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technology will enable IT workers to solve problems on other computers without leaving their desks and it will allow MRI scanners to be repaired remotely. The award carries a cash prize of 50000 ponds. Real VNC is a software company based in Cambridge. It was set up by some of the inventors of remote computer access software. It has collaborated with global technology giants such as Google, Apple, Intel and Sony and its technology is now said to be used in more than a billion devices across the globe. The MacRobert gold medal was presented at the Royal Academy of Engineering's awards dinner. Rajeev Alur, Salil P Vadhan and Senthil Todadri in fourth week of July 2013 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 nonprofit 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.
Zubin Mehta named for Tagore Award for Cultural Harmony 2013
Zubin Mehta, an Indian-Parsi mestro of western classical music on 10 July 2013 was named for the second edition of Tagore Award for Cultural Harmony for the year 2013. He was named for the award because of his outstanding contribution to cultural harmony. His name was selected by a high level four-member Jury that was led by Prime Minister of India, Dr. Manmohan Singh and it comprised the Chief Justice of India Altamas Kabir, Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha, Sushma Swaraj and Public Intellectual Gopalkrishna Gandhi. The first Tagore Award was conferred on Pt. Ravi Shankar, the Indian Sitar Maestro in 2012
British Firm called Real VNC was presented the MacRobert Award
The British firm Real VNC was presented MacRobert Award by the Princess Royal for engineering innovation on 17 July 2013. The
Britain honoured Krishna Menon by placing Blue plaque on his First Home in London
The British Government on 17 July 2013 honoured V.K. Krishna Menon, Indias first high commissioner in London and former Defence Minister by placing a Blue Plaque at the house, where he lived when he moved to the city for the first time. The blue plaque will be placed plaque at 30 Langdon Park Road in Highgate, North London, where Menon stayed from 1929 to 1931. Menon, during his stay in London, after Indian independence as independent Indias first High Commissioner to the U.K played an active role in the socio-political life of the city. The plaque was unveiled by Tony Benn, veteran leader of the Left-Wing Labour. Tony Benn is the son of William Wedgwood Benn, was secretary of state for India from 1929 to 1931, when Menon was campaigning for Indian independence in Britain. UK commemorates sites of historical and cultural importance in the country with blue plaques with a purpose of drawing attention of people.
Paradip Port Conferred With the Major Port of the Year Award
Paradip Port was conferred with the Major Port of the Year award for its excellent performance in the year 2012-13. The award was received by SS Mishra, Chairman, Paradip Port Trust, at the SCOPE International Conference & Exhibition 2013 held in Chennai. Paradip Port Trust (PPT) handled 56.55 million tonnes of traffic in the year 2012-13. There is an increase from 54.25 million tonnes of traffic in 2011-12. During 2012-13, the port also added 22 million tonnes of capacity, thus bringing the total to 102 million tonnes. It is important to note that the Paradip Port was also adjudged as the Major Port of the Year during 2009-10 at the Annual Indian Maritime Gateway Awards 2010 ceremony organised by Gateway Media Private Ltd.
Bastian Schweinsteiger Won Journalists' Player of the Year Award by Kicker Magazine
Bastian Schweinsteiger, the German midfielder defeated his teammates Thomas Mueller and Franck Ribery to grab the Journalists' Player of the Year Award announced by the Kicker magazine on 28 July 2013. Bastian Schweinsteiger won 92 out of 527 votes. Franck Ribery won 87 votes, while Thomas Mueller won 85 votes.
News Makers
Big B named greatest Bollywood star in UK poll
Amitabh Bachchan has been crowned as the greatest Bollywood star in a poll conducted in UK. According to British Asian weekly newspaper, the 70-year-old actor, who has won a number of awards at national as well as international film festivals, bagged major share of votes from critics, fans and the film fraternity in the survey '100 Greatest Bollywood Stars' .With a career spanning more than four decades, Bachchan gave blockbusters like ' Sholay' and 'Deewar' and hosted popular TV game show 'Kaun Banega Crorepati.' Bachchan, who was the first Bollywood star to be honoured with a statue at Madame Tussauds, recently represented India as the Olympic torch-bearer at the London 2012 Games. Bachchan was followed by his own choice and yesteryears acting legend Dilip Kumar, while actor Shah Rukh Khan bagged the third spot. Madhuri Dixit was placed fourth in the overall list, but she topped the poll among Bollywood's female actresses. The actors in the top 10 list are: 1.Amitabh Bachchan 2. Dilip Kumar 3. Shah Rukh Khan 4. Madhuri Dixit 5. Raj Kapoor 6. Nargis 7. Dev Anand 8. Waheeda Rehman 9. Rajesh Khanna 10. Sridevi.
Amjad Ali Khan to get 21st Rajiv Gandhi National Sadhbhavna Award
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. It will be conferred on Amjad Ali Khan on 20 August 2013, the birth anniversary of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi. Rajiv Gandhi National Sadbhavana Award (Rajiv Gandhi National Communal Harmony Award) is an award given for outstanding contribution towards promotion of communal harmony, national integration and peace. The award was instituted by All India Congress Committee of the Indian National Congress Party (INC), in 1992 to commemorate the lasting contribution made by the former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi. The award carries a citation and a cash award of five lakh rupees.
