IV ballistic missile is also called Shaheen1. Indian Astronomer Discovered Blue Super-Giant Star An Indian scientist Dr. duo Ananda Hota and his Taiwanese colleague Dr. Youichi Ohyama have discovered a blue super-giant star located in the constellation Virgo, far beyond our Milky Way Galaxy. Over 55 million years ago, the star emerged in an extremely wild environment, surrounded by intensely hot plasma (a million degrees centigrade) and amidst raging cyclone winds blowing at four million kilometres per hour.This star is in small IC 3418 Milky Way Galaxy and it is about 5.5 billion light-years away from Earth.

Astronomers find most Earth-like planets yet NASA scientists announced on 19 April 2013 that they discovered two earths like plants which are 1200 light years far from earth. NASA discovered the five plants which are rotating around Kepler 62 star using the Kepler Space Telescope. Two of the five planets orbiting a sun-like star called Kepler-62 are squarely in what astronomers call the habitable zone not too hot, not too cold and possibly bearing water. These two plants are named as a Kepler-63e and Kepler 62f. China Tested Self Developed Biofuel Flight On 24 April China successfully conducted a first test flight powered by self-developed biofuel made mainly from palm oil and recycled cooking oil.An Airbus A320 operated by China Eastern Airlines landed at Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport ,after completing an 85-minute journey using aviation biofuel produced by Sinopec, the countrys top oil refiner.The success made China the fourth country after the United States, France and Finland to boast independent production of bio-jet-fuel.

PERSONS IN NEWS
A) APPOINTMENTS
Jonty Rhodes named South African tourism ambassador in India Former cricketer Jonty Rhodes was named as the brand ambassador of South African Tourism in India. Chitra Ramkrishna Took Over as NSE chief On 1 April Chitra Ramkrishna took over as National Stock Exchange (NSE) new Managing Director and CEO .As MD and CEO of the NSE, Ramkrishna succeeds Ravi Narain who would assume the role of non-executive Vice Chairman .She is the first female head of the National Stock Exchange (NSE) in its nearly 20-year history of operations as a bourse. Rakesh Bhatia is Catholic Syrian Banks new MD & CEO Rakesh Bhatia had taken over as the new Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Catholic Syrian Bank.He was previously the Global Head of HSBCs Trade and Receivables Finance Division. 2 Indians selected for Yale fellowship programme Abhik Sen, Managing Editor, The Economist Group, and Prodyut Bora, State General Secretary of BJP in Assam, have been selected as the two Indian representatives for 2013 Yale World Fellows Program.About 16 people have been selected for the programme.Since 2002, the university has welcomed a group of exemplary mid-career professionals from a wide range of fields and countries for an intensive four-month period of academic enrichment and leadership training.With the selection of Sen and Bora, the total number of Indian fellows stands at 13. Infosys S Gopalakrishnan is the new CII President S. Gopalakrishnan (Kris), co-founder and executive co-chairman, Infosys Technologies Limited, had been elected as the President of CII for the year 2013-14. He succeeds Mr Adi Godrej as the new President.

