GK Today Nov

Current Affairs : November 2014 Current Affairs - Current Affairs Today
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Cre at e d :
current affairs
21-Dec-14 4:02 PM
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http://currentaffairs.gktoday.in/category/current-affairs-november-2014
Chinas Yan Bingtao Becomes Youngest

Player to Win World Snooker Title
November 30, 2014No comments
Yan Bingtao, the 14-year-old prodigy from China, has created history by becoming the youngest
player to win the mens title in the IBSF World Snooker Championship. He defeated Pakistans
Muhammad Sajjad 8-7 in the final match held in Bengaluru, Karnataka.
Earlier, Yan had defeated 12 time World titles holder Pankaj Advani by 6-4 to storm into the mens
semi-finals.
PM flags off Meghalayas first train

Prime Minister Narendra Modi flagged-off the first train from Mendipathar, Meghalaya, to Guwahati.
This was an important occasion in the history of Indian Railways, as Meghalaya was being added to
the rail network of India for first time. He also unveiled the plaque for a new rail line from Bhairabi
to Sairang.
WCCB develops app to track wildlife crimes

across country
For the first time, Wildlife Crime Control Bureau (WCCB) under Environment Ministry in
coordination with the Wildlife Trust of India (WTI) have developed Android based smartphone
application that will enable users to report wildlife crimes, from any part of the country using their
mobile phones
Features of applications
This application provides a secure platform for real time exchange of wildlife crime related
information between WCCB and relevant stakeholders
The app allows an individual to report a wildlife crime quickly and efficiently as the lead will
be automatically delivered to a designated email id of WCCB.
The user who reports crime can also remain anonymous and WCCB will be the sole
custodian of the collected information.
Further, no details of the person reporting the crime will be shared without the prior
consent of the individual.
This interactive app has a simple user interface replacing the written reporting and records.
It is also integrated with digital version of the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972. The updated
version will provide regular wildlife crime news alerts and updates on any
amendments/notifications related to the Act.
Further, WTI is in consultation with its partner International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) is also
trying to develop an application for identification of wild animals which is expected to be integrated
in the next version of the present app.
Thus this application may contribute greatly in improving wildlife crime enforcement in India.
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Renowned Crime novelist Phyllis Dorothy James has passed away in Oxford, UK. She was 94. She
was referred as queen of crime fiction and well-known for her series of detective novels starring
the policeman and poet Adam Dalgliesh.
About Phyllis Dorothy James
Phyllis Dorothy James usually known as PD James was born in Oxford, UK was acclaimed
British writer.
She began her writing career in the 1950s.
Her first novel Cover Her face was published in 1962 which featured the investigator and
poet Adam Dalgliesh named after a teacher at Cambridge High School.
She had held a job in the forensic science department and then the criminal law department
until 1979.
She had gained international recognition in 1980 after the publication of her eighth book,
Innocent Blood.
Many of her detective novels were adapted by television in the UK in 1980s.
She was awarded the Crime Writers Associations Diamond Dagger award in 1987 for
lifetime achievement, and had also received the Medal of Honour for Literature in 2005 by
National Arts Club.
She has over 20 novels to her credit.
She was British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) governor from 1988 to 1993.
RBI releases final guidelines for the Bharat

Bill Payment System (BBPS)
Reserve Bank of India issued the final guidelines for the Bharat Bill Payment System (BBPS). It is an
integrated bill payment system offering inter-operable and accessible bill payment service to
customers through a network of agents, enabling multiple payment modes, and providing instant
confirmation of payment.
Key Facts
It will help consumers pay multiple bills like electricity, telephone and school fees at a single
point of transaction.
The National Payment Corporation of India (NPCI) has been appointed as the nodal body
which will set the standards, and also take care of clearing and settlement as the Bharat Bill
Payment Central Unit (BBPCU).
In the two tiered BBPS set-up, there will be authorised operational units called Bharat Bill
Payment Operating Units (BBPOUs) with an agent network under the BBPCU.
RBI has set a Rs 100-crore networth and domestic registration as qualifying conditions for
those seeking to be authorised collection agents.
Participants in the BBPS will include authorised entities such as BPCU, BBPOUs as well as
their authorised agents, payment gateways, banks, billers and service providers, and other
entities, including authorised prepaid payment instrument issuers.
Thus, BBPS will help track all the payments being made in economy, including cash payments to
utilities, schools, and telcos among others.
Mount Aso erupts in Japan

Mount Aso, a volcano in southern Japan has erupted. It is the first such eruption in 22 years,
causing flight cancellations and prompting warnings to stay away from its crater. This eruption has
spewed out lava debris and smoke, shooting plumes of ash a kilometre into the sky.
Earlier, Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) had reported earthquakes and other seismic activity in
late August on Mount Aso.
About Mount Aso
Mount Aso is the largest active volcano in Japan, and is among the largest in the world. It is located
in Aso Kuju National Park in Kumamoto Prefecture, on Kyushu Island. Its peak is 1592 m above sea
level. Mount Aso has one of the largest calderas in the world (25 km north-south and 18 km eastwest). The caldera has a circumference of around 120 km.
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The Union Government has granted Rs. 444 crore for the Phase-2 work of the Sabarmati River
Conservation Project. This fund will help to beautify Sabarmati Riverfront Project.
The National River Conservation Director (NRCD) has also given nod for the purification of the
Sabarmati River.
As per the approval
70 per cent of the cost i.e. Rs. 311.72-crore would be borne by the Centre.
Remaining 30 per cent i.e. Rs. 132.72-crore will be jointly borne by Government of Gujarat
(GOG) and Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC).
This project will be executed as per the provisions of Central Public Health Engineering
Environment Organisations (CPHEEO) Revised Guidelines.
After the completion of Phase-2 of the River Conservation Project, no untreated or half-treated
sewage water could be released into the Sabarmati.
Similarly, industrial waste waters could also be released into the sewage line only after primary
treatment as per the provisions.
Earlier, Centre had earlier granted Rs. 90-crore for the Phase-1 of the project under which 22-km
of sewage network, two terminal pumping stations and two sewage treatment plants, besides two
crematoria and five toilets were constructed.
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Namibia has become first country in Africa to use electronic voting in their presidential election. For
the first time 1.2 million Namibians are expected to cast their votes electronically in the countrys
5th election since independence.
Around 3400 India-made Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) will be used for this elections.
In April 2014, Namibian government had purchased these EVM form Indias public sector unit,
Bharat Electronic Limited (BEL), Bangaluru.
This purchase was done after, the seven-member delegation from the Electoral Commission of
Namibia (ECN) were impressed by the EVM system after they had visited polling stations in
Karnataka including Bengaluru, during Lok Sabha polls in April, 2014 17.
Other countries using Indian made EVMs: Asian countries Nepal, Bhutan have purchased
India-manufactured EVMs and using it. Fiji is expected to use Indian EVMs.
India and Mozambique sign MoU for

cooperation in oil & gas sector
India and Mozambique have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) for cooperation in the
oil and gas sector for a period of five years.
This MoU seeks cooperation in oil and gas in both upstream and downstream sectors in the areas
of enhancing capacity-building, forging closer cooperation between research and training centres
and intensifying technology transfer, among others.
The MoU was signed at a meeting held at New Delhi between Petroleum Minister Dharmendra
Pradhan and Mozambiques Minister of Foreign Affairs Oldemiro Julio Marques Baloi.
Background
Earlier, Union cabinet had given their nod on 29th October 2014 for the MoU between both
countries.
Mozambique is strategically located near India and is ideally suited for bringing Liquefied natural
gas (LNG) to India at market-determined price. Participation of Indian energy companies in the
project will facilitate access to LNG for the growing Indian gas market. This project plans to
produce 34 million tonnes of LNG annually from its biggest gas field the Rovuma Area 1 offshore
block of Mozambique.
State-run ONGC Videsh Ltd, Oil India and Bharat Petroleum Corp already have bought 30 percent
stake and will also participate in the LNG project.
70 crore Aadhaar cards generated so far

Government has announced that as many as 70.43 crore Aadhaar numbers have been generated
by the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) as on November 15, 2014.
It was notified by Planning Minister Rao Inderjit Singh in a written reply to Rajya Sabha.
As per Government
The Aadhaar saturation level is more than 90 per cent in 9 states and union territories
(UTs).
Between 75 per cent and 90 per cent in another 8 states/UTs.
In the remaining 12 states/UTs, the Aadhaar saturation level is under 50 per cent.
Government has allocated 24 states/UTs to UIDAI for Aadhaar enrolment and the remaining
12 states/UTs to Registrar General of India (RGI) for enrolment under National Population
Register (NPR) process.
At present, Aadhaar enrolments in the state/UTs not allocated to UIDAI are being
undertaken by Registrar General of India under NPR process.
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Thailands parliament has voted to ban commercial surrogacy. This decision was taken by
Thailands military Junta which came to power in May, 2014.
A voted draft bill has provision which mentions that anyone profiting off surrogacy will be given a
maximum ten year prison sentence. The bill also forbids any middlemen or agencies, receiving any
assets or benefits through the surrogacy process
This decision was outcome of outrage that had erupted over the largely unregulated commercial
surrogacy industry following allegations that an Australian couple abandoned a baby with Downs
syndrome.
In 1997, commercial surrogacy was supposedly banned by Thailands Medical Council. But, the
booming surrogacy industry had sprung up in Thailand which had attracted many foreigners.
This industry came under intense scrutiny after a series of surrogacy scandals broke involving
foreigners.
WTO approves trade facilitation agreement

(TFA)
The World Trade Organization (WTO) approved the first world-wide trade deal- Trade Facilitation
agreement (TFA). It was approved by WTOs 160 member nations in Geneva after months of
deadlock.
This announcement comes after India and the US earlier had resolved their differences over public
stockholding of food in November 2014.
The approval of TFA deal will possibly help to meet a permanent solution for the public
stockholding of food in the WTOs Ministerial Conference 2015 as 160 members agreed to make all
efforts to find a permanent solution to the issue.
Summary
The Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA) is the WTOs first-ever multilateral accord. It was outcome
of 9th Ministerial Conference of WTO for broader reform to boost global trade held in Bali,
Indonesia in December, 2013.
The agreement includes provisions for
Lowering import tariffs and agricultural subsidies: It will make it easier for developing
countries to trade with the developed world in global markets.
Abolish hard import quotas: Developed countries would abolish hard import quotas on
agricultural products from the developing world and instead would only be allowed to
charge tariffs on amount of agricultural imports exceeding specific limits.
Reduction in red tape at international borders: It aims to reduce red-tapism to
facilitate trade by reforming customs bureaucracies and formalities.
Implications
If this agreement is properly implemented, it may create US$1 trillion worth of global economic
activity which may add 21 million new jobs and lower the cost of doing international trade by 1015
percent.
Centenary Celebrations of Shiksha Mandal

Wardha begins
On 26th November 2014, centenary celebrations of national institution- Shiksha Mandal Wardha
began. President Pranab Mukherjee was Chief Guest of the celebration function.
Governor of Maharashtra, C Vidyasagar Rao was also present along with Chief Minister of
Maharashtra, Devendra Fadnavis and Union Minister for Road Transport & Highways in the Central
Government (and a Shiksha Mandal Alumni) Nitin Gadkari .
About Shiksha Mandal
Shiksha Mandal is a pioneer national institution in higher education in Central India. It was founded
in 1914, by Jamnalal Bajaj and Shrikrishnadas Jajoo, associates of Mahatma Gandhi, at Wardha for
educating the youth of India.
During Independence, this Mandal was a part of the national movement and received support for
several national leaders including Gandhiji, Sardar Patel, Shri PC Ray etc.
During pre-Independence time, some of its students and faculties were involved in the Quit India
movement and for few months during this movement its buildings were seized by the British.
It was also the first institute in India to prepare text books and conduct examinations in Hindi and
Marathi at the graduate level.
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Government has revised the target for opening of accounts under Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana
(PMJDY) from 7.5 crore to10 crore by 26th January, 2015.
It was announced by Finance Ministry in order to open one account bank account for each
household in the country.
According to Finance Ministry
Till 18th November 2014, 7.64 crore bank accounts have been opened under PMJDY.
Out of 7.64 crore bank accounts, Public Sector Banks (PSBs) have opened 6.15 crore
accounts, Regional Rural Banks (RRBs) have opened 1.28 crore accounts and private sector
banks have opened 0.20 crore accounts.
In terms of deposits, Rs. 6015 crore has been collected up to 18th November, 2014 under
PMJDY. Out of 7.64 core accounts opened, 5.74 crore accounts opened are zero balance
accounts.
Under PMJDY scheme, Madhya Pradesh has achieved more than 90% of the target of
opening of accounts and is likely to achieve the target of 100% soon.
Finance Ministry, is also seeking to connect Aadhar card numbers with bank accounts which will
help in directly transferring the subsidies to the bank accounts of the desired sections of the society
under Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) scheme.
Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana(PMJDY)
PM of India, Narendra Modi had launched the ambitious PMJDY which aims to achieve
comprehensive financial inclusion. It provides universal access to banking facilities starting with
Basic Banking Accounts and RuPay Debit card with inbuilt accident insurance cover of Rs. 1 lakh and
RuPay Kisan Card.
The slogan for the Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan mission is Mera Khata Bhagya Vidhaata.
India launches E-Visa facility for 43

countries
India has launched the tourist visa on arrival facility (VoA) enabled by electronic travel authorization
i.e. E-Visa facility. It was launched by Home Ministry and Tourism Ministry.
This system will be applicable for 43 countries and will make travel seamless and hassle-free for
foreign tourist in India.
The addition of 43 countries is the first phase of this facility and more countries will be added soon.
Key Facts
In order to get e-visa facility, foreign tourists will have to apply online at the Web site by
uploading their photo and passport and pay a fee online.
Within 72 hours, the applicant will receive an Electronic Travel Authorization, ETA by an email.
It will be 30-day permit which will include sightseeing, visiting friends and family, recreation,
short duration medical treatment, and casual business visit.
This facility will be available to tourist twice a year.
Through this facility, foreign tourists will be allowed to enter and depart from nine airports.
They are Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Kochi,
Thiruvananthapuram and Goa.
In the first phase e-visa facility will be provided to countries like Russia, Ukraine, Brazil, UAE,
Jordan, Kenya, Fiji, Finland, Australia, South Korea, Singapore, Mauritius, Mexico, Norway,
Oman and Philippines, US, Germany and Israel.

But Government has barred a few countries from e-Visa Facility like Pakistan, Sudan,
Afghanistan, Iran, Iraq, Nigeria, Sri Lanka and Somalia.
Thus, government has changed the current procedure of Visa approval from manual system to IT
based system which will benefit of tourists and will bring the revolution in the tourism sector and
boost the economy.
Australian cricketer Phillip Hughes dies

after head injury
Australian cricketer Phillip Hughes died after he had suffered a severe head injury due to a bouncer
during a match. He was 25. He was in coma for three days following the injury sustained while
playing in a Sheffield Shield game in Sydney Cricket Ground.
After this incident, Hughes had undergone emergency surgery to relieve pressure on his brain after
being struck on the head by a ball. The cricket fraternity across the world today reacted with shock
and sadness at the sad demise of Phil Hughes.
About Phillip Hughes
Phillip Joel Hughes was an Australian Test and One-Day International (ODI) cricketer. He had
played for domestic cricket for South Australia and Worcestershire. He was a left-handed opening
batsman who played for two seasons with New South Wales before making his Test debut in 2009
at the age of 20.
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Punjab government has banned the sale of flavoured tobacco and e-cigarettes with immediate
effect throughout the state. This decision was taken in at a state-level coordination committee held
in Chandigarh as various firms were bypassing Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act
(COTPA), 2003 by selling flavoured, scented tobacco and e-cigarettes in the state.
Under the new notification, even e-commerce companies can be booked as e-cigarettes contain
nicotine in chemical form.
State-level coordination committee had expressed concern over sale of cigarettes near educational
institutions, especially colleges and coaching institutes. They have strictly imposed ban on sale of
tobacco within 200 metres of educational institutions.
Thus, Punjab has become the first state in the country to ban e-cigarettes and users of any other
electronic nicotine delivery system (ENDS). Under these new regulations, promoters will be
prosecuted under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act for selling unapproved drugs and could end up
serving a year in jail.
E-cigarette
It is a battery-powered vaporizer which has the feel of tobacco smoking.They do not produce
smoke like regular cigarette but rather an aerosol (mist), which is inaccurately referred to as
vapor. They have a heating element that atomizes a liquid solution known as e-liquid. E-liquids are
usually a mixture of propylene glycol, glycerin, nicotine, and flavorings. Using an E-cigarette is
called Vaping.
Boxer Manoj Kumar receives prestigious

Arjuna Award
Boxer Manoj Kumar was awarded prestigious Arjuna Award by Sports Minister Sarbananda
Sonowal in New Delhi. He was awarded this award after winning a High Court case against Sports
ministry. Manoj Kumar is 2010 Commonwealth Games gold medalist.
Case
Earlier, Kapil Dev-led award selection committee had denied Manoj this award, due false belief that
he was involved in a doping case. Instead of Manoj, the committee had recommended name of
another boxer Jai Bhagwan for this award.
After this denial, Manoj had approached the Sports Ministry who had assured him that his name
would be added to the list in a review meeting. But he was again sidelined by the Sports Ministry.
After he was sidelined, he took the legal route and filed a case in the Delhi High Court against the
ministry. He won this case and that led to the ministry accepting his nomination for the award.
About Arjuna Award
The Arjuna Awards are given by the Union Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports to
sportsperson for their recognition and outstanding achievement in National sports. It was
instituted in 1961.
The award carries a monetary prize of Rs. 500,000, a bronze statuette of Arjuna and a
scroll.
From the year 2001, the award is given only in disciplines falling under the following
categories:
1. Olympic Games / Asian Games / Commonwealth Games / World Cup / World Championship
Disciplines and Cricket.
2. Indigenous Games.
3. Physically Challenged Sports.
93rd birth anniversary of Dr.Verghese

Kurien observed as National Milk Day in
Gujarat
National Milk Day was observed in Gujarat to mark 93rd birth anniversary of Dr.Verghese Kurien. It
was the first of its kind initiative organized by all dairy majors to celebrate November 26 as
National Milk Day in the memory Dr Verghese Kurien.
The idea of celebrating Indian Milk Day was first mooted by Indian Dairy Association (IDA).
Events organized on National Milk Day
National Dairy Development Board (NDDB), IDA along with around 22 state level milk
federations including Gujarat Co-operative Milk Marketing Federation (GCMMF) that markets
brand Amul took part in this initiative.
200 lakh milk pouches of Amul will carry the National Milk Days logo featuring Dr Kurien for
a week across the country.
District level milk unions who are part of Milk federation had organized district level
celebrations which were attended by around 10,000 milk producers.

Gujarat chief minister Anandiben Patel addressed mega gathering of farmers in a
programme organized by Banas Dairy in Palanpur district.
In Anand district, all institutes founded by Mr Kurien i.e. Amul, Institute of Rural
Management Anand (IRMA), Anandalaya and NDDB participated to celebrate this day.
About Dr.Verghese Kurien
Verghese Kurien was renowned social entrepreneur. He was best known as the Father of the
White Revolution.
Operation Flood: His billion-litre idea-Operation Flood which was the worlds largest agricultural
development programme, helped to transform India from a milk-deficit country into the worlds
largest milk producer.
Milk Co-operatives Movement: He had founded around 30 institutions of excellence (like AMUL,
GCMMF, IRMA, NDDB) which are owned, managed by farmers and run by professionals. As the
founding chairman of the Gujarat Co-operative Milk Marketing Federation (GCMMF), Kurien was
responsible for the creation and success of the Amul brand of dairy products.
Milk powder: Under his chairmanship, Amul achieved key invention of milk powder processed
from buffalo milk.
Awards conferred to Verghese Kurien for his contribution are
19631989196519661999-
Ramon Magsaysay Award.

World Food Prize by World Food Prize, USA.
Padma Shri.
Padma Bhushan.
Padma Vibhushan.
World Milk Day: Globally, 1st June is annually celebrated as World Milk Day. In 2001, this day was
designated by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (UN-FAO).
It aims to publicize activities related to milk and milk industries and raise public awareness about
the importance of milk and milk products for everyone throughout life.
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Lok Sabha has passed the Delhi Special Police Establishment (Amendment) Bill, 2014. The Bill was
passed by voice vote.
The Bill amends the Delhi Special Police Establishment Act, 1946 for the changing the provision
related to appointment of Director of CBI.
The Bill amends the provision in relation to the Leader of Opposition (LoP) and states that where
there is no LoP, the Leader of the single largest Opposition Party in that House would be part of the
committee for appointment of Director of CBI.
In the present Lok Sabha there is no LoP in Lok Sabha, since no party have the numbers to get the
post. Now Congress is the largest Opposition party.
Summary
Delhi Special Police Establishment Act, 1946 constitutes a special investigation police force
known as the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).
Earlier the Act had provision for a three member committee to make recommendations to
the central government for appointment of the Director of CBI.
This committee comprised of Prime Minister (Chairperson), the Chief Justice of India or a
Supreme Court judge nominated by him, and the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha.
Thus this amendment bill, will pave the way for the appointment of a new CBI Director in
December as incumbent CBI Director Ranjit Sinha is to retire on 2nd December 2014.
Anoop Mishra to be the new Secretary

General of the Lok Sabha
Former Uttar Pradesh Chief Secretary Anoop Mishra, will be the new Secretary-General of the Lok
Sabha. It was announced by the Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan. He will have the rank and
status of Cabinet Secretary with effect from 1st December 2014 to 30th November 2016 or until
further orders.
About Anoop Mishra
Mr. Mishra is a former IAS officer of the 1978 batch of Uttar Pradesh cadre. He has held several
important positions at the Centre and in Uttar Pradesh.
He was the Chief Secretary of Uttar Pradesh for a year with overall responsibility of the State
administration, superintendence of law and order and development and infrastructure schemes.
At Centre he has held several important posts like Joint Secretary, Cabinet Secretariat, with the
responsibility of strategic Ministries of Home, Defence, External Affairs, Atomic Energy and Space
and the economic Ministries of Finance and Commerce, besides the Planning Commission.
Supreme Court opines to terminate IPL

team Chennai Super Kings
Supreme Court while hearing on the Mudgal report Committee probe on IPL spot-fixing case has
opine to terminate Indian Premier League (IPL) team Chennai Super Kings (CSK).
This hearing was given by two member special bench headed by Justice T S Thakur and Justice
Fakkir Mohamed Ibrahim Kalifulla.
SC hearing
Disqualification of CSK: The bench mentioned that being Board of Control for Cricket in
India (BCCI) chief and by owning CSK, Srinivasan had breached the provision of conflict of
interest. So, CSK needs to be disqualified.
BCCI not taking any action: The bench has also questioned that BCCI over not taking any
action against CSK, Rajasthan Royals -the other team whose owner Raj Kundra was
allegedly involved in betting, and their officials on the basis of findings of Mudgal Committee
report.
Fresh Elections of BCCI: The court also suggested there must be fresh election process
for the Board. In these elections the people whose names are mentioned in the Mudgal
report should not take part. Afterwards newly elected board should decide what actions are
to be taken on the basis of findings of the report.
Earlier SC hearing: SC while hearing on the IPL spot-fixing case probed by the Justice Mudgal
Committee had disclosed names of few persons those who had alleged links with this case. They
were
Srinivasan- Former President of BCCI and owner of CSK
Sunder Raman- BCCI chief operating officer (COO).
Raj Kundra- Rajasthan Royals co-owner.
Gurunath Meiyappan- Chennai Super Kings team principal and son-in-law of N. Srinivasan.
About Mudgal Committee
In 2014, SC has constituted Justice Mukkul Mudgal Committee to conduct an independent inquiry
over allegations of corruption, betting and spot-fixing in IPL matches.
Members of committee: Retired Justice Mukkul Mudgal (Head), former Solicitor-General of India
L.Nageshwara Rao, former Umpire Nilay Dutta, Deputy DG of Narcotics Control Bureau B.B.Mishra
and former Indian captain Sourav Ganguly.
They had submitted its findings in the form of a final Report to the SC in a sealed cover on
November 3, 2014.
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Rajya Sabha has passed Labour Laws Amendment Bill, 2011 which simplifies labour law
procedures for establishments employing up to 40 workers. This bill amends the Labour Laws
(Exemption from Furnishing Returns and Maintaining Registers by Certain Establishments)
Amendment and Miscellaneous Provisions Act, 1988.
The Amendment Bill, proposes to change the original Act of 1988 by
Increasing the number of laws under which small establishments are exempted from
furnishing returns and maintaining registers.
Amending the definition of small establishments to cover units employing between 10 to
40 workers as against the limit of 19 workers at present.
The seven Acts that are added to the list includes
1. Motor Transport Workers Act, 1961.
2. Payment of Bonus Act, 1965.
3. Inter-State Migrant Workmen (Regulation of Employment and Conditions of Service) Act,
1979
4. Building and Other Construction Workers (Regulation of Employment and Conditions of
Service) Act, 1996.

