TABLE OF CONTENTS

News related to Finance, RBI, Banking and Industry

Non-Financial News related to India and its States

Lists & Reports

13

Appointments in August, 2016 - India

14

Appointments in August, 2016 - World

15

Rio Olympics 2016

15

Sports News

16

News around the globe

17

Awards & Honors

18

Days

21

Books & Authors

21

Obituaries

21

You are what you believe yourself to be.

News related to Finance, RBI, Banking and Industry

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) released guidelines for 'on tap' licensing of universal private sector
banks under which the applicants can apply for a banking license anytime as opposed to a limited period
window that the central bank previously used to open for applications. The released guidelines states
individuals with 10 years senior-level experience are eligible to promote a bank, but large industry houses
have been excluded as eligible entities. The large industry houses, however, can invest up to 10 per cent.
Apart from this, the universal bank has to list on exchanges within six years of business commencement
and must have realistic and viable business plan. It must address financial inclusion and must open at least
25 per cent branches in unbanked rural centres. In-principle nod for bank will be valid for 18 months from
date of grant.
India's biggest private lender ICICI Bank Ltd and private equity firm Apollo Global Management LLC said
they would set up an asset reconstruction company, AION Capital Management in India to buy into
troubled loans held by banks.
The Andhra Pradesh government on 30 July 2016 signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with
Japan to develop a food value chain in the state.
The Lok Sabha on 1 August 2016 passed the Enforcement of Security Interest and Recovery of Debts
Laws and Miscellaneous Provisions (Amendment) Bill, 2016.
The bill seeks to amend four laws:
1. The Securitisation and Reconstruction of Financial Assets and Enforcement of Security Interest
Act, 2002
2. The Recovery of Debts due to Banks and Financial Institutions Act, 1993
3. The Indian Stamp Act, 1899
4. The Depositories Act, 1996
Highlights of the Bill

It simplifies the procedures by which there will be a quick disposal of claims of banks and financial
institutions.
It will empower the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to examine the statements and any information
of Asset Reconstruction Companies related to their business.

State-run BHEL has commissioned the second 500 Mw (megawatt) thermal unit at Marwa Thermal Power
Station in Chhattisgarh.
Rajya Sabha on 3 August 2016 passed The Constitution (122nd Amendment) (GST) Bill, 2014 to introduce
the goods and services tax (GST). The passage of this historic GST Bill has now paved the way for the
concept of one nation, one tax. It will enable both the Centre and the States to simultaneously levy the
GST, which will subsume all indirect taxes currently levied, including excise duties and service tax. It will
be levied on consumption rather than production. The Bill was introduced and passed in Lok Sabha in
May 2015. However, the bill will now go back to the Lok Sabha to incorporate the amendments approved
by the Rajya Sabha.
Provisions of the Bill

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The GST will have two components keeping in mind the federal structure of India: the Central GST
(CGST) and the State GST (SGST).
For goods and services that pass through several states, or imports, the Centre will levy another
tax, the Integrated GST (IGST).
Alcohol for human consumption has been kept out of the purview of GST.
It empowers the centre to impose an additional tax of up to 1% on the inter-state supply of
goods for two years or more.
This tax will accrue to states from where the supply originates.
Initially, GST will not apply to (a) petroleum crude, (b) high speed diesel, (c) motor spirit (petrol),
(d) natural gas and (e) aviation turbine fuel.
The GST Council will decide when GST will be levied on them. Tobacco and tobacco products will
be subject to GST.
The centre may also impose excise duty on tobacco.

Parliament may provide for compensation to states for revenue losses arising out of the implementation
of GST for up to 5 years, based on the recommendations of the GST Council.
Central Taxes replaced by GST Bill
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

Central Excise Duty

Additional Duties of Excise and Customs
Special Additional Duty of Customs (SAD)
Service Tax
Cesses and Surcharges on Supply of goods and services

State Taxes Subsumed in the GST Bill

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.

VAT
Central Sales Tax
Purchase Tax
Luxury Tax
Entry Tax
Entertainment Tax
Taxes on advertisements, lotteries, betting, gambling
State Cesses and Surcharges

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Governor, Raghuram Rajan, on 4 August 2016 launched Sachet portal,
sachet.rbi.org.in, to check illegal money collection. The portal will help anyone can obtain information
regarding entities that are allowed to accept deposits, lodge complaints and share information regarding
illegal acceptance of deposits by unscrupulous entities.
Key highlights of Sachet

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The website is available in vernacular languages for the benefit of the people of different regions
of the country.
It will be helpful for the regulators in quick follow up of the unlawful money collection activities.

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It will also enable people get information regarding the financial entities that are allowed to
accept the deposits.

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) on 4 August 2016 constituted a committee to look at various facets of
household finance in India. The Committee will be chaired by Tarun Ramadorai, Professor of Financial
Economics, University of Oxford.
It will have representation from financial sector regulators namely, Securities and Exchange Board of India
(SEBI), Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI), Pension Fund Regulatory and
Development Authority (PFRDA) apart from Reserve Bank of India (RBI).
Terms of reference of the Tarun Ramadorai Committee

To benchmark the current depth of household financial markets in India among those in other
major world markets and to identify areas of priority for growth and change.
To characterize and evaluate Indian households' demands in formal financial markets (for assets
such as pensions as well as liabilities such as home loans) over the coming decade.
To consider whether, how and why the financial allocations of Indian households deviate from
desirable financial allocation and behaviour like the large household allocation to gold.
To evaluate the design of new systems and the redesign of existing systems of incentives and
regulations to encourage better participation by Indian households in formal financial markets.

Former Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India Vinod Rai on 1 August 2016 stepped down from
private sector lender IDFC Banks board. However, Rai will continue to be the non-executive independent
chairman of IDFC Ltd.

Following are the highlights of RBIs third bimonthly monetary policy statement, 2016-17:

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Repo rate unchanged at 6.50 per cent, Reverse Repo at 6%

Cash reserve ratio or CRR unchanged at 4%
Growth forecast at 7.6% for the current fiscal
Inflation target remains 5% for January 2017; upside risk
Normal monsoon, 7th Pay Commission award to boost growth
GST roll out to boost business sentiment, investment
Timely implementation of GST a challenge
Premature to talk about inflationary impact of GST
FCNR(B) redemptions not to disrupt liquidity in market
Banks have passed on rate cut benefit only modestly
FAQ on KYC norms on RBI website for easy reference
Marginal Cost Lending Rate framework for interest rate to be modified
Forex reserves at USD 365.7 billion on August 5
Fourth bimonthly monetary policy on October 4.