S.C. Sinha Appointed as NHRC Member On 5 April National Investigation Agency (NIA) chief S.C. Sinha has been appointed as a member of National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) .S C Sinha, a 1975 batch Haryana cadre officer.He will now get a five year term at NHRC. Krishna Kumar Natrajan appointed as the New Chief of NASSCOM Krishnakumar Natarajan, CEO and Director of Mindtree on 8 April 2013 was appointed as the Chairman of Nasscom for the year 2013-14. He succeeded N Chandrasekaran, MD and CEO of TCS, who was the Chairman for the year 2012-13. First Woman director for IICT On April 8,Dr. Mannepalli Lakshmi Kantam, had been appointed as Director of the Indian Institute of Chemical Technology (IICT), the first woman scientist to head any of the 37 laboratories belonging to Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) in the country. Kenyatta sworn in as Kenyas president Uhuru Kenyatta was sworn in as Kenyas fourth president on 09 April 2013, becoming the second sitting president in the world to be indicted for crimes against humanity and creating a challenge for western governments keen to sustain links with a strategic east African ally. PJ Kurien elected Chairman of Asian forum of Parliamentarians On April 11 Deputy Chairman of Rajya Sabha, PJ Kurien was unanimously elected as the Chairman of the prestigious Asian Forum of Parliamentarians on Population and Development (AFPPD) during the during the 73rd Executive Committee Meeting of AFPPD at Bangkok. He replaced Yasuo Fukuda, former Prime Minister of Japan as the Chairman of AFPPD. PJ Kurien at present is also the Chairman of the Indian Association of Parliamentarians on Population and Development. Five new judges sworn-in Five new judges to the Andhra Pradesh High Court were sworn-in by acting Chief Justice N.V. Ramana in Hyderabad on 12 April 2013.The new judges who were administered the oath of office and secrecy are: Challa Kodanda Ram, A. Rajasekhar Reddy, P. Naveen Rao, A.V. Sesha Sai and S.V. Bhatt. Two Judges Sworn in Supreme Court On 12 April with two more judges sworn in the strength of the Supreme Court has risen to 30.Justice Arjan Kumar Sikri and Justice Sharad Arvind Bobde were administered the oath of office and secrecy by Chief Justice of India Altamas Kabir.While Justice Sikri was the Chief Justice of Punjab and Haryana High Court, Justice Bobde was the Chief Justice of Madhya Pradesh High Court. The sanctioned strength of the apex court is 31 judges including the CJI. Sunil Kumar Takes over as Managing Director of CRIS On 16 April 2013,Sunil Kumar took over as the Managing Director of Centre for Railway Information Systems (CRIS). Shri Asoke Kumar Mukerji appointed as the Permanent Representative of India to the UN

On April 17,Shri Asoke Kumar Mukerji, took charges as the Ambassador/Permanent Representative of India to the United Nations at New York. CRPF gets first woman Special DG On April 18, Senior IPS officer Aruna Bahuguna appointed as the Special Director General of the countrys largest paramilitary force CRPF. This is the first time a woman officer is occupying the second top post in the hierarchy of the force. She is a 1979-batch IPS officer. She was till now serving as the Chairman of the AP police housing corporation. Bahuguna is expected to take charge at the force headquarters in New Delhi within 15 days. Abdul Hamid elected Bangladesh President uncontested Abdul Hamid is to be Bangladeshs 20th president after no other candidate was nominated in the poll to replace President Zilliur Rahman who died on 20 March 2013. Abdul Hamid was elected uncontested as the 20th President of Bangladesh. Sunil Bharti Mittal Appointed as Vice Chairman of ICC On 22 April Sunil Bharti Mittal , the Chairman and Group CEO of Bharti Enterprises appointed as the Vice-Chairman of the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC),which is one of the worlds oldest global business organisations.With the appointment as the Vice Chairman of ICC, Mittal became the third business person from India in the history of ICC to be appointed on the ICC Executive Board. Ajay Devgn, Runa Laila named SAARC ambassadors for HIV/AIDS Bollywood actor Ajay Devgn, Bangladeshi singer Runa Laila and Oscar-winning Pakistani filmmaker Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy have been named as SAARC Goodwill Ambassadors for HIV/AIDS.A meeting of the selection committee was held recently at the SAARC Secretariat and of the 10 nominations received from the member states, the three celebrities were nominated. Takehiko Nakao is new ADB President On 27 April Takehiko Nakao has been unanimously elected president of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) by the Board of Governors at New Delhi.He succeeds Haruhiko Kuroda, who resigned in March to take up his assignment as Bank of Japan governor.Nakao assumed office as ADBs ninth president on 28 April. Gulzars appointment as chancellor elates Assam University Lyricist-writer and Padma Bhushan awardee, Gulzar has been appointed the new chancellor of Assam University.Established in 1994, the Assam University campus is situated in Dargakona, about 20 km from Silchar.