5. Beedi and Cigar Workers (Conditions of Employment) Act, 1966.
6. Dock Workers (Safety, Health and Welfare) Act, 1986.
7. Child Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act, 1986.
The Bill also adds that the employer may maintain the returns filed and the registers on a
computer, computer disk or other electronic media.
Background
The Act of 1988, defines small establishments as any place which employs between 10
and 19 people on any day of the preceding 12 months. A very small establishment is a
place that employs nine or less people.
Under it, these small and very establishments are exempted from furnishing returns and
maintaining registers under certain labour laws.
Small establishments were also exempted from furnishing returns and maintaining registers
under certain laws.
Under the Act of 1988, the establishments were required to furnish returns and maintain
registers in a specified format.
Thus this Amendment Bill seeks to widen the earlier Act to more establishments and adds more
laws from which these establishments were exempted earlier.
Page 10
November 26, 20141 Comment
Haryana government has reduced retirement age of government employees from 60 to 58 years.
This decision was taken in cabinet meet headed by Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar. It was also
announced that the upper age limit for fresh recruitment will remain 42 years. Earlier, Congress-
led Bhupinder Singh Hooda government in Haryana had announced to increase retirement age for
government staff from 58 to 60 years.
It was a populist decision announced by then Congress government just before the 15th October
2014 assembly election in the state.
Pakistani writer Bilal Tanweer wins 2014

Shakti Bhatt First Book Prize
Pakistani writer, Bilal Tanweer has won the 2014 Shakti Bhatt First Book Prize for his novel The
Scatter Here Is Too Great. The award carries a cash component of Rs. 2 lakh.
This years judges for Shakti Bhatt First Book Prize were authors Amit Chaudhuri, Aatish Taseer
and Mridula Koshy (2009 winner of the Shakti Bhatt First Book Prize).
For 2014 Shakti Bhatt First Book Prize, six books were shortlisted. They are
A Bad Character by Deepti Kapoor .
The Scatter Here Is Too Great by Bilal Tanweer.
The Vanishing Act by Prawin Adhikari.
a cool, dark place by Supriya Dravid.
The Competent Authority by Shovon Chowdhury.
The Smoke Is Rising by Mahesh Rao.
All the six books including Tanweers have been published by Indian publishers.
About Bilal Tanweer
Bilal Tanweer was born and raised in Karachi. He is Lahore-based author.
He has published fiction, poetry and translation in various international journals. In 2011, he
was selected for Granta New Voice.
His book The Scatter Here Is Too Great underlines the crucial importance of literature in
larger cultural landscape. It balances the universality of existential torment with the often
horrifying nitty-gritty realities of its location, Karachi.
About Shakti Bhatt First Book Prize
The Shakti Bhatt First Book Prize is an award named after journalist Shakti Bhatt, who passed
away in 2007. It was set up in 2008 to encourage authors from the Indian sub-continent. 2014 was
seventh year of this prize and the prize money was increased to Rs 2 lakhs with support from Priti
Paul and the Apeejay Trust.
Other Pakistani writers who have won this prize:
In 2008- Mohammed Hanif.
In 2011- Jamil Ahmad.
Government launches Swachh Bharat Kosh

Government recently launched the Swachh Bharat Kosh- a fund that will be utilised to build
toilets in schools, rural and urban areas to achieve the objective of cleanliness across the country.
It will seek to attract donations under Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) from Corporate Sector
and contributions from individuals and philanthropists to achieve the objective of Clean India
(Swachh Bharat) by the year 2019.
Key facts about Swachh Bharat Kosh

Objective: Funds will be used for improving cleanliness levels in rural and urban areas,
including in schools. As a top priority, funds will be used to bring out innovative projects and
girl toilets.
Governing Council: It will be under the Ministry of Finance and will be managed by a
Governing Council headed by Expenditure Secretary.
Monitoring: Its functioning will be monitored on quarterly basis by the Finance Minister and
by the Prime Minister from time-to-time.
Activities:
Projects under it will be implemented and carried out by the existing institutions at the state,
district, and sub district level and no new institutions would be created.
These funds will finance activities such as construction of new toilets as well as repair and
renovation of dysfunctional toilets in rural areas, urban areas, elementary, secondary and senior
secondary government schools, aanganwaadis.
It will be also used for constructing water lines to the toilets, training and skill development to
maintain hygiene in the toilets as well as other activities to improve sanitation.
Prime Minister himself will acknowledge contributions of over Rs 1 crore made by individuals and of
over Rs 20 crore by corporates.
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Page 11
Kathak queen and legend Sitara Devi passed away. She was 94. She was living legend and a
renowned exponent of the classical Indian dance Kathak and was well known for her own niche
style of Kathak.
About Sitara Devi
Sitara Devi was born in Kolkata in 1920. After her birth she was named as Dhanalakshmi,
and called as Dhanno.
She was renamed as Sitara-the star by her father after she impressed her teachers and
the local media with her Kathak performance in a dance drama, Savitri Satyavan in
Kolkatta.
Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore described her as Nritya Samragini- the empress of
dance, after watching her performance when she was just 16 years old.
Bollywood career: At the age of 12 she started performing dances in various Bollywood
films. She has danced in Bollywood films like Usha Haran, Nagina, Roti, Vatan, and Anjali. In
1957, she performed her last dance in Mother India. She stopped performing dances in
movies as it was adversely affecting her passion for excelling in the classical dance Kathak.
International performances: She has given performances in several parts of India, and
in several other countries, including at the Royal Albert Hall, London in 1967 and at the
Carnegie Hall, New York in 1976.
Blending the elements of two schools of Kathak: She played important role in
blending the elements of two schools of Kathak, one which was developed in Banares (east
Uttar Pradesh) and one from Lucknow (Oudh or north Uttar Pradesh) and represented a
forgotten era of Kathak.
Personnel life: She was married to K. Asif, director of Bollywood epic Mughal-e-Azam and
then to Pratap Barot.
Awards: Over the years, she has been conferred a number of awards for her life-time
contribution to Kathak. They are
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
1969- Sangeet Natak Akademi Award.

1973- Padma Shree.
1995- Kalidas Samman.
Nritya Nipuna.
2011- Legends of India Lifetime Achievement Award for her contribution to the classical
dance genre for over six decades.
Kathak, which literally means katha, is a narrative drama which has evolved out from ancient
times. It is one of the eight forms of Indian classical dance.
Indo-China joint military exercise Hand in

Hand 2014 concludes in Pune
The Hand-in-Hand 2014- joint military exercise of India and China for Counter Insurgency (CI)
and Counter Terrorism (CT) concluded in Pune, Maharashtra. In the concluding ceremony, defence
establishments of both countries agreed to continue such friendship efforts in future.
This joint military exercise provided platform for both nations to join of hands which will help at the
global level not only for peace, but also for prosperity.
The exercise had started in Aundh Camp, Pune on 16th November 2014. It was 12 days exercise
between both countries.
Some facts
The exercise was planned at the company level with respective battalion headquarters
controlling the training. It was supervised by a Joint Directing Panel comprising senior
officials of both the nations.
The training and manoeuvres, were conducted at Aundh Military Cantonment, College of
Military Engineering and firing ranges at Dighi, Pune
In this exercise, Chinese counterpart performed wrestle skills and traditional Chinese martial
arts including swordsmanship, sabre-play and Tai Chi Kung Fu Fan, while the Indian
detachment performed traditional martial arts and saber dance and physical exercise.
Helicopters of Indian Air Force (IAF) also took active part in the various maneuvers of the
exercise.
On the last day of the session, a joint tactical exercise was conducted where a cordon and
search operation was carried out by troops.
The joint teams of Indian and Chinese army men fought dummy terrorists using modern
weaponry, helicopters and water boats.
First Commonwealth Science Conference is

inaugurated in Bengaluru
President Pranab Mukherjee inaugurated First Commonwealth Science Conference (CSC) held in
Bengaluru. It is organised for the first time in nearly after 50 years. Special guest at the inaugural
event was Duke of York Prince Andrew.
This four-day conference is being organised by Royal Society, London and is supported by the
Union Government, Queen Elizabeth Diamond Jubilee Trust and Bengaluru based Jawaharlal Nehru
Centre for Advanced Scientific Research (JNCAR).
Indian scientist and Bharat Ratna awardee Prof C N R Rao, is co-chair of the steering committee of
the conference.
Key highlights of summit
The summit will witness about 500 delegates, including 300 top scientists and 70 research
scholars from 30 commonwealth nations.
In this summit topics covered will include physical sciences, life sciences, mathematics,
engineering, climate change, global health as well as science policy.
Keynote lectures will be delivered by Nobel laureates Sir Paul Nurse and Sir Martin Rees
from Britains Astronomer Royal. Paul Nurse is president of the Royal Society in London.
At a special session, Former Indian space agency (ISRO) chairman and Planning
Commission member K. Kasturirangan, Infosys co-founder N.R. Narayana Murthy and Biocon
chairperson Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw will share their vision on Entrepreneurship and
Innovation in India.
From India around 300 science graduates and faculty will get an opportunity to participate in
the event and listen to renowned scientists and experts presenting their papers and
research findings on diverse topics.
Background
Royal Society: It is science academy of the Commonwealth nations. It promotes
development of science and scientific temper among the stakeholders, including policy
makers, governments, academia and industry.
Commonwealth Science Conference (CSC): It aims to
1. Celebrate excellence in Commonwealth science.
2. Provide opportunities for cooperation between researchers in different Commonwealth
countries.
3. Inspire young people.
4. Build scientific capability in developing nations within the Commonwealth.
Earlier in 1967, the last CSC took place at Oxford in Merton College. It was small conference and
about 80 people had participated in it. Among them half were from Britain and other half from rest
of the Commonwealth counties.
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Page 12
Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari flagged off the Delhi-Kathmandu bus
service from Delhi. This bus service aims to boost trade and tourism and will also strengthen the
bilateral ties between India and Nepal.

Key Facts
The bus will run between Delhi and Kathmandu daily. It will cover the distance of 1,250 km
in around 30 hours.
The bus will travel via the Yamuna expressway to Agra, Firozabad, Kanpur, Lucknow,
Gorakhpur and Sunauli and thereafter will enter Nepalese territory to reach Kathmandu.
This bus service will be a direct one and not pick up and drop passenger anywhere in
between the route.
There is a provision of advance booking for this bus service. The passengers will have to
carry proof of identification while purchasing the ticket.
It is the second international bus service by the Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC). First
international bus service was Delhi-Lahore service, launched in 1999. In future, Indian Government
is also planning to start similar bus services to every neighboring country.
Sarjubala Devi gets Silver medal in World

Womens Boxing Championships
Indian Women Boxer, Sarjubala Devi has won Silver medal in the World Womens Boxing
Championships held in Jeju City, Korea. In the final match of the 48kg division, she lost to Nazym
Kyzaibay of Kazakhstan by 0-3.
About Sarjubala Devi
Sarjubala Devi is from Manipur. She was born in farmers family.
In 2005, she started her boxing career after getting inspired from the success stories of
famous Indian boxer Mary Kom.

She joined boxing at school in 2005. In 2007 she joined a Sports Authority of India (SAI)
training centre for boxing in Imphal, India.
In 2011, she won gold medal in Youth World Women Boxing Championship organised in
Turkey.
She also has won medals in Sub-Junior, Junior Women National Championships and
National Boxing Championships.
In 2012, Olympic Gold Quest (OGQ) had announced to support her to prepare for 2016
Olympics as she isexpected to be serious medal prospect.
Iran and six world powers extend deadline

for nuclear talks
The deadline to reach a comprehensive agreement for a Irans Nuclear Programme deal with six
world powers i.e. P-6 or P-5 +1 countries has been extended to the end of June, 2015 after recent
talks in Vienna, Austrian failed.
P-6 countries include the five permanent members of the UN Security Council viz., USA, Russia,
China, UK, France and non- permanent member Germany.
Failure in the talks came after intensive five-day diplomatic push in Vienna involving the foreign
ministers of Iran, the United States, Russia, China, Britain, France and Germany.
It is the second extension this year as Iran and P-6 nations failed to reach any agreement over
Irans Nuclear Programme deadlock.
Now they have agreed to extend discussions, with the aim of reaching a high-level political
agreement by 1 March, 2015 and confirming the full technical details of the agreement by 1 July,
2015.
Summary Background
There is decade long deadlock between Iran and Western countries over the issue of Irans Nuclear
Programme and safety concerns of uranium enrichment.
Western Countries allegations: Western countries especially US is alleging Iran, that
their Nuclear Programme may be used by them to produce enriched uranium to develop
nuclear warheads.
Irans response: However, Iran has refused the allegations of western countries and has
clearly mentioned that it is its sovereign right to continue its nuclear programme to their
energy demand. Even they had mentioned that their Nuclear programme is completely
peaceful and not for defence purpose.
P-6 countries want Iran to reduce its uranium enrichment programme to make sure it cannot
produce nuclear warheads.
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Page 13
The UK Government has unveiled new package of counter-terror measures. This new package is
part of UKs new Counter Terrorism and Security Bill.
The counter-terror package includes tough new measures, including a ban on insurance companies
covering the cost of terrorist ransoms and stripping teenage jehadis of their passport, to counter
the growing threat of terrorism.
Key facts about UKs Counter Terrorism and Security Bill
It will ban, UK-based insurance companies covering the cost of terrorist ransoms. The
Government hopes that insurance firms and families will be deterred from paying ransoms if
the money cannot be claimed back. This will make ransom payments to terrorists, illegal
under UK and international law.
It includes barring jehadists from returning for at least two years in UK and stripping
teenage jehadists of their passport.
Internet companies will be required to store details linking individual users with internet
protocol (IP) addresses, and hand them over to police when asked to assist in identifying
suspected terrorists and paedophiles.
Thus, it will also allow the police to force internet service providers to hand over data
showing who is using a computer or smartphone at any particular time.
More than 6,000 people at schools, universities, airports, shopping centres, cinemas and
farms across the UK will be briefed by counter-terror officers.
NSA Ajit Doval to be Special

Representative (SR) for boundary talks
with China
NDA Government has named National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval as Indias Special
Representative (SR) for boundary talks with China. NSA Ajit Doval role of SR will be to conduct
boundary negotiations and strategic consultations with China. This arrangement will be part of
NSAs overall assignment.
Background
In 2003, India and China had established the mechanism of Special Representatives (SR) to
thrash out a resolution to the vexed boundary question and work out a settlement over the
disputed 3,500-km border.
Under it two sides have so far held 17 rounds of talks, making some progress. Indian side is
represented by NSA, while Chinese side is represented by a vice minister-level official.
The last round was held in February, 2014 in New Delhi between the then NSA Shivshankar
Menon and Chinese state councillor Yang Jiechi.
Earlier in July, Chinese President Xi Jinping and Indian PM Narendra Modi during their first meeting
on the sidelines of BRICS Summit in Brazil had pledged to resolve the border dispute at the earliest
accepting that this has hampered economic ties between the two countries.
Key facts on Border dispute
Indias stance: India has clearly mentioned that China occupies 38,000 square km of its
territory on the Aksai Chin plateau in the west. India has even claimed that Chinese border
patrols have been intruding deeper into its side of the border. Many times Indian and
Chinese armies were locked in a face-off in the Ladakh sector and other parts.
Chinas stance: China claims more than 90,000 sq km disputed land in the eastern sector
of the Himalayas is acquired by India.
India is planning to beef up defences and improve infrastructure along the border with China in
eastern and western sectors. But China has expressed concern about Indias plan to build roads
and border outposts in Arunachal Pradesh.
Former Union Minister Murli Deora Passes

away
Former Union Minister and Senior Congress leader Murli Deora passed away after prolonged
illness. He was 77. Mr. Deora, had held several important portfolios at local and national level
politics during his decades-long political career.
About Murli Deora
Murli Deora was popularly known as Murli bhai. He was an economics graduate, industrialist
and social worker-turned-politician.
He started his political career after contesting for the civic elections in Mumbai in 1968 and
was elected as corporator . He was Mayor of Mumbai from 1977 to 1978.
Later he was elected to the Lok Sabha four times from Mumbai South, a seat later held by
his son, Milind, who is also a former MP and ex Union minister. Currently, he was serving
his third term as a Rajya Sabha MP. For 22 years, he was President of Mumbai Congress.
He was Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas during the UPA-1 regime.
In 2006, he joined the Union Cabinet shortly before he turned 70 and led oil diplomacy in
Myanmar, Algeria and Egypt, and held talks with ministers from Sudan, Chad, Ethiopia and
Comoros.
In November 2007, as Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas, he successfully hosted the
first India-Africa Hydrocarbon Conference and Exhibition.
After 2009 Lok Sabha elections, he retained the portfolio of Petroleum and Natural Gas in
the UPA-2 government under former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.
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Page 14
India and the UNSECO have signed a letter of intent (LoI) for better cooperation in the field of
reducing disaster risks and capacity-building In Earth Sciences. The LoI was signed between
Ministry of Earth Sciences and UNESCO in the presence of Harsh Vardhan, Union Minister for
Science & Technology and Earth Sciences and Irina Bokova, Director General, UNESCO.
Key facts
The cooperation between India and UNSECO has been going on for several years now in
reducing disaster risks.
This LoI is considered as historic moment and will help to open up of new vistas of
cooperation in not only the ocean-related studies but other areas of cooperation in different
fields of scientific activities.
It will help India to upgrade tsunami warning system and improve the capacity to alert
nations about it.
India has done a considerable research in the field of oceanography and also in terms of
disaster management.
The cooperation is also at the level of universities and institutions. Such cooperation helps in
risk reduction especially in situation like tsunami and other natural disaster.
Page 15
Government has decided to open three new child helpline centres in Kolkata, Gurgaon and Chennai
which will cover 500 cities and towns to provide prompt help to distressed children across the
country.
In 1996, Childline-the 24-hour helpline was started in Mumbai. Currently, it reaches out to 282
locations across India with the help of 543 partners, among which are the Tata Institute of Social
Sciences (TISS) and Tata Consultation Services (TCS).
But, it is becoming difficult for the Mumbai centre to attend to all the calls made to the helpline,
resulting in many calls getting abandoned. It only covered calls from North and West (India)
effectively.
Now by introducing 3 more centres, will help to reduce burden of Mumbai centre and help to cater
all calls from children in the South and East. Thus, help to cover entire country effectively.
The three new centres would be nodal bases providing service to the rest of the locations. The
service reach of the new centres will be expanded to 500 cities and towns in next two years.
This Childline, can be reached on the number-1098 and so far this year received 38,22,081 calls of
which 4 per cent were about missing children.
With all the regional centres in place, the service would become more prominent as anyone can
immediately contact the nearest NGO to reach out to the child to provide prompt help.
Two Indians from Kerala conferred