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National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) sanctioned Rs 26.06 crore to the
Punjab government. The fund has been sanctioned for tackling waterlogging by constructing lift schemes
in low-lying areas, village ponds and other allied works, said an official release.
National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has signed Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with IIT
Kharagpur for research project on Laboratory and Field investigations on Paneled Cement Concrete
Pavements for Highways. The duration of the research project is 3 years and NHAI have paid Rs. 1.25
crore for the project, excluding cost of construction of trial pavement section on NH.
Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), leading information technology (IT) services provider from India, was
ranked 58th most valuable brands in the US, according to a survey, titled 'Top 500 U.S. Brands', by Brand
Finance, a brand valuation firm. The Brand Finance study evaluates the financial value of a company's
brand name, intellectual assets and trademark as compared to companies across industries.
Syndicate Bank has embarked on a large scale transformation program called "Project Ananya" that
focuses on improved customer service and offering latest in digital banking services. The bank plans to
transform 10 per cent of its branches to the new format in the next 6-12 months, it said in a statement.
The first Ananya branch was opened by MD and CEO Arun Srivastava.
Announcing a big foray into the world of artificial intelligence (AI), the chip giant Intel has acquired San
Diego, California-based deep learning start-up Nervana Systems run by an Indian-origin entrepreneur.
Axis Bank and payments company Suvidhaa Infoserv, launched 'Nano Credit' to offer pre-approved,
instant and unsecured loans for the urban low income segment. The maximum loan amount is Rs 15,000
and is available to existing customers of Suvidhaa at 22,000 locations across the country.
National Institution for Transforming India (NITI) Aayog on 10 August 2016 signed agreement with
United States (US) Energy Information Administration (EIA) to set up web portal on energy data. The
web portal will host all the data related to energy sector including oil & gas, coal, solar & thermal energy
etc. NITI Aayog, a think tank of Union Government, is working to develop India's energy data agency which
will take 3-4 years to develop.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, President of Russia Vladimir Putin and Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J
Jayalalithaa on 10 August 2016 dedicated Unit 1 of Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant to the nation.
Besides, PM Modi announced that five more reactors of 1000 megawatt each will come up in the same
location.
The Assam Assembly on 12 August 2016 passed a resolution to become the first state to ratify The
Constitution (122nd Amendment) (GST) Bill, 2014. The bill was passed by the Lok Sabha on 8 August 2016
and by the Rajya Sabha on 3 August 2016.
The Ministry of Housing and Urban Poverty Alleviation (HUPA) on 11 August 2016 approved
construction of 37013 houses for the urban poor in Karnataka and Haryana with an investment of 1491
crore rupees. These houses will be developed with central assistance of 569 crore rupees.
The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) on 10 August 2016 approved a proposal of research
and development (R&D) project for development of Advanced Ultra Super Critical (AUSC) Technology for
Thermal Power Plants. The estimated cost of the project is 1554 crore rupees. BHEL will be provided one

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time budgetary support of 900 crore rupees spread over a period of three years for implementation of
the project.
The Union Bank of India (UBI) on 12 August 2016 launched an Unstructured Supplementary Service Data
(USSD) based *99# Mobile Application for their customers for basic banking needs. It was launched in
partnership with National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI), the umbrella organisation for all retail
payments system in the country.
The India Nuclear Insurance Pool (INIP) on 12 August 2016 unveiled Indias first Nuclear Suppliers
Insurance Policy. New India Assurance Company Limited and INIP will issue the policy and administer
the claims on behalf of the pool. The INIP has become the 27th such insurance pool in the world as
countries such as France, Russia, South Africa and the U.S. have put in place such similar risk transfer
mechanisms.
The Union Government on 12 August 2016 constituted the National Committee on Trade Facilitation
(NCTF). The committee seeks to develop the pan-India road map for trade facilitation as per the Trade
Facilitation Agreement (TFA) of the World Trade Organisation (WTO). Earlier, on 22 April 2016, India
ratified the TFA which is an outcome of the Bali Package 2013 or Ninth Ministerial Conference of the WTO.
At the apex level, it will be headed by the Union Cabinet Secretary Pradeep Kumar Sinha.
Indias first bio-CNG plant was on 13 August 2016 inaugurated in Pune, Maharashtra. The plant was
jointly inaugurated by Union Minister of Transport Nitin Gadkari and Union Defence Minister Manohar
Parrikar.
Unilever, the parent company of Hindustan Unilever (HUL), on 16 August 2016 acquired Swedish firm
Blueair for an undisclosed sum. Blueair is a leading player in mobile air purification technology.
Union Minister for Railways Suresh Prabhu, Deputy Chief minister of Gujarat Nitin Patel and city mayor
Ashmitaben Shiroya signed an MoU for the development of Indias first multi-modal transportation hub
(MMTH) at Surat railway station. The Rs 5,000-cr project would be taken up under the public private
partnership model.
Government has slapped an additional penalty of $380 million (around Rs 2,500 crore) on Reliance
Industries and its partners for producing less than targeted natural gas from eastern offshore KG-D6 fields.
Taking forward the consolidation agenda, State Bank of India (SBI) board approved share swap ratio to
merge five associate banks and Bharatiya Mahila Bank (BMB) with itself. The board gave approval for
scheme of acquisition for five associate banks and BMB, SBI informed stock exchanges. SBI is targeting to
consolidate operations and balance sheets March 2017. DEFINITION of 'Swap Ratio': The ratio in which
an acquiring company will offer its own shares in exchange for the target company's sharesduring
a merger or acquisition.
The Assam Assembly on 13 August 2016 passed the Assam Amusements and Betting Tax (Amendment)
Bill, 2016. This bill will reduce the service charge of cinema tickets with an aim to boost to the local film
industry. The government, however, raised the entertainment tax on cinema tickets by up to ten
percentile points.
Indian Oil Corporation (IOCL) and the Roads and Highways Department of People's Republic of
Bangladesh signed a Memorandum of Understanding in Dhaka. The MoU enables IOCL to send its trucks

