04 January 2013 Current Affairs
Tulsi Gabbard takes oath on Gita
Amerish B. ‘Ami’ Bera (47), an Indian-American Democrat from California; and Tulsi Gabbard (31), the first Hindu ever elected to the U.S. House of Representatives and a Democrat from Hawaii, created history as they were sworn in as members of the 113th Congress. Ms. Gabbard (31), the first American Samoan and one of the first female combat veterans in U.S. Congress, took her oath of office on 03 January 2013 on the Bhagavad Gita, the Hindu scripture.Mr. Bera became the third Indian-American member of the U.S. House after Amritsar-born Dalip Singh Saund, Democrat from California (1957 to 1963); and Louisiana’s current Republican governor Bobby Jindal (2005-2008).
Virat Kohli crowned Cricketer of the Year
India vice-captain Virat Kohli was adjudged the International Cricketer of the Year while Pakistan bagged the top honours for the best team at the CEAT Cricket Awards 2011-12 on 03 January 2012. Unmukt Chand, who led India to the U-19 World Cup win last year, got the inaugural Indian Youngster of the Year award.
NIIT in pact with Nasscom to train 1 lakh students over 3 yrs
IT firm NIIT pact with industry body Nasscom to train 1 lakh students in three years. The training programmes will be offered through two initiatives – Foundation Skills in IT (FSIT) for engineering graduates and Global Business Foundation Skills (GBFS) for graduates for all streams. On 4th January 2013 Nasscom Sector Skills Council (SSC) signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU), for three years, with NIIT to offer enhanced training programmes to students through its training campuses all across the country.
Uttarakhand won 63rd National Basketball Championship
On 4 January Uttarakhand won 63rd National basketball championship men’s title after defeated Punjab in the final at Ludhiana (Punjab).In the women’s section, Railways won the title against by first-time finalist Tamil Nadu in the final.
“Immune system ‘booster’ may hit cancer,”
Japanese research where stem cells were used to clone and produce large numbers of a specialized type of white blood cell. These cells, known as cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs), are produced by the immune system and are able to recognize specific markers on the surface of various tumour cells, causing them to launch an attack to kill the tumour cells.The researchers are succeeded in using stem cells to “mass-produce” CTLs in laboratory conditions.
Indian American Srinivasan re-nominated as Federal Judge
On 4 January Srikanth Srinivasan a brilliant Indian American legal mind has been re-nominated by US President Barack Obama to serve as Federal Judge for the District of Columbia Circuit.In June 2012 he was nominated by Obama to serve on the US Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit.
Vijay Kelkar Committee for Fiscal Consolidation
The Vijay Kelkar Committee, which was appointed by Finance Ministry to suggest a roadmap for fiscal consolidation, has suggested immediate hike in fuel prices and complete deregulation of diesel prices by start of 2014-15 fiscal.It also suggested raising kerosene and LPG rates.Now the Kelkar committee recommendation is still at proposal stage.