NSB

BULLETIN
APRIL
MONTH
2014

1.

For Competitive Examination, NSB is the largest and the oldest preexamination training institute.

2.

Study materials of NSB are comprehensive and updated. It is supposed as

panacea for Competitive Examination.

3.

The team of NSB consists of unique combination of experienced teachers.

The team has expertise to make candidate able to solve more than ninety
per cent questions correctly in the stipulated time.

4.

NSB will provide best conducive platform where candidate will get intelligent
classmates who can make your task easier.

5.

NSB provides support to its students till selection. One can attend classes
even after completion of course if one faces problems in any chapter or
subject. Weak students can get the entire training twice or thrice without
paying any additional fee. Note that the above facilities will be provided to
serious candidates only.

6.

It is only NSB where candidate will get more than 24 hours class in a week.

7.

It is only NSB where candidate will get facility to clear one's doubt instantly.

8.

It is only NSB where candidate will get facility to join free full length test series
which comprises questions prepared by experts of competitive exams.

9.

It is only NSB where candidate will get interview training by genuine

interviewers.

10.

It is only NSB where candidate will get complete and true support at an
affordable fee.

01 April 2014

India GDP rises to 5.5 percent in 2014-15: Asian Development Outlook

2014
Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of India was forecasted to rise to 5.5 percent in 2014-15. This
was revealed by the Asian Development Outlook 2014. The report was released on 1 April 2-014 by
the Asian Development Bank.

The highlights of the Report with respect to India

The rise in the GDP was due to improvement in the performance of the Industry and
services. However, the report pointed out that it will take some time for the Indian economy to
reach its potential growth rate of 6% .
The GDP growth in 2015-16 is expected to be 6.0 per cent.
India appears to be bottomed out, but the economy will not reach its potential until remaining
structural bottlenecks are not addressed in industry and investment.
The Cabinet Committee on Investment progress in resolving delays in several large
infrastructure projects is likely to provide traction in raising investment. Improved global growth
prospects and competitiveness gains from currency depreciation will bolster external demand.
Indias policy challenge is to create significantly more productive and well-paying jobs
which are vital to sustain high growth and ensure it is inclusive.
Indias manufacturing sector has so far performed below its high potential. National
Manufacturing Policy identifies a number of constraints in the sector and has proposed initiatives.
The successful implementation of the various initiatives in the policy will be necessary to ensure
perform at or close to potential.
According to Central Statistical Office (CSO), the GDP is estimated to clock a growth rate of
4.9 percent in 2013-14 due to constrains in slow industrial growth, contracting manufacturing
output, weak investment, and a reduction in private consumption.
About Asian Development Outlook
The annual Asian Development Outlook provides a comprehensive analysis of economic
performance for the past year and offers forecasts for the next 2 years for the 45 economies in Asia
and the Pacific that make up developing Asia.

Noel Tata appointed as next chairman of Trent

Noel Naval Tata on 31 March 2014 appointed as the chairman of retail arm Trent. He succeeded F
K Kavarana. Kavarana announced his retirement from the Tata group after turning 70 in March
2014.
Noel was the managing director of Trent from 1999. In 2010, he was promoted to the vice
Chairman. The companys consolidated turnover rose from 8 crore rupees in 1999 to 1932 crore
rupees in 2013.
Noel had built Trent into 1000 crore rupees company and launched a slew of brands in India
such as Sisley and Zara. Trent is launching global brands from Tata International, the export and
trading arm of the group.
Trent, the retail company was created by Simone Tata in 1993 after selling off the cosmetics
business Lakme to Hindustan Unilever. Simone Tata is the mother of Noel Tata.
Trent was the first to introduce private labels through Westside in the country. Recently,
Trent signed on British retailer Tesco as its equity partner in Star Bazaar.

Nancy Powell resigned as the US Ambassador to India

Nancy Powell, the US Ambassador to India on 31 March 2014 announced her resignation in
the US Mission Town Hall meeting. The resignation was submitted to Barack Obama, the President
of US. She would now get back to her home in Delaware before the end of May 2014.
This action of resignation has ended a thirty-seven year career of Powell. During her long
career, her other postings as the US Ambassador includes Uganda, Ghana, Pakistan, Nepal and
India as well as service in Canada, Togo, Bangladesh, and Washington, where she was most recently
Director General of the Foreign Service.

READ Alliance initiative launched to Strengthen Childrens Reading Skills

United States and India in second week of March 2014 launched a reading initiative named
READ (Read-Engage-Achieve-Dream) Alliance. This initiative has been launched with an aim to
improve the reading skills of millions of primary school-aged children in India, which seeks to
discover and test reading solutions.

READ Alliance initiative is a partnership programme of 3.2 million US dollars between the
US Agency for International Development (USAID) and the Indian Center for Knowledge Societies
(CKS).
The day of the launch of initiative saw an expert panel discussion and reading exhibition.
During this event, the synopsis of CKSs 7 Steps to Reading report was also released. The 7 Steps
to Reading report provides a plan for improving the reading abilities of Indias children.

ICJ ordered the Japanese Government to stop its Whaling Programme

Jarpa II
The UNs International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague, Netherland on 31 March 2014
has ruled that the Japanese government must halt its whaling programme Jarpa II in the Antarctic
Ocean. Japan has agreed to abide by the decision.
ICJ agreed the programme was not for scientific research as claimed by Tokyo. The courts
decision is considered legally binding.
Presiding Judge of ICJ Peter Tomka ruled that the court has decided, by 12 votes to four, that
Japan should withdraw all permits and licenses for whaling in the Antarctic and refrain from issuing
any new ones. Japan had caught some 3600 minke whales since 2005 but the scientific output was
limited.
The court ruled that Japan had not complied with its obligations covering scientific research
as set out in Article 8 of the 1946 International Convention for the Regulation of Whaling.
In 2010, Australia filed a case in ICJ alleging that the Whaling programme run by Japanese
Government was not for scientific research. Rather the programme was commercial in nature.
Japan signed up a moratorium on whaling in 1986 under the International Whaling
Commission, but continued whaling in the north and south Pacific under provisions that allowed for
scientific research.
Although there is ban on commercial whaling under the International Whaling Commission
of 1986, but Japan was permitted to kill a certain number of whales every year for what it called
scientific research. The meat from the slaughtered whales is sold commercially in Japan.
The sale of meat from the hunts in restaurants and supermarkets, while not illegal, prompted
accusations from Australia and other anti-whaling nations that Japan was cloaking a commercial
operation under the name of scientific research.
Japan had failed to prove that under its programme Jarpa II the purpose to pursuit hundreds
of minke whales in Antarctic waters every year was scientific in nature.
Japan had maintained that its annual slaughter of 850 minke whales and up to 50 endangered
fin whales every year was necessary to examine the age, health, feeding habits, exposure to toxins
and other characteristics of whale populations, with a view to the possible resumption of sustainable
commercial whaling.

Background
In 2005, Japan began a new program called JARPA II. The objectives of the JARPA II are the
following:
(a) Monitoring the Antarctic ecosystem (whale abundance trends and biological parameters;
krill abundance and the feeding ecology of whales; effects of contaminants on cetaceans; cetacean
habitat);
(b) Modeling competition among whale species and future management objectives
(constructing a model of competition among whale species; new management objectives including
the restoration of the cetacean ecosystem);
(c) Elucidation of temporal and spatial changes in stock structure; and
(d) Improving the management procedure for Antarctic minke whale stocks.

International Whaling Commission (IWC)

The International Whaling Commission (IWC) is the global intergovernmental body charged
with the conservation of whales and the management of whaling. It is set up under the International
Convention for the Regulation of Whaling signed in 1946. The Commission has a current membership
of 88 Governments from countries around the World.
In 1986 the Commission introduced zero catch limits for commercial whaling. This provision
is still in place today, although the Commission continues to set catch limits for aboriginal
subsistence whaling.

About International Court of Justice

The International Court of Justice, also known as the World Court, is the main judicial
organ of the UN. It is based in the Peace Palace in The Hague, Netherlands.
Its 15 judges are elected by the General Assembly and the Security Council, voting
independently and concurrently. The Court decides disputes between countries, based on the
voluntary participation of the States concerned. If a State agrees to participate in a proceeding, it is
obligated to comply with the Courts decision. The Court also gives advisory opinions to the United
Nations and its specialized agencies.

India based American Dr. Sumit Chugh chosen for Prestigious Simon Dack
Award
An Indian- American Cardiologist, Dr. Sumit Chugh along with one more researcher has
been chosen for the Prestigious Simon Dack Award for Outstanding Scholarship. This award will be
given to him in recognition of his contributions to the organisations peer-reviewed medical journals.
Apart from being an expert in heart rhythmic disorders, he is also leader of a World Health
Organisation panel. This panel performs a global assessment of heart rhythmic disorders for the
global burden of disease duty. He received his medical degree from Patiala.

Indian-origin Suvir Mirchandani suggested use of Garamond font to save

400 million dollar
A 14-year-old Indian origin teenager Suvir Manchandani suggested a way to US government
to save 400 million dollars. The suggestion is to simply change the font which was used in official
documents.
Suvir Mirchandani calculated that if the government chose Garamond font instead of Times
New Roman, it would use 25 per cent less ink because each character is lighter and thinner.
His idea began when he worked out how much his school in Pennsylvania could save in ink
after watching multiple leaflets be handed out.
He then extended the study to a national level and concluded that if the federal government used
just Garamond it could save 136 million dollar per year.
An additional 234 million dollar could be saved annually if state governments also change
the font.

Change in Climatic condition may lead India to war: UN report

The latest report of UN panel on Climate Change released on 30 March 2014 has warned
that the climate change being faced in Asia has increased the risk of armed conflict among India,
Pakistan, Bangladesh and China. As per the report, the possibility of war would be due to the severe
stress on water resources and food-grain production in future, due to climatic change.
The UNs Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change in its report has assessed the impacts
of climate change on human health, settlements and natural resources. In its findings the panel
concluded that the environmental change is heading towards terrible conditions and the worst is
yet to come, if no measures are taken to curb the ill-effects of global warming.
In context of India the report says that India, like other developing economies would lose a
Gross Domestic Product (GDP) up to 1.7 percent in case the annual temperature rises at a mean of
1 degree Celsius as compared to pre-industrialisation level. The effects of the climatic change will
hit maximum to the poor.
Environmental change and its impact in India in terms of weather events are flash floods in
Uttarakhand in 2013 and cyclone Phailin in Odisha. May be such more events would occur in future
if any major step is not taken to control the temperature rise. In its highlight it has also suggested
the major sector of beach tourism will also be affected in many countries. India in the list has been
listed as vulnerable among 51 countries.
Lead author of one of the chapters of the report, Aromar Revi now in Delhi said that the
impacts of climate change would be felt severely in Indo-Gangetic plains. He suggested that the
Indus river basin and Brahmaputra river system shall not be ignored for a long period. He has also
suggested that the areas that suffer from frequent floods would also face drought like situation in
near or distant future.
Surender Kumar, another lead author claimed that this sharp change of the climate would
affect the poorer nations and would knock down the GDP of developing economies if the temperature
increases by 1 degree Celsius.

Background
Earlier, UN release of fourth week of March has claimed that 2013 was the sixth warmest
year in recorded history. In other separate releases National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
(NOAA) and NASA have confirmed that the trend of global warming is continuing.

The Asiatic Wild dog spotted in West Bengal for the first time
Dhole -The Asiatic Wild Dog was spotted for the first time in the Jaldapara National Park
(West Bengal). Three months earlier, they were spotted in the nearby areas such as Buxa and
Mahananda and Neora valley.
Usually they are found throughout in south of River Ganges, southern part of Western Ghats
and Eastern Ghats, Central India Highlands, Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya.
Dhole is listed under endangered category in the IUCN Red list. In a group, Dhole can be
dangerous for the tigers too.
The IUCN data informs that about 2500 mature wild dogs remain in wild and the trend of
declining population will continue. Major factors behind their falling numbers are loss of habitat,
diseases, decreasing preys and increase in competition.

IPCC released the report titled Climate Change 2014: Impacts, Adaptation,
and Vulnerability
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) released its report titledClimate
Change 2014: Impacts, Adaptation, and Vulnerabilityin Yokohama, Japan on 30 March 2014.
The report has identified following eight risks which IPCC feels are identified with high confidence,
span sectors and regions. These 8 risks are:
Risk of death, injury, ill-health, or disrupted livelihoods in low-lying coastal zones and small
island developing states and other small islands, due to storm surges, coastal flooding, and sea-level
rise.
Risk of severe ill-health and disrupted livelihoods for large urban populations due to inland
flooding in some regions.
Systemic risks due to extreme weather events leading to breakdown of infrastructure
networks and critical services such as electricity, water supply, and health and emergency services.
Risk of mortality and morbidity during periods of extreme heat, particularly for vulnerable
urban populations and those working outdoors in urban or rural areas.
Risk of food insecurity and the breakdown of food systems linked to warming, drought,
flooding, and precipitation variability and extremes, particularly for poorer populations in urban and
rural settings.
Risk of loss of rural livelihoods and income due to insufficient access to drinking and
irrigation water and reduced agricultural productivity, particularly for farmers and pastoralists with
minimal capital in semi-arid regions.
Risk of loss of marine and coastal ecosystems, biodiversity, and the ecosystem goods,
functions, and services they provide for coastal livelihoods, especially for fishing communities in
the tropics and the Arctic.
Risk of loss of terrestrial and inland water ecosystems, biodiversity, and the ecosystem
goods, functions, and services they provide for livelihoods.

IPCC Report and India

In this report, IPCC has held Global Warming responsible for Unseasonal rains in India. The
panel warned that uncontrolled Global warming will adversely impact food production thereby
increasing food cost.
It also said that Global warming can result in lack of fresh water. Panel also emphasized that
it is manmade global warming. The report warns that due to global warming, poorer Nations may
see fall in their GDP by 2% .

Impact of Global Warming on India

Unseasonal rains
Increasing Water Scarcity
Lower Wheat Yields
Increased incidence of heat waves

Shrinking Himalayan Glaciers

Suggestions by the IPCC Panel with respect to India
Government should use available Knowledge and Objective Information

 Upcoming government should address distortions in diesel prices

Should encourage climate friendly schemes such as Solar power generation
Strict implementation of the National Action plan on climate change

IPCC definition of Climate Change

The Report has defined Climate Change as a change in the state of the climate that can be
identified (e.g., by using statistical tests) by changes in the mean and/or the variability of its
properties, and that persists for an extended period, typically decades or longer.
Climate change may be due to natural internal processes or external forcings such as modulations
of the solar cycles, volcanic eruptions, and persistent anthropogenic changes in the composition of
the atmosphere or in land use.

Union Ministry of Corporate Affairs notified rules for ten more chapters in
the new Company Act
Union Ministry of Corporate Affairs notified rules for ten more chapters in the new Companies
Act, 2013. The new Companies Act, 2013 that was passed by the Parliament in August 2013 came
into effect on 1 April 2014. The new companies act includes 29 chapters, 7 Schedules and 470
Sections.
On 26 March 2014, more than 180 sections were notified. Whereas on 27 March 2014, rules
pertaining to the registration charges, board meetings and its powers, appointment and qualification
of directors, accounts, management and administration, declaration and payment of dividend were
notified.
All the 7 Schedules were notified earlier. In February 2014, the Union Ministry of Corporate
Affairs notified rules for Corporate Social Responsibility. The new rules mandates that
Companies having huge profits would have to spend at least 2 % of profits on the CSR activities
which in turn would be used for the benefits of the society.
Notifications related to National Financial Reporting Authority, sick companies, Investor
and Education Protection Fund, special courts and National Company Law Tribunal will be notified
later.

Repo Rate kept unchanged by RBI in First Bi-monthly Monetary Policy

Statement 2014-15
Reserve Bank of India (RBI) in its first Bi-monthly Monetary Policy statement 2014-15
announced on 1 April 2014, has kept the policy repo rate unchanged at 8.0% .
In the first bi-monthly monetary policy statement for 2014-15, the RBI Governor Raghuram
Rajan decided to pause and not disturb status quo. The repo rate and the rate at which RBI lends
money to banks remained at 8 per cent.
Other policy instruments such as cash reserve ratio also remain unchanged at 4% . The
economic growth of country slipped to a decade-low of 4.5 per cent in 2012-13 and is estimated at 4.9
per cent in the current financial year 2013-14.

Thus, on the basis of an assessment of the current and evolving

macroeconomic situation, the RBI decided to:
Keep the policy repo rate under the liquidity adjustment facility (LAF) unchanged at 8.0
per cent.
Increase the liquidity provided under 7-day and 14-day term repos from 0.5 per cent of net
demand and time liabilities (NDTL) of the banking system to 0.75 per cent
Decrease the liquidity provided under overnight repos under the LAF from 0.5 per cent of
bank-wise NDTL to 0.25 per cent with immediate effect.

Policy transmission
RBI have decided to further reduce access to overnight repos under the LAF while
compensating fully with a commensurate expansion of the markets access to term repos from the
Reserve Bank in pursuance of the recommendation of Dr. Urjit R. Patel Committee.
It recommended to de-emphasise overnight guaranteed-access windows for liquidity
management and progressively conduct liquidity management through term repos. The primary
objective is to improve the transmission of policy impulses across the interest rate spectrum.

Disinflation target
The policy of RBI is firmly focused on keeping the economy on a disinflationary glide path
that is intended to hit 8 per cent CPI inflation by January 2015 and 6 per cent by January 2016.

These include a less-than-normal monsoon due to possible El nino effects; uncertainty on

the setting of minimum support prices for agricultural commodities and the setting of other
administered prices, especially of fuel, fertilizer and electricity; the outlook for fiscal policy; geopolitical developments and their impact on international commodity prices.

For markets
In order to expand the market for corporate bonds, banks will be allowed to offer partial
credit enhancements to them.
To expand investor demand for Inflation Indexed Bonds, design changes improving their
attractiveness to the general public are being worked out.
Modalities allowing Foreign Portfolio Investors to hedge their currency risks through
exchange traded currency futures are being worked out in consultation with SEBI.
FPIs will be allowed to hedge their coupon receipts falling due during next 12 months.
KYC norms are being simplified for Foreign Portfolio Investors.
To encourage longer-term flows and reduce volatility, FPI investments in G-Secs will
henceforth be permitted only in dated securities of maturity one year and above, and existing
investment in T-bills will be allowed to taper off on maturity/sale.

Background
While framing the first Bi-monthly Monetary Policy statement 2014-15, RBI has implemented
few recommendations submitted by Dr. Urjit R. Patel Committee
Adoption of the new CPI (combined) as the key measure of inflation
Explicit recognition of the glide path for disinflation,
Transition to a bi-monthly monetary policy cycle,
Progressive reduction in access to overnight liquidity under the LAF at the fixed repo rate
A corresponding increase in access to liquidity through term repos, and
Introduction of longer tenor term repos as well as, going forward, term reverse repos.

Japan announced 15000 crore loan for 5 Indian Projects

Japan announced Official Development Assistance (ODA) loan for more than 15000 crore
rupees for 5 Indian Projects on 31 March 2014. This is the largest amount in the history of the ODA
loans ever signed in the single occasion.
The loan agreement was signed by Rajesh Khullar, Joint Secretary, Department of Economic
Affairs in the Union Finance Ministry and Takeshi Yagi, ambassador of Japan to India.
Indian Projects covered under loan are:
New and Renewable energy development Project
Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Energy Saving Project
Haryana Distribution System Upgradation Project
Delhi Mass Rapid Transport System Project
The ODA has allotted 1800 crore rupees loan to the power producers under New and Renewable
energy Development Project (Phase 2). The project aims to develop Solar and Wind power. The ongoing
project includes a loan of 220 crore rupees for solar power project in Andhra Pradesh and a loan of
1160 crore rupees for wind power projects in Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Gujarat.
The ODA loan pledged about 8933 crore rupees to Delhi Mass Rapid Transport System Project
(phase 3). This will facilitate in expansion of Delhi metro apart from improving transportation services.
The project on completion will result in the extended length of 329.4 Km.
02 April 2014

Union Sports Ministry derecognised IABF

Union Sports Ministry on 1 April 2014 derecognised the Indian Amateur Boxing Federation
(IABF) with an immediate effect after its refusal to comply with its directives. This ban can be
considered as a second blow to IABF, as earlier it was terminated by its international parent body,
International Boxing Association (AIBA). AIBA terminated on the allegations of rigged elections and
corruption.
Earlier, it was suspended provisionally by the Ministry in December 2012. Its suspension
came with a direction to hold fresh elections and make its combination complaint with National
Sports Code.
In its statement it said that any National Sports Federation is recognized on the on the
current legal status of the organization, recognition by the International Federation, the Asian
Federation and the Indian Olympic Association, IOA in respect of Olympic Sports.

Quake of 8.2 magnitude raised Tsunami warning for Latin American coast
Tsunami warning was triggered on 1 April2014 for the Latin Americas entire Pacific coastline
after an earthquake of 8.2 magnitude struck off the northern Chile. The US Geological Survey has
said that the quake was very shallow, only 10 kilometers below the seabed, striking 86 kilometer
north-west of the mining area of Iquique.
After the earthquake, some areas of Chile have been struck by waves of up to 2 meter (about
6 feet) leading to power cuts, landslides and fires. The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center (TWC) said
that the coasts of Peru, Ecuador, Colombia, Panama, Costa Rica and Nicaragua are at the risk of
tsunami.
Following the warning, the Chilean authorities have ordered speedy evacuation of coastal
areas. Reports of landslides hitting the highways are also there.

Pacific Tsunami Warning Center (TWC)

UNESCOs Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission established the Pacific Tsunami
Warning System in the mid-1960s.

Mexico celebrated the 100th birth anniversary of late Nobel Laureate

Octavio Paz
Mexicans on 1 April 2014 celebrated the 100th birth anniversary of late Nobel Prize winning
poet and essayist Octavio Paz. On his birth anniversary, Google dedicated the doodle on home page
to him.
During a ceremony held at ornate Vasconcelos Library in Mexico City, President Enrique
Pena Nieto hailed Paz as the brilliant Mexican mind of the 20th century.
He was a firm defender of democracy and a member of Institutional Revolutionary Party which was
known for its authoritarian ways while in power for most of the 20th century.
He was also the ambassador to India but he resigned following the militarys massacre of student
protesters in Mexico City in 1968.
Paz was awarded the 1981 Miguel de Cervantes Prize, the 1982 Neustadt International Prize
for Literature and the 1990 Nobel Prize in Literature.

Works of Paz
In 1950 he authored his seminal essay The Labyrinth of Solitude. In this essay he brought
out the history, culture and psyche of Mexico and its people.
He founded the magazines Plural and Vuelta (1976), which became the voice of his struggle.
His other works include the poetry collections Aguila o sol (1951), La Estacion Violenta, (1956),
Piedra de Sol (1957).
In English translation the most prominent includes Early Poems: 19351955 and Collected
Poems, 19571987 (1987).

RBI capped WMA limit for central government at 35000 crore rupees for
2015 first half
RBI in consultation with Union Government on 1 April 2014 capped the Ways and Means
Advances (WMA) limits for the first half of the new financial year 2014-15 (April 2014-Sep 2014) at
35000 crore rupees.
This notification of Reserve Bank of India (RBI) is aimed at triggering fresh flotation of market
loans when the government utilises 75 percent of the WMA limit. The second half of the limit would
be fixed in September 2014.

The interest rate on WMA/overdraft will be based on

(a)WMA:Repo Rate
(b)Overdraft: Two percent above the Repo Rate
Under the notification of the WMA limit, the Reserve Bank had retained the flexibility for
revision of the limits at any time in consultation of the government. The flexibility would be used in
consideration of the prevailing circumstances.
As per the notification, the government will have to maintain a minimum balance of not
less than 100 crore rupees with RBI on Fridays, on the date of closure of governments financial
year and on 30 June i.e. the closure of the annual accounts of the RBI and not less than 10 crore
rupees on other days.

Background
10

The overdrafts beyond 10 consecutive working days will not be allowed on the basis of
agreement of 26 March 1997 between the Union Government and RBI. WMA is used by the government
to manage its short-term liquidity that arises during the interregnum of its planned market
borrowing.

US House of Representatives passed Ukraine aid and Russia sanctions bill

The U.S. House of Representatives on 1 April 2014 passed a package of aid for Ukraine and
sanctions for Russia in response to annexation of Ukraines Crimea region.
The bill was overwhelmingly approved by the 378-34 vote in the U.S. Senate and was sent to
the White House for President Barack Obama to sign into law.
The bill provided a package of 1 billion US dollar loan guarantee for the Kiev government. It
also provides 150 million dollar for improved governance and enhanced security cooperation.
It also imposed mandatory sanctions which included visa bans and asset freezes against
Russians.
The bill aimed to do more to punish Russia and discourage further intervention in Ukraine
or elsewhere in Eastern Europe which include to impose additional economic sanctions and will
target Russias energy industry.
It penalizes individuals linked to Russias annexation of Crimea and the deadly crackdown
on protesters in Kiev by Ukraines ousted pro-Russian regime, and gives Obama flexibility in imposing
sanctions.

Trial of government officers cant be quashed for sanction error: SC

Supreme Court of India on 1 April 2014 ruled that any error or irregularity in granting
sanction by the government to conduct trial against its officials in corruption cases cannot be a
ground to quash the criminal proceedings.
Holding that requirement of sanction is designed just to check on frivolous and mischievous
cases being filed against officials, a bench of Supreme Court headed by the Chief Justice of India, P
Sathasivam said a government servant cant be allowed to take undue advantage of it.
The order was passed by the bench in reference to two petitions filed by Bihar government
dated 3 March 2011 and 23 March 2012 that challenged the verdict of Patna High Court that quashed
criminal proceedings against its officials on the ground that sanction against officers were granted
by the Law Department of the state and not by their parent department.
Any error, omission or irregularity in the grant of sanction will not affect any finding, sentence
or order passed by a competent court unless in the opinion of the court a failure of justice gas been
occasioned. Specific provisions related to this are provided in Section 19(3) of the Prevention of
Corruption Act as well as in Section 465 of the Criminal Procedure Code.

India increased the scholarships for Omani Students

India increased the scholarships for Omani student from 125 to 150 on 1 April 2014. The
scholarships were increased under the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC)
programme. Since the first issuance of 50 scholarships to Omani students in 2011-12 to 150, the
increase has been of 200 percent.
Indian Ambassador to Oman J S Mukul urged the Omani government and institutes to take
the maximum benefit of the programme.
The demand driven ITEC programme was started on 15 September 1964 under the ministerial
control of Union Ministry of External Affairs. Although ITEC was the brainchild of former Prime
Minister Jawahar Lal Nehru but it was formally launched under the premiership of Lal Bahadur
Shastri.
The flagship programme is symbolic of Indian efforts in enhancing technical cooperation
and is aimed towards identifying and addressing the needs of the developing countries via innovative
and technological cooperation. Initially the programme started on a modest scale, but today it has
graduated in magnitude.

Asian Development Outlook 2014 released

Asian Development Outlook 2014 was released on 1 April 2014 by the Asian Development
Bank. According to the ADB Outlook 2014, developing Asia is expected to extend its steady growth
from 6.1 percent in 2013 to 6.2 percent in 2014 and 6.4 percent in 2015.
The outlook for the developing Asia has imporved because the associated global risks have eased
and are now manageable. Also, the regional growth outlook will depend on continued recovery in the

11

major industrial economies and on the People Republic of China managing to contain internal
credit growth smoothly.

Highlights of the Asian Development Outlook 2014

Developing Asias gross domestic product (GDP) expanded steadily by 6.1 percent in 2013
maintaining the same pace as in 2012.
The major industrial economies (US, euro area members, and Japan) grew by a collective
1.0 percent in 2013. The momentum is expected to quicken to 1.9 percent in 2014 and 2.2 percent
in 2015.
Peoples Republic Chinas output grew by 7.7 percent in 2013 which is matching the
performance of 2012.
Soft global commodity prices continue to lighten pressure on consumer prices, allowing
inflation to ease to 3.4 percent in developing Asia.
The Asias current account surplus has flattened, after falling continuously since its peak
in 2007.
During the recent period of US quantitative easing, countries that allowed capital inflows
to fuel real exchange rate appreciation and undermine their current account balances are most
vulnerable to the risk of destabilizing capital outflows.
For resource-dependent economies, commodity price swings matter more than volatile
capital flows.
Fiscal policy can help the region tackle rising inequality by fostering equality of opportunity.
Public spending on education, health care, and direct transfers can contribute to equity,
but Asia underspends not only the advanced economies in these areas but also its peers in Latin
America.
Strategic planning and innovative policies can contribute to more inclusive fiscal policy in
Asia.

Banks should not levy penal charges for non-maintenance of minimum

Balance: RBI
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) in its first bi-monthly monetary policy statement for 201415 directed banks not to impose financial penalty on the consumers in case of non-maintenance of
minimum balance in their saving accounts.
RBI suggested that instead of financial penalty, banks can limit services available to those
saving accounts who fail to maintain minimum balance. RBI further advised that these services
can be restored whenever the balance in such accounts improves to the minimum balance level.
At present there is no unanimity among the banks while charging the customers for nonmaintenance of minimum balance. For instance, State Bank of India does not levy any charge for
non maintenance of the minimum balance in the savings account. Whereas, AXIS, ICICI and HDFC
Bank charge 750 rupees per quarter in case of non maintenance of minimum 100000 rupees in
urban centres and 5000 rupees in semi urban centres.
Besides this, RBI also directed banks to limit the liability of customers in electronic banking
transactions in cases where banks fail to prove customer negligence.
RBI also instructed banks to allow borrowers to prepay floating rate term loans without any penalty.
The above steps by the RBI are aimed towards protecting consumers. Such steps are necessary to
ensure financial inclusion as consumer protection is an integral part of financial inclusion.

Singapore enacted new law to maintain public order in Little India

A new lawPublic Order (Additional Temporary Measures) Actwas approved by Singapore
Government on 1 April 2014. The law gives the Singapore police and authorities power to maintain
public order and calm in Little India. The law will be effective for a year in the Little India.
According to the law, any public assembly held within a demarcated zone of Little India
would require a police permit, even if held indoors.
The indoor meetings held by places of worship, societies and other organisations involving
their own members would be exempted from the revised law, given that the precinct has a number
of temples and societies serving the local public.
With the Public Order (Additional Temporary Measures) Act in place, it would no longer be
necessary for the government to invoke the Public Order (Preservation) Act to proclaim Little India
as an area in a state of danger to public order during weekends, public holidays and their eves,
which had been done since 8 December 2013 following the riot.
With the change, police would no longer be able to impose curfews, impose reporting
requirements on persons or use deadly force on subjects who resist arrest, among other things.

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The new law came after the Singapore witnessed the worst riot in 40 years in the Little
India. On 8 December 2013 some 400 migrant workers from South Asia rioted when an Indian man
was killed in a bus accident.
The riot of 2013 left 43 police officers injured and 24 emergency vehicles damaged in the
worst outbreak of violence Singapore has seen in the last four decades.

World Bank to double lending to India, China, Brazil, Mexico and Indonesia
Jim Yong Kim, the President of World Bank on 1 March 2014 announced that the bank would
nearly double its lending capacity to boost support for middle countries like India, Brazil, China,
Mexico and Indonesia. The announcement was made at the Council on Foreign Relations in
Washington because the bank thinks that these countries would provide an insight to poorer ountries
in solving their problems like poverty.
In the announcement, Jim Yong Kim said that these five countries will benefit by being able
to borrow another 2.5 billion dollars a year over and above their current limits. He also said that this
increase in lending capacity will boost annual lending to middle income countries from the current
15 billion dollars a year to 26-28 billion dollars.
The Council on Foreign Relations in Washington was held to outline internal reforms, new
cost savings and possible hydroelectric dam project on the Congo River that could increase Africas
electricity supply by about 50 percent.

About World Bank Group and its work

The World Bank is a financial and technical assistance institution for developing counties
around the world. It has set two goals to achieve by 2030 and they are
End extreme poverty by decreasing the percentage of people living on less than $1.25 a day
to no more than 3 percent
Promote shared prosperity by fostering the income growth of the bottom 40% for every
country
It has five institutions that are managed by their member countries and as a whole it forms
the World Bank Group. The five institutions are
IBRD:The International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD) that lends to
governments of middle-income and creditworthy low-income countries.
IDA: The International Development Association (IDA) that provides interest-free loans
called credits and grants to governments of the poorest countries.
IFC:The International Finance Corporation (IFC), is the largest global development
institution focused exclusively on the private sector.
MIGA:The Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA) was created in 1988 as a
member of the World Bank Group to promote foreign direct investment into developing countries to
support economic growth, reduce poverty, and improve peoples lives. MIGA fulfills this mandate by
offering political risk insurance (guarantees) to investors and lenders.
ICSID:The International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID) provides
international facilities for conciliation and arbitration of investment disputes.
The World Bank was established in 1944 and at present have more than 120 offices worldwide.
World Bank is headquartered in Washington DC
Jim Yong Kim became the 12th president of the World Bank Group on 1 July 2012

Viswanathan Anand raises to No. 3 in FIDE world chess rankings

Viswanathan Anand ranked World number 3 in the rating list released by FIDE on 1 April
2014. Anand with the Victory at the Candidates Tournament held in Russia in March 2014 has
moved five places ahead from 8 to 3 with 2785 Elo points.
According the rating list, Magnus Carlsen of Norway with Elo points 2881 ranks no 1 and
Levon Aronian of America with 2812 ranks 2.

Indians in the rating list

P Harikrishna ranks 25 with 2726 points
K Sasikiran ranks 66 with 2680 points

In women ranking
K Humpy (2613) ranks at 3rd position which is maintain by her since 2013. Hungarian Judit
Polgar (2685) ranks 1 and Hou Yifan of China (2618) ranks 2.

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D Harika (2507) ranks 16, Tania Sachdev (2427) ranks 49, Eesha Karvade (2414) ranks 58 and Mary
Ann Gomes (2386) ranks 82 in the rating list.

About FIDE
World Chess Federation (Federation Internationale des Echecs knon as FIDE from its French
acronym) founded in Paris 1924. It was recognized by the International Olympic Committee as
International Sports Federation in 1999.
FIDE, World chess governing body, is one of the biggest sports organisatons in the world with
170 members federations.

World Autism Awareness Day celebrated across the world

The World Autism Awareness Day 2014 was celebrated across the world on 2 April 2014.
This was the seventh World Autism Day. The day is celebrated to raise fund and to create awareness
about autism.
On this day, Autism Speaks organisation celebrated Light It Up Blue. Light It Up Blue is a
global initiative that kicks-off Autism Awareness Month and helps raise awareness about autism.
Many iconic landmarks, hotels, sporting venues, concert halls, museums and retails stores took
part in the Light It Up Blue initiative.

About World Autism Awareness Day

The United Nations General Assembly unanimously adopted the resolution on Autism on 18
December 2007 and decided to designate 2 April as World Autism Awareness Day. The resolution
was adopted to highlight the need to help improve the lives of children and adults who suffer from
the disorder.
As a result, the first World Autism Awareness Day was celebrated on 2 April 2008.

About Autism
Autism is a lifelong developmental disability that manifests itself during the first three
years of life. It results from a neurological disorder that affects the functioning of the brain, mostly
affecting children and adults in many countries irrespective of gender, race or socio-economic
status.
Autism is characterized by impairments in social interaction, problems with verbal and
non-verbal communication and restricted, repetitive behaviour, interests and activities.

SC directed the Union Government to furnish all records related to the

inclusion of Jats in OBC
The Supreme Court on 1 April 2014 directed the Union Ministry of Social Justice and
Empowerment to furnish records related to the inclusion of Jats in Other Backward Class (OBC)
category. The Ministry in its 4 March 2014 notification included Jats in the OBC category in 9
States.
The direction was issued by a three-judge Bench of SC headed by Chief Justice of India P.
Sathasivam. The other two judges were Justices Ranjan Gogoi and Justice N.V. Ramanawants.
The direction was given against the backdrop of a writ petition filed by OBC Reservation Raksha
Samiti, Ram Singh. In the writ petition it was argued that since the National Commission for
Backward Classes (NCBC) had rejected inclusion of Jats in the OBC list, therefore the 4 March
notification needs to be quashed.
The Statutory body, NCBC on 26 February 2014 had rejected the proposal of inclusion of Jats
in OBC list. This decision was arrived after a detailed survey and hearing views of all concerned
stakeholders.
Experts said that the recommendations of the commission were binding on the government
as per the Indra Sawney Judgement (Mandal Case). But the Government went ahead and permitted
inclusion of Jats in OBC list of seven states.
The 9 states which were permitted to include Jats in OBC list are Bihar, Gujarat, Himachal
Pradesh, Haryana, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan (two districts of Bharatpur and Dholpur), Delhi,
Uttarakhand and Uttar Pradesh.
03 April 2014

Kerry at EU, US talks: Dont use energy as a weapon

US Secretary of State, John Kerry on 2 April 2014 urged the EU and US to help Ukraine to
overcome its energy shortages, claiming that the energy must not be used as weapon. At present
Ukraine is suffering from energy shortage because of the gas-price hike by Moscow. Russia on 1

14

April 2014 raised the rate of gas supplies to Ukraine from 268.5 US dollars to 385.5 US dollars per
1000 cubic meters.
John Kerry, during a meeting of the US-EU Energy Council in Brussels said that no nation
should use energy to stymie peoples aspirations and should not use it as a weapon.
Kerry termed the Russian step of hiking the gas-price as more pressure on the teetering
economy of Ukraine and said that the price hike in energy supplies should not be used as a political
weapon or an instrument for aggression.
Catherine Ashton, the EU foreign policy chief, who co-chaired the meet said the European
allies and the US are working to bring had to Ukraine from neighbouring Hungary and Poland. He
also informed that they have decided to develop a route from Slovakia.

Background of the US and the EU approach for sustainable global energy

markets
On the need to promote open, transparent, competitive and sustainable global energy markets
the EU and the US share a common approach. They have been co-operating in the energy sector for
a long time.
In June 2009, this co-operation was boosted with the proposal of the USA to establish an EUUS Energy Council. The agreed terms of reference of the Council are broad and designed to bring
together all key actors working on energy issues on both sides of the Atlantic, in three areas for
which corresponding working groups were established: Energy security, Energy technologies research
and Energy policy.

RBI approved banking licences to IDFC Ltd and Bandhan financial services
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) on 2 April 2014 granted in-principle approvals to IDFC Ltd
and Bandhan Financial Services Pvt. Ltd to start new banks in India. These approvals have been
granted under the guidelines on licensing of new banks in the private sector. The two have been
granted the permission to set-up banks from a field of 25 aspirants.
The two applicants received the in-principle approval following the recommendation of HighLevel Advisory Committee (HLAC) set up by RBI that claimed these two as suitable. The approvals
would be valid for a period of 18 months and within this period these firms will have to comply with
the rules stipulated by the RBI.
RBI in its statement said that the HLAC had also recommended that in the case of Department
of Posts, which has applied for licence, it would be desirable to consider the application separately in
consultation with the Government of India.
The two entities, Bandhan based in Kolkata and IDFC based in Mumbai that has received
the approvals are non-banking finance companies. Bandhan is a microfinance institution and IDFC
is classified as an infrastructure finance company.
Since 2004, these two entities became the first one to be issued new bank licence. Kotak
Mahindra Bank and YES Bank were given a licence in 2004.

Other big names of the aspirants, who are seeking the approval
Aditya Birla Nuvo
Bajaj Finserv
LIC Housing Finance Ltd
L&T Finance Holdings
Reliance Capital
Religare Enterprises
Shriram Capital

Background
The in-principle approvals to these entities as a precautionary measure have been granted
by RBI as after consulting the Election Commission. Earlier, the Union Finance Minister in his
budget speech for the year 2010-11 announced that there is a need to extend the geographical
coverage of banks and improve access to banking services. Further, on 22 February 2013, RBI
issued guidelines for licensing new banks. The HLAC was set up on 30 October 2013 under the
chairmanship of former RBI Governor, Dr. Bimal Jalan and the committee comprised other three
members.The other three members were
C.B. Bhave, former Chairman, SEBI
Usha Thorat, former Deputy Governor, RBI
Nachiket Mor, Director, RBI Central Board

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HLAC was set to screen the applications and recommend licenses only to those applicants
who complied with the guidelines.

The Guidelines for Licensing of New Banks in the Private Sector and its
key features are
(i)Eligible Promoters:Entities / groups in the private sector, entities in public sector and
Non-Banking Financial Companies (NBFCs) shall be eligible to set up a bank through a whollyowned Non-Operative Financial Holding Company (NOFHC).
(ii)Fit and Proper criteria:Entities / groups should have a past record of sound credentials
and integrity, be financially sound with a successful track record of 10 years. For this purpose, RBI
may seek feedback from other regulators and enforcement and investigative agencies.
(iii)Corporate structure of the NOFHC:The NOFHC shall be wholly owned by the Promoter
/ Promoter Group. The NOFHC shall hold the bank as well as all the other financial services entities
of the group.
(iv)Minimum voting equity capital requirements for banks and shareholding by NOFHC:
The initial minimum paid-up voting equity capital for a bank shall be 5 billion. The NOFHC shall
initially hold a minimum of 40 per cent of the paid-up voting equity capital of the bank which shall
be locked in for a period of five years and which shall be brought down to 15 per cent within 12 years.
The bank shall get its shares listed on the stock exchanges within three years of the commencement
of business by the bank.
(v)Regulatory framework:The bank will be governed by the provisions of the relevant Acts,
relevant Statutes and the Directives, Prudential regulations and other Guidelines/Instructions
issued by RBI and other regulators. The NOFHC shall be registered as a non-banking finance company
(NBFC) with the RBI and will be governed by a separate set of directions issued by RBI.
(vi)Foreign shareholding in the bank:The aggregate non-resident shareholding in the
new bank shall not exceed 49% for the first 5 years after which it will be as per the extant policy.
(vii)Corporate governance of NOFHC:At least 50% of the Directors of the NOFHC should be
independent directors. The corporate structure should not impede effective supervision of the bank
and the NOFHC on a consolidated basis by RBI.
(viii)Prudential norms for the NOFHC: The prudential norms will be applied to NOFHC both
on stand-alone as well as on a consolidated basis and the norms would be on similar lines as that of
the bank.
(ix)Exposure norms:The NOFHC and the bank shall not have any exposure to the Promoter
Group. The bank shall not invest in the equity / debt capital instruments of any financial entities
held by the NOFHC.
(x)Business Plan for the bank:The business plan should be realistic and viable and should
address how the bank proposes to achieve financial inclusion.
(xi)Other conditions for the bank:
The Board of the bank should have a majority of independent Directors.
The bank shall open at least 25 per cent of its branches in unbanked rural centres (population
up to 9,999 as per the latest census)
The bank shall comply with the priority sector lending targets and sub-targets as applicable
to the existing domestic banks.
Banks promoted by groups having 40 per cent or more assets/income from non-financial
business will require RBIs prior approval for raising paid-up voting equity capital beyond 10 billion
for every block of 5 billion.
Any non-compliance of terms and conditions will attract penal measures including
cancellation of licence of the bank.
(xii) Additional conditions for NBFCs promoting / converting into a bank: Existing NBFCs,
if considered eligible, may be permitted to promote a new bank or convert themselves into banks.

NATO suspended all co-operations with Russia over Ukraine crisis

NATO condemning the annexation as illegal on 1 April 2014 suspended all cooperation with
Russia over the Crimea crisis. It also questioned Moscows claim to withdraw troops from near the
Ukrainian border.
The decision to suspend all cooperation civilian and military - with Russia was taken at
the first meet of the Foreign Ministers of the 28-member NATO bloc since the annexation of Crimea
by Russia. The NATOs Foreign Minister meet was held at Brussels, Belgium.
Besides, it was also agreed to look at options including situating permanent military bases
in the Baltic states to reassure members in Eastern Europe. Russias actions in Ukraine have

16

caused concern in Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania, which were part of the Soviet Union during the
Cold War.
NATO Foreign Ministers also decided to use their jet planes in air patrols in the region
later. It will be a routine exercise which analysts feel has added significance due to the crisis.
It was also agreed not to renew the cooperation on counter-narcotics operation in Afghanistan after
the current session.
However, the Foreign Ministers of NATO agreed to continue dialogue in the NATO-Russia
Council at ambassadorial level so as to allow exchange views, first and foremost on this crisis. Also
Russias mission at NATO would remain open but only to discuss the Ukraine crisis.
In addition to the above developments, other developments that took place in relation to
Ukraine crisis were
Russian energy firm Gazprom announced an increase of the price it charges Ukraine for
gas from 1 April 2014.
Ukraines parliament ordered security services to disarm all illegal armed groups.
Members of Parliament of Ukraine voted to allow to hold joint military exercises with NATO
and other nations on Ukrainian soil
Russias upper house of parliament voted to pull out of a treaty with Ukraine on the Black
Sea Fleets presence in Crimea
The US House of Representatives voted overwhelmingly to back a bill providing aid to Ukraine
and imposing certain sanctions against Russia over the annexation of Crimea.

Karim Massimov named as the Kazakhstans new PM after Serik Akhmetov

resigned
Karim Massimov, the Chief of Staff of Kazakhstan on 2 April 2014 was named as the new
Prime Minister of the country by the President, Nursultan Nazarbayev. His appointment came
following the resignation of Serik Akhmetov from the post, which was accepted by the President as
per the Constitutional provision.
This announcement of acceptance of resignation of Akhmetov was made by the President
through a twitter message.
Akhmetov was appointed as the Prime Minister of Kazakhstan in September 2012. Earlier,
Massimov served as the Kazakh Prime Minister from January 2007 to September 2012 before
Akhmetov.

Myanmar started its first official census in 30 years

Myanmar started its first official census in 30 years on 30 March 2014.The census has been
facilitated by United Nations Population Fund along with its donors, who have contributed 65 million
US dollar. The contribution has been made for focusing on the technical aspects of the survey and
neglecting political concerns.
As per the plan, the census will be recorded in 12 days operation and will be conducted by
100000 teachers. During the process of the process, the representatives will draw out information
like childbirth and employment rates as well as migration figures.
Its expected that the data generated by the census would help the government in developing
appropriate policies for its citizens.
UN agency that is helping Burma to conduct its first census after three decades has cliamed
that the members of the long-persecuted Rohingya Muslim Population are not being counted in the
census. As per the agency, the census workers in the violence-scarred state of Rakhine dont count
any person when they reply Rohingya as their identity of ethnicity.
This census exercise of the country is being boycotted by some ethnic communities and
they have said that they will provide false information as a sign of their protest.
Myanmar or Burma is predominantly Buddhist nation of about 60 million and recently it
emerged from a half century of military rule. The last census was conducted in the country in 1983.

ISRO decommissioned Communication Satellite INSAT-3E

Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO on 1 April 2014 decommissioned the
Communication Satellite INSAT-3E. The satellite was decommissioned after it completed ten and
half years in orbit as it had stopped working on 29 March 2014.
The satellite was facing problems for quite some time. Earlier it ran out of the on-board
oxidizer. The oxidizer along with fuel keep it Earth-locked and fixed over India and helped satellite
to perform daily functions.
In September 2012, the satellite blinked and disrupted services for about 24 hours and was
restored later. Also since 2009, only 25 transponders out of 36 were functioning properly.

17

ISRO claimed that there will not be any adverse impact on the users. It has started shifting process
of the INSAT-3E users on to standby capacities on some of its other satellites on 22 March 2014. The
process is still going on.
Now, the ISRO have 189 transponders on its ISRO/GSAT fleet. Other 91 additional
transponders leased on foreign satellites.
In order to prevent collision of the satellite with other working spacecrafts of other countries,
the Master Control Facility at Hasan will move the satellite into a higher orbit.
The satellite was launched in September 2003 and was expected to give 15 years of service.
The third generation satellite had 36 transponders (24 C-band and 12 extended).
During its service span, INSAT-3E performed following functions:
Its C-band supported communication networks of Oil and Natural Gas Corporation, National
Thermal Corporation and BSNL and other organizations.
Its 10 extended C-band transponders supported VSAT operators.
It provided tele-education services to the distant users.
It provided high communication services.
It facilitated efficient TV broadcast services.