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carrying Motor Spirit, High Speed Diesel, Superior Kerosene Oil & Liquefied Petroleum Gas from
Meghalaya to Tripura via territory of Bangladesh. The validity of this facility is till end September, 2016.
Both sides have also agreed to extend the transit facility for a further short period on need basis.
The Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited and Microsoft India signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU)
to offer telecom & IT solutions for big businesses.
The India Post Payments Bank Limited (IPPB) on 17 August 2016 was incorporated. In this regard, it has
received the Certificate of Incorporation (CI) from the Registrar of Companies, Ministry of Corporate
Affairs under the Companies Act, 2013.
Union Minister of State (IC) for Power, Coal, New and Renewable Energy and Mines Piyush Goyal on 17
August 2016 launched TARANG Mobile App, e-Trans and DEEP e-bidding web portals in New Delhi. They
were developed by Rural Electrification Corporation Transmission Projects Company Limited (RECTPCL), a
subsidiary of REC Ltd.
The Union Ministry of Mines on 18 August 2016 launched a web portal for star rating of major mineral
mines. The portal was launched by Piyush Goyal, Union Minister of State (IC) for Mines, Power, Coal and
New & Renewable Energy.
State-run GAIL (India) Ltd signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with California based Bloom
Energy for developing natural gas-based fuel cell power generation.
Axis Bank has come up with its augmented reality feature within its mobile app which lists all the dining
destinations, property lists, shopping centres, bank ATMs, branches and many other things not only as a
location on GPS but also in real life pictures along with distance and even directions. A customer can open
the banking app and click on the 'Near Me' option, it will switch on the GPS location and the camera of
the phone.
The Maharashtra government signed an agreement with Civil Aviation Ministry and the Airports
Authority of India for developing 10 airports in the state under the centre's regional connectivity
scheme (RCS). RCS, which is part of ambitious National Civil Aviation Policy 2016, is aimed at developing
regional connectivity through fiscal support and infrastructure development from the centre.
India and Germany on 22 August 2016 signed an agreement to foster conditions that will help create
and improve workplace-based vocational training in India's industrial clusters. The agreement was
signed between the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) and German
International Cooperation (GIZ).
Reliance Communications (RCom) has launched content delivery network 'Fast Edge' for faster delivery
of web content to users.
Tech giant Microsoft has acquired artificial intelligence (AI)-based scheduling service Genee that simplifies
the scheduling and rescheduling of large group meetings for companies.
The Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust (JNPT) has signed an agreement with State Bank of India and
Development Bank of Singapore for External Commercial Borrowing (ECB) to the tune of $400 Million.
Funds will be used to double its existing capacity to 9.85 Million TEUs annually.

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Telangana and Maharashtra government on 23 August 2016 signed a Memorandum of Understanding

(MoU) to start work on three barrages- Tummidi Hatti on Pranhita River, Medigadda on Godavari River
and Chanaka-Korata on Painganga River.
Reliance Infrastructure Ltd (RInfra) on 22 August 2016 announced that it completed 100 percent sale of
Reliance Cement Company Private Limited (RCCPL) to Birla Corporation Limited.
Axis Bank Ltd, Union Bank of India, Federal Bank Ltd and Bank of Maharashtra went live with National
Payments Corporation of Indias (NPCIs) UPI apps on the Google Play Store. The UPI system will allow
customers to safely and instantaneously transfer funds almost as easily as they send a text message. The
UPI system will be available only for bank customers with Android smartphones initially. Union Banks UPI
app, Federal Banks Lotza, Axis Banks Axis Pay and Bank of Maharashtras MahaUPI apps are now UPI
enabled.
The Union Finance Ministry on 26 August 2016 constituted a high-level committee to suggest steps to
promote card payments through incentives like tax rebates and cash back schemes. The committee was
constituted with an aim to discourage cash transactions. The 11-member committee will be headed by
former Finance Secretary Ratan P Watal. The committee will have representatives from the Reserve bank
of India (RBI), Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI), the tax department and various industry
bodies in the payments space.
Terms of reference of the committee

It will recommend various measures to incentivise transactions through cards and digital means,
e.g., through tax rebates/incentives, introduction of cash back/lottery.
It will review the payments system in the country and recommend measures for encouraging
digital payments.
It will study feasibility of creating Payments History of all digital payments and ensure that
consumers can leverage the data to access instant, low cost micro-credit through digital means.
It will also study and recommend ways for leveraging Unique Identification Number or any other
identity proof for authentication of digital transactions and setting up of a centralised KYC
Registry.

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on 27 August 2016 unveiled the 46000-crore rupee,
ambitious Mumbai-Nagpur Super Communication Expressway project in Mumbai. The project to be
implemented by Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation will create stateof-the art road
connectivity within a period of three years and give a fillip to investment.
Reserve Bank of India (RBI) on 25 August 2016 asked all commercial and Co-operative banks to provide
loans to women self-help groups (SHGs) in rural areas at 7 percent per annum. The laons will be provided
for the financial year 2016-17 under the Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana - National Rural Livelihoods
Mission (NRLM) in 250 districts.
Interest subvention scheme for Women SHGs - Year 2016-17
1. All women self-help groups (SHGs) will be eligible for interest subvention on credit up to three
lakh rupees at 7 percent per annum.

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2. SHGs availing capital subsidy under the Swarnajayanti Gram Swarozgar Yojana (SGSY) in their
existing credit outstanding will not be eligible for benefit under this scheme.
3. All banks will be subvented to the extent of difference between the weighted average interest
charged and 7%, subject to the maximum limit of 5.5% for 2016-17.
Public sector Canara Bank has launched an Unified Payment Interface (UPI) app named "empower". The
mobile app works on NPCI (National Payments Corporation of India) platform and enables bank customers
pay and collect using this single app, the bank said.
India and Myanmar on 28 August 2016 signed four Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to enhance
cooperation and bilateral relations between the two countries.
The four agreements signed include
1. MoU on cooperation in the construction of 69 Bridges including AP Aproach Roads in the TamuKyigoneKalewa Road Section of the Trilateral Highway in Myanmar.
2. MoU on cooperation in the construction / upgradation of the Kalewa Yagyi Road Section.
3. MoU on cooperation in the Field of Renewable Energy.
4. MoU on cooperation in the field of Traditional Systems of Medicine.
Indian economy grew at the slowest pace in last six quarters at 7.1 per cent in the April-June period of
current fiscal mainly on subdued performance of mining, construction and farm sectors. GDP had
recorded 7.5 per cent growth in the April-June quarter of last fiscal and 7.9 per cent in January-March
quarter. The previous low was 6.6 per cent GDP growth in the October-December quarter of the 2014-15
fiscal. According to the data released by the Central Statistics Office (CSO), the Gross Value Added (GVA),
which is estimated at the base price, showed a growth of 7.3 per cent in the first quarter of 2016-17.
National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI), the umbrella organisation for all retail payments system
in India, has launched a pilot project for Bharat Bill Payment System (BBPS) with 26 Bharat Bill Payment
Operating Units (BBPOUs). In the first phase, BBPS will cover repetitive payments for everyday utility
services such as electricity, water, gas, telephone and Direct-to-Home (DTH).
Credit Analysis and Research Ltd (CARE Ratings) has signed agreements with two companies to set up a
credit rating agency in Nepal. As per the MoU, CARE Ratings will hold 51 per cent equity worth Rs 2 crore
while Vishal Group will own 19 per cent and Emerging Nepal 10 per cent.
Jharkhand is the first state in the country to have implemented Public Fund Management System
(PFMS).
Sony Pictures Networks India (SPN) today announced that SPN and its affiliates have entered into
definitive agreements to acquire TEN Sports Network from Zee Entertainment Enterprises Ltd (ZEE) and
its subsidiaries for $385 million (Rs 2,600 crore).