B)RESIGNS
Kerala minister resigned following domestic violence complaint by wife Kerala Forest minister K.B.Ganesh Kumar resigned his post on 02 April 2013 due to domestic violence complaint by wife in the local police station.He is only one Congress person in the Congress- UPF Coalition Alliance government in Kerala.

Cyprus Finance Minister Michalis Sarris Resigns On 3 April Cyprus Finance Minister Michalis Sarris has resigned citing his role as chairman of Laiki Bank, whose failure was a major contributor to the islands near financial meltdown, as one of the reasons behind his decision. UP Goverment suspends cabinet minister Raja Ram Pandey The Uttar Pradesh government on 13 April 2013 removed cabinet minister of Khadi and Gramudyog, Raja Ram Pandey for making sexist comments.Pandey had promised to build roads as smooth as Hema Malinis and Madhuri Dixits cheeks besides giving the states roads a facial while addressing a function in Pratapgarh on 12 April 2013.UP CM Akhilesh Yadav, who is now in charge of 63 ministries, has taken charge of Pandeys ministry. Palestinian Prime Minister Salam Fayyad Resigned Palestinian Prime Minister Salam Fayyad resigned on 13 April 2013 after falling out with president Mahmud Abbas. Salam Fayyad was tasked with the role of caretaker for the current government until a new prime minister is appointed. Supreme Court bids farewell to Justice Aftab Alam On April 19,the Supreme Court bid farewell to Justice Aftab Alam marking the end of his five and a half year tenure at the Supreme Court. Justice Alam enrolled as an Advocate on March 27, 1973. He practised in the Patna High Court and was designated as Senior Advocate by the Patna High Court on February 1, 1984. He was appointed as Judge of the Patna High Court on July 27, 1990 and was later transferred to the Jammu & Kashmir High Court, where he was appointed as the Acting Chief Justice on June 06, 2007. He assumed office as Supreme Court judge on November 12, 2007.

C)DEATHS
Ruth Prawer Jhabvala, Oscar winner and novelist, died Oscar, the Booker Prize winner novelist and screenwriter Ruth Prawer Jhabvala, author of Heat and Dust and many other books set in India, died on 03 April 2013.Jhabvala also worked on several movie adaptations with filmmakers James Ivory and Ismail Merchant, winning two Academy Awards for her screenplays for 1985 movie A Room With a View and Howards End in 1992.Jhabva la was born in Germany but emigrated with her family to Britain during the Nazi regime. She later married an Indian architect and moved to India, where she began to write about her life there.Jhabvala collaborated with Merchant and Ivory on more than 20 movies including The Remains of the Day and Mr. And Mrs. Bridge. Bratindra Nath Mukherjee passes away A Padmashri winner, Professor Bratindra Nath Mukherjee, renowned historian and an expert in epigraphy who deciphered several ancient scripts, died in Kolkata on 04 April 2013. Britains First Female Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher Died Margaret Thatcher, Britains first and still only female prime minister has died on 8 April at London.Thatcher was the Prime Minister of Britain from 1979 to 1990 from Conservative party of Britain and was the first lady to hold the post of Prime Minister.She was the longest-serving British Prime