EC confirmed Amir Khan as its National Icon for Lok Sabha election 2014
Election Commission (EC) confirmed Amir Khan as its national icon for the Lok Sabha
elections 2014 on 1 April 2014. He IS the fifth national icon selected by the EC. The EC recorded a
video and audio campaign which shows Amir Khan urging people to vote ethically.
EC hopes all the new channels and radio networks will air the campaigns for creating voter
awareness. EC also told state chief electoral officers to ensure that these campaigns are aired by
the regional networks.
The video reminds people how every single vote can make difference AND not to miss their
chance at exercising their franchise. The tagline of the video is Rukey nahin chookey nahin.. Vote
zaroor daalein.
Amir Khan is the fifth National icon selected by EC to campaign for creating awareness
among voters about elections. The other four national icons were President A P J Abdul Kalam,
cricketer M S Dhoni, badminton star Saina Nehwal and boxer Mary Kom.

Union Ministry of Civil Aviation approved the Tata and Singapore airlines
JV
Union Ministry of Civil Aviation on 2 April 2014 approved the Tata and Singapore Airlines
(SIA) joint venture. The Aviation Ministry also issued no-objection certificate (NOC) to the new
airline JV called Tata SIA Airlines Ltd.
The approval given to the Tata SIA Airlines Ltd came in a record time. The joint venture got
the approval within a time period of little more than four months. Tata and SIA first got the clearance
from Foreign Investment Promotion Board (FIPB) in November 2013.
The approval came few days after the Union Home Ministry informed the Aviation Ministry
that it had cleared the start-ups board of directors on security grounds.
The Board of Directors of the Tata SIA Airlines Ltd comprises of Chairman Prasad Menon, a
long-time Tata group executive; Mukund Rajan, Tata Sons brand custodian and chief ethics officer;
and Mak Swee Wah, SIAs executive vice-president (commercial).
Now Tata SIA Airlines Ltd. will apply to the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) for
air operators permits (AOP). The AOP process requires the airlines to fulfill all technical specifications
required to launch an airline in India.

About Tata and SIA

Tata Sons and Singapore Airlines announced the launch of a full-service carrier in India in
September 2013. Tata will own 51 percent and the rest will be owned by SIA in the joint venture.
The joint venture called Tata-SIA Airlines Ltd is the second airlines to enter in India aviation
market since the Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) rules were relaxed in September 2012. The first
was AirAsia Indiaa joint venture between AirAsia Bhd, the Tata group and businessman Arun
Bhatia of Telestra Tradeplace. Air Asia India got the NOC from Aviation Ministry in September
2013.

Reserve Bank of India adopted CPI as new measure of Inflation

The Reserve Bank of India on 1 April 2014 adopted the Consumer Price Index (CPI) as the
key measure of Inflation. It was adopted in the first bi-monthly monetary policy statement for 201415.

18

It was adopted on the basis of recommendations of Urjit R Patel Committee report on Revising
and Strengthening the Monetary Policy Framework.
Till now the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) was using Wholesale Price Index (WPI) to gauge and
measure indicative inflation projections. This was done essentially because it is the only measure
of prices at a national level and CPIs have traditionally addressed prices facing specific sections of
the society.
Adoption of CPI as a measure of inflation is intended to better gauge inflation expectations
because CPI reflects cost of living. This will make clear that inflation is the RBIs primary objective
and that it expects to be held accountable for its performance in this regard. Besides, it will also
help RBI in better anchoring the monetary policy.
The Urjit Patel Committee was of the view that the nominal anchor or the target for inflation
based on CPI should be set at 4% with a band of +/- 2% around it. But before setting 4% as inflation
anchor, RBI should try and bring down inflation to 8% over a period not exceeding the next 12
months, and to 6% over a period not exceeding the next 24 months.

FIFA rejected US call to ban Russia from World Cup for stand on Ukraine
International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) on 2 April 2014 rejected the call of US
senators to ban Russia from 2014 World Cup in response to Kremlins position on Ukraine.
FIFA was requested by Senators Dan Coats, R-Indiana, and Mark Kirk, R-Illinois in a letter
requesting it to strip Russia from its right to host the World Cup in 2018. It also asked FIFA to ban it
from this years edition of the event that will be hosted by Brazil.
Jerome Valcke, the FIFA Secretary General in its comment said that individual teams cannot
be banned from the competition due to the actions of their parent states.
At present, Russia is building a large scale project of sports facilities and necessary
infrastructure to host the 2018 FIFA World Cup.

India ranked as No. 1 cricket team in ICC T20 rankings

The Indian Cricket Team was ranked as number one team in recently released International
Cricket Council (ICC) T20 rankings. ICC T20 ranking was released on 2 April 2014. It replaced Sri
Lanka from the number one position.
India was able to push Sri Lanka to Number two due to its unbeaten run in its group in the
ongoing T20 World Cup in Bangladesh.
India gained seven ratings points after remaining unbeaten in their group and finished on
130 points. This brought the Indian team on par with Sri Lanka. But when ratings were calculated
beyond the decimal point, India found itself ranked higher than Sri Lanka.

NASA suspended ties with Russia except on International Space Station

US Space agency, NASA on 2 April 2014 announced that it had suspended majority of its
ongoing engagement and ties with Russia, except the cooperation aboard the International Space
Station. The suspension of the ties has happened due to the crisis in Ukraine that has been caused
due to the violation of the countrys sovereignty and territorial integrity.
In its statement NASA claimed that NASA and Roscosmon would continue to work together
to maintain safe and continuous operation of the International Space Station.
Soyuz Aircraft of Russia is the sole means of transport to the ISS for the worlds astronauts
and 70.7 million US dollar per seat is paid to Russia by the US.

HAL received the Most Efficient Navratna Award 2013

Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) on 3 April 2014 recieved the Most Efficient Navratna Award
for the year 2013. It received the award at the 5th Dalal Street Investment Journal Awards ceremony
held in New Delhi. The award was collected by the Chairman of HAL, Dr. R K Tyagi.
The awards were presented to the various PSUs in different categories in recognition of
their performance and contribution to the Indian economy.
The award was given to the company for the measure it has taken on various fronts such as
R&D, modernization, customer initiatives, quality and thrust given on indigenization.
In the financial year 2013-14, HAL achieved its highest ever turnover. In 2013-14 it achieved
a turnover of 15180 crore rupees surpassing the figure of 14324 crore rupees in 2012-13.

About Hindustan Aeronautics Limited

Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) came into existence on 1st October 1964. The Company
was formed by the merger of Hindustan Aircraft Limited with Aeronautics India Limited and Aircraft
Manufacturing Depot, Kanpur.

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The Company traces its roots to the pioneering efforts of an industrialist with extraordinary
vision, the late Seth Walchand Hirachand, who set up Hindustan Aircraft Limited at Bangalore in
association with the erstwhile princely State of Mysore in December 1940. The Government of
India became a shareholder in March 1941 and took over the Management in 1942.
Today, HAL has 19 Production Units and 10 Research & Design Centres in 8 locations in India.

About Navratnas
At present there are 14 Central Public Sector Enterprises (CPSEs) which have been designated
as Navratnas by the Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion (DIPP) under the Union Ministry
of Heavy Industries and Public Enterprises. These are:
Bharat Electronics Limited
Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited
Hindustan Aeronautics Limited
Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited
Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Limited
National Aluminium Company Limited
NMDC Limited
Neyveli Lignite Corporation Limited
Oil India Limited
Power Finance Corporation Limited
Power Grid Corporation of India Limited
Rashtriya Ispat Nigam Limited
Rural Electrification Corporation Limited
Shipping Corporation of India Limited

Amazon launched set-top box named Fire TV

Amazon launched an internet-connected TV set-top box or video streaming device called
Fire TV on 2 April 2014. It costs 99 dollars and it is used for gaming.
It will allow consumers to stream content from Amazons library, as well other video-on-demand
services, directly to their TVs.
The box comes with a Bluetooth-enabled remote, which means it does not have to be pointed
at the TV to work.
Fire TV provides games available from the gaming firms such as Sega, Disney and Android.
It also expands Amazon Games Studio to builds bespoke games.
It can predict what the user will watch and cue it up instantly and microphone in the remote
enables voice-activated search.
Amazons Fire TV may give customers an alternative to Apple TV, Roku and Googles
Chromecast.

About Set-top box

A set-top box is a hardware device that allows a digital signal to be received, decoded and
displayed on a television. The signal can be a television signal, satellite signal or Internet data and
is received via cable or telephone connection. It is also known as set-top unit. In India some of the
set-top boxes available are Tata Sky DTH and Dish TV

About Amazon
Amazon.com, Inc. is an American international electronic commerce company with
headquarters in Seattle, Washington, United States. It is the worlds largest online retailer.
It was founded in 1994 by Jeff Bezos who is also the CEO of the company.

D K Pathak appointed as the new Director General of BSF

Union Government on 2 April 2014 appointed senior IPS officer D K Pathak as the new
Director General of the Border Security Force (BSF). BSF is countrys largest border guarding force.
His name for the post of DG was approved by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC)
headed by Prime Minister Mamohan Singh. He is expected to continue till February, 2016.
Pathak is a 1979-batch officer of the Assam-Meghalaya cadre. Prior to the appointment of
DG, he was posted as the Special DG and was also officiating as the DG since 1 March 2014.
The post of the DG of BSF was vacant since 28 February 2014 when Subhash Joshi retired
from the post of DG.
Pathak had served in another paramilitary CRPF as its chief of operations in Jammu and
Kashmir and he has also spent stints in various positions in his cadre states of Assam and Meghalaya.

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About Border Security Force

The Border Security Force (BSF) is a border guarding force of the Government of India.
It was established on 1 December 1965 as one of the Central Armed Police Forces.
Its primary role is to guard Indias international borders during peacetime and also prevent
trans border crime.
Like all Central Armed Police Forces of India, the BSF is under the administrative control
of the Union Ministry of Home Affairs.
K F Rustomji, the BSFs first Director General is referred to as the founding father of the
BSF.
04 April 2014

R Gandhi appointed as Deputy Governor of RBI

R Gandhi was appointed as the Deputy Governor of the Reserve Bank of India on 3 April 2014
for a period of three years. His appointment came into effect from 3 April 2014. Before being elevated
to the position of Deputy Governor, he was serving the Reserve Bank as its executive director.
He has been appointed as the successor of Anand Sinha, who retired from the office on 20
January 2014. Till the time of retirement, Sinha was looking after the new bank licence process.

With this appointment, Gandhi will look after the following portfolios
Department of Banking Operations and Development
Department of Non-Banking Supervision
Urban Banks Department
Department of Expenditure and Budgetary Control
Information Technology and Legal Department
Premises Department and Risk Monitoring Department
Gandhi joined RBI in 1980 and carries an experience of 33 years of expertise and experience
in different fields like payment systems and information technology, financial markets, operations
and regulation. He had also served RBI as the head of two regional offices and had also held charge
as the Director of the Institute for Development and Research in Banking Technology (IDRBT),
Hyderabad. He has been associated with various committees, working groups and task forces.

Three day long Gangaur festival celebrated in Rajasthan

Famous Hindu festival of Gangaur was celebrated in Rajasthan. Tourists from various parts
of the world visited to celebrate the three-day-long festival of Gangaur.
In the word Gangaur, Gan is the synonym for Lord Shiva whereas Gaur stands for Gauri or
Goddess Parvati. The festival celebrates the companionship of Hindu deities Shiva and Parvati. It is
believed that Parvati returned to her maternal home during Gangaur and, on the last day, she was
escorted by Lord Shiva.
Gangaur is the festival on which married women fast for the happiness of their marital life
and single women fast to find perfect partner.
The festival is not only celebrated in Rajasthan, but also in states of Madhya Pradesh, Haryana
and Gujarat.
The festival is rejoiced in the month of Chaitra, the first month of the Hindu calendar and
falls in between March and April, according to Gregorian calendar.

SEBI revamped committee on disclosure and accounting standards

Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) on 3 April 2014 had revamped its committee
on disclosures and accounting standards. This committee advices SEBI on matters related to
disclosure requirements and accounting practices for various market participants.

About Committee on Disclosures and Accounting Standards

This committee is a 17-member expert panel being chaired by Tata Sons Director-Finance
Ishaat Hussain. Other important members of the committee includes
Wipro CFO and Executive Director- Suresh Senapaty
NSE Managing Director and CEO- Chitra Ramkrishna
Comptroller & Auditor General of India Director General- AB K P Sasidharan
Institute of Chartered Accountants of India- S Santhanakrishnan
Representatives from SEBI, finance ministry and corporate affairs ministry
For the first time, the committee was constituted in 2006 under the chairmanship of chartered
accountant, YH Malegam. This committee was constituted to suggest ways to SEBI for improving
disclosure framework for listed companies and accounting practices of various market entities.

21

Three statues belonged to Napatan civilisation were stolen from Northern

Sudan
Three statues belonged to Napatan civilisation were stolen on 3 April 2014 from a museum
in South Sudan.
The statues dating from 450 B.C were disappeared from a museum at the Jebel Barkal
heritage area in northern Sudan. The museum is a UNESCO World Heritage site
The Statues are small about 10-15 centimetres in height. The statues preserved the heritage
of Napatan kingdom. Napatan Kingdom is one of the important periods in Sudanese history.

About Napatan Civilisation

Napata was a city-state of ancient Nubia on the west bank of the Nile River, at the site of
modern Karima, Northern Sudan.
Napata was founded by Thutmose III in the 15th century BC after his conquest of Nubia. The
nearby Jebel Barkal was taken to mark the southern border of the New Kingdom.
In 1075 BC, the High Priest of Amun at Thebes, capital of Egypt, became powerful enough to
limit the power of the pharaoh over Upper Egypt. This was the beginning of the Third Intermediate
Period (1075 BC-664 BC). The fragmentation of power in Egypt allowed the Nubians to regain autonomy.
They founded a new kingdom, Kush, and centered it at Napata.

Qatar based Doha Bank announced its First branch in Mumbai

Qatar based Doha Bank announced on 3 April 2014 that it will be opening its first branch at
Nariman Point in Mumbai in India. The branch in Mumbai will be opened as a full-fledged bank in
May 2014.
Initially, branch will offer retail and corporate banking solutions with emphasis on off-branch
banking. The Doha Bank has set a target of 5 billion dollars balance sheet by the third year of
operations. Doha Bank got permission from the Reserve Bank of India to open the branch in December
2013.
Already Doha Bank runs a brokerage (Doha Brokerage) with 41 percent stake and the rest of
the stake is held by local brokers of Kochi in India.
Bank of Bahrain & Kuwait, Abu Dhabi Bank are the two other banks from Arab countries to
have operations in India before Doha bank.

About Doha Bank

Doha Bank is the largest private commercial bank in the state of Qatar. It was incorporated
in 1978 and commenced its domestic and international banking services in Doha, Qatar in 1979.
Qatari government holds 16 percent stake in the bank and the bank has a market capitalisation of
5 billion dollars and an asset of 18.4 billion dollars in December 2013.
Doha Bank nets 17 percent of its business from overseas operations and is a major player in the
remittances market.
Doha Bank has branches in Kuwait, Dubai and Abu Dhabi and representative offices in
Singapore, Turkey, Japan, China, Britain, Canada, Germany, Australia, Hong Kong, South Korea
and Sharjah.
Doha Bank Group Chief Executive: R Sitharaman

Election candidates with assets of over 5 crore rupees without PAN card
under IT scrutiny
Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) and the Election Commission (EC) prepared a joint
charter for scrutinising the poll affidavits of candidates contesting 2014 Lok Sabha elections.
Candidates with assets of over 5 crore rupees without a Permanent Account Number (PAN) card are
set to come under the scanner of tax department and Election Commission.
The two authorities have formulated five core parameters which will be used by the tax department
to check affidavits of candidates from a suspected tax evasion angle. These would include checking
veracity of the PAN cards of candidates.
The EC will provide PAN details of candidates to CBDT to check the financial antecedents of
a candidate through PAN number.
The I-T department will take up all specific cases referred to it by the poll body, including the
cases showing any abnormal rise in wealth.
A red flag mechanism was prepared jointly with the EC as the tax department does not have
the wherewithal to scrutinize each and every case on its own.
Under this mechanism, the I-T department will also compare the declarations made by the candidates
in their poll affidavits with the income tax returns filed by them.

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EC has also created an exclusive Election Expenditure Monitoring cell of its own, while the Income
Tax departments investigation and intelligence units had also brought on-board to check illegal
funds and huge cash flows during the elections.

Ancient monastery of Byzantine period found in south Israel

Israeli Antiquities Authorities on 1 April 2014 discovered a monastery which belongs to
Byzantine period in the Bedouin village of Hura in the Negev near South Israel. The monestry said
to be dated back to about 1400 years with an impressive mosaic floors.
The mosaic floors shed light on life in the region during the Byzantine period.
Archeologist Daniel Varge said the monastery is from the sixth century and that the detailed mosaics
are unusual in the area.
The monastery measured 35x30 meters and included four rooms, including a prayer room
and a refectory. Each room had a different design.
Colorful designs of flora, and animals along with inscriptions in Greek and Syriac are depicted in
the designs. Pottery and glass artifacts and coins from the Byzantine period were also found at the
site.
The church is believed to have been a center for Christian worship at the time.
Each room carries inscriptions denoting the completion of each floor, as well as a dedication to the
head of the monastery. For example, one room is dedicated to Illario, with the floor completed in 596
AD.

About Byzantine Empire

Byzantine Empire was the successor of the Roman Empire in the Greek-speaking, eastern
part of the Mediterranean. Christian in nature, it was perennially at war with the Muslims,
Flourishing during the reign of the Macedonian emperors, its demise was the consequence of attacks
by Seljuk Turks, Crusaders, and Ottoman Turks.
Byzantium was the name of a small, but important town at the Bosphorus, the strait which
connects the Sea of Marmara and the Aegean to the Black Sea, and separates the continents of
Europe and Asia. In Greek times the town was at the frontier between the Greek and the Persian
world. In the fourth century BCE, Alexander the Great made both worlds part of his hellenistic
univers, and later Byzantium became a town of growing importance within the Roman Empire.

Bangladesh to provide transit facility for Indian power transmission line

Bangladesh agreed to provide transit facility for a 6000 megawatt Indian power transmission
line. This decision was taken in a joint steering committee meeting on India-Bangladesh power
sector cooperation held on 3 April 2014.
In a joint media briefing, it was informed that a committee has been formed to study feasibility
of transmitting power through Rangia Raota (Assam) to Borakpur (Bihar) via Boro Pukuria
(Northwestern Dinajpur, Bangladesh).
There was also an agreement on the proposal for establishing regional grid connectivity.
This proposal plans to connect Bhutan, Nepal, India and Bangladesh via a new electricity network.
New Delhi will host meeting of all the four countries in this regard in May 2014.
India also agreed to provide 130 MW more electricity to Bangladesh. Out of this, Dhaka could
import 100 MW from Indias Tripura state and the rest 30 MW from Indias private sector through
the Bheramara sub-station.
These developments came six months after the Indo-Bangla cooperation in power sector
entered a new phase with Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her counterpart Manmohan
Singh agreed on establishing a 1320 megawatt joint venture coal-fired plant.
Besides, Indias NTPC is constructing the plant at southwestern Rampal. The plant is expected to be
commissioned by December 2018.
In October 2013, the two countries simultaneously launched a joint transmission line to
export 250 Megawatt power to Bangladesh under separate arrangements.

Europe launched a satellite, Sentinel-1A to monitor earth for climate

change
Europe on 3 April 2014 launched a satellite named Sentinel-1A, designed to monitor Earth
for climate change and environmental damage and help disaster relief operations. Sentinal-1 is
the first in a constellation of hi-tech satellites and was lifted off aboard Soyuz rocket from Kourou,
French Guiana of the European Space Agency (ESA).

23

The 2.2-tonne satellite will scan the Earth with cloud-penetrating radar and is the first of
half a dozen orbital monitors that will be built and launched under the 5.19-billion US dollar (3.786billion-euro) Copernicus project, a joint undertaking of ESA and the European Union (EU).
Sentinel-1A after taking off separated itself from the rockets upper stage and further will be
followed by a partner, Sentinel-1B, which will be launched till end of the year 2015.

About Sentinal-1
Sentinel-1 is a two satellite constellation with the prime objectives of Land and Ocean
monitoring. The goal of the mission is to provide C-Band SAR data continuity following the retirement
of ERS-2 and the end of the Envisat mission. To accomplish the goal the satellite has carried a CSAR sensor that will offer medium and high resolution imaging in all weather conditions. The CSAR is capable of obtaining night imagery and detecting small movement on the ground, which
makes it useful for land and sea monitoring.
Sentinel-1 is the first of the six missions in the framework of the Copernicus initiative and
is composed of a constellation two polar-orbiting satellites, namely Sentinel-1A and Sentinel-1B.
These two satellites will share the same orbital plane, while operating day and night performing
Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) imaging.

Sentinel-1 services include applications like

Monitoring sea ice zones and the Arctic environment
Assimilation of sea ice observations in the forecasting systems
Surveillance of marine environment, including oil-spill monitoring and ship detection for
maritime security
Monitoring land surface motion risks
Mapping of land surfaces: forest, water and soil, sustainable agriculture
Mapping in support of humanitarian aid in crisis situations

About Copernicus
Copernicus is formerly known as GMES (Global Monitoring for Environment and Security)
and is the European Unions Earth observation and monitoring programme, a user driven programme,
building on the existing national and European capacities and establishing new infrastructure and
services.

Suresh Arora appointed DGP of Punjab Police

Election Commission of India (ECI) approved on 3 April 2014 the appointment of Suresh
Arora as Directorate General of Police (DGP) of Punjab Police. Suresh Arora is a 1982 batch IPS
officer.
He is currently working as director general of Vigilance Bureau. He had worked as ADGP
Intelligence in Punjab Police.
He was appointed in lieu of the post of DGP falling vacant due to incumbent DGP Sumedh
Singh Saini going on 45 days leave.
In light of this development Punjab government forwarded the leave of Saini to the Election
Commission. Accordingly, EC asked from the Punjab government to send the panel of names for the
vacant post to look after the security arrangements in the State.
The panel of names comprised of 1981 batch IPS officer GD Pandey, 1982 batch officers
Sanjeev Gupta and Suresh Arora.
Out of this, EC approved the name of Suresh Arora for the post of DGP to oversee the security
arrangements as well as general law and order preparedness during the election proce.

USFDA banned imports from Indian plant of Apotex Pharma Co

The US Food and Drug Administration (USFDA) on 2 April 2014 banned imports from Apotex
Incs manufacturing plant in India because of not meeting the quality standards.
The FDA banned the imports from the plant situated in Bangalore without physical examination
because the plant did not meet the FDA manufacturing practices. However, FDA allowed the imports
of Riluzole, drug which is used to treat amyotrophic lateral sclerosis commonly called Lou Gehrigs
disease.
Recently, FDA sanctioned a series of ban on top Indian drug makers such as Ranbaxy
Laboratories Ltd Wockhardt Ltd and Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd to export to the United
States on quality concerns.

24

About Apotex Inc

Apotex Inc. is the largest Canadian owned pharmaceutical company. It was founded in 1974.
Apotex Research Private Limited (ARPL), the Indian Research & Development wing of Apotex Inc.
was established in the year 2004 in Bangalore.
At present Apotex manufactures about 260 generic drugs and copies the name-brand
pharmaceutical products which are sold in Canada and exported to more than 115 countries.

IOA announced to form ad-hoc panel to handle issues related to Indian

Boxing
Indian Olympic Association (IOA) on 3 April 2014 announced to form an ad-hoc Committee to
handle issues related to coaching and selection of Indian Boxing. IOA decided to form an ad-hoc
committee so that the participation of Indian boxers and coaches in the international events was
not hampered.
An Ad-hoc Committee will comprise six members under the chairmanship of Tarlochan
Singh. Tarlochan Singh has years of experience in Olympic movement. The other members will be
G.S. Sandhu and Kishan Narsi. G.S. Sandhu is the national coach while Kishan Narsi is the
representative of India at the International Boxing Association (AIBA).
The committee will be approved by the AIBA and it will handle all issues like coaching and
selection of Indian Boxers. The boxers will be funded by the Government of India.

NIST launched worlds most accurate clock, NIST-F2

The US Department of Commerces National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)
in the first week of April 2014 launched a new atomic clock, named asNIST-F2.The clock has been
designed to serve the new US civilian time and frequency, along with the current NIST-F1 standard.
NIST has claimed that the NIST-F2 would neither gain nor lose a second in about 300 million
years as it is three times as accurate as its predecessor NIST-F1. NIST-F1 has served as the standard,
since 1999. Both these clocks use a fountain of cesium atoms to determine the exact length of a
second.
The scientists of NIST claimed that according to the International Bureau of Weights and
Measures (BIPM) data (NIST-F2) is the worlds most accurate time standard. BIPM is located near
Paris, France. To produce the Coordinated Universal Time (UTC), the international standard time,
the agency collates data from atomic clocks.
In the present world many technologies like cellular telephones, Global Positioning System
(GPS) satellite receivers and the electric power grid rely on the high accuracy of atomic clocks.

About NIST
The National Institute of Standards and Technologys was founded in 1901 and at present is
a part of the US Department of Commerce. It is one of the nations oldest physical science laboratories.
Congress established the agency to remove a major handicap to US industrial competitiveness at
the timea second-rate measurement infrastructure that lagged behind the capabilities of England,
Germany, and other economic rivals.

Scientists developed non-insulin drug candidate for diabetic patients

Indian-origin scientist Arnab De of Columbia University developed the non-insulin drug
candidate for diabetic patients in collaboration with Richard Di Marchi of Indiana University. It was
published in the journal Peptide Science in first week of April 2014.
A non-insulin drug candidate for diabetic patients will help eliminate the risk of low-blood glucose
shock in case of insulin overdose.
Usually, patients use insulin to keep their sugar levels in check. An overdose of insulin can
lead to low blood-glucose (hypoglycemia) which may cause diabetic-coma and be life-threatening.
Insulin treatment has also been reported to cause weight-gain which may intensify the diabetic
condition.
Scientist found a peptide hormone in the gut called GLP1 that increases the secretion of
insulin only when the blood glucose is high. GLP1 also will stimulate weight-loss and it offers the
modernized treatment of Type II diabetes and reduces obesity.
GLP-1 has an extremely short half-life of two minutes and this instability will hamper its
effectiveness in patients. To extend the duration of GLP-1 action the scientists visualized a prodrug and in their research found several options to prolong the peptide action to once-a-day and
once-a-week formulations.

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The GPL-1 based pro-drug is needed to be taken only once a week. It is opposed to have after
every meal. The pro-drug not only helps to defend against obesity and perhaps against Alzheimers
disease also. It represents a patient-friendly, diabetic therapeutic.
Indiana University Research and Technology Corporation (IURTC) have applied for patents
internationally on these pro-drugs in the world-wide market.
05-APR-2014

ISRO successfully launched IRNSS 1B from Sriharikota

Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) on 4 April 2014 launched Indias 2nd regional
navigational satellite, IRNSS 1B from Sriharikota Space Station of Andhra Pradesh. The launch of
IRNSS series would enable India to have its own reliable and independent navigational resources
for itself.
The satellite was lifted off by the Polar Satellite Vehicle (PSLV) C 24 at 5.14 pm. IRNSS
(Indian Regional navigational satellite) was injected by the launch vehicle after four stages of 19
minutes of its take off from Sriharikota.
This launch of IRNSS 1B is the 25th successful launch of the PSLV series by ISRO. This
launch of the satellite had brought India close to join the group of selected nations namely US,
Russia, China, Japan and European countries.
IRNSS series launch will benefit India from its applications including terrestrial, aerial and
marine navigation, disaster management, vehicle tracking and fleet management. It will also provide
visual and voice navigation for hikers and travelers.

About Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System (IRNSS)

Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System (IRNSS) is an independent regional navigation
satellite system that has been designed with an aim to provide position accuracy better than 10m
over India and the region extending about 1500 kms around India. As per ISRO the series of satellite
would provide an accurate real time Position, Navigation and Time (PNT) services to users on a
variety of platforms with 24x7 service availability under all weather conditions.

The IRNSS system mainly consists of three components, namely

Space Segment (Constellation of Satellites & SignalInSpace)
Ground Segment and User Segment

IRNSS constellation consists of seven satellites. Plan of positioning these

seven satellites are as follows
Three satellites will be placed in the Geostationary Equatorial orbit (GEO at 34 deg East, 83
deg East & 131.5 deg East)
Two satellites each will be placed in the Geosynchronous orbit (GSO) with equator crossing
at 55 deg East and 111.5 deg East and an inclination of 29 deg
Two spare satellites are also planned to be realized
IRNSS will have two types of signals in L5 and S-band centre frequency, with the L band
centre frequency being 1176.45 MHz and S-band centre frequency being 2492.028 MHz. Both L5 and
S-band consist of two downlinks. IRNSS provides two basic services such as Standard Positioning
Service (SPS) for common civilian users and Restricted Service (RS) for special authorised users.
The best part of IRNSS is that the navigation software of the series is being developed indigenously
at ISRO Satellite Center.
ISRO is collaborating with NPL to realise a space qualified Rubidium Atomic Frequency
Standard.
Further, by the end of 2014 India would send two more satellites and three others will be
sent in the beginning of the year 2015. These launches would make the constellation complete and
provide a unique position to India in the world. India has also planned to launch the unique Mark III
satellites by June 2014.

Marie-Lousie Coleiro Preca sworn-in as President of Malta

Marie-Lousie Coleiro Preca was sworn-in as the President of Malta on 4 April 2014 in Valletta,
Malta. She was named as President after being suggested by the Prime Minister,Joseph Muscat
and approved by Parliament. Coleiro replaced George Abela from Labour Party whose term completed
on 4 April 2014.
She is the ninth President of the Malta and second female President in the European Union
(EU) Country.

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Coleiro, 55, is the youngest-ever President of Malta and will hold office for five years. Coleiro
belongs to Labour Party and has served as minister for social policy.
With her appointment, the total number of female heads of a country in the world now stands at 21.

About Malta
Malta is a southern European country in the Mediterranean Sea with smallest capital
Valletta in EU.
Malta got its independence in 1964 from the United Kingdom. Malta is a republic with
parliamentary system and public administration is closely modeled on the Westminster system.
Maltas president who have no executive powers and acts as figureheads or nominal head,
serve for five years and cannot be re-appointed.
In 2014, Malta will celebrate its 40th anniversary of becoming a republic.

Google launched the 360 degree online view of Angkor Wat in Cambodia
Google on 3 April 2014 launched 360 degree online view of Angkor Wat in Cambodia under
Streetview project. The Angkor Wat project was developed with the help of the Apsara Authority of
the Kingdom of Cambodia. APSARA National Authority is an organisation created for the protection
and maintenance of Angkor.
Streetview was used to patch together over 90000 high resolution 360-degree images of the
monument. The project was started in July 2013. About 100 temples in the vast Angkor area were
covered under this project.
The Angkor collection will also include over 300 pieces of art retrieved from the ruins spread
over 400 sq kilometers and often overlooked by the thousands of tourists visiting the Siem Reap
where the monuments are located.
While Streetview is traditionally used to power maps that are rich and three dimensional, of
late Google has been using this technology of its to bring a lot of monuments across the world to life.
Street View is a part of Google Maps which is available in 55 countries and allowed people to
virtually explore and navigate a neighbourhood through 360 degree panoramic images. The last
heritage monument to have been put on Street View was the Taj Mahal.

EC banned publication and dissemination of exit polls from 7th April to

12 May 2014
Election Commission (EC) of India on 4 March 2014 issued a notification banning publication
and dissemination of exit polls of any kind from 7 April to 12 May 2014. This ban will be in existence
from the first phase of Lok Sabha elections to ninth (last) phase.
As per the notification, the ban on exit polls will come into effect from 7 am on 7 April 2014,
when polling in the first phase starts and will be in existence till 6:30 pm on 12 May 2014, the day
when the last phase of polling ends.
EC in its notification said that the ban or restriction on exit polls will also be applicable for
elections to Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh Assemblies. The state assembly
elections of these States are scheduled to be held along with the Lok Sabha polls.
The Commission has also banned the publication of results of any opinion polls 48 hours
before polling in respective areas.
US army men killed three other soldiers at Fort Hood military base
A mass shooting occurred at the Fort Hood military base on 2 April 2014 near Killeen, Texas,
US. A soldier shot dead three colleagues and injured 16 others before killing himself. The shooter
named Ivan Lopez died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
Ivan Lopez was suspected of smuggling onto the base a recently purchased Smith & Wesson
.45 caliber pistol that was used in the shootings.
Lopez purchased the firearm at Guns Galore. Guns Galore is the same store in Killeen
where former Army psychiatrist Major Nidal Hasan bought the weapon and killed 13 people and
wound 32 others at Fort Hood in 2009.

About Fort Hood

Fort Hood is a United States military post located in Killeen, Texas. Fort Hood was founded in
1942 out of 108000 acres of Texas farming land and initially known as Camp Hood. Eight years after
officially opened, Camp Hood became permanent military installation and was renamed Fort Hood.
The post is named after Confederate General John Bell Hood. It is located halfway between
Austin and Waco, about 60 miles (100 km) from each within the U.S. state of Texas.

27

Fort Hood is one of the largest military installations in the world with nearly 65000 soldiers.
The base was divided into three sections: the main cantonment, West Fort Hood, and North Fort
Hood. Units from the base have been deployed to Afghanistan, Iraq and US hurricane relief operations.

North Korea allowed runner-tourists for first time in Pyongyang Marathon

North Korea for the first time allowed runner-tourists of the world in annual Pyongyang
marathon. It is also known as Mangyongdae Prize International Marathon. It is the 27th Mangyongdae
Prize International Marathon. International Association of Athletics Federations categorised this
marathon as a bronze label road race.
The marathon is going to be held on 13 April 2014 in Pyongyang. The race will start from Kim
Il-sung Stadium and moves on past the Monument to Chinese Soldiers, the Kim Il-sung University
and the Taedong River.
The event includes a full marathon, a half marathon and a 10-kilometre run. A full marathon
course entails four loops around the centre of the Pyongyang where nearly 200 tourists have signed
up for the event.
In 2013, Ketema Nigusse of Ethopoia won the mens title in 2:13:04 and Kim Mi Gyong won
the womens title in 2:26:32 for the second time.

About Mangyongdae Prize International Marathon

The first marathon was held in 1981 for men and for women in 1984. The Marathon was
opened for international runners in 2000.
The main race has been restricted to a select group of elite runners. The race with men
and women required to finish the race within 2 hours 27 minutes and 2 hours 38 minutes
respectively. It also included race for local students, junior runners.

Indian companies creates over a lakh jobs in UK: Grant Thornton research
report
Grant Thornton UK LLPs India Tracker 2014 report released in the first week of April 2014
claimed that Indian companies are playing an increasingly important role in the British economy.
The report claimed that the Indian companies contribute to positive GDP and employment growth
in the country.
The report has been developed in collaboration with the Confederation of Indian Industry
and it monitors UK registered businesses with Indian parent companies and identifies, the fastest
growing corporate by measuring their turnover and employment size. The report was launched by
Ranjan Mathai, the High Commissioner of India at an exclusive dinner, which was attended by
some of the fastest growing and largest Indian employers.
In its finding it claimed that at present over 700 Indian-owned small to large-sized business
are available in the UK and is employing over 10000 individuals, collectively. The report has also
claimed that the top 41 fastest-growing Indian companies in the UK generate some 19 billion Pound
() of turnover although this figure is dominated by Tata Motors, which accounts for more than
80% of the total.
In its findings the report had identified 12 Indian corporate, who are employing more than
1000 people in the UK.

MCA notified rules on providing insurance cover for public deposits

Union Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA) notified rules on providing insurance cover for
public deposits. The rules called Regulations for Acceptance of Deposits by Companies was notified
under section 73(2) (d) of the Companies Act 2013.
Section 73(2) (d) of the Act provides a mandatory insurance cover for public deposits garnered
by companies and a penalty of up to 18% annual interest for defaulters.
The rules were notified on 26 March 2014 and become operational from 1 April 2014.
Every company under sub-section (2) of section 73 and every other eligible company inviting
public deposits shall enter into a contract providing for deposit insurance at least thirty days before
the issue of circular or advertisement.
The deposit insurance contract shall specifically provide that in case the company defaults
in repayment of principal amount and interest thereon, the depositor shall be entitled to the
repayment of principal amount of deposits and the interest thereon by the insurer up to the aggregate
monetary ceiling as specified in the contract.
Provided that in the case of any deposit not exceeding 20000 rupees, the deposit insurance
contract shall provide for payment of the full amount of the deposit and in the case of any deposit in

28

excess of 20000 rupees the deposit insurance contract shall provide for payment of an amount not
less than 20000 rupees for each depositor.
All deposit-taking companies would need to maintain a Deposit Repayment Reserve Account
with a scheduled bank and this account would need to have at least 15% of the total amount of
deposits.

MS Dhoni won United Kingdoms 2014 Asian award for outstanding

achievement in sports
MS Dhoni, the captain of Indian cricket team on 4 April 2014 won the United Kingdoms
2014 Asian Award for outstanding achievement in Sports. The award was announced at Londons at
The Grosvenor House Hotel.
At present Dhoni is in Bangladesh and will lead the Indian team into the finals of the ICC
T20 World Cup 2014 against Sri Lanka.

Measure fetes achieved by the Indian cricket team under the captaincy of
MS Dhoni
The ICC World T20 2007
The CB Series [Commonwealth Bank] of 2007-08
The Asia Cup 2010
The ICC World Cup 2011
The ICC Champions Trophy 2013
Dhoni is widely regarded as one of the greatest finishers in limited over cricket tournament
and in 2013 he emerged as the first captain to win all three ICC trophies. Under the Forbes list of
highest paid athletes, Dhoni is ranked at the 16th position.

Other awards given to Indians during the occasion are

The Asian Business Leader of the Year award for his outstanding contribution to the
field of medicine Dr Cyrus Poonawalla, Chairman of Poonawalla Group which includes Serium
Institute of India
The Asian outstanding achievement in Cinema award Irrfan Khan (he is the Indian
actor to star in two films that won the Academy Award for Best Director 1 Millionaire of 2008 and
Life of Pi of 2012).
Asian outstanding achievement award in Science and Technology Venkatraman Venki
Ramakrishan (he shared the 2009 Nobel prize in Chemistry with Thomas A Steitz and Ada E Yonauth)
Asian Public Servant of the Year award Salil Shetty (Secretary General of the Amnesty
International)
Outstanding achievement in music award Norah Jones, the daughter of sitar mestro
Ravi Shankar

Other awards included

Founders Award Ahmed Kathrada (along with Nelson Mandela, he was also imprisoned
for 26 years along with Nelson Mandela in South Africa for involvement in the anti-apartheid
movement)
MBE (The Fellowship Award) Jackie Chain
Outstanding achievement in the art and design Sir David Tang
Outstanding achievement in Television award Gok Wan
Entrepreneur of the Year Award Lui Che Woo
The Asian Awards was incepted in 2009. Paul Sagoo is the founder of the award.

South Korea developed ballistic Missile to counter North Korea

South Korea on 4 April 2014 developed a ballistic missile capable of striking most of North
Korea. The missile was launched from a test site in Taean, a coastal town southwest of Seoul.
The test came a day after North Korea raised tensions by test-firing 30 short-range rockets
off its east coast on 22 March 2014.
The new missile with a range of 310 miles (500 Km) is able to carry a warhead of up to onetonnes.
The missile was developed under an agreement of 2012 with the United States. Under the
agreement, South Korea decided to almost triple the range of its ballistic missile systems.
South Korea is developing new missiles since Washington and Seoul revised their defence treaty in
2012. Under the defence treaty, it was decided to extend the range of South Koreas ballistic missiles
from 186 to nearly 500 miles to cope better with North Koreas increasingly sophisticated missile
and nuclear programs.

29

The tensions between the two Koreans have risen in recent weeks despite some signs of
thaw between the two nations in February 2014. In February 2014, the two rivals held the first
reunion in more than three years for families divided by the 1950-53 Korean War.
Even when annual South Korean-US military exercises began at the end of February, the
protests from Pyongyang were relatively muted, and there was talk of further high-level meetings
and greater cooperation.

Iran and Japan signed a MoU to cooperate in environmental issues

Iran and Japan signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for bilateral cooperation on
environmental issues . The MoU was signed in Tokyo on 2 April 2014.
Vice-President and Head of Department of Environment of Iran Masoumeh Ebtekar and Head
of International Cooperation Agency of Japan Nobuteru Ishihara signed the MoU.
Under the MoU, the two countries agreed to broaden cooperation in reducing air pollution,
dealing with climate change consequences and protecting ponds.
And also both the countries exchanged views and discussed various issues pertaining to
environment protection. Both the countries called for collective cooperation among world countries
in fighting air pollution.
In 1926, Iran and Japan formally established diplomatic relations. Throughout history, the
two countries have maintained a friendly and strongly cooperation in various arenas.

Former President of Guinea Kumba Yala died at 61

Former President of Guinea Kumba Yala died at the age of 61 due to cardiac arrest on 4 April
2014. Kumba was elected civilian President of Guinea in 2001 and ruled the country till 2003.
He was ousted in a bloodless military coup in 2003. He founded the Social Renewal Party
(PRS) in 1992 and he was the president of the Party.
Yala belonged to the Balanta ethnic group and was a professor of Philosophy. He did masters
in Portuguese, Spanish, French and English.

About Guinea
Guinea or Republic of Guinea is a West African country. It is also known as French Guinea.
It declared its independence from France in 1958.
Guinea is a republic with Presidential system but it was governed by autocratic rulers till
2010. The first free and fair presidential election was held in 2010.
Guinea has abundant natural resources including 25 percent of Worlds bauxite reserves. Guinea
also has diamonds, gold, and other metals. It has great potential for hydroelectric power.

Japan announced to cancel next Antarctic Whaling Programme after UN

ICJ decision
Japan on 4 April 2014 announced to cancel its next Antarctic whaling programme after the
International Court of Justice (ICJ) of United Nation (UN) ordered an end to Whaling Programme of
Japan.
The move was taken for the first time in more than 25 years.
Japan has decided to cancel research whaling Programme in the Antarctic for the fiscal
year 2014-15. But Japan will continue its research whaling programme in other areas including
the northern Pacific. Japan also has a coastal whaling program that is not covered by a commercial
whaling ban.
The Hague-based ICJ issued a landmark ruling that found the Antarctic programme was a
commercial activity disguised as science and ordered Japan to revoke existing whaling licences.
The next Antarctic hunt would have started in late 2014, while the most recent finished in
March 2014.

FIFA imposed transfer ban on Barcelona

International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) imposed a transfer ban at both national
and international level on 2 April 2014 on Spanish club FC Barcelona. The ban prohibited FC
Barcelona from buying and/or selling players for the next two transfer windows (June 2014 and
January 2015).
This ban will last for one year. Apart from this ban, FIFA also imposed financial penalty on
FC Barcelona and Real Madrid.
In 2013, FIFA conducted an investigation in which it found that both Barcelona and the Real
Madrid guilty of making illegal transactions. It was found that both of them breached several provisions

30

relevant to the international transfer and first registration of non-Spanish minors (under the age of
18) with the club. These breaches were touted as serious.
Real was accused of violating Article 19 of regulations of FIFA and has been given one year to
regularize their regulatory framework and existing system concerning the international transfer of
underage players.
According to Article 19, international transfers of players are only permitted if the player is
over the age of 18. The Disciplinary Committee underlined that FIFA takes the protection of minors
in football very seriously. The protection of minors is one of the key principles included in the
agreement concluded between FIFA, UEFA and the European Commission in 2001.

President Obama nominated PIO Sunil Sabharwal as US Alternate

Executive Director of IMF
President Barack Obama on 4 April 2014 nominated Sunil Sabharwal as the next US Alternate
Executive Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF). He is currently working as independent
investor in the payments sector.
His earliest known job was at European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, where
he worked from 1992-1996, eventually becoming its Principal Banker before leaving.
In 1997, Sabharwal joined GE Capital, leaving in 2003 while he was the companys
Managing Director.
From 2003-2006, he was Senior Vice-President of Strategic Investments at First Data
Corporation, Western Union.
From that year until 2009, he was a board adviser to Warburg Pincus, where he helped
acquire German network services firm EasyCash.
Two years later, in 2011, he became the chairman of the board at Ogone, a European ecommerce payment services company, where he stayed until 2014.

Pulitzer Prize winning journalist Anja Niedringhaus shot dead in

Afghanistan
Pulitzer Prize winning journalist Anja Niedringhaus on 4 April 2014 shot dead by a policeman
in Afghanistan. She was 48. She was killed while covering the 2014 presidential election in
Afghanistan.
An Afghan policeman opened fire in their car as they waited to pass through a checkpoint
near Khost as they were covering the electioneering for the upcoming presidential vote. In the open
fire, her long-time colleague, and the respected Canadian reporter Kathy Gannon also got wounded.
Anja Niedringhaus was a German photojournalist working for the Associated Press. She was
the only woman on a team of 11 AP photographers that won the 2005 Pulitzer Prize for Breaking
News Photography for coverage of the Iraq War. That same year she was awarded the International
Womens Media Foundations Courage in Journalism prize.
Presidential elections will be held in Afghanistan on 5 April 2014.

Tempest Stela, Worlds oldest weather report found in Egypt

Archaeologists in the first week of April 2014 discovered a 3500-year-old inscription on a
stone block in Egypt and claimed that it is the oldest weather report of the world. The discovery has
been named asTempest Stelaand it is being considered that this would provide new evidence
about the chronology of events in the ancient Middle East.
The discovery is a calcite block stone that measures six feet in size. The text marked on it
is presented in horizontal lines and is copied on both sides of a calcite block.
Nadine Moeller and Robert Ritner, two scholars of the University of Chicagos Oriental Institute who
have translated the 40-line inscription said that this discovery illustrates about the unusual weather
patterns. They also claims that the patterns on the calcite block were the result of a massive
volcano explosion at Thera, at present it is island of Santroini in the Mediterranean Sea.
Archaeologists claims that this discovery is a new translation suggests that the pharaoh
Ahmose of Egypt ruled at a time close to the Thera eruption. They also claimed that the Stela dates
back to the reign of the pharaoh Ahmose, the first pharaoh of the 18th dynasty.
The research was published in the Journal of Near Eastern Studies.
07-APR-2014

Sri Lanka won its maiden ICC Twenty20 World Cup title
Sri Lankan cricket team on 6 April 2014 won the ICC Twenty20 World Cup 2014 title after
defeating Indian cricket team by six wickets in the final match at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket
Stadium (SBNCS) in Mirpur, Dhaka.

31

In the final, India batting first scored 130 runs. In response Sri Lanka achieved the target of
131 runs by losing only 4 wickets in 17.5 overs. From Indian side, once again, Virat Kohli led the
scorecard of Indian team. He made a valiant 77 runs of 58 balls. From the Sri Lankan side, it was
Kumar Sangakkara who led his team to victory by making an unbeaten 52 runs of 38 balls.
Earlier in the semi-finals, India defeated South Africa and Sri Lanka defeated West Indies to
reach to the final of the T20 Cricket World Cup.
Man of the match Kumar Sangakkara of Sri Lanka
Player of the Tournament Virat Kohli for hitting 319 runs in the tournament.
Captain of Sri Lankan cricket team in the final- Lasith Malinga
Capatin of Indian team- MS Dhoni
This is the maiden T20 cricket trophy won by Sri Lanka and the victory helped, the Lankan
team to end its inexplicable losing streak in the final matches of World Cup. On the other hand, this
loss means that India did not become the first cricket team to hold all the three major limited over
titles, as it had won the 50-over World Cup in 2011 and the Champion trophy in 2013.
Sri Lanka last won the first world title in the World Cup (50-over tournament) in 1996. It also lost
the final matches of the two world cups (50-over) in 2007 and 2011. In 2009 and 2012 also it remained
the runners-up in World Twenty20 events.