Non-Financial News related to India and its States

Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu on 31 July 2016 flagged off maiden broad-gauge train service between
Agartala and Delhi, Tripura Sundari Express. The Tripura Sundari Express will run weekly between

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Agartala and Anand Vihar in Delhi. It will have commercial stoppages at 16 stations and cover a distance
of 2461 kms in 46 hours and 50 minutes.
The Tamil Nadu Assembly on 1 August 2016 unanimously passed a resolution to rename the Madras High
Court as the Tamil Nadu High Court. The resolution on the matter was moved by Chief Minister J
Jayalalitha as most of the High Courts established after the formation of new states based on linguistic
lines have been named after the states only.
Rajya Sabha on 1 August 2016 passed the National Institutes of Technology, Science Education and
Research (Amendment) Bill, 2016. The Bill seeks to establish the National Institute of Technology (NIT),
Andhra Pradesh as an institute of national importance under the National Institutes of Technology,
Science Education and Research (NITSER) Act, 2007.
West Bengal Cabinet on 2 August 2016 cleared a proposal to rename the state as Bengal in English and
Bango or Bangla in Bengali. The word Bengal has the states culture and heritage associated with it
and so it has been decided to change it.
Telangana State Government on 6 August 2016 launched a unique Water Resources Information System
to assess accurate reserves of water in thousands of Tanks and reservoirs across the state. For this
purpose, the Telangana Irrigation Department signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Indian
Space Research Organization over sharing satellite data.
Rattled by a slew of rape cases including the horrific Bulandshahr gangrape, the UP Police launched
'Operation Vishwas' to instill confidence and sense of security among women.
Union Minister of Urban Development M.Venkaiah Naidu on 6 August 2016 launched Swachh Suvekshan2017 project to assess and rank 500 cities based on levels of sanitation and efforts made by respective
urban local bodies. It also aims to capture progress towards achieving Open Defecation Free status. Naidu
also launched a web portal Swachhata App and Swachhta Helpline 1969 to enable citizens associate more
and more with Swachh Bharat Mission in urban areas. Asli Tarakki campaign was also launched to
highlight the need for construction of toilets and using them well.
Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) and the Manipur government have signed a
Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), which seeks to provide improved hospitality and tourism
services to their customers by making 'joint use of their capabilities and facilities'.
The Odisha government on 7 August 2016 launched a special assistance scheme for elderly weavers,
Baristha Bunakar Sahayata Yojana, to mark the National Handlooms Day. Under the scheme all weavers
above the age of 60 years would get a monthly pension of 500 rupees, and those above 80 years would
get 700 rupees.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 7 August 2016 launched Mission Bhagiratha at Komatibanda Village,
Gajwel in Medak District of Telangana. The scheme was launched by the State Government with an
objective to provide safe drinking water to all.
Union Health Minister J P Nadda on 5 August 2016 launched a nation-wide programme MAA - Mothers
Absolute Affection for promoting breastfeeding. The goal of the programme is to enhance optimal
breastfeeding practices. Madhuri Dixit chosen brand ambassador of this programme.

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The Wildlife Institute of India (WII) in first week of August 2016 announced that it will house Indias first
repository on tigers, under its new Tiger Cell. The Dehradun-based WII has about 23000 images of tigers,
which will be maintained by the Tiger Cell. Y.V. Jhala, a wildlife scientist at the WII, will head the Tiger Cell.
Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan constituted the Press Advisory Committee for 2016-17, consisting
of 29 members, including four officebearers, a release from the Speakers office said. D.P. Kamat (Long
& Distinguished Service) has been nominated as the Chairperson of the Committee.
Operation Muskan-2, an initiative to trace missing and destitute children and reunite them with parents,
was in news in first week of August 2016. It came into news after Odisha Crime Branch in its first phase
of Operation traced and rescued about 1051 children.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 9 August 2016 launched 70 Saal Azaadi, Yaad Karo Kurbani
celebrations in Alirajpur, Madhya Pradesh. Alirajpur is the birthplace of freedom fighter Chandra Shekhar
Azad. The Yaad Karo Kurbani is a 15-day programme. It is aimed at celebrating 75th anniversary of the
Quit India Movement and 70 years of Independence
Rajya Sabha on 11 August 2016 passed the Maternity Benefit (Amendment) Bill, 2016. The Bill seeks to
amends the Maternity Benefit Act, 1961. The Maternity Benefit Bill amends provisions related to the
duration and applicability of maternity leave, and other facilities. The existing Act regulates the
employment of women during the period of child birth, and provides maternity benefits. It applies to
factory, mines, plantations, shops and other establishments.
In a bid to maintain transparency and ensure quick payment of dues, the Odisha government has decided
to make Aadhar Card mandatory for procurement of paddy in the state. In a meeting at the state
secretariat in Bhubaneswar held on 11 August 2016, it was decided to link Aadhaar cards of farmers to
the cooperative banks and the peasants accounts for online transfer of cost of paddy to be procured from
the coming kharif season.
The Nagaland Government on 10 August 2016 decided to grant 33 percent reservation to women in
Urban Local Bodies (ULBs). The decision was taken during a cabinet meeting held in Kohima. The decision
was announced by the Chief Minister TR Zeliang during the State Level Watershed Conference held in
Kohima.
Union Minister for Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation Uma Bharti and Union
Urban Development Minister M Venkaiah Naidu on 13 August 2016 launched Smart Ganga City Scheme.
The scheme was launched in 10 ten important cities through video conference. These cities are
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.