Sainthood at Vatican
Two Kerala-born Indian Catholics Father Kuriakose Elias Chavara and Sister Euphrasia have
been canonised by Pope Francis at St Peters Square in Vatican.
Pope Francis pronounced them as saints at a special mass held at St Peters Square, Vatican. The
ceremony included a Latin hymn and a recommendation by a representative of the Congregation
for the Saints. Earler, in April this year, Pope had cleared their names for sainthood.
With these canonisation of sainthood, the centuries-old Syro Malabar Church, Kerala now has three
Saints, the first being Sister Alphonsa, who was declared a saint in 2008 by the Vatican.
About Father Kuriakose Elias Chavara
Father Kuriakose Chavara lived in the 19th He was a visionary priest and social reformer
whose contributions spread across education, media and social justice.
He fought for appointing Kerala priests as bishops instead of foreign missionaries and had
founded the first Catholic religious congregation for men and women in the country.
As a social reformer, he believed that intellectual development and education of women was
the first step towards overall social welfare.
He was first to start schools for f weaker sections and introduce the system called A school
along with every church, which was successful in making free education available for
everyone.
He died in on 3 January, 1871, aged 65.
About Sister Euphrasia
Sister Euphrasia led a more secluded life, devoted to prayers.
She was known as a praying mother and a saint among nuns, who, according to
followers, had several miracles to her credit.
She had been a member of the congregation Carmelites of Mother Carmel (CMC), founded
by Chavara.
She died on Aug 29, 1952 at the age of 75 and is buried at Ollur, Thrissur.
To celebrate their sainthoods, prayers and masses were held at churches across Kerala. Christians
constitute 23 percent of Keralas 33 million population and 50 percent of them are Catholics.
Martyrdom day of Guru Teg Bahadur

observed on 24 November
Martyrdom Day of 9th Sikh guru, Guru Teg Bahadur was being observed on 24th November 2014. It
was on this day in 1675, Guru Teg Bahadur had sacrificed his life in Chandni Chowk, Delhi on the
orders of the sixth Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb.
Events organised to observe Martyrdom Day of Guru Teg Bahadur
In Punjab, main religious congregations were being organised at Anandpur Sahib in Ropar
district where Gurus head was cremated and in the Gurudwaras which are related to the
memory of Guru.
Community kitchens have been set up at many places. Devotees visited the Gurudwaras
since morning and continuous gurbani recitation took place.
A special journey known as Rin Uttar Yatra to pay gratitude to great guru has started from
Anandpur Sahib, Rupnagar district, Punjab on 23rd November 2014 and it will conclude at
Gurudwara Sis Ganj Delhi.
Seminars were organized at many places in Punjab and Haryana by the Sikh scholars to
apprise younger generation about gurus sacrifice.
About Guru Tegh Bahadur
Guru Teg Bahadur is also known as Hind Di Chadder- Protector of India. He had sacrificed his life
for the unity of the society of that period and to stop religious tyranny under the rule of sixth
Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb. He became the 9th Guru of Sikhs on 16 April 1664, a position earlier
occupied by his grand-nephew, Guru Har Krishan.
He had travelled in different parts of the country, including Dhaka and Assam, to preach the
teachings of Guru Nanak, the first Sikh guru. Guru Tegh Bahadur was executed on the orders of
Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb in Delhi for resisting the forced conversions of Hindus in Kashmir.
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Page 16
Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar has inaugurated the Information Management and Analysis
Centre (IMAC) located in Gurgaon. It is a joint initiative of Indian Navy, Coast Guard and Bharat
Electronics Ltd to improve coastal surveillance and to provide coastal security to avert incidents like
the 26/11 terror attack on Mumbai.
Key facts about Information Management and Analysis Centre (IMAC)
IMAC will be the single point centre interlinking the newly formed coastal radar chain of
India. It will be manned by the Navy and function under the National Security Adviser (NSA).
It is the nodal centre of the National Command Control Communications and Intelligence
Network (NC3I Network) and National Maritime Domain Awareness (NMDA).
The NC3I will link 20 naval and 31 Coast Guard monitoring stations with IMAC to generate a
real-time picture of the nearly 7,500-km long coastline.
The system currently comprises 46 radars and 30 additional radars are planned to fill all the
gaps in coastline security.
In this system the remote hubs are linked with the centre by high speed optical fibre
networks and satellite links- for backup in case of emergency.
Apart from coastal radars and optical sensors, it also draws information from automatic
identification systems fitted on merchant ships and has a comprehensive shipping database
of world registers of shipping for analysis of traffic.
The software on which the coastal surveillance will be carried out incorporates hi-tech
features like data fusion, correlation and decision support features thus facilitating better
decision making.
Thus, Information Management and Analysis Centre (IMAC) project would go a long way in beefing
up the maritime surveillance, thereby, enhancing the National Maritime Domain Awareness Project.
Page 17
Government has appointed former IAS officer Deepak Gupta as a new chairman of the Union Public
Service Commission (UPSC). He took over as the chairman of UPSC on 22nd November 2014 after
the tenure of then UPSC chairman Rajni Razdan came to an end.
He is the first chairman of UPSC, appointed by breaking away from the tradition of appointing the
top post from the serving members of the Commission.
As per convention, the UPSC chairman is appointed from among the members of the Commission.
This time it was the turn of former Madhya Pradesh cadre IAS officer Alka Sirohi, to be appointed
UPSC Chairman who is working as member in the Commission but instead non-member of
commission Deepak Gupta was appointed.
About Deepak Gupta
Deepak Gupta is a retired IAS officer of Jharkhand cadre of 1974 batch. He is younger
brother of former Home Secretary Madhukar Gupta.

About Union Public Service Commission (UPSC)
UPSC is constitutional body which conducts the prestigious civil services examination to select IAS,
IFS and IPS officers among others. It has been established under Article 315 of the Constitution
and consists of a Chairman and ten Members; appointed and removed by President. The chairman
and members of the Commission hold office for a term if six years or until they attain the age of 65
years, whichever is earlier.
At present there are 10 members in UPSC
Alka Sirohi former Madhya Pradesh cadre IAS officer, academician David R Syiemlieh, retired IFS
officer Manbir Singh, former CBI Director Amar Pratap Singh, former Navy Vice Chief D K Dewan,
former Railway Board Chairman Vinay Mittal, educationists P Kelimsungla and Hem Chandra Gupta,
and former IAS officer Chhatar Singh are members of the Commission.
Government clears procurement of 814

artillery guns under buy and make in India
policy
Defence Ministry has cleared the proposals for acquiring 814 long-range mounted artillery guns in
line with Prime Minister Narendra Modis buy and make in India policy. The final nod was given by
the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), chaired for the first time by the new Defence Minister
Manohar Parrikar.
Key decisions taken by Defence Acquisition Council (DAC)

Out of 814 long-range mounted artillery guns, Army will buy 100 guns off-the-shelf from
vendor. The remaining guns will be manufactured within the country.
DAC also gave nod to addition of 4 more nodes to Indian Air forces (IAF) Integrated Air
Command and Control System (IACCS). At present, India has 5 IACCS nodes. This system
integrates air sensors and radars to protect Indian airspace. The additional four more nodes
will help to cover isolated islands thereby providing a security umbrella to the entire country.
DAC has postponed the decision on a Tata-Airbus joint venture for manufacturing 60 light
transport aircraft to replace similar number of ageing Avros. The main reason for
postponing Tata-Airbus joint venture was due single vendor has bided for the project. As
per Indian rules, the deal cannot be inked in such a situation.
DAC has refrained from taking a call on the IAF requirement for 106 more Pilatus trainer
aircraft. The IAF has already bought 75 Pilatus aircraft to train new fighter pilots and needs
106 more.
As per the Make in India policy the Indian manufacturer will have to tie up with the selected
foreign vendor for building the defence artillery guns and other defence related equipments in the
country.
Some Indian companies like Tata, Kalyani and Larsen & Toubro besides public sector Ordnance
Factory Board (OFB) have manufactured prototypes of 155mm 52 calibre guns and they are likely
to take part in the bid in future for this project.
Three projects under the Make in India category have been already cleared by NDA Government.
They are
Six conventional submarines project.
Light transport aircraft deal.
197 light utility helicopter deal.
66th anniversary of NCC observed on 23

Nov, 2014
National Cadet Corps (NCC) is celebrated its 66th anniversary on 23rd November 2014 with
traditional fervour.
23rd November is traditionally celebrated as the NCC Day to mark the function of raising the first
NCC Unit at Delhi which was presided over by the first Prime Minister of India, Pandit Jawahar Lal
Nehru held in 1948.
Event marking this 66th anniversary
At headquarters level, the raising day function was marked by paying homage at the Amar
Jawan Jyoti, India Gate to the martyrs of the Indian Defence forces who made the supreme
sacrifice.
Wreaths were laid on behalf of 17th Directorate of the NCC, Cadets, Associated NCC Officers
and the three services.
A tree plantation drive was undertaken by the NCC Cadets along with 132 TA Battalion (Eco)
Rajput at Asola Wildlife Sanctuary, Chattarpur.
The NCC raising day is also celebrated in the state capitals, where cadets participate in
march past, cultural activities and social development programmes.
About National Cadet Corps (NCC)
The NCC is the Indian military cadet corps with its Headquarters at New Delhi.It is the largest
uniformed youth organisation in the world and is open to school and college students on voluntary
basis.
In 1948, NCC came into existence after National Cadet Corps Act was accepted by the Governor
General.
It is a Tri-Services Organization, comprising the Army, Navy and Air Force engaged in grooming
the youth of the country into disciplined and patriotic citizens.
It is a voluntary organization which recruits cadets from high schools, colleges and Universities all
over India. The Cadets are given basic military training in small arms and parades.
The officers and cadets have no liability for active military service once they complete their course
but are given preference over normal candidates during selections based on the achievements in
the corps.
NCC always has been at the forefront of contribution towards social causes and community
development activities.
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Page 18
The year 2015-16 will be observed as water conservation year in India. Recently, it was
announced by the Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation Minister Uma
Bharti while inaugurating an international seminar on water risk and water stewardship held at
New Delhi.
To mark this conservation year, a public movement will be launched. The cooperation of state
governments, NGOs, civil society, youth and retired personnel will be taken to meet efforts aimed
at conserving water.
As per minister, public movement has become a necessity for conservation of water and river in
the country as it is an important element of development.
Environment Ministry approves waiver of

mandatory green clearances for strategic
border roads
Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF) has given in-principle approval to Union Home Ministry
and Ministry for Road Transport and Highways for waiver of mandatory forest and environment
clearances for construction of strategic roads and bridges along border.
This in-principle approval by MoEF was granted in order to expedite strategic border projects under
the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980 for diversion of forest land for creation of border security
related infrastructure within five kilometres aerial distance from the International Border.
Earlier, Union Home Ministry had requested MoEF to exempt environment clearance for
infrastructure projects falling within 100 km from Line of Control (LoC), Line of Actual Control (LAC)
and International Border (IB).
In response to this request, MoEF has allowed diversion of land for setting up of surveillance
equipment within 5 km from the International Border and 100 km from LAC.
Ministry of Road Transport and Highways also had requested MoEF to give environment and forest
clearances at their respective state level in order to expedite these infrastructure projects along the
States having borders.
The states mentioned were: Bihar, West Bengal, Arunachal Pradesh, Mizoram, Uttar Pradesh,
Jammu & Kashmir, Rajasthan, Punjab and Gujarat.
MoEF gave approval to Ministry of Road Transport and Highways under Forest (Conservation) Act
for creation of security related installations for all states having international border except to the
state of Jammu & Kashmir as this Act do not extend to it.
Implications of this decision on strategic border projects
Paramilitary organisations like Border Security Force (BSF) and Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB)
are the first line of defence along the IB. This approval will help them to meet their most of
installations requirements such as border roads, fencing, Border Outposts, floodlights,
surveillance and power infrastructure are required to be created along or near the IB.
Due to the inhospitable terrain along the LAC, installations of the Indo-Tibetan Border Police
deployed along the LAC as first line defence, are required to be created at far away distance
from the LAC. Now they can construct strategic installations within 100kms of LAC.
These strategic projects will help to tackle repeated incursions along LoC, LAC and IB.
US President Barak Obama to be chief

guest on Republic Day
US President Barack Obama will be the chief guest at the Republic Day parade on 26th January
2015. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi had invited him for this occasion. By accepting PM
Narendra Modis invitation, Mr. Barack Obama has become the first US President to attend Indias
Republic Day celebrations as chief guest.
This visit of US President to India will help to strengthen and expand the US-India strategic
partnership.
This will be US President Obamas second visit to India during his tenure as the US President.
Last time Mr Obama had visited India in November 2010 during the UPA Governments regime
when Dr Manmohan Singh was the PM.
In 2010, Mr Obamas stay in India was one of his longest foreign trips, during which he addressed
a joint session of Parliament, declared a major policy shift and the support of United States for
Indias permanent membership of an expanded UN Security Council.
Earlier Chief guests of Republic Day parade
2014201320122011-
Shinzo Abe (Japanese Prime Minister).

Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck (King of Bhutan).
Yingluck Shinawatra (Then Prime Minister of Thailand).
Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono(Then President of Indonesia).
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Page 19
Visitors from over 40 countries, including Germany, the US, Israel and Palestine, will soon be able
to avail the electronic visa (E-Visa) facility of India. The tourism ministry along with the home
ministry will launch the facility on 27th November 2014.
Key Facts
In order to get an e-Visa, foreigners/tourists would need to apply on the designated website
along with the required fees.
Within 96 hours of applying on designated website, foreigners will be granted an electronic
version of the visa.
The software arrangements needed for providing e-Visa Facility are now ready and would
become operational at nine international airports Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata,
Hyderabad, Bengaluru, Kochi, Thiruvananthapuram and Goa.
As per the government decision, all countries, except a few in the prior list, would be
brought into the e-visa regime over the next two years. But Government has barred a few
countries from e-Visa Facility like Pakistan, Sudan, Afghanistan, Iran, Iraq, Nigeria, Sri
Lanka and Somalia.
The countries which currently have Visa on Arrival (VOA) facility in India will also be covered
under the new scheme.
All countries will be included under this facility in a phase-wise manner by 2015. Russia,
Brazil, Germany, Thailand, UAE, Ukraine, Jordan, Norway and Mauritius, among others,
would be getting the e-visa facility in the first phase.
e-Visa facility is expected to give a big boost to foreign tourist arrivals in India and help to trap full
potential tourism industry.
India clinches third South Asian Football
Federation Womens Championship

India has clinched their third South Asian womens football (SAFF) championship. This hatric win
for India comes after defeating Nepal by 6-0 goals in a one-sided final match held in Islamabad.
This is the first time that India has won SAFF Womens Championship in Pakistan.
Ngangom Bala Devi of India was the star of the match as she scored 4 goals in the final match.
This win cements Indias place as the dominant force in womens football in the region as they
have won all three editions of the championship since it was launched in 2010. In all last three
finals of this Championship, Nepal was been Indias companion and was defeated by India.
About South Asian Football Federation (SAFF) Womens Cup
The SAFF Womens Championship is the association football competition of the womens national
football teams governed by the South Asian Football Federation (SAFF). SAFF Womens
Championship was established in 2010. The championship is held every two years. In this
Championship 8 members compete in the tournament. The SAFF 8 members are Afghanistan,
Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka.
CBI Director Ranjit Sinha ousted from 2G

probe
The Supreme Court has removed CBI Director Ranjit Sinha from 2G case investigation and ruled
that CBIs senior most officer will now oversee 2G probe after removal of Sinha from the case.
This judgment was given three members SC bench headed by Chief Justice H L Dattu and
comprising justices M B Lokur, A K Sikri on a plea filed by NGO Centre for Public Interest Litigation.
However while ruling this decision the SC refused to pass an elaborate order on the issue saying
that it would tarnish the image and reputation of the Indias premier investigative agency. After the
courts decision to ousted CBI Director from 2G probe, Additional Director of CBI Rupak Kumar Dutta
will now head the CBI probe in the 2G spectrum scam.
R K Dutta is a 1981-batch IPS officer from the Karnataka cadre, and now he is the overall incharge
of the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) of the CBI which is probing the 2G cases.
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Kotak Mahindra Bank has announced that it would acquire Bengalaru-headquartered ING Vysya
Bank in an all-stock deal. The deal will be final after regulatory approvals, including those from the
Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and Competition Commission of India (CCI). The management of the
banks expects that the new merged entity will be operational by April 1, 2015.
The acquisition will help Kotak Mahindra Bank to widen its reach in South Indian market and also
help in acquiring SME customers as ING Vysya Bank was having stronghold in SME customers. After
merger the combined banking entity will have a widespread network of 1,214 branches across pan
India.
The deal will make Kotak the fourth-largest private bank in the country in terms of total business.
The biggest three private banks are ICICI Bank, HDFC Bank and Axis Bank.
Union Cabinet approves three big power

schemes
The Union cabinet has approved three major projects for the power sector. They are Deen Dayal
Upadhyaya Gram Jyoti Yojana, Integrated Power Development Scheme and the North Eastern
Region Power System Improvement Project.
Integrated Power Development Scheme (IPDS)
It aims to strengthen the transmission and distribution (T&D) networks, 100 per cent
metering urban areas and smarten it with information technology.
In this scheme IT enablement will help in reduction in AT&C losses, establishment energy
accounting /auditing system, improvement in billed energy based on metered consumption
and improvement in collection efficiency.
Deendayal Upadhyaya Gram Jyoti Yojana(DDUGJY)
DDUGJY project is based on the Gujarat model of power reforms for feeder separation of
agricultural and domestic usage and strengthening of T&D infrastructure in rural areas.
This scheme aims to help in improving in hours of power supply in rural areas, reducing
peak load, improving in billed energy based on metered consumption and providing access
to electricity to rural households.
North Eastern Region Power System Improvement Project (NERPSIP)
NERPSIP is for six north eastern states viz Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Tripura
and Nagaland. It is meant for strengthening of the Intra State Transmission and Distribution
System.
This project will be taken up under a new Central Sector Plan Scheme of Ministry of Power
(MoP) and implemented with the assistance of World Bank loan and the budget of MoP.
Implementation of this project will create a reliable State power grid and improve its
connectivity to the upcoming load centres, and thus extend the benefits of the grid
connected power to all the consumers.
It will also provide the required grid connectivity to such villages and towns of the six states,
where development of distribution system at the downstream level has been taking place
under previous Government of Indias (Gol) sponsored electrification schemes.
These projects are considered as major step towards meeting the NDA governments national
objective of Power to All by enhancing access of consumers to grid connected power supply
through improving its availability and reliability. Power to All aims facilitating inclusive growth.
Union Cabinet approves SAARC Framework

Agreement for Energy Cooperation
Union Cabinet has given its final nod for signing of SAARC Framework Agreement for Energy
Cooperation (Electricity) among the SAARC Member States during the forthcoming 18th SAARC
Summit. This Union Cabinet meeting was chaired by the Prime Minister, Narendra Modi.
The 18th SAARC Summit scheduled to be held at Kathmandu, Nepal on 26-27 November, 2014.
Key facts of SAARC Framework Agreement for Energy Cooperation (Electricity)
It will enable greater cooperation in the power sector among SAARC countries.
It is expected to improve the power availability in the entire SAARC region.
It would facilitate integrated operation of the regional power grid among member States.
Implications of this framework
This agreement will boost the implementation of common power grid between SAARC
members. Thus help them to share the hydroelectric power generated in North East India to
Bangladesh, Nepal and other countries.
Excess electricity from India and Pakistan can be supplied to electricity deficient Afghanistan.
Offshore wind projects could be set up in Sri Lankas coastal borders to power southern part
of India and Sri Lanka.
Background of SAARC Framework Agreement for Energy Cooperation
In 2000, the process of regional cooperation in energy sector began between SAARC Member
States with the establishment of a Technical Committee on Energy. Thereafter, the Islamabad
Declaration at the 12th SAARC Summit in 2004 constituted, Ministerial level Energy Forum for
regional cooperation in energy sector. Later on, 5th SAARC Energy Ministers Meeting finalized the
SAARC Framework Agreement for Energy Cooperation (Electricity). This has been a significant
achievement of the Ministers meeting, as this Agreement has been pending since 2010 and is a
crucial step towards developing a SAARC Market for Electricity (SAME) on a regional basis.
Indias Stance: India in this meet had called for building SAARC power grid so that excess
production of power in one region can easily be used to meet deficit elsewhere.
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45th International Film Festival of India (IFFI) 2014, kicked-off at the Shyama Prasad Mukherjee
indoor stadium, Panaji, Goa. During the opening ceremony two of the biggest stars of the Indian
film industry, Amitabh Bachchan and Rajinikanth, came together. Amitabh Bachchan was the chief
guest for the ceremony while Rajinikanth was honoured with the Centenary Award for the Film
Personality of the Year.
Key Facts:
The 11-day festival began with screening of Iranian director Mohsen Makhmalbafs The
President film.
The Hong Kong-based director Wong Kar-wai, film will be also screened in the festival. He is
going to receive the lifetime achievement award on the last day of the film festival.
This edition of festival will screen around 179 films from 75 countries across different
categories which include World Cinema (61 films), Masterstrokes (11 films), Festival
Kaleidoscope (20 films), Soul of Asia (7 films), Documentaries (6 films), and Animated Films
(6 films).
The Indian Panorama section will include 41 feature and non-feature films.
As part of special package, seven films from the Indias North-Eastern region will also be
screened at the event.
Other attractions this year festival is: retrospective sections on Gulzar and Jahnu Baruah,
special homage films on Richard Attenborough, Robin Williams, Zohra Sehgal, Suchitra Sen,
and special tribute to Farooq Sheikh.
A special section of films that focus on dance, personality based retrospectives, and
masterclasses or specialised workshops conducted by master artistes will also form a part
of IFFI 2014
About International Film Festival of India (IFFI)
IFFI was founded in 1952. It is held annually in the state of Goa.
It is the biggest state-backed film festival and conducted jointly by the Ministry of Information and
Broadcasting, Directorate of Film Festivals and the Government of Goa.
This film festival aims at providing a common platform for the cinemas of the world to
Project the excellence of the film art.
Contribute to create awareness for understanding and appreciation of film cultures of
different nations in the context of their social and cultural ethos.
Promote friendship and cooperation among people of the world.
SEBI approved new Insider trading rules

The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has revamped the rules related to the Insider
trading for the protection of the smaller investors. Insider trading refers to the trade of a
companys stocks or other securities and making unethical profits with access to the non-public
information. This is detrimental to the other / small investors who dont have such information.
The new rules align the insider trading rules to current international practices. The key changes
are as follows:
The biggest problem under the current rules is that the burden of proof (whether a person
indulged into insider trading) was on SEBI. It was very difficult to prove that someone was
insider. In the new rules, the burden of proof is on the accused and not the regulator.
In the new rules, the definition of the term insider has been broadened. The new rules say
that anyone who is in contractual, fiduciary or employment relations with the promoters will
be presumed to be insiders. Thus, the new rules include the immediate relatives of
promotes, directors and employees who are in possession or have access to such
information, within the scope of insiders.
The new rules make it mandatory that the perpetual insiders such as promoters and
directors will have to disclose their future trading plan in advance to the stock exchanges.
They are required to trade strictly as per that plan.
The definition of the price sensitive information has been broadened. Earlier, it has
reference to only to company but now, it will have reference to company as well as
securities.
The menace of Insider trading is not among the small firms but in big companies as well. It is a
known fact that most of the profits are earned by the promoters and for SEBI it was very difficult to
prove if someone was really an insider. The new rules give more teeth to SEBI to crack down on
insider trading.
India announces $80 m assistance and
VoA for Fiji

During his recent visit to Fiji, the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has announced Lines of
Credit and development assistance of around USD 80 million for Fiji and. The Visa on Arrival (VoA)
scheme has also been announced for all the 14 Pacific Island countries. A number of measures
have also been announced to strengthen Indias relationships with Pacific Islands.
Narendra Modi is the first Indian Prime Minister to visit these Pacific countries after Indira
Gandhi who visited in 1981.
Summary of Measures Announced:
Visa on arrival (VoA) to Pacific Island Countries
The VoA scheme has been extended to the nationals of all the 14 Pacific Island countries.
These countries include: Cook Islands, Kingdom of Tonga, Tuvalu, Republic of Nauru,
Republic of Kiribati, Vanuatu, Solomon Islands, Samoa, Niue, Republic of Palau, Federated
States of Micronesia, Republic of Marshall Islands, Fiji and Papua New Guinea.
Forum of India-Pacific Island Cooperation
A Forum for India- Pacific Islands Cooperation (FIPIC) is to be held on a regular basis.
Trade Office in India
India has announced to set up Trade Office at an existing diplomatic representation in New
Delhi to promote trade between India and Pacific Island Countries.