Much talked about ball style of the tournament

R Ashwins ball that helped him to capture the wicket of South African batsman Hasim Amla
in the semi-final was termed as the T20 Ball of the Century by former Australian player Adam
Gilchrist. The ball that was appraised by many including Gilchrist was carom ball in which the ball
pitched outside the leg-stump and spun sharply to hit the top of the off-stump. This ball was compared
to the Shane Warnes ball of the century bawled to Mike Gatting, an England batsman during the
Ashes series in 1993.

Koyal Rana won the Miss India 2014 title

Koyal Rana on 5 April 2014 won the 51st edition of the fbb Femina Miss India 2014 crown
after defeating 24 other contestants from across the country. With this win, Rana will represent
India at the Miss World International beauty pageant 2014.
Rana, who was born in Jaipur but raised in Delhi, was crowned at Yash Raj Studio in Mumbai.
She was crowned by Navneer Kaur Dhillion, the 2013 winner of Femina Miss India title and Megan
Young, the Miss World 2013.
Earlier, Koyal Rana was crowned as the title of Miss Teen India 2008 at the age of 15 years.
First runner-up Jhataleka Malhotra from Mumbai
Second runner-up Gail Nicole DaSilva from Margao, Goa
The top five finalists were Gail Nicole Da Silva, Jhataleka Malhotra, Koyal Rana, Lopamudra
Raut and Nikhila Nandgopal.
Judge panel included- Malika Arora Khan, Abhay Deol, Jacqueline Fernandez, Manish
Malhotra, singer Honey Singh, Miss World 2013 Megan Yang, actor Vidyut Jamwal, actor Aditi Rao
Hydari and world champion boxer Vijender Singh.

List of other subtitle winners

fbb Femina Miss Fashion Icon, Femina Miss Photogenic- Jantee Hazarika
Femina Miss Iron Maiden, iNIFD Femina Miss Talented, Femina Miss Iron MaidenDeepti Sati
Yamaha Ray Femina Miss Adventurous- Yoshiki Sindhar
Richfeel Femina Miss Beautiful Hair, Cinnamon Femina Miss Active- Nikhila Nandgopal
Monarch Universal Femina Miss Lifestyle- Sahithya Jagannathan
Femina Miss Body Beautiful- Lopamudra Raut
Times Miss Sudoku- Malati Chahar
Femina Miss Waterbaby- Mansi Grewal
Femina Miss Beautiful Smile, Miss Multimedia- Irshikaa Mehrortra
Femina Miss Rampwalk- Varsha Gopal
Palladium Hotel Femina Miss Congeniality- Aarpita Kaur
PCJ Femina Timeless Beauty- Gail Dasilva
Neutrogena Femina Miss Healthy Skin, Beauty with a Purpose- Koyal Rana
fbb Femina Miss Vivacious- T J Bhanu
Femina National Costume- Jhataleka Malhotra

Punjab won Junior National Hockey Title 2014

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Punjab on 6 April 2014 won the 4th Hockey India Junior Men National Championship 2014
(Division A) by defeating Hockey Odisha 6-2 in the finals at Chennai, Tamil Nadu. With this win,
Punjab had retained the championship title.
To gain the third place in the tournament, Haryana defeated the Sports Authority of India (7-3).

Awards
Best Goalkeeper Jugraj of Punjab
Best Deep Defender Nilam Sanjeev Xess of Odisha
Best Midfielder Sumit of Haryana
Best Forward Joseph Toppo of Odisha
Man of the Tournament Harjeet Singh of Punjab

Statue of Field Marshal SHFJ Manekshaw unveiled to mark 100 th Birth

Anniversary
Statue of Field Marshal SHFJ Manekshaw was unveiled on 3 April 2014 at the Manekshaw
Centre, Delhi Cantt. A book titled Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw The Man and His Times was
also released to mark 100 th Birth Anniversary of Field Marshal SHFJ Manekshaw.
Gen Bikram Singh, the Chief of the Army Staff, unveiled the Field Marshals Statue and
released the Book on his life and times.
Field Marshal SHFJ Manekshaw was one of the most illustrious Generals of the Indian
Army. He was popularly called Sam Bahadur.
He was a key architect of the glorious military victory over Pakistan in the 1971 War, which
led to the birth of Bangladesh.
As part of the ongoing centenary celebrations a number of events were organised at Ooty &
Coonor, the place where he chose to spend his final days. A 14 km Marathon was organised from
Ooty to Wellington. A statue of Field Marshal Manekshaw was also unveiled at Wellington.

Iran and Pakistan Joint Military Exercise held in Strait of Hormuz

The navies of Iran and Pakistan on 6 April 2014 announced to hold joint military exercises
in the eastern part of the Strait of Hormuz. The exercise will be conducted on 8 April 2014.
The joint naval exercise will be start with the objective of promoting military cooperation
between Tehran and Islamabad.
The joint Military Exercise will be held at the Iranian port of Bandar Abbas. The Pakistani
warship and a submarine have docked at Iranian port to launch joint manoeuvres with selected
units of Irans Navy.
Strait of Hormuz is a narrow corridor between Iran and Oman. More than 20% of the oil
export passed from Starit of Hormuz.

DHI suspended HMT MD Sreekumar for allegedly diverting funds

The Department of Heavy Industries (DHI) on 7 April 2014 suspended Managing Director
(MD) M D Sreekumar for allegedly diverting funds. Sreekumar is the MD of HMT Machine Tools
Limited. HMT Machine Tools Limited is a wholly subsidiary of HMT Limited.
He has been placed under suspension for allegedly diverting and misappropriating 30 crore
rupees. The Department of Heavy Industries under the Ministry of Heavy Industries and Public
Enterprises took the action a few days back.
An earlier internal inquiry conducted by the Chief Vigilance Commissioner in the ministry
confirmed the alleged diversion of money. Mr. Sreekumar was appointed MD of the company in May
2012. Prior to his current role, he was the director of technical and operations, HLL Lifecare Limited.

Iwao Hakamada awarded with the Boxing Belt by WBC

Iwao Hakamada, the Japanese boxer on 6 April 2014 was awarded with an honorary
championship belt by World Boxing Council (WBC). Hakamada was freed from death row on 27 March
2014 after 48 years in prison following a murder conviction.
On behalf of him, the belt was received by his elder sister Hideko from the WBC president
Mauricio Sulaiman. At present, Hakamada is receiving hospital treatment since being released
from the Tokyo prison. The green belt has been sewn by a portrait of Kahamada.

Background
Iwao Hakamada was accused of robbing and stabbing his boss to death along with his wife
and two children. Initially, he admitted to the crime but later said that he was forced to confess on

33

the crime. At the time, when he was accused of the crime, was preparing to return to the professional
boxing in 1966.
Death sentence was pronounced on his name in 1968, but in 1976 it was upheld and by the
Supreme Court in 1980.

Holcim announced to buy Lafarge to create Cement giant

Swiss cement firm Holcim announced on 7 April 2014 to buy French rival Lafarge to create
the worlds biggest cement maker firm. The new company will be called LafargeHolcim. The combined
firm will be based in Switzerland.
The firm will have combined sales of 32 billion euros. The deal will be the biggest-ever tie-up
in the cement industry.
Under the terms of the deal, Lafarge shareholders will receive one Holcim share for each
Lafarge share they own. The two firms agreed to sell some assets to ease competition concerns.
The new entity worth under 60 billion US dollar will see 53 per cent shareholder control for
Holcim and 47 per cent for Lafarge.
The deal would help the companies slash costs, trim debt and better cope with the soaring
energy prices, tough competition and weaker demand that have hurt the sector since the 2008
economic crisis.
The merged group will be present in 90 countries, with emerging markets such as Latin
America and Africa accounting for 60 per cent of sales, but no single country representing more
than 10 per cent.
Although the firms have overlapping operations in Europe, Lafarge is strong in Africa and
the Middle East, whereas Holcim is almost absent in these regions.
Meanwhile, Holcim is strong in Latin America, where Lafarge is not established.

About Lafarge
Lafarge is a French industrial company specialising in four major products: cement,
construction aggregates, concrete and gypsum wallboard. The company is the worlds largest cement
manufacturer.
The company was founded in 1833. It is headquartered at Paris, France. Current CEO is
Bruno Lafont.

About Holcim
Holcim is a Swiss based global building materials and aggregates company. The company
also supplies ready-mix concrete and asphalt including associated construction services.
The company was founded in 1912. It is headquartered at JONA, Switzerland. Current CEO
is Bernard Fontana.

Sun Pharma announced to acquire Ranbaxy Laboratories for 3.2 billion

dollars
Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd on 7 April 2014 announced to acquire troubled Ranbaxy
Laboratories Ltd. Sun Pharma will acquire 100 percent of Ranbaxy in an all stock deal for 3.2 billion
dollars.
The deal between Sun Pharma and Ranbaxy has been agreed at a swap ratio of 1:0.8. That is,
Ranbaxy shareholders will receive share of 0.8 share of Sun Pharma for each share of Ranbaxy.
After the deal, Daiichi Sankyo Co Ltd, which holds 63.4 percent in the Ranbaxy, will hold a stake of
about 9 percent in Sun Pharmaceutical. The Japanese Daiichi Sankyo invested in Ranbaxy for the
first time in 2008.
The deal values Ranbaxy shares at 457 rupees apiece, representing an 18 percent premium
to their 30-day volume-weighted average share price. For the 60-day volume-weighted average share
price of Ranbaxy, the premium comes about 24.3 percent.
As a result of this agreement between the two Indian pharmaceutical giants, the combined entity
will become the fifth largest producer of generic drug in the world and the largest pharmaceutical
company in India.
The combined entity will have operations in 65 countries, 47 manufacturing facilities across
5 continents.
The combined entitys revenues are estimated at 4.2 billion dollars with Earnings before
interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) of 1.2 billion dollars for the twelve month
period ended 31 December 2013.

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About Sun Pharma

Sun Pharma was established in 1983 at Vapi in Gujarat. It is headquartered in Mumbai in
India. Sun Pharma is an international, integrated, specialty pharmaceutical company which
manufactures and markets a large basket of pharmaceutical formulations as branded generics as
well as generics in India, US and across the world.
Recently in March 2014, US Food and Drug Administration had banned the import of drugs
from Karkhadi plant of Sun Pharma in Gujarat on grounds of quality.
The Chairman of the Sun Pharma is Mr. Israel Makov who is the former President and CEO of Teva
Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd.
Mr. Dilip S. Shanghvi is the founder-cum-Managing Director of Sun Pharmaceutical Industries
Ltd.

About Ranbaxy
Ranbaxy was started by Ranbir Singh and Gurbax Singh in 1937 as a distributor for a Japanese
company Shionogi. In 1952, Bhai Mohan Singh bought the company from his cousins Ranbir and
Gurbax.
It was incorporated in 1961 with its head office in Borivalli, Mumbai, India and it went public
in 1973.
Over the last few years Ranbaxy Pharmaceuticals has been under the radar of USFDA on
account of quality issues.
USFDA very recently in January 2014, banned the imports of drugs from Toansa plant in
Punjab which was fourth plant of Ranbaxy after Mohali, Paonta Sahib amd Dewas plants.

Australian cricket team won Womens T20 World Cup 2014

Australian women cricket team on 6 April 2014 won the Womens World Twenty20 Cup 2014
cup defeating England in the final match in Mirpur, Dhaka. It defeated England by six wickets with
29 balls left to be bowled. This was the third successive Womens World Twenty20 title won by
Australian womens cricket team.
Australias captain Meg Lanning (she was the highest scorer of the tournament with
257 runs)
Englands captain Charlotte Edwards
Player of the match SJ Coyte (Australia)
Player of the series A Shrubsole (England) for taking 12 wickets in the tournament

Group stage
Group A: Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Pakistan, Ireland
Group B: England, West Indies, India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh

ICC World Twenty20 Bangladesh 2014 Tournament

The ICC World Twenty20 Bangladesh 2014 was held from 16 March to 6 April 2014. In overall
a total of 62 tournament matches were played (35 mens and 27 womens) across Chittagong, Dhaka
and Sylhet in the 22-day tournament.

Interesting Fact
Ellyse Alexandra Perry, the Australian all-rounder, is also the football player in Australian
football team.

Lee Chong Wei & Shixian Wang won India Super Series Badminton titles
Defending champion, Lee Chong Wei of Malaysia on 6 March 2014 won the mens singles
title of 250000 US dollar India Super Series Badminton in New Delhi. To retain the mens singles
title, he defeated Chen Long of China in straight-game by 21-13, 21-17. This was the third title for
World Number one badminton player Chong Wei, of the season.
On the other hand, second seed Shixian Wang won the womens singles title by defeating top seed Li
Xuerui 22-20, 21-19.
The womens double title was clinched by Yuanting Tang and Yang (F) Yu of China after
defeating the Korean pair of Kyung Eun Jung and Ha Na Kim 21-10, 13-21, 21-16.

The list of 100 Most Influential Asian People of 2014 released

The Asian Awards Ltd released a list of the 100 Most Influential Asian People of 2014 on 6
April 2014. Chinese President Xi Jinping topped the list of the 100 Most Influential Asian People.

35

Congress chief Sonia Gandhi, BJP Prime Ministerial candidate Narendra Modi and Congress leader
Rahul Gandhi are among the top 5 in the list.
Sonia Gandhi is on second, followed by Modi at fourth position, Rahul Gandhi at fifth position
and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh at sixth position.
Others in top 10 are: Chinese Premier Le Keqiang (3); Sir Li Ka Shing, Hong Kong-based
business tycoon (7); UN chief Ban Ki Moon (8); Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe (9); South Korea
President Park Guen-Hye (10).
Other Indian in the 100 most influential Asian people list are
Union finance minister P Chidambaram (11); President Pranab Mukherjee (19); Mukesh Ambani
(21); West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee (42); Social activist Anna Hazare (46); CEO of
Pepsi Co. Indra Nooyi (47); Amartya Sen, Nobel Prize winner for Economics (52); MD of ICICI Bank,
Chanda Kochhar (54); Film star Amitabh Bachchan (63); Cultural icon Rajnikanth (66); Film star,
Aamir Khan (68); Sachin Tendulkar (76); Actress Aishwarya Rai (84); Star Salman Khan (98);
Cricketer, M S Dhoni (99).
Paul Sagoo, businessman was the founder of The Asian Awards. As per release the aim of
the list is simple, to showcase the most influential Asian people in the world today.
08-APR-2014

VK Murthy, the renowned cinematographer died

VK Murthy, the renowned cinematographer and Dada Saheb Phalke awardee died on 7 April
2014 at his residence in Shankarapuram. He was 91 and was famous for his camera work in Guru
Dutts classics like Pyaasa and Sahib, Bibi Aur Ghulam.
Now he is survived by his daughter Chaya Murthy.

About VK Murthy (Venkatarama Pandit Krishnamurthy)

He was the first cinematographer to be chosen for the prestigious Dada Saheb Phalke
award for 2008. He received the hounour on 19 January 2010
For his contribution to Indian cinema, he received the International Indian Film Academy
Lifetime Achievement Award in 2005
In 1959, he won the Filmfare Best Cinematographer award
He was born on 26 November 1923 and pursued diploma in Cinematography in the first
batch of 1943 to 46 from the Sri Jayachamarajendra Polytechnic

Dhoni named captain of ICC World T20 team

Mahendra Singh Dhoni, the captain of Indian cricket team on 7 April 2014 was named as
the captain of the ICC World T20 team. The selected team for the ICC World Team includes other
Indians like Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma and Ravichandran Ashwin.
The World Team includes four players from India, two from both South Africa and West Indies, and
one representative each from Australia, Netherlands and Sri Lanka.Players selected under the
list of 2014 ICC World Team of the Tournament
Rohit Sharma India
Stephan Myburgh Netherlands
Virat Kohli India
J.P. Duminy - South Africa
Glenn Maxwell Australia
Mahendra Singh Dhoni - India captain
Darren Sammy - West Indies
Ravichandran Ashwin India
Dale Steyn - South Africa
Samuel Badree - West Indies
Lasith Malinga - Sri Lanka
12th Player: Krishmar Santokie - West Indies
The team has been selected be a group of experts, mainly depending on the statistics of
their performances during the ICC World Twenty20 2014 tournament in Bangladesh.

Chairman of the Selection panel and member of the Emirates Elite Panel
of ICC Match Referees David Boon
Apart from this ICC on the same day also announced the names of the 2014 Womens Team
of the Tournament, withEnglands Charlotte Edwardsas its captain for second time consecutively.
This team in all includes four-representatives from England, two from each Australia and West
Indies. The team includes one player each from India, Bangladesh and New Zealand.

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Ashish Bose foremost demographer died at 83

Ashish Bose, veteran demographer, 83, died in New Delhi due to illness on 7 April 2014.
Asish Bose was best known for coining the term BIMARU in one page of research paper to then
Prime Minister, Rajiv Gandhi.
BIMARU refer to the four grossly under-developed states of Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan
and Uttar Pradesh in the 1980s. Later it was expanded to BIMAROU which included the Orissa. Bose
argument was to control the population of country the government should focus on these states as
they accounted for more than 40 percent of countrys population.
He headed the Population Research Centre at the Institute of Economic Growth. He wrote 25 books
on population and development such as Growing old in India: Voice Reveal, Statistics Speak and
Darkness at Noon: Female Foeticide.

Indias Heena Sidhu clinched Worlds No. 1 spot in 10 mts air pistol event
Heena Sindhu, the Indian shooter on 7 April 2014 clinched the Worlds Number One spot in
10 meters air pistol event. By achieving this fete, she became the first Indian pistol shooter to be
ranked at the top position in the list.
Sindhu clinched the first spot in the rankings list by replacing the worldchampion Zorana
Arunovic of Serbia with total pf 1699 rating points. Zorana is now placed at the second position in
the list with 1514 points. Chinas Wenjun Guo with 1190 points is placed at the third position.
The rankings was released by International Shooting Sport Federation claimed that Sindhu
was successful in achieving the World Number 1 spot through her performances in the recent
events.
Earlier, Sindhu won a gold medal in the Asian Air Gun Championship in March 2014 and
she also finished with a silver medal at the ISSF rifle or pistol World Cup in Fort Benning in United
States. In the world Cup 2013 in Munich she shot a world record score to win a gold medal.

Jhumpa Lahiris Lowland shortlisted for 2014 Baileys Womens Prize

for Fiction
Indian American novelist, Jhumpa Lahiris Lowland has been shortlisted for the 2014 Baileys
Womens Prize for Fiction on 8 April 2014. Five other books have also been shortlisted for the prize.
This is the UKs only annual book award for fiction written by a woman and this years prize winner
will be announced on 4 June 2014 in London.
Lowland published in 2013 is a book set in Kolkata and Rhode Island in the US and narrates
a story about the lives of two brothers (Subhash and Udayan), their choices and their fate. Earlier,
the book was also shortlisted for Man Booker Prize.

Other shortlisted authors and their books are

Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie - Americanah
Hannah Kent- Burial Rites
Audrey Magee - The Undertaking
Eimear McBride - A Girl is a Half-formed Thing
Donna Tartt - The Goldfinch

About Jhumpa Lahiri

She is a Pulitzer Prize-winning Indian American novelist
Her novel Namesake (2003) was adapted under the same title for the popular film
Lahiri is a member of the Presidents Committee on the Arts and Humanities, appointed
by U.S. President Barack Obama
Her short story collection entitled Interpreter of Maldives (1999) won the 2000 Pulitzer
Prize for Fiction

About Baileys BAILEYS Womens Prize for Fiction

Baileys Prize was set up in 1996 with an aim to celebrate and promote international fiction
by women throughout the world to the widest range of readers possible. Earlier it was known as the
Orange Prize.
This prize is awarded annually and it celebrates excellence, originality and accessibility in
womens writing from throughout the world. The winner of the prize receives a cheque for 30000
and a limited edition bronze known as a Bessie, created by the artist Grizel Niven.

Previous winners of BAILEYS Womens Prize for Fiction

2013 Winner: May We Be Forgiven by A.M. Homes

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 2012 Winner: The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller

2011 Winner: The Tigers Wife by Tea Obreht
2010 Winner: The Lacuna by Barbara Kingsolver

First two winners of the prize are

1996 Winner: A Spell of Winter by Helen Dunmore
1997 Winner: Fugitive Pieces by Anne Michaels

Mickey Rooney, the American film actor died

Mickey Rooney, an American film actor and entertainer died on 7 April 2014. He died in
California at the age of 93.

About Mickey Rooney

Rooney was child actor, who became the worlds top box office star
He started his career at the age of 18 months
He was nominated for four Academy Awards and also received two special Oscars for his
body of work
He was married eight times and was separated from his last wife in January 2012 after
getting married in 1978
He was awarded an Oscar for lifetime achievement in 1983
He won the Golden Globe award for his performance of a mentally disabled adult in the
made-for-TV-movie Bill
His career in film industry spanned for about nine decades

China dug the 7 km deep borehole over Tibetan Plateau

Chinese exploration teams on 7 April 2014 drilled a seven-kilometre-deep borehole in the
resource-rich Himalayan region of Tibet. The drilling aimed to tap the oil and natural gas resources
of the region.
Chinas energy giants Sinopec and China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC) carried
out exploration projects on the Tibetan plateau.
CNPC began exploring the Qiangtang Basin in central Tibet in 1995 and subsequently
estimated the basins oil reserves at 10 billion tonnes, or more than 70 billion barrels.
In 1997, Sinopec established its first exploration centre in Nagqu county, with the aim of
mapping the surrounding area with detailed seismic surveys and experimental drilling.
In August 2013, the China Geological Survey, under the Ministry of Land and Resources,
signed a 20 million yuan (USD 3.5 million) exploration agreement with Sinopec after the Tibet
region showed enormous oil and natural gas potential.
Tibets altitude and geology make it among the worlds most difficult drilling locations. Besides
energy reserves, the plateau is also said to hold among Chinas biggest reserves of copper, iron, gold
and other minerals.
The discovery of commercially viable flows of oil and natural gas has the potential to develop
Tibets economy.
The worlds deepest borehole, the Kola Superdeep Borehole in Russia, was drilled to a depth
of 12,262 metres by the former Soviet Union in 1980s.

Itanagar got its first passenger train

Itanagar, the capital city of Arunachal Pradesh on 7 April 2014 received its first passenger
train. With this Itanagar became the second state capital after Guwahati among the seven sister
north-eastern states plus Sikkim to be placed on the railway map of India. The train includes 10
passengers and two goods compartment and will be carried by a diesel engine.
The trains first journey started from Dekargaon and ended at Naharlagun after covering a
distance of 181 km. During the journey the train carried about 400 commuters has also put Itanagar
on the countrys railway map. First ticket of the train for Naharlagun at Dekargaon railway station
was bought by CD Sharma for 35 rupees.

Background
Manmohan Singh, the Prime Minister of India announced the plan of introduction of train
services in his package for the state on 31 January 2008.
The maiden trial run of the engine was done on 14 January 2014 from Harmutty to Naharlagun
terminus. Further, the same line was inspected on 17 January 2014 by a high-level team led by the
Planning Commission member (North East and Power) B K Chaturvedi.

38

Pro-Russian activists of Donetsk proclaimed their independence from

Ukraine
Pro-Russian activists of Donetsk on 7 April 2014 proclaimed their independence from Ukraine.
The protesters asked Russia to send in troops to protect them from the Ukrainian Government.
They occupied the regional government headquarters in Donetsk and set up a Peoples Council of
Donetsk.
The self-proclaimed Council decided to call a referendum on splitting from Ukraine and
joining Russia before 11 May 2014. This demand for referendum is similar to the demand for
referendum in Crimea. The referendum will decide the status of region.
The region has maximum Russian speakers and they are showing their support over the
independence from Ukraine. In the event of referendum getting approved, the region may witness
annexation similarly on the lines of Crimea.
The activists of Donetsk were coordinating their referendum plans with pro-Russia forces
in Kharkiv and Lugansk. These three regions in the eastern Ukraine are the most developed
industrial regions bordering Russia and have much more in common with neighbouring Russian
provinces than with western Ukraine.

UK legalised sale of self-testing kits for HIV

A new law legalizing sale of self-testing kits for HIV came into force in United Kingdom (UK)
on 6 April 2014. The new law allows individuals to buy the self-testing kits available on shops and
self-diagnose for HIV at home itself. The new law was approved by the UK Government in September
2013.
Testing could involve taking a small drop of blood from a finger, or a swab from the inside of
the mouth which can be easily read by people with no medical knowledge or training.
The law will ensure that more people, who are HIV positive, are diagnosed and that they are
diagnosed early. This is important because about 25 per cent of HIV positive people in the UK do not
know they are HIV positive and these are the people most likely to pass on the infection.
The tests could be introduced into the UK this year or in early 2015. Although the UK is
leading Europe in making the kits available over the counter but no tests have yet been developed
that pass European guidelines. These self-testing kits were introduced in the US in 2012.
Currently, people can take HIV tests at home but they have to send a saliva, or blood, sample
to a lab which will give them their results after the sample has been analysed.

Lewis Hamilton won the Bahrain Grand Prix of Formula1 (F1) car racing
Lewis Hamilton of Britain won the Bahrain Grand Prix in Manama Bahrain on 6 April 2014.
Hamilton finished 1.085 seconds ahead of his Mercedes teammate Nico Rosberg of Germany. This
was his first victory in four years in the Persian Gulf.
Sahara Force Indias Sergio Perez of Mexico finished third followed by Red bulls Daniel
Ricciardo of Australia at fourth place, Force Indias Nico Hulkenberg of Germany at fifth and Sebastian
Vettel of Germany at sixth.

Drivers Standing after the end of Bahrain Grand Prix

1. Nico Rosberg (Mercedes): 61 points
2. Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes): 50 points
3. Nico Hulkenberg (Force India): 28 points
4. Fernando Alonso (Ferrari): 26 points
5. Jenson Button (McLaren): 23 points

Construction Points after the end of Bahrain Grand Prix

1. Mercedes: 111 points
2. Force India: 44 points
3. McLaren: 43 points
4. RedBull: 35 points
5. Ferrari: 33 points

Force India Highs in F1 car racing

Sahara Force India reached the giddy heights of second place in the Formula One
constructors championship.
Giancarlo Fisichella got the first podium for the team at 2009 Belgian Grand Prix at Spa,
finishing second.

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 Last year Paul Di Resta managed to finish fourth in Bahrain and 2012 Singapore GP while
Nico Hulkenberg in European Grand Prix in 2012.
This is the best-ever start to the season for Sahara Force India and the team now has 44
points from 3 races.
09-APR-2014

Indian cricket team lost number one spot to Sri Lanka in ICC T20 rankings
Indian cricket team on 8 April 2014 lost their number one status in the latest ICC Twenty20
rankings released after the T20 world cup 2014 in Bangladesh. It has been replaced by Sri Lanka
who won the final match of the ICC World Twenty20 Bangladesh 2014 played in Mirpur, Dhaka after
defeating Indian team to emerge as the World T-20 new Champions. To emerge as the top team in
the T20 cricket tournament list, Sri Lanka gained three ratings points to finish on 133, which is
three ahead of India.
On the other hand, in the player rankings list Virat Kohli and Ravichandran Ashwin attained
their career-high positions. Kohli, the highest run scorer of the tournament (with 319 runs at an
average of 106.33 and a strike-rate of 129.14) rose to second spot.
In the list of bowlers rankings, Ashwin rose to the third spot and he shares the position with
Pakistans Saeed Ajmal. To achieve this ranking Ashwin finished the tournament with 11 wickets
at an average of 11.27 and economy rate of 5.35 runs per over. He emerged as the fourth highest
wicket taker in the tournament.
The other only Indian batsman in the list of top 10 is Suresh Raina at 10th position. The top
ranked player in batting list is Australian batsman Aaron Finch.

Rankings of the top ten teams in ICC Twenty20 rankings are

Top ten batsmen in Twenty20 rankings
1. A.J. Finch of Australia
2. V. Kohli of India
3. A.D. Hales of England
4. B.B. McCullum of New Zealand
5. M.D.K.J. Perera of Sri Lanka
6. F. du Plessis of South Africa
7. J.P. Duminy of South Africa
8. Ahmed Shehzad of Pakistan
9. D.A. Warner of Australia
10. S.K. Raina of India

Top ten bowlers in Twenty20 rankings

1. S. Badree of West Indies
2. S.P. Narine of West Indies
3. Saeed Ajmal of Pakistan and R. Ashwin of India
4. S.M.S.M Senanayake of Sri Lanka
5. M.A. Starc of Australia
6. N.L. McCullum of New Zealand
7. K.M.D.N. Kulasekara of Sri Lanka
8. Mohammad Hafeez of Pakistan of Shahid Afridi of Pakistan

Indias first aircraft carrier, INS Vikrant sold for 60 crore rupees
INS Vikrant, the decommissioned aircraft carrier of the Indian Navy has been sold for 60
crore rupees in first week of April 2014 to a company named IB Commercial Pvt Ltd. INS Vikrant.
The Indian Navys first aircraft carrier played an important role during the 1971 Indo-Pak war.
INS Vikrant was sold to IB Commercial Pvt Ltd during an auction process, which was completed
in 1st week of April 2014.

About INS Vikrant

The aircraft carrier, INS Vikrant was purchased from Britain in 1957 and was commissioned
on 4 March 1961. It played an important role in enforcement of the naval blockade of East Pakistan
during the war.
It was decommissioned on 31 January 1997. It was auctioned after the Maharashtra
government expressed its inability to maintain Vikrant.

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Background
Earlier, the Bombay High Court in January 2014 was informed by the Union Ministry of
Defence that the ship has completed its operational life. This High Court wanted a response of the
Defence Ministry during the hearing of the PIL that opposed the plan to scrap the ship. The
Maharashtra government said that process of preserving the ship as a museum would not be
financially viable.

Current Affairs Bulletin, April 2014, March 31 - 6 April - Part-II

Jagranjosh.com brings you the Part-II of the CA Bulletin of the Week 31 March to 6 April
which will be of immense help in your road to preparation.
RBI adopted CPI as new measure of Inflation
World Autism Awareness Day celebrated across the world
RBI approved banking licences to IDFC Ltd and Bandhan financial services
EC confirmed Amir Khan as its National Icon for Lok Sabha election 2014
HAL received the Most Efficient Navratna Award 2013

Andrea Petkovic won third WTA title at the Family Circle Cup
Andrea Petkovic of Germany on 6 April 2014 won her first WTA title in last three years at the
Family Circle Cup in Charleston, United States. She won the title after defeating Jana Cepelova of
Slovakia in straight sets 7-5, 6-2.
Overall, this is the third WTA title for Petkovic and first since her come back from the string
of injuries in recent years. Petkovic last won in Strasbourg in 2011 and her first title came in 2009
in Bad Gastein.
Earlier, the 20-year-old, Cepelova knocked out the world No. 1 Serena Williams in te second
round.

Obama issued executive orders to erase gender disparity among US

government workforce
Barack Obama, President of the US on 8 April 2014 issued two executive orders aimed at
erasing gender disparities in pay among the government workforce. Obama claimed that the gender
pay gap across US economy is not a right thing.
One of the signed directive bars the federal contractors from retaliating against employees
for discussing pay. The second directive requires such contractors to provide compensation data by
race and gender to the Department of Labor.
The two national parties of US, the Democrat and Republicans rebuked for blocking equal
pay legislation as both the sides vie for female voters.
Census bureau data released earlier in US shows that on average the women earn 77 cents
only for every dollar a men earns. Earlier, the Conservatives have rejected similar legislations in
the upper chamber of Congress in 2010 and 2012.

Spanish Parliament rejected referendum on Catalonian independence

The Parliament of Spain on 8 April 2014 voted to reject the request by the Catalan authorities
to hold a referendum on independence on 9 November 2014. In the voting held 299 MPs voted
against the motion, 47 (Catalan and Basque nationalist parties) voted in support with one abstention.
Earlier, Mariano Rajoy, the Spanish Prime Minister warned that this referendum would be
an economic disaster for both Spain and Catalonia. He also claimed that the Constitution of Spain
says that referendum on sovereignty must be held nationally and not regionally.

About Catalan (Catalonia) Nationalism

The region is one of the most developed regions of Spain with a population of 7.5 million. It
accounts for a fifth of the Spanish economy and 16 percent of its population.
Catalonia, the land of artists Joan Miro and Salvador Dali and architect Antoni Gaudi, is also
home to some of Spains biggest companies, including banks Caixabank and Sabadell, global
infrastructure company Abertis and utility Gas Natural.
The Catalonia region already enjoys a wide degree of autonomy. The region already has
significant self-governing powers over its education and health systems and its police. Yet the
Catalan nationalism attained greater momentum after the recent economic crisis in Spain.
The independence movement for the Catalonian region mainly arose from the perception
that tax system of Spain is extremely unfair and from the tussle over the Catalan-language education
system.

41

The authorities of Catalonia have been fighting with the Spanish government since very
long demanding Catalonian independence. In this regard, in December 2013, Catalonian government
had put forth two questions before the electorates of Catalonia. These were: whether they wanted
Catalonia to be a state or they wanted it to be an independent state.

A Smartphone battery Nanodots that recharges in 30 seconds developed

An Israeli startup StoreDot on 8 April 2014 developed a new smart phone battery called
Nanodots. The new battery can recharge a smart phone in just 30 seconds. The firm demonstrated
the battery Nanodots at the Microsofts Think Next symposium in Tel Aviv, Israel.
The Nanodots batteries are made of naturally occurring crystals made of short chain of
amino acids called peptides. These are two nanometers in diameter with significant chemical
properties. These are:
Due to their small size they can help improve electrode capacitance and electrolyte
performance.
It can fully charge a dead battery of a smart phone in seconds rather than hours.
These are environment friendly and non-toxic as compared to other Nanodot and quantumdot technologies that are heavy metal based.
These batteries are cheap to manufacture because nanodots are naturally abundant, and
it employs a basic biological mechanism of self-assembly.
In essence, Nanodots are a new generation of electrodes with new materials called Multi
Function Electrode
Although the battery demonstrated is the size of a small brick, but the company has announced
to develop the device small enough to pack into a standard smartphone by 2016.
The advance could change the way we interact with portable electronics, and perhaps even help
realise the dream of a fast-charging electric car.

Ernesto Gainza set a new Guinness record of skydiving using smallest

parachute
Ernesto Gainza of UAE on 7 April 2014 set a new Guinness record for skydiving using the
worlds smallest parachute. He jumped from 14000 feet with a canopy the size of a bed sheet. Ernesto
Gainza is a member from the Skydive Dubai parachute team of United Arab Emirates.
During his three-and-a-half-minute descent, Ernesto Gainza used a parachute measuring
only 35 square feet. Ernesto has already performed more than 7000 jumps but he spent a year in
training for his attempt.
The previous record was set by Brazilian Luigi Cani in 2006 with a 3.4 square metre
parachute. The jump of Ernesto took 0.18 sq m off the previous record for smallest canopy.
Expert sky divers use parachutes that range in size from 80 to 200 square feet, and even the
smallest of the high-performance canopy sizes developed over the last ten years average between
70 and 90 square feet.
The larger the parachute is, the steadier and safer the jumper will be, as more air resistance
is generated in the process.

About Guinness World Records

Guinness World Records was conceived in 1955 as Guinness Books of Records and till 2000
it was known by its original name. It is a reference book published annually, containing a collection
of world records, both human achievements and the extremes of the natural world.
Guinness World Records do not pay any money to those who break or set records. However,
they do award an official certificate of the achievement free of charge.

Viktor Orban re-elected as Prime Minister of Hungary

Viktor Orban was re-elected as Prime Minister of Hungary for the second consecutive fouryear term. The results of general elections were announced on 8 April 2014. The General
parliamentary elections were held on 6 April 2014.
Out of the total votes casted, Orbans Fidesz party won 133 of 199 parliament seats. The left
alliance which was led by Attila Mesterhazy won 38 seats while the far-right Jobbik party won 23
seats.
Although, The Fidesz party won the two-third majority to form the Government, however, a
twenty percent vote for the far-right opposition Jobbik party, accused of anti-Semitism, raised
concerns among ethnic minorities.
The general election of 2014 was the first election in accordance to the new Constitution of
Hungary which came into force on 1 January 2012.

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Orban was first elected as the PM of Hungary in 1998 and for the second time in 2010. His
re-election for the second consecutive term does not augur well for the already strained relationship
between European Union (EU) and Hungary. He has already faced criticism from the EU and foreign
investors over his staunch defence of the national interest and has been criticized as increasingly
authoritarian.

Election Procedure of Hungary

The Republic of Hungary is a parliamentary democracy, where parliamentary elections are
held every four years. Hungary has a mixed electoral system, based on majority and proportional
representation.
The Hungarian unicameral Parliament (also called National Assembly) has a total of 386
members, of whom 176 represent the electorate, each member representing the people in one
single-member constituency.
They are elected directly by voters in the given constituency, while 210 members are elected
from party lists and national lists, based on proportional representation. This means that each
voter casts two ballots on Election Day, one for a candidate and one for a party.
The president of the Republic of Hungary is elected in a secret ballot by at least two thirds or,
after two unsuccessful votes, by a simple majority of MPs for a five-year term. The prime minister is
elected by a simple majority of MPs for four years. Real power lies with the prime minister.

20th anniversary of Rwanda genocide marked at the Kigali genocide

memorial centre
Rwanda on 7 April 2014 marked the 20th Anniversary of the beginning of devastating 100day genocide. President Paul Kagame and Ban Ki-moon, the UN secretary general, lit a flame at the
Kigali genocide memorial centre.
It was estimated that more than 1 million Rwandans perished in three months of machete
and gunfire attacks, mostly by extremist Hutus on the countrys minority Tutsi population.
Hundreds of mass graves were dug across the country to bury the victims of what the
government says was a long-planned killing spree that ignited after the plane of the then-president
Juvenal Habyarimana, a Hutu, was shot down. Kagame led a Tutsi military force from neighbouring
Uganda into Rwanda to end the mass murders.

Background
The Rwandan Genocide was a genocidal mass slaughter of Tutsi and moderate Hutu in
Rwanda by members of the Hutu majority. During the approximate 100-day period from April 7, 1994
to mid-July, an estimated 500,0001,000,000 Rwandans were killed, constituting as much as 20%
of the countrys total population and 70% of the Tutsi then living in Rwanda.
The genocide was planned by members of the core political elite known as the akazu, many of whom
occupied positions at top levels of the national government.

Van der Lugt, dutch priest shot dead in Homs

A Dutch priest Frans Van der Lugt was shot dead on 7 April 2014 in Homs by a gunman. He
was 70. The motive behind Fr van der Lugts killing is unclear.
Frans van der Lugt had become a renowned figure in the rebel-held area that has been blockaded by
government forces for nearly two years.
He had refused to be evacuated, saying he would not leave Homs while there were still Christians
in the city.
Fr van der Lugt spent nearly five decades in Syria and considered the country to be his
home. A Jesuit, Fr van der Lugt arrived in Syria in 1966 after spending two years in Lebanon
studying Arabic.
He lived in a Jesuit monastery, where he ministered to the areas remaining Christians
and tried to help poor families.

EU Court struck down the EU Data Retention Directive

European Court of Justice (ECJ) on 8 April 2014 struck down the EU Data Retention Directive
that forced telecom operators to store private phone and email data for up to two years.
ECJ ruled that the requirement for mobile operators and internet service providers to retain
data interfered with the fundamental rights of the citizens. It violated the right to respect for private
life and to the protection of personal data.
While the court noted that the law was useful in fighting serious crime, it ruled there was
insufficient oversight to prevent abuse and ensure the datas destruction at the end of the retention

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period. The 28 member states of European Union (EU) were asked to take the necessary steps to
withdraw it.
The court gave the ruling in the backdrop of a petition filed by the Digital Rights Ireland. The
petitioners challenged the Irelands data retention law arguing that the directive was a breach of
the right to privacy under the European Convention on Human Rights and the Charter of Fundamental
Rights.
The Directive was adopted by the EU in 2006. It mandated the EU states to store individuals
Internet, mobile telephone and text metadata the time, date, duration and destination, albeit not
the content of the communications themselves for six months to two years. This was issued with
the intention to fight terrorism.

10-APR-2014
Jagranjosh.com brings you the Part-III of the CA Bulletin of the Week 31 March to 6 April
which will be of immense help in your road to preparation.
Qatar based Doha Bank announced to open its First branch in Mumbai
ISRO successfully launched IRNSS 1B from Sriharikota
Google launched the 360 degree online view of Angkor Wat in Cambodia
Indian-origin Sunil Sabharwal nominated US Alternate Executive Director of IMF
MCA notified rules on providing insurance cover for public deposits
11-APR-2014

Sachin became 1st Indian cricketer on cover page of Wisden Cricketers

Almanack
The 151st edition of the Wisden Cricketers Almanack published on 9 April 2014 carries a
picture of Sachin Tendulkar on its cover page. With this Sachin Tendulkar, the Indian cricketer,
who retired from International cricket in November 2013 and ended his glorious 24-year long career,
became the 1st Indian cricketer to be featured on the cover page of the Almanack.
The yellow page of the Wisden Cricketers Almanack had shown Tendulkar walking out of
the Wankhede stadium after completing his last innings against the West Indies in November
2013. The captured photograph had shown Tendulkar acknowledging the crowd with his bat raised.
The 2014 edition of Wisden Cricketers was published in London. Lawrence Booth is the
editor of the edition that carried Sachin on the cover page.
Earlier, Sachin was chosen to feature on the cover page of the second edition of the Wisden India
Almanack. The Indian edition was edited by Suresh Menon.

About the Wisden Cricketers Almanack

The British-based Wisden Cricketers Almanack for the first time was published in 1864
and since then it is being published annually. It is termed as the Bible of Cricket and for the first
time the term was used by Alec Waugh in the 1930s in a review for the London Mercury.

WB projected economic growth rate of 5.7% for India in 2014-15 fiscal

The World Bank on 9 April 2014 projected that the economic growth rate of India for the
fiscal year 2014-2015 will be 5.7 percent. In its forecast the World Bank said that the growth would
be backed on the more competitive exchange rate and many large investments going forward.
World Bank in its latest edition of South Asia Economic Focus has said that the Indian
conditions would be bolstered by the permanently more competitive exchange rate and progress
towards clearance of important investment projects; India may see an acceleration of growth (factor
costs) in financial year 2013-14 to 4.8 percent further increase to 5.7 percent during fiscal year
2014-15.
Apart from this, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) in its release has also forecasted
that the Indian economy would recover from 4.4 percent growth in 2013 to 5.4 percent in 2014.
World Bank also said that India needs to bring in some necessary reforms to create a better
environment and spur growth for private sector. According to him, the private sector strongly feels
that India is a difficult place to do business due to many regulations.

Ratan Tata appointed member of China-backed Board of Boao Forum for

Asia
Ratan Tata on 10 April 2014 was appointed as a member of the Board of Boao Forum for Asia
(BFA). The post is a rare distinction for an Indian in the Chinese government-backed influential
body.
Ratan Tata is one of the 15 members of the Board of BFA. The other influential personalities
includes former Japanese Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda, former Malaysian Prime Minister Abdullah

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Ahmad Badwai, former Singapore Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong and former Prime Minister of
France Jean-Pierre Raffarin besides former US Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson. The Federation
of Indian Chambers of Commerce (FICCI) is an ordinary member of the forum.
The appointment of Ratan Tata to the board of the BFA is seen as part of Chinas efforts to
push closer ties with India.
Tata is the most successful Indian business group in China. TCS has also done well by
making forays into the local Chinese IT market. Range Rover SUV manufactured by TATA-owned
Jaguar Land Rover is a big hit in China.
BFA was formed in 2001 on the lines of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. It
has its fixed address in Boao in Hainan province of China, although the Secretariat is based in
Beijing.
Every year top political and business leaders of World gather at Boao to brain storm on global
political and economic issues.

BFA
The founding of the BFA was driven by the Peoples Republic of China and founded by 26
Asian and Australasian states on 27 February 2001. The organisation held its first meeting on 12
April 2002.
Initiated in 1998 by Fidel V. Ramos, former President of the Philippines, Bob Hawke, former
Prime Minister of Australia, and Morihiro Hosokawa, former Prime Minister of Japan, the Boao
Forum for Asia was formally inaugurated in February 2001.
The Boao Forum for Asia is a non-profit organisation that hosts high-level forums for leaders
from government, business and academia in Asia and other continents to share their vision on the
most pressing issues in this dynamic region and the world at large.
The Forum is committed to promoting regional economic integration and bringing Asian
countries even closer to their development goals.

Shompens of A & N islands casted votes for the first time for Lok Sabha
Shompens of Andaman & Nicobar (A&N) islands for the first time casted their votes in Great
Nicobar on 10 April 2014. Shompens - one of the stone-age tribes - casted the votes for the Lok
Sabha constituency of Bay Islands for Lok Sabaha election 2014.
Shompens are one of the six tribes that inhabit the forest in the southern-most tip of the
country. They are classified as primitive tribal group along with the four other tribes Jarawa,
Andamanese, Onge and the Sentinelese.
According to 2011 Census, their population is only 229 and about 60 Shompens cast their
votes at the polling station which is in the interior jungle in Great Nicobar Biosphere reserve.

About Shompens
The Shompens have very limited contact with outsiders and live in about 12 habitations
made of bamboo and leaf thatch.
The Shompens are of Mongoloid stock and they are skilled hunter-gatherers but they do not
have knowledge of raise plantation of various crops. Primarily they survive on the hunting and
gathering, besides honey and fish.

Heartbleed: A new security threat

Heartbleed is a new security threat which adversely impacts the online safety of internet
users worldwide. This threat can result into compromising of confidential information. This problem
is limited to OpenSSL, a variant of SSL/TLS, but OpenSSL software is used by a large no. of websites.
This threat is believed to be a result of a programming error in OpenSSL software by Robin
Seggelmann a German Software developer. About two years ago, he submitted new features of
OpenSSL while working on its update. In one of the features, he forgot to validate a variable containing
length and so did his coworkers. This essentially means that an opening is created in SSL/TLS, an
encryption technology marked by the small, closed padlock and https: on Web browsers to show that
traffic is secure. Another worry of the security experts is that this error had been unnoticed since
past two years.

Impact
This error makes it possible to snoop on Internet traffic even if the padlock is closed.
Secured keys which are used for deciphering the confidential data can be accessed without
the knowledge of owners.

45

 This can result into of compromising of emails, commerce applications and instant messages
and other encrypted information.
Anonymous persons can snoop information from computer server and steal information.

Remedial Measures
Though a new fixed version of OpenSSL has been released but now the individual website
administrators are required to use this version and make required changes. On an individual level,
one needs to change passwords, but the websites which are being used needs to implement the
newer fixed version.

5 Tools which can help in securing online data

Tor Browser
It encrypts total network traffic of your computer and help in browsing online anonymously.
B1 Archiver
It helps in archiving and making the data password protected. Thus, it facilitates in sending
confidential information in a routine manner.
OpenPuff
This tool uses steganography to merge your data in a multimedia files. The receiver needs
to use file password (shared by the sender) to read the file.
CryptoCat
This tool is helpful in securing online chatting.
TrueCrypt
This tool helps in creating hidden volumes and encrypting hard drives.
Instagram, Tumblr, Google, Yahoo, Gmail, Yahoo mail, Amazon web services and GoDaddy
were some of the major service providers.