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Haridwar
Rishikesh
Mathura-Vrindavan
Varanasi
Kanpur
Allahabad
Lucknow
Patna
Sahibgunj

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10

10. Barrackpore
The Shashi Shekhar Committee was in news in the third week of August 2016 as the NGT directed Sri Sri
Ravi Shankar's Art of Living (AOL) to submit its response within three weeks on the inspection report.
Cricket icon and Rajya Sabha MP Sachin Tendulkar has selected Donja village in Osmanabad district for
development under the Sansad Adarsh Gram Yojna. Sansad Adarsh Gram Yojana, launched in October
2014, is a rural development programme focusing on development of villages which include social and
cultural development, and spread motivation among the people on social mobilisation of the village
community.
Andhra Pradesh on 20 August 2016 launched the DNA Index System (DIS) for DNA (Deoxyribonucleac
acid) profiling of criminals. The system uses the latest DNA technology tool, known as RapidHIT DNA
System, developed by IntegenX of United States. With this, Andhra Pradesh became the first state in the
country to do so.
The Government of Telangana on 22 August 2016 issued a draft notification for the creation of 17 new
districts. Creation of new districts was proposed by the State Government in order to minimise the hassle
for people in commuting to the district headquarters and to enhance the efficiency of the administration.
Sakshi Malik, the woman wrestler who won the bronze medal at 2016 Rio Olympics in the 58 kg category,
was named as Haryanas brand ambassador for Beti Bachao, Beti Padao campaign.
The Pharmacopoeia Commission for Indian Medicine and Homoeopathy (PCIM&H) and the United
States Pharmacopeial Convention (USP) on 24 August 2016 signed a Memorandum of Understanding
(MoU) for co-operation in traditional medicine.
First Children's Court was on 25 August 2016 inaugurated in Hyderabad. Moreover, it was also the first
Children Court in South India. However, two other states Goa and Delhi have already got their child
friendly court.
Union Government on 24 August 2016 launched Accessible E-Library 'Sugamya Pustakalaya' for Divyang
under Prime Ministers Accessible India Campaign (Sugamya Bharat Abhiyan). The e-library was jointly
launched by Union Ministers Ravi Shankar Prasad, Prakash Javadekar and Thawar Chand Gehlot. Sugamya
Pustakalaya is an online platform that makes accessible content available to print-disabled people. It
houses more than 2 lakh books in diverse subjects and languages and multiple accessible formats.
The Union Cabinet on 24 August 2016 approved the introduction of the Surrogacy (Regulation) Bill, 2016.
The Bill will ensure effective regulation of surrogacy, prohibit commercial surrogacy and allow ethical
surrogacy to the needy infertile couples. It will regulate surrogacy in India by establishing National
Surrogacy Board at the central level. It will also establish State Surrogacy Boards and Appropriate
Authorities in the State and Union Territories.
IIT-Kanpur has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Blavatnik Interdisciplinary Cyber
Research Center (ICRC) of Tel Aviv University. This would facilitate bi-lateral academic relationships,
cooperative research and teaching projects in select fields.
The Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) on 28 August 2016 successfully test launched the
Supersonic Combustion Ramjet engine, called Scramjet, from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre,

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Sriharikotta in Andhra Pradesh. The experimental mission aimed at realisation of an Air Breathing
Propulsion System (ABPS) uses hydrogen as fuel and oxygen from the atmosphere air as the oxidiser.
The West Bengal Legislative Assembly passed a resolution proposing that the States name be changed to
Bangla in Bengali or Bengal in English.
Bombay High Court on 26 August 2016 ruled that women should be permitted to enter the sanctum
sanctorum of Haji Ali Dargah set in the heart of Mumbai. The 15th century dargah of the Sufi saint, Haji
Ali Shah, is located on an islet off the coast of Worli in the southern part of Mumbai.
Women and Child Development Minister Maneka Sanjay Gandhi on 26 August 2016 launched Protection
of Children from Sexual Offenses, POCSO e-box, in New Delhi. POCSO e-box is a platform where a child
victim of sexual abuse can report such cases online. It is initiative of National Commission for Protection
of Child Rights, for direct online reporting of child sexual abuse.
Country's largest paramilitary force CRPF has decided to appoint Olympic silver medallist P V Sindhu as
it's brand ambassador and bestow the honorary rank of Commandant on the ace badminton player.
India and the United States on 29 August 2016 signed Logistics Exchange Memorandum of Agreement
(LEMOA). The logistics agreement will enable the forces of the two nations to use each others bases for
repair and replenishment of supplies.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 30 August 2016 launched the first phase of SAUNI (Saurastra Narmada
Avataran Irrigation) project at Sanodara of Jamnagar district of Gujarat. SAUNI is a project that aims to
solve the water problems of a parched Saurashtra. The 12000 crore rupees project will fill up nearly 115
dams of Saurashtra region which faces shortage of water for irrigation and drinking purposes.
The Madhukar Gupta Committee on border protection submitted its report to the Home Minister Rajnath
Singh on 29 August 2016. The panel has made a detailed study on threat perception, field visits and made
a detailed recommendations pertaining to strengthening of border protection on Indo-Pakistan Border.
It studied security and threats at Border States of Gujarat, Rajasthan, Punjab and Jammu. The Committee
is headed by former Home Secretary Madhukar Gupta.
Extending the Prime Minister's Digital India vision, the Government of Goa signed a Memorandum of
Understanding (MoU) with Google India to promote digital literacy and drive digital transformation
across the State.
Gujarat in the last week of August 2016 has become the first state to distribute 2 crore LED bulbs under
Unnat Jyoti by Affordable LEDs for All (UJALA) scheme. The state achieved the milestone in only 96 days.
Over 42 lakh households have benefitted from the scheme.
The Ministry of Urban Development (MoUD) on 31 August 2016 signed a Memorandum of understanding
(MoU) with Amar Chitra Katha to publish and distribute a special edition of a comic book. The comic book
will focus on Swachh Bharat Mission. The 32-page comic book will carry messages pertaining to sanitation
and solid waste components of Swachh Bharat Mission.