Special Adaptation Fund of 1 million US dollars for Climate change
Money from this fund has to be used for adaptation to Climate change. Climate change is a
major concern in Pacific Island Countries.India can also use this fund to provide technical
assistance and training for capacity building to Pacific Island Partners.
Pan Pacific Islands Project
Akin to the Pan-Africa Project, India has decided to formulate Pan Pacific Islands Project for
telemedicine and tele-education in the Pacific Island countries.
Solar energy project
India will also work on a solar energy project with the Pacific Islands at the community level.
The regional hubs will be developed in the pacific Islands
Joint research in traditional medicine
India looks forward to do joint research in traditional medicine and explore options of
developing healthcare facilities for the benefit of people in the region.
Deputation of experts
India has proposed to depute technical experts to share experience and expertise with
pacific Island countries in the fields of agriculture, healthcare and IT.
Training to Diplomats from Pacific Island Countries
Foreign Service Training Institutes of India will organise training programmes for the
Diplomats of Pacific Island countries. These training will be held in both the countries
(respective country and India).
Distinguished Visitors Programme
India has proposed a Distinguished Visitors Programme to organise seminars and invite
friends from the region. This will help to explore new ideas to strengthen the mutual
beneficial economic cooperation.
Space Cooperation
India proposed cooperation in use of Space technology applications for improving the quality
of life of people and communications in this region. India may help these nations by sharing
data that could be used for monitoring climate change, disaster risk reduction and
management, resource management.
Page 22
Sri Lanka has released five Indian fishermen, who were sentenced to death on charges of drug
trafficking. The release was secured after diplomatic intervention by Indias Prime Minister,
Ministry Of External Affairs (MEA), Indian High Commission in Sri Lanka.
Background
Five fishermen from Rameswaram were arrested in November 2011 on charges of smuggling
narcotics from India to Sri Lanka after they crossed the International Maritime Boundary Line. High
court of Sri Lanka sentenced three Sri Lankans and five Indian fishermen death penalty in this case.
These fishermen were caught from Rameswaram by Sri Lankan Navy in November 2011 on
charges of drug smuggling in Sri Lankan waters. They were sentenced to death by Colombo High
Court on 30th October 2014.
Nanavati Commission submits final report

Justice Nanavati Commission has submitted its final report on the 2002 Gujarat riots to state chief
minister Anandiben Patel. The final report of the commission on the 2002 riots, in which more than
1,000 people, mostly of minority community, were killed, comes after extensive investigation which
ran over a period of more than 12 years and has more than 2,000 pages.
The commission members:
Retired d Supreme Court justice G T Nanavati and Retired High Court Justice Akshay Mehta.
In 2008, the inquiry panel had submitted one part of its finding with regard to the Godhra train
burning incident.
In the part one report, the commission had concluded that the burning of S-6 coach of Sabarmati
Express near Godhra railway station was a planned conspiracy.
Initially, the Terms of Reference (TOR) of the commission were to inquire into the facts,
circumstances and course of events that led to the burning of the S-6 coach of Sabarmati Express.
About Nanavati Commission
On 3rd March 2002, Gujarat government under the Commission of Inquiry Act had constituted
commission comprising of Justice K G Shah in the wake of the Godhra train carnage on February
27, 2002, and the subsequent communal riots across the state.
In May 2002, the state government appointed retired Supreme Court justice G T Nanavati as the
chairman of the commission and the TOR were further amended in June 2002, as per which the
panel was also asked to inquire the incidents of violence that took place after the Godhra incident.
In 2008, after the death of justice K G Shah, retd high court Justice Akshay Mehta was appointed to
the panel. The commission was given 24 extensions of around six months each to complete its
investigations.
The commission investigated roles of then Chief Minister Narendra Modi, as per the TOR, his
Cabinet colleagues of that time, senior government and police officers along with functionaries of
some right wing organisations during the period of 2002 riots.
International Toilet Festival inaugurated in

Delhi
On 19th November 2014, three-day International Toilet Festival began on the eve of World Toilet
Day with an aim to spread the message of total sanitation and to put an end to the scourge of open
defecation.
About the Event
On inauguration day around 900 students from nine Delhi schools; delegates from Afghanistan,
Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Bhutan; a group of former manual scavengers and about 100 widows
from Vrindavan took part in the event organised by Sulabh International at New Delhis Central
Park.
Following a walkathon, the students, carrying placards, came together to form a human chain; they
were later administered a pledge of cleanliness.
Celebrating this day will help to spread Prime Minister Narendra Modis vision of having a toilet built
in every household by 2019.
As per Census 2011, over 67 per cent rural households of the country do not have access to toilets,
leading to large scale open defecation.

About World Toilet Day
World Toilet Day is observed annually on 19 November. This international day of action aims to
break the taboo around toilets and draw attention to the global sanitation challenge and to raise
global awareness of the daily struggle for proper sanitation that a staggering 2.5 billion people
face.
World Toilet Day was introduced in 2001 and now has become an important platform to demand
action from governments and to reach out to wider audiences by showing that toilets can be fun as
well as vital to life.
Its vision is to grow as a collective campaign uniting everybody on 19 November who is passionate
about toilets to ensure that access to proper sanitation, which has been declared a human right,
becomes a reality for all.
It brings together different groups, such as media, the private sector, development organisations
and civil society in a global movement to advocate for safe toilets.
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Page 23
Former India captain Dilip Vengsarkar has been selected for Col. CK Nayudu Lifetime Achievement
Award as part of Board of Control for Cricket in Indias annual awards. He has been conferred with
this prestigious Lifetime achievement award for his contribution to Indian cricket.
Vengsarkar will be felicitated at BCCIs annual awards on November 21, 2014. The award
comprises a citation, trophy and cheque for Rs 25 lakhs. Vengsarkar is the 19th recipient of the
Lifetime Achievement Award.
Last year, former Indian all-rounder Kapil Dev was conferred with this award. The likes of Sunil
Gavaskar, Gundappa Viswanath, Ajit Wadekar, Salim Durrani and others have received this award
in the past.
About Dilip Vengsarkar

Dilip Vengsarkar is also known by the nickname Colonel.
He was a member of the Indian team that won the World Cup in 1983 and the World
Championship of Cricket in 1985. He had led India in ten Tests in 1987-89.
He was Chairman of the BCCIs Talent Research Development Committee for three years,
and the Chairman of the All-India Senior Selection Committee for the period, 2006-08.
For Test matches played in India, he has one of the highest batting averages.
Neha Gupta wins International Childrens

Peace Prize
Indian American Neha Gupta, 18 has been awarded with the prestigious International Childrens
Peace Prize 2014. Nobel Peace Laureate Desmond Tutu the patron of the Dutch childrens rights
organization presented her with the award in The Hague, Netherlands.
She was awarded this award for her exceptional work to raise money for underprivileged children
around the world. Her work has helped orphans in India and other vulnerable children.
She is the first American to be awarded with this prize.
About Neha Gupta
Neha is a citizen of the United States of America, born in New Zealand to Indian parents
She was inspired to the work for underprivileged children during a visit to India with her
grandparents. After this visit she founded Empower Orphans, an organization designed to
support orphaned and abandoned children in India and the US.
Through her own organization, she has helped more than 25000 vulnerable children by
raising over 1.3 million US dollar. She started working for underprivileged children of the
world at the age of nine.
The list of projects of her includes opening libraries, developing paths to health care, and
promoting education.
She has also won numerous awards including the 2011 World of Children Award, the
Presidents Volunteer Service Award, the Congressional Award, and also the national
Prudential Spirit of Community award.
About International Childrens Peace Prize
The International Childrens Peace Prize is awarded annually to a child who has made a significant
contribution to advocating childrens rights and improving the situation of vulnerable children such
as orphans, child labourers and children with HIV/AIDS.
The prize is an initiative of Marc Dullaert, Chairman and Founder of the Amsterdam-based
childrens rights organization, KidsRights.
The first Childrens Peace Prize was launched in November 2005 during the World Summit of Nobel
Peace Laureates in Rome, an annual meeting of Nobel Peace Prize winners and international
organisations such as UNICEF and Amnesty International.
Since then, the prize has been presented every year by a Nobel Peace Laureate.
In 2006, Om Prakash Gurjar from India was conferred with this award for setting up network of
child friendly villages which aims to give all children a birth certificate as a way of helping to protect
them from exploitation.
In 2013, the award was conferred on Malala Yousufzai, who went on to win this Nobel Peace Prize
2014.
In a historic move, Church of England

allows women to become bishops
Church of England has broken the centuries-old tradition by paving the way for the appointment of
female bishops. It is considered as a historic move towards widening female participation in the
Church. Final seal of approval to this legislation which was passed by UK Parliament in October
2014 was given by the vote at the general synod meeting held at Westminster Church House in
central London.
The general synod is the law-making body of the Church of England. As per this new legislation,
the first female bishop is expected to take her seat in 2015.
The amendment to Canon 33 of the Church of England, now clearly mentions that a man or a
woman may be consecrated to the office of bishop. The legislation comes 20 years after the
women were ordained as priests.
The new legislation also includes some safeguards to manage dissent, such as the introduction of
an independent reviewer who will oversee arrangements for parishes who want oversight from a
male bishop.
There are women bishops in countries like Australia, Canada, Cuba, India, New Zealand,
Swaziland, South Africa and the USA.
Background
Women priests were ordained in 1994 but to date they have not been able to take on the Churchs
most senior roles. Divisions remain between Anglicans who feel it is consistent with their faith and
traditionalists who disagree.
Earlier in 2012, a prior move to allow women to stand as bishops was defeated in 2012 by six
votes cast by lay members of the general synod.
In 2014, General Synod was asked for the second time to give final approval to legislation
introducing women bishops.
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Page 24
On 18th November 2014, Union Government re-launched Kisan Vikas Patra scheme (KVP) in New
Delhi to encourage the habit of small savings among the citizens. The scheme will soon be made
available through designated branches of nationalized banks across the country.
The previous KVP was discontinued in 2011. The scheme was very popular among the investors
and the percentage share of gross collections secured in KVP after its launch in 1988 was in the
range of 9-29 per cent against the total collections received under all National Savings Schemes in
the country.
Key facts of the relaunced Kisan Vikas Patra scheme (KVP)
Investment: The KVP will be available to the investors in the denomination of 1000, 5000,
10000 and 50000 rupees with no upper ceiling on investment. The scheme will provide
facility of unlimited investment by way of purchase of certificate from post office in various
denominations.
Liquidity feature: Kisan Vikas Patra scheme has unique liquidity feature, where an
investor can encash his certificates after the lock-in period of 2 years and 6 months and
thereafter in any block of six months on pre-determined maturity value.
KVP certificates: The certificates can also be issued in single or joint names and can be
transferred from one person to any other person. The investment made in the certificate
will double in 100 months. The facility of transfer from one post office to another anywhere
in India and of nomination will also be available under the scheme.
Maturity period: With a maturity period of 8 years 4 months, the collections under the
scheme will be available with the Union Government for a fairly long period to be utilized in
financing developmental plans of the Centre and State Governments.
Earlier Kisan Vikas Patra (KVP) Scheme
Earlier Kisan Vikas Patra (KVP)- a certificate savings scheme was launched by the Union
Government on 1st April 1988. This scheme provided facility of unlimited investment by way of
purchase of certificates from post offices in various denominations.
The maturity period of the earlier scheme when it was launched, was 5 years and six months and
the money invested doubled on maturity.
The gross collections under the scheme in the year 2010-11 were 21631.16 crore rupees which
was 9 per cent of the total gross collections during the year.
In the year of its closure, the scheme secured gross collections of 7575.95 crores rupees (April
2011 to November 2011).
Implications of new KVP
KVP would serve two purposes: Firstly, it would help poor gullible investors to
channelise their savings towards trusted government scheme instead of some ponzi
schemes. Secondly, it would help to meet the urgent need to raise savings in the country.
These savings then would be used for nation building. Thus such saving instrument will not
only earn interest but also help in development of the country.
Encourage people to save more: In the last 2-3 years, savings rate in country has
declined from a record high of 36.8 per cent to below 30 per cent due to slowdown in the
economy. So it will encourage people to save more.
Queensland clears Adani Groups coal

mining project
Australias Queensland state has cleared Adani groups proposed plan to build a 7 billion dollar
Carmichael coal mine. Queensland State has also announced a major investment in rail
infrastructure to support the Indian conglomerates mega project.
This announcement comes after State Bank of India (SBI) approved US $ 1 billion loan for Adani
Mining to develop Carmichael coal mine project near Clermont in Central Queensland, Australia.
Adani Group has signed memorandum of understanding (MoU) with SBI in the third week of
November 2014 for clearing this loan.
About Adani groups Project
Adani groups Carmichael coal, railway and port project includes building Australias largest
thermal coal mine in the north Galilee Basin. It is approximately 160km north-west of Clermont in
Central Queensland and will be linked by a new 388 km standard gauge rail line to a new terminal
at Abbot Point Port near Bowen.
This project will be implemented by Adani Mining -subsidiary of the Adani Group in Australia. The
CEO and Australia head is Jeyakumar Janakaraj. The company aims to build the project by end of
the year 2017 and the produced coal from the region will be sent 400 km by rail to Australias east
coast. This project, which is evincing interest from private and public financiers in India and
abroad, will deliver 10,000 jobs and 22 billion dollars in taxes and royalties to Queensland. In
addition it will help Adani group to deliver cost-efficient power in the Indian market.
Rajarhat is the new HQ of Coal India

State-owned Coal India Ltd will move its headquarters from heart of Kolkata to its outskirts, some
25 km away at Rajarhat, West Bengal. Its previous headquarter was the 109-year-old building. The
new headquarters will be built over 15 acres at an investment of Rs188 crore, by the end of this
year.
About Coal India Limited (CIL)
Coal India Limited (CIL) is an Indian state-controlled coal mining company. It was headquartered in
Kolkata, West Bengal. It is the largest coal producer company in the world and contributes around
81% of the coal production in India. Union Government of India owns 90% of the shares in CIL and
controls the operations of CIL through Ministry of Coal. In April 2011, CIL was conferred the
Maharatna status by the Union Government of India. It is Indias 5th most valuable company in
terms of market value.
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Page 25
On 17th November 2014, Fourth edition of India-China Joint Training Exercise Hand-in-Hand 2014
began at Aundh Military Station in Pune, Maharashtra. This exercise will continue till 25th
November 2014.
The Chinese contingent for the exercise comes from 13th Group Army of Peoples Liberation Army
i.e. Chengdu Military Region and comprises an infantry company along with supporting staff. The
opening ceremony was followed by both contingents displaying their weapons which included
assault rifles, grenade launchers and other sophisticated equipment.
The aim of the 12 day Indo-China joint exercise is to
Share the drills and practices learnt while tackling insurgency and terrorism.
Promote healthy military to military relations between the two armies.
Develop joint strategies of conducting operations in a counter terrorism environment.
Implications of this joint exercise
It will enhance confidence and trust between the two armies that may be called upon to
grapple with anti-terrorism operations even under the UN regulations and mandate.
It will uphold the values of Peace, Prosperity and Stability in the region by jointly eradicating
terrorism with helping each other.
It will develop mutual understanding and respect for each others military.
Previous editions of military Hand-in-Hand Joint Training exercises between Indian and Chinese
Army
1st edition was held in 2007 in China.
2nd edition was held in 2008 in Belgaum, Karnataka.
3rd edition was held in 2013 in China.
Akash missile test fired successfully

Akash- surface-to-air missile was test fired by Indian Air Force (IAF) from Integrated Test Range at
Chandipur near Balasore, Odisha. It was test fired as part of user trial by the Air Force. In the test
flight, the missile flew at a supersonic speed over a distance of 14 km and destroyed a target
called Para flare at a low altitude of 1.2 km. The dummy target Para-flare was dropped by a MiG27 aircraft of IAF.
About Akash missile
Akash missile is Indias first indigenously designed and developed missile by Defence
Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) as part of the Integrated Guided Missile
Development Programme.
It is a is a medium range surface-to-air anti-aircraft defence system with a strike range of
25 km and can carry a warhead of 60 kg.
It has the capability to target aircraft up to 30 km away and is packed with a battery that
can track and attack several targets simultaneously
At present, the Air Force version of Akash missile has already been inducted, the Army
version is in the final stage of induction.
India, South Korea sign MoU on railway

technical cooperation
India and South Korea have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to facilitate technical
cooperation in Railway sector between the two countries. The MoU was signed in Seoul (South
Koreas Capital) between the Ministry of Railways, Government of India and the Ministry of Land
Infrastructure and Transport (MOLIT) of the Government of Republic of Korea (South Korea).
The MoU will facilitate technical assistance and cooperation between the Railways of the two
countries on areas such as High Speed Rail, Modernisation of Rolling Stock, Railway Operations,
Modernisation of Signalling, Construction & Maintenance technologies and in development of
Logistics Parks/Terminals.
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Page 26
Rajya Sabha Chairman Hamid Ansari has decided to shift Question Hour in Rajya Sabha from 11
a.m. to 12 noon for the upcoming Winter Session. Thus, Question Hour in Rajya Sabha will be
between 12 PM and 1 PM instead of 11 am. As per new rules, the proceeding of the Rajya Sabha
will start with Zero Hour which will be between 11am to 12 noon. The move aimed to ensure
disruption-free proceedings during this segment.
Rules Committee of Parliament had given final nod to the change these timings. Rajya Sabha
Secretariat has issued the notification to this effect and it has been communicated to all Ministries.
Reason for shift in timing of Question Hour
Question Hour, which marks the beginning of a days proceedings of a House of Parliament, is often
witness to disruptions by members who want to raise issues.
Normally, no issues can be raised during the Question Hour except those related to the questions
listed for the day. Other issues can be raised during the Zero Hour.
Earlier in 2011, the Question Hour in Rajya Sabha was shifted for a few days to 2-3 pm so that the
House could function normally in the first half. But, it was subsequently discontinued and the
Question Hour switched back to its usual timing of 11 am.
Question Hour: During this time, the members of Parliament ask questions and the
ministers usually give answers. There are three kinds of question which can be asked during
Question Hour. They are starred, unstarred and short notice. Question Hour is mentioned in
the Rules of Procedure of Parliament.
Zero Hour: It is a period during which Member of Parliament (MPs) get chance to raise
matters of public importance that need immediate attention of the government without any
prior notice. It is not mentioned in the Rules of Procedure of Parliament and Indian
innovation in the field of parliamentary procedure since 1962.
Page 27
Senior Congress leader and former Odisha Minister of Health & Family Planning Mohan Nag died at
Bhubaneswar. He was 89. Mohan Nag had joined Congress party and active politics after leaving
Government job.
He was the Deputy Minister of Health & Family Planning of Odisha in 1976. He had been General
Secretary of District Congress Committee Sambalpur and General Secretary of Pradesh Congress
Committee Orissa in 1979-80.
He was elected to the State Assembly from Bhatli constituency in Bargarh district of Odhisa for four
times. He also had represented Bhatli and Bijepur constituencies in the Odhisa state assembly.
Ratan Tata appointed to the board of

Interpol Foundation
Tata Sons Chairman Emeritus Ratan Tata has been appointed to the board of Interpol Foundation
to contribute to its two new global initiatives aimed at combating organised crime and terrorist
activities by the international police organisation.
He will be on its board of trustee and contribute to the success of two new global initiatives of
Interpol Protecting Cultural Property and Modernising Channels of International Judicial
Cooperation initiatives.
The two initiatives are among the five global initiatives backed by Interpol, aimed at combating
organised crime and terrorist activities.
The board of Interpol Foundation will be headed by Prince Albert II of Monaco and ex-Lebanese
Deputy Prime Minister Elias Murr.
Along with Ratan Tata, HSBC CEO Stuart Gulliver, Credit Agricole Chairman Jean-Marie Sander,
Abraaj Capital Chairman and CEO Arif Naqvi and Renault-Nissan Alliance Chairman and CEO Carlos
Ghosn will be the members of the board.
The other initiatives taken up by the International foundation are
I-Chekit for protecting airlines hotels and banks from threats of identity fraud.
INVEX -fight against transnational vehicle crime and theft headed by Ghosn.
Protecting banks and financial institutions.
About Interpol:
The International Criminal Police Organization, or INTERPOL, is a non-governmental organization
facilitating international police cooperation. The organizations headquarters is in Lyon, France. It
was established as the International Criminal Police Commission (ICPC) in 1923 and adopted its
telegraphic address as its common name in 1956. The idea of Interpol was born in 1914 at the first
International Criminal Police Congress that was held in Monaco. Interpol has an annual budget of
around 78 million, most of which is provided through annual contributions by its membership of
190 countries. It is the second largest international organization after the United Nations.
Farhan Akhtar named UN Womens