Bangalore based Aditi Technologies acquired by Symphony Teleca Corp

Symphony Teleca Corp (STC) a U.S. based software service provider on 10 April 2014 made
announcement about its acquisition of Aditi Technologies. STC declared that the reason behind
this acquisition is that the company is aimed at building its capabilities to deliver Systems of
Engagement (SOE). These SOE are cusp of Cloud, Mobile and analytics technologies. Aditi
Technologies specializes in cloud technologies and services whereas STCs is strong in the areas of
Mobile and Analytics. This acquisition is yet to be approved by Foreign Promotion Board.
SOE interlink front end Mobile software with back-end enterprise software. These are then
connected with customers by using smart phones. On the other hand, Big data analytics in the
back-end help in understanding behaviour of customers.
The deal will facilitate STC in serving different customers such as, independent software
vendors, enterprises and connected systems manufacturers. According to a Zinnov report, the SOE
market is expected to grow to $111 billion in 2020 from $33 billion in 2013.
The combined employee strength is reported to be about 7,500 employees across 40 global
offices across the Europe, Asia and North America and South America. Post acquisition, Aditi
Technologies will function as a new division of STC. There will also be no changes at the leadership
level and it will be led by Pradeep Rathinam. The STC is owned by Romesh Wadhwani.

Shikhar Dhawan named among Wisdens Five Cricketers of the Year

Shikhar Dhawan, the Indian cricketer on 9 April 2014 was named as one of the Five
Cricketers of 2014 for his performance in 2013.The other four to be named under the list of
cricketer of the year are
Chris Rogers and Ryan Harris of Australia
Joe Root of England
Charlotte Edwards, the captain of womens team of England
These names were announced in London.
Dhawan was honoured for being the highest run-scorer during Indias triumph in the ICC Champions
trophy in which he scored 363 runs in five ODIs at an average of 90.75. He was the Man of the
Series performance in the Champions Trophy 2013. Dhawan in 2013 scored 1162 runs in 26 ODIs
at an average of 50.52.
Australian duo Ryan Harris and Chris Rogers along with the English Joe Root were honoured
for their contributions to the 2013 Ashes. Edwards was chosen for leading the English side to the
finals of the World Twenty20 tournament and became the second woman to be named under the
Wisden Cricketer of the Year list.

46

Dale Steyn, the South African fast bowler has been judged as the Leading cricketer in the
World. He is the second South African cricketer after Jacques Kallis to be selected as the Wisdens
Leading Cricketer of the world. Kallis was named in 2007.
The Leading Cricketer of the World award has no such limit like Cricketer of the year and it
recognises the strongest international performance of the previous year.

About Wisdens Cricketers of the Year

Wisden Cricketer of the year dates back to 1889 and since then the honour is given annually.
The list of the Cricketer of the Year is chosen by the editor of the Wisden Cricketers Almanack
depending upon their excellence and performance of the previous English summer. This title can
be won by any cricketer only once in his/her career.
In the previous release the Wisdens Cricketer of the year were HM Amla, NRD Compton, JH
Kallis, MN Samuels and DW Steyn. In the first edition in 1889 the cricketers to be nominated under
the list were J Briggs, JJ Ferris, GA Lohmann, R Peel, CTB Turner and SMJ Woods.

International aid organisations launched series of emergency measures in

West Africa against Ebola
International aid organisations launched a series of emergency measures against Ebola
across West Africa on 10 April 2014. The series of emergency measures have been launched to
contain the worst ever outbreak of the virus in the country that threatens almost every country of
the region. Since January 2014, about 110 people have already died in Guinea and Liberia.
The Geneva-based World Health Organization (WHO) announced emergency training for 70 people
who will work in Mali and Sierra Leone. UNICEF is also setting up a special alert and response
operation centre within the Guinean health ministry and training staff in main hospital of Guinea
and other health facilities.
UNICEF along with WHO and other agencies to spread awareness by sending text messages
and links to a specially written five-minute radio drama and television shows automatically to
mobile phones across west Africa in numerous languages.

About Ebola
Ebola is a severe acute viral illness often characterized by the sudden onset of fever, intense
weakness, muscle pain, headache and sore throat. It is followed by vomiting, diarrhea, rash, impaired
kidney and liver function, and in some cases, both internal and external bleeding.
Ebola is introduced into the human population through direct contact with the blood, secretions,
organs or other bodily fluids of infected animals. No vaccine, cure or specific treatment is available
for Ebol.

Gulabi Gang documentary to be screened at New York India film festival

A documentary entitled Gulabi Gang will be screened at the 14th New York Indian Film
Festival. The documentary is based on the life of an activist Sampat Devi.
The film festival will be held from 5 May to 10 May 2014. During the film festival, overall
thirty-four (23 narrative, 11 documentary) award-wining and critically-acclaimed movies from South
Asia including films from Pakistan and Sri Lanka will be screened.

Films of south Asia to be screened in the festival includes

Four from Pakistan
Two from Sri Lanka
One from Nepal

About Gulabi Gang

Gulabi gang is directed by Nishtha Jain and is based on the life of a pal, a child bride and
former government health worker. The story narrates about a gang of pink-clad women in 2006,
which works for the rights of women in Bundelkhand region of Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh.
Initially the Gulabi Gang was formed with an intention to punish oppressive husbands, fathers
and brothers, and combat domestic violence and desertion. The members of the gang would accost
male offenders and prevail upon them to see reason. The more serious offenders were publicly
shamed when they refused to listen or relent. Sometimes the women resorted to their lathis, if the
men resorted to use of force.

47

USFDA approved Lupin to sell Pioglitazone tablets in America

US Food and Drug Administration (USFDA) on 10 April 2014 approved Lupin to sell generic
diabetes management drug Pioglitazone tablets in the American market. USFDAs approval has
been granted for the tablets in strengths of 15 mg, 30 mg and 45 mg. The company will shortly
commence marketing the product in US.
Pioglitazone is indicated as second or third line treatment of type 2 diabetes as monotherapy
and dual oral therapy. It is also indicated for combination with insulin in type 2 diabetes mellitus
in adult patients with insufficient glycaemic control on insulin for whom metformin is inappropriate
because of contraindications or intolerance.

About Lupin
Lupin Pharmaceuticals, Inc. is the US wholly owned subsidiary of Lupin Limited in India.
The Company delivers the high-quality, branded and generic medications across the world.
The company has a state-of-the-art R&D center in Pune which is a leading global player in
Anti-TB, Cephalosporins (anti-infectives) and cardiovascular drugs. It has a notable presence in the
areas of diabetes, anti-inflammatory and respiratory therapy.

Stuart Parkin won Millennium Technology Prize 2014

British-American physicist Stuart Parkin won Millennium Technology Prize 2014 for
discoveries leading to a thousand-fold increase in digital data storage on magnetic disks. The Prize
is worth of 1 million euro and it was announced by the Technology Academy Finland in Finland on
9 April 2014.
His discoveries facilitated the cloud services and online distribution of social networks,
music and film.
Former director of the IBM-Stanford spintronic science centre, Sturart Parkin, 58, helped to
make our contemporary online world largely possible. Spintronics relies on the magnetic spin of
electrons rather than their charge to store bits.

About Millennium technology Prize

The Millennium Technology Prize was initiated in 2004 by the Technology Academy Finland.
It is biennial award given for technological innovations that significantly improve the quality of
peoples lives.
Shuji Nakamura of Japan for laser research and Time Berners-Lee for the World Wide Web
were the previous winners.
12-APR-2014

Justice R.M.Lodha appointed as Next Chief Justice of India

President of India on 11 April 2014 appointed Justice Rajendra Mal Lodha as Next Chief
Justice of India. Justice Lodha will take his charge from 27 April 2014. He will be the 41st Chief
Justice of India. He will succeed Justice P. Sathasivam.
Justice Lodha will have a brief tenure of five months as the Chief Justice of India (CJI). He
is scheduled to retire on 27 September 2014. He is 64.
Justice Lodha is the senior-most judge of the Supreme Court after CJI P. Sathasivam. The
name of Justice Lodha was recommended as the next CJI by Justice Sathasivam.

About Justice Lodha

He practiced Law in the Rajasthan High Court and dealt with all branches of law
constitutional, civil, company, criminal, taxation and labour.
He was elevated as a Permanent Judge of the Rajasthan High Court in January 1994. He
was transferred to the Bombay High Court where he assumed office in February 1994.
Justice Lodha was transferred back to the Rajasthan High Court in February 2007. He had
been the Administrative Judge of the Rajasthan High Court and was chairman of State Judicial
Academy.
He was sworn in as Chief Justice of the Patna High Court on 13 May 2008 and elevated as a
Judge of the Supreme Court on 17 December 2008.

About the process of appointment

As per the Procedure, the appointment to the office of the Chief Justice of India should be of
the senior-most judge of the Supreme Court considered fit to hold the office.
The Law Ministry seeks the recommendation of the outgoing Chief Justice of India for the
appointment of the next CJI.

48

After receipt of the recommendation of the CJI, the Law Ministry puts it up to the Prime
Minister who advises the President in the matter of appointment.
As per the Article 124 clause (2) of the Constitution of India, the President appoints Chief
Justice of India.

SBI launched Twitter handle account

State Bank of India (SBI) on 11 April 2014 launched its Twitter handle account. SBI aims to
strengthen its social media presence with this launch.
The Twitter handle for SBI is TheOfficialSBI. The bank expects this Twitter handle to connect
better with the tech-savvy young generation.
Earlier, SBI had also launched accounts on Facebook and Youtube.
Mid-sized private sector lender Kotak Mahindra Bank had launched twitter-linked current
accounts in March 2014.
State Bank of India (SBI) is the largest public sector bank in India. SBI has more than 15400
branches including 191 foreign offices in 36 countries, across all time zones.
The bank offers a wide range of banking products and financial services to corporate and
retail customers through variety of delivery channels. It caters to over 165 lakh internet banking
users and 85 lakh Mobile Banking users.

About Twitter
Twitter Inc. is based in San Francisco and has offices in New York City, Boston, San Antonio
and Detroit.
Twitter is an online social networking and microblogging service that enables users to send
and read short 140-character text messages, called tweets.
Registered users can read and post tweets, but unregistered users can only read them.
Users access Twitter through the website interface, SMS, or mobile device app.
Twitter was created in March 2006 by Jack Dorsey, Evan Williams, Biz Stone and Noah
Glass and the site was launched in July 2006.

Former New Zealand wicketkeeper Gareth Hopkins announced retirement

Gareth Hopkins the former New Zealand wicketkeeper on 11 April 2014 announced his
retirement from cricket. He announced his retirement after a career spanning over 17 years.
Hopkins made his test debut on 5 June 2008 against England at Trent Bridge, as usual
Wicket-keeper Brendon McCullum played in a specialist batsman role. He contributed a total of 27
runs and took 3 catches in New Zealands innings defeat.
The 37-year-old Hopkins played four Tests, 25 one-dayers and 10 Twenty20 internationals
with his last Test and ODI appearance coming against India back in 2010.
In domestic cricket, Hopkins played for Northern Districts, Canterbury, Otago and moved to
Auckland in the 2007-08 season, where he finished his career.
He scored 7550 runs in 158 first-class matches, including 17 centuries and 34 half-centuries,
and claimed 435 catches and 26 stumpings.
He also played 203 List A matches in which he hit 4013 runs at 27.11. He aggregated 1279
runs in 83 matches in T20s.
A highlight of his tenure as captain came when he led Auckland to successive HRV Cup
titles in 2011 and 2012.
Hopkins was the second veteran of New Zealand domestic cricket to announce his retirement
after Shanan Stewart.

Successful Novelist Sue Townsend died

Novelist Sue Townsend on 11 April 2014 died after a short illness. She was 68.
Susan Lillian known as Sue Townsend was an English novelist and playwright best known
as the author of the Adrian Mole books.
The first of her comic series The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole was published in 1982 and the
eighth installment Adrian Mole: The Prostrate Years was released in 2009. The books were right on
top of the highest selling charts in UK in the 1980s.
Sue was born in Leicester in 1946 and left school at 15 years of age. She wrote in secret for
20 years, eventually joining a writers group at the Phoenix Theatre, Leicester in her thirties.
She won the Thames Television Playwright Award and started her writing career. Her other
best-selling novels included The Queen and I.

49

Other plays followed including The Great Celestial Cow (1984), Ten Tiny Fingers, Nine Tiny
Toes (1990), and most recently You, me and Wii (2010), but she became known for her series of
books about Adrian Mole, which she originally began writing in 1975.
Indias first aircraft carrier, INS Vikrant sold for 60 crore rupees
Pro-Russian activists of Donetsk proclaimed their independence from Ukraine
Itanagar in Arunachal Pradesh got its first passenger train
World Health Day 2014 observed across the world
EU Court of Justice struck down the EU Data Retention Directive

Legendary Poet Gulzar selected for the Dadasaheb Phalke Award 2013
The Union Ministry of Information and Broadcasting announced on 12 April 2014 that
legendary poet and film lyricist Gulzar was selected for the Dadasaheb Phalke Award 2013. He is the
45th winner of the Dadasaheb Phalke Award.
Sampooran Singh Kalra famous as Gulzar is a lyricist, director, screen writer, producer and
poet.
The award is conferred by the government for outstanding contribution to the growth and
development of Indian cinema.
Gulzar was conferred by the Sahitya Akademi Award in 2002 and the Padma Bhushan in
2004. He had won a number of National Film Awards and 20 Filmfare Awards.
At the 81st Oscars in 2009, he won the Academy Award for best original song for Jai ho with
Rahman.
He was born in 1934 in Punjab in pre-independence India. He started his career in 1956. As
a lyricist, he got his first break in Bimal Roys Bandini.

About Dadasaheb Phalke Award

The Dadasaheb Phalke Award is the highest award of India in cinema. The award was given
annually by the Government of India for lifetime contribution to Indian cinema.
The award was introduced in 1969. Award was introduced to commemorate the birth centenary
year of Dadasaheb Phalke.
A committee consisted of eminent personalities from the Indian film industry is appointed
to evaluate the award.
The award comprises a Swarna Kamal (Golden Lotus) medallion, a cash prize of one lakh
rupees and a shawl.

Ratan Tata received Knight Grand Cross award by UK Government

Ratan Tata on 10 April 2014 received theKnight Grand Cross (GBE)award by UK Government.
GBE is one of the highest civilian honour of Britain. The award was given by Queen Elizabeth II.
Ratan Tata is one of the five foreign nationals to be honoured. He was already honoured with
a KBE (Knight Commander) in 2009.
Ratan Tata was honoured for his services to UK/India relations, inward investment to the
UK and philanthropy.
Ratan Tata was former chairman of the Tata Group that has a large presence in Britain.

The Tata group is popular in UK and the countries Iconic brands namely Jaguar and Land
Rover became a part of the Tata group in 2008.
The company has employed over 16000 people at its manufacturing facilities in the UK,
which includes 3500 engineers at its two product development centers. Tata limited was established
in London in 1907.

About Knight Grand Cross (GBE)

Grand Cross is the highest grade in many orders of knighthood. The holders of the highest
grade are referred to Commanders grand cross.
The five classes of award to the Order are, in descending order of seniority:
Knight Grand Cross or Dame Grand Cross of the Most Excellent Order of the British
Empire (GBE)
Knight Commander or Dame Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire
(KBE or DBE)
Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (CBE)
Officer of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (OBE)
Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (MBE)

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14-APR-2014

Towards New Horizons-Arab Economic Transformation amid Political

Transitions released by IMF
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) on 11 April 2014 released a report entitledTowards
New Horizons-Arab Economic Transformation amid Political Transitions. IMF in its report has
said that to achieve economic stability and for job-creation the Arab countries will have to come up
with bold economic policy reforms. The released report had examined the economies of Egypt, Jordan,
Libya, Morocco, Tunisia, and Yemen during the Transition period.
In its report, IMF has said that the near-term outlook in the Arab world will be challenging
and the priority in the coming years should be given towards maintenance of economic stability.
The report has highlighted that the economic growth in the Arab countries is still too low
and the job created are very few to meet the aspirations of the people. It also says that in case the
strong economic and financial reforms are not implemented than the recovery in these countries
would be insufficient to reduce the regions high rates of unemployment, particularly among the
women and youth.

The report had recommended focus on three medium-term policy priorities

for the Arab countries in Transition, namely
Creation of more jobs in near term
Reduction of vulnerabilities to safeguard economic stability
Setting in motion reforms to generate higher and more inclusive growth in coming years
The report has suggested that a strong economic reform agenda will be essential for propelling
private sector activities and also to foster a more dynamic, competitive, innovative-driven and
inclusive economy.

Earthquake of Magnitude 8.3 on Richter Scale struck Solomon Islands

Earthquake of magnitude 8.3 on Richter Scale struck Solomon Islands on 13 April 2014. The
undersea quake occurred at a depth of 29km (18 miles), 100km (60 miles) south-east of Kira Kira.
New Zealand will send a portable Bailey bridge to Solomon Islands. The bridge will maintain
a link between the airport and the city centre Honiara. Besides, it will send two teams of doctors as
part of its latest aid package for the flood-damaged region.
The Solomon Islands suffered severe flash floods in the first week of April 2014 in which at
least 16 people died.
The new health and engineering support would increase New Zealands aid contribution to
the Solomons to 2.6 US dollar million.

About Solomon Islands

Solomon Islands is a sovereign country consisting of a large number of islands in Oceania
lying to the east of Papua New Guinea and northwest of Vanuatu and covering a land area of 28400
square kilometres. The countrys capital, Honiara, is located on the island of Guadalcanal.

Book entitled The Accidental Prime Minister released

The Accidental Prime Minister: The Making and Unmaking of Manmohan Singh authored
by Dr. Sanjaya Baru
A memoir entitled the The Accidental Prime Minister: the making and unmaking of
Manmohan Singh authored by Sanjaya Baru was released on 11 April 2014. The book has highlighted
the difference between the good governance and bad governance by comparing UPA regime under
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and NDA regime under Atal Viharee Vajpayee.
The memoir has also highlighted the fact that how the Prime Ministers Office (PMO) suffered
from the duality of control and responsibility that affected the overall policy decision making.
The writer in the book had also claimed that the key appointments to the cabinet and the PMO were
also decided by Sonia Gandhi. According to him, he wrote the book with a motive to let people know
the success and failure of Manmohan Singh as the Prime Minister of India.
Sanjaya Baru was the media advisor of the Prime Minister, Manmohan Singh between 2004
and 2008.
The book has been published by Penguin India.

Solar Plane SOLAR IMPULSE 2 unveiled in Switzerland

The upgraded solar-powered planeSolar Impulse 2was unveiled on 13 April 2014 at Payerne
Air Force Base of Switzerland. The solar plane will circumnavigate the world in March 2015. The
solar plane can fly around the world for five consecutive days without using any fuel.

51

Swiss pilots Andre Borschberg and Bertrand Piccard have developed the solar powered aircraft.
Solar Impulse 2 is a bigger and better version of the single-seater prototype that first took flight five
years ago.
The entire airplane weight only 2.3 metric tons (2.54 tons). To maintain its weight budget,
the materials in the updated plane are lighter than before, and it has more efficient electric motors.
The upgraded aircraft has a wingspan that is 72 meters longer than a Boeing 747 commercial jet.
The wings are covered with 17000 solar cells that power the planes various systems.
The maximum speed of aircraft is 140 kilometers per hour (87 mph).
The original plane demonstrated that a solar-powered plane can fly through the night, hop
from Europe to Africa and cross the width of the United States.
The plane have an autopilot function, a toilet, a comfortable business-class seat and enough
space in the ergonomic cockpit for the pilot to lie down and either exercise a little bit, or get some
rest.
The purpose of the round-the-world flight is to showcase cutting-edge renewable technologies
developed by some 80 companies involved in the project.
Mizoram Government refused to repatriate Bru refugees within three months
Mizoram Government on 12 April 2014 refused to repatriate all the Bru refugees lodged in
six Tripura relief camps within three months.
Earlier on 8 April 2014, the state government had agreed to the demand of the NGO
Coordination Committee to repatriate the Bru refugees within three month. It agreed that they
would repatriate all the Bru refugees after the end of the ongoing election process. Apart from this
the state government, also agreed to delete the names of those from the voter lists of Mizoram, who
refused to return back.

Who are Bru refugees?

The Bru Refugees also called Reang refugees are the original inhabitants of Mammit SubDivision of Aizawl District of Mizoram. They started arriving in North Tripuras Kanchanpur sub
division since 29 October 1997.

The main reasons for the migration of Bru refugees for the migration were:
(i) Resistance to the demand of Bru community for an exclusive Autonomous District Council
by Mizo community
(ii) Traditional rivalry of BRU community with Mizo community
Reang or Bru Refugees are among one the 21 scheduled tribes of Tripura and Reang was
added to their nomenclature accidentally by the Union government during a census count.
Dialects (language) of the Bru Refugees- they use the dialect of Kokborok language locally
referred to the Kau Bru with Tibeto-Burmese origin.

What is Repatriation?
Repatriation is a process in which people returns back to their place of origin or citizenship.
This process includes steps of returning of the refugees or the military personnel to their place of
origin following a war. Whereas, the forced return of people to a country where he/they faces
persecution is defined as Refoulement.

SSB to induct Women as Combat Officers

The Union Home Ministry on 13 April 2014 for the first time approved the recruitment of
young women as combat officers in Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB). SSB is the second largest border
guarding force.
Young women under and up to the age of 25 years will be recruited as direct entry officers in
the rank of assistant commandants (ACs). The women officers will have an opportunity to serve in
far-flung border of Indian Territory like Nepal and Bhutan.
Till now, women could only don the combat uniform in the officer cadre in three other central
security forces, the Central Reserve Police Force, Central Industrial Security Force and the Border
Security Force.
However, In the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) Force, women will still not be inducted as
officers deployed along the China border.
In 2007, the SSB was the first to recruit women in junior ranks of constables but since then,
the contingents were being commanded by male officers and hence a desire was felt to have women
officers in the paramilitary force.

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About SSB
Sashastra Seema Bal or SSB is one of Indias Central Armed Police Forces. It is often referred
to as a paramilitary force. It is currently under the administrative control of the Ministry of Home
Affairs (MHA), Government of India. It was formerly known as the Special Service Bureau.
The highest-level headquarter of the force is the Force Headquarters (FHQ), also called the
Directorate General of SSB, located in New Delhi. Force Headquarter (FHQ) is commanded by an
officer of the rank of Director General (D-G). Current D-G of SSB is Arun Chaudhary.

President conferred Sangeet Natak Akademi fellowships 2013

Pranab Mukherjee, the President of India on 11 April 2014 conferred the Sangeet Natak
Akademi Fellowships (Akademi Ratna) and Sangeet Natak Akademi Award (Akademi Puraskar) for
the year 2013. The fellowship and awards were given at the Rashtrapati Bhawan in New Delhi.
The two fellowship and Awards are national honours bestowed on performing artists as well as
teachers and scholars in the field performing arts.

Akademi Fellowships that presents a cash prize of 3 lakh rupees were

conferred on
Dr. Kanak Rele
R. Sathyanarayana
Mahesh Elkunchwar
The Sangeet Natak Akademi awardees received a cash purse of 1 lakh rupees, an
angavastram and a tamrapatra.

The Sangeet Natak Akademi Award in the field of Music were presented to

Overall contribution and scholarship in the performing arts Mysore V. Subramanya and
N. Ramanathan
For Hindustani vocal music Ritwik Sanyal and Veena Hari Sahasrabuddhe
For the Hindustani instrumental music Hashmat Ali Khan and Dhruba Jyoti Ghosh
For Carnatic vocal music Aruna Sairam and Hyderabad Brothers D. Sesha Chary and D.
Raghava Chary
For Carnatic instrumental music Trichy Sankaran and Thiruvizha Jayasankar
For Odissi music Bankim Sethi

The Sangeet Natak Akademi Award in the field of Dance were presented to
For Bharatanatyam Jamuna Krishnan and B. Herambanathan
For Kathak Rajashree Shirke
For Kathakali Kalamandalam M.P.S. Namboodiri
For Kuchipudi Chinta Seetha Ramanjaneyulu
For Odissi Sangeeta Dash
For Sattriya dance Jogen Dutta Bayan
For Arayer Sevai Srinivasa Rangachariar
For Mardal drumming Dhaneswar Swain

The Sangeet Natak Akademi Award for their contribution to theatre to

eight artists, namely
For playwriting - Rameshwar Prem and Pundalik Narayan Naik
For direction - Kamalakar Muralidhar Sontakke, Kewal Dhaliwal and Prasanna Ramaswamy
For acting - Vasant Josalkar and Kusum Haidar
For make-up Krishna Arjun Borkar

The award for the work in traditional, folk and tribal dance, music, dance
and puppetry to
For folk music of Jammu and Kashmir Raj Begum
For folk music of Tamil Nadu T.A.R. Nadi Rao and N. Jeeva Rao
For instrument making Gurdial Singh
For Rabindrasangeet Mohan Singh Khangura
For Tokari Geet and Dehbichar Geet of Assam Umakanta Bairagi
For puppetry Lilavati M Kavi
For instrument-making (the Ghatam of Tamil Nadu) Meenakshi K
For folk theatre of Maharashtra Shaikh Riyajoddin Abdul Gani

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Sangeet Natak Akademi, established in 1953, is responsible for the promotion and
preservation of the performing arts of the country. One of the important activities of the Akademi is
to recognize the contribution of outstanding musicians, dancers and theatre artists, bestowing on
them its Fellowships and Awards. The aim of the activity is to create benchmarks in the practice of
the performing arts.

Santoso won OUE Singapore Open 2014

Simon Santoso (Indonesia) won the OUE Singapore Open 2014 for the first time on 13 April
2014. He defeated Lee Chong Wei (Malaysia), badmintons world number one player by 21-15, 21-10
in final match held in Singapore. Santoso won 300000 US Dollars for this victory.

Other results
Inwomen finalmatch, Wang Yihan (China) won over Li Xuerui (China) by 21-11, 21-19.
InMens doubles, Cai Yun, Lu Kai (China) won over Lee Sheng Mu, Tsai Chia hsin (Taiwan) by 2119, 21-14.
InWomens doubles, Bao Yixin, Tang Jinhua(China) won over Christinna Pedersen, Kamilla
Rytter Juhl (Denmark) by 14-21, 21-19, 21-15.
InMixed doubles, Liliyana Natsir, Tontowi Ahmad (Indonesia) won over Riky Widianto, Puspita
Richi Dili (Indonesia) by 21-15, 22-20.

Palestinians rejected the economic sanctions by Israel

Palestinians rejected the economic sanctions against the Palestinian National Authority
(PNA) and threatened to halt security coordination with Israel if Israelis imposed it. The two countries
are involved in peace talks (supported by US) which will conclude in April 2014. Till now, there is no
remarkable progress in the peace talks.

Demands by Palestinians
The Palestinian negotiation team refused to extend the peace talks, unless Israel agrees
to release the final batch of Palestinian prisoners.
They also demanded a halt of Israeli settlement construction.

Why Israel imposed ban

Israel had earlier insisted that the Palestine should stop its bid to join United Nations agencies
and international Organisations but Palestine had rejected this demand.

Sanctions by Israel
Israel on 10 April 2014 announced to freeze the tax revenues that it collects from goods
import on behalf of the Palestinians. The tax exceeds $1 billion each year. The sanctions came one
day after the announcement of United Nations that it had accepted the Palestinian request to join
a number of its agencies and treaties.
Israel decided to suspend its participation with the Palestinians in developing a gas field off
the Gaza Strip shore.

India became net steel exporter after a gap of 6 years

India became net steel exporter in 2013-14 after a gap of six years. Total steel exports by
India during the last fiscal year stood at 5.59 million tonnes (MT), as against imports of 5.44 MT
according to Joint Plant Committee (JPC), a unit of the Union Steel Ministry.
Steel consumption of India grew by 0.6 percent (in 2013-14) to 73.93 MT. About 4.1 percent
higher exports and 31.3 percent decline in imports helped India to become net exporter of steel once
again. Volatile Rupee and low demand-supply ratio lead to higher exports, and slow domestic economy
caused poor domestic demands which resulted in lower import costs.
This trend is likely to continue in 2014-15 as both private and public producers are aiming
for more export to compensate for subdued domestic demand. Rashtriya Ispat Nigam Ltd (RINL)
exported 1 lakh tonne steel last year. It now has kept target of tripling this amount in the current
fiscal. Similarly, Steel Authority of India (SAIL) had registered a 30 percent growth in exports in
2013-14 and aims to more than double the shipments to 1 MT in 2014-15.

Background
Presently, India is the fourth largest steel maker. India had been a steel importer from
2007-08 to 2012-13. About 60 percent of the countrys total steel demand is made by the Construction
sector and about 15 percent is consumed by automobile sector.

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About JPC
JPC is an institution established by the Government of India for creation and maintenance
of a complete databank on the Indian steel industry, to collect data on this industry. Joint Plant
Committee is headquartered at Kolkata with four regional offices in New Delhi, Kolkata, Mumbai
and Chennai.

Gaurav Gill won Vinz Whangarei Car Rally

Delhi based MRF driver, Gaurav Gill won Whangarei Rally by a lead of 11.9 seconds on 13
April 2014. It is his first title in New Zealand and sixth career victory in FIA Asia Pacific Rally
Championship (APRC). He was driving in his Skoda fabia S2000 for team MRF. He had won APRC
championship in 2013 too.
European champion, Jan Kopecky (Czech Republic) obtained second position. He is another
MRF Skoda driver.
Gill won all six stages in the final race which is a tough target to achieve. Overall, 14 stages
and 220.87 kms were covered. This year a new course was introduced namely long Springfield
stage. Since, Rally of Whangarei is the opening round of the APRC, the championship now moves to
New Caledonia for the second round from 17, 18 May 2014.

Final Results
1. Gaurav Gill/Glenn Macneall - 2:11:39.7
2. Jan Kopecky/Pavel Dresler - 2:11:51.7
3. Mark Pedder/Claire Dowling - 2:20:02.3

Wilson Kipsang won London Marathon

Wilson Kipsang (Kenya) won the 34th London Marathon on 13 April 2014. He completed the
26.2-mile route in 2 hours, 4 minutes, 29 seconds. He won the title for the second time. He earlier
won it in 2012. Stanley Biwott (Kenya) secured second and Tsegaye Kebede secured third position.
London based double Olympic champion Mo Farah got eighth rank.

Other results
In womens race, two time world Champion, Edna Kiplagat(Kenya) came first by completing
track in 2:20:21 time that is 3 seconds ahead of Florence Kiplagat.
In the womens wheelchair race, Tatyana McFadden came first in a record time of 1:45:11
and defended her London title.

About London Marathon

This event is a long distance running event. For the first time, the event was organized in
1981. The 35th London Marathon will be held on 26 April 2015.

Justice G Rohini appointed as the first women Chief Justice of Delhi High
Court
President of India on 11 April 2014 approved the name of Justice G Rohini (58) for appointment
as the Next Chief Justice of Delhi High Court. With this approval, she will become the first women
Chief Justice of the Delhi High Court. At the time of appointment, Rohini was serving as the seniormost judge of the Andhra Pradesh High Court. She will serve the High Court of Delhi as its Chief
Justice for a period of four years.
She will succeed Acting Chief Justice Badar Durrez Ahmed. Justice Ahmed was appointed
after Justice NV Ramana was elevated to the Supreme Court as a Judge in February 2014.
Earlier, her name was suggested by the Supreme Court collegium headed by Chief Justice of India
P Sathasivam.

About Justice G Rohini

She enrolled herself as an advocate in December 1980 and further became the chairman
of the Andhra Pradesh State Bar Council
In 1995, she was appointed as a Government Pleader in the High Court
In 2001, she was appointed as an additional Judge and in 2002 was made a permanent
Judge

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15-APR-2014

Nour El Sherbini defeated Dipika Pallikal to win Texas Open Squash final
Indias Dipika Pallikal on 14 April 2014 was defeated by Egyptian Nour El Sherbini (ranked
13th) in the title clash of the Womens Champion Fiberlass Texas Open squash tournament at
Houston, United States. With this loss, the world number 12, Dipika ended up as the runner-up in
the 50000 US Dollar tournament.
She lost the final clash by 7-11, 11-5, 7-11 in a game that lasted for 48 minutes. Earlier,
Dipika defeated eighth-ranked Madeline Perry of Ireland in the semifinal.
This tour of 22-year-old Dipika was her biggest tour in her career in which she was successful to
climb into the finals.

45-day long fishing ban imposed in East Coas

The 45-day long annual ban on fishing in the territorial waters along the east coast of the
country started from the midnight on 14 April 2014. This ban is imposed annually to ensure time
and space for the fish and other marine life to breed and multiply. During this period, the mechanized
boats are barred from entering the deep seas for fishing till mid-night of 31 May 2014.
Following the ban, more than 650 mechanized and 2100 engine boats operating from the
fishing harbor in Visakhapatnam were anchored. The ban will be monitored by the State Fisheries
Department in all the nine sea faring districts of Andhra Pradesh as per the directives of the Union
Government.
More than 17 thousand people dependent on the fishing industry will have to look for
alternative employment other than catching fish to keep going.
Andhra Pradesh under Presidents Rule and model code of conduct for the General Elections
under enforcement the fisher folk, this time; have not been assured of any relief assistance and
supply of free rice during the closed season like in the preceding years.

Baroda won Syed Mushtaq Ali Cricket T20 Trophy

Baroda on 14 April 2014 won the National Syed Mustaq Ali Cricket T20 Trophy title after
defeating Uttar Pradesh in the final match by three runs. The final match of the tournament was
played at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.
Batting first Baroda scored 144 runs at the loss of seven wickets and Uttar Pradesh while
chasing the score finished at 141 for six in twenty over.
Earlier in 2012, Baroda won the title at the Brabourne Stadium in Mumbai.
Captain of Uttar Pradesh- Akshdeep Nath
Captain of Baroda- Aditya Waghmode

Mahindra ShubhLabh Services and Univeg signed pact to supply branded

fruits
M&M Group firm Mahindra ShubhLabh Services signed a joint venture of 60:40 with Belgiumbased Univeg on 14 April 2014. The joint venture will focus on developing the supply chain and sell
fresh fruits in the domestic and international markets.
The Joint Venture (JV) will invest 50 crore rupees to 75 crore rupees revenue within 3-5
years and targeted 1 lakh tonne of fruits supply. Mahindra will invest 30 crore rupees in the JV in
building up supply chain. The pact also provides a win-win for farmers and end consumers too.
TheSaboro brandis the first branded fruit vendor launched by Mahindra group in November
2013. The joint venture will continue to sell fruits under the Saboro brand. Currently, the domestic
fruits market stands at 30 billion dollar of which organized players accounts for only around 5 percent
or 1.5 billion dollars.

Under the Joint Venture:

Univeg will provide technical knowhow and best practices in quality control, post harvest
handling of fresh produce, ripening process, and farm agronomy practices and procedures to meet
international quality standards.
Mahindra ShubhLabh will assist in arranging contract farming agreements across India
while leveraging its domestic marketing and distribution network and providing the required local
licensing and support services

Artificial blood made by UK Scientist set for first human trial by 2016
Researchers in the UK on 14 April 2014 for the first time announced to conduct a test on
patient of artificial blood made from human stem cells. The trial was conducted by the team of

56

Professor Marc Turner, medical director at the Scottish National Blood Transfusion Service (SNBTS)
at the University of Edinburgh.
The trial test would be conducted in 2016. The trial will involve three patients with
thalassaemia, a disorder of the RBCs that requires regular transfusions. They will receive around
5 ml of blood initially to test whether the cells behave normally in the body.
If successful, the trial could pave the way for manufacturing of blood on an industrial scale.
The successful trial could even supersede donated blood as the main supply for patients.
Blood cells freshly made in the laboratory are likely to have a longer life span than those
taken from donors, which typically last no more than 120 days.
They would also be free from infectious agents such as viruses or the rogue prion proteins
that cause Creuzfeldt-Jakob Disease (CJD).
Trial test would aim to produce relatively rare O rhesus negative blood that can safely be
given to 95% of the population, and the skin cell donors will have to belong to this blood group.
The blood cells will be created from ordinary donated skin cells called fibroblasts which are
genetically reprogrammed into a stem cell-like state. The resulting induced pluripotent stem (iPS)
cells have the same ability as embryonic stem cells to develop into virtually any kind of body tissue.
Chemicals will be used to coax the iPS cells to mature into red blood cells suitable for injection
into a living person.
A 5 million pound strategic award from the Wellcome Trust charity have funded the research
being carried out by a consortium that includes blood donation services in England, Scotland and
Ireland.

SC recognized Transgenders as third category of sex

Supreme Court of India in its landmark judgment of 15 April 2014 recognised transgender
as the third category of sex. In its judgment the Apex Court claimed transgenders as socially and
economically backward.
A bench of Supreme Court comprising Justice KS Radhakrishnan and AK Sikri in its decision
had directed the center and state governments to take essential steps for bringing the community
into the mainstream by providing adequate healthcare, education and employment.

Other important points of the decision

In its direction the bench of Supreme Court has also asked the governments to grant them
all facilities like voter, driving license, ration card and passport.
The Court expressed concern over discrimination and harassment of the transgenders
across the country and thus it has asked the government to take remedial measures
It has also directed the governments at both levels to work and raise awareness about
them through social welfare schemes.

The Case
The decision came while hearing PIL (Public Interest Litigation) of National Legal Services
Authority (NALSA) vs Union of India & Ors. [Writ Petition (Civil) No. 400 of 2012] filed in October
2012.

LIC reduced its stake in Infosys

Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) reduced its stake in Infosys by 3.25% by selling its
shares worth 850 crore rupees. During the October-December quarter 2013, it held 3.71% stake in
Infosys. Domestic institutional investors also trimmed their exposure in Infosys from 15.35 percent
to 13.66 percent in January-March, 2014. However, foreign institutional investors (FII) increased
their stake in Infosys to 42.10 per cent from 40.65 percent.

Background
LIC is the biggest insurer of India and largest institutional investor in the Indian stock
markets. It has been reducing its stake in Infosys since June quarter, 2013. Infosys is Bangalore
based countrys second largest IT services exporter. Infosys co-founder N R Narayana Murthy was
brought back to head the company in June 2013, following months of poor performance.

Union MoEF cleared expansion of coal mine project in Odisha

The Union Ministry of Environment and Forest accorded environmental clearance (with
some conditions) to the expansion of Bhubaneshwari opencast project in Odisha. This project belongs
to Mahanadi Coalfield Ltd, a subsidiary of Coal India Ltd. The clearance is given for the expansion
from 20 MTPA (Million Tonnes Per Annum) to 25 MTPA of Mahanadi Coalfields subject to compliance

57

of terms and conditions. The second Expert Appraisal Committee meeting which held on 3-4 October
2014 considered this proposal initially, then the ninth Expert Appraisal Committee meeting which
held early in 2014 reconsidered it.

Conditions and Terms

The maximum production from the above mine at any given time should not exceed the
limit as prescribed in the Environment Clearance.
The production should be within the same mining lease area among others.
No mining operations will be undertaken in the forest land until clearance has been obtained
under the provisions of Forest Conservation Act, 1980.

Union Ministry of Environment and Forests informed that

one needs to seek and obtain approval under the Forest Conservation Act, 1980 for diversion
of the entire forest located within the mining lease within a period of two years from the date of
issue of guidelines (February 1, 2013), failing which the mining lease will be reduced to the nonforest area plus the forest area.
In the case of reduction in mine lease area, one will need to get a revised mining plan
approved from the competent authority for reduced area and enter into a new mining lease as per
reduced lease area.

Requirements and Procedure for seeking Environmental Clearance of

Projects

1. a. Any person who desires to undertake any new project or the expansion or modernisation
of any existing industry or project listed in the Schedule I shall submit an application to the Secretary,
Ministry of Environment and Forests,New Delhi. Schedule I includes projects related to power sector,
river valley, transport, fertilizers, pharmaceuticals etc. This application shall be accompanied by a
project report which shall,inter alia,include an Environmental Impact Assessment Report/
Environment Management Plan prepared in accordance with the guidelines issued by the Central
Government in the Ministry of Environment and Forests from time to time.
b. Cases rejected due to submission of insufficient or in adequate data and plans may be
reviewed.
2.In case of the following site specific projects:
mining;
pit- head thermal power stations;
hydro-power,major irrigation projects and/or their combination including flood control;
ports and harbours;
prospecting and exploration of major minerals in areas above 500 ha.;
The project authorities will intimate the location of the project site to the Central Government
in the MoEF. It will convey a decision regarding suitability of the proposed site within a maximum
period of 30 days. The said site clearance shall be granted for a sanctioned capacity and shall be
valid for a period of five years for commencing the construction, operation or mining.
3. The reports submitted with the application shall be evaluated and assessed by the Impact
Assessment Agency, and if required then by a committee of Experts, having a composition as specified
in Schedule III.
The Impact Assessment Agency shall prepare a set of recommendations. Summary of the
reports, the recommendation and the conditions, shall be made available subject to the public interest
to the concerned parties or environmental groups on request. Comments of the public may be
solicited, if so decided by the Imapact Assessment Agency, within thirty days of receipt of proposal,
in public hearings arranged for the purpose after giving thirty days notice of such hearings in at
least two newspapers. The assessment shall be completed within a period of 90 days from receipt of
the requisite documents and data from the project authorities and completion of public hearing,
where required, and decision conveyed within 30 days thereafter. The clearance granted shall be
valid for a period of 5 years for commencement of the construction or operation. No construction
work,preliminary or otherwise,relating to the setting up of the project may not be undertaken till
the environmental and/or site clearance is obtained.
4. To enable the Impact Assessment Agency to monitor effectively the implementation of
the recommendations and conditions subject to which the environmental clearance has been
given,the project authorities concerned shall submit a half-yearly report to the Impact Assessment
Agency. Subject to the public interest,the IAA,shall make compliance reports publicly available.
5. If no comments from the Impact Assessment Agency are received within the time limit,the
project would be deemed to have been approved as proposed by project authorities.

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India born poet Vijay Seshadri won 2014 Pulitzer Prize in poetry category
Vijay Seshadri on 14 April 2014 won the prestigious2014 Pulitzer Prizein the poetry category
for his collection of poems entitled 3 Sections published in 2013. The Pulitzer Committee described
Vijays (India-born US poet) creation3 Sectionsas a compelling collection of poems that examines
human consciousness, from birth to dementia that turns witty and grave compassionate and
remorseless.
The 98th annual Pulitzer Prizes in Journalism, Drama, Letters and Music was announced
by Columbia University in New York. As a reward, Vijay would receive 10000 US dollar.
The prize is given in the poetry category for a distinguished volume of original verse by an
American author.
With this, Seshadri became the fifth person of Indian origin to win the prestigious award.The
other four Indian origin people to bag the award are
Gobind Behari Lal in 1937 was a science editor and was awarded in the reporting category
Jhumpa Lahiri (Indian-American author) got Pulitzer for fiction in 2000 for her collection
of stories Interpreters of Maladies
Geeta Anand (Journalist-writer of Indian origin) was awarded in 2003
Siddhartha Mukherjee (Indian-American physician) was awarded in 2011 for his book on
cancer named The Emperor of All Maladies: A Biography of Cancer

About Vijay Seshadri

At present he teaches poetry and non-fiction writing at liberal arts college Sarah Lawrence
in New York
He was born in 1954 in Bangalore and migrated to America at the age of five and grew up in
Columbus, Ohio
He is the author of
Wild Kingdom (1996)
The Long Meadow (2003) that won the James Laughlin Award

2014 Pulitzer Prize Winners in Journalism

Public Service - Two Prizes: The Guardian US and The Washington Post
Breaking News Reporting - The Boston Globe Staff
Investigative Reporting - Chris Hamby of The Center for Public Integrity, Washington, D.C.
Explanatory Reporting - Eli Saslow of The Washington Post
Local Reporting - Will Hobson and Michael LaForgia of the Tampa Bay Times
National Reporting - David Philipps of The Gazette, Colorado Springs, CO
International Reporting - Jason Szep and Andrew R.C. Marshall of Reuters
Feature Writing - No award
Commentary - Stephen Henderson of the Detroit Free Press
Criticism - Inga Saffron of The Philadelphia Inquirer
Editorial Writing - The Editorial Staff of The Oregonian, Portland
Editorial Cartooning - Kevin Siers of The Charlotte Observer
Breaking News Photography - Tyler Hicks of The New York Times
Feature Photography - Josh Haner of The New York Times

2014 Pulitzer Prize Winners in Books, Drama and Music

Fiction - The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt (Little, Brown)
Drama - The Flick by Annie Baker
History - The Internal Enemy: Slavery and War in Virginia, 1772-1832 by Alan Taylor (W.W.
Norton)
Biography - Margaret Fuller: A New American Life by Megan Marshall (Houghton Mifflin
Harcourt)
Poetry - 3 Sections by Vijay Seshadri (Graywolf Press)
General Nonfiction - Toms River: A Story of Science and Salvation by Dan Fagin (Bantam
Books)
Music - Become Ocean by John Luther Adams (Taiga Press/Theodore Front Musical
Literature)

59

World Trade to grow by 4.7 percent in 2014: WTO

World Trade Organisation (WTO) on 14 April 2014 projected that the world trade will grow by
4.7 percent in 2014. It also projected that the growth in 2015 will slightly be faster at 5.3 percent,
which is 20 year average growth rate.
The growth percent of 2014 is more than double of what was achieved in 2013 (2.2 percent).
In 2013, the trade growth rate was slow due to a combination of flat import demand in developed
economies and moderate import growth in developing economies. On the export side, both developed
and developing economies only managed to record small, positive increase.

Highlights
The trade forecast for 2014 has been upgraded to 4.7 percent from 4.5 percent and 5.3
percent increase in trade is forecasted for 2015.
In 2013, Asia recorded the fastest GDP growth at 4.2 percent, which was almost equal to
growth in the previous two years. It was followed by Africa (3.8 percent), Middle East (3.0 percent),
South and Central America (also 3.0 percent), the Commonwealth of Independent States (2.0 percent),
North America (1.8 percent) and Europe (0.3 percent).
In 2013, World merchandise trade grew 2.1 percent in volume terms, very close to the 2.3
percent increase from the previous year.
The rise in financial market volatility was most keenly felt in emerging markets with
large current account deficits. This especially true in India, where output growth from 2.6 percent
in the second quarter to 7.2 percent in the third and then 3.9 percent in the fourth.
In 2013, exports of Asia grew faster than any other region, with a 4.6 percent rise that is
followed by North America and Europe.
Imports are growing faster in Asia (4.4 percent) followed by the Middle East, Africa, North
America and Europe. Chinas purchases from abroad jumped nearly 10 percent.
India suffered a sharp drop of 2.9 percent in its imports due to its economic slowdown. The
exports of India fall short of the targets of 325 billion dollars in 2013-14 and touched 312 billion
dollars.

Foldscope: A low cost microscope invented

A team of Scientists led by Manu Prakash from Stanford University developed an amazingly
cheap microscope namely Foldscope (due to it folding design). The research was published in Stanford
Daily, US in the first week of April 2014

Composition of Foldscope
Foldscope is made up of paper and contains three parts as follows:
1. a slip of paper which acts as the slide on which the specimen is kept;
2. a slide for the ball-shaped lens;
3. a piece that contains an LED light. This light help in illuminating the subject under
examination.

Mechanism
The users need to place their eyebrow against the paper with their eye close to the lens to
view the sample similar to traditional microscope.
Thumbs of users will control Magnification and image panning. This process also includes
sliding to view different parts of the image.
To control magnification a simple flexing mechanism is used.
However, while testing multiple concerns were revealed about use of Foldscope. These concerns
are:
eye strain;
ergonomics;
Examination of potentially infectious samples very near to the human body.
To address these concerns, Researchers are now working on development of different type of
microscopes. Future Foldscopes will be designed in such a way that each type of disease will have a
correlating microscope which will be used exclusively for particular disease. Foldscope will minimize
price and bypass the difficulty of optimization present in traditional multipurpose microscopes.
S

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16-APR-2014

ecurities of 7 firms to be moved from restricted to normal trading category:

SEBI
Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI), the market watchdog on 15 April 2014 said
that stock exchange may consider shifting securities of seven companies to normal trading category
from restricted segment.

The seven companies that could be shifted includes

Panorama Capital Market
Noble Polymers
Adarsh Mercantile
Panafic Industrials
Classic Global Finance and Capital
Appu Marketing and Manufacturing
Jackson Investments
The bourses may consider shifting these securities from the Trade for Trade Settlement
(TFTS) to a Normal Rolling Settlement as these firms have established connectivity with both
depositories NSDL and CDSL. SEBI in a circular has advised the exchanges to report it the action
taken in this regard in the monthly/quarterly development report.