Minister of the 20th century and is the only woman to have held the office. A Soviet journalist called her the Iron Lady", a nickname that became associated with her uncompromising politics and leadership style. This first volume of Margaret Thatchers memoirs book(1993), which encompasses the entirety of her career as Prime Minister. Test-tube baby pioneer dies British scientist Robert Edwards, 87, who won the Nobel Prize for his pioneering work in in vitro fertilisation, leading to the birth of the first test- tube baby, died in London on 10 April 2013.He born in Yarkfire in North England on 27 September 1925.Robert Edwards and Patrick Steptoe both proceeded to achieve in-vitro fertilisation (IVF), resulting in the birth of Louise Brown, the first test -tube baby, on 25 July 1978.. Polio Vaccine Developer Koprowski Died On 11 April Dr Hilary Koprowski , a Polish researcher who developed the first successful oral vaccination for polio died in Philadelphia. He was 96 years of age.He was a Polish virologist and immunologist and was known for developing the first effective polio vaccine. In 2006, he was conferred with the record 50th grant from the National Institutes of Health. Justice Chinnappa Reddy dead Justice O Chinnappa Reddy, one of the highly respected members of the Indian judiciary, died at his jubilee hills residence in Hyderabad on 13 April 2013. He was born at Gooty in Anantapur district on September 25, 1922.Justice Reddy was appointed as judge of the Supreme Court from January 17, 1978 and continued in the post for about 10 years.He retired on 24 September 1987.After his retirement he became chairman of the Karnataka BC commission. Playback singer PB Srinivas passes away Veteran playback singer PB Srinivas who rendered more than 3,000 songs in eight languages died in Chennai on 14 April 2013.He debuted as a singer with Hindi film Mr. Sampath in 1952. His last song was from the 2010 Tamil film Aayirathil Oruvan. Ex-CEC, governor VS Rama Devi dead Former Karnataka and Himachal Pradesh Governor V S Ramadevi, the only woman to head the Election Commission, died in Bangalore on 17 April 2013.Born on March 15, 1934, Ramadevi was the Chief Election Commissioner of India from November 26, 1990 to December 11, 1990. She was the only woman who became the CEC. She was succeeded by T N Seshan.She had served as the Governor of Himachal Pradesh from July 26, 1997 to December 1, 1999 and as the Governor of Karnataka from December 2, 1999 to May 20, 2002. Dina Thanthi MD Sivanthi Adithan dead Veteran journalist and managing director of Tamil daily Dina Thanthi B Sivanthi Adithan died in Chennai on 19 April 2013.He was also head of the Indian Olympic Association before Suresh Kalmadi took over and is the former vice president of Olympic Council of Asia. At the time of his death, Sivanthi Adithan was the life president of IOC and president of the Volleyball Federation of India.Sivanthi Adithan was honoured with Padmashree in 2008. Mathematical Genius Shakuntala Devi Died

On 21 April The human computer mental calculator, mathematics whizard Shakuntala Devi died at Bangalore.Her name was recorded in Guinness Book of World Records for her ability of making calculations at lightning-speed.In the year 1977, she calculated the 23rd root of digit number 201 in just 50 seconds.Some of her books were Puzzles to Puzzle You, Mathablit, Astrology for You, Fun with Numbers and Awaken the Genius in Your Child. Former England Captain Mike Denness Died On 19 April Michael Henry Denness, popularly known as Mike Denness, the former England captain died in London.Mike Denness played county cricket for Essex and Kent. He scored over 25000 runs in the first-class career.He was the captain of Kent to six domestic trophies between 1972 and 1976.He was among first few inductees into the Scottish Sports Hall of Fame.He was also named as the Wisden Cricketer of the Year in 1975. Former Chief Justice of India J S Verma dead Former Chief Justice of India J S Verma, who headed the government-appointed committee to frame a tough law to tackle crime against women in the wake of the December Delhi gangrape incident, died in Gurgaon on 22April 2013.Justice Verma was the 27th Chief Justice of India and served from March 25, 1997 until his retirement on January 18, 1998.He began his legal career in 1955 and became a Judge of Madhya Pradesh High Court in June-1973. He became Chief Justice of Madhya Pradesh High Court in June,1986 and also served as Chief Justice of Rajasthan High Court from September, 1986 to mid1989.Justice Verma was also a former Chairman of National Human Rights Commission.He was also the first Chairperson of News Broadcasting Standards Authority. Veteran violinist Lalgudi Jayaraman died Celebrated violinist and composer Lalgudi Jayaraman, who carved out a niche for himself in the Carnatic music with his unique style, died in Chennai on 22 April 2013. Jayaraman, who began his music career at the age of 12 as an accompanying artist, later achieved fame as a solo violinist and also had success as a composer in four languages Telugu, Tamil, Kannada and Sanskrit.Considering his contribution to the field of music, he was conferred with several awards including Padma Shri in 1972 and Padma Bhushan in 2001.He was also feted with state Vidhwan of Tamil Nadu and also fellow of Sangeet Natak Akademi. Legendary Singer Shamshad Begum Died On 23 April Legendary singer Shamshad Begum died in Mumbai . She was 94 years of age. She was one of the first few playback singers of the Hindi film industry. She was conferred with the O P Nayyar award for contribution to Hindi film music, in the year 2009.In 2009 again, she was conferred with the thirdhighest civilian honour of India, Padma Bhushan. Sripathi Rajeswara Rao dead Former Telugu Desam Minister Sripathi Rajeswara Rao who founded the All India NTR Fans Association several decades ago, died of kidney ailment at NIMS in Hydearabad on 28 April 2013. Sailendra Nath Roy died In Zip-Line Ponytail Stunt Sailendra Nath Roy, a 49-year-old police officer, was attempting to cross the River Teesta in the state of West Bengal on 28 April 2013 on a 180m (594ft) wire above the water.After attaching his shoulder-length hair to a pulley on the wire, Mr Roy had completed around half the distance but then became entangled and found himself unable to move.After sometime he dead. Mr Roy achieved the Guinness World Record