Committees
Parliamentary Standing Committee on Finance finalised GST Report
The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Finance on 20 July 2013 finalised its GST (Goods and Services Tax) report. The report would be tabled in the parliament during its Monsoon season that is scheduled to begin from 5 August 2013. The GST Bill was introduced in the Parliament in 2010 and since then was being examined by the Standing Committee on Finance. The proposed GST aims towards bringing in a common tax regime for goods and services by including most of the indirect taxes and would be beneficial in increasing the revenue collection. Earlier, several deadlines were missed-out by the standing committee in submission of the report due to the differences between the central and the state
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commission was formed by the Supreme Court to probe into the alleged cases of extra judicial killings in Manipur after receiving complaints related to 1500 fake encounter deaths that occurred in Manipur in last 10 years in September 2012. The Extra Judicial Execution Victim Families Association (EEVFAM) along with Human Rights Alert (HRA) demanded investigations into the deaths.
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made by means of any light, sound, smoke or gas. Distribution includes distribution by way of samples whether free or otherwise. Indecent representation of women means the depiction in any manner of the figure of a woman; her form or body or any part thereof in such way as to have the effect of being indecent, or derogatory to, or denigrating women, or is likely to deprave, corrupt or injure the public morality or morals. Label means any written, marked, stamped, printed or graphic matter, affixed to, or appearing upon, any package; package" includes a box, a carton, tin or other container. of the Ministry for creation of infrastructure like ITIs, Polytechnics etc. in minority concentration blocks and towns, the Ministry desired that the three Chambers should weave their efforts and partner to augment the Ministrys initiatives. The Minister also suggested launching a sustained awareness campaign to disseminate information on the initiatives taken by the Ministry in partnership with Private Sector. The Minister urged that the resources of private business houses can be provided to MAEF under the Corporate Social Responsibility for the development of minorities in the fields of education, infrastructure development, providing scholarships, skill development and entrepreneurial development. Informing that Government intends to give incentive to the institution that promote diversity, the Minister also wanted to know what else Government can do for such institutions. Earlier, reviewing the minorities status in employment in Government and public sector, the Minister directed the Department of Personnel and Training to ensure that all Selection Boards/ Committees for recruitment in Government and Public Sector must have a Member belonging to minority community. He further directed to sensitize all Government Departments in this regard and to provide a status report.
Ministry of Minority Affairs proposes a joint committee for Skill Development of Minorities
K. Rahman Khan, the Union Minister of Minority Affairs has suggested to set up a Committee of the three Business Chambers and Ministry of Labour and Employment to give impetus to the efforts to promote Skill Development and Employment Opportunities in Public and Private Sectors for minorities. Minister asked to join hands with the CII, FICCI and PHDCCI for the entrepreneurship development for minorities, as a part of their Corporate Social Responsibility for Skill Development. Referring to Multi-sectoral Development Programme (MsDP)
This Act may be called the Indecent Representation of Women (Prohibition) Act, 1986. It extends to the whole of India, except the State of Jammu and Kashmir. It shall come into force on such date as the Central Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette, appoint.
2. Definitions:
In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires,- advertisement includes any notice, circular, label, wrapper or other document and also includes any visible representation
Schemes
Government approves re-structuring of centrally sponsored schemes
The Union Cabinet has decided to restructure the existing Centrally Sponsored Scheme (CSS)/ Additional Central Assistance (ACA) schemes in the Twelfth Five Year Plan into 66 schemes, including Flagship programmes. This includes 17 Flagship programmes with significant outlays for major interventions required in health, education, irrigation, urban development, infrastructure, including rural infrastructure, skill development, etc. A Group of Ministers, headed by Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar, had approved merging of 147 CSS into 70 schemes. The ministerial panel had approved setting up of a flexi-funds system in each scheme, under which state governments can use 10% of the Budget allocated for CSS within the broader framework of the flagship programme. For better utilisation of funds under CSS, the panel of ministers had approved transferring of funds from the central government to the state consolidated funds and not directly to the implementing agencies. For each new CSS/ACA/ Flagship scheme, at least 25 per cent of funds may be contributed by the General Category States and 10 percent of funds by the Special Category States including J&K, Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand. The merger proposal was in line with the recommendations of the Chaturvedi committee, which had suggested bringing down CSS to 59 from 147 to avoid overlap. These arrangements will come into force for the remaining years of the Twelfth Five Year Plan and will help in optimum utilisation of resources for desired results.