Background
The trade for trade segment is a restricted category and it doesnt allow any speculative
trading and delivery of shares and payment of the consideration amount is mandatory.

Women Employee can get uninterrupted leave for two years for childcare:
Supreme Court
The Supreme Court of India on 15 April 2014 directed that woman employee of the central
government can get an uninterrupted leave for two years for childcare and it includes needs like
examination and sickness.
Supreme Court bench comprised of Justice S J Mukhopadhyay and Justice V Gopal Gowda
issued this directive by setting aside an order of the Calcutta High Court. Earlier, the Calcutta High
Court held that the Central Civil Services (leave) rules did not permit uninterrupted CCL (Childcare
Leave) for 730 days.
This bench said that on perusal of circulars and Rule 43-C, it is apparent that a woman
government employee having minor children can avail CCL for a maximum period of 730 days i.e.
during entire service period for taking care of up to two children.
This order was passed by the Apex Court on a petition filed by Kakali Ghosh, which challenged
the decision of the government not to grant her a leave of 730 days for helping her son prepare for
examinations.

The Case
Civil Appeal Number 4506 of 2014 (arising out of SLP (C) No. 33244 of 2012) in Kakali Ghosh
vs. Chief Secretary, Andaman & Nicobar Administration And Ors.

Bluefin 21- a robotic submarine - deployed to solve mystery of lost

Malaysian plane MH370
Bluefin 21 - a robotic submarine - was launched on 14 April 2014 to solve the mystery of the
lost Malaysian plane MH370. The decision of sending a Bluefin-21 was taken when the search
team felt that the batteries of Black Box had expired making them incapable of sending signals.
This autonomous unmanned under water vehicle was launched from the Australian navy ship
Ocean shield and would go under Indian Ocean.
This submarine can create three-dimensional sonar map of any debris on the seafloor by
using its side-scan sonar.

About Bluefin-21
It is autonomous, underwater, highly modular vehicle.
It can carry payloads and multiple sensors simultaneously.
Its high energy capacity makes it capable of carrying extended operations even at the
greatest depths.

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 It can operate from various ships of opportunity worldwide.

Ease in transportability is another cause behind its application in time-critical and remote
operations.
The vehicle design consists of battery modules, swappable payload sections for in-field
mission reconfiguration. Its small size and capability to be launched and recovered from a simple Aframe or docking head allow it to take advantage of ships of opportunity. Use of INS provides the best
possible navigation accuracy to Bluefin-21.

Background
Malaysian Airlines flight MH370 operating a Boeing 777-200ER aircraft on 8 March 2014
disappeared from the radar screens over the South China Sea with 239 people on board. The plane
when disappeared was heading towards Beijing from Kuala Lumpur. Initially a multinational team
searched the plane in the South China Sea. Later it was learned that the plane had might have
moved along two corridors:
1. Northern corridor (Border of Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan to northern Thailand).
2. Southern corridor (Indonesia to the southern Indian Ocean).
However, by analyzing satellite data, United Kingdom satellite telecommunications company
Inmarsat and the UK Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) concluded that Flight MH370 flew
along the southern corridor. Its last known last position was in the middle of the Indian Ocean, west
of Perth.

SIPRI released Trends in world military expenditure, 2013 report

Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) on 14 April 2014 released a report
titledTrends in world military expenditure, 2013. SIPRI in its report has shown that the world
military expenditure declined by 1.9 percent in real terms, since 2012. The release said that the
total expenditure in 2013 was 1.75 trillion dollars.
The release ranked India at the ninth position in the list of top spenders in 2013 compared
to 8th rank in 2012. India in 2013 spent 47.4 billion dollars on military.
SIPRI report highlighted that the fall in the global expenditure was because of decline in
spending on military by Western Countries, led by United States. However, according to the report,
expenditure in all other regions, excluding the US increased by 1.8 percent.

As per the report the three highest spenders with substantial increases are
China
Russia
Saudi Arabia (increased by 14 per cent, to reach 67 billion dollar)
These three countries are among the 23 countries around the world that have more than
doubled their military expenditure since 2004. Saudi Arabia leapfrogged the United Kingdom, Japan
and France to become the worlds fourth largest military spender.

SIPRI in its report has highlighted that the US spending declined in 2013
by 7.8 percent due to
The end of the war in Iraq
Beginning of the crackdown from Afghanistan
The effects of automatic budget cuts passed by the US Congress in 2011
It has highlighted that the military spending in the Middle East in 2013 increased by 4.0
percent helping it to reach 150 billion dollars.

Countries with highest military expenditure in 2013 as per SIPRI release

USA: 640 billion dollar
China: 188 billion dollar
Russia: 87.8 billion dollar
Saudi Arabia: 67 billion dollar
France: 61.2 billion dollar
UK: 57.9 billion dollar
Germany: 48.8 billion dollar
Japan: 48.6 billion dollar
India: 47.4 billion dollar
South Korea: 33.9 billion dollar
Italy: 32.7 billion dollar

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 Brazil: 31.5 billion dollar

Australia: 24 billion dollar
Turkey: 19.1 billion dollar
UAE: 19 billion dollar

Director of SIPRIs Military Expenditure Programme- Dr Sam PerloFreeman

About SIPRI
SIPRI is an organisation based in Stockholm, Sweden monitors the developments in military
expenditure worldwide. It also maintains the most comprehensive, consistent and extensive data
source available in military expenditure. It is an organisation that discourages use of terms like
arms spending when it refers to military expenditure as spending on armaments.
This is the third and final major data launched prior to the release of SIPRIs world nuclear
forces figures and the major findings of SIPRI Yearbook 2014 on 9 June 2014.

Economic Affairs Secretary Arvind Mayaram designated as new Finance

Secretary
Economic Affairs Secretary Arvind Mayaram has been designated as new Finance Secretary.
The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) approved a proposal to designate Arvind Mayaram
as the new Finance Secretary on 15 April 2014.
Previous Finance secretary, Sumit Bose retired on 31 March 2014 and the post was vacant
since that time.
Finance Secretary is the senior-most IAS officer in the Union Ministry of Finance. He
coordinates the working of various departments under the Ministry of Finance. The Finance Ministry
currently has five secretaries including Arvind Mayaram. The other secretaries are:
R P Watal (Expenditure)
Rajiv Takru (Revenue)
Ravi Mathur(Disinvestment)
G S Sandhu (Financial Services)

About Arvind Mayaram

He is a 1978 batch Indian Administrative Service officer (Rajasthan cadre).
Since 2012, he has been holding charge as Economic Affairs Secretary. He will retire in
October 2015. He will continue to manage the Department of Economic Affairs.
He holds a Masters degree in political science and doctorate in finance.

Union Ministry of Finance

It consists of five departments namely Department of Economic Affairs, Department of
Expenditure, Department of Revenue, Department of Financial Services, and Department of
Disinvestments.

India won 12 medals at the 7th South Asia Judo Championship

Indian judokas won 12 medals at the seventh South Asia Judo Championships held in
Kathmandu, Nepal from 10 April 2014 to 13 April 2014. The 12 medal haul included10 Gold, one
Silver and one Bronze medal.

About South Asia Judo Championships

South Asian Countries Afghanistan, Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka
participated in the seventh South Asia Judo Championship.
Sixth South Asia Judo Championships was held in Pakistan in 2013 and India won 10 Gold
and silver.

Basel Committee issued Final standards to curb exposures of banks to

customers
The Basel Committee on Banking Supervision on 15 April 2014 issued Final standards for
measuring and controlling large exposures of banks to customers. These standards will take effect
from 1 January 2019.
The committee consisted of banking supervisors from nearly 30 countries. The committee
framed a new rule limiting how much business a bank can undertake with a single customer.
Guidelines were aimed to minimise the risk of fallout from a counterparty going default
without imposing excessive burdens on financial firms.

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 The framework was designed so that the maximum possible loss a bank could incur if
such a default were to occur would not endanger the banks survival as a going concern.
In cases where the banks counterparty is another bank, large exposure limits will directly
contribute towards the reduction of system-wide contagion risk.
The framework will also contribute to strengthening the oversight and regulation of the
shadow banking system by extending the scope of coverage to exposures to funds, securitisation
structures and collective investment undertakings.
The existing rule leaves it to supervisors to impose a 25 percent cap on exposures,
meaning each exposure cannot be more than a quarter of the banks total regulatory capital holdings.
A tighter limit will apply to exposures between banks that have been designated as global
systemically important banks (G-SIBs). This limit has been set at 15% of Tier 1 capital.
The Committee will by 2016 review the appropriateness of setting a large exposure limit
for exposures to qualifying central counterparties (QCCPs) related to clearing activities, which are
currently exempted.
It will also review the impact of the large exposures framework on monetary policy
implementation.
The committee planned to review whether a limit should be set on a banks exposure to
clearing houses, currently exempted, which meet new tougher operating standards by 2016.
Besides, the final standard has revised its initial proposals related to measuring and
controlling large exposures of banks to customers. These are:
The definition and the reporting thresholds are now 10% of the eligible capital base
(instead of the 5% initially proposed);
the treatment of a limited range of credit default swaps (CDS) used as hedges in the
trading book has been modified so that it is more closely aligned with the risk-based capital
framework;
the initially proposed granularity threshold for exposures to securitisation vehicles has
been replaced with a materiality threshold related to the capital base of the bank (calibrated at
0.25% of the capital base); and
A treatment that will recognised particular features of some covered bonds.

Portal RAILSAVER launched to Improve Energy Efficiency in Indian

Railways
Indian Railways launched a portal,RAILSAVERon 15 April 2014 with an aim to improve
energy efficiency in Indian Railways. This initiative in form of RAILSAVER will facilitate railways
in saving energy upto 15 percent by the year 2020, through improved energy efficiency measures
as laid down in Railways vision document.
This web based Electrical Energy Management System, RAILSAVER was inaugurated by Kul
Bhushan of Railway Board. The portal has been developed by Centre of Railway Informatics System
(CRIS), an autonomous organization under the Ministry of Railways.
This management system will help the Indian railways in reducing carbon foot print, which
is important for addressing the challenges of global warming and sustainability of the environment.
This project is being executed by Indian Railways under programmatic framework of UNDP
through Global Environmental Facility (GEF) funding of 5.2 million US dollar.Aim of the project is
To define a framework for energy conservation initiatives on Indian Railway system by
introducing energy efficient technologies and adoption of various measures in traction and nontraction sub-sectors.

ECI launched Election Visitors Programme 2014

Election Commission of India (ECI) on 15 April 2014 launched the Election VIsitors Programme
(EVP) 2014. The EVP 2014 was launched as a part of South-South Cooperation initiative of the ECI in
partnership with United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
On the day of launch, seven senior officials from Namibia began their participation in the EVP 2014
and left for the Karnataka State where the elections are scheduled to be held on 17 April 2014.
The delegates have been divided into four groups depending on their arrival schedule. These four
groups will be briefed by the ECI on Indias electoral system and the Lok Sabha Elections 2014. The
briefing will be followed by filed visits to the identified election locations and an interaction with the
ECI.
The EVP 2014 has recognised 4 election locations in the country for the field visits to give a
first-hand experience to the foreign delegates. These are Karnataka (17th April), Uttar Pradesh
(24th April), West Bengal (30th April) and Himachal Pradesh (7th May).

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This is the first time that ECI is facilitating election visits from other countries on such a scale and
under a structured programme.
The 20 countries which will be visiting India as part of EVP 2014 are Namibia, Nigeria,
Lesotho, Malaysia, Mauritius, Myanmar, Nepal, Uganda, Kenya, Bhutan and some member-countries
of League of Arab States (Syria, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Tunisia, Morocco, Somalia, Palestine, Iraq and
Oman).

PC Parakh authored book Crusader or Conspirator? Coalgate and other

Truths released
Crusader or Conspirator? Coalgate and other Truths: authored by PC Parekh
A memoir entitled Crusader or Conspirator? Coalgate and other Truths authored by former
Coal Secretary PC Parakh was released on 14 April 2014 in New Delhi. In the book the author has
claimed that the Prime Minister Manmohan Singh was running a government in which he had
little political authority.
The writer has said that the Prime Minister, Manmohan Singh was unable to prevent his
junior ministers from blocking a move towards a transparent system during the bidding for the coal
blocks. He also said that the coal scam would have been avoided if the Prime Minister pushed for
certain reforms like e-marketing and open auction of coal blocks.
PC Parekh claimed that he drew inspiration for writing a book from Premchands literary
work Namak Ka Daroga. The book has been published by Manas Publication.
PC Parakh (aged 68) retired as a Coal Secretary in 2005.
This book was released just after a book of Sanjaya Baru entitledThe Accidental Prime
Minister: The Making and Unmaking of Manmohan Singh.

Air pollution over Asian countries strengthened Pacific storms: PNAS Study
A study tittled Assessing the effects of anthropogenic aerosols on Pacific storm track using a
multiscale global climate model was published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences
(PNAS) in the US. The lead author of the study was Yuan wang
The study identified a link between increased pollution in Asian countries and changes in
weather systems over the Pacific Ocean.
The study noted that air pollution in China and other Asian countries is having far-reaching
impacts on weather patterns across the Northern Hemisphere.
Scientists had utilized the comprehensive emission data gathered by the Intergovernmental
Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) and examined two scenarios: one for an air pollution rate in the
pre-Industrial era 1850 and one from 2000.
The scientists discovered that man-made aerosols conclusively impact cloud formations
and mid-latitude cyclones linked with the Pacific storm track. This caused clouds to grow denser,
resulting in more intense storms above the ocean.
The aerosols formed by human activities from fast-growing Asian economies do impact storm
formation and global air circulation downstream. The particles tend to make storms deeper and
stronger and more intense, and these storms also have more precipitation in them.
The study identifies the most common aerosols as sulfates which predominately come from
coal-fired power plants. Other pollutant particles released by vehicle emissions were also detected.
Once in the atmosphere these particles reflect and absorb sunlight and can have both a cooling and
warming effect on climate zones.
Aerosols over the North Atlantic effect storms over the North Atlantic, and aerosols in the
monsoon region over South Asia can affect circulation around the whole of the world.
The Pacific storm track transports heat and moisture. The transfer of heat and moisture
seems to be elevated over the storm track downstream, signifying that the Pacific storm track has
strengthened because of the Asian air pollution outflow.
China is leading in terms of development in Asia which resulted into the highest air pollution.
Northern cities of China are the leading polluted cities as most of the power plants and steel
manufacturing plants are located in the north of China. The study reported that air quality standards
were only met on 48 days in 2013 in Beijing.

About aerosol
An aerosol is a colloid of fine solid particles or liquid droplets, in air or another gas. Examples
of aerosols include haze, dust, particulate air pollutants and smoke.

Eight franchisees of Indian Super League of AIFF announced

The names of the eight franchisees of All India Football Federations (AIFF) Indian Super
League (ISL) were announced on 13 April 2014. The names were announced after competitive

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bidding was held for the rights to own eight soccer teams in the ISL. The ISL is scheduled to be held
in September-November 2014.
During the competitive bidding each winning bidder paid about 25 million dollar for a 10year contract for each of the eight soccer teams. The base price of each time was fixed at 12 crore
rupees and the total money spent on acquiring eight team was 120 crore rupees. The highest price
of 18 crore rupees was paid for Kolkata team.

The list of Franchise of ISL

Delhi: Sameer Manchanda led Den Network
Bengaluru: Sun Group
Goa: Dattaraj Salgaocar, Shrinivas V Dempo, Venugopal Dhoot (Videocon)
Guwahati: John Abraham & Shillong Lajong
Kochi: Sachin Tendulkar & PVP Ventures
Kolkata: Sourav Ganguly, Harshavardhan Neotia, Atletico Madrid, Sanjeev Goenka, Utsav
Parekh
Mumbai: Ranbir Kapoor and Bimal Parekh
Pune: Salman Khan with Kapil Wadhawan and Dheeraj Wadhawan of the Wadhawan Group

About Indian Super League (ISL)

The ISL is an additional tournament after the I-League that will remain the bedrock of the
game. It is designed on the lines of Indian Premier League and other professional sporting leagues
in India.
The competition is owned equally by Mukesh Ambanis Reliance Industries Ltd. (RIL),
broadcaster Star India Pvt. Ltd., a unit of Rupert Murdochs New York-based 21st Century Fox Inc.,
and sports agency IMG Worldwide Inc.
The ISL objective is to help India qualify for the 2026 World Cup. At present India is ranked
145th in FIFAs world rankings.
The ISL may see in action the marquee players like former Manchester United star Dwight
Yorke, former Arsenal and French star Thierry Henry, former Argentina striker Hernan Crespo and
former Swedish star Fredrik Ljungberg.

GOI extended Tourist Visa-on-Arrival Scheme to the citizens of the South

Korea
Government of India (GOI) extended the Tourist Visa-on-Arrival Scheme to the citizens of
the South Korea (ROK) with effect from 15 April 2014.
The PM of India Manmohan Singh had conveyed this assurance to South Korean President
Madame Park Geun-hye during her State Visit to India in January 2014.
The Visa-on-Arrival Scheme holds validity for maximum of 30 days with single entry facility.
The facility will be offered at Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, Bengaluru, Hyderabad,
Thiruvananthapuram and Kochi airport. Fee charged will be 60 US dollar or equivalent amount in
Indian Rupees.
Naturally, tourists can also continue to avail the facility of obtaining visas at the Embassy of
India, Seoul prior to their travel to India, if they so prefer.
With the extension of TVOA facility to South Korea, the total number of countries to which
India has issued TVOA facility stands at 181 countries.

Background
In order to promote tourism, Tourist Visa on Arrival (TVOA) scheme was introduced for the
nationals of five countries, namely, Japan, Singapore, Finland, Luxembourg and New Zealand with
effect from 1 January 2010 for one year.
Further, TVOA scheme was introduced for the nationals of Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam and
Philippines with effect from 1 January 2011. For the nationals of Myanmar and Indonesia it was
allowed with effect from 28 January 2011.
TVOA is allowed for a maximum of two times in a calendar year to a foreigner with a minimum
gap of two months between each visit. TVOA shall be non-extendable and non-convertible.
The foreigners of above mentioned countries may also avail of TVOA for up to 30 days for
medical treatment, for casual business or to visit friends/relatives, etc. The TVOA facility is not
applicable to the holders of Diplomatic/Official Passports. Further, TVOA shall not be granted to the
foreigners who have permanent residence or occupation in India. Such persons can visit India on
normal visa, as applicable.

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Inflation based on WPI reached 3-month high of 5.7% in March 2014

Inflation based on Wholesale Price Index (WPI) reached a 3-month high of 5.7% in March
2014. This hike was driven up by increases in prices of food items and fuel costs.
The inflation in the food items based on the Wholesale Price Index (WPI) shot up by 9.9% in
the same month against 8.12 percent of February 2014. The overall WPI-based inflation dropped to
a nine-month low of 4.68% in February 2014. The WPI-based inflation is on decline since December
2013.
On the other hand, the retail inflation measured by Consumer Price Index (CPI) in March
2014 was recorded at 8.31% from 8.03% in February 2014. This rise was caused mainly on account
of a rise in fruit and vegetable prices.
The latest data released by the government said that the January 2014 inflation number
has been revised to 5.17% as against earlier estimate of 5.05 percent.

SBI launched financing scheme for women fashion boutique owners

State Bank of India (SBI) on 15 April 2014 launched a financing scheme for women fashion
boutique owners. SBI is the largest lender of India. The scheme is known asBoutique Financing.
The scheme aimed to offer working capital expenses to generate more working opportunities
for women. The scheme will also help the women through loans. Women owner would get overdraft
facilities.
SBI aimed to boost the growth potential of the segment. It would give loans at a concessional
interest rate and the maximum loan to be made available would be 50 lakh rupees for a period of
seven years.

Indians accounted for more than one-third of temporary workers in US:

DHS Report
Indians accounted for more than one-third of the temporary workers in the US in 2012. This
was revealed by the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in its report released on 16 April
2014.
The report said that Indian temporary workers at 430000 also accounted for the largest
number of non-immigrants residing in the US in 2012. Indians were followed by Chinese with
210000 residents and South Koreans with 140000 residents at second and third position. In 2012,
1.87 million non-immigrants resided in the US.

Highlights of the DHS Report

Out of the 1.9 million non-immigrants residing in the US, the largest categories were
temporary workers (45 percent, or 840000) and students (38 percent, or 720000).
Among temporary workers, 38 percent were citizens of India and 45 percent were in the
age group of 25-34
Nearly 50 percent of the students were citizens of China (22 percent), India (14 percent), or
South Korea (13 percent)
Slightly more than 50 percent of the students were in age group of 18-24
About half of the resident non-immigrants (980000) were citizens of Asian countries,
including India (23 percent), China (11 percent), South Korea (eight percent) and Japan (five percent).
Europe and North America comprised another 26 percent, led by Canada (six percent) and
Mexico (five percent).
The five leading countries accounted for over 50 per cent of the total non-immigrants
residing in the US.
Temporary workers made up much larger portions of the non-immigrant populations from
Mexico (78 percent), India (74 percent), Canada (67 percent) and the UK (65 percent) than from all
countries combined (45 percent)
Exchange visitors made up another 12 per cent of the total resident non-immigrant
population and the remaining four per cent were diplomats and other representatives.
Germany and France led the exchange visitor category accounting for more than 60 percent
of the total.
The top 5 destination states accounted for 44 percent of the total non-immigrants and the
top 10 accounted for more than 60 percent.
California was the leading destination state, followed by the New York, Texas, Florida and
Massachusetts.
Large percentages of the temporary worker population resided in Texas, New Jersey and
Washington and whereas larger than average percentages of the student population resided in
Massachusetts and Pennsylvania.

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CBI established Sport Integrity Unit to investigate sports fraud cases

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) established a Sport Integrity Unit on 15 April 2014
to investigate the cases related to fraud in sports. Betting and Match fixing are the most common
cases of sports fraud.
CBI had held discussions with officials of International Cricket Council (ICC) and Federation
Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) before setting up the unit.

Objective of this Unit

combating malpractices in sports
coordinating with sports federations and law enforcement agencies
investigating and inquiring into matters related to sports fraud

International Scenario
Internationally, the Australian Federal Police, Federal Bureau of Investigation (United States),
some European countries has established special dedicated units to investigate with cases of sports
fraud.

SBI launched Tab banking to facilitate opening of Saving Accounts

State Bank of India on 15 April 2014 launched digital banking facilities for the convenience
of SBI customers.
SBI has launched the facility of TAB banking for customers opening of Savings Bank accounts
and another for Housing Loan applicants.
SBI will offer its valued customers the facility of opening accounts at their door step through
Tab Banking. The sales staff of SBI will visit the customers at their home and with the use of the
tablets they will get the formalities completed.
These will be loaded on the CBS and the account number will be sent to the customer through
SMS/e-mail. This will provide convenience and time saving to the customer for opening accounts
with SBI.
SBI will also offer TAB banking facility at the place of the Housing Loan applicant, for inprinciple approval of home loan. The Home Loan Sales Team will visit the applicant and capture on
the tablet KYC details, information on the income & deductions and details of the proposed property
purchase (House/Flat).
Based on the income data furnished and cost of the project, the applicant will be advised on
the approximate housing loan amount eligible and the EMI amount. The applicant will get in principle
approval for the proposed Housing Loan through email. The actual loan will be processed subsequently
subject to usual formalities.
17-APR-2014

61st National Film Awards: Ship of Theseus won Best Feature Film
The 61st National Film Awards for 2013 was announced in New Delhi on 16 April 2014 by the
Directorate of Film Festivals. Ship of Theseus directed by Anand Gandhi was selected as the Best
feature film.
Best popular film providing wholesome entertainment award was given to Bhaag Milkha
Bhaag that was produced and directed in 2013 by Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra on a script written by
Prasoon Joshi. Farhan Akhtar played the role of Milkha Singh in the film.
The artists who gave benchmark performances in acting and film making in the year 2013
were announced by jury Saeed Akhtar Mirza and Reena Mohan. The list of winners chosen by the

jury in National Film Awards 2013 is as follows

Best Actor Raj Kumar for Shahid in hindi and Suraj Venjaramoodu for Perariyathavar in
Malyalam
Best Actress Geetanjali Thapa for Liars Dance in Hindi
Best Direction Hansal Mehta for film Shahid
Best Film on Social Issues Gulabi Gang directed by Nishtha
Best Supporting Actor Saurabh Shukla for Jolly LLB
Best Supporting Actress Amruta Subhash for Astu in Marathi and Aida El-Kashef for Ship
of Theseus
Best Childrens Film Kaphal (Hindi), directed by Batul Mukhtiar
Best Child Artist Somnath Avghade for Fandy in Marathi and Sadhana for Thanga Meengal
in Tamil

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 Special Jury Award Yellow in Marathi directed by Mahesh Limaye and Miss Lovely in
Hindi directed by Ashim Ahuwalia
Indira Gandhi Award for Best Debut Film of a Director Fandry in Marathi directed by
Nagraj Manjule
Nargis Dutt Award for Best Feature Film on National Integration Thalaimuraigal (Tamil)
directed by Balu Mahindra
Best Writing on Cinema or Book of the Cinema Cinema Ga Cinema in Telugu authored
by Nandagopal and published by Praga India, Hyderabad
The award ceremony will be held on 3 May 2014.

About National Film Awards

The National Film Awards are most prominent awards given away to the film fraternity.
These awards were established in 1954. Annually, the national panel is appointed by Government
of India to select the winner in different categories. The awards are presented by the President of
India in the official ceremony.

Google bought Drone maker Titan Aerospace to deliver internet across the
globe
Google on 14 April 2014 bought Titan Aerospace, a maker of high-altitude solar-powered
drones. It has acquired the drone making company to bring internet access to the remotest parts of
the world and also to solve problems related to it.
None of the two companies has disclosed the financial term of acquisition.
As per the internet giant, Google the atmospheric satellites could be used in disaster relief
and assessing environmental damage and voice and data communications.

How acquisition of Titan will help Google in its different projects

The drones of Titan would enable Google to collect pictures across the planet and help in
Google Earth and Maps
It will be fruitful for Googles Project Loon in which the company earlier decided to send
high-altitude balloons into the atmosphere to provide internet access to such areas of earth that
are yet not connected. It will also work closely with the other projects of google like Makani airborne
wind turbine Power Company that Google acquired last year.
Earlier, Facebook also acquired UK-based Solar drone company Ascenta for 20 million dollar
(12million pound).
Titan Aerospace based in Moriarty, New Mexico is in the process to develop two types of
solar-powered drones. These drones will have an ability to fly for years (about five years) and its
expected that the commercial operations of these drones would start by 2015.

Some of the important Mergers and acquisition by Google in 2014

Green Throttle a Gadgets company on 12 March 2014
Spider.io an Anti ad-fraud firm on 21 February 2014
SlickLogin and internet Security Company on 16 February 2014
DeepMind Technologies an Artificial Intelligence company on 26 January 2014
Impermium an Internet security company on 15 January 2014

Cherrapunji regained the World record for highest rainfall in 48 hours

World Meteorological Organization (WMO) panel on 4 April 2014 announced that Cherrapunji
in India regained the world record for highest rainfall in 48 hours with 2493 millimeters. The
previous highest rainfall in Cherrapunji was recorded on 1516 June 1995.
The previous world record for 48-hour rainfall was held by La Reunion Island in the Indian
Ocean. La Reunion Island holds the record with 2467 millimeters from April 1958. L Reunion is a
French island with a population of 840974 inhabitants located in the Indian Ocean, southwest of
Mauritius.
La Reunion is frequently hit by tropic cyclones and received large amounts of rainfall over
its mountains. It continued to hold the record for the most rainfall over periods of 12-hours and 24hours from 1966. The record of highest 72 hours and 96 hours was made in 2007.
The new 48-hour record reaffirms Cherrapunji (also known as Sohra) as one of the wettest
places on Earth. Cherrapunji also hold record rainfall for a 12-month (one-year) period, with 26470
mm (86 feet 10 inches) of rain from August 1860 to July 1861.
Cherrapunjis extensive rains are the result of summer monsoon depressions interacting
with its mountainous topography.

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Cherrapunji is situated on a plateau in the state of Meghalaya at an average elevation of

1484 metres (4 869 ft), facing the plains of Bangladesh.

PGCIL & PGCB to conduct joint feasibility study to export 100 MW power
to Bangladesh
Power Grid Corporation of India Ltd. (PCIL) and Power Grid Company of Bangladesh (PGCB) on
16 April 2014 decided to conduct a joint feasibility study for exporting 100 MW power to Bangladesh
from gas-fired Palatana power plant in Tripura.
As per the decision made during the meeting of 7th Joint Steering Committee on Power
held in Dhaka on 3 April 2014, the study will be carried out within next three months. During the
same meet, the 7th Joint Committee also made a decision to establish second grid interconnectivity
between the two countries to take electricity from Indias north-eastern states to western states
transiting Bangladesh, with a long-term capacity of 6000 MW.
The preliminary assessment says that power from Palatana would come to Comilla for getting
connected with Bangladeshs national grid. Bangladesh has a power substation at the border point
under Comilla-North power supply system.
Since October 2013, India exports 500 MW power to Bangladesh through India-Bangladesh
Grid Interconnectivity at the Bahrampur-Behramara.

European Parliament approved the Banking Union reforms

The European Parliament on 15 April 2014 approved the Banking Union reforms. The banking
reforms provides for a set of rules to supervise the eurozone banks and deal with any future failures.
It also puts an end to the era of taxpayers-funded bailouts of defaulting banks.

The main features of the Banking Union reforms

To establish a new oversight system known as the Single Supervisory Mechanism (SSM)
under the European Central Bank (ECB) this will become operational from November 2014.
SSM will be complemented by a Single Resolution Mechanism (SRM). SRM will act on the
advice of the ECB to stabilise or close down a bank before it can do any wider damage to the economy
A fund of 55 billion euros (76 billion dollars) will be set up to cover the cost of closures. The
fund will be paid by a levy on the banks.
Customer deposits will be guaranteed up to 100000 euros, with the banks also required to
meet this commitment by setting aside enough reserves
Lenders must comply with stricter rules of conduct and capital levels. The aim is to limit
the amount of risk a lender can take on and to ensure that shareholders and creditors shoulder the
cost of any rescue, not the taxpayer.

Analysis
The Banking Union reforms are widely seen as essential for the monetary union of the euro
single currency whose very existence came under threat as the debt crisis forced Greece and then
Ireland and Portugal to seek massive international bailouts.
However, the International Monetary Fund warned that more work was needed because the
procedures appeared too cumbersome to ensure a rapid solution if a bank threatened the financial
system.

Admiral RK Dhowan appointed as the new Navy Chief

Admiral Robin K Dhowan on 17 April 2014 took over as the 22nd Chief of Indian Navy. At the
time of being appointed as the chief of Navy, he was serving the Indian Navy as its acting Naval
Chief. He is a successor of Admiral DK Joshi, who resigned on 26 February 2014 taking moral
responsibility of the accident on INS Sindhuratna in Mumbai. Joshi was the first Defence forces
Chief to resign, since independence.
Admiral Dhowan (59) after the resignation of Joshi was appointed as the acting Navy chief
and his appointment as the Chief of Indian Navy Staff has helped him to supersede Western Naval
Commander, Shekhar Sinha. His tenure on the post is of 25 months as he will retire in May 2016.

About Admiral Dhowan

As per a Defence Ministry release, Dhowan is a navigation and direction specialist and he
has commanded frontline warships INS Khurki, INS Ranjit and INS Delhi.
He has also served as Chief Staff Officer (Operations) Headquarters Western Naval Command.
As a Flag Officer, he had commanded the Eastern Fleet
He has served as the Chief of Staff at Headquarters Eastern Naval Command, Visakhapatnam
He is an alumnus of the National Defence Academy

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As per the rule of National Defence College, Admiral Dhowan will be succeeded by
Commandant Vice Admiral Sunil Lamba in May 2016 as the Navy Chief.
Comment:The resignation of Admiral Joshi in February 2014, 15-months before
superannuation paved path for the change in the line of succession in Navy. If Joshi would have
retired on superannuation in August 2015, then Southern Naval Commander Vice Admiral Satish
Soni would have been appointed as the next Navy Chief.

Some other recent accidents in Navy

Submarine INS Sindhurakshak it sank at the Naval Dockyard in Mumbai on 14 August
2013 in which 18 navy personnel were died on board
Minesweeper INS Konkan fire was reported in the engine room on 4 December 2013
while it was being repaired
Frontline frigate INS Talwar it collided on the Maharashtra coast with a fishing trawler
on 23 December 2013
Amphibious ship INS Airavat damages was caused after its propellers striked the ground
while returning to the harbour in Visakhapatnam on 30 January 2014
Indian Navy vessel INS Matanga - on 6 April 2014 caught fire on board while undergoing
repairs at the Mumbai

South Korean ferry drowned off the South of the Korean peninsula
South Korean ferry carrying 459 passengers and crew drowned on 16 April 2014 off the south
of the Korean Peninsula. Maritime Ministry had rescued only 164 passengers and as many as 293
people were still missing.
The ferry ran into trouble some 20 kilometres off the island of Byungpoong.
The 6825 tonne ferry was identified as the Sewol. It was carrying about 470 passengers
including the students and teachers towards a route to Jeju Island. Jeju Island is located at about
100 km (60 miles) south of the Korean peninsula.
As reported, the ferry tilted over 45 degrees on the port side with helicopters flying overhead,
and then fully capsized with only its stern visible.

Randstad India Country Report 2014 released

Randstad India Country released a report on 17 April 2014 based on the survey of employed
workforce in India.
Microsoft emerged as the most attractive employer in the survey followed by Sony India.
The survey covered more than 8000 potential and employed workforce in India. The survey
found that the competitive salary and employee benefits and long-term job security were the most
important factors when choosing an employer.
The survey showed that men preferred companies which offered competitive salary and job
security, while women looked at better work atmosphere, accessibility and flexible working conditions.
Other criterion included financial health of the company, good work-life balance, pleasant working
atmosphere and career progression opportunities.
The workforce aged above 35 years sought financially healthy companies for employment
whereas those below 35 were attracted towards training and global career opportunities.
Meanwhile, more than 70 per cent respondent found IT, communication, telecom and ITeS
industry to be the most attractive sector to work. This was followed by FMCG and retail, auto & autocomponents sector.
With employee attrition on the rise, employer branding has become crucial, now more than
ever, and companies are viewing this as a competitive differentiators tool to build great brands that
will help them attract, manage and retain best talent, he added.
Among the total respondents, 41% desired a more relaxed work schedule as a motivation to
serve longer in a company, while 40 per cent considered less working hours as a key motivator.

Comic book icon Archie to die in Julys final issue

Archie Andrews the famous comic book character that has ruled the market of comics for
past 73 years is set to die in this summer issue of July 2014.
Archie Comics in the second week of April 2014 announced that in the July issue of Life
with Archie, the character of Archie will heroically sacrifice his life while saving the life of a friend.
Life with Archie which was published five years ago tells the story of grown-up renditions of Archie
and his fictional town Riverdale.

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The final moments of Archie will be detailed in issue number 36 of Life of Archie, while the
issue number 37 will jump forward a year and focus on his friends namely Betty, Jughead, Veronica
and Reggie.
Archie for the first time was introduced inPep Comics1941. The comic has seen liveaction television specials and a cartoon show, and has found a new audience in the glitter of Bollywood.
Archie, the fictional character was created by Vic Bloom and Bob Montana.
Archie Comics publisher and co-CEO is Jon Goldwater

3D model of malaria parasite genome created for the first time

Scientists from University of California, Riverside created a 3D model of the human malaria
parasite genome for the first time. The 3D model was created at three different stages in the life
cycle of parasite. The creation of 3D model will help in identifying new anti-malaria drugs.
The study was published in the journal Genome Research on 16 April 2014.
Why the need for development of 3D Model
To understand the biology of an organism or any cell type, Scientist needs to understand the
following
The information encoded in the genome sequence;
how the genome sequence is compacted and physically organised in each cell or tissue;
how the changes in the 3D genome architecture can play a critical role in regulating gene
expression, chromosome morphogenesis and genome stability.
Thus, the Scientists at California University used a chromosome conformation capture
method and high throughput sequencing to analyse the organisation of the genome of p.falciparum
in the natural state of the cell. Scientists then used the maps of all physical interactions to generate
a 3D model of the genome for each stage of the parasite life cycle.
Once the scientists understand how the malaria parasite genome is organised in the nucleus
and which components control this organisation. Then it is possible to disrupt the genome
architecture and the parasite development too. Hence, genome architecture is critical in regulating
gene expression and in regulating genes that are critical for parasite virulence.

The Findings of the Study

The team found the genes that are need to be highly expressed in the malaria parasite.
Those genes are involved in translation and genes tend to cluster in the same area of the cell
nucleus.
On the other hand genes need to be tightly repressed, like genes involved in virulence are
found elsewhere in the 3D structure in a repression center. Virulence genes in the malaria parasite
are responsible for the survival of Parasite in the humans.
Team found these genes are all organised into one repression center in a distinct area in the
nucleus and seem to drive the full genome organisation of the parasite. The team successfully
mapped all physical interactions between genetic elements in the parasite nucleus

A new robot, Borewell Robot, developed to rescue kids who fall into
borewells
A new robot called Borewell Robot was developed by M.Manigandan to rescue kids who fall
into borewells. M.Manigandan is a Madurai-based social worker.
The indigenously developed robot proved its mettle on 14 April 2014 when it successfully saved a life
of a three year old boy. The boy fell into a borewell in a village in Tirunelveli (Southern Tamil Nadu).

Features of Robot
Two feet high
5 kg weight
Detachable arms
An iron framework
Ability to carry weight upto 50 Kgs
A high resolution camera to take pictures in pitch dark conditions
Pictures viewable on a computer
A hook on its top to enable its suspension through a rope into borewells
M. Manigandan, an ITI educated fitter is working as a faculty in a college which provides
vocational training to rural people.

Randstad Awards 2014 announced

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Randstad Awards 2014 was announced on 17 April 2014 to encourage best practices for talent
attraction and to identify the best Employer Brand in the country based on perceived attractiveness
of a company.
Randstad have awarded the Global software major Microsoft as the most attractive employer
in India followed by Sony India as the runner-up. The award was won by Microsoft for the fourth
consecutive year.
Special recognition awards were given to Larsen & Toubro as the most attractive employer
in the infrastructure industry, State Bank of India in the banking sector, Taj Group in the hospitality
and Tata Power in the energy sector.
The Randstad Award was instituted globally by Randstad. Randstad is a leading HR services
provider. The Randstad Award is the worlds largest employer branding survey that is conducted
with over 200000 respondents across 23 countries in the world.
In India, the survey was conducted amongst a large audience of 8015 respondents to find the
countrys most attractive employer brand for the year 2014.

Piramal Enterprises Ltd decided to acquire 20 percent stake in Shriram

Capital
Piramal Enterprises Ltd decided on 17 April 2014 to acquire 20 percent stake in Shriram
Capital Ltd for 20.14 billion rupees. The new acquisition will make Piramal presence in financial
services sector and will create a long-term shareholder value-creation of partnership with Shriram
Capital.
Piramal had invested 1636 crore rupees in May 2013 to acquire 9.9% equity in Shriram
Transport Finance Co. Ltd, one of the listed non-banking finance company (NBFC) forming part of
the Shriram Group.
On 10 April 2014, Piramal Enterprises had sold its 11% stake in Vodafone India Ltd to Prime
Metal Ltd, an indirect subsidiary of Vodafone Group Plc, for 8900 crore rupees, marking another
milestone in the transformation of Ajay Piramal from a healthcare czar to one of Indias largest
financiers.
Ajay Piramal, chairman of Piramal Enterprises had also hinted that he had plans to increase
the companys stake in Shriram Transport Finance Co. Ltd.

About Piramal Enterprises:

The Piramal Group or Enterprise is a global conglomerate that comprises of various companies
that operate in different sectors including critical care, pharmaceutical solutions, consumer products,
lab diagnostics, vitamins and fine chemicals, drug discovery, healthcare information management
etc,.

About Shriram Capital

Shriram Capital is a Chennai-based Shriram group which includes Shriram Transport
Finance Co Ltd and Shriram City Union Finance.
Sanlam, South African financial services company, a joint venture partner of the Shriram
Group owns a 26 percent stake in both life and general insurance. US-private equity firm TPG
Capital holds a minority stake of 10 percent in Shriram Capital.
19-APR-2014

World Heritage Day was observed on 18 April 2014

18 April: World Heritage Day
The world on 18 April 2014 celebrated the World Heritage Day to celebrate the International
Day for Monuments and Sites. Theme for 18 April 2014 is Heritage of Commemoration.
At present, there are 981 World Heritage Sites spread across 160 countries (listed till January
2014). The heritage site across the world reflects the rich diversity of the worlds cultural heritage.
In context of India, the UNESCO on this day put 15 additional sites located across the country
in its tentative list of world heritage sites. Earlier, India had submitted a list of 33 sites to UNESCO
and this addition of 15 more sites in the tentative list means that in future 48 sites of India are in
the race being listed in the list of Heritage sites.

Indian properties inscribed on the World Heritage List are 30 of which 24

are cultural and 6 are Natural
Cultural Sites are
Agra Fort (1983)
Ajanta Caves (1983)

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 Buddhist Monuments at Sanchi (1989)

Champaner-Pavagadh Archaeological Park (2004)
Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus (formerly Victoria Terminus) (2004)
Churches and Convents of Goa (1986)
Elephanta Caves (1987)
Ellora Caves (1983)
Fatehpur Sikri (1986)
Great Living Chola Temples (1987)
Group of Monuments at Hampi (1986)
Group of Monuments at Mahabalipuram (1984)
Group of Monuments at Pattadakal (1987)
Hill Forts of Rajasthan (2013)
Humayuns Tomb, Delhi (1993)
Khajuraho Group of Monuments (1986)
Mahabodhi Temple Complex at Bodh Gaya (2002)
Mountain Railways of India (1999)
Qutb Minar and its Monuments, Delhi (1993)
Red Fort Complex (2007)
Rock Shelters of Bhimbetka (2003)
Sun Temple, Konrak (1984)
Taj Mahal (1983)
The Jantar Mantar, Jaipur (2010)

Natural Sitesare
Kaziranga National Park (1985)
Keoladeo National Park (1985)
Manas Wildlife Sanctuary (1985)
Nanda Devi and Valley of Flowers National Parks (1988)
Sundarbans National Park (1987)
Western Ghats (2012)
The 22nd UNESCO General Conference in 1983 approved establishment of 18 April as
International Monuments and Sites Day traditionally called as the World Heritage Day. The first
Heritage Day was celebrated as the International Day for Monuments and Sites on 18 April 1982 by
ICOMOS in Tunisia.

Aim of observing World Heritage Day

World Heritage Day or the International Day for Monuments and Sites is observed with an
aim to encourage local communities and individuals throughout the world to consider the importance
of cultural heritage in their lives, identities and communities. It is also aimed to promote awareness
of its diversity and vulnerability and the efforts required to protect and conserve it.
The day generally is celebrated across the world by organizing several events like exhibitions,
excursions, scientific conferences and symposia, photography competitions, excursions and others.

Nobel laureate Gabriel Garcia Marquez died at 87

Gabriel Garcia Marquez, the Nobel laureate in literature died at the age of 87 in Mexico on
17 April 2014. He was considered the most popular Spanish-language writer after Miguel de Cervantes
in the 17th Century.
He was born in Colombia in 1927 and received the Nobel Prize in 1982 for literature. His
novels and short stories were about Latin Americas passion, superstition, violence and inequality.
He was an elder statesman of Latin American journalism, with magisterial works of narrative
non-fiction that included the Story of A Shipwrecked Sailor, the tale of a seaman lost on a life raft
for 10 days.
His stories made him the best-known practitioner of magical realism and the fictional blending
of the everyday with fantastical elements in literature such as a boy born with a pigs tail and a man
trailed by a cloud of yellow butterflies.
His first and epic novel One Hundred Years of Solitude was published in 1967 which earned
him accolades around the world. The novel was translated into 25 languages and around 50 million
copies of the novel were sold.

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His other books include Chronicle of a Death Foretold (1981), Love in the Time of Cholera
(1985), Autumn of the Patriarch (1975), The General in his Labyrinth (1989), Of Love and Other
Demons (1994) and Living to Tell the Tale (2002).

Giant torch unveiled in US to honour Chinmoy Kumar Ghose

A giant torch was unveiled on 17 April 2014 in honour of Indian spiritual leader Chinmoy
Kumar Ghose in New York, USA. Torch unveiled is a replica of the Olympic torch. The 25 foot tall
torch was unveiled by Ashrita Furman.
The torch was unveiled to honour the 50 years of Ghose. Chinmoy Kumar Ghose had moved
to New York from India in April 1964.
The torch is considered as the worlds largest and a replica of Olympic torch. The huge torch
is 11 times larger than the Olympic torch used in the 1998 Winter Olympic games to carry the
flame from Athens to Nagano in Japan and weighs 1200 kg.
Furman, who constructed the aluminum and steel torch over three weeks, credited the
teachings of Ghose for his inspiration. Through the torch, Furman could make a new Guinness
record.
In the peace run torch relay, 50 ambassadors and 300 runners also set a new Guinness
record for reciting a poem on peace by the spiritual leader in 206 languages.
The peace run torch relay was founded by Ghose in 1987. Since its inception, the relay has
been held across 140 countries.

Size and the period of orbiting the star by Kepler-186f

The astronomers claimed that the exoplanet is known to be less than 10% larger than
Earth but they doesnt know about its mass, composition and density. The previous study suggests
that a planet size of discovered Kepler-186f is rocky.
It orbits its star in 130 days and it receives one-third energy from its star as Earth receives
from our sun.
The Kepler-186 systems star is half in size and mass of the sun and is a home of four inner
planets
Prior to the discovery of Kepler-186f, a similar Earth-like planet was Kepler-62f that was 40%
larger than the size of Earth and it also orbited its star in habitable zone. Kepler-186f is a tip-of-theiceberg discovery.
Elisa Quintana is the Study leader and is a planetary scientist at NASA Ames Research
Center at Moffett Field

High content of manganese detected in Selaulim reservoir of Goa

High content of manganese was detected by the State Public Works Department (PWD) in
Selaulin reservoir of Goa on 19 April 2014. The level of manganese detected in the reservoir was 0.1
mg. This is less than the level of manganese content detected earlier and is within safe limit.
Earlier in July 2012, PWD had restricted supply of drinking water from the reservoir when
the level of manganese had increased six folds. It increased from the usual 0.5 mg to 3.0 mg. The
reason for the increase in the level of manganese content was mining dumps stacked along side
the rivers feeding water to the reservoir are getting washed into due to rains.
Goa Legislative Assemblys adhoc committee on forests had in the past suggested that water
quality in Selaulim dam be monitored as mining rejects from nearby dumps flow into it.
Selaulin reservoir located at Sangeum in South Goa supplies potable drinking water to more than
half of the population of Goa. At the reservoir around 160-180 million metric tonnes of water is
processed daily.

Amadeus-Oxford Economics report titled Shaping the Future of Travel

released
Amadeus-Oxford Economics report titledShaping the Future of Travelwas released on 2
April 2014. As per the report India, China and other emerging economies like Brazil and Russia will
lead the growth in global aviation market over the next 10 years.
The driver of this growth in the aviation industry of these countries would be rising wealth
and changing consumer habits.

Main highlights of the Report

Global travel rebounded rapidly from the 2009 financial crisis and is expected to grow robustly
over the next decade.

