INTERNATIONAL
Bangladesh Court Disqualifies Jamaat-e-Islami Party
On 1 August a Bangladesh court has disqualified the country’s largest Islamic party from taking part in the next general election.The High Court panel ruled that the opposition Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami party’s regulations violate the constitutional provision of secularism.
Robert Mugabe Re-elected As President Of Zimbabwe
On 3 August Zanu-PF (Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front), the political party of the incumbent President Robert Mugabe has won the Presidential election of Zimbabwe .Mugabe won 61 percent of the vote against the 34 percent won by the Morgan Tsvangirai, the Prime Minister of Zimbabwe of Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) party.With this win, Mugabe has won his seventh term to the office of the President of Zimbabwe .Robert Mugabe is one of the leaders of the guerrilla movements against white-minority rule of Zimbabwe and was elected to power in 1980.
China Built Port Terminal Opens In Sri Lanka
On 5 August Sri Lanka’s President, Mahinda Rajapakse declared open the new International Container Terminal of the Colombo harbour.The $500 million Colombo International Container Terminal (CICT) was built by China Merchants Holdings.The new South Port is the only harbor in South Asia that can accommodate the Triple-E Class vessels.85-pct of the investment is by CICT and the remaining 15-pct has been funded by the by the Sri Lanka Ports Authority.
Ibrahim Boubacar Keita Elected As New President of Mali
On 12 August Former Prime Minister Ibrahim Boubacar Keita was elected as President of Mali.He won the Mali’s Presidential elections , after his opponent and Ex-Finance Minister Soumaïla Cisse, conceded defeat. He was Prime Minister of Mali from 1994 to 2000 and President of the National Assembly of Mali from 2002 to 2007. He founded a political party, Rally for Mali (RPM), in 2001 and he has led the party since then. In addition to serving in the National Assembly, Keita was a member of the Parliament of the Economic Community of West African States.
Britain Parliament Votes Against Possible Military Action In Syria
On 29 August the Britain Parliament rejected a proposal for military action in Syria .By a 285 to 272 margin British MPs rejected the government’s motion to support in principle military action against Syria.
INDIA & WORLD
India Signs DTAC protocol with Morocco
On 8 August India signed a Protocol amending the India – Morocco Double Taxation Avoidance Convention (DTAC) in New Delhi .The Protocol was signed by Dr Sudha Sharma, Chairperson, Central Board of Direct Taxes on behalf of Government of India and H.E. Mr. Larbi Reffouh, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Morocco to India on behalf of Government of the Kingdom of Morocco.The Protocol is based on international standards of transparency and exchange of information. It provides for effective exchange of information including banking information between tax authorities of the two countries.
5th India – China Strategic Dialogue Held In Delhi
The 5th India-China Strategic Dialogue was held at New Delhi on 20 August .The Indian side was led by Foreign Secretary Sujatha Singh and the Chinese side was led by Vice Foreign Minister Liu Zhenmin.The two sides discussed several issues including enhancing understanding on the utilization of trans-border river waters, expanding bilateral trade and investment while addressing problems of the large and growing deficit faced by India, ways of maintaining peace and tranquility along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in the India-China border areas, methods of boosting cultural cooperation as well as people-to-people exchanges and expansion of scientific and technological cooperation.
India Third Largest Internet Using Nation
On 21 August According to research firm com Score latest report titled “India Digital Future in Focus 2013 ” , India with 73.9 million Net users is the world’s third largest Internet population, overtaking Japan (4th position) but behind China (First position) and the US. (Second position) Riding on a 31 per cent year-on-year increase, India’s online population grew to 73.9 million.With an extended online universe in excess of 145 million the market is at a tipping point for online businesses.India overtook Japan by adding 17.6 million users in 2012.
Indians Third Largest Immigrant Group In US
On 23 August According to the Migration Policy Institute latest study report , Indians have emerged as the third-largest immigrant group in the US behind Mexicans and Chinese, with nearly 1.9 million of them living in the country.Indian population in the US has grown to over 150 times its size since 1960, when the slightly more than 12,000 Indian immigrants represented less than 0.5 per cent of the total immigrant population of 9.7 million immigrants.Till 2011, Indian-born immigrants accounted for almost five per cent (1.86 million) of America’s 40.4 million immigrants.Almost one-third of all Indian immigrants resided in just two states- California and New Jersey.More than a quarter of them lived in three major metropolitan areas- New York, Chicago and San Jose.Two per cent of all unauthorised immigrants in the United States were also from India.
India and Iraq Signed Energy Cooperation Agreement
On 23 August India and Iraq signed an agreement on energy cooperation to boost the bilateral ties.The agreement was signed along with three other agreements after comprehensive talks between Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh and his Iraq Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki on strategic bilateral, regional and international issues. Iraq is an important Gulf nation and has emerged as India’s second largest crude oil supplier after Saudi Arabia.