Goodwill Ambassador for South Asia
Bollywood actor-director Farhan Akhtar has been appointed as UN Womens Goodwill Ambassador
for South Asia. He has become the first male to be appointed as Goodwill Ambassador in UNs
history. As UN Womens Goodwill Ambassador for South Asia, he will dedicate his efforts towards
the empowerment of women and girls and will serve as an advocate for UN Womens newly
launched HeForShe campaign in advocating for gender equality and womens empowerment.
Key Notes:
Farhan Akhtar, as an accomplished and well-respected actor-filmmaker-singer has raised
the voice on the important issue of gender equality and violence against women and girls in
India through his Men Against Rape and Discrimination (MARD) campaign.
His own MARD campaign is for sensitizing men and creating awareness about the safety of
women.
The MARD campaign successfully had encouraged many actors to join this campaign and
spread awareness.
In this campaign, he has asked all men and boys to participate in eradicating gender
inequality.
UN Womens other Goodwill Ambassadors include British actor Emma Watson, Academy Award
winner Nicole Kidman and Princess Bajrakitiyabha Mahidol of Thailand.
About UN Women
UN Women was established in 2010 by the United Nations General Assembly. It is the UNs entity
for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women. It was established for accelerating the
Organizations goals on gender equality and the empowerment of women. Its main functions
include:
To support inter-governmental bodies, such as the Commission on the Status of Women, for
formulation of policies, global standards and norms.
To help Member States to implement these standards and to forge effective partnerships
with civil society.
To hold the UN system accountable for its own commitments on gender equality, including
regular monitoring of system-wide progress.
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Union Ministry of Human Resource Development (HRD) has decided to replace German as a third
language in schools of Kendriya Vidyalaya (KVs) with Sanskrit right away instead of waiting for the
new academic session to effect the changes. The decision to discontinue German was taken on
27th October 2014, after the meeting of Board of Governors of Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan (KVS)
headed by Union HRD Minister Smriti Irani.
HRD ministry has preferred gradual phasing out of German as the third language by 2017-18.
HRD Ministry has mentioned that not teaching Sanskrit as third language in KV schools is the
violation of the Constitution and National Policy on Education.
They even have launched an investigation on the MoU signed between KVs and Goethe Institute in
2011.
Why this decision was taken?
As per HRD ministry, the MoU between KVs and the Goethe-Institut of Max Mueller Bhawan,
which was signed in 2011, was against the national education policy and the National
Curriculum Framework which allows only an Indian language to be taught as a third
language in schools.
Earlier in 2014, Sanskrit Shikshak Sangh (SSS) had opposed this decision of teaching
German in KVs. SSS had moved to Delhi High Court alleging that KVs had introduced
German as a third language in place of Sanskrit against the education policy.
Impact of this decision on
Student of KVs: This decision is expected to affect over 70000 students across 500 KVs
from classes 6 to 8, who have to switch from German to Sanskrit. However, students will be
given an option to pick any Indian language of their choice as annual exams are barely three
months away.
Higher Studies: From 2008, the number of Indian students going to Germany for higher
studies has risen by 114 per cent. Germany is one of the top destinations for Indian
students, particularly those studying engineering, science and technology, for affordable
higher education and possible employment. It will have negative impact on those who are
eager to pursue Higher Studies in Germany.
German as a third language
In 2011, Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between KVs and Goethe Institute-Max
Mueller Bhawan for teaching German as third language in KVs across country. Thereafter, German
was taught as a third language from classes 6 to 8 in KVs. However, this MoU was not referred to
HRD Ministry at any stage. The decision to teach German at the KVs was taken by then UPA
government in view of the fact that children from Indian schools need to know foreign languages in
a globalised world, in order integrated into the global economy.
Two states, three UTs achieve 100%

inclusion under PMJDY
Union Finance Ministry has announced that Goa and Kerala became the first states in the country to
achieve 100 percent Financial Inclusion under Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY).
Union Finance Ministry also announced that three Union Territories (UTs) namely Chandigarh,
Puducherry and Lakshadweep achieved 100 percent financial inclusion under PMJDY.
According to official data available till 5th November, 11.26 lakh bank accounts were opened in
Kerala, followed by 77, 485 accounts in Goa, 1.36 lakh accounts in Chandigarh, 69819 accounts in
Puducherry and 3588 accounts in Lakshadweep under the Pradhan Mantri Jan-Dhan Yojana
(PMJDY).
Finance Ministry has declared States of Kerala and Goa, union territories of Chandigarh,
Puducherry and Lakshadweep and three districts of Gujarat- Porbandar, Mehasana, Gandhinagar as
100 per cent saturated in terms of coverage of all households with at least one bank account.
According to Finance Ministry
PMJDY so far managed to bring over 5000 crore rupees into the formal banking system as
account holders have started depositing cash. A large chunk of this money would have been
kept at home in the absence of accounts, with little or no productive use.
According to the initial results, on an average about 80% of the households surveyed have
now got at least one bank account.
As in the first week of November 2014, 7.24 crore accounts have been opened under PMJDY
of which 4.29 crore in rural and 2.95 crore are in urban areas. RuPay Cards have been
issued in case of 3.97 crore accounts.
At the time banks had been given a target of opening 7.5 crore accounts under the scheme.
Each of the accounts come with a debit card, 1 lakh rupees accidental insurance policy and
30000 rupees free medical insurance cover.
About Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana
On 28th August 2014, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had launched the scheme with the goal of
eradicating financial untouchability of the poor by opening at least one bank account for every
family in the country in less than six months.
India successfully test-fires nuclearcapable Prithvi-II missile

India has successfully test-fired its indigenously developed nuclear-capable Prithvi-II surface-tosurface missile, from Chandipur test range in Odisha.
It was fired from a mobile launcher in salvo mode from launch complex-3 of Integrated Test
Range. In the test, missiles trajectory was tracked by DRDO radars, electro-optical tracking
systems and telemetry stations located along the coast of Odisha.
This test was part of a regular training exercise of Strategic Force Command of Defence (SFC) and
monitored by Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO).
The purpose of the test was clearly to indicate Indias operational readiness to meet any
eventuality and also establishes the reliability of this deterrent component of Indias Strategic
arsenal.
Facts about Prithvi-II Missile
Prithvi-II is indigenously developed nuclear-capable missile. It has a strike range of 350 km. It is
capable of carrying 500 kg to 1000 kg of warheads. It is powered by liquid propulsion twin engines.
It uses advanced inertial guidance system with manoeuvring trajectory. It was the first missile to
be developed by DRDO under Indias prestigious Integrated Guided Missile Development Program
(IGMDP). Prithvi II was inducted into the SFC in 2003.
The last user trials of Prithvi-II were successfully carried out from the same base on 7th January,
2014 and 28th March, 2014.
Page 29
On 14th November 2014, Union Minister of Women and Child Development Smt. Maneka Gandhi
launched the National Bal Swachhta Mission in New Delhi. It was launched on 125th birth
anniversary of first Prime Minister of India, Jawaharlal Nehru. On this occasion, Minister also
released a book on Bal Swachtta Mission prepared by NIPCCD.
About Bal Swachhta Mission
The Bal Swachhta Mission is a part of the nationwide sanitation initiative of Swachh Bharat
Mission launched by the Prime Minister on 2nd October, 2014.
The nationwide Bal Swachhta Mission will have the following six themes:Clean Anganwadis .
Clean Surroundings e.g. Playgrounds.
Clean Self (Personal Hygiene/Child Health).
Clean Food.
Clean Drinking Water.
Clean Toilets.
Under this mission, Bal Swachhta Week will be observed from 14th to 19th November and one of
the above themes would be covered at each Anganwadi Centre in all states. The Women and Child
Development Departments of various states will implement the Bal Swachhta Mission with the help
of Departments of School Education, Urban Development, Drinking Water and Sanitation, and
Information and Publicity.
Rosetta missions Philae probe landed on

Comet 67P
Rosetta mission of European Space Agency (ESA) has landed its Philae probe on the surface of
Comet 67P/ ChuryumovGerasimenko. Philae probe landing on Comet 67P made a Space history,
as for the first time probe has landed on a comet.
The landing site of Philae probe has been named as Agilkia and is located on the head of the
bizarre double-lobed object of Comet. Name Agilkia was chosen by ESA in honour of Agilkia
Island, in a public contest.
Philaes mission:
Philaes mission is to transmit data about composition of the comet after landing on its surface. It
will provide elemental, isotopic, molecular and mineralogical composition of the cometary material.
The lander is named after Philae Island in the Nile River, Egypt where an obelisk (a tall, four-sided,
narrow tapering monument) was found and used, along with the Rosetta stone, to decipher
Egyptian hieroglyphics.
About Spacecraft Rosetta and Comet 67P
67P was first discovered in 1969 by Soviet astronomers Ivanovych Churyumov and Svetlana
Ivanova Gerasimenko. It is also known as Comet ChuryumovGerasimenko.
The spacecraft has been named after the Rosetta Stone, the discovery of which in 1799 provided
the key to translating Ancient Egyptian hieroglyphs and Demotic script into Ancient Greek (and thus
any other language).
Mission
The 1 billion pound (1.58 billion US dollars) Rosetta mission blasted off from Europes spaceport in
Kourou, French Guiana, in March 2004, for a long journey involving loops around the Sun as it
aimed to get onto the same orbit as 67P.
Rosetta has traversed over 6 billion n km, passing by Earth three times, Mars once, and flew by
two asteroids, using the gravitational pull of those bodies to change velocity and catch up with
67P.It had travelled through the Solar System before reaching at orbit of Comet 67P on 6th August
2014. The mission aims to know mysteries of comets made from ancient material that predates the
origin of the solar system.
Rohit Sharma breaks record for highest

one-day international score ever
Indian cricketer Rohit Sharma has made history by scoring the highest ODI score of 264 runs. He
achieved this distinction during the 4th ODI between India and Sri Lanka played at Kolkata. Rohit
surpassed several records including Virender Sehwags 219 and his own 209 scored against
Australia in Bangalore in November 2013.
He made this record score in 173 which included 33 fours and 9 sixes. He got to his 50 off 72, 100
off 100, 150 off 125, 200 off 151 and 250 off 166.
He also became only the fifth Indian batsman after Gautam Gambhir, Virender Sehwag, Sourav
Ganguly and Sachin Tendulkar to post two or more scores in excess of 150 in ODIs.
Indian cricketers to reach Double century milestone:
Sachin Tendulkar was the first Indian cricketer to reach double century landmark against South
Africa in 2010. The second one to do so was Virendra Sehwag who scored 219 against West Indies
in the year 2011. Third one was Rohit Sharma to score 209 runs against Australia in 2013.
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BJP Government led by Devendra Fadnavis has won the trust vote in Maharashtra Legislative
Assembly through voice vote. The decision of voice vote was made by newly elected speaker
Haribhau Bagde. The confidence motion by the voice vote was moved by senior BJP leader Ashish
Shelar.
Earlier on that day, BJPs leader Haribhau Bagde was elected unanimously as speaker of
Maharashtra assembly, after Shiv Sena and Congress withdrew the nominations of their
candidates.
On the same day, Speaker Haribhau Bagade had announced that Shiv Senas Eknath Shinde will be
the opposition leader of the house.
Speakers decision of voice vote was criticised by Shiv Sena and Congress. Congress has decided
to meet the Governor and demand to take the trust vote again through division vote instead of
voice vote.
Voice Vote versus Division vote
When a motion is put to voice vote the speaker says, Those in the favour of the motion say Aye
and those opposing it say No. According to the voice vote, the Speaker decides whether the
motion/Bill is accepted or negated by the House. If a member is not happy with a voice vote, it can
be challenged and a division vote can be asked for.
Division vote is a process in which legislators press buttons on Automatic Vote Recording machine
to record their votes, which are then counted. No voting record of individual MLAs/MPs is available
in Division vote. When a division is asked for, there is a record of total number of votes for and
against, but no details of individual votes are maintained. Most motions and legislation are passed
through voice-votes.
Haribhau Bagde of BJP elected as new

Speaker of Maharashtra Legislative
Assembly
Senior BJP legislator Haribhau Bagde was unanimously elected as new Speaker of the Maharashtra
Legislative Assembly. His name was announced by Protem Speaker Jiva Gavit in the newlyconstituted Maharashtra Legislative Assembly. He was elected unanimously after Shiv Sena and
Congress withdrew their candidates.
Bagde is the MLA from Phulambhari in Aurangabad district of Maharashtra. He had held several
important posts in the BJP as well as the Sena-BJP government in 1995.
Constitutional provision for Speaker of State Legislative Assembly
Article 178 of Constitution: Speaker will preside over the sessions of the Legislative Assembly
of an Indian State. The Legislative Assembly in a State, at its very first session shall elect a
Speaker and a Deputy Speaker, from among its members. The Speaker remains in office till the
next Speaker is sworn in.
Noted Producer and Director Ravi Chopra

Passes away
Ravi Chopra, best known for directing the classic television series Mahabharata has died in
Mumbai. He was 68. He was suffering from lung cancer from last few years. He was born on 27th
September 1946 and was the son of legendary film producer & director B R Chopra and nephew of
producer & director late Yash Chopra. Aditya Chopra and Uday Chopra are his cousins.
He started his career in film industry by assisting his father B R Chopra in films like, Dastaan (1972)
and Dhund (1973). He also assisted his uncle Yash Chopra in Ittefaq (1969).
He made his independent directorial debut with Zameer (1975), produced under the family banner,
B.R. Films.
Films Directed by him
Zameer (1975).
The Burning Train (1980).
Aaj Ki Awaz (1984).
Mazdoor (1983).
Dahleez (1986).
Baghban (2003).
Baabul (2006).
Banda Ye Bindaas Hai (2009).
TV Serials Directed by him
Mahabharata (1988-1990).
Ramayana (2002).
Vishnu Puran(2003).
Ma Shakti (2007).
He was expected to come back to television with another mythological series, Vasudev Krishna in
2014-15. In 2009, he was taken to the court by a Hollywood company, 20th Century Fox over the
remaking of 1992 Oscar Award winning comedy film My Cousin Vinny into Bollywood film Banda Ye
Bindaas Hai. Thus, he was first Bollywood filmmaker who was taken to court for remaking movie by
a Hollywood company. In this case, Fox had sought US 1.4 million dollars in damages.
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The Supreme Court of Sri Lanka has given nod to President Mahinda Rajapaksa to contest for third
term as President. Sri Lankan Presidents decision to go for a third term was publicly questioned by
former Chief Justice of the Supreme Court Sarath Silva, on the grounds that he was elected
President for the second term before the enactment of the 18th constitutional amendment, which
removed the cap on the number of times an incumbent President could contest.
Retired Justice Silvas contention was that Rajapaksa had contested and won the election on
January 27, 2010, prior to the enactment of the 18th Amendment, at a time when there was a limit
of two terms. And a Presidents term begins on the day he gets elected. Therefore, Rajapaksa
could not bid for a third term.
Sri Lankas Supreme Court decision
The Court in its decision mentioned that there is no legal barrier preventing the President to stand
for a third six-year term.
Background
Mahinda Rajapaksa was elected asSri Lanka President on 27 January 2010 before the
Constitutional amendment which limited term for President to two. The 18th Amendment was
enacted on 9th September 2010, while, Rajapaksa took his oath as President on 19th November
2010 and his second term of office began only on the day he took his oath.
Newton-Bhabha Fund announced by UK

and India
India and United Kingdom (UK) have announced a Newton-Bhabha Fund programme to scale up
their bilateral research & innovation relationship to a greater level. This new initiative was
announced during a meeting between Union Minister for Science and Technology Dr. Harsh
Vardhan and the UK Minister for Universities, Science and Cities Greg Clark, who co-chaired the 4th
UK-India Science and Innovation Council (SIC) held at new Delhi.
The Newton-Bhabha Fund is a programme which aims to build up strong interdisciplinary
dimension that will further strategise the science, research and innovation cooperation between the
UK and India. For this programme UK will provide 50 million pounds over 5 years period and India
will provide similar matched efforts.
Key Features: Newton-Bhabha programme
Joint PhD student mobility programme: It aims to pave the way for the next generation
of researchers in the UK and India to interact with each other and build long-term R&D
linkages and collaborations. This mobility programme will be administered by British Council
India and the Department of Science and Technology. It will start from March 2015 to
sponsor UK and Indian PhD students to spend a period of their study (3 to 6 months) in
Premier Indian and UK higher education institutions.
New research projects in Mental Health and Substance Abuse: These new projects
will be joint initiative of Medical Research Council (MRC) of UK and Indian Council of Medical
Research (ICMR). ICMR will fund the Indian component for this project while UK will provide
up to 2 million pounds.
Setting up Centres for research in Renewable Energy: These centres will be jointly
co-funded by RCUK Energy programme and Department of Science and Technology (DST) of
India. UK and the Department of Science & Technology of India will provide support to
business-led research and development aimed at tackling societal challenges.
Centre Partnerships in Cancer Biology, Translational Regenerative Medicines in
Neuroscience and Antimicrobial Resistance: It will be funded jointly up to 7 million
pounds by Medical Research Council (MRC) of UK and Department of Biotechnology (DBT),
India.
Lee Chong Wei provisionally suspended for

anti-doping regulation violation
Badminton World Federation (BWF) has provisionally suspended Malaysian badminton player and
World No. 1 Lee Chong Wei due to an apparent anti-doping regulation violation. BWF, worldgoverning body for has Badminton has imposed this suspension due to an adverse analytical finding
of a sample taken at the World Championships in August, 2014.
The provisional suspension means the athlete is barred temporarily from participation in any
competition prior to the Doping Hearing Panels decision. The BWF has referred this matter to its
Doping Hearing Panel and, in due course, the chair of the panel will set the time, date and location
of a hearing. The panel will determine whether or not the athlete has committed an anti-doping
regulation violation.
About Lee Chong Wei
Lee Chong Wei is a Malaysian Chinese professional badminton player.
As a singles player, he was ranked first worldwide for 199 consecutive weeks from 21 August 2008
to 14 June 2012.
Achievements: He has won 55 career tittles and was named the BWF player of the year four
times. He has won silver at 2008 Beijing and 2012 London Olympics. He is a four time
Commonwealth Games gold Medalist, 2 each in singles and mens team events. He has won three
silver medals and a bronze at the World Championships. He was part of the Silver medal winning
Malaysian team at the 2014 Thomas Cup.
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Russia and Iran have signed an agreement to build two nuclear reactors in Iran, which will be
followed with another six. The agreement was signed by CEO of Russias Rosatom State Atomic
Energy Corporation, Sergey Kirienko and head of the Atomic Energy Organisation of Iran, Ali Akbar
Salehi in Moscow, Russia.
Key facts of the agreement
Nuclear officials from the two countries signed the contract for building two reactors at
Bushehr. Bushehr is the first nuclear plant built by Russia in Iran.
The construction of the new reactors will be monitored by the International Atomic Energy
Agency (IAEA), as it was done in case of Busherhrs first reactor, which became operational
in 2013.
Russia will supply uranium fuel and then take it back for reprocessing and this provision is
intended to prevent any possibility of Iran using the spent fuel to build atomic weapons.
Both nations will cooperate in the field of the nuclear fuel cycle and ecology.
The location of remaining four plants which are expected to be constructed elsewhere in
Iran under this agreement has not been determined yet.
This deal comes less than two weeks before the 24 November deadline for Iran to sign an
agreement on its nuclear programme with six world powers i.e. P-6 countries. P-6 countries
include the five permanent members of the UN Security Council viz., USA, Russia, China, UK,
France, and Germany.
As per the deadline, Iran has to agree to limit its uranium enrichment to a level that it could not be
able to convert them to build nuclear weapons. It is expected that this deal would relax western
sanctions against Iran.
K C Reddy appointed in United Nations

(UN) probe panel on Gaza
UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has appointed a former Indian Police Service (IPS) Officer K C
Reddy as the member of United Nations (UN) probe panel on Gaza. KC Reddy is only Indian to be
part five-member panel to investigate Israeli attacks on UN shelters during the Gaza war and the
discovery of Hamas weapons at UN sites.
The inquiry panel will be headed by retired Dutch general Patrick Cammaert. Other members of the
panel include Maria Vicien-Milburn of Argentina, Lee OBrien of America, Pierre Lemelin of Canada
and K.C. Reddy of India.
About United Nations (UN) probe panel on Gaza
The UN probe panel was set up by UN Secretary-General Ban-Ki-moon to probe the
presence of arms on UN premises in the Gaza strip and the damage to its facilities during
the conflict between Israel and Palestinian factions.
The five-member board will look into contentious incidents during the confrontation between
Israel and the Palestinian organisation, Hamas, in July and August 2014.
The fighting raged in this time period saw entire neighbourhoods in the Gaza strip flattened
and almost one-third of the areas population uprooted.
In one incident in July, 15 Palestinians were killed and 200 injured by an Israeli rocket strike
on a school run by the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA).
The overall violence had killed more than 2100 Palestinians and destroyed over 100000
homes.
About KC Reddy
KC Reddy belonged to the Meghalaya cadre of the IPS. He was awarded the Indian Police Medal for
Meritorious Service. Reddy was formerly the chief security adviser to the secretary-general for the
UN Supervision Mission in Syria (UNSMIS).
Kerala became first state with bank

accounts for all families
Kerala Finance Minister KM Mani has announced that Kerala has become the first state in the
country to have bank accounts for all families under Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojna (PMJDY). This
formal declaration was by minister at the State-Level Bankers Committee (SLBC) meeting in
Thiruvananthapuram.
Under the PMJDY, Kerala has opened about 13 lakh new accounts and has mobilised 326 crore
rupees through intensive financial literacy campaigns launched under the support of the State Level
Bankers Committee (SLBC).
Kerala was able to achieve this target under PMJDY ahead of schedule because of Financial Literacy
Centres which are active in all the 152 blocks of state. Under this scheme, 5.25 lakh rupees debit
cards have been issued by all banks.
State government is also opening a second account separately for the woman in each household
under PMJDY.
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Central Government has banned Kamatapur Liberation Organisation (KLO), which operates in West
Bengal and Assam. An official gazette notification of Union Home Ministry mentioned that under the
Unlawful Activities Prevention Act, 1967, it has proposed to add KLO and all its formation and
front organisations as a terrorist organisation. With this notification, KLO is listed in the First
Schedule of Act and has joined other 37 militant organizations.
About Kamatapur Liberation Organisation (KLO)
KLO came into existence in 1993 to achieve the objective of a separate sovereign Kamatapur state.
It has been consolidating its position in the 14 districts in Assam and 6 districts in West Bengal both
organisationally and in terms of weapons and cadres.
Reasons for formation
It was formed to address problems of the Koch Rajbongshi community and perceived neglect of
Kamtapuri language, large-scale unemployment, land alienation, identity and grievances of
economic deprivation of the community.
Demand
The group has emerged as a major threat and is demanding an independent county Sovereign
Kamatapur State of ten districts in West Bengal and Assam. The 10 districts demanded by them
includes six districts of North Bengal namely Cooch Behar, Darjeeling, Jalpaiguri, North Dinajpur,
South Dinajpur, Malda and four of lower Assam, Kokrajhar, Bongaigaon, Dhubri and Goalpara.
It is alleged that the KLO is having links with other North-east militant groups such ULFA and
National Democratic Front of Bodoland (NDFB).
India-Israel joint venture LRSAM missile

successfully tested
Long Range Surface-to-Air Missile (LRSAM) co-developed by India and Israel, was successfully
test-fired from a range in Israel. The test fire was carried by Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) in
the presence of DRDO scientists and officials of the Indian Armed Forces.
The successful test marked a milestone in bilateral cooperation of the two countries in developing
advanced weapon systems.
Test: The missile successfully intercepted a maneuvering target mimicking an attacking combat
aircraft. The test also validated all the elements related to the naval and land-based variants of the
missile including the phased array radar, battle management system, communications and the
interceptor.
Importance of Long Range Surface-to-Air Missile (LRSAM)
LRSAM will be deployed on the newly commissioned INS Kolkata, which had to be inducted
without the weapon system due to delays in testing.
It would also be deployed on other naval ships including recently commissioned INS
Kamrota.
About Long Range Surface-to-Air Missile (LRSAM)
LRSAM is called Barak 8 missile in Israel. Barak is the Hebrew word for Lightning.
It is designed to counter a wide variety of air-borne threats such as anti-ship missiles, aircraft,
UAVs and drones as well as supersonic cruise missiles.
Barak 8 is an advanced, long-range missile defence and air defence system with main features
being:
Long Range
Active Radar Seeker Missile
Vertical Launch
Multiple Simultaneous Engagements.
Prime Minister Launches Jeevan Pramaan:

Digital life certificate for pensioners
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has launched the Jeevan Pramaan scheme- an Aadhar based
Digital Life Certificate for pensioners. This digital life certificate scheme will benefit over 1 crore
pensioners who have to produce Life Certificates each year to receive pension.
Earlier, pensioner either personally presented himself before the Pension Disbursing Agency or
used to submit a Life Certificate issued by authorities specified by the Central Pension Accounting
Office (CPAO).
Through this certificate, a pensioner now can digitally provide proof of his existence to authorities
for continuity of pension every year instead of requiring presenting himself physically or through a
Life Certificate issued by specified authorities.
Key Facts about Jeevan Praman
The Department of Electronics and IT has developed a software application which will
enable the recording of the pensioner`s Aadhar number and biometric details from his
mobile device or computer by plugging in a biometric reading device.
Key details of the pensioner including date, time and biometric information will be uploaded
to a central database on real-time basis.
It will enable the Pension Disbursing Agency to access a Digital Life Certificate. This will
conclusively establish that the pensioner was alive at the time of authentication.
This software application system will be made available to pensioners and other
stakeholders on a large scale at no extra cost.
It can be operated on a personal computer or a smartphone along with an inexpensive
biometric reading device.
This facility will also be made available at Common Service Centres being operated under the
National e-Governance Plan for the benefit of pensioners residing in remote and inaccessible areas
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Page 34
President Pranab Mukherjee conferred the 49th Jnanpith Award (for year 2013) to eminent Hindi
poet Kedarnath Singh for his outstanding contribution towards Indian literature. He was conferred
this award at a function held at Balyogi Auditorium, Parliament Library Building in New Delhi.
Kedarnath Singh as a poet has offered a rare assimilation of rhymes and lyrical prose, exploring
both the realms of reality and fantasy with equal felicity. His poetry presents a collage of meaning,
colours and acceptance.