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 Global overnight visitor flows will grow at 5.4% per annum over the next decade which is
faster than the GDP growth of 3.4% and is more in line with the expected expansion in global trade
flows of 5.8% .
In terms of regional overnight visitor flows, Asia Pacific, the Middle East and Africa will be
the fastest growing regions over the next decade.
Over the next 10 years, Asia will grow at nearly double the rate it achieved in the period
2002-2012. Yet, the share of Europe in the visitor flows will remain dominant out to 2023.
For outbound travel spend, the Asia Pacific region will be the growth leader over the next
ten years, overtaking Europe to dominate global outbound travel spend by 2023.
North East Asia alone will account for 42% of the growth in global outbound business travel
expenditure over the next decade, with South East Asia accounting for a further 13% .
Non-OECD countries accounted for 44% of global air traffic in 2013 and it is expected to rise
to 51% in the next ten years, driven primarily by the expansion of large emerging markets, especially
China.
Non-OECD air traffic is increasingly independent of mature Western markets, with SouthSouth journeys accounting for 40% of global air traffic in the past five years.
China may overtake the US as the largest source of outbound travel expenditure in the
world in 2014, with Chinas share of global outbound travel expenditure set to rise from 1% in 2005
to 20% in 2023.
In fact, the potential market for outbound Chinese tourism could more than double to 220
million households in the next decade.
China may also surpass the US as the worlds largest domestic travel market by 2017.
Growth would not be exclusive to China. It is forecast that other large emerging markets
such as Russia, Brazil, India, Indonesia and Turkey will also average more than five per cent annual
growth over the next 10 years
Conclusion
The Amadeus-Oxford Economic Report concludes that emerging market travel sectors are
not only growing, but also innovating to meet the demands of rapidly expanding and maturing domestic
markets, with lessons for Western providers. Technologically, emerging markets are often more
open to change and local agents are more experimental than their advanced market counterparts.

About Amadeus IT Group

Amadeus IT Group was born on 21 October 1987 in accordance with an agreement between
Air France, Iberia, Lufthansa and SAS to create a new global distribution system. It is headquartered
in Madrid, Spain.
It is a technology provider for travelling sector across the world. It operates in 195 countries
with a worldwide team of more than 11000 people.
Amadeus is listed on the Spanish Stock Exchange and forms part of the IBEX 35 Index.
Luis Maroto is the present President and CEO of Amadeus IT Group.

SEBI issued detailed Corporate Governance Norms

Capital market regulator of India, the Security and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) on 17
April 2014 issued detailed corporate governance norms for listed companies. The norms have been
launched for stricter disclosures and protection of investor rights, including equitable treatment for
minority and foreign shareholders.
SEBI has amendedclauses 35B and 49of the listing agreement and the new rules will be
effective from 1 October 2014.The norms requires companies to set certain things,namely
The listed companies need to provide the option of facility of e-voting to shareholders on all
resolutions proposed to be passed at general meetings
To get shareholders approvals for related party transactions
Establish whistle blower mechanism
Elaborate disclosures on pay packages
Have at least a woman director on their boards
The issued norms of SEBI are associated with the new Companies Act and are aimed to
encourage companies to adopt best practices on corporate governance. The new set of norms was
approved by the SEBI board during its meeting held in February 2014.

Hotelier S. S. Chatwal pleaded guilty for violating US federal election laws

Indian-American hotelier Sant Singh Chatwal on 18 April 2014 pleaded guilty at a US court
for violating federal election laws by using straw donors.

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A straw donor is someone who illegally uses someone elses money to make campaign
contributions in his or her own name.
He pleaded guilty in the Eastern District of New York to conspiring to violate the Federal
Election Campaign Act (the Election Act) by making more than USD 180000 in federal campaign
donations to three candidates through straw donors who were reimbursed and to witness tampering.
For Instance, Chatwal had raised at least 100000 US dollars for former secretary of state Hillary
Clintons 2008 presidential campaign against Barack Obama.
He was freed on a 750000 US dollars bond secured by property in Manhattan. He will be
convicted on 31 July 2014. Chatwal could face a maximum of six years in prison.

About Sant Singh Chatwal

Sant Singh Chatwal is an Indian-American businessman. He heads the chain of the
Hampshire Hotels and Bombay Palace chain of restaurants.
Chatwal was awarded Padma Bhushan in 2010 for his role in the India-US civilian nuclear
deal. This led to a public controversy based on allegations of malfeasance leveled against Chatwal.
The Government of India has since upheld its award decision.

Abdelaziz Bouteflika won the Presidential election for the Fourth

consecutive time
Abdelaziz Bouteflika won the Presidency for the fourth time consecutively in Algeria on 18
April 2014. He belongs to National Liberation Front party.
He won the presidential election with a huge 81 percent of the vote. In 2008, he won the
elections with 90 percent of the vote.
Ali Benflis, main opponent, received 12.18 percent of the total votes casted. Other opponents
Abdelaziz Belaid and Louisa Hanoune received 3.03 percent and 1.37 percent of the votes respectively.
Voters turnout stood at 51.3 percent of the registered voters which went down from the 75 percent
in 2009.
In 1999, Bouteflika took office when Algeria was still in a civil war between the military and
Islamist militants and restored some economic stability. In 2012, he surpassed Houari Boumedienne
as the longest-serving President of Algeria.
The president is elected for five years term by the people in Algeria. The presidentship was
limited to two terms in the original constitution. However, the constitution was amended in 2008 to
remove the term limits.

Abdelaziz Bouteflika won the Presidential election for the Fourth

consecutive time
Abdelaziz Bouteflika won the Presidency for the fourth time consecutively in Algeria on 18
April 2014. He belongs to National Liberation Front party.
He won the presidential election with a huge 81 percent of the vote. In 2008, he won the elections
with 90 percent of the vote.
Ali Benflis, main opponent, received 12.18 percent of the total votes casted. Other opponents
Abdelaziz Belaid and Louisa Hanoune received 3.03 percent and 1.37 percent of the votes respectively.
Voters turnout stood at 51.3 percent of the registered voters which went down from the 75 percent
in 2009.
In 1999, Bouteflika took office when Algeria was still in a civil war between the military and
Islamist militants and restored some economic stability. In 2012, he surpassed Houari Boumedienne
as the longest-serving President of Algeria.
The president is elected for five years term by the people in Algeria. The presidentship was
limited to two terms in the original constitution. However, the constitution was amended in 2008 to
remove the term limits.

12 Sherpa Guides killed in Avalanche on Mount Everest

Massive avalanche struck Mount Everest on 18 April 2014 killing about 12 Nepalese Sherpa
guides and injuring several others. This avalanche was the deadliest mountaineering accident
witnessed on the worlds highest peak.
The avalanche occurred at an altitude of about 5800 meters (19000 feet) in an area known
as popcorn field, which is located on the route to the treacherous Khumbu icefall.

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Nepalese Sherpa guides and climbers

The Sherpa people are an ethnic group in eastern Nepal who guides mainly the foreign
clients to climb the summit. For past six decades, they have been guiding mount climbers in climbing
expeditions on the worlds highest peak.
Around 4000 people have scaled the peak of Mount Everest since 1953, the year when the
New Zealander Edmund Hillary and the Nepalese Sherpa Tenzing Norgay became the first to reach
the 8848-metre-high summit of Mount Everest on the Nepal-Tibet border.

Other worst recorded accident on Everest occurred are

Snowstorm on 11 May 1996 in which killed eight climbers and this tragedy was immortalized
in the best-selling book Into Thin Air, written by Jon Krakauer, an US mountaineering journalist.
Avalanche of 1970 in which six Nepalese guides were killed.

What is avalanche?
Avalanche is also known as snow slip or snowslide and is a rapid flow of snow down the
sloping surface. Generally, this is triggered due to mechanical failure in the slab avalanche
(snowpack) and snow exceeds its strength.
Other big cause of natural avalanches is metamorphic changes in the snowpack such as
melting due to solar radiation. Other natural causes include rain, earthquakes, rockfall and icefall.
Artificial triggers of avalanches include skiers, snowmobiles, and controlled explosive work.
In cases, when the avalanche moves enough faster than it may mix snow with the air and
form snow avalanche, a type of gravity current.

Types of Avalanche
Slab avalanches
Powder snow avalanches
Wet snow avalanches

Russia, Ukraine and West signed Deal to ease Ukrainian crisis

Russia, Ukraine and West (US and European Union) signed a surprise deal to ease Ukrainian
Crisis. The deal was signed in Geneva on 17 April 2014.
The deal among the four parties agreed to restore security for all citizens. Besides to disarm
illegal armed groups who seized buildings in Ukraine and return the buildings to their rightful
owners. The agreement also called on all sided to avoid from violence, intimidation and provocation
and to reject extremism in all sides.

Back ground
Ukraine has faced months of turmoil. It all started with former President Viktor Yanukovych
wanted to have closer ties with Russia instead of Europe. As a result there were protests against
the president Viktor Yanukovych and in the month of March 2014 the turmoil ended with annexation
of Crimea by Russia.
Inspired from the referendum and annexation of Crimean peninsula, the other three
ethnically Russian speaking population of Eastern Ukraine, viz., Donetsk, Kharkiv and Lugansk
have also demanded referendum.
According to the Demands of the insurgents the interim Prime Minister and President
released a statement that
Ukrainian government is ready to conduct a comprehensive constitutional reform that
will secure powers of the regions giving them a greater say in local governance.
The government also pledged a special status to the Russian language and vowed to protect
the rights of all citizens whatever language they spoke.

Stanislas Wawrinka won Monte Carlo Masters Tennis title by defeating

Roger Federer
Stanislas Wawrinka on 20 April 2014 won the mens single Monte Carlo Masters Tennis
title by defeating former world number one Roger Federer, 4-6, 7-6(5), 6-2. With this, the 29-year-old
Wawrinka has won his first ATP World Tour Masters 1000 title.
On the other hand the Doubles trophy was won by top seeded Americas Bryan brothers, Bob
and Mike. To capture the doubles trophy, they defeated the4 third seeded Croatian-Brazilian team
of Ivan Dodig and Marcelo Melo, 6-3, 3-6, 10-8.

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21-APR-2014

Joshna Chinappa won inaugural Richmond Open of Squash

Joshna Chinappa won inaugural Richmond Open of Squash at the Country Club of Virginia,
US on 19 April 2014. Chinappa won against Australian Champion Rachael Grinham. Chinappa
(ranked 21) scored 11-9, 11-5 and 11-8 in the finals and this was her first win in six meetings over
Rachael Grinham (ranked 16).
This was Chinappas ninth Women Squash Association (WSA) tour title in Country Club of
Virginia. This was the 16th final of Joshna and 65th for Grinham since her career started in 1998.
Joshna was defeated by the Grinham at the Texas Open held from 8 April to 13 April 2014 in US.

About Joshna Chinappa

Chinappa is the first Indian to win the British Squash Championship title in 2003 in the
under 19 category held in United Kingdom.
She won the Chennai Open by defeating Sarah Jane Perry of England in 2012.
She won the Winnipeg Winter Open trophy against Heba El Torky of Egypt on 2 February
2014.

First double-decker flyover opened at Mumbai

First double-decker flyover of India was opened for public use on 18 April 2014 in Mumbai.
The flyover will provide a critical east-west suburban link in the city and has slashed travel
time from the earlier 90 minutes to barely 20 minutes. The project was named as SantacruzChembur Link Road (SCLR).
The flyover spanned a total length of 3.45 km and another 1.8 km long double-decker flyover
crossed above the Central Railway and Harbour Line tracks. The flyover will give a speedy access
from the Western Express Highway to Kurla, Tilak Nagar, Chembur and Eastern Express Highway.
The project was planned in 2002 and construction was started from 2006.
The World Bank funded the SCLR project. The Santacruz-Chembur Link Road took a cost of
around 4.54 billion rupees.

Union Government decided to continue export subsidy of 3300 rupees

per tonne on raw sugar export
Union Government of India on 20 April 2014 decided to continue the export subsidy of 3300
rupees per tonne on raw sugar shipments for April - May 2014 period.
The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) in February 2014 had approved an
incentive for export of four million tonnes of raw sugar for two years. The incentive would help the
cash starved industry to pay arrears to sugarcane farmers.
As a result, for February March 2014 period, the subsidy of 3300 rupees per tonne was fixed
for the export of raw sugar. Besides, the CCEA had also decided to review the subsidy amount after
every two months depending upon the rupee-dollar exchange rates.
Latest data released by Indian Sugar Mills Association (ISMA) shows that an estimated 1.45
million tonnes of sugar in both raw and refined form have been exported in the first six months of
the current marketing year that started in October 2013. Of this, 350000 tonnes of sugar were
exported in March 2014, the first month of the subsidy.
The subsidy of 3300 crore rupees would help in catapulting the sugar output. The sugar
output in the country declined by 4% to 23.1 million tonnes in October - April period of the 2013-14
marketing year from 24.15 million tonnes in October - April period of 2012-13.
Production declined in Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh, the top two producing states, while
output in Karnataka was at a record following good rain.

About Indian Sugar Mills Association (ISMA)

Indian Sugar Mills Association (ISMA) is the oldest industrial Association in the country and
was established in 1932, when tariff protection was granted to the industry. ISMA is an association
that is recognised by both the Central and State Governments as the central apex organisation to
voice the cause of the sugar industry. Sugar mills in the private sector as well as the public sector
are eligible to become members of ISMA. Its total strength of membership as on date stands at 260.

BCCI named Ravi Shastri in three-member panel to probe IPL betting

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on 20 April 2014 chose names of the panelists
to be a part of a three-member panel to probe into allegations of betting and spot-fixing during the
sixth edition of IPL.The three member panel will comprise
The former Chief Justice of the Calcutta High Court, Jai Narayan Patel

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 The former Director of the Central Bureau of Investigation, RK Raghavan

The former India captain-turned-commentator, Ravi Shastri
The BCCI will propose these names to the Supreme Court of India on 22 April 2014 and the
final decision will be made by the apex court that who will investigate the matter fairly.
Earlier, the Supreme Court bench comprising Justice AK Patnaik and Justice FM Ibrahim
on 16 April 2014 directed to BCCI to come up with ways to take the probe forward by highlighting its
institutional autonomy. It also asked BCCI to respond on the conduct of the probe by 22 April 2014.

Background
This probe panel will be formed on the basis of the report submitted by Justice Mudgal
Committee on IPL betting scam. The Mudgal Committee in its report has accused 12 prominent
cricketers and N Srinivasan.
At present, N Srinivasan has been suspended as the President of BCCI and his suspension
will remain until conclusion of the probe doesnt ends.

Kevin Sharp, the country singer and cancer survivor died

Kevin Sharp, the country musician and a survivor of the well-publicized battle with cancer
died on 19 April 2014 at the age of 43. He died in his California home due to complications in past
stomach surgeries and digestive issues. Now he is survived by five brothers, two sisters and his
mother.
Sharp born in 1970 in Redding, California was diagnosed with the Ewings sarcoma as a
teenager and overcome from it after two years of chemotherapy and radiation. Ewing sarcoma is a
rare form of bone cancer.

About Kevin Sharp

He was a singer, who topped the charts through his songs in mid 90s.
Some of his appreciated albums were Nobody Knows, Measure of a Man, Love Is and Make
A Wish
In 2004 he wrote a book about fighting cancer entitled Tragedys Gift

HDFC Bank set World Record for Blood collection in a single day
Housing Development Finance Corporation (HDFC) Bank set World record for Blood collection
in a single day. The blood donation camp organised by HDFC Bank on 6 December 2013 was recorded
in the Guinness Book of Records.
The camp involved 61902 participants with 1115 blood donation camps held across 709
locations in the country. The camp has found a place in Guinness Book of Records as the largest
such drive on a single day.
With this HDFC became the first corporate firm to hold such recognition.
Earlier in 2010 Shiv Sena, a political party of Maharashtra, was entered into the Guinness Book of
Records for organizing the blood donation camps.
HDFC Bank started this initiative in 2007 when over 4000 people volunteered for this cause.
Since then the camp has grown in size and stature. In 2012, the bank collected 61611 units of blood
from 75000 participants.
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), a country needs a minimum stock of
blood equal to 1% of its population. This means India needs 12 million units of blood. A shortage of
this life-saving resource has a major impact on victims of road accidents and trauma, women with
complicated pregnancies, patients suffering from cancer and various blood disorders such as
thalassemia, and people undergoing major surgeries.

IFFCO got permission from Quebec Provincial Government to set up Urea

plant
Indian Farmers Fertiliser Co-operative Ltd (IFFCO), Indias leading fertiliser cooperative, got
permission from the Quebec Provincial Government to set up a 1.6 billion US dollar Urea plant.
Quebec province, Canadas largest, is located in the east-central region of the country.
A decision in this regard was taken on 26 March 2014 by the cabinet of the Quebec Provincial
Government and was notified in the official gazette of Quebec on 19 April 2014.
The proposed Urea plant will have a production capacity of up to 1.6 million tonnes of urea and
760000 tonnes of diesel exhaust fluid (DEF).
La Coop federee, an agri-food organisation in Quebec that is one of the project shareholders,
has agreed to purchase some 500000 tonnes of urea a year for distribution across the province,
Canada and several US states.
The plant is scheduled to be commissioned by 2017.

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In January 2013, IFFCOs Canadian subsidiary acquired the land for the plant. The site is at
Becancour Port and Industrial Park, which provides access via land, rail and water to markets
across North America. The deep-water port will also facilitate exports, especially to markets in
Europe.

About IFFCO
Indian Farmers Fertiliser Co-operative Limited (IFFCO) was registered as Multi-unit Cooperative Society in 1967. Under Multistate Co-operative Societies act 1984 & 2002, it was deemed
to be registered as a Multistate Co-operative Society. The Society is primarily engaged in production
and distribution of fertilizers.
IFFCO commissioned ammonia - urea complex at Kalol and Kandla in Gujarat in 1975. Other
Ammonia - urea complex was set up at Phulpur in Uttar Pradesh in 1981. The ammonia - urea unit
at Aonla was commissioned in 1988.
IFFCO runs the Indias oldest ammonia-urea plant at Kalol, Gujarat.
IFFCO Chairman and Managing Director U S Awasth

Rubin Hurricane Carter, the US boxer died

Former American middleweight boxer, Rubin Hurricane Carter died on 20 April 2014 at his
home in Toronto, Canada following a battle with prostate cancer. He was 76.
He remained in jail for about two decades on the charge of murder of three white people in
New Jersey in 1966. His conviction caused an international outcry.

Rubin Carters tenure in jail

After being jailed, he was freed through a petition of habeas corpus after spending 19 years
in prison of New Jersey. He was freed for good in 1985 after his convictions were overturned by a
federal judge Sarokin
He was charged and convicted on the basis of the evidence of two prosecution witnesses,
who on that day were attempting to commit burglary near the location of murders.
He was briefly freed in 1976 after the witnesses recanted their statements in 1974. But
later he was retried and convicted again in 1976 after one of the prosecution witnesses withdrew
his recantation.

About Rubin Carter

Rubin Carter was nicknamed as Hurricane on the basis of his aggressive style of boxing
and punching power
He served the Association in Defence of the Wrongly Convicted as its executive director
from 1993 to 2005
His autobiography, titled The Sixteenth Round was published in 1975 by Warner Books,
which inspired Bob Dylan song Hurricane in the same year
In 1999, a film named The Hurricane was also made based on the book and Carter. Denzel
Washington played the role of Carter in the film

The Unsung Hero of the NASAs Apollo Program John C. Houbolt Died
The unsung hero of the NASAs Apollo Program John C. Houbolt died on 20 April 2014 after
the complications from Parkinsons disease. He was 95.
He was an engineer in the Apollo Program. His contributions to the US space program were
vital to NASAs successful Moon landing in 1969.
Houbolt was the catalyst in securing US commitment to the science and engineering theory
that eventually carried the Apollo crew to the moon and back safely.
His efforts in the early 1960s are largely credited with convincing NASA to focus on the
launch of a module carrying a crew from lunar orbit, rather than a rocket from Earth or a spacecraft
while orbiting the planet.

About Apollo Program

The Apollo program also known as Project Apollo. It was the third human spaceflight program
carried out by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and the United States
civilian space agency. The program was responsible for the landing of the first humans on Earths
Moon in 1969.

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Shaik Abdul Hameed won the 2014 Thailand Tour title of Asian Bowling
Federation
Shaik Abdul Hameed of India won the 2014 Thailand Tour title of Asian Bowling Federation
(ABF) on 17 April 2014 at Blu-O Rhythm & Bowl Ratchayothinon in Bangkok, Thailand. With this
Hameed became the first Indian to win the title of ABF.
Hameed defeated Mahamood Al Attar of UAE 242-183 in the final.
Shaik had won Indias first-ever medal in Commonwealth Tenpin Bowling Championship in 2002.
He won the Gold medals in Singles and Masters and a Silver medal in all events.
In the Womens Final, Kritsanakorn Sangaroon of Thailand won the Thailand Tour title of
Asian Bowling Federation.

About Asian Bowling Federation (ABF)

The ABF Tour of 2014 consists of nine legs, five in the Middle East (Bahrain, Kuwait, Egypt,
UAE and Saudi Arabia) with a mens division only and four in East and South East Asia (Thailand,
Hong Kong, Macau and Indonesia) featuring men and women in separate divisions.
The top 16 men and the top 16 women at the end of the 2014 season qualify for the ABF Tour
Tournament of Champions scheduled for March 2015 in Kuwait.

Hillary Clintons book entitled Hard Choices to be released in June 2014

Hard Choices: authored by Hillary Clinton
Publisher Simon & Shuster on 19 April 2014 announced that they will release a book named Hard
Choices authored by Hillary Rodham Clinton, the former first lady and New York senator on 10 June
2014. The upcoming book talks about her role as President Barack Obamas secretary of state for
four year.
Clintons book will offer inside account of choices, crisis and challenges faced by her as a
secretary of the state and how the experiences gained during her tenure drive her view of the
future.

Another book of Clinton includes

A memoir of 2003 named Living History
Her work on children entitled It Takes a Village
Hillary Clinton was Americas 67th Secretary of State and by the end of her tenure, she
visited 112 countries. These visits had helped her to gain a global perspective on many of the major
trends that reshaped the landscape of the 21st century, from economic inequality to climate change,
revolutions in energy, health and communication.

BM B signed an agre emen t with T rend s to p ro mote Wom en

Entrepreneurship
Trends in Vogue on 19 April 2014 entered into an agreement with Bhartiya Mahila Bank
(BMB) to promote women entrepreneurship. Trends in Vogue is a CavinKare initiative that manages
hair saloons under Green Trends.
Under the agreement, Green Trends plans to have 500 salons nationally set up by women
entrepreneurs by the end of 2014-15. Green Trends has also introduced mobile and online checkin service for customers
Further, Bhartiya Mahila Bank will provide the collateral free loans to prospective franchises
across the country, especially to women. The rate of interest will be between 11.5 per cent and 12.5
per cent.
The bank will provide loans of up to 75 per cent of the total project cost to women entrepreneurs
across the country.
There is a significant upswing trend of women from various backgrounds entering into beauty
salon segment and this MoU with Bhartiya Mahila Bank will further strengthen the support.

USA Government approved Palcohol - powdered alcohol

US Government on 20 April 2014 approved powdered alcohol brand Palcohol. The Alcohol and
Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau got the approval on seven versions of Palcohol which include Margarita,
Cosmopolitan flavours and Powderita which its creators say tastes just like a Margarita.
The company has pitched the product as a solution to the ever-escalating cost of liquid
alcohol.
The powdered alcohol can be mixed into a drink or sprinkled on food. The sale of the product
will be started later in 2014.

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The decision was made public by the USA Government without the notice of manufacturers
of Palcohol.

Hockey India Appointed Harendra Singh as coach of junior team

Hockey India on 19 April 2014 appointed former senior coach Harendra Singh as the coach
of the junior mens team. Harendra will join the training camp of the team on 25 April 2014.
The appointment was confirmed to groom the team for the 2016 Hockey World Cup. The
2016 World Cup will be hosted in India.
Harendra Singh had earlier coached national teams for several major events.
Starting his coaching career in 1998, Harendra has an experience of 379 matches which
includes Sydney Olympic (2000), World Cup (2005-Jr, 2006 and 2010), Asian Games (2006 and 2010),
Asia Cup (2004-Jr and 2009), Champions Challenge (2009) and various other tournaments.
His achievements as a coach already includes 8 gold, 5 silver and 9 bronze medals with
senior and junior teams in various international tournaments.
22-APR-2014

International Mother Earth Day observed across the world on 22 April

2014

International Mother Earth Day: 22 April (This year, Earth Day is a call to action - a
global referendum on climate change)
Every year on 22 April, the world observes International Mother Earth Day to create awareness
and also to support environmental protection. The Earth Day 2014 will focus on green cities and will
mobilize million of people to create a sustainable, healthy environment by greening communities
worldwide.
The global theme for 2014 International Mother Earth Day is Green Cities because in the
present world, the worlds population migrates to cities and this action of human has raised concern
to create sustainable communities than ever before.

Steps that can help to transform our cities and forge a sustainable future
as nothing is more powerful than the collective action of a billion people
Smart investments in sustainable technology (Invest in efficiency and renewable energy)
Forward-thinking public policy
An educated and active public
Rebuild our cities and towns,
Begin to solve the climate crisis
On this day, several people in 190 countries celebrate the day by planting trees, clean up
their communities on behalf of the environment.

History of Earth Day

Earth Day is being celebrated across the world since 1970 and the first Earth Day was
celebrated on 21 March 1970, the day of vernal equinox that year. The concept of observing Earth
Day is the brainchild of John McConnell. He proposed the idea of a global holiday called Earth Day at
a UNESCO conference on Environment in 1969.
He chose the vernal equinoxthe first day of spring in the northern hemisphere, the first
day of autumn in the southern hemispherebecause it is a day of renewal. Vernal equinox is a day
on which the night and day are of the same length, everywhere on Earth.
Further the UN Secretary-General U Thant on 26 February 1971 signed a proclamation that
stated that the United Nations would celebrate Earth Day annually on the Vernal Equinox as the
international Earth Day.
A month later, United States Senator Gaylord Nelson founded a separate Earth Day as an
environmental teach-in first held on 22 April 1970.

Kritsanakorn Sangaroon won the 2014 Thailand Tour womens title of

ABF
Kritsanakorn Sangaroon of Thailand won the 2014 Thailand Tour womens title of Asian
Bowling Federation (ABF) on 19 April 2014 at Blu-O Rhythm & Bowl Ratchayothinon in Bangkok,
Thailand. It is Kritsanakorn Sangaroons first career Asian Bowling Federation (ABF) Tour title.
Kritsanakorn defeated Benchawan of Thailand 223-183 in the final.
In semifinals, Kritsanakorn topped Angkana Netrviseth with 198-173, while Benchawan Poungthong
won against Tanaprang Sathean with 207-179.

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In Mens Final, Shaik Abdul Hameed of India won the 2014 Thailand Tour title of Asian
Bowling Federation. He defeated Mahamood Al Attar of UAE 242-183 in the final.

Veteran pro-democratic Journalist of Myanmar Win Tin died

Veteran pro-democratic Journalist of Myanmar Win Tin on 19 April 2014 died due to his
respiratory problems. He was 85.
Win Tin was a politician and former political prisoner in Burma. He was a founder of the
Aung San Suu Kyi-led National League for Democracy.
He was arrested in July 1989 because of his senior position in the National League for
Democracy (NLD). He had spent 19 years in prison on charges including anti-government propaganda.
In 2001, Win Tin was awarded the UNESCO/Guillermo Cano World Press Freedom Prize for
his efforts to defend and promote and right to freedom of expression.
That year, he was also awarded the World Association of Newspapers Golden Pen of Freedom Award.
Since the start of 2006 he had not been able to receive visits from the International Committee of
the Red Cross (ICRC).
Win Tin was seen as highly influential in the push for reform in the South East Asian
nation, formerly called Burma.

Meb Keflezighi won Boston Marathon 2014

Meb Keflezighi on 21 April 2014 became the first US male athlete to win the Boston Marathon
in three decades (since 1983). The women winner of the marathon was Rita Jeptoo of Kenya and
this was her second consecutive win at the Boston Marathon.
Second and third winner among the male runners- Wilson Chebet and Frankline
Chepkwony of Kenya
Second and third winner among the women- Buzunesh Deba and Mare Dibaba both of
Ethiopia
This year 35755 runners from 96 countries participated in the Marathon.
Keflezighi was born in Eritrea but at present is an US citizen. He became US citizen in 1998
and ran for his country in three Olympics and had won a silver medal in 2004. He also won the New
York Marathon and is the first American to do so in 27 years. He migrated to the United States at
the age of 12 with his family. They migrated to US to escape a life of poverty and violent war with
Ethiopia.

About Boston Marathon

Boston Marathon is an annual event and is held on Patriots Day i.e. the third Monday of
April. It started in 1897. It is worlds oldest annual marathon and is ranked as one of the worlds
best-known road racing events. It is one of six World Marathon Majors and is hosted by several
cities in Greater Boston in eastern Massachusetts.
Earlier on 15 April 2013, the event witnessed explosion of two pressure cooker bombs in
which 3 people were killed and estimated 264 others were injured. This years marathon honoured
three killed and more than 260 injured in a bomb attack of 2013.

MIT Scientist designed the Worlds first floating nuclear plant

Scientist of Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) on 17 April 2014 designed the worlds
first floating nuclear plants. Jacopo Buongiorno, Michael Golay and Neil Todreas of MIT presented
the concept of the design at an American Society of Mechanical Engineers symposium.
In case of a tsunami or earthquake, the imminent danger to a nuclear plant is cooling
failure inside the reactor. The floating nuclear plant would be automatically cooled by surrounding
seawater in case of a major tsunami.
There are no particular limits to the size of such plants. The plant could be anywhere from
small, 50-megawatt plants to 1000-megawatt plants.
Also, a floating platform several miles offshore, moored in about 100 metres of water, would
be unaffected by the motions of a tsunami as earthquakes would have no direct impact at all.
The concept of Floating nuclear plant was based on two technologies, one is light-water
nuclear reactors and the other is offshore oil and gas drilling platforms.

Importance of Floating nuclear plant

It will be a boost for Asian countries, as these countries has a combination of high tsunami
risks and a rapidly growing need for new power sources. It would make a lot of sense for Japan as
well as places such as Indonesia, Chile and Africa.
The design of plant could also help to address practical construction issues that have tended
to make new nuclear plants uneconomical.

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Shipyard construction allowed for better standardization and the all-steel design eliminate
the use of concrete which is responsible for the construction delays and cost overruns.

Mathangi Sathyamurthy to receive M S Subbulakshmi Award 2014

Mathangi Sathyamurthy, Karnataka musician was selected for M S Subbulakshmi Award
2014. It was announced by the M S Subbulakshmi Foundation on 19 April 2014. She will receive a
cash award of 10001 rupees and a plaque. The awards will be presented to her on 2 May 2014.

Awards in different categories

M S Subbulakshmi Chalachitra Award- KPAC Lalitha for her role as Radhamani in the film
Nadan. She will receive a cash prize of 25001 rupees and a memento.
Sri Krishna Chalachitra Pratibha Award- Saikumar for his role as Plaparambil Paulo in the
film Sound Thoma. He will receive a cash prize of 25001 rupees and a memento.
O Madhavan Award for theatre artists- Sujathan for his contribution in the field of theatre
for 50 years. He will receive a cash prize of 5001 rupees and a memento.
Sri Krishna Sangeetha Ratna Award- Violinist R Subramanya Sharma for his contribution
in the field of music for many decades. He will receive cash prize of 5001 rupees and a memento.
Sri Krishna Sadbhavana Award- Social activist and industrialist, Kilimanoor G Chandrababu.
Sri Krishna Yuva Sangeeta Award- Singer Franco, he will receive a cash prize of 5001 rupees
and a memento.
R. Prakasham memorial award- M.Charadathan, senior scientist of ISRO

About M S Subbulakshmi Award

M S Subbulakshmi Awards was instituted in 2005 by Varkala Sreekrishna Natya Sangeeta
Academy and the M S Subbulakshmi Foundation. It was instituted in the memory of Indian Classical
Vocalist M S Subbulakshmi.

Canadian Author Alistair Macleod died

Canadian author Alistair MacLeod on 20 April 2014 died due to a heart stroke. He was 77. He
was best known for his short story collections and novel No Great Mischief.
He wrote his first short story The Boat in 1968. MacLeods only novel No Great Mischief was
published in 1999. The novel won Ontarios Trillium Prize and the prestigious 2001 IMPAC Dublin
Literary Award.
It was recognized as Atlantic Canadas best book in the 2009 survey Atlantic Canadas 100
Greatest Books.
MacLeod taught English and creative writing at the University of Windsor, where he also
edited the University of Windsor Review.
He gained recognition with the publication in 1976 of the short story collection The Lost Salt
Gift of Blood about life in his Cape Breton home.
His other published works include the short story collections As Birds Bring Forth the Sun
and Other Stories (1986) and Island (2000), which combined his first two collections with other
stories.

SC lifted 19 month old ban on mining in Goa

The Supreme Court (SC) on 21 April 2014 lifted a 19 month old ban on mining in Goa. The
ban was imposed in September 2012 as part of a drive to curb illegal mining in Goa.
The ban was lifted on the recommendation of a panel appointed by the Supreme Court under
Justice M.B.Shah to look into the mining industry.
A special forest bench headed by Justice AK Patnaik suggested capping production at 20
million tonnes to protect against illegal activity. The final capacity that will be allowed to be mined
in the state will be decided by an expert panel within the next six months.
The panel would also advise how the extracted dumps are to be utilised. Further, no mining
lease would be granted around one kilometre of national parks and wildlife sanctuaries. The SC
forest bench further said that there cannot be deemed renewal of lease after 2007.
Goa is one of the top iron ore-exporting State. The ban has sliced Indias iron ore exports by
85 percent, or 100 million tonnes, over the past two years. India was once the third-largest exporter
of iron ore, but has now slipped to No. 10.
The additional supply from Goa, which exports nearly all of its output, would add to an expected
surplus of iron ore as big mining companies such as Rio Tinto and BHP Billiton boost production.
The ban had paralysed Sesa Sterlite, Indias largest iron ore exporter.It will be the biggest
beneficiary of the judgement of Supreme Court.

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Hero MotoCorp formed JV with Nitol Nilloy of Bangladesh

Hero MotoCorp on 21 April 2014 announced that it has entered Bangladesh in two wheeler
segment. Hero MotoCorp will enter the market of Bangladesh through a joint venture of 55:45 with
Bangladeshs Nitol Niloy and will invest 40 million US dollar in the country in next five years.
55 percent stake of the venture will be held by Hero MotoCorp and remaining 45 percent
stake will be with Nitol Niloy. As per the plan the two companies jointly will set up a new
manufacturing facility with an annual capacity of 1.5 lakh units. This plant will be the first fully
fledged manufacturing facility of Hero MotoCorp outside India.
Hero MotoCorp sells its products across 18 countries including Peru, Egypt, Turkey and
Guatemala.
Hero MotoCorp has established assembly units in Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda in East
Africa through its distributors
Nitol Niloy also markets the vehicles of Tata Motors in Bangladesh.
Hero MotoCorp Managing Director & CEO- Pawan Munjal
Nitol Niloy Group Chairman- Abdul Matlub Ahmad

Indian-American Professor Rajendra Singh named as Solar Champions of

Change
Indian-American professor Rajendra Singh was named as one of ten Solar Champions of
Change by the White House on 19 April 2014. He was named because of the initiative taken by him
in solar deployment across America.
He was named on the eve of celebrations of two-year completion of the Solar Champions of
Change initiative. The initiative is a part of Climate Action Plan launched by US President Barack
Obama in 2012. The Plan aims to cut carbon pollution and advance the clean energy economy.
Solar Champions included Community leaders helping to reduce permitting times; business owners
looking for a cleaner energy source; and Homebuilders looking to offer new, renewable options for
their customers.

About Rajendra Singh

Rajendra Singh is D. Houser Banks Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering and
director of Clemson Universitys Centre of Silicon Nanoelectronics in South Carolina.
In 1973, Singh devoted his doctoral thesis research to solar cells during the Arab oil ban. He
has served as a visionary leader to advance the technology of photovoltaic (PV) module manufacturing
from last 4 decades.
Singh is providing leadership to use photovoltaics as the source of local direct-current
electricity to transform global electricity infrastructure in the US, emerging economies and
underdeveloped economies.
He is actively involved with civic groups to bring legislation and regulations in South Carolina
which will lead to growth of solar- generated electricity.

About Climate Action Plan

In June 2012, the President launched a comprehensive Climate Action Plan to cut carbon
pollution and advance the clean energy economy.
The aim of the plan is to double wind, solar and geothermal electricity generation by 2020
and to more than triple the onsite renewable energy production in federally assisted residential
buildings.
As a result of this Plan, in 2013, the US observed a record-breaking for new solar installations,
increasing almost 11-fold, which is enough to power more than 2.2 million American homes.

TCS joined top 10 global IT services companies club: HfS Research Survey
The largest IT services provider of India, Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), on 21 April 2014
joined the league of top 10 global IT services companies. TCS moved from the 13th position in 2012
to the 10th spot in 2013. This was revealed by the HfS Research Survey on competitive landscape
for IT Services in 2013.
According to the Survey, IBM leads the list and is followed by Fujitsu, Hewlett-Packard,
Accenture and NTT.
India-based companies Cognizant, Infosys, Wipro and HCL are at the 15th, 18th, 20th and
25th positions, respectively, all of them rising by one to three spots compared to 2012.
The HfS Research Survey examined the competitive landscape for IT Services in 2013 listing the
leading providers by revenue for the calendar year. It provides further insight into how the competitive

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landscape is likely to change over the next 2 years and some of the key success factors HfS sees in
the market.
The research compares IT services, and excludes other areas such as BPO, R&D services
and software/hardware products. It used figures for the four quarters of calendar year 2013.

KOI-3278: A Self-lensing Binary Star System found in Lycra constellation

A student astronomer Ethan Kruse found a self-lensing binary star system in the Lycra
constellation. A binary star system is a place where two stars are so close that their gravitational
interaction causes them to orbit about a common centre of mass.
KOI-3278 looks like an upside-down planet and it could pave the way for new method of
studying binary star systems. This discovery was done at the University of Washington by using the
planet-hunting Kepler Space Telescope. The details of the study were published on 18 April 2014
edition of journal Science.
The two stars of KOI-3278, at a distance of about 2600 light-years (a light-year is 5.88 trillion
miles) take turns being nearer to earth as they orbit each other in every 88.18 days. The two stars
are about 43 million miles apart, approx distance of planet Mercury from Sun. The white dwarf, a
cooling star thought to be in the final stage of life, is about Earths size but 200000 times more
massive.
The finding has improved a research of 2013 undertaken by the California Institute of
Technology, which detected similar self-lensing effect minus the brightening of the light because
the two stars being studied were much closer together.
White dwarfs are used as indicators of age in the galaxy in astronomy. Expansion of
understanding of white dwarfs help astronomers by taking them a step closer to learn the age of
galaxy.
The research was funded by grants from the National Science Foundation and NASA.

What is Gravitational Lensing?

Gravitational Lensing is a common tool of astronomy that is used to detect planets around
the distant stars within the Milky Way Galaxy. This process is among the first methods used to
confirm Albert Einsteins general theory of relativity. Lensing within the Milky Way Galaxy similar
to same is called as microlensing.
23-APR-2014

SC asked Justice Mudgal committee to further investigate IPL 2013 Spot

Fixing Scandal
The Supreme Court of India on 22 April 2014 asked the Justice Mukul Mudgal Committee to
investigate the IPL 2013 spot fixing and betting scandal, further. It has also directed the committee
to investigate in particular the 13 names mentioned in the sealed envelope including the suspended
BCCI president, N Srinivasan.
The apex court has asked the Justice Mudgal Committee to list the investigating agencies,
whose help will be required by it. In its order, it has also asked the committee to specify the terms
and modalities on 29 April 2014, the next date for hearing the case.
With this direction to the Justice Mukul Mudgal Committee, the Supreme Court has rejected
the proposal of BCCI of formation of a three-member panel to investigate the scandal. As per the
proposal, the three-member committee was comprised of former Cricket player Ravi Shastri, exChief Justice of the Calcutta High Court Jai Narain Patel and former CBI director RK Raghavan.
This proposal was made by BCCI to Supreme Court after the Court asked it to come up with
ways to take the probe forward by highlighting its institutional autonomy on 16 April 2014.

About Justice Mukul Mudgal Committee

The Supreme Court of India in October 2013 constituted a three-man panel under Retired
Justice Mudgal, to investigate the scandal. Further, the committee submitted its report to the
Supreme Court on 10 February 2014 after completing a four month probe.

GSK announced to slash the price of Crocin Advance by 50 percent

Drug maker GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) on 21 April 2014 announced to slash the price of the
widely-used fever and pain-relief pill Crocin Advance by 50% .
The announcement was made after the National Pharmaceuticals Pricing Authority (NPPA)
rejected the application of GSK seeking an exemption from price control. NPAA is the drug pricing
regulator of the country.

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GSK had sought an exemption from price control on grounds that Crocin Advance was
developed through indigenous research and development.
GSK is reducing the price of Crocin Advance to conform to the price notified under Drug
Price Control Order (DPCO) 2013 with immediate effect.
At present, each 500 mg strip of 15 tablets of Crocin Advance is priced at 30 rupees, whereas
the price of paracetamol 500 mg is capped by NPPA at 94 paise for a tablet, or around 14 rupees for a
strip of 15.
In March 2014, the Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration had issued a show-cause
notice to GSK for selling the medicine at a price higher than the ceiling price as stipulated in the
DPCO 2013.

India and Bhutan signed agreement on development of hydropower projects

India and Bhutan signed an agreement for the development of hydropower projects in
Thimphu, Bhutan on 22 April 2014. The inter-governmental agreement provides framework for
implementing four hydro-electric projects (HEP) totaling 2120 MW on a joint venture model between
public sector undertakings (PSU) of India and Bhutan.
The four projects are
600 MW Kholongchu project
180 MW Bunakha project (with 230 MW downstream benefit from Tala, Chukha and Wangchu
HEPs)
570 MW Wangchu project
770 MW Chamkarchu project
The Hydropower cooperation between the two countries
It is a classic example of win-win cooperation
Providing clean electricity to India
Generating export revenues for Bhutan
Further strengthening our bilateral economic linkages
Three hydro-electric projects (HEPs) totaling 1416 MW are already operational in Bhutan
and are supplying electricity to India. The projects are Chukha project (336 MW); Kurichu project
(60 MW); Tala project (1020 MW).
Other three HEPs totaling 2940 MW are under construction and are scheduled to be
commissioned by 2018. The projects are Punatsangchu-I project (1200 MW), Punatsangchu-II project
(1020 MW) and Mangdehchu project (720 MW).

Chitra won World Womens Snooker title at Leeds

Chitra Magimairaj of India won the World Womens Senior Snooker Championship on 22
April 2014 at Leeds, Britain. She played the final match against Alena Asmolava of Belarus.
In the semi-finals she defeated compatriot Umadevi Nagraj in the semi-finals. To win the
championship she won all her four matches without dropping a single set against the snooker
players from 13 countries.
Chitra, the former World Billiards champion, till date has bagged three gold, three silver and
three bronze medals in World Ladies Billiards and Snooker Association (WLBSA) events. Earlier,
she lost in the Snooker Championships in the WLBSA event.

Cadbury India changed its name to Mondelez India Foods Limited

Cadbury India Limited on 22 April 2014 announced to change its name to Mondelez India
Foods Limited. Cadbury India Limited is a subsidiary of Mondelez International Inc.
The change in name of Cadbury is in line with the gradual changeover of the name of all
subsidiaries of Mondelez International globally. Mondelez means monde for world and delez for
delicious.
The products will continue to be sold under the same brand names as before. Change in
name of the company will have no impact on the names or packaging of its popular products like
Cadbury Dairy Milk, 5 Star, Gems, Bournville, Perk, Celebrations, Choclairs, Halls, Bournvita, Tang
and Oreo.
The new name of the company will appear on the back of pack of the products.
With the change in the name of the company, the process of transition that began in 2012
has concluded.
Mondelez International Inc. is a global snacking powerhouse with revenue of 35 billion US
dollar. Mondelez is a member of the Standard and Poors 500, NASDAQ 100 and Dow Jones
Sustainability Index.

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Asia-Pacific navies of 22 countries including India signed Maritime

Communication Agreement
Asia-Pacific navies of 22 countries including India signed Maritime Communication
Agreement on 22 April 2014. The agreement was reached by the Naval Chiefs of these countries at
the biennial conference of the Western Pacific Naval Symposium (WPNS). The symposium is being
held from 21 - 25 April 2014 in Quingdao, the Eastern port city of China.
The agreement was aimed at ensuring that miscommunication between naval vessels does
not develop into conflict in the Pacific Ocean. The agreement outlined the process on how the naval
ships should communicate and manoeuvre at time when they unexpectedly come in contact in sea
lanes surrounding Japan, China and Southeast Asia.
Besides this agreement, Pakistan was given the observer status in the 21-member WPNS.
With the inclusion of Pakistan as observer, the total number of countries with observer status in
WPNS now stands at 4. The other three countries with observer status are India, Bangladesh and
Mexico.
The Qingdao symposium was the first biennial meet to be hosted by China which is one of
the founding members of the WPNS.
The agreement is significant from the viewpoint that miscommunication between different
countries navies are increasingly becoming a centre of conflict in the Pacific Ocean. Also the
agreement may help in toning down the escalating disputes between China and neighboring countries
including Japan. Some of ASEAN nations have disputed islands in the East and South China seas.

About Western Pacific Naval Symposium (WPNS)

The origins of the WPNS lie in the 1987 International Seapower Symposium. At the 1987
Symposium, the discussion on the benefits of free discussion between Chiefs of Navies led to an
agreement in the Western Pacific Regional Committee to hold a similar regional meeting.
The agreement resulted in the formation of the Western Pacific Naval Symposium (WPNS),
which held its first meeting in 1988 with 13 founding members.

Purpose
The WPNS aims to increase cooperation and the ability to operate together, as well as to
build trust and confidence between Navies by providing a framework to enable the discussion of
maritime issues of mutual interest, the exchange of information, the practice and demonstration
of capabilities, and the exchange of personnel.

Objectives
There are five primary objectives of the WPNS
To discuss and develop cooperative initiatives, and identify those that merit further
development and practice.
To explore and develop new ways of enhancing friendship and professional cooperation.
To develop Navy-to-Navy relationships at a variety of levels to build confidence and trust for
today and the future.
To exchange information on a broad range of maritime matters of mutual interest.
To ensure lines of communication are established and maintained in order to facilitate
continued liaison among delegates outside of Workshops and Symposia.
WPNS comprise the navies whose countries border the Pacific Ocean region.
21 member states of WPNS are: Australia; Brunei;Cambodia; Canada; Chile; China; France;
Indonesia; Japan; Malaysia; New Zealand; Papua New Guinea; Peru; The Philippines; Republic of
Korea; Russia; Singapore; Thailand; Tonga; The US; and Vietnam.

Cognizant acquired itaas, a US-based Digital Video Solutions Company

Cognizant, the IT services firm on 22 April 2014 announced that it has entered into a definitive
agreement with itaas to acquire it. Itaas is a US-based digital video solutions firm headquartered in
Atlanta, Georgia.
The agreement would help the New Jersey-based IT firm Cognizant to beef up its capabilities
in media, communications and high-technology verticals.

About itaas (interactive television and application solutions)

Interactive television and application solutions (itaas) was formed in 1999. It has played a
unique, multifaceted role in development and delivery of interactive television (iTV). It helps the

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leading cable, telecommunications and technology companies to deliver a broad range of digital
video services across traditional cable, broadcast and telecommunications network environments
and on consumer devices such as set-tops, tablets and smart phones. It has its testing and
development centres in US, Canada and India.

About Cognizant
Cognizant is a leading provider of information technology, consulting, and business process
outsourcing services, dedicated to helping the worlds leading companies build stronger businesses.
Headquartered in Teaneck, New Jersey (US), Cognizant combines a passion for client satisfaction,
technology innovation, deep industry and business process expertise, and a global, collaborative
workforce that embodies the future of work. With over 50 delivery centers worldwide Cognizant is a
member of the NASDAQ-100, the S&P 500, the Forbes Global 2000, and the Fortune 500. It is ranked
among the top performing and fastest growing companies in the world.