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Lists & Reports

Wipro Chairman Azim Premji and HCL co-founder Shiv Nadar are the only two billionaires from India in
Forbes' list of the world's 100 richest people in technology, ranking in the top 20 ahead of Google boss
Eric Schmidt and Uber CEO Travis Kalanick. The '100 Richest Tech Billionaires In The World 2016' list has
been topped by Microsoft founder Bill Gates with an estimated fortune of $78 billion. Premji ranks 13th
on the list with a net worth of $16 billion and Nadar comes in on the 17th spot with $11.6 billion of net
worth.
India has been ranked 66th in a list of most innovative economies, jumping 15 places from last year,
according to a new UN report which calls for more transparent policies if the country aspires to become
a global driver of innovation. In the report by the UN World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO),
India moved up 15 spots from 81st last year to 66th this year in the overall global rankings. The Global
Innovation Index 2016, released by the WIPO, Cornell University, and the multi-nation business
graduate school INSEAD, said India ranks among the top 50 economies overall in two pillars: Market
sophistication, 33, and Knowledge and technology out-puts, 43.
India's pharmaceutical giant Cipla and consumer goods conglomerate Godrej have been recognised by
Fortune magazine in a list of global firms changing the world for the good and having a positive social
impact through their activities. Cipla is ranked 46th in the list of 50 followed by Godrej on the 48th spot,
the only Indian companies in the list. The Fortune 2016 'Change the World' list recognises companies
that have had a positive social impact through activities that are part of their core business strategy.
India has figured among the top 10 wealthiest countries in the world with a total individual wealth of
$5,600 billion while the United States topped the chart. According to a report by New World Wealth, India
was ranked seventh, ahead of Canada ($4,700 billion), Australia ($4,500 billion) and Italy ($4,400 billion),
which came in at eighth, ninth and 10th slots, respectively.
While Bangladesh is among the top five countries at risk of disaster, India ranks 77th on the World Risk
Index, marginally better positioned than Pakistan which is placed 72. The index is part of the World Risk
Report 2016 released by the United Nations University Institute for Environment and Human Security
(UNU-EHS) and Bundnis Entwicklung Hilft in cooperation with the University of Stuttgart in Germany. The
index assessed the risk of disaster in 171 countries through the combined analysis of natural hazards and
societal vulnerabilities. Ranking No1, the island state of Vanuatu displayed the greatest risk in 2016.
Bollywood stars Shah Rukh Khan, Amitabh Bachchan, Salman Khan and Akshay Kumar are among the
worlds highest paid actors of 2016, raking as many dollars as Hollywood heavyweights Robert Downey Jr
and Brad Pitt, according to a Forbes list topped by wrestler-turned-actor Dwayne Johnson. Shah Rukh,
whose repertoire contains films from Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge to Chak De India, is ranked 8th on
the list of 20 of the Worlds Highest Paid Actors 2016, tied with Iron Man Downey Jr with earnings of
$33 million. Akshay is tied with Hollywood heartthrob Pitt for the 10th position with earnings of $31.5
million. Bajrangi Bhaijaan Salman is ranked 14th on the list with earnings of $28.5 million, ahead of
Oscar-winning actor Leonardo Dicaprio, who is ranked 15th with earnings of $27 million and
Independence Day star Will Smith who comes in on the 17th spot with $20.5 million. Bachchan is on the
18th rank with earnings of USD 20 million, ahead of Oscar-winner Matthew McConaughey (19) and Star
Wars legend Harrison Ford (20).

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Forbes on 23 August 2016 released the list of The World's Highest-Paid Actresses 2016. Jennifer Lawrence
topped the Forbes magazine list for the second straight year with earnings of 46 million US dollars. Indian
actress Deepika Padukone is the only newcomer to the Worlds Highest-Paid Actresses list and the only
Indian star to make the cut. The list is topped by Hunger Games star Jennifer Lawrence with 46 million
US dollars in her pocket.
Forbes on 24 August 2016 released the sixth annual list of The World's Most Innovative Companies 2016.
The list ranked companies using an algorithm to measure investor enthusiasm. The list is topped by Tesla
Motors for the second consecutive year. Moreover, five major Indian companies including Asian Paints,
Hindustan Unilever, Tata Consultancy Services, Sun Pharma and Larsen & Toubro have been ranked
among other companies in the list. At number 18, Asian Paints is the highest-ranked Indian company on
the list, featuring on the list for the fourth time in a row. Hindustan Unilever fetched the 31st spot, Tata
Consultancy Services got the 66th spot, Sun Pharmaceutical Industries ranked at 73rd position and Larsen
& Toubro stood at 89th spot.

Appointments in August, 2016

India
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Urjit R Patel appointed as 24th Governor of Reserve Bank of India

Amul MD, RS Sodhi appointed on board of India Post Payment Banks
Dinesh Kumar Khara appointed Managing Director of State Bank of India
Pawan Kumar Bajaj appointed as Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of United
Bank of India
Govt appointed Ravindra Prabhakar Marathe as Managing Director and CEO of Bank of
Maharashtra
Himanshu Joshi appointed as Executive Director on the board of Oriental Bank of Commerce
(OBC)
Former RBI Deputy Governor Anand Sinha appointed to the IDFC Bank board
Ashok Chawla to take over as YES Bank non-executive chairman
Rajeev Krishnan appointed as Managing Director of Max Hypermarkets India
Pawan Munjal reappointed Hero MotoCorp CMD & CEO
Microsoft appoints Anant Maheshwari as India head
Dilip Rath takes over as Chairman NDDB
Mukesh Mehta appointed as President of India Bullion and Jewellers Association
Anuradha Rao is MD, CEO of SBI Mutual Fund
Aishwaryaa Dhanush appointed U.N. Womens advocate for Gender Equality
Microsoft appoints Bala Girisaballa CEO-in-residence of Microsoft Accelerator India
Justice DB Bhosale sworn-in as Chief Justice of Allahabad High Court
Bhaskar Khulbe appointed Secretary to Prime Minister Narendra Modi
Deepak Iyer appointed as Managing Director of Mondelez India
Sudhanshu Mani appointed as new GM for Integral Coach Factory
Ashok Kumar Gupta new GM of South Western Railway
Vijay Rupani appointed as new Gujarat CM

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23.
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D K Gayen assumes charge as General Manager of East Central Railway

K M Hanumantharayappa assumes charge as Chairman of Central Silk Board
Qwikcilver ropes in ex RBI executive director G Padmanabhan as advisor
Sriram Rajamani appointed MD of Microsoft's India lab
Manjula Chellur appointed as Chief Justice of Bombay High Court
Najma Heptullah appointed as Governor of Manipur
VP Singh Badnore was made the Governor of Punjab
Banwarilal Purohit was appointed as the Governor of Assam
Prof Jagdish Mukhi was named Lieutenant Governor of Andaman and Nicobar Islands
K Sreekant appointed as Director Finance of PowerGrid

World
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Cipla names Umang Vohra as MD & Global CEO

Angela Ruggiero appointed Head of IOC Athletes Commission
Kedar Upadhye appointed Cipla global CFO
Tokyo elects Yuriko Koike as first female governor
Pushpa Kamal Dahal elected Nepal Prime Minister
Takehiko Nakao re-elected as ADB President
Nita Ambani becomes first Indian woman IOC member
Youssef Chahed appointed as Prime Minister of Tunisia