He is the 10th Hindi writer to receive the award.
About Kedarnath Singh
Kedarnath Singh was a celebrated teacher who had taught at Jawaharlal Nehru University
(JNU).
He was born in Balia of Uttar Pradesh and is known for his work Abhi bilkul abhi and Yahan
se dekho.
He is also an eminent critic and essayist. He was also awarded Sahitya Akademi Award
(1989) in Hindi for his poetry collection, Akaal Mein Saras.
He became famous with a book entitled Teesra Saptak edited by Sachchidananda Hirananda
Vatsyayan whose pen name was Agyeya.
About Jnanpith Award
The Jnanpith Award is a literary award in India. Along with the Sahitya Akademi Fellowship,
it is one of the two most prestigious literary honours in the country.
The name of award is taken from Sanskrit words, Jnana and Pitha (knowledge-seat).
The award includes 11 lakh rupees and a citation plaque and a bronze replica of Saraswati.
The award was instituted in 1961. It is presented by the Bharatiya Jnanpith trust founded by
the Sahu Jain family.
The award is given to any Indian citizen who writes in any 22 official languages of India
mentioned in VIII Schedule of Constitution.
Prior to 1982, the awards were given for a single work by a writer; since then, the award
has been given for a lifetime contribution to Indian literature.
Virat Kohli became fastest cricketer to

reach 6000 ODI runs
Indian cricketer Virat Kohli has become the fastest cricketer in the history to reach 6000 one-day
international run mark.
He achieved this run mark during his 53-run knock in Indias third ODI against Sri Lanka. He
overtook legendary West Indian Vivian Richards record. Virat Kohli made this debut, while playing
his 144th match and 136th innings at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium at Uppal, Hyderabad.
Vivian Richards had reached the milestone in 1989 by playing 141 innings in 156 matches. He is
the eighth Indian cricketer to have scored 6000 or more runs and 47th overall.
DRDO develops herbal drug Lukosin for

Leucoderma
Defence Research Development Organisation (DRDO) has developed herbal drug Lukosin, for
treatment of leucoderma (white patches on skin). This drug is developed from medicinal plants.
The scientists of Defence Bio-Energy Research (DIBER), Haldwani in Uttarakhand, a laboratory of
DRDO of the Defence Ministry, have developed this drug. DIBER has transferred the technology of
the drug to AIMIL Pharmaceuticals India for its commercial production and sale.
Leucoderma is generally considered an incurable disease, but Lukosin has been extremely effective
against it.
During the clinical trials, it has been proved that there are no side-effects to persons consuming
Lukoskin with dietary advice like avoiding acidic foods, citrus fruits, non-vegetarian and fast foods,
beverages like cold drinks, detergents and soaps etc.
While success rate among women under the age of 40 years during clinical trial was 81.25 per
cent within 90 to 250 days of medication, it was 60 per cent among women above 40 years of
age. Maximum recovery was found among women below 40 years.
About Leucoderma
Leukoderma is a cutaneous condition. It is an acquired condition with localized loss of pigmentation
of the skin that may occur after any number of inflammatory skin conditions, burns, intralesional
steroid injections, postdermabrasion, etc.
It is largely a cosmetic problem, and is neither infectious nor contagious.
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In first week of November 2014, Gujarat Governor O P Kohli gave his assent to the controversial
Gujarat Local Authorities Laws Bill, 2009 and gave his sanction for implementation.
This bill has the provisions of compulsory voting and 50 per cent reservation for women in the
institutions of local self-governance.
Once the Act comes into effect, Gujarat will be the first state to have the provision of compulsory
voting in local body polls.
Key provision of Gujarat Local Authorities Laws Bill
The Bill encompasses municipal corporations, municipalities and the district, taluka and
village panchayats of Gujarat.
50 per cent reservation for women in local bodies, raising the quota from 33 per cent.
A person, who does not vote in the local body polls, will be liable for penal action and
punishment. However, the nature of penalty that would be taken against defaulters has not
mentioned.
The new rule applies to the elections to all seven municipal corporations, 159 municipalities,
26 district panchayats, 223 taluka panchayats and in 13,713 village panchayats of the state.
Background of the Bill
The Gujarat Local Authorities Laws (Amendment) Bill 2009 has amended the Bombay Provincial
Municipal Corp Act 1949, the Gujarat Municipalities Act, 1963 and the Gujarat Panchayats Act
1993.
The bill was passed by the legislative assembly twice in 2009 and 2011 when Narendra Modi was
Chief Minister of the state.
Earlier, then Governor Dr. Kamla Beniwal had withheld the bill by saying that the provision of
compulsory voting is violation of Article 21 of the Constitution and forcing voter to vote is against
the principles of an individual liberty. However, in December 2009, the Bill was again cleared by the
House and was returned for reconsideration to Governor in April 2010. It was again passed in
March 2011, but didnt succeed in getting assent of then Gujarat Governor Kamla Beniwal.
Page 36
Goa Health Minister Laxmikant Parsekar was sworn-in as 18th Chief Minister of Goa on 8th
November. He succeeded Manohar Parrikar who resigned on 8th November 2014 in order to take
charges of Union Defence Minister. The oath of office and secrecy was administered by Goa
Governor Mridula Sinha. Along with Parsekar, seven other BJP ministers were also sworn-in.
They are: Francis DSouza, Dayanand Mandrekar, Ramesh Tawadkar, Mahadev Naik, Dilip
Parulekar, Milind Naik, and Alina Saldanha.
Two Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party (MGP) ministers Ramkrishna Sudin Dhavalikar and
Pandurang Deepak Dhavalikar were also sworn-in.
About Laxmikant Parsekar
Laxmikant Parsekar is the three-time MLA from Mandrem constituency in North Goa. Parsekar
started as a Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) party worker. His political career started in 1988
after he joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on the instructions of the RSS.
Silver Jubilee of fall of Berlin Wall observed

On 9th November 2014, Germany marks 25 years since the euphoric fall of the Berlin Wall. A great
festival was organized to celebrate to mark this peaceful revolution which ended Europes Cold War
division on November 9, 1989. On the occasion, white balloons marking a small stretch of the wall
were released to symbolize the disappearance of the wall.
About Berlin Wall
The Berlin Wall separated the city of Berlin into communist East Berlin and democratic West Berlin
in Germany from 1961 to 1989. It was constructed by German Democratic Republic (GDR) or East
Germany starting on 13 August 1961. Many people thought it was a symbol of the Cold War. The
Berlin Wall was about 168 km long of which only 3 kilometer is in existence now also.
It was built to prevent people from escaping from the eastern half of Berlin.
The Berlin Wall was officially referred to as the Anti-Fascist Protection Rampart by GDR authorities,
implying that the NATO countries and West Germany in particular were fascists. The West Berlin
city government sometimes referred to it as the Wall of Shame (term coined by Mayor Willy
Brandt) while condemning the Walls restriction on freedom of movement.
East German guards had shot and killed more than 100 people who tried to escape communist
control by climbing the wall or tunneling beneath it. Its fall in 1989 became a powerful symbol of
the end of the Cold War.
China pledges $40 billion for Silk Road

plan
On 8th November 2014, Chinese President Xi Jinping committed $40 billion to give a push for
reviving the ancient Silk Road of China and break the connectivity bottleneck in Asia. This sum was
announced at a summit attended by leaders of neighboring countries of Bangladesh, Cambodia,
Laos, Mongolia, Myanmar, Pakistan and Tajikistan.
The summit was hosted by China in order to strengthen its connectivity and improve cooperation
neighbouring country and firming up support for its mega 21st Century Silk Road Economic Belt and
the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB).
Key facts:
Silk Road Fund will be open and welcome investors from Asia and beyond to actively take
part in the project.
The neighbouring countries must strengthen connectivity and boost cooperation.
Chinas plans to build the 21st Century Silk Road Economic Belt and the Maritime Silk Road
besides Beijings push for creation of the AIIB.
Representatives of the UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific and
the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation also took part in the event.
The summit was organised ahead of the 10th November 2014 meeting of Asia Pacific Economic
Cooperation (APEC) leaders.
Chinese President had invited Prime Minister Narendra Modi to attend the summit during their first
meeting in Brazil. However, Indian PM could not make it to the summit due to his commitments to
attend next weeks East Asia Summit in Myanmar followed by G-20 leaders meeting in Australia.
About Silk Road

The idea of re-establishment of maritime Silk Road was proposed by Chinese President Xi Jinping
in 2013. The main aim is China is to gain easier access to global markets. The plan incorporates
both a land route and a sea route. The land-based Silk Road is expected to start at Xian, the
capital of Shaanxi province, located in northwest China, eventually heading southwest across
Central Asia, the Middle East and Europe. The Maritime Silk Road is planned to start near
Guangdong on the South China Sea and move to the Malacca Strait and the Indian Ocean. From
there it will traverse the Horn of Africa, heading into the Red Sea and Mediterranean. The project
shows Chinas newfound desire to invest in projects outside of mainland China.
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Page 37
On 8th November 2014, Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar resigned from his position to take
up post of Defence minister in the Union Cabinet. With the resignation of Parrikar, entire state
cabinet comprising of 12 ministers was dissolved. The fresh cabinet would be sworn-in along with
the new Chief Minister.
About Manohar Parrikar
Parrikar was born on 13 December 1955.
He did his graduation in metallurgical engineering from IIT Bombay in 1978.
He was Chief Minister of Goa first from 2000 to 2005 and later from March 2012 to
November 2014.
Manohar Parrikar is a member of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in India and represented
the Panaji constituency in the Legislative Assembly of Goa.
India and Bhutan sign MoU on

establishment of Nalanda University
India and Bhutan have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to collaborate on the noble
objectives of the establishment of Nalanda University in Bihar to develop the institution as an
international centre of excellence. Both countries signed a MoU in this regard in Thimphu after
President Pranab Mukherjee held talks with the Bhutanese King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck.
Key facts of the MoU
Nalanda University will be located at Rajgir in Bihar and will have the power to confer
degrees, diplomas and certificates.
Objectives and functions of Nalanda University includes the establishment of an international
institution of learning that will bring together the brightest and the most dedicated students
from all countries irrespective of gender, caste, creed, disability, ethnicity or socio-economic
background.
India will provide appropriate visa to students, faculty, and staff for travel to India to study
or work in the University.
The funding for the establishment and operations of the University will be on a voluntary
basis.
Worlds tallest hybrid wind turbine

installed in Kutch
Wind turbine manufacturer Suzlon Energy has installed the worlds first and tallest hybrid wind
generator turbine in Kutch, Gujarat. This installation was part Gujarats focused approach on
enhancing Renewable Energy Portfolio in order to meet the dual objective of Sustainable
Development and ensuring Indias Energy Security.
In 2008, the Suzlon Energy had signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Gujarat
Government to set up 2000 MW of wind energy capacity in the state.
Key features of Suzlons tallest hybrid wind generator turbine
The turbine will generate 12-15 percent more energy.
Hybrid wind turbine will be 120-metre in height. It is taller than conventional wind turbine
towers by 40 metres.
With this new turbine, the installed wind energy capacity at the Kutch region of Gujarat has
gone up to 1100 MW. It makes it the Asias biggest wind energy park at one location.
This tower is ideal for low wind areas and the potential is huge. In the next three years, this
region will have 2000 MW of wind energy capacity.
About Suzlon Energy
Suzlon Energy is a leading wind power products and services company with a global footprint. It
was established in 1995. Suzlon is credited with developing one of the worlds largest wind farms
in the western Indian state of Gujarat and Rajasthan.
The company has presence across six continents: North and South America, Asia, Australia,
Europe, and Africa. The Suzlon Group has built its presence in over 31 countries and has achieved
a milestone by crossing over 25000 MW of wind power installations globally.
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Page 38
According to a new study from the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS), canine distemper virus
(CDV) has the potential to be a significant driver in pushing the tigers towards extinction. This
deadly virus is adding a new threat to tiger populations along with to the existing pressures of
habitat loss, poaching and depletion of prey species.
Researchers have evaluated these impacts on the Amur tiger population in Russias Sikhote-Alin
Biosphere Zapovednik (SABZ), where tiger numbers declined from 38 individuals to 9 in the years
2007 to 2012.
How the study took place?
The scientists used computer modeling to simulate the effects of CDV infection on isolated
tiger populations of various sizes and through a series of transmission scenarios.
These included tiger-to-tiger transmission and transmission through predation on CDVinfected domestic dogs or infected wild carnivores (such as foxes, raccoon dogs and
badgers).
High and low-risk scenarios for the model were created based on variation in the prevalence
of CDV and the tigers contact with sources of exposure.
A key finding of this study
Modeling shows that smaller populations of tigers were found to be more vulnerable to
extinction by CDV.
Populations consisting of 25 individuals were 1.65 times more likely to decline in the next 50
years when CDV was present.
The results are profoundly disturbing for global wild tigers as in most sites wild tigers are
limited to populations of less than 25 adult breeding individuals.
About canine distemper virus (CDV)
Canine distemper is a viral disease that affects animals. The disease is highly contagious (via
inhalation) and fatal 50% of the time, thus making it the leading cause of infectious disease death.
The virus infects the gastrointestinal tract, respiratory tract, the brain, and spinal cord of animals.
Common symptoms can include: 1) High fever, 2) Watery discharge from the eyes and nose, 3)
Vomiting and diarrhea, 4) Hardening of the footpads and nose, 5) Seizures of any part of the body
6) Paralysis.
It is most commonly associated with domestic animals such as dogs and ferrets, but it can infect
wild animals.
Page 39
As per press release from Human Society International (HSI) India, Jet Airways Cargo has
instituted a policy to ban the shipment of shark fins. Jet Airways by instituting this policy has joined
group of major international carriers committed to protect declining shark populations and marine
ecosystems.
Other growing league of environmentally conscious airlines are Emirates, Philippines Airlines,
Korean Airlines, Asiana Airlines, Qantas and Air New Zealand, all of whom have made a public
commitment to stop carrying shark fins
Why there is need to ban the shipment of shark fins?
Sharks are top predators and important for survival and maintenance of healthy marine
ecosystem.
Shark fin trade is one of the main reasons for the decline in the shark population globally.
Shark finning: It is the process of removal and retention of shark fins. This removal of fins
doesnt allow shark to move effectively resulting in sinking to bottom of the ocean and die.
Shark finning has increased since 1997 largely due to the increasing demand for shark fins
for shark fin soup and traditional cures, particularly in China and its territories.
This environment friendly decision of HSI along with international carriers will help to stop
Shark fin trade by cutting off supply chain.
India and Shark finning
Some research reports suggests that India is the worlds second-largest shark catching nation and
one of the worlds largest exporters of shark fins. As per trade reports and undercover
investigations, the shark fins are commonly transported from India to places like Hong Kong, Dubai
and China as cargo on airlines.
Government to launch modified direct cash

subsidy transfer for LPG consumers from
January 1, 2015
NDA government is launching, the modified version of Direct Benefit Transfer for LPG ( DBTL)
scheme in 54 districts from 15th November 2014 and all over the country from 1st January 2014.
The petroleum ministry is working on this in order to ensure that there is coordination between the
oil companies and banks so that consumers smoothly get the LPG subsidy in their bank accounts,
Direct Benefit Transfer for LPG (DBTL) scheme is expected to save the government upto Rs 14,000
crores in subsidies and aims curbing leakages, preventing black-marketing and sending gas subsidy
to the consumers bank accounts.
How Direct Benefit Transfer for LPG (DBTL) scheme will work?
All LPG consumers who join the modified DBTL scheme can receive the LPG cash subsidy
either by linking their Aadhaar number to the LPG and bank database as the primary option.
Else, they will get the subsidy directly into their accounts without linking it with Aadhaar as a
secondary option.
Under the scheme, LPG consumers will get cash subsidy in their bank accounts so they can
buy a cooking gas cylinder at market price.
The Prime Ministers Office has directed the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) and the
National Population Register (NPR) to complete the Aadhaar enrolment of the entire population by
March, 2015r. UIDAI has already issued over 70 crore Aadhar numbers across the country.
The main intention for Aadhaar enrolment is to implement social schemes with Aadhaar.
World Chess Championship 2014 begins at

Sochi, Russia
The World Chess Championship 2014 will be a match between the current world champion,
Magnus Carlsen, and challenger Viswanathan Anand, to determine the 2014 World Chess
Champion.
It will be held from 7 November to 28 November 2014, under the auspices of the World Chess
Federation (FIDE) in Sochi, Russia.
In this tournament, eight players will compete against Carlsen in the World Chess Championship.
Some rules of this championship
Drawing of colours: The draw will be conducted during the opening ceremony and will be
reversed in Round 7. (The player getting the white in game 1 shall play game 7 with the
black).
Time Control: The game will be played using the electronic clock approved by the FIDE.
Each game will be of 120 minutes for the first 40 moves, 60 minutes for the next 20 moves.
From the 61st move, there will be an increment of 30 seconds per move.
Point System: A player who wins the game will be awarded 1 point and no point will be
awarded in case of a defeat. If the game ends in a draw, both players will share half point
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Page 40
Former President of India Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam was formally conferred the title of Honorary
Professor by the Peking University, one of the oldest Chinese universities.
On 5th November 2014, President of the University Enge Wang presented the Honorary Professor
certificate to Kalam. The ceremony was also attended by Indian Ambassador Ashok K Kantha and
other officials.
Then he delivered lecture on sustainable development system and creative leadership to a group
of students drawn from different disciplines of the university.
He was formally invited to teach at the University by its Chairman Zhu Shanlu when he visited China
for the first time in 2012.
Key facts of Lecture
He called for Sino-Indian joint space collaboration and interface between universities of the
two countries on development themes.
He mentioned that if universities of the world work together, it will be a major factor in
better understanding of the different cultures and contribute significantly to the peace and
prosperity of the world.
China and India should have research and academic interfaces in development themes in
order to address the development challenges.
Both countries should jointly take up the challenge to build satellites that could generate
round-the-clock solar power and connect the world with clean power.
Dr. Kalam will address two more classes in the university, on sustainable model for rural
development and harnessing space and solar power.
Government to launch separate drug

controller for traditional medicines
On 6th November 2014, Health Minister Harsh Vardhan announced that government has decided to
set up a separate Central drug controller for traditional medicines on the lines of that for the
allopathy medicines to ensure quality production standards.
He made this announcement after inaugurating the four-day 6th Arogya Expo organised by the
Ministry in collaboration with the World Ayurveda Congress in New Delhi.
Why there is need for separate drug controller for traditional medicines?
Indias experience and strength in the traditional medicine has not yet translated into market
shares in the global traditional market.
The traditional medicines global worldwide market is estimated at about $100 billion, but
Indias share is negligible because quality standards are not maintained to international
specifications.
Thus it can be said that India being experienced in the field of traditional medicine has not
trapped it potential.
Indias neighbour China has captured huge share of the traditional medicines world market
whereas Indias presence is considered as non-existent.
Institutionalisation of a regulatory authority for traditional medicine backed up by Central
and State laboratories will ensure that traditional and indigenous medicines get their pride
of place in mainstream healthcare world-wide.
Current drug controller for traditional medicines
Presently, Ayush (Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homoeopathy) or
traditional medicinal products are being governed under the Drug and Cosmetic Act
supervised by the Drug Controller General of India (DCGI).
But DCGI is short-staffed and is not able to do justice to the Indian traditional medicine
system compared to the growing allopathy sector.
Implications of this decision
It will help to regulate traditional medicines in terms of international standards.