Pakistan successfully tested short range ballistic missile-Ghazanvi

Pakistan successfully test-fired short range ballistic missile Hatf-III named Ghazanvi in
Rawalpindi, Pakistan on 22 April 2014. The short range surface-to-surface ballistic missile can
carry nuclear and conventional warheads to a range of 290 kilometers.
The successful launch concluded the Field Training Exercise of Strategic Missile Group of Army
Strategic Forces Command.
The Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee General Rashad Mahmood congratulated all
the Scientists and Engineers for the successful launch of Ghaznavi Missile. He regarded the testing
of missile as another mile stone which has further strengthened the defence potential of Pakistan
besides assuring peace in the region.
The successful test of the missile was also appreciated by the President Mamnoon Hussain
and Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif. They congratulated the participating troops, scientists and
engineers on their outstanding achievement.
In 1972, Pakistan began focusing on nuclear weapons development under the leadership of
then Prime Minister Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto. Pakistan became a nuclear power in 1998 and since then
had routinely test-fires nuclear-capable missiles which it claims are indigenously developed missiles.

DMRC completed the construction of first crossover viaduct of India at

Karkardooma
Delhi Metro Rail Corporation on 20 April 2014 completed the construction of first crossover
viaduct of India at the east Delhis Karkardooma Metro station.
The viaduct is aligned at an angle of 114 degree and is 21metre above the ground. It is one
of the highest points in the Phase III network. Till now, Akshardham was the highest station on the
network.
The Phase III network of DMRC will run from Mukundpur-Shiv Vihar. It covers a distance of
59km.
DMRC has also planned to built such elevated viaducts at four more locations in Phase III.
These locations are Netaji Subhash Place, Dhaula Kuan, Mayur Vihar I and Anand Vihar.

About DMRC
The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation Limited is a state owned company that operates the Delhi
Metro in the National Capital Region of India.
The Ministry of Urban Development (MoUD) instructed the DMRC to set up a separate
subsidiary company to provide consultancy services. The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation Ltd. was
registered on 3 May 1995 under the Companies Act, 1956 for the implementation and subsequent
operation of the Delhi Metro.
The DMRC has equal equity participation from the Government of India and the Government
of Delhi. Dr. Sudhir Krishna is the Chairman of the

IRCON signed MoU with Transparency International India

Public Sector Undertaking (PSU) Ircon International Limited (IRCON) signed a Memorandum
of Understanding (MoU) with Transparency International India (TII) on 22 April 2014. It signed the
MoU for implementing Integrity Pact.
The MoU is aimed at maintaining complete transparency, integrity and accountability in all
its major contracts and procurement.
The Integrity Pact is a tool conceived by the Berlin-based Transparency International to
fight corruption in public procurement. It is a voluntary agreement between a buyer and the
prospective vendors or bidders, which abstains exercise of corrupt on any aspect of the contract.

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The pact will ensure efficiency, helps in building public trust and enhances the credibility of the
organisation.
Till date, 47 PSUs have signed the Integrity pact.

About Ircon
Ircon International Limited (IRCON) under the Ministry of Railways was set up in 1976.
IRCONs original name was Indian Railway Construction Company Limited.
It has widespread operations in several States in India and in other countries like Malaysia,
Nepal, Bangladesh, Mozambique, Ethiopia, Afghanistan, U.K. Algeria and Sri Lanka.
IRCON is a specialized Constructions organization covering the entire spectrum of
construction activities and services in the infrastructure sector.

About Transparency International India

Transparency International is an international civil society organisation based at Berlin
that has turned the fight against corruption into a worldwide movement. Transparency International
India (TII) is an Indian branch of Transparency International.
Transparency International India (TII) is part of the Asia Pacific forum comprising 20
nations that include China, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Maldives and others.

Benfica won 33rd Portuguese league Football title after four years
Benfica on 21 April 2014 won the 33rd Portuguese Football league title after four years.
Benfica won the tittle by defeating the Olhanense by 2-0. Benfica won its first domestic title in
2009-10.
Benfica secured the title by winning 11 straight games in the league. Benficas 11th
successive league win gave them an unassailable seven-point lead over second-placed Sporting
with two games to play.
Benfica also reached the final of the Portuguese Cup, and the semifinals of the Europa
League and Portuguese League Cup.
Benfica and Porto have monopolized the league title since Sporting Lisbon last won it in
2001-02.

About Benfica
Benfica is a Portuguese multi-sport club based in Lisbon, Portugal. The club is mostly known
for its professional football team. The club was founded on 28 February 1904.
It is the most supported club in Portugal and has one of the largest fan-base in the world.
Benfica is the worlds twenty-sixth richest football club in terms of revenue.

Film series, Brazuca around the World launched by adidas on 2014 FIFA
World Cup Brazil
The adidas has started a weekly series of online documentary-style films titledBrazuca
around the Worldto excite football fans as the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil gets closer. The series of
the film was launched by Adidas on its YouTube Channel on 22 April 2014.
The film has been shot viabrazucamthat involves six HD cameras, placed on the official
ball of the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil. Thebrazucam technologywill allow its fan to enjoy a 360
degree view of the action.
The film will depict the journey of the ball for seven-week across different countries including
Spain, Germany, England, Russia, Japan, the USA and Mexico. The journey will end in Brazil. This
tour of the ball will officially begin with a behind-the-scenes training session featuring current
FIFA World Cup holders Spain. For the next seven weeks, adidas will release one film per week via
the adidas Football YouTube channel.

The film will feature star footballers like Xavi Hernandez, Dani Alves, Cristian Tello, Bastian
Schweinsteiger, Manuel Neuer, Philipp Lahm and David Villa in the seven films.
For the audience, the film will be available in an interactive format and will allow them to
choose their preferred view of the proceedings. As a part of this initiative, the users will also win
signed merchandise from adidas.

HRW report They Say Were Dirty: Denying an Education to Indias

Marginalized released
NGO Human Rights Watch (HRW) report titledThey Say Were Dirty: Denying an Education
to Indias Marginalizedwas released on 22 April 2014.

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The survey was conducted to examine continuing obstacles to proper implementation of the
Right to Education (RTE) Act, 2009 which came into effect in 2010. The survey was conducted across
four states, Andhra Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and Delhi.
The report observes how marginalized children are vulnerable to exclusion and denied right
to child-friendly and equitable environment promised under RTE Act.

Highlights of the Report

Discriminations in classrooms and schools is a major factor impeding access to education
for children of Dalits, tribal groups, Muslims and other marginalised sections.
The students of disadvantaged sections brought into education mainstream faces
discrimination, get isolated in class and are insulted in public.
The discrimination are in various forms which includes teachers asking dalit children to
sit separately or making insulting remarks about Muslim and tribal students and village authorities
not responding when girls are kept away from classroom.
Teachers and other students often address children using derogatory terms for their caste,
community, tribe or religion.
In some schools, dalit children are not considered for leadership roles such as class monitor
because of caste or community. Many are expected to perform unpleasant tasks like cleaning toilets.
Marginalised neighborhood schools have the poorest infrastructure and least trained
teachers and many schools have fewer teachers than required.
The report recommends more focus on retention of children in school till they are 14 years. Besides
it recommends to establish a system to monitor and track all children from enrolment to the time
they reach grade VIII. Also, a uniform protocol needs to be set up for identifying children who are out
of school, have dropped out, or are at risk of dropping out.

GMR signed the concession agreement with Mactan Cebu International

Airport of Philippines
GMR Infrastructure signed the concession agreement with Mactan Cebu International Airport
of Philippines on 22 April 2014. The agreement is to develop and operate the Mactan International
Airport.
GMR along with Megawide - a Philippines based construction - firm won the international
bid to develop and operate the Mactan Cebu International Airport (MCIA).
The project is estimated to cost about 700 million dollars. As a part of agreement GMR made
an upfront premium of 320 million dollars (14.4 billion Philippines Pesos).
GMR and Megawide emerged as the highest bidder in the international bidding process held
in December 2013 for this project. The Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC)
of Philippine had formally issued the Letter of Award to the GMR consortium on 4 April 2014.

About GMR
GMR Infrastructure Limited is a Bangalore based infrastructure holding company which
looks up the capital requirements of various infrastructure projects.
GMR currently operates two airports at Delhi and Hyderabad. Recently the company exited
from the Istanbul airport selling stake of 40 percent for 225 million Euros to Malaysia Airport Holdings
Berhad.
24-APR-2014

Ranjib Biswal, the IPL Chairman and Congress leader took oath as Rajya
Sabha MP
Ranjib Biswal, the IPL Chairman and senior Congress leader from Odisha on 23 April 2014
took oath as Rajya Sabha member in New Delhi. His oath was administered by the Chariman of
Rajya Sabha, Hamid Ansari (the Vice President of India) in his Chamber in Parliament House.
Earlier, the newly elected BJD MPs and former Odisha ministers Kalpataru Das and Sarojini
Hembram took their oath as Rajya Sabha members on 22 April 2014.
The fourth member, BJD leader AU Singh Deo who was elected to Rajya Sabha was recalled
by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik to contest the Assembly election from Balangir seat. Due to
Biswals action, the four seat of Rajya Sabha of the state remained vacant.

Background
Elections for the four vacant seats from Odisha were held on 7 February 2014. Three seats
were won by ruling BJD and the fourth seat went to Congress.

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About Ranjib Biswal selection as the IPL Chairman

Former national selector Ranjib Biswal was appointed as the Chairman of the Indian Premier
League on 29 September 2013 at the Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Board of Control for
Cricket in India (BCCI). He succeeded Rajeev Shukla as the IPL Chairman after Shukla resigned
from the post following spot-fixing and the betting scandal broke out in May 2013.

New mobile application launched by Railways to Track Train Schedules

Indian railways information and technology arm, Centre for Railway Information Systems
(CRIS) on 23 April 2014 launched a new mobile application. This application can be used for various
enquiries including train running status. This application has been launched for Windows 8 phones
and further the application will be developed for other mobile platforms.
An important feature of this application is Spot your train option. This feature will help
passengers to get information about current position, expected time of arrival and departure of a
train at a particular station
The Train Schedule feature will provide complete schedule of a train along with its all
stoppages on route. The Trains between Stations query will help a person to find out the list of all
types of trains available between any two stations. This newly launched application also provides a
feature for query on rescheduled, diverted and cancelled trains.

Bengaluru FC won I-League Football title

Bengaluru FC Club on 21 April 2014 won the I-League Football title in their debut season.
Bengaluru FC Club defeated Dempo Sports Club 4-2 in the league match held at Shillong.
The win helped the Bengaluru FC club accumulate 44 points and take an unassailable lead
with one round still to be played. East Bengal and Salgaocar Football Club will play for the second and
third spot.
Bangalore FC Club scored through Sean Rooney (2nd), Robin Singh (56th), John Menyongar
(79th) and Captain Sunil Chhetri (90+7). Sunil Chhetri with 20 goals is leading the tally of total
goals in the I-League.
Sunil Chhetri is also the Captain of the Indian Football team.

About I-League
I-League is an Indian professional league for association football clubs. It is the countrys top
football competition. The league consisted of 14 clubs. It operates on a system of promotion and
relegation with the I-League 2nd Division.

Kashmir Chamber of Commerce & Industry slapped notice on Idea Cellular

for Pashmina ad
The Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) on 23 April 2014 asked private
telecom company, Idea Cellular to immediately withdraw its controversial advertisement on
Pashmina Shawls. KCCI in its legal notice has asked the company to publish and telecast apologies
at prime time as many times this advertisement has been telecast by it.
A compensational penalty of 400 crore rupees has been imposed on Idea Cellular. The KCCI
has sought a penalty of 300 crore rupees for the loss of business and reputation and nother 100
crore rupees for suffering pain and agony.
KCCI lawyer, Azharul Amin has sent the notice to Chairman of Aditya Birla Group Kumar
Mangalam Birla and Idea Cellular through Chief Corporate Affairs Officer Rajat Mukharji.
Earlier, the advertisement was termed as wrong and misleading by the chief Minister of the
state, Omar Abdullah.

Scientists discovered new mineral Putnisite

Scientists discovered a new mineral Putnisite in Western Australia. The new mineral was
discovered from the Polar Bear peninsula, Southern Lake Cowan, Western Australia, Australia. It
was discovered by a team led by Dr Peter Elliott of South Australian Museum and the University of
Adelaide.
The discovery of Putnisite with chemical formula (CO 3)8SO4(OH)1625H2O was published in
the February 2014 issue of the Mineralogical Magazine.
The new mineral is named after Drs Christine and Andrew Putnis from the University of
Mnster, Germany, for their outstanding contributions to mineralogy.

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New mineral is unique in structure and composition among the 4000 known mineral species
of world. The mineral is of very unusual combination as it combines the elements strontium, calcium,
chromium, sulphur, carbon, oxygen and hydrogen.
The new mineral occurs as tiny crystals, no more than 0.5 mm in diameter and is found on
a volcanic rock. It is associated with quartz and a near amorphous Cr silicate.
It appears as dark pink spots on dark green and white rock which, under the microscope,
appears as square, cube-like crystals.

Real Madrid won the Copa del Ray Football tournament of Spain
Real Madrid won the Copa del Rey Cup on 16 April 2014. They defeated Barcelona 2-1 in the
final played at Mestalla in Valencia, Spain.
In the final, it was Gerath Bales second goal that sealed the victory for Real Madrid. The
esteemed Spanish club won the cup for the 19th time.
The highlight of the final match was the Gale Beraths second goal in the 85th minute. The
winger from Wales sprinted from the halfway line into the penalty area before slipping the ball
brilliantly between the legs of Barca goalkeeper Jose Manuel Pinto.

About the Copa del Rey tournament

The Copa del Rey football tournament or Kings Cup is an annual football cup competition for
Spanish football teams. Like the Emperors Cup in Japan the tournament is one of the most wellknown football competitions bearing the name of a monarch.
The competition was founded in 1903, thus making it the oldest Spanish football competition.
The winner of Copa del Rey goes to the UEFA Europa League; but if the winner also qualifies for
UEFA Champions League, then the losing finalist goes into the Europa League.

No immediate decision on appointment of Lokpal: Centre to SC

The Union Government of India on 23 April 2014 informed the Supreme Court that it will not
take any immediate decision on the appointment of Chairperson and members of the Lokpal. This
decision of the central government virtually indicated that the decision on the appointment rests
in the hand of the new government, which will be formed after general election.
The decision of the Union Government of India was passed to the bench of Supreme Court
headed by Justice RM Lodha by Solicitor General Mohan Parasaran. Following the information passed
by the Solicitor General, the bench of Supreme Court posted the case for hearing on 5 May 2014.
The Court by posting the date of next hearing said that at present there is no need of any
interim order on the PIL that challenged the selection for the Lokpal as the government has assured
that no decision will be taken till the next hearing.

Background
At present Supreme Court is hearing a plea filed by a NGO, Common Cause. The NGO in its
plea is seeking a stay on the entire selection process of appointment of Chairperson and Members
of the Lokpal. Common Cause in its plea has said that the government was going ahead with it
despite the apex court being seized of the issue. Following the PIL of Common Cause, the Supreme
Court on 31 March 2014 issued a notice to the Government seeking its response on selection
process of Chairperson and member of the Lokpal. It also asked the center to justify within four
weeks the Search Committee Rules, 2014 that is framed under the Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act,
2014.

Boston Dynamics of US developed Life-sized Anthropomorphic robot called

Atlas
Boston Dynamics of US developed a life-sized Atlas Anthropomorphic robot called Atlas. The
robot was developed as a part of a challenge to create a robot that could go at the places, which are
dangerous to humans. The Atlas robot has been designed not as a warrior but it is a humanitarian
machine and will be used for the rescue purposes at the time of natural disasters.
The 6-foot-2-inch Atlas is a powerful robot in the form of an adult human. It moves with a
variety of lifelike and natural behavior, including dynamically-balanced walking, calisthenics,
manipulation and user-programmed tasks.
This robot has been developed by Boston Dynamics and is a brainchild of project of Defense
Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA).

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Suresh Kumar Reddy appointed as the First ambassador to ASEAN

Union Ministry of External Affairs (MoEA) on 23 April 2014 appointed Suresh Kumar Reddy as
Indias first Ambassador to the separate Indian Mission to Association of Southeast Asian Nations
(ASEAN) & East Asia Summit. He is expected to take up his assignment shortly.
Presently, he is working as the Ambassador of India to Iraq.
India has focused on ASEAN for the past couple of decades through its Look East Policy initiated
in 1991. Asean and India have entered into a regional economic comprehensive partnership in
2011 resulting in trade worth 80 billion US dollar. At the heart of Indias ASEAN initiative is
connectivity and trade.
Besides, the bilateral relationship with the ASEAN is also from strategic viewpoint. A stronger
relationship with the member countries of ASEAN especially Myanmar would help India in countering
insurgencies in North-east of India.
The north-eastern States are considered as the gateway to ASEAN. The government of India
believes it is imperative to establish connectivity between the northeast and the rest of India to
create connectivity between India and ASEAN countries.

SC constituted a Panel to give guidelines on government ads showing

politicians
The Supreme Court of India on 23 April 2014 constituted a three-member committee to
frame guidelines to prevent misuse of public funds by the government and its authorities by providing
advertisements in newspapers and television. As per the court these advertisements are done to
get a political mileage.
The committee includes former Director of National Judicial Academy, Bhopal, N R Madhava
Menon as head and former Lok Sabha Secretary T K Viswanathan, senior advocate Ranjit Kumar.
The meetings of the committee will be coordinated by the Secretary of Information and Broadcasting
Ministry. The committee has been asked to submit its report within three weeks.
The committee was constituted by a three-judge bench of Supreme Court headed by Chief
Justice P Sathasivam with and Justice Ranjan Gogoi and Justice NV Ramana.
This bench of the apex court said that there is a requirement of substantive guidelines to
regulate such advertisements at the cost of exchequer. This order was passed by the court on a PIL
pleading it to frame guidelines. The filed petition has sought issuance of guidelines for curbing
ruling parties to project their leaders in official advertisements for taking a political mileage. The
PIL was filed by NGOs Centre for Public Litigation (CPIL) and Common Cause.
During the hearing the counsel who appeared on the behalf of Common Cause said that
taking political mileage at the cost of public exchequer violates Article 14 of the Constitution of
India. The CPIL counsel informed the court that advertisement campaigns become arbitrary and
malafide when they are aimed at gaining political mileage.

Umesh Bellur headed GIRO Advisory Group submitted its report to RBI
Government Internal Revenue Order (GIRO) Advisory Group (GAG) under the chairmanship
of Prof. Umesh Bellur on 23 April 2014 has submitted its report to Reserve Bank of India (RBI).
The Reserve Bank of India constituted the GIRO Advisory Group (GAG) in October 2013 to
implement a national GIRO-based Indian Bill Payment System. It is a centralised process that
allows payments for utility bills, educational fees and insurance premium by just visiting the bank
branch.

Recommendation of the GIRO Advisory Group

It has suggested a mechanism for centralised bills payment system in India.
Advisory Group has suggested setting up two Organisations, Bharat Bill Payment Services
(BBPS) and the Bharat Bill Payment Operating Units (BBPOUs).
It recommended a tiered structure where the Bharat Bill Payment Services (BBPS) will be
the authorised standard setting body while the Bharat Bill Payment Operating Units (BBPOUs) will
be the authorised operational units, working in adherence to the standards set by the BBPS.
The BBPS will function as a not-for-profit organisation which has necessary experience in
the payment systems space, while the BBPOUs may be operated on commercial lines by existing
entities in the bill payments space as well as new entities interested in this segment. The BBPS
will also handle the settlement responsibilities arising out of the transactions in the system.
All the entities in this tiered structure will operate under the uniform and single brand of
the BBPS. This will also ensure a uniform dispute resolution and customer grievance redressal
mechanism, thereby building trust and confidence in such a centralised bill payment system.

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Japanese foods firm Nissin Foods appointed Gautam Sharma as India MD

apanese foods firm Nissin Foods on 23 April 2014 appointed Gautam Sharma as the Managing
Director (MD) of its Indian arm Indo Nissin. He succeeds Yuji Tabeta. Yuji Tabeta was promoted to a
senior role.
He is the first non-Japanese MD of Indo Nissin. He has worked earlier as Wrigley India CEO.
He quit Wrigley, the second biggest confectionery firm in India following Perfetti van Melle, in 2012,
after a four-year stint.
Sharma has worked with consumer goods firms such as GlaxoSmithKline, Perfetti van Melle
and Gillette.
Nissin Foods is the maker of Top Ramen noodles. Top Ramen is Indias third-largest instant
noodles brand after Nestles Maggi and ITCs Sunfeast YiPPee. It pioneered cup noodles in the country,
which others like Nestle followed with its Maggi Cup-a-mania brand.
25-APR-2014

All India Football Federation launched AIFF Academy Certification

The All India Football Federation (AIFF) on 22 April 2014 launched the AIFF Academy
Certification in New Delhi. This certification has been launched with an aim to set a standard of
youth development in the country, through certification model. This initiative of IAFF is the first of
its kind in India.
A set of criteria has been developed by AIFF on basis of which the academies will be assessed
and certified and they will be given a rating as per the points gained by each academy on the
criteria. AIFFs technical department has developed this concept of certification.

Criteria of certification will be based on the following aspects of the

Academy
Coaching staff and qualifications
Facilities
Youth Development and teams supported
Training schedule, training sessions
Curriculum
Scouting network
Medical Facilities, Schooling, accommodation (if residential), travelling, kitting and others
Under the process of AIFF Academy Certification the academies will be rated between 1-star
(lowest) to 5-star (highest). This Certification will be applicable for a year after which the Certification
will have to be renewed.
Certification will be applicable for residential and non-residential Academies. For this
certification different models have been developed and are relevant to the needs of each.

About All India Football Federation (AIFF)

All India Football Federation (AIFF) is a National Association that is registered with the
Registrar of Societies, Mumbai under the Societies Registration Act, 1850. It is headquartered in
Dwarka, New Delhi and is formed for an unlimited period.
As a Federation it is a member of FIFA, AFC and Indian Olympic Association and is self
obliged to respect the Statues, Regulations, Directives and decisions of FIFA and AFC and to ensure
that these are likewise respected by its Members.

President of AIFF -Praful Patel

SC ordered audit of Sree Padmanabha temple under supervision of former
CAG Vinod Rai
The Supreme Court of India on 24 April 2014 ordered that the special audit of property,
assets and accounts of Keralas Sree Padmanabha Swamy temple under the supervision of the
former Comptroller and Audit General of India, Vinod Rai.
The bench of the Supreme Court comprised of Justice RM Lodha and Justice AK Patnaik has
ordered to constitute a new administrative five-member committee headed by the District Judge of
Thiruvananthapuram.The five members of the committee includes
The Thiruvananthapuram district judge
A tantri of the Sree Padmanabhaswamy tem
Chief Nambi of the Sree Padmanabhaswamy temple
Other two members of the committee will be appointed in consultation with the state
government

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The Court also appointed a senior IAS officer and former administrator of the Guruvayoor
temple as the executive officer of the temple. These orders were given by the bench of Supreme
Court comprised by Justice RM Lodha and Justice AK Patnaik.
The Court in its decision said that the trustees of the temple had failed badly and there is a
need to change them. It also found that there are certain disturbing features like financial
irregularities and extremely serious issues and there is a requirement of immediate redressal.
It has warned that no employee should be intimidated by the members of the royal family.
The Supreme Court was apprised by the senior advocate Gopal Subramaniam, who appeared
as amicus curiae in the matter about 15 April 2014 report that has highlighted several irregularities
in the management of the temple and its wealth.

WEF released Global Information Technology Report 2014

World Economic Forum (WEF) released 13th Edition of the Global Information Technology
Report 2014 on 14 April 2014 in New York. India was ranked 83 among 148 economies in terms of
leveraging information and communications technologies for growth and well being.
According to the Report, little progress been made in bridging the gap between the most
networked economies of world and the rest of the world. Many large emerging economies continue
to struggle to realise their full digital potential and feature lower down the index, while developed
economies feature on the top.
Besides, the constant digital divide across the economies, government should also be wary
of understanding, identifying and addressing potential internal digital divides so that new
opportunities can be created for all and support enhanced social inclusion.
The top ten ranks in the list are Finland (rank 1); Singapore (rank 2); Sweden (rank 3);
Netherlands (rank 4th); Norway (rank 5th); Switzerland (rank 6th); United States (rank 7th); Hong
Kong SAR (rank 8th); United Kingdom (rank 9th); Republic of Korea (rank 10th)
Among emerging market economies, China was ranked 62nd position, Brazil (69th), Mexico
(79th) and India (83rd). India is the least performing of the BRICS economies and slipped from rank
68th (out of 144 economies) to the 83rd rank.
Other economies are Sri Lanka (rank 69), Bangladesh (rank 114), Nepal (rank 126) and
Pakistan (rank 105).
The drop in rankings of India can be traced back mainly to difficulties in improving historical
limitations and keeping up with other emerging in several dimensions. The quality of political,
regulatory, business environment and lack of digital infrastructure are different issues hindered
the network readiness profile of India.

About World Economic Forum (WEF)

WEF is an International Institution committed to improving the state of the world through
public-private cooperation. It was founded in 1971.
The WEF will publish reports such as the Global Competitiveness Report, the Global Risks
Report and the Global Gender Gap Report. And also produces landmark titles covering the
environment, education, individual industries and technologies.

RBI issued uniform accounting norms for Asset Reconstruction Companies

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) on 23 April 2014 issued uniform accounting standards for
Asset Reconstruction Companies (ARCs). The norms were issued with regard to acquiring nonperforming loans, recognising revenue and management fees to ensure common treatment for
firms.
RBI issued guidelines on uniform accounting standard for ARCs are as under

Acquisition cost (Pre and post acquisition)

Expenses incurred at pre acquisition stage for performing due diligence etc. for acquiring
financial assets from banks/ Fls should be expensed immediately by recognizing the same in the
statement of profit and loss for the period in which such costs are incurred.

Revenue Recognition
(i) Yield should be recognised only after the full redemption of the entire principal amount of
Security Receipts.
(ii) Upside income should be recognized only after full redemption of Security Receipts.

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(iii) Management fees may be recognized on accrual basis. Management fees recognized
during the planning period must be realized within 180 days from the date of expiry of the planning
period.

Valuation of Security Receipts (SRs)

Considering nature of investment in SRs where underlying cash flows are dependent on
realization from non performing assets, it can be classified as available for sale.
Applicability of Operating Cycle Concept under Schedule VI
Capital and Reserves will be treated as liabilities on liability side while investment in SRs
and Long term deposits with banks will be treated as fixed assets on the assets side.
These recommendations are based on the views of the Key Advisory Group (KAG) headed by
Alok Nigam constituted by the Union Government on ARCs in 2011. The new norms will be effective
from the accounting year 2014-15.

India launched educational outreach programme for unemployed South

African youth
India on 25 April 2014 launched an educational outreach programme in Pretoria, South
Africa under which unemployed South African youths can benefit themselves from internships in
India. The new academic programme was launched by the Indian High Commissioner Virendra
Gupta.
It has established a new academic bridge between the two countries. It has been launched
under a partnership between Siva Sivani Institute of Management of Hyderabad and Ubuntu Institute
of South Africa.

Initial focus of the new academic bridge programme

Agriculture Sectors through ICRISAT
Hospitability sectors through Taj Group of India
This programme will be expanded by a support from Indian corporate with an objective of
expanding it to South Africa as well.
This initiative would help the two countries in increasing the historical links, as a whole
will further the vision and contributions of both the Mahatma Gandhi and Nelson Mandela.

About International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics

(ICRISAT)
The International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) is a nonprofit, non-political organization. It is an institute that conducts agricultural research for development
in Asia and sub-Saharan Africa with a scope of a wide range of partners throughout the world.
It is headquartered in Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh, India and has its two regional hubs and
four country offices in the sub-Sahara Africa. It is a member of CGIAR Consortium, a global agriculture
research partnership for a food secure future.

Vic Gundotra head of Google+ resigned

Vic Gundotra on 24 April 2014 resigned from the Internet Company Google. He was working
as a head of Google+. He was serving the company from 2007. Google Plus is a social network site
that was launched in 2011.
Gundotra is an alumnus of Indian Institute of Technology, Madras. Gundotra earlier worked
with Microsoft, handling the developers relations for the company.
Apart from being the man behind Google+, Gundotra was instrumental in making Google I/
O, companys annual conference for developers a success. The first Google I/O was held in 2008.
Although it boasts more than 500 million users, Google Plus is still struggling to lure people into
hanging out on its service for as long as they do on Facebook.

About Google Plus

Google+ is a social networking and identity service that is owned and operated by Google
Inc.
It is the second-largest social networking site in the world after Facebook. 540 million monthly
active users are part of the Identity service site, by interacting socially with Google+s enhanced
properties, like Gmail, +1 button, and YouTube comments.

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Union Ministry of Culture launched Logo of Festival of India in China

Union Ministry of Culture on 24 April 2014 launched the logo, posters and webpage of
theFestival of India in China. The festival has been organized as the year 2014 was declared as
theIndia-China Year of Friendly Exchanges. The festival will be celebrated from May 2014 to
March 2015 in 12 cities of China in 4 circuits. The festival is being organized by Union Ministry of
Culture and Union Ministry of External Affairs.
The Colourful logo was made by putting together the face of a Kathakali dancer (left side) and
a Beijing opera mask (right side) and it represents the spirit of cooperation and harmony underlying
the Glimpses of India Festival.
The Poster for Festival of India in China, two posters for Circuit 1 and Circuit 2 has been
released. The webpage for the Festival has been created and covers event schedule, updates and
also photographs and video links.
The Festival of India in China covers a wide-range of events such as exhibitions of modern
art, visual, film festival, yoga festival, food festival, business and tourism promotion events as well
as events involving eminent Indian and Chinese scholars and writers.
Ministry of Culture Institutions like Kalakshetra Foundation, Nava Nalanda Mahavihara,
Sangeet Natak Akademy, Kathak Kendra, National Gallery of Modern Art, Sahitya Akademy will
participate in the events of festival.

DGCA allowed Portable Electronic Device including cellphones during

Flights
The Directorate General Civil Aviation (DGCA) on 23 April 2014 decided to allow the use of
Portable Electronic Devices (PEDs) including cellphones during flights. DGCA amended CAR Section
5 Series X Part I relating to air safety.
PEDs can now be used freely on flight mode, allowing passengers to play games, watch movies
or even catch up with work on their smart phones in all phases of a flight.
The use of PEDs shall be in the non-transmitting mode commonly called flight/airplane
mode. The amended CAR also directs all operators for reporting of any suspected or confirmed PED
interference or smoke or fire caused by PEDs to the DGCA. It also laid down the guidelines for the
crew training.
Earlier, there was a restriction on India airspace on Wi-Fi and use of mobiles in flight mode.
The DGCA examined the new and current regulations of the Federal Aviation Administration
(FAA) and the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) with a view to change the Indian law.
FAA and EASA allowed the use of PEDs at the start of the year 2014.
The scheduled operators, during their meeting with the Director General Civil Aviation,
raised the demand for allowing use of PEDs during all phases of flight in the flight/airplane mode.

US President Barack Obama nominated three Indian-Americans to AAPI

US President Barack Obama nominated three Indian-Americans to the 14-member advisory
commission on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPIs). It was nominated on 24 April 2014.
The Indian-Americans include
US Air Force officer Lieutenant Colonel, Ravi Chaudhary
Prominent community leader Shekar Narasimhan
Popular film and television actor Maulik Pancholy
Ravi Chaudhary is an Air Force officer, currently serving as Executive Officer to the
Commander, Air Force District of Washington, Joint Base Andrews, Maryland.
Narasimhan is also a co-founder of the Emergent Institute in Bangalore, a nonprofit institution
trainin entrepreneurs to build social ventures.
Stage actor, Pancholy is widely known for playing the role of Jonathan for six seasons on
NBCs award-winning series 30 Rock. Pancholy is active with a number of non-profit and social
policy organisations such as Asian-Americans Advancing Justice and the International Gay and
Lesbian Human Rights Commission.

About Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPIs)

The Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders Initiative was an executive order signed by the
President Barack Obama in 2009. The Initiative works to improve the quality of life and opportunities
for Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders by facilitating increased access to and participation in
federal programs where they remain underserved.

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SC referred Rajiv assassination case to Constitution Bench

Supreme Court of India on 25 April 2014 referred the Rajiv Gandhi assassination case to the
Constitutional Bench. The Rajiv Gandhi assassination case pertains to the remission of the life
imprisonment of seven convicts. In its direction, the Supreme Court said that the interim order of
staying the Tamil Nadu Governments decision to free them will continue.
The matter will be taken up by the Constitutional bench within three months. During this
period the Constitution bench will look into the constitutionality of the issue whether the sentence
of a prisoner, whose death penalty has been commuted to life, can be remitted by the government.
The Chief Justice of India has the power to constitute a Constitution Bench comprising
five or more judges to hear substantial matters of constitutional law.
The decision of transferring the case to the Constitutional Bench was made by a SC bench
headed by Chief Justice of India, P Sathasivam. The decision was made by the apex court while
hearing the petition filed by the Centre challenging the Tamil Nadu governments decision to remit
the sentences.
The Tamil Nadu government led by Jayalalithaa on 19 February 2014 decided to set free all
the seven convicts in the assassination case.

Background
The Supreme Court on 20 February 2014 stayed the Tamil Nadu governments decision to
release the three convicts, namely Murugan, Santhan and Arivu. The death sentence of these
three convicts was commuted to life term by the SC on 18 February 2014.
The court has observed that there had been procedural lapses on the part of the state
government. Later the court stayed the release of convicts Nalini, Robert Pious, Jayakumar and
Ravichandran in the case.

RBI will decide NPA guidelines rules: Gujarat High Court

The High Court of Gujarat on 2 April 2014 restored the power of the Reserve Bank of India to
decide the period after which the bad loan can be called as a non-performing asset (NPA). The bench
of the High Court of Chief Justice Bhaskar Bhattachrya and Justice J B Pardiwala said that the
Section 2(1)(o) of Securitization and Reconstruction of Financial Assets and Enforcement of Security
Interest(SARFAESI) Act is held unconstitutional.
The decision of the Parliament to take away the power from RBI to decide NPA guidelines
was termed wrong by the High Court. RBI was the regulator for the banking, non-banking institutions
and securitization agencies for deciding the period after which the loans can be treated as the NPA
till the amendment in 2004 to the Act. After the amendment, the financial institutions were freed
to decide their own regulations for NPA, which was decided separately by each firm.

RBI in 2004 set the NPA period

For banks 90 days
For Non Banking Financial Companies 180 days
The ruling of the High Court came on the petitions filed by several defaulters of banks and
NBFCs questioning every institution deciding its own NPA period. They claimed it a violation of
right to equality.

About SARFAESI (Securitization and Reconstruction of Financial Assets

and Enforcement of Securities) Act, 2002
SARFAESI (Securitization and Reconstruction of Financial Assets and Enforcement of
Securities) Act, 2002 gives powers to seize and desist to the banks under which the banks need to
send a notice in writing to the defaulting borrower requiring it to discharge its liabilities within 60
days. In case the borrower fails to comply with the notice than the bank can take recourse to one or
more following reasons
Take possession of the security for the loan
Sale or lease or assign the right over the security
Manage the same or appoint any person to manage the same

Indian Squash Player Saurav Ghosal won Dato Alex Lee Award 2013
Indian Squash Player Saurav Ghosal won Dato Alex Lee Award 2013 on 24 April 2014. He was
selected for the award by the Asian Squash Federation (ASF) for being the Outstanding Asian Mens
Player of the Year 2013.

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Also, the Indian mens team was awarded the ASF Award for being the Outstanding Mens
Team of The Year 2013. The Indian mens team comprised Ghosal, Harinderpal Sandhu, Ramit
Tandon, Mahesh Mangaonkar along with coaches Cyrus Poncha and Gautam Das.
The presentation ceremony of the awards will be conducted on 15 June 2014 in Hongkong.
Ghosal was ranked No.1 in the Indian mens team at the World championships in 2013. He
was a quarterfinalist at the World open. He was the highest ranked Asian male at No.15.
Earlier, the Indian team attained its best ever position of seventh at the World Championships
held in France.

Lalit Gupta committee on DIAL submitted its report to DGCA

Lalit Gupta Committee on Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL) submitted its report to
DGCA on 24 April 2014. The committee was set up by Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA)
in January 2014.
It has recommended that airports near Delhi like Jaipur, Lucknow and Amritsar should be
upgraded to Category-IIIB level of Instrument Landing System, which has a runway visibility range
of 150 feet or almost near-zero visibility condition. CAT IIIB is operational at the India Gandhi
International Airport (IGIA).

General recommendations made by the Committee

All airlines would have to annually provide details on how many of their aircraft were
equipped to operate under CAT-IIIB situations and crew members trained to fly in such conditions.
The Committee has also given recommendations for setting up of a procedure for dealing
with stranded passengers if the flight is delayed or diverted at Delhi and other alternate airports.
Meteorological department should upgrade the meteorological facilities at IGIA and its
designated alternate airports. In this regard, integration of meteorological data in one panel should
be considered.
Additional Runway Visual Range (RVR) equipment should be installed wherever needed
and a provision of live RVR for all the runways at IGIA be made at Air Traffic Control (ATC) Unit.
ATC shall establish Air Traffic Flow Management (ATFM) Unit to implement capacity
adjustment and collaborative decision making procedures.
ATC shall separate Cat I traffic from Cat II/III traffic as applicable for holding at Delhi.
ATFM Unit shall decide when to suspend Cat I/II holding at Delhi.

Recommendations of the Committee to deal with Fog

A dedicated fog forecast should be provided at three hour intervals for IGIA and alternate
airports.
New equipment for measuring instantaneous low level wind, temperature, moisture
content should be commissioned at IGIA for increasing accuracy of forecast (onset and lifting timings
of fog).
Airport operators shall not schedule any maintenance work at IGIA and alternate airports
during the fog period unless it is unavoidable.
During fog season, operators shall not be allowed to file IGIA as alternate airport without
prior permission of ATC.
AAI shall ensure that required navigational aids are maintained in fully serviceable
conditions both at IGIA and alternate airports during fog period.
Operators shall deploy only Cat IIIB compliant aircraft along with qualified flight crew
during winter season to/from IGIA. For this purpose, operators must ensure adequate capacity
build-up in terms of aircraft capability and crew qualification well in time before the onset of next
fog season.
All scheduled airlines shall provide their detailed Cat III status indicating aircraft and
crew numbers through a consolidated return to DGCA every year.
The committee was set up with the objective to make Delhi a zero diversionary airport
without compromising safety of aircraft operations. The Delhi International Airport Limited has
witnessed a total of 289 diversions during the last three winter seasons. There were 57 diversions
in 2011, 89 in 2012 and 143 last year.

The US and Japan issued a Joint Statement emphasizing robust trilateral

relation with India
US President Barack Obama and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe issued a Joint
Statement in Tokyo, Japan on 25 April 2014. The US President Barack Obama is currently on a
four-nation trip to Asia, his fifth as the US President.

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According to the Joint Statement, the US and Japan emphasized the need to strengthen trilateral
dialogue with India on a wide range of regional and global issues.
The agreement to strengthen trilateral cooperation with countries like India along with Australia
and South Korea was a part of shared objectives of promoting peace and economic prosperity in the
Asia-Pacific.
Both the countries agreed to strengthen trilateral cooperation in the areas of
Maritime security in the Indian Ocean and Western Pacific
Development of an Indo-Pacific economic connectivity corridor among the countries in the
region to enhance regional connectivity
Humanitarian assistance and disaster relief

The Joint Statement highlights are:

It recognised that the US-Japan cooperation is essential in managing and responding to
long-standing and emerging threats and challenges in Asia and around the world.
It also highlighted the need to actively engage in promoting security of women and
empowerment across the world. The US and Japan are actively supporting the UN Women Safe
Cities Programme in New Delhi.
TheDelhi initiativeis a part of the UN Womens Safe Cities Free of Violence against
Women global programme, which aims at preventing sexual violence in urban public spaces through
strategic alliances with communities, service providers and safety official while empowering women
and girls.
The US and Japan will work together to resolve the Iranian nuclear issue, support Middle
East peace efforts, contribute to Afghan reconstruction, and improve the situation in Syria, including
through the disposal of its chemical stockpiles.
United States and Japan recognised that China can play an important role in addressing all
of these challenges, and both countries reaffirm their interest in building a productive and
constructive relationship with China.
26-APR-2014

World Malaria Day Observed across the world

World Malaria Day (WMD) was observed on 25 April 2014 across the world. The day was observed
to highlight the need for continued investment and sustained political commitment for malaria
prevention and control.
The theme for 2013-2015 is:Invest in the future. Defeat malaria.
On the Occasion, World Health Organisation (WHO) launched a manual to help countries to
assess the technical, operational and financial feasibility of moving towards malaria elimination.
The new guide,From malaria control to malaria elimination: a manual for elimination scenario
planning, will provide countries with a framework to assess different scenarios and timelines for
moving towards elimination, depending on programme coverage and funding availability.
There has been a 42 percent reduction in malaria mortality rates globally, and a 49 percent
decline in the WHO African Region since 2000.

About World Malaria Day

World Malaria Day was instituted by WHO Member States during the World Health Assembly
of 2007. The day was celebrated on 25 April every year.
According to WHO, the top five countries most affected by malaria are Nigeria, Democratic Republic
of Congo, Mozambique, Burkina Faso and Sierra Leone. India is expected to decrease malaria case
incidene by 50 to 75 per cent by 2015.

About Malaria:
Malaria is an infectious disease that is caused by mosquito-borne plasmodium parasite
which infects the red blood cells. It is a curable and preventable. There is no vaccine for malaria yet
and immunity occurs naturally through repeated infection. Common symptoms are fever, chills,
vomiting, nausea, body ache, headache, cough and diarrhea.

Time Magazine released The 100 Most Influential People in the World list
Time Magazine released the 100 most influential people in the world list on 24 April 2014.
The Time Magazine released its annual list without ranking them. The four Indian have made it
in to the list.
In the year 2014, the cover page of the annual issue of Times Magazine features American
Pop singer Beyonce Knowles in a black-and-white photo. The photo has been shot by Paola Kudacki
for the iconic magazine.

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The annual list includes US President Barack Obama, Chinese President Xi Jinping,
Grammy-winning artist Beyonce, US Secretary of State John Kerry, Hillary Clinton, Pope Francis,
Russian President Vladimir Putin, whistleblower Edward Snowden, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo
Abe and Pakistani girls educational activist Malala Yousafzai among others.
The Four Indians who made in to the list are
BJPs prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi
Aam Aadmi Party leader Arvind Kejriwal
Author Arundhati Roy
Coimbatore-based health activist Arunachalam Muruganantham
The Time has described Modi as a divisive politician poised to lead the worlds largest
democracy. Arvind Kejriwal was described as powerful outsider in Indian politics who is the antithesis
of the modern-day Indian politician and Muruganantham as an unlikely health crusader, his unique
idea to help his wife lead to the invention of a machine that manufactures low-cost sanitary pads.
Arundhati Roy was described as the novelist who is the conscience of India.
Some popular stars in the list includes Oscar-winning actor Matthew McConaughey, House
of Cards star Robin Wright and Pulitzer Prize-winning author Donna Tartt, legendary actor and
filmmaker Robert Redford, Gravity director Alfonso Cuaron and 12 Years a Slave director Steve
McQueen.

Fatah and Hamas signed reconciliation agreement

The Fatah and Hamas on 23 April 2014 signed a reconciliation agreement to end their
difference and form a Palestinian Unity Government in Gaza Strip.
The agreement was signed in Gaza by the Prime Minister of Gaza strip and Hamas leader,
Ismail Haniyeh and Fatah-led Palestinian Liberation Organisation (PLO) delegation chief Azzam alAhmed.
The agreement states that an independent government headed by Palestinian President
headed by Mahmoud Abbas would be formed within five weeks.
The agreement also states that the two groups will work for the implementation of Egyptianbrokered deal in 2011. The unity deal aimed at ending the political divide between Gaza and the
Palestinian Authority-ruled West Bank.
Besides, it also strives for reviving the Palestinian Legislative Council that has been paralysed
since 2007.
The agreement also calls for activating and developing the Palestine Liberation Organization
(PLO) so as to allow Hamas and other Palestinian groups to join the institutions of organization.
Hamas and Fatah split violently in 2007. Previous reconciliation agreements have never
been implemented. Since 2007, Hamas has been in control of the Gaza Strip and the Westernbacked Palestinian Authority has been ruling in the West Bank.

Consequences
Israeli suspended the peace talks with the Palestinians on 24 April 2014 due to the
reconciliation agreement between Fatah and Hamas. The Israel rejects Hamas as terror organisation
where the US and Europe hold the same position. Israel is planning a series of sanctions against
the Palestinian.
Palestinian Prime Minister Rami Hamdallah offered his resignation on 26 April 2014, a
move which may pave the way for a unity government agreed between President Mahmoud Abbas
and Hamas.

Bihar Mahostav began in Delhi

The Bihar Mahotsav began in Delhi on 26 April 2014. It started amid strains of thumri,
colourful folk performances and aroma of traditional cuisine. The festival will be celebrated for
three days from 26 to 28 April 2014.
The festival was jointly organized by the Department of Art, Culture and Youth, Government
of Bihar, Sangeet Natak Akademi and Bihar Lalit Kala Akademi.
In Rabindra Bhawan, a giant cut-out of world-famous Yakshi statue, sights of Madhubani
paintings, Sikki art and photographs of the famous monuments of state like Gol Ghar and tomb of
Maner Sherif are the special attraction to the festival.
The traditional cuisine like chuda-dahi, sattu drink, the famous litti-choka and also stalls
for handicraft and paintings of Bihar were arranged. The performance of Benares gharana and Gaya
gharana are main attraction of the festival.
Books on Bihar history and its heritage, especially the lost art of Patna Qalam among others
are also on sale. An exhibition of works of artists from Bihar will be held.

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The Bihar Mahotsav was started in 2009 in Kolkata, followed by Allahabad, Jaipur and in Guwahati
in earlier years.

John Travolta honoured the Most Popular All Time International Star in
India at IIFA awards
Hollywood star John Travolta received a special honour, theMost Popular All Time
International Starin India at the International Indian Film Academy (IIFA) awards. The 15th IIFA
awards were held in Tampa Bay, Florida from 23 to 26 April 2014.
John Travolta, 60, has seen astounding success as an actor, singer and dancer in the
Hollywood. He starred in several blockbusters films such as Saturday Night Fever, Pulp Fiction,
Grease, Swordfish, Face Off, Broken Arrow and Ladder49.
He has been twice nominated for the Academy Award and nominated for seven Golden Globes.
He won twice the Golden globe including one for his performance in the critically acclaimed film
Get Shorty.