Ministry of Rural Development launched a Scheme Roshni to train youth in Naxal-hit areas
The Ministry of Rural Development on 7 June 2013 launched a new skill development scheme designed to offer employment to tribal youth in 24 Naxal -affected districts. The scheme, which is named Roshni is supposed to provide training and employment to an anticipated 50000 youth in the 10-35 years age group, for a period of three years. As per the Ministry 50 per cent of the beneficiaries of the scheme will be women only. The scheme is designed in light of the Himayat project model, which was launched in Jammu and Kashmir has been imple- mented in Sukma, Chhattisgarh, and West Singhbhum, Jharkand, on a pilot basis over the last 18 months. Implementation of the Scheme Roshni: The Scheme Roshni which is a 100-crore Rupees project that will be mutually funded by the Union and State Governments, with the Centre providing 75 per cent of the funding. The scheme will be implemented on a publicprivate basis, with private agencies providing job training and employment. It is worth mentioning here that the scheme has achieved success in the two districts where it was implemented on a pilot basis.
due to their medical expenditures. Thus Indian Health Ministry has launched the ambitious schemes of providing free generic drugs at government health care centres. The initiatives, called 'Free Drug Service' and 'Free Diagnostics Service' under the National Health Mission, are aimed at sprucing up health care facilities in the country. Public can avail free drugs and free diagnostics services at the government health centres and hospitals if the states initiate the scheme. The states can access funds from the central government under the scheme by following certain guidelines laid down by it.
Sports
India bag gold in world youth chess Olympiad
Fantastic performance by Kolkata based Sayantan Das and Diptayan Ghosh enabled India to regain the gold medal at the World Youth Chess Olympiad, which concluded Monday at Chongqing, China. India thrashed Iran 3.5-0.5 in the final round of the team event to win gold, after having started the Olympiad as second seed, according to information received here. This is Indias third gold in this prestigious team event. India had won the event previously at Singapore in 2007 and in Turkey 2008. Sayantan and Diptayan won gold in the fourth and silver in the third board respectively. Sayantan had a sparkling run to win the yellow metal by getting 7.5 points out of nine games in the ten-round event. Diptayan secured 8.5 points out of ten to win silver. Two other Indian representatives Shardul Gagare (6/9) and Murali Karthikeyan (6.5/10) won bronze in the first and second board respectively.
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the speed limit for electrical switching in magnetite was revealed by this scientific breakthrough. Scientists hit magnetite with a visiblelight laser, which resulted into the fragmentation of the material's electronic structure at an atomic scale, rearranging it to form the islands. The laser blast was followed by an ultra bright, ultra short X-ray pulse. It allowed researchers to study the timing and details of changes in the sample excited by the initial laser strike. After adjusting the interval of the X-ray pulses, the scientists measured the time duration of the material to shift from a nonconducting to an electrically conducting state and observed the structural changes during this switch. The magnetite was needed to be cooled to minus 190 degrees Celsius to lock its electrical charges in place. in the professional and amateur researchers. The announcement was made during the NASA Lunar Science Institute conference at NASA Ames Research Center in Mountain View, California. This is a private mission and has been announced by the International Lunar Observatory Association and Moon Express, jointly. The mission would be both scientific and commercial and they have planned to deliver the International Lunar Observatory (ILO) aboard a Moon Express robotic lander. The mission will be utilised by the Moon Express to explore the South Pole of Moon for mineral resources and water. Earlier, evidences of mineral deposits in moon's southern polar region have been reported during the lunar probes.
Science Snippets
Ford Became First Automaker to Participate in Greenhouse Gas Reporting Programme in India
Ford Motor Company joined the Voluntary India Greenhouse Gas Reporting Programme in India on 23 July 2013. Voluntary reporting enables a complete transparency in terms of the carbon dioxide emissions. It is important to note that Ford has the objective of bringing down the carbon dioxide emissions at all the global facilities, two of which are in Chennai. The objective is to bring down these emissions by 30 percent per vehicle by the year 2025. Ford Motor Company also participates in such kinds of programmes in other countries such as Argentina, Brazil, Mexico, Canada, China and US. With this, Ford has become the first automaker to participate in the Voluntary India Greenhouse Gas Reporting Programme.
World's first trip to Moon's South Pole for installation of a Permanent Telescope in 2016
The World's first mission to south pole of the Moon for installation of a permanent telescope on the lunar surface was announced in July 2013. This installation of telescope would aid
Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) set to launch its Fastest Supercomputer
CSIR in month of July 2013 declared that, it is all set to launch its fastest supercomputer at Indias first ever big data science institute in Bangalore. The launch of Super Computer by CSIR will mark its
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World's 1st IVF baby born using New Embryo Screening Technique
Worlds 1st IVF baby is born in US in June 2013 thus becoming the world's first test tube baby to be born using a new low cost "nextgeneration sequencing" IVF technique. The method, through which the baby was born, uses the latest DNA sequencing a technique which aims to increase in-vitro fertilisation success rates while being more reasonable for couples and lowering the risk of miscarriages. The birth of baby using IVF sets an example to show nextgeneration sequencing can be used to pick the embryos created by IVF that are most likely to lead to successful pregnancies.
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position the satellite in its Geosynchronous Circular Orbit at 55 deg East longitude. IRNSS-1A is the first of the seven satellites constituting the space segment of the Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System. IRNSS is an independent regional navigation satellite system designed to provide position information in the Indian region and 1500 km around the Indian mainland. IRNSS would provide two types of services, namely, Standard Positioning Services (SPS) provided to all users and Restricted Services (RS) provided only to authorised users. International Lunar Observatory (ILO) aboard a Moon Express robotic lander. The mission will be utilised by the Moon Express to explore the South Pole of Moon for mineral resources and water. Earlier, evidences of mineral deposits in moon's southern polar region have been reported during the lunar probes.