Thus, focus on building up a brand value for Ayurvedic drugs manufactured in the country at
international market.
It will benefit rural India where people largely rely on local herbal doctors.
It will further add traditional medicines in export basket of country.
Through National AYUSH Mission, the government will focus on building up brand value for
Ayurvedic drugs.
Madhya Pradesh becomes first state to

formulate defence products investment
policy
On 5th November 2014, Madhya Pradesh state government approved its ambitious Defence
Products Investment Policy. Madhya Pradesh has become the first state to formulate such a
policy in the country. The cabinet meeting was chaired by Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj
Singh Chouhan.
Key facts of the policy
This policy will help those investors who are willing to invest Rs 500 crore or more for
setting up public and private sector defence manufacturing units near Katni, Itarsi, and
Jabalpur.
50-acre undeveloped government land will be provided and even land belonging to the
closed down and sick units would be purchased for setting up defence equipment
manufacturing units.
Subsidy will be provided for creating infrastructure and dedicated escort officers would be
provided for special units, besides offering a special package to those units making a
permanent investment of Rs 500 crore.
Besides, vendor units of defence manufacturing plants will be allotted land on sub-lease.
Facilities like mother units will be provided to vendor units of big industries if vendor units
sell 75 per cent of their products to mother units.
Subsidy: Provision for providing subsidy for transporting goods and raw material to and fro
the ports.
Under the policy, 50 per cent subsidy will be given on expenditure on power, water and road
infrastructure to be created on undeveloped land by defence equipment manufacturing units.
Units making permanent investment of Rs. 500 crore will be exempted from entry tax and 2
years exemption from power tariff. They will be given benefits under investment promotion
assistance scheme.
Road and power to these units will be developed and made available by government.
Stamp duty will be reimbursed on purchase of closed, sick or acquired units for setting up
defence manufacturing units.
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On 5th November 2014, Sajid Javid Britains secretary of state or cabinet minister for culture,
media and sport, has disclosed that his father was from India and his mother from Pakistan. So it
makes him half-Indian and the first person of Indian origin to be a cabinet minister in Britain.
He made this announcement at British Asian dinner, which released a Power 101 Britains Most
Influential Asians 2015 list which had him at top position. Earlier, he was always been described
as being of Pakistani origin, which he partially is, but his Indian connection was unknown publicly.
Previously, Indian origin MP, Keith Vaz was a minister of state in a Labour government. But no one
of Indian descent has ever been appointed a cabinet minister in Britain until now.
In 2010, Baroness Sayeeda Warsi, who is of Pakistani origin, became a cabinet minister, the first
Asian to be thus elevated.
About Sajid Javid
Sajid Javid is a British Conservative Party politician who has been the Member of Parliament (MP)
for Bromsgrove since 2010. Currently he is the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport and
Minister for Equalities since 2014.
He previously had served as Economic Secretary from 2012 to 2013 and as the Financial Secretary
to the Treasury from 2013 to 2014.
Key facts of Power 101 Britains Most Influential Asians 2015 list ranking
Top five positions:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Sajid Javid- Britains secretary of state or cabinet minister for culture, media and sport
Malala Yousafzai- Nobel Peace Prize winner
Keith Vaz-Indian-origin Labour MP
Lakshmi Mittal- Indian steel tycoon
Hinduja brothers.
NRI industrialist Lord Swraj Paul and son Angad, chairman and CEO of Caparo Group of Industries,
curry king Lord Gulam Noon and Deutsche Banks Indian-origin CEO Anshu Jain also find their place
in the Power 101.
Power 101 has been compiled by The Asian Media and Marketing Group (AMG) and features the
top 101 most influential Asians in the UK, ranging from all walks of life
Torpedo Recovery Vessel of Indian Navy

sinks off the Visakhapatnam
On 6th November 2014, a Torpedo Recovery Vessel, TRV-72 of Indian Navy sank within 10-15 kms
off Vizag port, near Visakhapatnam coast during a naval exercise.
One sailor was killed in the incident while three others went missing. At the time of incident there
were 28 personnel on board of which 24 were rescued by naval ships and rescue operation was
launched for the missing.
About The Incident
TRV 72 sank due to flooding in one of its compartments. The flooding happened when the vessel
was on its way back after collecting the dummy torpedo that was used in the exercise.
Preliminary reports suggest that a recess in the hull for intake of water developed a crack leading
to flooding, while the exact cause is not known. A Board of Inquiry has been instituted to
investigate the accident.
About the Torpedo Recovery Vessel (TRV)-72
Sunken TRV-72 was of an Astravahini Class. The ship was 23 meters long and 6.5 meters at the
beam and weighed 112-tonne. It was built by Goa Shipyard in 1983 and commissioned into the
Navy on 23 February 1983. It has served the Indian Navy for the last 31 years.
The Torpedo Recovery Vessel (TRV) is an auxiliary vessel which is used to recover practice
torpedoes fired by fleet ships and submarines.
ICC Test and ICC ODI Team of the Year :

Key Facts
Sri Lankan cricket captain Angelo Mathews has been named as captain of the ICC Test Team of the
Year 2014. Indian cricket captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni was named as the captain of ICC ODI
Team of the Year 2014. He has been selected in the ICC ODI team of the year for the eight time
(seventh year in a row), while fifth year as a captain of the team.
Selection Process for ICC Test and ICC ODI team of the Year
The ICC Test team of the Year was chosen by a specially appointed selection panel chaired
by the ICCs Cricket Committee chairman and former India captain Anil Kumble.
The selection panel also included Jonathan Agnew, a former England international and now
a respected broadcaster/journalist, ex-Sri Lanka opener Russel Arnold, former New Zealand
captain Stephen Fleming, and Betty Timmer, former Chair of the ICC Womens Committee.
The selected team was announced at the ICC Headquarters in Dubai, where ICC Chief
Executive David Richardson also announced the short-lists for the LG ICC Awards 2014.
The team was selected on the basis of their 12-month performance between 26 August
2013 and 17 September 2014.
The panel selected the team after discussing various combinations and took into account
several scenarios like opposition, pitch conditions and match situations.
Selected ICC ODI Team of the Year 2014 (in batting order)
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
David Warner (Australia)

Kane Williamson (New Zealand)
Kumar Sangakkara (Sri Lanka)
AB de Villiers (South Africa)
Joe Root (England)
Angelo Mathews (Sri Lanka) (captain)
Mitchell Johnson (Australia)
Stuart Broad (England)
Dale Steyn (South Africa)
Rangana Herath (Sri Lanka)
Tim Southee (New Zealand)
Ross Taylor (New Zealand) (12th man)
Selected ICC ODI Team of the Year 2014 (in batting order)
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
Mohammad Hafeez (Pakistan)

Quinton de Kock (South Africa)
Virat Kohli (India)
George Bailey (Australia)
AB de Villiers (South Africa)
MS Dhoni (wicketkeeper) (captain)
Dwayne Bravo (West Indies)
James Faulkner (Australia)
Dale Steyn (South Africa)
Mohammad Shami (India)
Ajantha Mendis (Sri Lanka)
Rohit Sharma (India) (12th man)
About ICC Test and ICC ODI Team of the Year

The ICC Test and ICC ODI Team of the Year is an honor awarded each year by the International
Cricket Council (ICC). It recognizes the top players from around the world. The teams do not
actually compete, but exists solely as an honorary entity.
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Page 42
Japanese real estate company TamaHomes Corporation has entered into a joint venture
agreement with Developer Group India Pvt. Ltd to create townships in India.
Both real estate companies will jointly build three housing projects, including two townships, having
about 3,500 housing units, in Ludhiana, Visakhapatnam and Chennai.

Developer Group India Pvt. Ltd is a Japanese investor-promoted real estate company in India
backed by leading Japanese corporates and institutions.
It will bring and promote eathquake-proof technology into the Indian realty market.
TamaHomes entry into India comes a week after Japanese telecom group SoftBank buying a major
stake in Snapdeal.com for USD 627 million.
A number of Japanese companies are already present in India across sectors like automobiles and
consumer goods, while financial services from there have also began evincing interest to open up
business here.
Developer group and TamaHomes will together develop about 12-18 projects in the next five years
at a cost of about Rs 6,000 crore.
Developer Group India Pvt Ltd is buying land for upcoming projects as well as partnering land
owners to build projects. They are going to outsource the construction activities related to these
projects to local contractors.
In future, the joint venture firm is also looking into possibilities of developing smart cities,
commercial, hospitality projects in India.
Page 43
On 5th November 2014, Prime Minister Narendra Modi adopted Jayapur village in Varanasi under
Saansad Adarsh Gram Yojana (SAGY). Varanasi is the Lok Sabha constituency of PM Narendra
Modi.
About Jayapur village
It is located 32 km from Varanasi city centre in the Rohaniya assembly segment. The village has a
population of 4000. Of them, 2700 are voters. The village is dominated by Bhumihars and Patels.
PM is scheduled to visit the village on 7th November 2014. This will be Narendra Modis first visit to
his constituency after being sworn in as the prime minister.
The village was already adopted by the Rashtriya SwayamSevak Sangh (RSS) under its ideal
village scheme in 2002. Sangh has formed three categories for villages and focused on planting
trees, promoting animal husbandry.
About Saansad Adarsh Gram Yojana (SAGY)
The Saansad Adarsh Gram Yojana, is a program launched for the development of model villages.
Under the Yojana, Members of Parliament (MPs) will be responsible for developing the socioeconomic and physical infrastructure of three villages each by 2019, and a total of eight villages
each by 2024.
Key objectives of the Yojana include:
The development of model villages, called Adarsh Grams, through the implementation of
existing schemes, and certain new initiatives to be designed for the local context, which may
vary from village to village.
Creating models of local development which can be replicated in other villages.
Under this SAGY, the first Adarsh Gram must be developed by 2016, and two more by 2019.
From 2019 to 2024, five more Adarsh Grams must be developed by each MP, one each year. This
implies that a total of 6,433 Adarsh Grams, of the 2,65,000 gram panchayats, will be created by
2024.
Government reconstitutes Prime Ministers

Council on Climate Change
On 5th November 2014, Union government reconstituted the Prime Ministers Council on Climate
Change.
The new Council on Climate Change will be headed by Prime Minister. It will formulate and
coordinate the National Action Plan for Assessment, Adaptation and Mitigation of Climate Change.
The council will have 18 members, which includes 13 government representatives and 5 nongovernment members. Among 13 government representatives, 8 will be ministers.
The council will focus on the following tasks:
The new council will coordinate the action plan and advise the government on proactive
measures that can be taken to deal with the challenge of climate change.
It will facilitate inter-ministerial coordination and guide policy in relevant areas.
The council will evolve a coordinated response to issues relating to climate change at the
national level.
It will provide oversight for formulation of action plans in the area of assessment, adaptation
and mitigation of climate change and periodically monitor key policy decisions.
The composition of the re-constituted Prime Ministers Council on Climate Change:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
Prime Minister(Head of Council)

Minister for External Affairs
Union Finance Minister
Union Minister for Environment, Forests and Climate Change: It will assist the Prime
Ministers Office in facilitating the work of the council.
Union Minister for Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation.
Union Minister for Agriculture.
Union Minister for Urban Development.
Union Minister for Science and Technology.
Union MoS of Power, Coal and NRE.
Principal Secretary to PM (Member-convener of this panel)
Cabinet Secretary.
Foreign Secretary.
Secretary, Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change.
Retained members from previous council

1. R. K. Pachauri, Chairperson ofIPCC and TERI.
2. Nitin Desai.
3. Chandrasekar Dasgupta
Newly added members
1. Ajay Mathur, Chairperson, BEE
2. M. Mouskar, retired IAS officer.
Previous Council
The first and previous was formed in 2007. It was chaired by then Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan
Singh. It included government representatives and non-government members. But this council had
not met for over three years.
Sunita Narain, Raj Chengappa, R.Ramachandran,Prodopto Ghosh and RatanTata were the
members of this council who are dropped from this years council.
The countrys National Action Plan on Climate Change was framed by this Council.
First annual Budget of Telangana: Key

Highlights
On 5th November 2014, newly formed Telangana States first annual Budget of Rs 1,00,637 crore
was presented in the State Assembly by Finance Minister Etela Rajinder.
This Budget presentation was considered as a historical occasion for the people of Telangana as
they take control over their own resources and fate after bifurcating from Andhra Pradesh.
Key Highlights of the Telangana Budget
This Budget has proposed an expenditure of Rs 1,00,637 crore for the 10 months of
financial year 2014-15, including a plan expenditure of Rs 48,648 crore and non-plan outlay
of Rs 51,989 crore.
The Budget also highlighted fiscal deficit of Rs 17,398 crore and the estimated revenue
surplus is Rs 301.02 crore.
Upliftment of the weaker section: Budget announced sub-plans for the scheduled castes
and schedule tribes by earmarking Rs 7,579 crore and Rs 4,559 crore respectively.
Scheduled caste welfare: Rs 1,000 crore was allocated in order to provide three acres of
cultivable land to each landless family of the scheduled caste, develop it with irrigation and
provide total cost of cultivation for the first year as a grant.
Agriculture: In the Budget start government allocated Rs 7,099 crore for agriculture.
For loan waiver scheme for farmers, state government has paid the first installment of Rs 4,250
crore.
Market Intervention Fund: Rs 400 crore is allocated for establishing Market Intervention
Fund to ensure farmers get stable and remunerative prices.
Seed bowl of India project: Rs 50 crore funds were allocated to develop Telangana in to
seed bowl of India.

Irrigation: Government has allocated Rs 2,000 crore for the restoration of 9,000 irrigation
tanks and rejuvenates 45,000 tanks in coming five years.
Rs 6,500 crore is allocated for irrigation and complete four lift irrigation schemes during the current
year in order to bring 2.97 lakh acres of land under irrigation.
Water grid project: Rs 2,000 crore were allocated for the ambitious water grid project.
This project with a total estimated cost of Rs 25,000 crore will envisages the supply of
drinking water to every household in three years.
Power generation projects: Government plans to add 20,000 MW of power generation
to its capacity over the next five years
It includes 4,000 MW power plant of NTPC at Ramagundam and 6,000 MW thermal power plant by
BHEL for which a memorandum of understanding was signed.
The State Government will also spend Rs 3,000 crore to provide free electricity to the farmers.
Financial assistance for the families of martyrs: Allocation of Rs 100 crore towards
financial assistance for the families of people who laid down their lives for the separate
State.
The Government has identified families of 459 martyrs who will get Rs 10 lakh each.
The Budget also announced setting up of a health university at Warangal.
Provision under constituency development fund has been increased from Rs 1 crore per
constituency to Rs 1.5 crore and an amount of Rs 234 crore was earmarked in the Budget.
Page 44
On 5th November 2014, India and Russia signed agreement to set up a Smart City on the
Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor (DMIC).
The agreement was signed by Deputy Prime Minister of Russia Dmitry Rogozin and External Affairs
Minister Sushma Swaraj during the 20th session of India-Russia Inter-Governmental Commission
on Trade, Economic, Scientific, Technological and Cultural Cooperation (IRIGC-TEC).
Russian company AFK Sistema will help in establishing the Smart City in India.
The IRIGC-TEC reviewed the progress on a broad spectrum of bilateral issues including trade,
economic, scientific, technological and cultural cooperation.
This meeting also reviewed the preparations for the forthcoming visit of the Russian President Putin
to India for the 15th India-Russia Annual Summit next month.
Other key highlights of 20th session IRIGC-TEC
Lighting equipment plant: Approval for setting up a manufacturing of lighting equipment
plant in Karnataka by Russian firm MGK Lighting Technologie.
Telecommunication satellites: A project by the group of companies Dauria Aerospace
and Aniara Communications Private Limited for unrolling of a group of telecommunication
satellites `NextStar on geostationary orbit of the Earth on the basis of low budget platform
was approved.
Joint Study Group: Setting up a Joint Study Group for the proposed agreement between
India and the Customs Union of Belarus, Kazakhstan and the Russian Federation for trade in
goods and services.
Bilateral trade: To enhance bilateral trade through the International North South Corridor
Project (INSTC) by freight forwarders and exporters particularly to bolster trade in
agriculture and food processing industry.
Momentum of cooperation: India and Russia will maintain the momentum of cooperation
in some priority areas such as hydrocarbons, coking coal, fertilizers, mining, civil aviation,
infrastructure and trade in rough diamonds.
A joint cooperation between the Indian company National Mineral Development Corporation
(NMDC) and the Russian firm ACRON. It will look into development of potassium and
magnesium deposits in Talitsky mine in Perm region of Russia and Partomchorr apatitenepheline ore deposit (Murmansk region).
Proposal for setting up of a 200-250 MW Power Plant project at Ulan-Ude by Bharat Heavy
Electricals Limited (BHEL).
Establishment of a JV in India for production of Cold-Rolled Grain Oriented silicon steel
(CRGO) grade steel by Rashtriya Ispat Nigam Ltd (RINL) in collaboration with NLMK of the
Russian Federation.
Joint Supercomputer Center: Proposal for establishing Joint Supercomputer Center of
the Russian Academy of Sciences (JSCC RAS), collaboration on various applications of High
Performance Computing (HPC), supercomputing and
Technology sector: Establishment of an India-Russia joint investment fund for supporting
joint projects in high technology sector including transfer of technology.
Page 45
The World Trade Centre (WTC) in New York has been reopened for business. The 104 storey
building was rebuilt at a cost of $4.2 billion, thirteen years after the 9/11 terrorist attack. Though
no official opening ceremony was conducted, businesses will be able to operate from the World
Trade Centre. The reopening of WTC was an emotional moment for all New Yorkers, and the
structure marks the resilient spirit of the people of New York.
One Trade Centre is now open to commercial tenants. Publishing giant, Conde Nast, became the
first commercial tenant to begin work at One WTC. The eight year long construction of the 541 m
high building was completed after years of political, financial and legal infighting that threatened to
derail the project. The construction of One WTC was on strong footing only as construction of two
other towers started going up on the southeast end of the site. 4 WTC is now completed, and its
anchor tenant is the Port Authority, and 3 WTC is slowly rising.
One WTC has leased 58% of its 2,78,000 sq. m. of space. Other tenants are also expected to move
into the building, which authorities are calling the most secure office building in America.
Justice Mukkul Mudgal Committee submits

final report to Supreme Court
The Justice Mukkul Mudgal Committee, which was constituted to conduct an independent inquiry
over allegations of corruption, betting and spot-fixing in IPL matches, submitted its findings in the
form of a final Report to the SC in a sealed cover on November 3. The next hearing of the SC is on
the 10th of November, when the Court will deliberate upon the findings of the Committee, and take
a final decision on the matter.
The SC will also determine if N.Srinivasan can seek re-election as President of the BCCI. In
February 2014, the Mudgal panel had presented a sealed envelope to the SC containing the names
of 13 individuals who needed to be probed further. N.Srinivasan is one of the persons named on
the list.
IPL Scandal
S.Sreesanth, Ajit Chandila and Ankeet Chavan were the three prominent IPL cricketers who were
arrested on allegations of spot-fixing. The former Chennai Super Kings Team Principal, Gurunath
Meiyappan, and actor Vindoo Dara Singh are accused of engaging in betting during the sixth edition
of the IPL.
Mudgal Committee
The Justice Mukkul Mudgal Committee was constituted by the SC in 2014. It is headed by retired
Justice Mukkul Mudgal and includes former Solicitor-General of India, L.Nageshwara Rao, former
Umpire Nilay Dutta, Deputy DG of Narcotics Control Bureau B.B.Mishra and former Indian captain
Sourav Ganguly.
Justice Mukul Mudgal
Justice Mudgal had started his career as an advocate at the SC and Delhi HC. After which he
became a judge of the Delhi HC. He was later the Chief Justice of the Punjab & Haryana HC
between 2009 and 2011. He retired on January 3, 2011
Darjeeling Zoo wins International Earth

Heroes Award
The Darjeeling Zoo won an award at the International Earth Heroes Awards. It is the first Indian
zoo to have received this prestigious honour. Apart from being the only specialized zoo in India, it
is internationally recognized for its conservation breeding programmes of endangered animals of
Eastern Himalayas. The Zoo is also well-known for its efforts in educating, motivating and initiating
awareness about the importance of conservation of Himalayan eco-system.
The ceremony for the RBS Earth Heroes Awards 2014 was announced at an awards function held
at the Indira Gandhi National Centre for Arts (IGNCA) in New Delhi on 4th November.
The finalists for each award were selected by a jury comprising of experts from the field of
conservation, bio-diversity, science, government, media, The Royal Bank of Scotland, the National
Biodiversity Authority and the Bombay Natural History Society.
Award Winners of the 2014 Prize
The recipients of the RBS Earth Heroes Award, 2014 are as follows:-
RBS Earth Hero Award Dr. Erach Bharucha

RBS Earth Guardian Award The Kenneth Anderson Nature Society (KANS)
RBS Save The Species Award Pangti Village Council & Dr. Goutam Narayan
RBS Inspire Award Mr. Dhritiman Mukherjee
RBS Green Warrior Award Mr Sujoy Banerjee & Shri. P. S Somashekhar
Special Mention was given to the Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park or the
Darjeeling Zoo.
Earth Heroes Award
The Earth Heroes Awards is an Award that recognises and honours individuals and institutions who
work exceptionally hard to preserve and protect critical eco-systems. The Awards were instituted
by the Royal Bank of Scotland in association with WAZA (World Association of Zoos and Aquariums)
in 2011.
The categories for the RBS Earth Heroes awards include:RBS Earth Hero Award (Felicitation) to be awarded to an Individual
RBS Earth Guardian Award with Prize money of INR 1,50,000 that is to be awarded to an
Institution
RBS Save The Species Award with Prize money of INR 1,50,000 that is to be awarded to 2
Individuals
RBS Inspire Award for Prize money with Prize money of INR 1,50,000 that is to be awarded
to an Individual or Institution
RBS Green Warrior Award with Prize money of INR 1,50,000 each that is to be awarded to 2
individuals
About Darjeeling Zoo
The Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park is Indias largest high altitude zoo. It was
established on 14th August 1958. Some other details about the zoo are as follows:The zoo is named after Padmaja Naidu, who is the daughter of Sarojini Naidu
It was established in 1958 by the Department of Education of the Government of West
Bengal. It became a registered society in 1972. And in May 1993, it was transferred to the
West Bengal Department of Forests.
Its first Director and Founder was Dilip Kumar Dey, an officer of the Indian Forest Service
It is a 56 acre zoo located in Darjeeling, West Bengal, and falls under the small zoo
classification of the Zoo Authority of India
It has an average elevation of 7,000 feet or 2,134 m
It was initially established with the goal of studying and preserving Himalayan fauna. The
zoo now specializes in breeding animals adapted to alpine conditions, and has
successfulcaptive breeding programs for the snow leopard, the critically
endangered Himalayan wolf, Himalayan salamander and the red panda. It also provides a
home to gorals (mountain goats), Siberian tigers and many endangered birds.
Additionally, the zoo serves as the central hub for the Zoo Authority of Indias red panda
program and is a member of WAZA
The zoo attracts about 300,000 visitors every year.
Page 46
Veteran actor Sadashiv Amrapurkar passed away due to complications from a lung infection at the
Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital in Mumbai. Amrapurkar is known for his stellar performance
in Sadak, Ishq and Ardh Satya. He was especially well known for his villainous roles, and later his
comedic roles. He has done roles in mainly Marathi and Hindi movies, though he established his
presence in various other regional movies. He was very active during the 1980s and 1990s. Since
the 2000s, he has starred only in one movie, Bombay Talkies. He has also been a recipient of
multiple Filmfare Awards.
Some other key facts about Amrapurkar are:Amrapurkar was born as Ganesh Kumar Narwode in Ahmednagar on 11 May 1950
While completing his Masters in History at Pune University, he was already pursuing his
passion in theatre. He adopted the stage name Sadashiv Amrapurkar in 1974.
Initially, he worked in theatre as well as the silver screen.
He began his acting career in theatre where he directed and acted in nearly fifty plays.
He made his movie debut in a Marathi film 22 June 1897 where he portrayed Bal
Gangadhar Tilak. His Bollywood debut was in Govind Nihalanis Ardh Satya.
Since then, he has acted in over 300 movies in Hindi, Marathi, Bengali, Oriya, and Telugu
languages.
He was the first actor to receive the newly instituted Filmfare Award for Best Performance
in a Negative Role for his portrayal of Maharani, an evil eunuch, in the movie Sadak in
1991. His other Filmfare Award includes Best Supporting Actor for Ardh Satya in 1984. He
was also nominated for Best Villain for Kaal Chakra in 1988 and Best Villain for Ishq in 1998.
His last onscreen appearance was in Bombay Talkies where he did a cameo in the portion
filmed by Dibakar Banerjee.
He is survived by his wife, Sunanda Amarapurkar, three children and three grandchildren.
Central Zone wins Duleep Trophy