after covering 82.5m (271ft) on a zip-line while attached by his hair in 2011 at the Neemrana Fort, a heritage hotel in the desert state of Rajasthan. Nuthakki Bhanu Prasad Passes away On 29 April 2013 the Scientist, Padma Shri award recipient died in Hyderabad.He got Padma shri award in 1959 for his Contribution in field of Indias Atomic reactor.The Petrotech 2003 Lifetime Achievement award was presented to Padmashri Dr. Nuthakki Bhanu Prasad for his contribution to Indias Upstream Petroleum Industry.He is also worked as a Chairman of ONGC.

D)VISITORS
Indian PM schedules UAE visit in August Prime Minister Manmohan Singh will pay a stand Alone visit to the United Arab Emirates in early August, the first by an Indian prime minister to the Gulf nation since Indira Gandhi visited nearly three decades ago. PM Manmohan Singh leaves for Germany on a three-day visit On April 10, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had left India on a three-day official visit to Germany, where he will co-chair inter governmental consultations and witness the signing of a series of agreements on education, science and technology and renewable energy.The PM is leading a high-level delegation to Berlin that includes five cabinet ministers: Salman Khurshid (external affairs), Anand Sharma (commerce), Farooq Abdullah (renewable energy), MM Pallam Raju (human resource development) and S Jaipal Reddy (science and technology). Prime Minister of India Visited Germany: Important Documents Signed Prime Minister of India, Manmohan Singh visited Germany from 10 April 2013 to 12 April 2013 for participating in second round of Inter Governmental Consultations with Germany. During his visit, certain documents were signed. These documents are as follows: 1.Joint Declaration of Intent regarding promotion of German as a foreign language in India 2.Intergovernmental MoU between India & Germany on Cooperation in the field of Higher Education 3.Joint Declaration of Intent on Indo-German cooperation in the area of Civil Security Research 4.Joint Declaration for the bilateral Kooperations Program of the German Federal Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Consumer Protection and the National Seeds Association of India and the German Association of Plant Breeders 5.Joint Declaration of Intent on the Establishment of an Indo-German Working Group on Quality Infrastructure for Cooperation in Standardisation, Conformity Assessment and Product Safety 6.Joint Declaration of Intent on Indo-German Development Cooperation regarding the Establishment of Green Energy Corridors Vice President Hamid Ansari Visited Tajakistan

The Vice-President of India, Hamid Ansari visited Tajikistan from 14 April to 17 April 2013.During the visit he was accompanied by a high-level delegation that included Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Processing Industries and four Members of Parliament.On 15 April , the Vice President met the President Emomalii Rahmon and Oqil Oqilov the Prime Minister of Tajikistan.