Space Science
ISRO Successfully Launches Indias First Navigation Satellite IRNSS-1A
ISROs Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle, PSLV-C22, has successfully launched IRNSS-1A, the first satellite in the Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System (IRNSS), in the early morning hours of today from Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota. This is the twenty third consecutively successful mission of PSLV. The XL configuration of PSLV was used for the mission. Previously, the same configuration of the vehicle was used thrice to launch Chandrayaan-1, GSAT-12 and RISAT-1 satellites.
World's first trip to Moon's South Pole for installation of a Permanent Telescope in 2016
The World's first mission to south pole of the Moon for installation of a permanent telescope on the lunar surface was announced in July 2013. This installation of telescope would aid in the professional and amateur researchers. The announcement was made during the NASA Lunar Science Institute conference at NASA Ames Research Center in Mountain View, California. This is a private mission and has been announced by the International Lunar Observatory Association and Moon Express, jointly. The mission would be both scientific and commercial and they have planned to deliver the
At the completion of the countdown, PSLV-C22 lifted off from the First Launch Pad at 2341 hrs IST yesterday (July 1, 2013) with the ignition of the first stage and four strap-on motors of the launch vehicle. The important flight events, namely, stage and strap-on ignitions, heat-shield separation, stage and strap-on separations and satellite injection took place exactly as planned. After a flight of 20 minutes 17 seconds, the IRNSS-1A Satellite, weighing 1425 kg, was injected to the intended elliptical orbit of 282.46 km X 20,625.37 km. After injection, the solar panels of IRNSS-1A were deployed automatically. ISROs Master Control Facility (at Hassan, Karnataka) assumed the control of the satellite. In the coming days, five orbit maneuvers will be conducted from Master Control Facility to
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Defence
IAF inducts its first heavy-lift C-17 Globemaster III
The first of the 10 US-made Boeing C-17 Globemaster III aircraft landed at the Hindon airbase on 18 June 2013. The aircraft will enhance the operational potential of the IAF with its payload carriage and performance capability. It would also augment the strategic reach during disaster relief and similar missions. The induction of C-17 (ordered for $4.1 billion) is a major milestone in the modernisation of the IAF. Five C-17 aircraft will be delivered in 2013, while the remaining five will come in 2014. With the completion of the order, India will become the largest C-17 operator outside the US. Each plane has a carrying capacity of 74 tonne, which is more than double the capacity of the IAFs existing heavy-lift aircraft-Sovietorigin IL-76. The new acquisition will play a crucial role in any force projection along the 4,057-km-long frontier with China. The plane can land at small forward airbases on semi-prepared runways, termed as advanced landing grounds (ALGs) in the Indian Defence Ministrys parlance. Such ALGs exist in Ladakh and Arunachal Pradesh. The aircraft can also land on unprepared sand runways with a clearance of 3,000 feet even while carrying its full load of 74 tonne. The aircrafts real use will be for carrying heavy equipment such as tanks or helicopters. It has an endurance of 4,500 km, hence allowing India to dominate its area of interest from the straits of Malacca in east to the Persian Gulf in west.
Indo-Russian INDRA 2013 military exercise will take place in October 2013
Indo-Russian INDRA 2013 military exercise is scheduled to take place in October 2013 at Mahajan field firing range of Rajasthan in India. The joint Military exercise will involve over 250 servicemen from the Eastern Military District and the same number of troops will be involved from the Indian armed forces. Around 250 Russian servicemen from the Eastern Military District are already set to join Russo-Indian joint ground and naval drills at Indra-2013.
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India achieved a record production of 18.45 million tones of pulses in the 2012-13 crop year ended June 2013. This augurs well for the country which is dependent on imports to meet the shortfall of around 3 to 4 million tones. Higher support price prompted farmers to grow pulses. According to the 4th advance estimates released, overall food grain production is projected at 255.36 million tones, which is lower than the record 259.29 million tones achieved in the previous crop year. In food grains category, rice production has been revised upward to 104.4 million tones from 104.22 million tones and coarse cereals to 40.06 million tones from 39.52 million tones in the third estimates. However, wheat output has been revised downward to 92.46 million tones from 93.62 million tones. from 37.2 percent measured in 2004-05 on the basis of the increase in per capita consumption. The Planning Commission of India on 23 July 2013 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. The National Poverty Line estimated for rural areas during 2011-12 was 816 rupees per capita per month, whereas, for urban areas it was recorded at 1000 rupees per capita per month. Thus, for a family of five, the all India poverty line in terms of consumption expenditure would amount to about 4080 rupees per month in rural areas and 5000 rupees per month in urban areas. These poverty lines would vary from State to State because of inter-state price differentials.