The Central Zone team defeated the South Zone team to win the 2014 edition of the Duleep
Trophy. The Central Zone team was led by Piyush Chawla, who helped clinch the narrow win. Of
the total 13 games played by the five teams, the South Zone dominated 10 , but the 3 dominated
by the Central Zone changed the game. The Central Zone beat the South Zone by a very small
margin of 9 runs to claim the Trophy at the Ferozshah Kotla Ground in New Delhi.
The South Zone were chasing the Central Zone set-target of 301. On the last day of the match, the
South Zone needed 117 runs with nine wickets intact. However, South Zone lost 7 wickets for just
39 runs, giving an easy win to the Central Zone
About Duleep Trophy
The Duleep Trophy is a domestic cricket competition which is played in India. The country is divided
into five teams on the basis of geographical zones of India.
The Tournament was instituted in 1961-62 by BCCI. There are five teams: North Zone, South Zone,
East Zone, West Zone and Central Zone. The game follows the format of a 5 team knockout
tournament.
K.S.Duleepsinhji
The Duleep Trophy is named after Duleepsinh, who was an cricketer playing for England.
He was educated at Rajkumar College in Rajkot and later in Cheltenham College, Gloucestershire,
England. While at Cheltenham, Duleepsinh was a popular batsman. He later went on to successfully
play for Cambridge University, Sussex and the England team. However, his cricketing career was
cut short due to recurrent illnesses.
Duleepsinhjis uncle is Ranjitsinhji, after whom the Ranji Trophy is named. He also played cricket
for England.
Government to set up National Cultural
Audio-Visual Archives at Jodhpur

The Ministry of Culture will be setting up a National Cultural Audio-Visual Archives in Jodhpur in an
effort to preserve Indias cultural heritage. The project will involve collaboration between the Indira
Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA) under the Ministry of Culture and the Rupayan
Sansthan. A MoU for the pilot project has been signed between the two bodies. The project aims
to digitise and make 10,000 hours of digital audio and video accessible by March 31, 2017. A
committee of experts in audio-visual archiving will guide the IGNCA in this endeavor
Objective
The project aims to create digital archives in India that are up to international standards. The
project will see IGNCA and its partnering and collaborating institutions work to achieve this goal.
The project seeks to conserve and preserve Indias archives, and create awareness of their
importance and proper upkeep.
The current phase of the project has the following short-time goals:Devise a scheme of standards with respect to digitisation and metadata
Carry out the actual digitization of material stored in audio-visual form with various
government institutions, NGOs and in private collection
Provide access to approximately 10,000 hours of audio-visual material
Build capacity in the domain of audio-visual archiving
Collaboration
The IGNCA identified the Jodhpur-based Rupayan Sansthan as a partnering institution. The two
bodies will work together to develop a digital audio-visual repository and disseminate content
sourced by both bodies from multiple partnering institutions.
Under the project, main focus would be on identifying and preserving the cultural heritage of India
available in audio-visual form in governmental and non-governmental institutions across the
country through digitisation and making the material accessible in the public domain.
Rupayan Sansthan
Rupayan Sansthan was established by ethno-musicologist and folk artist late Komal Kothari, and
folk storyteller and writer, Vijaydan Detha in 1960. Their initial goal in establishing the foundation
was to collect folk tales and folk songs to bring out the richness of Rajasthan. The foundation later
evolved and was active in community development in Rajasthan.
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Page 47
Senior IAAS (Indian Audits and Accounts Service) officer Rajani Sankaran has been appointed the
Chairman and Managing Director (CMD) of Bharatiya Nabhikiya Vidyut Nigam Ltd. (BHAVINI). She
was the Director of Finance at BHAVINI and has been given a temporary posting for three months
on the former CMD Prabhat Kumars retirement. She will occupy the position till a CMD is finalized.
Despite the temporary nature of the position she is set to hold, Sankaran will be the first woman to
head an atomic power company in India.
BHAVINI
BHAVINI is a fast breeder reactor power company. It is involved in the setting up of Indias first
indigenously designed 500 MW prototype fast breeder reactor (PFBR) at Kalpakkam. The project is
at a crucial stage and is expected to go on stream in 2015.
Rajani Sankaran
Sankaran is a 1989 batch IAAS officer. She has been a Fellow of International Auditing in the
General Accountability Office, USA. She was held multiple positions in the government such as
Accountant General (Commercial and Receipt Audit), Tamil Nadu and Principal Director of Audit
(South Central Railway) and Southern Railway.
Breeder reactor
Indias PFBR was designed by IGCAR (Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research).
A breeder reactor breeds more material for nuclear fission reaction than it consumes. The PFBR
will be fuelled by a blend of plutonium and uranium oxide, called MOX fuel. While the reactor
breaks up plutonium for power production, it also breeds more plutonium than it consumes. The
original plutonium broken down for power production comes from natural uranium.
United Nations sets up panel to review

peacekeeping operations worldwide
On the insistence of countries like India, UN Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon, has constituted a
blue-ribbon panel to recommend changes to international peacekeeping to enable it to cope with
increasingly complex and dangerous conflicts worldwide. The Security Council takes a call on
deployment of UN Peacekeeping Forces (UNPKF), and the last year has seen a spike in violence
against the UNPKF with an increased death toll, the brunt of which is borne by countries like India
which contribute greatly to the UNPKF soldiers or blue helmets. A wave of attacks on blue helmets
in Mali, Darfur and the Central African Republic left 14 dead in a span of two weeks in October this
year. Other than the blue helmets, the UN also has 1,30,000 troops, police and civilian staff serving
in missions worldwide.
The report will be laid in front of the UNGA in September 2015.
Membership of the Panel
The independent panel will be chaired by former East Timor President, Jose Ramos-Horta. The
Panel will also include 13 other experts from a wide range of countries who will undertake a major
review of peace operations. This will be the first such review in 15 years. The Panel will also
include an Indian, Lt. General Abhijit Guha, who is a retired Indian Army officer who now holds a
UN post.
Objective of the Panel
The Panel will assess UNs 16 currently active peacekeeping operations. It will also attempt to
determine the needs of the future on a variety of issues from ever-changing warfare to
administrative arrangements of missions and the protection of civilians.
Indias role
India is the third largest contributor of UNPKF with 8,132 of its soldiers deployed on UN missions.
India is preceded only by Bangladesh and Pakistan as far as contribution to the UNPKF goes.
India has lost three Indian peacekeepers in South Sudan and 39 peacekeepers in the Congo. With
an estimated 157 Indian soldiers having lost their lives in peacekeeping operations since 1950,
India has suffered the highest number of casualties. This has caused India to call for a greater role
in the decision making about peacekeeping operations, especially in areas of internal political
conflict, and has raised this issue with UNPKF officials.
UNPKF
The Department of Peacekeeping Operations was established in 1948. It has a total number of
1,11,512 active personnel, with 90,905 of them being uniformed forces.
The United Nations Charter gives the UNSC the power to take collective action in the interest of
international peace and security. Hence, the UNSC generally authorizes peacekeeping operations.
All UN member nations are obligated to make necessary armed forces and facilities available to the
UNPKF. Since 1948, approximately 130 nations have contributed military and civilian police
personnel to peace operations. As of 30th April 2014, 122 countries were contributing a total of
97,729 personnel in Peacekeeping Operations.
Government to launch year of Bal

Swachhta on 125th Birth Anniversary of
Nehru
The Central Government is set to celebrate Jawaharlal Nehrus 125th birth anniversary this year by
undertaking various initiatives aimed at creating awareness of Nehru and his work. The initiatives
aim to increase awareness about Nehru among the younger generation. It also aims to involve the
common man in the celebrations. The government is expected to use the celebrations to further
the cause of cleanliness in the country.
Events Planned to mark the celebration
Some of the initiatives announced by the Government as of now are:Organising Year of Bal Swachhta
Release of commemorative coins on Nehru
Organising Bal Swachhta Mission in schools across the country between November 14 and
19
Launch of a website dedicated to Nehru
Release of a Rs. 10 cr grant for the modernization/upgradation of the Nehru Memorial
Museum and Library
Roll-out of a special grant for scholars studying Nehru
Committee for Commemoration
The initiatives for the celebration were agreed upon at a meeting of the recently reconstituted
National Committee for Commemoration of the 125th birth anniversary of Jawaharlal Nehru. The
Committee headed by PM Modi also has Union ministers Rajnath Singh, Smriti Irani, Shripad Naik,
Arun Jaitley and Prakash Javadekar.
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Page 48
The National School of Drama (NSD) has announced that it will be conducting the 12th edition of its
childrens theatre festival, Jashne Bachpan. The event this year coincides with the silver jubilee
year of NSD, and will focus on bringing children from underprivileged sections of the society to
watch the plays free of cost.
The 14 day-long festival began on November 2. It is organized by NDSs TIE (Theatre In Education)
Company. Jashne Bachpan will include 30 plays from 18 States in 12 Indian languages. The plays
of Jashne Bachpan will be presented by over 30 groups from across the country, of which 14
consist of only children. Some of the plays, involve revival of the old method of adults playing for
children. A puppet play and a play for special children will also be enacted.
Seminar
This year during Jashne Bachpan, TIE will also have a three day seminar entitled Who needs
Childrens Theater, which will see the coming together of over 30 known personalities associated
with theatre. Ten observers will also be invited to participate in the open forum.
Jashne Bachpan
Jashne Bachpan is an event to showcase the work of different theatre groups, representing
multiple regions and languages, that work with and for children. Emerging and prominent theatre
directors and theatre groups alike participate in this event.
Bal Sangam
Bal Sangam is a national festive organized every alternate year by the Theatre in Education
company. It is a cultural mela with an education objective. It involves an ensemble of various
performing traditional art forms that are presented by children belonging to traditional performing
families, guru-paramparas and Institutions. The main objective of Bal Sangam is to encourage
children to continue traditional performances so as to preserve our cultural heritage in this rapidly
changing world. While presenting a spectacular and unique confluence of performances by children
of various folk & performing traditions, the Festival also includes art and craft workshops of
activities like Origami, Pottery, Puppet-making, , Recycling, etc.
Page 49
The price of ATF (Aviation Turbine Fuel) of Jet fuel declined by 7.3%. The price of jet fuel now
stands at Rs. 64,414.98 per kilolitre (kl) in Mumbai, against Rs. 69,610.50 earlier, while the price
fell by Rs. 4,987.7 per kl to Rs. 62,537.93. The rates vary between states because of differences in
local sales tax or VAT.
This is the fourth reduction in jet fuel prices since August this year. The latest reduction was on 1st
October when the rates were cut by almost 3%. Three fuel retailers, namely, IOC, HPCL and BPCL
revise jet fuel and non-subsidised LPG prices on the first of every month. This monthly revision is
based on the average international prices in the preceding month.
Mechanics of the price reduction and its Implications
The price reductions have been triggered by declining international oil prices. The reduced oil
prices led to cheaper imports which has led to the price reduction.
Since jet fuel constitutes 40% of an airlines operating costs, the price cut is expected to ease the
financial burden of cash-strapped airline carriers. Also, the continuous price reductions may lead to
a reduction in passenger fares also in the near future.
Other price reductions
Oil companies also cut petrol price by Rs. 2.41 per litre and diesel by Rs. 2.25 per litre. This was
the sixth price reduction since August this year. Also, the price of LPG was cut by Rs. 18.5 to Rs.
865 per 14.2 kg cylinder. This was the fourth price reduction of LPG gas since August.
First Rashtriya Ekta Diwas observed on

October 31, 2014
First Rashtriya Ekta Diwas observed, people across India participate in Run for Unity
On 31st October 2014, Rashtriya Ekta Diwas was observed nationwide to commemorate the 139th
birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel.
The decision to observe 31 October as Rashtriya Ekta Diwas or National Integration Day was taken
by the Union Government.
The day was inaugurated by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi who paid floral tributes at the
statue of Sardar Patel and also flagged off the Run For Unity in New Delhi.
Run for Unity campaign
The Run for Unity campaign, a nationwide marathon took place on the Rashtriya Ekta Diwas.
It was organized in cities, towns and villages all over India.
This campaign was to pay tribute to the efforts made by Sardar Patel to unite India.
During flagged off occasion, the PM Narendra Modi praised Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel and
requested the people to work towards creating Shresth Bharat (Foremost India).
Objective of the Commemoration Rashtriya Ekta Diwas
This day will create awareness among the people about Sardar Patels contribution towards Indias
freedom struggle and ensuring national integration in India.
Sardar Patel played a pivotal role in the merger of princely states with British ruled India to form a
sovereign united country called India
It will reaffirm the inherent strength and resilience of our nation to withstand the actual and
potential threats to the unity, integrity and security of our country.
Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel
Sardar Patel was born on 31 October, 1875 at Karamsand, Gujarat.

He was a barrister with a successful law practice, before he left the law to join the Indian
national movement under Gandhi.
He played a major role in organizing peasants movements in Kheda and Bardoli in Gujarat,
and during the Quit India movement.
His biggest contribution to India was his role in the integration of the over 500 princely
states with India during 1947-49.
He is known as the Iron Man of India or Bismarck of India.
He is also remembered as the Patron Saint of Indias civil servants for establishing modern
all-India services.
Chairman of Union Carbide Warren

Anderson dies at 92
Former Chairman of Union Carbide Corporation, Warren M Anderson died on 29th September 2014
at a nursing home in Vero Beach, Florida. He was 92. Anderson was blamed for the 1984 Bhopal
gas tragedy as he was Chairman and CEO of the Union Carbide Corporation at the time of the
disaster.
His death was not announced by his family in public but it was confirmed from public records.
About Warren M Anderson
Warren M Anderson was an American businessman.
He had served as Chairman and CEO of the Union Carbide Corporation at the time of the
Bhopal disaster in 1984.
Four days after the accident, he was immediately arrested. But after quickly paying bail, he
never ran away and never returned to face trial in India.
He was officially labeled as a fugitive by Chief Judicial Magistrate of Bhopal on 1st February
1992 Bhopal disaster.
The judge also called him an absconder for failing to appear at the court hearings in a
culpable homicide case.
Union government had requested the US government to extradite him several times but it
was always denied since the first extradition request in 2003 due to lack of evidence.
Bhopal gas tragedy
The Bhopal gas tragedy was a gas leak incident in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh. It is considered
as the worlds worst industrial disaster.
It occurred on the night of 2-3 December 1984 at the Union Carbide India Limited (UCIL)
pesticide plant in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh.
Over 500,000 people in Bhopal and surrounding area were exposed to methyl isocyanate
(MIC) gas and other chemicals after gas leak incident.
The government of the Indian state of Madhya Pradesh confirmed 3,787 deaths as a result
of gas leakage. Unofficial estimates exceeded 10,000.
More than a half-million people were injured, with many dying from illnesses including lung
cancer, kidney failure and liver disease.
In 1989, Union Carbide paid $470 million to the Indian government to settle litigation
stemming from the disaster.
In 2010, eight low-level Indian executives of Union Carbides Bhopal subsidiary were
convicted of negligence in this tragedy.
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Page 50
On 31st October 2014, NDA government cleared the proposal of renaming 12 cities and towns of
Karnataka.
Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh gave his approval to the proposal of the Karnataka government
made on October 27, 2006 to change the names of the 12 towns and cities.
The home ministers nod came after Survey of India, Ministry of Railways, Department of Posts,
Ministry of Science and Technology and Intelligence Bureau have given their No Objection and
clearance for the change in the nomenclature of the identified cities.
List of renamed cities with their new names
Bangalore- Bengaluru
Mangalore- Mangaluru
Bellary- Ballari
Belgaum- Belagavi
Bijapur- Vijapura
Hospet- Hosapete
Hubli- Hubballi
Chikmagalur- Chikkamagaluru
Mysore- Mysuru
Tumkur- Tumakuru
Gulbarga- Kalaburagi
Shimoga- Shivamogga
Background for renaming cities
The Karnataka government had taken the decision to rename these cities on the occasion of the
golden jubilee of formation of the state of Karnataka on 1st November 2006.
The main reason was to change names of these cities was in consonance with their pronunciation
in Kannada language.
FASTag Electronic toll collection across 45

toll plazas started
On 31st October 2014, Central government started FASTag Electronic Toll Collection (ETC) across
45 toll plazas on the Mumbai-Delhi corridor on the Golden Quadrilateral.
Government is aiming to install this system on 300 more toll plazas on national highways across the
country by December 31 this year.
FASTag ETC is an advanced programme for making the payment electronically on highway tolls
without stopping the vehicle at the toll plazas.
This system will remove logistic inefficiencies at toll plazas and has the potential of saving Rs
60,000 crore in terms of time and fuel bills.
Centre has asked state governments to come forward and adopt this system and use it free of
charge.
How FASTag Electronic Toll Collection (ETC) system works?
Under ETC system, vehicles will be affixed with a prepaid Radio Frequency Identification
Device tag known as FASTag. It will be fixed on the wind shield of the vehicle.
The RFID Tag on windshield will be read by the readers fitted in the dedicated ETC lanes of
toll plazas after vehicles passes through toll plazas.
After the entry of vehicle passing through toll plaza is done, ETC will deduct an appropriate
amount depending upon the class of vehicle from the account of the user. Thus, complete
process of payment will be automated.
The prepaid accounts will be created at the Central Clearing House set up by banks and
their franchises or agents and at point of sales near the toll plazas.
Similar highway tag brands are available in developed countries with different names like
Eazee Pass, SunPass in the US.
e-Passin Australia.
Salik in Dubai.
Devendra Fadnavis sworn in as Chief

Minister of Maharashtra
On 31st October 2014, Bharatiya Janta Party (BJP) leader Devendra Gangadharrao Fadnavis, was
sworn-in as the 18th Chief Minister of Maharashtra. He is the first BJP leader from Maharashtra to
become CM.
Maharashtra Governor C.V. Rao administered the oath of office and secrecy to Mr. Fadnavis.
Along with CM Fadnavis, the Cabinet ministers were also sworn.
These Cabinet ministers were sworn: Eknath Khadse, Sudhir Mungantiwar, Vinod Tawde and
Pankaja Munde, Prakash Mehta, Vishnu Sawra, and Chandrakant Patil. Besides, Dilip Kamble and
Vidya Thakur were sworn in as ministers of state.
The oath ceremony took place in public function at Wankhede stadium in Mumbai, Maharashtra and
was witnessed by over 30000 people.
Fadnavis was appointed as CM of the State after he was elected by the elected legislative assembly
members of the BJP.
About Devendra Fadnavis

Fadnavis is a fourth-term MLA from Nagpur. He has been elected Member of the Legislative
Assembly of Maharashtra State, representing Nagpur South West, since 1999.
He is the fourth politician from Vidarbha region to become CM.
At the age of 44, he is the second youngest person to become CM of Maharashtra.
He was the second youngest mayor elected in India, when he served as the Mayor of
Nagpur at the age of 27, in 1997.
Maharashtra State Assembly 2014 election results:
The State Assembly elections were held in October 2014.
In this election, BJP had emerged as the single largest party in the 288-member
Maharashtra state assembly by winning 122 seats.
But at present BJP has 121 MLAs as one of its MLA Govind Rathod died.
The Shiv Sena finished second with 63 seats.
Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), which emerged victorious in 41 seats, has offered the BJP
external support to form the government in the state.
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Page 51
On 30th October 2014, ISRO Chairman K Radhakrishnan announced that the experimental mission
of Geo-synchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle Mark III (GSLV-MK III) will take place in the first
half of December.
Date of the launch is not yet fixed because of the three reasons:
Preparedness of the vehicle.
Certain analysis and reconfirmation is yet to be done for the new vehicle.
Weather: from October middle to first week of December the weather conditions are not
good because of the cyclonic storms are so frequent.
About Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle Mark III (GSLV Mark-III)
ISRO has developed the geo-synchronous satellite launch vehicle (GSLV-Mark I-III) with
indigenous cryogenic engine
The main function of GSLV Mark-III is for Mid-Heavy Lift Launch System.
Objective: To launch heavy satellites weighing more than two tonnes into geostationary
orbit 36,000 km above Earth.
It will allow India to become less dependent on foreign rockets for heavy lifting.
GSLV Mark-III comprises of three stage vehicle with a first stage consisting of two identical
large solid boosters strapped onto the second liquid stage. The third stage is a cryogenic
stage.
ISROs flight development plans
First development flight (GSLV MK III D1) with an operational cryogenic stage is planned in
between 2016 to 2017.
Second development flight (GSLV Mk-III D2) is planned after one year of GSLV Mk-III D1
flight in 2017 to 2018.
Successful flight development will help in Indias manned mission to space.
The 630-tonne GSLV-MK III will carry a crew module of 3.65-tonne. ISRO plans to send
astronauts into space eventually.

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