E)MISCELLANEOUS
Downs syndrome boy sets Everest record A 15-YEAR-OLD American had become the first teenager with Downs syndrome to reach Everest Base Camp, according to his father, in an attempt to inspire different attitudes towards disabilities.Eli Reimer, from Oregon, reached the 5364-metres high camp in Nepals Himalayan mountains in mid-March after 10 days of trekking.Tom Whittaker, a British mountaineer, became the first person with a disability to summit the peak in 1998 after a car crash almost two decades earlier had forced him to have his foot amputated. Abhilash Tomy Becomes First Indian To Sail Round The World Indian Navys Lt Cdr Abhilash T omy became the first Indian to circumnavigate the globe, solo and nonstop, over a 150-day voyage.He was addressed a function after welcoming Lt Cdr Abhilash Tomy whose boat INSV Mhadei reached the Gateway of India after commencing its historic journey from the same spot on November 1 last year.He has sailed around 23,100 nautical miles, crossing the Indian, Southern, Pacific and Atlantic Oceans.Lt Cmdr Abhilash Tomy is the first Indian and the second Asian to do so. Lt Cdr Tomy, a maritime pilot, switched off his boats engine soon after leaving Mumbai harbour and switched it on again on 6 April to get the boat alongside the Gateway of India. K Vishwanath Name in Limca Book Of Records Legendary director K.Vishwanath is the only Telugu person in the Person of the year 2013 announced by the famous Limca books of Records. This list which contained several other prominent names like Mani Ratnam, Kamal Haasan, Santosh Sivan, Prabhu Deva, Sreekar Prasad and Naseeruddin Shah was released on the occasion of Indian cinema completing 100 years. Tabu, Vidya Balan, Shabana Azmi, Kajol and Ranbir Kapoor are also on this list. Nepali TV Anchor Made Guinness(World) Record for Longest Talk Show A TV anchor in Nepal set a world record of longest television talk show by staying on air for 62 hours and 12 minutes.The 36 years old Rabi Lamichhane lived in America and came back to Nepal after hosting the program Lord Buddha Was Born in Nepal.Lamichhane broke the world record of Pavlo Kuzheyew and Tetiana Danylenko of 22 hours. They made that record in 2011 at the Independence Day anniversary of Ukraine. According to the rules of Guinness World Record Lamichhane got the break of five minutes after every hour. Mahatma Gandhi figured among the Top Three Leaders of the World As per the 16th Annual Global CEO survey, Mahatma Gandhi figured among the top three most admired leaders of the world.In this list Winston Churchill , Steve Jobs(Co-founder of Apple) and Mahatma Gandhi got the first,second and third places respectively . Egypt PM sentenced to one-year jail On April 17,Egypts Misdemeanor Dokki Court sentenced Prime Minister Hesham Qandil to one year in prison and ordered his removal from job, accusing him of failing to implement a verdict to return a privatised company to the state.

Chidambaram, Aamir in Times 100 most influential global list Finance Minister P. Chidambaram and actor Aamir Khan have been named by Time magazine among the 100 most influential people in the world in its annual list of global achievers that also includes teenaged Pakistani activist Malala Yousafzai and US President Barack Obama. pakistan former president musharraf arrested The Islamabad High Court on 18 April 2013 ordered Musharrafs arrest for detaining senior judges when he imposed emergency rule in 2007.So, Pakistani police arrested Musharraf on 19 April 2013. Gates foundation to put $1.8bn to eradicate polio Bill Gates announced in Abu Dhabi on 25 April 2013 his foundation will contribute $1.8 billion to the Global Polio Eradication Initiative, a third of the total funds needed. He announced this contribution in Global Vaccine summit in Abu Dhabi. 8 killed as bomb targets Syrias prime minister Syrian Prime Minister Wael al-Halki survived a bomb attack on his convoy in Damascus on 29 April 2013.8 members(including PMs car driver and Personal security) are killed in the blast.