Economic Scenario
Approval of the Plan scheme 'Development Communication and Information Dissemination' for the 12th Five Year Plan
The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs has approved the proposal of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting for implementing the Plan Scheme "Development Communication and Information Dissemination" during the 12th Plan period with an outlay of Rs.630 crore. The Plan scheme envisages making the common person aware of the benefits envisaged in various Government schemes so that the benefit of these schemes is realized to the maximum possible extent. The scheme will be implemented by the media units of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, through various modes of awareness generation such as; outdoor publicity, electronic and print media, Public Information Campaigns, press tours, conducted tours, people to people contact, special outreach programmes, live art and culture shows, the new media etc. The Government of India has launched many welfare and employment generation schemes for the people in general and for the disadvantaged sections in particular by creating entitlements backed by legal guarantees for an individual`s rights. The main objective of the Government under these schemes is all round development of the people. The success of all government sponsored flagship schemes depends largely on awareness about these schemes and the benefits likely to accrue to targeted beneficiaries.
Poverty Ratio of India declined to 21.9 percent in 2011-12: PCI Poverty Estimates Report
Poverty Ratio in India declined to 21.9 percent in 2011-12
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to amend SEBI Act for providing more powers to the market regulator to crack down on Ponzi schemes. As per the approval, SEBI will be given powers to conduct search and seizure operations and access call data records. Amendments to the Sebi Act and other relevant regulations were finalised after detailed consultations with the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI). 91.02 per cent stake in STC. The stake is meant to help both the companies meet the minimum 10 per cent public holding norm of market regulator SEBI. It is mandated for the government to bring down its stake in STC and ITDC to 90 per cent by 8 August2013. Shares of STC were trading 5.75 per cent lower at Rs 99.20 on the BSE in afternoon trade.
CCEA approved Disinvestment of government stake in State Trading Corporation and ITDC
The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) on 11 July 2013 approved the disinvestment of government stake in State Trading Corporation (STC) and ITDC. The disinvestment is supposed to bring around 30 crore Rupees to the exchequer. The disinvestment is required through Cabinet nod to divest 5 per cent stake in India Tourism Development Corporation (ITDC) and 1.02 per cent in STC through the Offer for Sale (OFS) route. The government is expecting the sale of 5 per cent stake or 42.88 crore shares in ITDC to fetch 23.58 crore Rupees. The Government is also planning to acquire about 10 crore rupees through disinvestment of 1.02 per cent, or 6.13 crore shares, in STC. It is important here to note that the government currently holds 92.11 per cent stake in ITDC and
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National Round-Up
India topped in the Chart of Sri Lankas Foreign Visitors
Sri Lankan Tourism Development Authority released a data of tourists on 18 July 2013, which claimed that India topped the charts of foreign tourists to the island nation. As per the report, over 83 thousand Indians visited, the Sri Lanka in the first half of this year of which 13000 Indian visitors in June 2013 alone. India was followed by Britain and Germany with 55 thousand and 36 thousand visitors. Sri Lanka has set a target of attracting 1.25 million tourists to the country un 2013, of which more than half a million people visited the nation by June 2013.
Government of Odisha announced Rice for Olive Ridley Conservation scheme for the year 2013
The Government of Odisha in July 2013 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. ROrC is a livelihood supported package for poor fishermen communities to ensure them food security. Under the scheme, each family will be provided with 25 kg of rice at subsidised rate of Re 1 per kg every month. The fishermen will be provided with special eligibility cards to avail the subsidised rice. The cards will entitle them to get the rice from PDS retailers of Food Supplies and Consumer Welfare Department each month. Out of the 10133 identified beneficiaries, 6255 families are from Kendrapara district. The
rest of the targeted families are from Puri, Ganjam and Bhadrak districts. Due to prohibition of fishing from 1 November to 31 May each year, the fishing communities are adversely affected with depletion of income sources. The bulk of the affected families are from Kendrapara as the coastal district is home to the restricted sea corridors of Gahirmatha Marine Sanctuary. The coast of Orissa in India is the largest mass nesting site for the Olive-ridley turtle. The Central Empowered Committee of the Supreme Court had passed directions in April 2004 for protection of endangered Olive Ridley turtles.
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SMS to more than 12 crore farmers across the country. Farmers will need to register for this service by calling Kisaan Call Centre on the toll free number 1800-180-1551 or through the web portal.
President Pranab Mukherjee launched Kisaan Portal for Sending SMS to Farmers
President Pranab Mukherjee on 16 July 2013 launched a Kisaan Portal for sending SMS through mobile phones to the farmers across the country. The SMS initiative is an instant and non-intruding medium communication enabling the farmers to take informed decision relating to different aspects of farming and weather forecasts. The Kisaan Portal directly aimed at spreading information, advisories and services through
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Union Government announced disbanding of the three District Rural Development Agency (DRDA)
The Union government on 10 July 2013 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 given a new function to perform its role under zila parishads, the local elected bodies at the district level. The decision to disband the DRDA was taken on the recommendation of a committee represented under the chairmanship of V Ramchandran, ChairmenEmeritus, Centre for Management Development, Thiruvananthapuram with the purpose of strengthening
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that the survey accounts 130 languages, as well as near extinct languages of Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura, Nagaland and Manipur. The region contains more than 210 languages. PLSI have published books on the survey and the volume will also depict the rich cultural and linguistic geography of all the indigenous communities of the states of the region.