Rio Olympics 2016

The 2016 Summer Olympics concluded on 21 August 2016 at ceremony held at the Maracana Stadium,
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. More than 11000 athletes from 207 National Olympic Committees, including first
time entrants Kosovo, South Sudan and the Refugee Olympic Team, took part in the games.
The games featured 28 Olympic sports, including rugby sevens and golf, which were added to the Olympic
programme in 2009.
The United States topped the medal table for the fifth time in the past six Summer Olympics, winning 46
gold medals and 121 medals overall. Great Britain and China finished in second and third respectively.
India at the Rio Olympics 2016
1. The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) had sent a total of 117 athletes, the nation's largest ever
delegation in Summer Olympic history.
2. Indian bagged a total of two medals, one silver and one bronze, in the games, and stood at the
67th place in the medal tally.
3. Badminton player P V Sindhu won historic silver medal in womens singles badminton event. With
this, she became the first Indian woman to clinch a silver medal in Olympics.
4. Wrestler Sakshi Malik secured a bronze in the 58 kg category to become India's first female
wrestler to win an Olympic medal.
5. India had qualified one artistic gymnast into the Olympic competition for the first time since 1964.
Dipa

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6. Karmakar became the first Indian female ever to book an Olympic spot in the apparatus events
and allaround event at the Olympic Test Event. She narrowly missed out in the bronze medal,
finishing 4th in the finals of the event with a score of 15.066.
7. Abhinav Bindra came fourth in the Men's 10m Air Rifle singles event after losing a shootoff for the
top 3 to Serhiy Kulish, who finally won the silver.
8. At the 2016 Summer Olympics, Indian long distance runner Lalita Babar scored a time of 9:19.76
in her heat, qualifying to the final.
9. With this, she became the first Indian in 32 years to enter a final in any track event. At the final,
she finished 10th with a time of 9:22.74.
Key highlights of the 2016 Summer Olympics
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The opening ceremony took place in the Maracana Stadium on 5 August 2016.
The Games were officially opened by Acting President of Brazil Michel Temer.
These were the first Summer Olympic Games under the IOC presidency of Thomas Bach.
Rio became the first South American city to host the Summer Olympics.
The two new sports for 2016 Olympic Games were golf and rugby sevens.
Due to the European migrant crisis and other reasons, the International Olympic Committee
allowed athletes to compete as Independent Olympians under the Olympic Flag.
7. Due to the suspension of the National Olympic Committee of Kuwait, participants from Kuwait
were allowed to participate under the Olympic Flag as Independent Olympic Athletes.
8. The official mascot of the 2016 Summer Olympics was Vinicius. It is named after musician Vinicius
de Moraes.
9. The mascot represented Brazilian wildlife and carries design traits of cats, monkeys and birds.

Sports News
Luke Aikins, a skydiver with 18000 jumps, on 30 July 2016 jumped from 25000 feet (7620 meters) without
a parachute or a wingsuit. With this he became the first man in the world history to dive from midtropospheric altitude and land safely without a parachute or a wing suit or anything else that might
helped him stop or slow his descent.
International Kabaddi Federation on 31 July 2016 selected India to host The 2016 Kabaddi World Cup.
Indian state Gujarat will host the Kabaddi World Cup in Ahmedabad. The World Cup featuring 12 countries
is scheduled to be held in October 2016, the dates for the event will be announced later.
The Patna Pirates on 31 July 2016 won the fourth edition of Pro Kabaddi League by defeating Jaipur Pink
Panthers 37-29 at Gachibowli Stadium, Hyderabad, Telangana.
Sports Minister Vijay Goel on 2 August 2016 inaugurated Wall of Wishes at India Gate Lawns in New
Delhi. The Wall of Wishes was launched in presence of Olympian Boxer M C Mary Kom to celebrate the
Olympic mood in the country.
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) on 3 August 2016 agreed to add five new sports to the
progaramme for 2020 Tokyo Olympics. The sports to be added include Baseball/Softball, Karate,
Skateboard, Climbing Sports and surfing in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

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India's top squash player Dipika Pallikal on 13 August 2016 won the Australian Open Squash womens
singles title in Melbourne.
Indias ace tennis player Sania Mirza was on 22 August 2016 topped the ATP Womens Doubles Tennis
rankings. She topped the list after teaming up with new partner, Barbora Strycova of Czech Republic.
National Rifle Association of India (NRAI) on 25 August 2016 constituted a five-member review
committee to probe the shooters' Rio Games debacle. The committee will be headed by India's first and
only individual Olympic gold-medallist Abhinav Bindra. The committee has been asked to submit the
report within a maximum period of four weeks.
Cristiano Ronaldo on 25 August 2016 won the UEFA Best Player in Europe award for 2015-16. He won
the award for the second time in three years.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 26 August 2016 announced the decision to set up a task force to
prepare action Plan for the next three Olympics Games. The announcement was made at the meeting of
the Council of Ministers in New Delhi. The task force will prepare a comprehensive action plan for effective
participation of Indian sports persons in the Olympic Games to be held in 2020, 2024 and 2028. The 2020
Olympic Games will be held in Tokyo.
Veteran Sri Lanka batsman Tillakaratne Dilshan on 25 August 2016 announced his retirement from
international cricket.
Indian wrestler Yogeshwar Dutt's bronze medal from the London Olympics has been upgraded to silver
after second-place finisher late Besik Kudukhov of Russia was stripped off his medal for failing a dope test.
Indias 100-year-old athlete, Man Kaur, on 30 August 2016 won Gold medal at the American Masters
Games in the 100-meter dash. She took a minute-and-a-half to cross the finish line in Vancouver.

News around the globe

The seventh meeting of South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) Immigration
Authorities was held on 2 August 2016 in Islamabad, Pakistan.
China on 6 August 2016 successfully launched its first satellite for mobile telecommunication, Tiantong01.
China on 10 August 2016 launched Gaofen-3 Satellite, China's first Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR)
imaging satellite.
To honour the legacy of Indias Carnatic music legend M S Subbulakshmi, the UN issued a stamp to mark
her birth centenary, coinciding with the celebrations of Indias 70th Independence Day.
China on 16 August 2016 launched the world's first quantum satellite named Quantum Experiments at
Space Scaler (QUESS) satellite. The satellite was launched from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Centre in the
remote northwestern province of Gansu.