PLACES IN NEWS
7.1 Magnitude Earthquake Hits Indonesia A powerful 7.1 magnitude earthquake hit the Papua province in Indonesia on 06 April 2013.But there was no damage or injuries. It occurred in a north east to Capital of Papua province, about 75 kilometers (46 miles) in depth. A Powerful earthquake in Iran On April 9, A powerful earthquake was strucked close to Irans only nuclear power station, killing at least 37 people and injuring 850 as it destroyed homes and devastated two small villages.Its epicentre was 89 km south-east of the port of Bushehr.The magnitude of the earthquake on Richter scale is 6.3. Strong earthquake hits Japan A strong earthquake estimated at magnitude 6.3 strucked the western Japan, on 13 April 2013.In this event 23 people were injured in that 7 are serious.The earthquake was centered on Awaji Island, just south of Kobe, at a depth of 15 kilometres.The quake was in the area where a magnitude-7.2 temblor killed more than 6,400 people in 1995. Musharraf disqualified from parliamentary polls Courts in Pakistan have disqualified former president Pervez Musharraf for contesting parliamentary elections for suspending the constitution and imposing emergency in 2007 during his rule. Earthquake of Magnitude 7.8 Jolted Iran and Pakistan

Earthquake that measured 7.8 on the Richter scale struck on 16 April 2013 in Iran killed more than 40 people leaving behind several injured. Epicenter of the quake was near Pakistan-Iran Border in the southeastern city of Khash. The tremors of the quake were felt across India, Middle East and Pakistan. Fertiliser plant explosion in the US On April 18, massive explosion at a fertilizer plant in the Town of West, in Central Texas. It is 120km far from Dallas town in the Texas state. In this explosion 15 were died and 200 people were injured Delhi gets Dildaar Delhi tagline Delhi got its own tagline Dildaar Delhi. Penned by Amit Anand, a cashier in a small confectione ry shop in Keshavpuram, the tagline was selected out of 12,000 entries of a competition organized by Delhi government and Delhi Tourism department. German Bakery blast: Himayat Beg sentenced to death On April 18, a Pune court sentenced Indian Mujahideen operative Mirza Himayat Inayat Baig to death in the German Bakery bomb blast case.The terror attack on the popular pune joint had killed 17 people and injured 64 in February 2010. On 15 April 2013, Pune sessions court special judge NP Dhote had held Baig guilty in the case. China hit by strong earthquake On 20 April ,China was hit by strong earthquake and killed at least 157 people and injured more than 5,700.The magnitude 7.0 quake hit a remote mountainous area of southwestern Chinas Sichuan province at 8:02 a.m. (0002 GMT), close to where an earthquake killed almost 70,000 people in 2008.The quake struck in Lushan county, near the city of Yaan, at a depth of 12 km (7.5 miles)

ABBREVIATIONS
CII MSME SCO AMS ICSI TESS WIPO Confederation of Indian Industry Micro,Small & Medium Enterprises Shanghai Cooperation Organisation Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer Institute of Company Secretaries of India Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite World Intellectual Property Organisation

BOOKS IN NEWS

Vice President Released Book titled Religion, Law & Society-Across the Globe On 12 April 2013,The Vice President of India, Hamid Ansari released a book titled Religion, Law & Society Across the Globe. The book is authored by Prof. Tahir Mahmood.

COMMITTEES
Uday Kumar Committee To Act as Single Window Clearance for Film Projects On 15 April the Government of India announced creation of an inter-ministerial panel that will work as a single window clearance system for international and domestic film projects.The committee will be headed by I&B Secretary Uday Kumar Varma .The constitution of the committee is expected to mainstream a proactive mechanism and coordination process of granting permissions through a single window provision. Apart from the I&B secretary, the committee will have joint secretaries from the ministries of I&B, Home Affairs, Tourism, External Affairs, Culture, Railways, Aviation and Defence on board.

IMPORTANT DAYS AND DATES

World Health Day was Celebrated on 7th April World Health Day is celebrated every year on 7 April, under the sponsorship of the World Health Organization (WHO). National Safe Motherhood Day Observed across the Country National Safe Motherhood day was observed across India on 11 April 2013 to create awareness on proper healthcare and maternity facilities to pregnant and lactating women.