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International Round-Up
UNESCO increased Pressure on Australia to conserve Great Barrier Reef
UNESCOs World Heritage Committee on 18 June 2013 increased pressure on the Australian government so as to conserve the Great Barrier Reef. The World Heritage Committee gave Canberra one year time to present a plan on how to protect the reef, listed as a World Heritage site since 1981, from increasing coal and gas extraction and shipping. As per the discussion in the 37th session in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, If Australia fails to come up with a satisfactory plan then World Heritage Committee will place it on the in danger list. It was also stressed that by 2014, Australia has to improve water quality monitoring and limit port development to existing port areas. It is worth mentioning here that among the 38 World Heritage sites currently listed as in danger is the Everglades National park in Florida and the Old City of Jerusalem.
Saudi Arabia Awarded 22 Billion US Dollar Contracts for Development of Metro Line in Riyadh
The Government of Saudi Arabia, on 28 July 2013, announced that it awarded over 22 billion US dollar in contract for the development of metro line in the capital, Riyadh. This is said to be the largest public transport initiative of the world and will help in boosting the economy of Saudi Arabia considerably. The metro line will join Dubai as well as Qatar in the expansion of the public transport networks. The contracts were awarded to Bechtel Group Inc. (9.4 billion US dollar), Fomento de Construcciones y Contratas (7.8 billion US dollar) and Ansaldo STS SpA (STS) (5.2 billion US dollar). Six driverless subway lines in all, will serve to the Riyadhs city centre, universities, government facilities, commercial areas, financial district as well as airport. This will be a 175-kilometer (109mile) network. The Vice-President of High Commission for the Development of Riyadh, Tarek alFares, announced that the project will take a total of five years to be completed. The project will be overseen by Arriyadh Development Authority, the government body. Various architects won for their designs of the metro stations. Among the winning designs of metro stations were also the ones
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for people living in France to escape taxes. It is worth mentioning here that France taxes inheritance progressively up to 45 per cent, compared to Switzerlands maximum of 7 per cent. France is one of a growing number of cash impoverished country which is trying to find tax hiding away in Swiss accounts.
United Nations Secretary General warned Myanmar to end Buddhist attacks on Rohingyas
The Secretary General of United Nations, Ban-ki-moon on 11 July 2013 warned Myanmar to end Buddhist attacks on Minority Muslims (Rohingyas). The Secretary General also asked Myanmar to take necessary steps to address legitimate grievances including citizenship. Ban-ki-moon feared that failing to do so, would bring in negative regional impacts in the country and weaken the reform process also. Myanmar passed its Citizenship Law in 1982 in which it
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India expressed interest in the provision of funds in various forms for the development of Nigeria's power sector.
Executive Programme for Cultural Cooperation Signed Between India and Senegal
An Executive Programme for Cultural Cooperation was signed between India and Senegal for the period 2013-2015 on 29 July 2013 at New Delhi. This programme was signed to affirm the commitment of the two countries for sustaining the cultural exchanges. Executive Programme for Cultural Cooperation was signed by Chandresh Kumari Katoch, Minister of Culture on behalf of Government of India and by Adboul Aziz Mbaye, Minister of Culture, on behalf of Government of Senegal. The programme will remain valid for a period of three years. However, it will remain intact till the fresh Exchange Programme is signed.
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Banking Awareness
For Bank PO, Clerk, RBI Asst. Exams
1. Why the Indirect taxes are termed regressive taxing mechanisms? 1) They are charged at higher rates than direct taxes 2) They are charged the same for all income groups 3) They are charged the same for all income groups 4) None Which of the following types of accounts are known as 'Demat Accounts'? 1) Accounts which are Zero Balance 2) Accounts which are opened to facilitate repayment of a loan taken from the bank. No other business can be conducted from there 3) Accounts in which shares of various companies are traded in electronic form 4) Accounts which are operated through internet banking facility Currently, which among the following products is facing imports ban from China? 1) Milk and Milk products 2) Rice 3) Telecom equipment 4) Heavy electrical engineering equipment Interest on savings bank account is now calculated by banks on? 1) Minimum balance during the month 2) Minimum balance from 7th to last day of the month 3) Minimum balance from 10th to last day of the month 4) Daily product basis Which of the following instruments of credit control adopted by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) does not fall within general or quantitative methods of credit control? 