About IIFA awards

IIFA awards were first held in London in 2000. The awards are presented annually by the
International Indian Film Academy to both artistic and technical excellence of professionals in
Bollywood. The awards have categories like popular awards, technical awards and special awards.
In 2013, the IIFA awards were held in Macau.
28-APR-2014

India successfully test-fired new Interceptor Missile named Prithvi Defence

Vehicle
India on 27 April 2014 test-fired an exo-atmospheric interceptor missile, called Prithvi Defence
Vehicle with capability to neutralise any long-range missile at higher altitude. This interceptor
was test-fired for the first time from launch pad-IV of Integrated Test Range at Wheeler Island,
about 100 km from Balasore in Odisha into the sky to hit its target.
The exo-atmospheric interceptor missile is a part of Indias efforts to create a shield against
incoming enemy missile. In the process of testing, it successfully intercepted an incoming ballistic
missile a modified variant of the Prithvi fired from a ship off the coast near the integrated test
range at Chandipur-on-sea in Balasore district, about 70 km from Wheeler Island.
Before this, the Prithvi Air Defence interceptor missile has already demonstrated its killing
capability at an altitude of 50 km and 180 km. till date the Defence Research and Development
Organisation (DRDO) had successfully test-fired six interceptor missiles developed by it. The previous
test-fired as been tried and tested both in endo-atmosphere within 30 km altitude above sea level
and exo-atmosphere stage above 30 km altitude.
Previously, the killing capability of the Prithvi Air Defence interceptor missile has already
has been demonstrated at an altitude of 50 km and 80 km. On the other hand, the Advanced Air
Defence interceptor missile has smashed the target missile at an altitude of 15 km to 30 km

Microsoft acquired Nokia handset business

Microsoft, the US software giant on 25 April 2014 completed acquisition of Nokias mobile
handset business, excluding the Nokias Chennai factory from the over 7.2 billion US dollar deal
due to tax issues.
This exclusion of the Finnish firms largest manufacturing facilities of Chennai plant will
continue to operate under Nokia, on a service contract for Microsoft. The firms Chennai factory was
started in 2006 and the Nokias India operations began in 1995.
In September 2013, the Finnish handset maker Nokia agreed to sell all of its Devices and
Services (D&S) business to Microsoft.

Nokias Chennai plant

Nokias Chennai plant employs about 8000 workers, which is equivalent to about a third of
Nokias 25000 staffs who are being transferred to Microsoft although they will remain on the rolls of
the Finnish firm.

Adhiban won silver at Asian Continental Chess Championship

Grand Master Adhiban won silver medal at the Asian Continental Chess Championship
held in Sharjah on 26 April 2014. With this silver he got an entry in the World Chess Cup 2015 that
will be held at Baku, Azerbaijan.

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Adhiban ended up with 6.5 points whereas Yu Yangyi of China won the gold medal ending
with 7 points. Ni Hua of China won bronze medal with 6.5 points. Rustam Kasimdzhanov stood at
the fourth place (6 points) and Weng Yan of China at the fifth place (6.5 points).
In the womens championship, Irine Kharisma Sukandar of Indonesia won the gold medal.
Atousa Pourkashiyan of Iran won the silver and Tan Zhongyi of China got bronze.
The 13th Asian Continental Chess Championship and Womens Chess Championships 2014
was held from 16 April to 26 April 2014 in Sharjah, UAE. The top five of Asian Continental
Championship 2014 will qualify for the World Cup Championship 2015.

Justice R M Lodha sworn in as 41st Chief Justice of India

Justice Rajendra Mal Lodha on 27 April 2014 was sworn-in as the 41st Chief Justice of
India. The oath was administered by the President of India, Pranab Mukherjee. Justice Lodha will
have a brief tenure of five months as the Chief Justice as he will retire on 27 September 2014.
The 64-year-old Justice Lodha took over the office from Justice P. Sathasivam, who retired
from his office on 26 April 2014 after serving tenure of nine months. Justice P Sathasivam assumed
the office of Chief Justice of India in July 2013.
Justice Harilal Jekisundas Kaniawas the first Chief Justice of India.

Some important judgments and orders given by SC bench under Justice R

M Lodha
Justice Lodha is the head of the bench that is monitoring CBIs probe into coal blocks
allocation scam
His bench ordered that there is no requirement to share information with the political
executive on coalgate probe by CBI. This decision in May 2013 led to the resignation of the then Law
Minister, Ashwani Kumar
SC bench under him passed orders for making CBI free from any political interference.
The bench said that sanctions from the government is not required to prosecute senior officials in
cases which are being monitored by the Courts
He is a part of the Constitutional Bench that is looking towards the mode of education of
minority schools
A bench headed by Justice Lodha allowed defence personnel in peace stations to vote in
constituencies of their posting by terming it compulsion of their job must not come in the way of
their basic right

Form of Oath or Affirmation

Article 124 (6) of the Constitution of India provides for administering of oath or affirmation of
the Chief Justice of India or any other Supreme Court judge before the President of India or some
other person appointed in that behalf by him.
The Schedule Three of the Indian Constitution provides for the Form of Oath or Affirmations
for Union Ministers [Art. 75(4)], Candidate for election to Parliament[Art. 80(a)], Member of Parliament
[Art. 99], Chief Justice of India & Supreme Court Judges [Art. 124(6)], Comptroller & Auditor General
of India [Art. 148(2)], State Ministers[Art. 164(3)], Candidates for election to Legislative Assembly[Art.
173(a)], Member of Legislative Assembly[Art. 188], and Chief Justice of High Courts & Judges of
High Courts [Art. 219]

Silver nanowires-based nanoscale Fingerprints developed to protect credit

cards
Scientists from South Korea had developed Silver nanowires-based nanoscale fingerprints.
This nanoscale fingerprint would help protect the credit cards and other gadgets. The research was
published in March 2014 in the journal Nanotechnology.
Lead author of the research was Professor Hyotcherl Ihee from the Korea Advanced Institute
of Science and Technology and the Institute for Basic Science.
Silver nanowires based Nano fingerprints are made by randomly placing 20 to 30 individual
nanowires, each with an average length of 10 to 50 micro metre. The nanowire pattern would be
based on a thin plastic film. The wire would be embedded into credit card to make it impossible to
counterfeit the object.
The nanowire pattern is invisible to the naked eye. The nanowire pattern can be tagged
with a unique ID, or bar code, which could enable a quick search in a database and ease the process
of authentication or counterfeit identification.

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The pattern was prepared by synthesizing a solution containing individual silver nanowires,
coating the nanowires with silica, doping them with specific fluorescent dyes and then randomly
dropping them onto a transferable film made from flexible polyethylene terephthalate (PET).
The fluorescent dyes allowed the patterns to be authenticated under an optical microscope
and could add another layer of complexity to the fingerprints if a number of different coloured dyes
are used.
The fingerprints could be produced at a cost of less than 1 US Dollar per single pattern.

PM of South Korea Chung Hong-Won resigned

Prime Minister of South Korea Chung Hong-won resigned on 27 April 2014. He resigned over
the governments inability and untimely response to the ferry disaster that happened on 16 April
2014.
The President Park Geun-hye accepted the resignation of Chung, but he will remain in post
until the rescue operation was completed.
Chung was born on 9 October 1944 and served as a prosecutor till 2012. He was the first
nominated Prime Minister candidate of Park Geun-hyes government. He was sworn-in as Prime
Minister of South Korea from Great National Party on 26 February 2013.

Incident
The Sewol ferry sank on a routine trip south from the port of Incheon to the traditional
holiday island of Jeji on 16 April 2014. In Sewol ferry , more than 476 people were travelling most of
them were students and teachers. Around 300 people were missing and confirmed death toll was
187.

The 15th International Indian Film Academy Awards 2014

The 15th International Indian Film Academy (IIFA) Awards 2014 was held in Tampa Bay, US
from 23 April to 26 April 2014. This was held for the first time in US and Hollywood star John
Travoltas and Kevin Spacey made appearance at the IIFA awards.
IIFA awards in different categories are
Best Picture- Viacom 18 Motion Pictures & Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra- Bhaag Milkha
Bhaag
Best Direction- Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra - Bhaag Milkha Bhaag
Performance in a Leading Role (Male)- Farhan Akhtar - Bhaag Milkha Bhaag
Performance in a Leading Role (Female)- Deepika Padukone - Chennai Express
Performance in a Supporting Role (Male)- Aditya Roy Kapoor - Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani
Performance in a Supporting Role (Female)- Divya Dutta - Bhaag Milkha Bhaag
Performance in a Comic Role- Arshad Warsi - Jolly LLB
Performance in a Negative Role- Rishi Kapoor -D-Day
Music Direction- Mithoon, Ankit Tiwari,Jeet Ganguly - Aashiqui 2
Best Story- Prasoon Joshi - Bhaag Milkha Bhaag
Lyrics Writer- Mithoon - Song (Tum Hi Ho) - Aashiqui 2
Playback Singer (Male)- Arijit Singh Song (Tum Hi Ho) - Aashiqui 2
Playback Singer (Female)- Shreya Ghoshal- Song (Sunn Raha Hai) - Aashiqui 2
Best Debutant Male Dhanush - Raanjhanaa
Best Debutant Female- Vani Kapoor - Shudh Desi Romance
Outstanding Contribution by An Indian in the US- Drs. Kiran & Pallavi Patel
Entertainer of the year- Deepika Padukone
Outstanding Contribution To International Cinema-John Travolta
Lifetime Achievement- Shatrughan Sinha
The IIFA awards are presented by the International Indian Film Academy every year. These
were presented to both artistic and technical excellence of professionals in Bollywood. The awards
have categories like popular awards, technical awards and special awards.

The only Gorilla of India, Polo died in Mysore Zoo

Polo, the only Gorilla in Indian Zoo died on 26 April 2014 in Mysore Zoo. It died due to respiratory
infection and age related ailments after being treated for about a month.
Till few years back, 43-year-old male Western Lowland Polo was the Asias lone Gorilla. It
was gifted to the Mysore zoo by Irelands Dublin Zoo on 12 August 1995.

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About Gorillas
Gorillas are generally found in the tropical and subtropical forests in Central Africa. These
are kept in the list of Endangered to Critically Endangered, depending on the subspecies.
In the present world the population of many gorillas has declined or has completely disappeared
over past few decades. The subspecies of lowland are numerous and widespread when compared to
the upland and mountain subspecies. Mountain gorillas are the only gorillas to show an increase in
numbers, but the overall population size is still very low.

There are two types of gorillas in their lowland and upland subspecies and
are
Western gorilla
Western lowland gorilla (scientific name Gorilla gorilla gorilla) is Critically Endangered
Cross River gorilla (scientific name Gorilla gorilla diehli) is Critically Endangered

Eastern gorilla
Mountain gorilla (scientific name Gorilla beringei beringei) is Critically Endangered
Eastern lowland or Grauers gorilla (scientific name Gorilla beringei graueri) is endangered
The four subspecies in both Western and Eastern gorilla, which are either endangered or
critically endangered and are threatened by hunting for wildlife trade, habitat loss, bushmeat and
infectious diseases. Among these, the Cross River Gorilla at present are listed among the worlds
rarest great ape with it population of only 250 to 300.

Philippines and the U.S. signed 10 year long defence pact

The Philippines and the United States signed a 10 year long defence pact on 28 April 2014.
Philippine defence minister Voltaire Gazmin and US ambassador Philip Goldberg signed the defence
pact.
The military agreement will allow a bigger US military presence on Filipino territory and
essentially allow US access to Philippine military bases across the country. However, the new
agreement will not allow the reopening of US bases in the Philippines.
The deal is only a framework agreement. The agreement is seen as another element of
Obamas effort to focus US military and economic attention more heavily on Asia.
The United States and the Philippines are already long-time allies bound by a mutual defence pact.
The Philippines hosted two of the largest overseas US military bases until 1992.
The Philippines had been eager for an agreement to expand the arrangement to boost its
weak military capabilities and emphasise its close ties to the United States, at a time of deep
tensions with China over competing claims to parts of the South China Sea.
The deal would also allow the United States to store equipment that could be used to mobilise
American forces faster particularly in cases of natural disasters.

Two former Popes John XXIII and John Paul II declared as Saints by Pope
Francis
John XXIII and John Paul II were declared as saints of the Roman Catholic Church on 27
April 2014 by Pope Francis. This declaration of the two predecessors was made before hundreds of
people in St Peters Square in Vatican City.
This ceremony of declaration became historical by the presence of retired Pope Benedict. As
before this reigning and retired Pope has not participated and celebrated Mass together in public.
This incident also became important as for the first time the two popes have been canonised at the
same time.
As per the analysts, this move is an attempt to unite conservative and reformist camps
within the Roman Catholic Church.

Arturo Licata, the Worlds oldest man died in Italy at age 111
Arturo Licata, the Worlds oldest man died in Italy on 24 April 2014 at the age of 111. He was
awarded the Guinness World Records title of oldest living man on 28 February 2014 at the age of 111
years and 302 days.
He was named as the oldest living man after the death of previous holder of the record
Salustiano Sanchez. Salustiano Sanchez died in September 2013 at the age of 112 years and 97
days.
Licata was born into a family of four brothers and two sisters in Sicily. He had seven children,
eight grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren. He joined army in 1921 and served it as a soldier
in East Africa during invasion of Ethiopia as ordered by the Italian fascist regime.

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Currently 115-year-old female, Misao Okawa of Japan, is recognised by Guinness World Records as
the worlds oldest living person.

PLO adopted a plan to seek membership of International Organisations

The central council of Palestine Liberation Organisation (PLO) on 27 April 2014 adopted a
plan to seek membership of International Organisations. The Palestinian Liberation Organization
has decided to press its bid for statehood for Palestine by signing on to 63 international UN
conventions.
In addition, the PLO voted to ask the United Nations Security Council and General Assembly
to condemn Israel for settlement construction, anti-Palestinian actions in Jerusalem, and harm to
the status of churches and mosques, especially Al-Aqsa on Jerusalems Haram al-Sharif/Temple
Mount.
The 120-member Central Council also affirmed its absolute rejection of Prime Minister
Benjamin Netanyahus demand that the Palestinians recognize Israel as the nation-state of the
Jewish people.
However, the council voted to leave the door open to resuming negotiations with Israel on
the basis of international resolutions and on condition of an Israeli settlement freeze.

Analysis
The Palestine became an observer state member of the United Nations in 2013 with an
overwhelming vote in favour of it. In November 2013, the Palestinians casted a UN General Assembly
vote for the first time and claimed the moment as a new step in their quest for full recognition by
the global body.
Most of the 193 members of the General Assembly applauded Palestinian ambassador Riyad
Mansour as he voted for a judge on the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia.
The Palestinian mission cannot vote on UN resolutions but, under UN rules, it and other observers
such as the Vatican can vote in elections for judges on international courts.
Israel and the United States have lobbied strongly against UN recognition of the Palestinians,
arguing that a separate state can only be achieved through direct bilateral negotiations to end the
decades old Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Israel maintained its position that the Palestinian Authority is not a state and the Palestinian
Authority failed to meet the criteria for statehood.
29-APR-2014

Liverpool striker Luis Suarez named as Professional Footballers

Association Player of the Year
Luis Suarez, the Uruguayan striker of Liverpool was named as the Professional Footballers
Association Player of the Year at an award ceremony on 28 April 2014 in London. Suarez is the first
non-European to be awarded with the prize.
Eden Hazard of Chelsea was voted as the Young Player of the Year.
Among the women players, Lucy Bronze of Liverpool was named as the Womens Players
Player of the Year. Her team mate Martha Harris was voted the Young Player of the Year.
At present, Suarez is the top scorer of the Premier League season with 30 goals, even after missing
six games at the start of the season. He missed the six games of the league following 10-match ban
for biting Branislav Ivanovic of Chelsea in April 2013.

Professional Footballers Association (PFA) Player of the Year winners

2013-14: Luis Suarez (Liverpool)
2012-13: Gareth Bale (Tottenham)
2011-12: Robin van Persie (Arsenal)
2010-11: Gareth Bale (Tottenham)
2009-10: Wayne Rooney (Manchester United)
2008-09: Ryan Giggs (Manchester United)
2007-08: Cristiano Ronaldo (Manchester United)

Environmental activist Ramesh Agrawal won Goldman Environmental

Prize 2014
Environmental activist Ramesh Agrawal, on 28 April 2014 won the prestigious Goldman
Environmental Prize for the year 2014. The prize is commonly called as the Green Nobel. The prize
honours the heroic grassroot environmentalists around the world for their achievements.

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Agrawal was awarded for his contribution to control the unchecked industrial development
throughout India. He organised villagers to demand their right to information about industrial
development projects. His efforts resulted in shutting down of one of the largest proposed coal mines
in Gare village of Chhattisgarh in 2012 .
He founded a grassroots movement named Jan Chetana to protect people as well as the
environment from industrialization.

2014 Goldman Environmental Prize recipients

Africa Region
Desmond DSa of South Africa He rallied south Durbans diverse and disenfranchised
communities to successfully shut down a toxic waste dump that was exposing nearby residents to
dangerous chemicals and robbing them of their constitutionally protected right to a safe and clean
environment.

Asia Region
Ramesh Agrawal of India He was awarded for his contribution to control the unchecked
industrial development throughout India. He organised villagers to demand their right to information
about industrial development projects.

Europe Region
Suren Gazaryan of Russia As a zoologist, he led multiple campaigns exposing government
corruption and illegal use of federally protected forestland along Russias Black Sea coast.

Islands & Island Nations

Rudi Putra of Indonesia A biologist by profession, he was awarded for dismantling illegal
palm oil plantations that are causing massive deforestation in northern Sumatras Leuser Ecosystem,
protecting the habitat of the critically endangered Sumatran rhino.

North America
Helen Holden Slottje of America She used a clause in the state Constitution that gives
municipalities the right to make local land use decisions, Helen Slottje provided pro-bono legal
assistance, helping towns across New York defend themselves from oil and gas companies by passing
local bans on fracking.

South & Central America

Ruth Buendia Mestoquiari of Peru She united the Ashaninka people in a powerful
campaign against large-scale dams that would have once again uprooted indigenous communities
still recovering from Perus civil war

About Goldman Environmental Prize

The first Goldman Environmental Prize was given in 1990 on Earth Day, that is 22 April.
Since then, the prize is announced in April to coincide with Earth Day and the winners are selected
by an international jury.
It is the largest award given to grassroots environmental activists annually by Goldman
Environmental Foundation based in San Francisco.
It annually awards environmental heroes of six inhabited continental regions Africa, Asia,
Europe, Islands and Island Nations, North America, and South and Central America.
Each winner of the award receives 150000 US dollar as a prize. These awards are given to
recognise the individual leaders and inspire other ordinary people to take extraordinary actions to
protect the natural world.
The year 2014 is the 25th year of the Goldman Environmental Prize.

What the Goldman Prize Provides its Recipient?

The Goldman Prize amplifies the voices of these grassroots leaders and provides them with
International recognition that enhances their credibility
Worldwide visibility for the issues they champion
Financial support of 175000 dollar to pursue their vision of a renewed and protected
environment

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An Egyptian Court gave death sentence to 683 ex-president Morsi

supporters
An Egyptian Court on 28 April 2014 sentenced to death 683 alleged supporters of the
Mohammed Morsi. Mohammed Morsi of Muslim Brotherhood Party is the ex-president of the Egypt.
One of the most senior Brotherhood leaders was Mohamed Badie among those convicted and
sentenced to death. Mohamed Badie is the spiritual guide of Brotherhood.
The court referred its ruling to the Grand Mufti, the nations top Islamic law official. Grand
Mufti is a requirement under Egyptian law. However, it provides a window of opportunity for a judge
to reverse an initial sentence.
Once the Mufti reviews the ruling the same court will hold another session on 21 June 2014
to issue the final verdicts.
The ruling is the outcome of the deadly riots that erupted in Minya in Egypt after security
forces violently disbanded protest by Brotherhood supporters in Cairo on 14 August 2013. Three
policemen and a civilian were killed in those riots.
Hundreds were killed as part of a campaign against supporters of former President Mohammed
Morsi, ousted by the military in July 2013. The removal of Morsi came after millions demonstrated
against his rule, demanding he step down for abuse of power. He was elected in 2012.
There was a strong allegation upon the procedure of the Judgement as the leading human
rights activists claimed that the defendants were not given the chance to properly defend themselves.
The proceedings went on without the judge even verifying that the defendants were present.

Slovakia and Ukraine signed Framework Interconnection Agreement on

gas supply
Slovakia and Ukraine signed a Framework Interconnection Agreement on gas supply on 28
April 2014. The deal signed in Bratislava, allows supply of gas from Central Europe to Ukraine via
Slovakia.
The agreement signed between Slovakian company Eustream and the Ukrainian company
Ukrtransgaz was brokered by the European Commission.
As per the agreement, the gas will be supplied to Ukraine through disused Vojany pipeline at
Velke Kapusany, Slovakia. The pipeline is capable of supplying 8 billion cubic metres (bcm) of gas to
Ukraine in a year. Once the pipeline is fully constructed and restored by April 2015, the pipeline
will become capable of supplying 22 million cubic meters of gas a day.

Significance of the Agreement

The successful implementation of gas flows from the EU to Ukraine will allow Ukraine to
access various gas sources. For instance, Ukraine will have Norwegian gas or liquefied natural gas
(LNG) from the global markets at competitive prices.
It will help reduce Ukrainian dependence upon Russia for gas supply and add to Ukraines
effort in diversifying its sources of gas supply. In April 2014, German energy firm RWE began deliveries
of gas via Poland which can supply up to 10 bcm of gas a year.
It will lead to greater unification of Ukraine with the European Union economically, politically
and strategically.
It will help Ukraine overcome the current economic and financial woes.
However, as a member of the Energy Community, Ukraine will have to ensure the
implementation of the EU internal energy market legislation. The approximation of the Ukrainian
legal and regulatory framework is a requirement for higher confidence of investor and could lead to
a better use of Ukraines immense gas infrastructure.

Background
The Agreement came against the backdrop of Russian firm, Gazprom doubling the gas prices
to Ukraine since Russia annexed Crimea in February 2014. Ukraine owes Gazprom 2.2 billion
dollars for supplies of gas. Ukraine have refused to pay the double price and looking for the alternatives
to the Russian firm, Gazprom.

Californian Mite became the fastest land animal

A Southern California mite Paratarsotomus macropalpis set a new record as worlds fastest
land animal. Cheetah was the last record holder. The findings were presented during the
Experimental Biology 2014 meeting in California.
The mite can run 20 times faster than a cheetah and the equivalent of a person running
2092km per hour. The mite runs on concrete up to 60 degrees Celsius, a temperature significantly
higher than the upper lethal temperature of most animals.

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Although the mite Paratarsotomus macropalpis is no bigger than a sesame seed, it was
recently recorded running at up to 322 body lengths per second. Body lengths per second is a measure
of speed that reflects how quickly an animal moves relative to its body size.
The Australian tiger beetle, tops out at 171 body lengths per second. By comparison, a cheetah
running at 97km per hour attains only about 16 body lengths per second.
Samuel Rubin, a junior and physics major at Pitzer College led much of the fieldwork to
document the mites movements.
The mite is local to Southern California and is often found running along rocks or sidewalks.

President approved dissolution of Andhra Pradesh Assembly

Pranab Mukherjee, the President of India on 29 April 2014 approved dissolution of the Andhra
Pradesh Assembly and a fresh proclamation of Central Rule in the state. This move of the President
has granted a period of two months to the central government before approaching the Parliament for
the mandatory ratification of Presidents Rule in the state.
This nod of the President came after the Union Cabinet on 25 April 2014 recommended
dissolution of the Assembly of Andhra Pradesh and extension of the Presidents rule there beyond 30
April 2014. This decision was made following the submission of a report by the Andhra Pradesh
governor ESL Narasimhan to the centre about the prevailing situation in the state. This meet was
cared by Prime Minister of India, Manmohan Singh.
On 1 March 2014, the Presidents rule was imposed in Andhra Pradesh after the Chief
Minister of the state, N Kiran Kumar Reddy resigned from his office. His resignation from the office
came after the nod of the Parliament for bifurcation of the state to create Telangana State.
Article 356 section 3 of the Constitution says that every Proclamation under this article
shall be laid before each House of Parliament and shall, except where it is a Proclamation revoking
a previous Proclamation, cease to operate at the expiration of two months unless before the expiration
of that period it has been approved by resolutions of both Houses of Parliament.
Article 356 of the Constitution lays Emergency Provisions as provisions in case of failure of
constitutional machinery in States.

Rajeev Suri appointed as President and CEO of Nokia Corporation

Rajeev Suri appointed as President and CEO of Nokia Corporation on 29 April 2014. The
appointment was announced by the Nokia of Directors. He will take charges as President and CEO
of Nokia on 1 May 2014. He is one of the few global bosses without a degree from a business school.
Stephen Elop and Risto Siilasmaa were serving as interim President and Interim CEO of
Nokia respectively. He replaces both of them, now Stephen will return to Microsoft as the executive
vice president of its device. Risto Siilasmaa will return on his original role as Chairman of Board of
Nokia.
The US giant, Microsoft acquired on 25 April 2014 the Nokias handset business for 7.2
billion US dollar. The Microsoft acquired Nokia excluding:
Factory at Chennai
factory at Masan, South Korea

About Rajeev Suri

Rajeev Suri, 46, studied Electronics and Telecommunications Engineering from the Manipal
Institute of Technology, India.
Before to Nokia he worked for the ICL (India), the RPG Group and the Churchgate Group,
Nigeria till 1995.

NR Narayana Murthy hounoured with Global Indian Award in Canada

NR Narayana Murthy, the founder and executive Chairman of Infosys was honoured with
the 2014 Canada India Foundation Chachalani Global Indian Award in Toronto, Canada on 26 April
2014. Murthy is the fifth recipient of the award and was awarded for his remarkable vision and
leadership in the IT sector.
The award that carries a trophy and a cash prize of 50000 US dollars was presented to Murthy
by Joe Oliver, the Canadian Finance Minister at the Canada India Foundation annual award function.
After receiving the award, Murthy announced that he will donate the money to Braille without
Border Charitable Trust, which is an international organisation for blinds in the developing countries.
The money was donated as the sum of the award is payable to a charitable institution of his/her
choice.

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With this award, Murthy has joined the club of global Indians, who have remained an
inspiration to people across the world.Others who have been awarded with CIFs Chachalani Global
Indian Award includes
Deepak Chopra, renowned thinker, writer and speaker on human empowerment and a
strong proponent of alternative medicine
Sam Pitroda, pioneer of Indias telecom revolution
Tulsi Tanti, trailblazer in the deployment of wind power
Ratan Tata, Indias most respected industrialist and philanthropist

About Canada India Foundation Chachalani Global Indian Award

The Canada India Foundation Chachalani Global Indian Award is conferred by the Canada
India Foundation and is given to recognize an individual who demonstrates global leadership, vision
and professional excellence. This award is one of the most prestigious awards among Indians around
the world.

About Canada India Foundation (CIF)

Canada India Foundation is a national, non-profit, non-partisan organization established in
2007 with an aim to foster support for stronger relations between Canada and India. It was also
established to educate Canadians on the changing face of India and to increase the participation of
Indo-Canadians in the public policy process in Canada.
CIFs founding members include entrepreneurs, senior Canadian business executives and
top tier professionals. The foundation plays an important role in nourishing the Canada India
relations. Some of such steps include regular dialogues with representatives of both countries,
organization of theme based policy forums and contributing, directly and through its members, to
India-focused initiatives at several academic institutions.

About NR Narayana Murthy

Infosys was founded by him in 1981 and he served the company as its CEO from 1981 to
2002
Murthy served Infosys as its Chairman from 2002 to 2011 and guided the company to
become a multinational corporation and leader of Indias software revolution
He is a recipient of Padma Vibhushan, Indias second-highest civilian award by the
Government of India
He also has been honoured by the governments of France and United Kingdom
Time Magazine has described NR Narayana Murthy as the Father of Indian IT sector
Fortune magazine has described him as one of the 12 greatest entrepreneurs of our time

Indian Golfer Anirban Lahiri ranked 67 in World Golf Ranking

Indian Golfer Anirban Lahiri was ranked 67 in World Golf Ranking which was released on 28
April 2014. Lahiri jumped 35 places from his last standing of 102.
The change in rankings came after Lahiris victory at the Indonesian Masters on 27 April
2014. This was the fourth international title in a row for Lahiri who hails from Bangalore. The win
also helped him reach the No. 1 position in Asia.
Currently, Lahiri is the second-highest Asian player in the world after Thongchai Jaidee of
Thailand, who is ranked 49.
Also, Lahiri is only the second Indian after Jeev Milkha Singh to be ranked inside the top
70. Jeev had achieved his career-best ranking of 29 back in 2009.
Among the other Indians who had previously broken into the top 100, Jyoti Randhawa went
as high as 70, while Gaganjeet Bhullar reached a career-high of 85 last year.
Interestingly, Lahiri became the 10th Indian to win an international title outside India
when he clinched the Indonesian Masters with a 20-foot eagle on the final hole.

EU imposed temporary ban on Indian Alphonso mangoes and 4 vegetables

The 28-member European Union (EU) on 28 April 2014 imposed a temporary ban on import of
Alphonso mangoes and four vegetables from India. The ban will come into effect from 1 May 2014.
The ban was imposed following the decision of the groupings Standing Committee on Plant
Health, who in 2013 found 207 consignments of vegetables and fruits imported from India to EU
were contaminated. Those consignments were contaminated by pests like fruit flies and quarantine
pests.

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The European Commission has proposed a temporary ban on

Mangoes
Eggplant
The taro plant
Bitter gourd
Snake gourd
The commission prohibits the import to tackle the significant shortcomings in the sanitary
certification system of any or such products, which are exported to European Union.
The committee that has prohibited less than 5 percent of the fresh foods and vegetables
which are imported from India to EU said that the introduction of new pests could pose a threat to EU
agriculture and production.
India exports about 16 million mangoes to UK and fetches nearly GBP 6 million a year from
the fruit market. This ban will be revised before 31 December 2015.
This imposed ban has sparked protests of the Indian community, traders and lawmakers.
They claim that they will lose hundreds of pounds due to ban. The ban has also been opposed by the
wholesalers and retailers in Indian-dominated regions of UK.

UN and IOC signed agreement to promote peace and economic development

The United Nations (UN) and the International Olympic Committee (IOC) signed an agreement
on 28 April 2014 to use the power of sports to promote peace and economic development. The
agreement strengthens the collaboration between UN and International Olympic Committee.
The UN and IOC charter calls for international cooperation to promote peace, better life for
people around the world and preserving human dignity. The agreement was a logical and historic
step after years of ever closer collaboration in using sport to promote development and peace.
The agreement calls for joint sporting initiatives between the IOC, national Olympic
committees, international sports federations, organizing committees and international athletes
and the 193 UN member states, UN agencies, envoys and goodwill ambassadors.
The two organizations will be promoting
The education for youth through sport without discrimination of any kind
Access to sport for all communities especially the most disadvantaged and marginalized
Healthy lifestyles and peace-building and community dialogue
Environmental sustainability
UN granted an Observer status to the IOC in 2009 and this agreement means that now the
IOC would work with the UN Secretariat on a range of projects around the world.
IOC President: Thomas Bach
UN Secretary General: Ban Ki-moon

Arch to be built over Chernobyl to safeguard citizens from radioactive

dust
Ukranian Government on 28 April 2014 announced to build a arch over Chernobyl to protect
its citizens from radioactive dust. The arch is being built to mark the 28th anniversary of Chernobyl
disaster.
The 32000 tonne arch made from sheathed stainless steel will be pushed on Teflon pads to
cover the site. It is planned to be completed by 2017.
The construction of Chernobyl arch will cost 1.5 billion US dollar. The cost will be financed
largely by the US and about 30 other nations. The construction will be done by Novarka. Novarka is
the consortium of French construction companies.
Engineers have designed the Chernobyl arch to stand for 100 years.

Importance of Chernobyl Tomb

The arch will eliminate the risk of additional atmospheric contamination.
The arch will remove the lingering threat of radioactive fallouts.
The arch will also allow the final stage of the Chernobyl clean up to remove the heavily
contaminated reactor debris for permanent safe storage.

About Chernobyl Disaster

The Chernobyl disaster was a catastrophic nuclear accident that occurred on 26 April 1986
at the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant in Ukraine.
The April 1986 disaster at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant in Ukraine was the product of
a flawed Soviet reactor design coupled with serious mistakes made by the plant operators.
The Chernobyl disaster was a unique event and the only accident in the history of commercial
nuclear power where radiation-related fatalities occurred.

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Sharath Gayakwad won 2 Bronze, 1 silver at IDM Berlin 2014

Paralympic swimmer Sharath Gayakwad won two Bronze and one Silver at the IDM Berlin
2014. He won Bronze Medals in the 200m Individual Medley (2:44.06 seconds) and the 100m Butterfly
(1:09.67 seconds) and won the Silver Medal in the 100m Breaststroke.
Niels Korfitz Mortensen of Denmark won the Gold Medal and Oliver Hynd of Britain won the
Silver Medal respectively in the 100m Butterfly, S8 category.

About Sharath Gayakwad

GayaKwad was born in Bangalore in 1991. He is the first Indian swimmer to qualify for the
Paralympics and competed in the Summer Paralympics 2012 held in London.
Gayakwad is Indias sole representative at the International German Championships. He
participated in 50m, 100m and 400m Freestyle, the 100m Backstroke and the 100m Breaststroke
besides the 200m Individual Medley.

Wimbledon announced 10.8 percent increase in Prize Money

Wimbledon on 29 April 2014 announced an increase of 10.8 percent (to 25 million Pound) in
the total prize amount for 2014 Wimbledon. It is an increase of 2.4 million Pound over 2013. Apart
from this, the All England Club on the same day announced an increase of 12.5 percent in prize
money for each singles player in the first three rounds.
As per the declaration, the champion will receive a cheque of 1.76 million pound a 10 per
cent (160000 pound) increase from 1.6 million pound in 2013.
Doubles prize money for The Championships, which runs from 23 June to 6 July, increases
by 8.7 percent, while there is a 6.1 per cent increase for the mixed doubles.
This year overall, 17 match courts will be held at the All England Club, venue of The
Championships. There will be three-week gap between Roland Garros and The Championships in
2015 that will run from 29 July to 12 July 2014.
30-APR-2014

SAIL bagged RVNL contracts for rail line projects in country

Steel Authority of India Ltd (SAIL) on 29 April 2014 won contracts to supply over 1.17 lakh
tonnes of rails for two global tenders floated by Rail Vikas Nigam Limited (RVNL). The contracts have
been given for major upcoming passenger rail line projects in the country.
An estimated value of the two contracts is over 650 crore rupees.

Rail Vikas Nigam Limited (RVNL)

Rail Vikas Nigam Limited (RVNL) was created by the government in 2003. It is a Special
Purpose Vehicle to undertake project development, mobilization of financial resources and implement
projects pertaining to strengthening of Golden Quadrilateral and Port Connectivity. RVNL has been
registered as a company under Companies.

Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL)

SAIL is Indias largest steel producing Maharatna company. It has a turnover of 49350 crore
rupees and is among the seven Maharatnas of the countrys Central Public Sector Enterprises.
SAIL has five integrated steel plants, three special plants, and one subsidiary in different parts of
the country.

Scientists developed Worlds First Solar Jet Fuel

Scientists on 29 April 2014 for the first time developed Solar Jet Fuel using Sunlight, water
and carbon dioxide (Co2). The project called SOLAR-JET was funded by European Union (EU).
Solar-Jet project partners include the German Aerospace Center (DLR), ETH Zrich, Bauhaus
Luftfahrt and Shell.
Researchers have for the first time successfully demonstrated the entire production chain
for renewable kerosene, using concentrated light as a high-temperature energy source.

The process
In a first step concentrated simulating sunlight was used to convert carbon dioxide and
water to synthesis gas (syngas) in a high-temperature solar reactor containing metal-oxide based
materials. The syngas is a mixture of hydrogen and carbon monoxide. The syngas was then converted
into kerosene by Shell using the established Fischer-Tropsch process.

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Fischer-Tropsch derived fuels are already certified and can be used by existing vehicles and
aircraft without modifications of their engines or of fuel infrastructure.

About Solar Jet

The four-year SOLAR-JET project was launched in June 2011. The project received 2.2 million
Euros from the Seventh Framework Programme for Research and Technological Development (FP7).

The project is still at the experimental stage, with a glassful of jet fuel produced in laboratory
conditions, using simulated sunlight. However, the results give hope that in future any liquid
hydrocarbon fuels could be produced from sunlight, CO2 and water.
Finding new, sustainable sources of energy is a priority under Horizon 2020 - the sevenyear EU research and innovation programme. The programme was launched in the start of 2014.

Facebook launched FB Newswire for journalists

Facebook on 24 April 2014 launched FB Newswire, acts as a repository of verified, real-time
content for use of journalists and news publications. It is designed to help journalists share and
embed newsworthy Facebook content that is made public by its members of Facebook.
The Facebook Newswire is a Facebook page of hand-selected and journalist-verified news
stories from across the platform of Facebook. FB Newswire will collect newsworthy content that
Facebook users share publicly via their accounts, including media like photos and videos, as well as
status updates from users on the ground where news is breaking.
FB Newswire is accessible on Facebook at Facebook.com/FBNewswire and on Twitter at
@FBNewswire. It will be updated in real-time with content related to top news stories.

NGT prohibited dumping of sewage and waste material at Dheerpur Wetlands

The National Green Tribunal (NGT) on 29 April 2014 prohibited dumping of sewage and waste
materials at wetlands. The Delhi Metro Rail Authority used to dispose of waste material at the
Dheerpur Wetland.
Advocate Gaurav Kumar Bansal filed a plea in the NGT accusing that DMRC workers were
using the wetland for open defecation and dumping of solid waste in Dheerpur which leads to
deposition of extra soil that was threatening the existence of the water body.
The Tribunal issued a notice to the Ministry of Environment and Forests, Delhi government,
Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC), and sought their responses on a plea seeking protection of
wetlands. The next hearing was scheduled on 28 May 2014.
The area is a part of marshland and was important for environment because of its biological
productivity, niche for many species, flood control, recreational and aesthetic values and recharging
ground water sources.

Petition filed in Court of Pakistan to prove Bhagat Singhs innocence

Imtiaz Rashid Qureshi, the chairman of the Bhagat Singh Memorial Foundation in April
2014 registered a FIR in Pakistan to prove innocence of the legendary freedom fighter, Bhagat
Singh in the murder case of the Lahore SSP, John P Saunders in 1928.
Imtiaz Rashid Qureshi has filed the petition seeking attested copy of the FIR registered
against Singh, Sukhdev and Rajguru for allegedly killing the then SSP.
Following the petition the additional district and session court of Lahore on 11 April 2014
ordered the police of Lahore to provide a copy of the FIR to Qureshi. But the police refused to give a
copy of the FIR and following its refusal the court have issued a notice to Chaudhry Shafiq, the
Lahore Police chief regarding compliance of the courts order.
As per Qureshi, the legal affairs office of the Punjab Police has records from 1895 to 1928 but
they failed to provide him the FIR that was registered in 1928 at the time when the SSP was killed.
Recently, a petition was filed in the High Court of Lahore by Quershi seeking reopening of
the case of Bhagat Singh to establish his innocence in the murder case. Following the petition, the
Lahores High Court has referred the case to the Chief Justice for constitution of a larger bench.
As per Qureshi, the special judges of tribunal that handled the case of Singh awarded a
death sentence to him without hearing 450 witnesses of the case and even the lawyers of Singh
were not allowed to cross-question them.

Background
Following the order of the judges of tribunal after the trial, Bhagat Singh, who were involved
in the Lahore conspiracy case were hanged at Shadman Chowk by the British government at the
age of 23.

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Rape victim statement should be directly recorded by judicial magistrate

within 24 hours: SC
The Supreme Court of India on 29 April 2014 ruled that statement of rape victims should be
directly recorded by a judicial magistrate within 24 hours instead of police officials. This direction
will help cut short the proceedings.
The direction was given by two-judge bench of Supreme Court comprising of Justice Gyan
Sudha Mishra and Justice V Gopala Gowda. The bench in its decision ruled that victim should be
taken to the nearest Lady Metropolitan Magistrate or preferably Lady Judicial Magistrate to record
the statement by an investigating officer.
As per the direction, the copy of the statement should be handed over to the investigating
officer immediately. The copy will be handed over with a specific direction that the contents of such
statement should not be disclosed to any person till charge sheet/report under Section 173 of Criminal
Procedure Code is filed.
The apex court also said that any delay that exceeds 24 hours in taking the victim to the
magistrate then the investigation officer should record the reasons for the same in the case diary
and hand over a copy of the same to the magistrate.

Mahatma Gandhi Pravasi Suraksha Yojana scheme launched in UAE

Mahatma Gandhi Pravasi Suraksha Yojana (MGPSY) was launched in the UAE in the fourth week of
April 2014. A leading Indian financial and health care service player has tied up with the UAE
Exchange to offer Mahatma Gandhi Pravasi Suraksha Yojana Scheme in the Gulf country.
The announcement of the launch was made in Abu Dhabi in the presence of T P Seetharam,
the Indian Ambassador to UAE and other senior officials from the Indian Embassy in Abu Dhabi.
The implementation of the MGPSY scheme will be facilitated by UAE Exchange that is offered
by the Indias Ministry of Overseas in association with Alankit Assignments.
Its expected that the services of the scheme would be rolled out into all 17 ECR countries
that include the GCC Countries and Malaysia. GCC is a group of countries and includes Bahrain,
Kuwait, Oman, Qatar Saudi Arabia and the UAE.

About Mahatma Gandhi Pravasi Suraksha Yojana (MGPSY)

Mahatma Gandhi Pravasi Suraksha Yojana (MGPSY) Scheme is a pension and life insurance
scheme and is recognised by the Indian government.
Mahatma Gandhi Pravasi Suraksha Yojana (MGPSY) is a special social security scheme
for overseas Indian workers on temporary work permit in 17 Emigration Check Required (ECR)
countries.
The MGPSY is aimed at helping the workers to save money for their retirement, their
return to India and resettlement and provides life insurance cover against natural death during the
period of coverage.
It provides home and a life insurance cover for 1 lakh rupees during their work abroad.
The Government of India will contribute up to 2000 rupees every year for male workers and
3000 rupees every year to women workers for up to either five years or until the worker returns
home, whichever is earlier.
It will be added to the Pension and Life Insurance (PLIF) account of each eligible subscriber.
The workers have to contribute between 1000 rupees and 12000 rupees per annum towards
the pension fund and 4000 rupees towards the return and resettlement fund. They will derive
corresponding benefits when they go back home and during their old age.
Indian Workers Resource Centre or IWRC is the support center for Indian workers in the
UAE while Bank of Baroda is the official banking partner of the scheme to enroll the workers.

Increase in extreme wet and dry spells in South Asian monsoon: Stanford
Study
Scientists of Stanford have identified a significant change in the patterns of extreme wet
and dry events in central India. In their study they claimed that this change has increased the risk
of drought and flood. The central India region is one of the most densely populated regions on the
Earth. The study was published on 28 April 2014 in the journal Nature Climate Change.
This study is the result of the new collaboration between statisticians and climate scientists
with a focus on utilizing statistical methods for analyzing rare geophysical events. The approach
adopted for the study has revealed that in recent decades, the intensity of extremely wet spells and
extremely dry spells has increased during South Asian Monsoon season.
The researchers found that though the average total rainfall during the monsoon season
has declined, the variability of rainfall during the peak monsoon months has increased.

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In particular, they observed increase in the intensity of wet spells and in the frequency of dry spells,
which have a significant adverse impact on the region, especially on crop yield.
For example, during critical crop growth stages, too many days without rain can reduce
yields or lead to crop failure and short periods of very heavy rainfall can create humanitarian
disasters, such as in Mumbai in 2005.
They also found changes in the atmosphere such as winds and moisture that are likely
responsible for the changes in wet and dry spells. The next step is to investigate what might be
causing the changes in the atmosphere.
Since India is a complex region, the researchers want to be sure before pointing at global
warming or any other cause heavier down and more frequent dry spells.
A new collaboration of Climate Scientists and Statisticians focused on utilizing statistical
methods for analyzing rare geophysical events. The team compared rainfall data gathered by the
Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) and other sources over a 60-year period. They compared
peak monsoon rainfall patterns during two time periods: from 1951 to 1980, and from 1981 to 2011.

About pattern of monsoon in India

The South Asian summer monsoon is an annual wind-driven weather pattern that is
responsible for 85 percent of Indias annual precipitation. It is vital for the agricultural sector of
India.
The monsoon in India typically starts in southern India and moves across the subcontinent.
The monsoon season starts in June and lasts through September. Rainfall extremes during the
months of the monsoon period can be as important as how much total water is received.

TDSAT allowed intra-circle 3G roaming and quashed fines on Bharti,

Vodafone and Idea
The Telecom Disputes Settlement and Appellate Tribunal (TDSAT) on 29 April 2014 allowed
intra circle 3G roaming for service providers.
The ruling also quashed 1200 crore rupees in penalties imposed on Bharti Airtel, Vodafone
India and Idea Cellular by the department of telecommunication (DoT). DoT had accused the nations
top three operators of violating licensing rules by entering into 3G network-sharing agreements.
The two-judge bench headed by Justice Aftab Alam was highly critical of the basis on which
the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) had barred the 3G pacts. The tribunal mentioned
that prior to the auction of 3G frequencies in 2010, the terms of the unified access service (UAS)
licence allowed such sharing.
The Government of India (GoI) decided to appeal to the Supreme Court against the TDSAT
order.
The appellate tribunal said the logic of the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India in branding
3G roaming illegal was flawed. The tribunal said the licence in no way prohibited an operator from
providing 3G services. It also criticised the regulator for saying this would lead to an unfair advantage
for some.

Background
In 2010, Bharti Airtel and other operators bid thousands of crores of rupees to acquire
bandwidth in a government auction to provide 3G services. Because of the steep price, no company
bought pan-India spectrum.
In 2011, Bharti Airtel, Vodafone and Idea entered into pacts that allowed them to share the
spectrum and sign up 3G customers in places where they didnt win airwaves in the auction.
The government ruled these arrangements illegal and slapped penalties of 350 crore rupees
on Bharti Airtel, 550 crore rupees on Vodafone and 300 crore rupees on Idea.

The Indo-French DanSe DialogueS dance festival celebrated across India

The second edition of Indo-French DanSe DialogueS festival celebrated across the seven
cities in India from 11 April to 30 April 2014. The dance festival was organised with an aim to
encourage exchange programmes and meetings between French and Indian professionals.
The dance festival tried to explore and promote the contemporary dance trends of India and
France. It was organized under the aegis of the Embassy of France and its cultural network.
The seven cities in which it was organized include Delhi, Bangalore, Chennai, Kolkata,
Mumbai, Hyderabad and Trivandrum. The masterclasses of choreographers and video screenings of
French and Indian dance performances are showcased.
The festival included
Indian and French dancers were invited to interact with each other

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 Two major choreographic pieces were conceived and created through the process of learning
from one another
Mourad Merzoukis first hip-hop extravaganza performance
Another an experimental performance Stranger in Indian paradise by David Rolland
Contemporary dancer Astad Deboo performed Rhythm Divine, which blends percussions
and Manipuri dance in a unique sensorial journey

George Clooney stepped down from UN role

George Clooney on 29 April 2014 stepped down from his role as UNs Messenger of Peace
amid the reports of his engagement with the human rights lawyer, Amal Alamuddin (36-year-old).
He has served UN as Messenger of Peace since January 2008.
The end of the service of the Academy award winning Hollywood actor, George Clooney (52year-old) as a UN Messenger of Peace was informed by UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moons
spokesperson Stephane Dujarric.
George Clooneys role as the messenger of peace ended after six years and he was a vocal
activist for the UN work in Democratic Republic of Congo and South Sudan. As per Dujarric, due to
the competing lives on part of their advocacy and professional lives would have caused difficulty for
him to carry out a formal United Nations role.

George Clooney
George Clooney has won three Golden Globe Awards
He is also a winner of two Academy Awards one for acting and the other for producing
He is an American actor, film director, producer and screenwriter and was born on 6 May
1961

For the first time London got its Web Domain name .London
London on 29 April 2014 got its domain name .london for the first time. Officially, .london will
come into effect from the summer 2014.
Domain name of London will join the club of Germany and Austria as .berlin in Germany and
.wien in Austria.
Since January 2014, a little-known organization that regulates global Internet names has
been issuing new city-specific domain names. Roughly 60 cities have received approval for their
own domains so far.
The new .city names are expected to help local enterprises boost their web presence, improve
their online search rankings and increase their sales by directing locals and tourists to relevant
nearby businesses.
Berlin and Vienna are currently in the process of rolling out their Internet names. Berlin
has received nearly 50000 applications for .berlin sites.
The organisation London and Partners claimed that .london would carry a premium because
of its exclusivity, with each domain name expected to cost up to 50 euros annually.

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