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The world's largest airship, Airlander 10, flew for the first time on 17 August 2016 over London's
Cardington airfield. This flight of the 92-metre ship, nicknamed the Flying Bum for its shape, lasted for
about 30 minutes. The aircraft completed a series of flight manoeuvres and landed safely.
Intel on 16 August 2016 unveiled Project Alloy, an all-in-one virtual reality solution, in San Francisco, the
USA. Alloy delivers a set of new and immersive experiences thanks to Intels RealSense technologies that
are optimized for VR usages. It is a headset that uses the RealSense technology enabling people to use
their hands to interact with elements of the virtual world. There is no need for cables to connect to the
computer.
World's first self-driving taxi service was on 25 August 2016 launched in Singapore. With this, Singapore
became the first country in the world to launch such service, beating Uber Technologies Inc by mere days
to public road tests of a technology that could revolutionize the transport industry. Singapore based
nuTonomy began testing a free taxi-hailing service in a small business district in Singapore called onenorth, a campus-like space dominated by tech firms and biotechnology companies.
The United States Postal Service (USPS) on 23 August 2016 announced to commemorate the joyous
Hindu festival of Diwali with the launch of Forever stamp. The first-day-of-issue dedication ceremony of
the Forever Stamp will take place at the Consulate General of India, New York on 5 October 2016.

Awards & Honors

Translator and artist Anita Gopalan on 25 July 2016 was awarded the 2016 PEN/Heim Translation Fund
Grants for her English translation of Hindi novel Simsim by Geet Chaturvedi. Gopalan is the second Indian
translator to be selected for the grant.
Sumitra Mahajan, Speaker, Lok Sabha, on 30 July 2016 presented the National Tourism Awards for the
year 2014-15 to various segments of the travel, tourism and hospitality industry. The Best State/Union
Territory for Comprehensive Development of Tourism was presented to Madhya Pradesh followed by
Gujarat and Karnataka. On the other hand, American journalist Stephanie Pearson won the Best Foreign
Journalist for India Award. She won the honour for her feature on Kerala The Great Heaven. Best Tourism
Film - Department of Tourism, Union Territory Administration of Daman & Diu for their film Ilha De
Calma. Best Heritage City - Warangal, Telangana.
The advisory committee of the Rajiv Gandhi National Sadbhavana Award on 30 July 2016 decided that
the 23rd Rajiv Gandhi National Sadbhavana Award will be given to Shubha Mudgal.
Noted music composer A.R. Rahman on 15 August 2016 was honoured with the Tamil Ratna Award. The
award was presented by New York based Tamil Sangam.
Central Leather Research Institute's (CLRI) Principal Scientist P Shanmugam on 15 August 2016 bagged
the APJ Abdul Kalam Award for his meritorious services in the Higher Education Department of Tamil
Nadu.
The Uttar Pradesh government announced to honour Indian wrestler Sakshi Malik who won a bronze at
the Rio Olympic Games with the prestigious Rani Laxmi Bai Award. Ms. Malik (23), who hails from Rohtak

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in Haryana, became only the fourth woman athlete from India to win an Olympic medal after she clinched
a bronze in the 58-kg category.
The Minister of Culture and Communication, France, in the third week of August 2016 selected Kamal
Haasan for the Chevalier de l'Ordre des Arts et Lettres (Knight in the National Order Arts and Letters).
The Sursagar Society of Dilli Gharana in third week of August 2016 announced that it will confer the
annual Sangeet Martand Ustad Chand Khan Lifetime Achievement Award on santoor maestro Pandit
Shiv Kumar Sharma.
N. Ramachandran, President of Indian Olympic Association (IOA), on 21 August 2016 was awarded the
Olympic Order for his outstanding services to the Olympic movement.
Hindi scholar and writer Sunita Jain was on 17 August 2016 awarded with the prestigious 25th Vyas
Samman 2015 for her poetry collection Kshama. She received the award by West Bengal Governor K N
Tripathi.
The Union Government on 22 August 2016 announced the National Sports Awards. Olympic Medalists PV
Sindhu and Sakshi Malik will get Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Awards. Shooter Jitu Rai and Gymnast Dipa
Karmakar have also been selected for the top national sports award. National Sports Awards are given
every year to recognize and reward excellence in sports.
Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna

Four sports person from different discipline of sports were chosen for the award and they are P.V.
Sindhu for Badminton, Dipa Karmakar for Gymnastics, Jitu Rai for Shooting and Sakshi Malik for
Wrestling.

Dronacharya Awards

Six sports coaches will be honoured with Dronacharya Awards and they are Nagapuri Ramesh for
Athletics, Sagar Mal Dhayal for Boxing, Raj Kumar Sharma for Cricket, Bishweshwar Nandi for
Gymnastics, S Pradeep Kumar for Swimming (Lifetime) and Mahabir Singh for Wrestling (Lifetime).
Dipa Karmakar's coach Bishweshwar Nandi will receive the award for Gymnastics.

G. Satheesh Reddy, Indian aerospace scientist, on 25 August 2016 was conferred the first IEI-IEEE Award
for engineering excellence 2015. The award is in recognition of Reddys significant national contributions
towards missiles and aerospace technologies.
Eminent author Padma Sachdev was awarded the prestigious Saraswati Samman for the year 2015 for
her autobiography 'Chitt-Chete' written in Dogri language. She was felicitated by Delhi's Lt Governor
Najeeb Jung in New Delhi on 29 August 2016.

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Days
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2nd National Handloom Day was observed across the country on 7 August
2016 World Breastfeeding Week (WBW) was observed from 1 to 7 August
International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples was observed on 9 August 2016
International Youth Day celebrated on 12 August
World Bio-Fuel Day observed on 10 August
World Humanitarian Day was observed on 19 August
The International Day for the Remembrance of the Slave Trade and Its Abolition was observed
on 23 August
8. International Day Against Nuclear Tests was observed on 29 August
9. National Sports Day celebrated on 29 August

Books & Authors

1. India Rising: Fresh Hope, New Fears authored by Ravi Velloor
2. R D Burmania: Panchamemoirs authored by Chaitanya Padukone
3. The Ocean of Churn: How the Indian Ocean Shaped Human History authored by Sanjeev Sanyal

Obituaries
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Indian-American Professor Emeritus Braj B Kachru passes away

Nobel Prize-winning Egyptian chemist Ahmed Zewail passes away
Australian surfing champion Bernard Farrelly died
Eminent Assamese litterateur Mahim Bora passes away
Kalikho Pul, former Chief Minister of Arunachal Pradesh, dies
Yoga guru TKV Desikachar passes away
Yesteryear Tamil actress Jyothilakshmi passes away
Veteran writer-producer Panchu Arunachalam passes away
Legendary Pakistani batsman Hanif Muhammad passes away
Eminent Tamil Lyricist Na Muthukumar passes away
Former FIFA President Joao Havelange passes away
Prominent Malayalam script writer TA Rasaq passes away
Renowned Punjabi writer Gurdial Singh passes away
Noted Odia actor Gobind Tej passes away
Legendary journalist George E. Curry, considered the dean of black press columnists, passed
away
16. Singapores longest serving president Sellapan Ramanathan died

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