1) Stipulation of certain minimum margin in respect of advance against specified commodities 2) Open market operations 3) Bank rate 4) Variable reserve requirement 6. The term BSR refers to: 1) Banks Selling Rate 2) Basic Statistical Returns 3) Annual returns submitted by banks to RBI in respect of priority sector advances 4) Quarterly statement of advances to agriculture 7. Which of the following best defines a floating-rate bond? 1) A bond with a fixed interest rate and has better yield than varying interest rate bond 2) A bond with a fixed interest rate and has lower yield than varying interest rate bond 3) A bond with a varying interest rate and has better yield than fixed interest rate bond 4) A bond with a varying interest rate and has lower yield than fixed interest rate bond 8. Banking services delivered to a customer by means of a computer control system that does not directly involve banks branch is called? 1) Universal banking 2) Virtual banking 3) Narrow banking 4) Brick & Mortal banking 9. According to recent Reserve Bank of India (RBI) guidelines for new bank licenses, how much per cent should a new banks have to set up of its branches in unbanked rural areas. 1) 49% 2) 15% 3) 25% 4) 20% 10. What is the minimum public shareholding (MPS) mandated bySEBI for Private Companies and PSUs respectively? 1) 75% and 90% 2) 90% and 75% 3) 10% and 25% 4) 25% and 10% 11. The usual deposit accounts of banks are? 1) Current accounts, electricity accounts and insurance premium accounts. 2) Current accounts, post office savings, bank accounts and term deposit accounts. 3) Loan accounts, savings bank accounts and term deposit accounts. 4) Current accounts, savings bank accounts and term deposit accounts. 12. The Mayaram panel was constituted to look into which one ofthe following areas? 1) FDI limits in multi brand retail 2) FDI limits across various sectors 3) FII limits in stock market investment 4) None of the above 13. Increase in net RBI credit for central government represents: 1) Budgetary deficit 2) Revenue deficit 3) Fiscal deficit 4) Monetised deficit 14. What is the least average daily per capita expenditure (DPCE) for village and cities respectively as per the latest data released by the National Sample Survey Office? 1) Rs.17 and Rs.23 2) Rs.21 and Rs.25 3) Rs.15 and Rs.21 4) Rs.17 and Rs.32 15. When a bank returns a cheque unpaid, it is called? 1) Payment of the cheque 2) Drawing of the cheque 3) Canceling of the cheque 4) Dishonour of the cheque 16. The RBI has decided to auction Inflation Indexed Bonds. The index of these Inflation Indexed Bonds is pegged to? 1) WPI 2) CPI 3) Both WPI and CPI 4) None of the above
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30. Interest on savings bank account is now calculated by banks on: 1) Minimum balance during the month 2) Minimum balance from 7th to the last day of the month 3) Minimum balance from 10th to last day of the month 4)Daily product basis 31. Devaluation means: 1) To reduce the value of home currency 2) To appreciate the value of home currency 3) To issue new currency in place of old currency 4) To lower the prices of goods for export 32. Bank Rate implies the rate of interest: 1) Paid by the Reserve Bank of India on the deposits of commercial banks 2) Charged by banks on loans and advances 3) Payable on bonds 4) At which the Reserve Bank of India discounts the Bills of Exchange 33. Priority Sector Lending by banks in India constitutes the lending to 1) agriculture 2) micro and small enterprises 3) weaker sections 4) All of the above 34. The allocation for the health sector during the 12th Plan is fixed at? 1) Rs.1 lakh crore 2) Rs.2 lakh crore 3) Rs.3 lakh crore 4) Rs.4 lakh crore 35. The World Bank has resumed its aid to which of the following countries after a gap of 25 years? 1) Cuba 2) Sudan 3) Myanmar 4) Nigeria
ANSWERS
1. 2 6. 2 11. 4 16. 1 21. 1 26. 3 31. 1 2. 3 7. 4 12. 2 17. 1 22. 1 27. 4 32. 4 3. 1 8. 2 13. 4 18. 2 23. 2 28. 3 33. 4 4. 4 9. 3 14. 1 19. 1 24. 1 29. 3 34. 3 5. 1 10. 4 15. 4 20. 2 25. 1 30. 4 35. 3
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1) Bryan Lara 2) Shane Warne 3) Darren Lehmann 4) Adam Gilchrist Scientists at the University of Texas in Dallas on 28 May 2013 designed a novel, small molecule that could help in the treatment of which disease? The molecules effectiveness lies in blocking the cancerpromoting function of proteins called androgen receptors. 1) Breast Cancer 2) Brain Cancer 3) Lung Cancer 4) Prostate Cancer Scientists while analysing fossil records in the Month of May 2013 have discovered a new _________, which is dated back 66 to 80 million years. Fill in the blank with an appropriate option. 1) Triceratops 2) Torosaurus 3) Three Horned Dinosaur 4) Chasmosaurines The European Southern Observatory (ESO) on 29 May 2013 announced that astronomers in Chile discovered 15 new dark galaxies. Near which constellation were these dark galaxies discovered? 1) Andromeda 2) Cetus 3) Delphinus 4) Lupus Nirmal Gram Puraskar award is related to which one of thefollowing ministry? 1) Ministry of Environment and Forest 2) Ministry of Rural Development 3) Ministry of Culture 4) Ministry of Social Welfare The 5th Summit of which of the following organizations took place in South Africa recently? 1) G-8 2) G20 3) SAARC 4) BRICS Recently, in which one of the following places Early Tsunami Warning Systemhas been installed?
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57. Norman E. Borlaug is the founder of the World Food Prize. Who won this prize in June 2013? 1)Marc Van Montague (Belgium) 2) Mary-Dell Chilton (USA) 3) Robert Fraley (USA) 4) All 1, 2 and 3 58. In a recent survey released by NSSO, what is the status of Indias unemployment for the year 2011-12? 1) It rose by 2% 2) It declined by 2% 3) It rose by 2.7% 4) It declined by 2.7% 59. Which among the following are the three major medicines banned by Union government recently? 1) Pioglitazone, Deanxit, Brufen 2) Deanxit, Brufen, Analgin 3) Analgin, Pioglitazone, Brufen 4) Pioglitazone, Deanxit, Analgin 60. The Union Government has decided to reduce the number of centrally sponsored schemes (CSS) from over 140 during the 12th Five Year Plan (2012-17). What is the proposed no of reduced CSS under this new strategy? 1) 38 2) 66 3) 85 4) 98 61. Who among the following is the head of the Committee set up by SEBI, to unify Foreign Investment Norms? 1) C B Dhave 2) U K Sinha 3) Sudhir Kulkarni 4) K M Chandrashekar 62. The Union Cabinet on 6 May 2013 had cleared important changes to the National Rural Livelihoods Mission _ in a major boost to the roll out of the womens self help group model across the country? 1) Khadyaan 2) Sukhoslam 3) Jeevan Suraksha 4) Aajeevika 63. The Union Cabinet of India on 1 May 2013 approved major changes to the National Rural
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77. Union Cabinet granted classical language status to which of the following language? 1) Hindi 2) Gujarathi 3) Malayalam 4) Konkani 78. The Inga dam is the world's largest proposed hydropower project. In which country this dam is being constructed? 1) South Africa 2) Democratic Republic of the Congo 3) Nigeria 4) Kenya 79. Which of the following film has bagged the Best Feature Film award at the third SAARC Film Festival in Colombo? 1) Paan Singh Tomar 2) Burfi 3) Dabaang 4) Lunch Box 80. Which of the following country has become the 5th country to ratify Istanbul convention? 1) Albania 2) Montenegro 3) Italy 4) Portugal 81. Maturity of Inflation Indexed Bonds issued by RBI on 15th May 2013 is? 1) 5 years 2) 20 years 3) 10 Years 4) 14 years 82. The Kochhar Commission was constituted to probe which one of the following incident? 1) Pune Blast 2) Bhopal Gas Disaster 3) Godhra Train carnage 4) Mumbai Terror attack 83. which of the following states has made possession of Adhaar card is mandatory for teaching and Non teaching staff to draw salaries? 1) Madhya Pradesh 2) Maharastra 3) Gujarat 4) West Bengal 84. The Kachin Independence Army is a rebel group active in which of the following country? 1) Bangladesh 2) Sri Lanka 3) Myanmar 4) Afghanistan
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97. The drug Bedaquiline, which is recently in news is used to treat which one of the following disease? 1) Malaria 2) Tuberculosis 3) Dengue 4) HIV/AIDS 98. Who among the following has been awarded Simon Bolivar National Award of Journalism 2013? 1) George Bush 2) Angle Markel 3) Hugo Chavez 4) Valdmir Putin 99. Which one of the following ancient Jain manuscript has been registered in the UNESCO Heritage documentary? 1) Shantinatha Purana 2) Jaina Purana 3) Mahavira Purana 4) Bahubali Purana 100. The Union Ministry of Information and Broadcasting constituted a committee to review the rate revision of the newspaper advertisements. Who among the following is the head of this committee? 1) S K Sinha 2) Prakash Chandra 3) J S Mathur 4) Chandra Mouli
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ANSWERS
1. 1 6. 2 11. 3 16. 3 21. 1 26. 4 31. 2 36. 4 41. 3 46. 3 51. 3 56. 4 61. 4 66. 1 71. 2 76. 1 81. 3 86. 1 91. 3 96. 1 2. 2 7. 1 12. 1 17. 2 22. 2 27. 2 32. 1 37. 3 42. 3 47. 1 52. 2 57. 4 62. 4 67. 1 72. 3 77. 3 82. 2 87. 4 92. 2 97. 2 3. 1 8. 1 13. 1 18. 2 23. 4 28. 2 33. 2 38. 2 43. 3 48. 1 53. 1 58. 2 63. 1 68. 2 73. 1 78. 2 83. 2 88. 2 93. 1 98. 3 4. 2 5. 2 9. 2 10. 3 14. 3 15. 2 19. 2 20. 2 24. 2 25. 2 29. 1 30. 1 34. 3 35. 3 39. 2 40. 4 44. 2 45. 2 49. 1 50. 1 54. 1 55. 1 59. 4 60. 2 64. 4 65. 2 69. 1 70. 4 74. 3 75. 2 79. 1 80. 3 84. 3 85. 1 89. 2 90. 3 94. 3 95. 1 99. 1 100. 3
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96. Ph. No. 9290010274, 9490247793 sreemediacommunications2012@ gmail.com Visit us at http:// sreemediacommunications.blogspot.in