India Announced Rs 5,000 crore For Bhutan
On 31 August India announced an aid of Rs 5,000 crore, including a special package of Rs 500 crore, for Bhutan as part of commitment to its continued socio-economic development, a move that assumes significance against the backdrop of unease in the bilateral ties recently. India will contribute Rs 4500 crore towards Bhutan’s 11th Plan, as well as Rs 500 crore towards an Economic Stimulus Package.The decision was announced after talks in NewDelhi between Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Bhutan Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay.
NATIONAL
India Lost 220 Languages In Last 50 Years
On 9 August A two-year survey by Bhasha Research and Publication Centre based in Vadodara has revealed that India has lost around 20 per cent of its languages over the last 50 years.Officials of the survey, called the People’s Linguistic Survey of India (PLSI) has held that the country had 1,100 languages in 1961 of which 220 have vanished. The survey has found 780 languages and might have missed another 100, which makes it around 880.The 1961 census had recorded that India had 1,652 languages in all but the number was narrowed down to 1,100 later for variants of same languages were also included in the list. The 1971 census registered only 108 languages for it was decided that only those languages with over 10,000 speakers will be included.
Rajya Sabha Passed The ‘Registration of Births and Deaths (Amendment) Bill, 2012 ‘
On 13 August Rajya Sabha passed a bill to make registration of marriages mandatory.The Registration of Births and Deaths (Amendment) Bill, 2012, which was passed by Rajya Sabha, seeks to provide compulsory registration of marriages irrespective of religion. The registration of marriages will not apply to those who have registered their marriage under any other law.At present, there is provision for registration of only births and deaths.
Lok Sabha Passed ‘National Food Security Bill, 2013’
On 26 August Lok Sabha passed the ‘National Food Security Bill, 2013’.The Bill seeks to give legal rights to get subsidized grains every month to 67 percent of the overall population (of which 75 percent is rural and 50 percent is urban population).A beneficiary will be entitled to 5 kg of rice, wheat or coarse cereals at Rs. 3, Rs. 2 and Re. 1 per kg a month, respectively.The beneficiaries will be identified by the States based on parameters prescribed by the Union government.Once the Bill gets its nod in the Rajya Sabha and President’s accent, India will join the selected league of countries that guarantee food grants to a majority of its population.
Rajya Sabha Passed ‘The Marriage Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2010’
On 26 August the Rajya Sabha passed ‘The Marriage Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2010 was passed by voice vote .It seeks to amend the Hindu Marriage Act 1955 and the Special Marriages Act, 1954 which provides for irretrievable breakdown on marriage as a ground for divorce as well as grants women the right to a share in the property of their husbands.Under the new bill, a provision has been made to restrict the grant of decree of divorce on the ground of irretrievable breakdown of marriage if the court is satisfied that adequate provision for the maintenance of children born out of the marriage has not been made consistently with the financial capacities of the parents.
Lok Sabha Passed ‘Land Acquisition Bill ‘
The Lok Sabha passed the landmark land acquisition and rehabilitation bill on 29 August 2013 that aims to provide fair compensation to those whose land is taken, brings transparency to the process and details measures for rehabilitation of those displaced.The bill, which will now be called, The Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Bill, 2012, replaced a nearly 120-year-old law enacted during British rule in 1894.
Companies Bill 2013 Receives President’s Assent
The new Companies Bill has received President’s assent, that will make it into a law replacing the nearly six-decade old regulations that govern corporates in the country.The Companies Bill 2013 received assent from the President Pranab Mukherjee on 29 August 2013.The Companies Bill 2012 was passed in Rajya Sabha on 8 August 2013 . Earlier, the bill was passed by the Lok Sabha on 18 December 2012. With the President’s assent, the Companies Bill 2012 became the Companies Act, 2013 (New Act).The new Bill, providing for sweeping changes in the way companies operate and are regulated in the country, received Parliamentary approval earlier this month. It would replace the Companies Act 1956.
STATES
Karnataka Becomes First State To Establish Calamities Relief Fund
On 5 August Karnataka Government has become the first state in the country to establish State Natural Calamities Relief fund of Rs. 125 crore.The Relief Fund will provide for a natural calamities relief fund which would provide for building capital assets and relief in respect of man-made disasters that are not covered under the state disaster response fund guidelines of the Government of India.
First Public Sector Breast Milk Bank Inaugurated In Kolkata
On 7 August A modern and sophisticated breast milk bank was inaugurated at the state-run Seth Sukhlal Karnani Memorial Hospital (SSKM) by West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee . This novel scheme was launched to cater to the basic needs of a child who is just born, but does not get the milk from the mother or when the mother dies after giving birth to the child.The breast milk bank would help specially to non-lactating mothers. The stored milk can be used to feed babies whose mothers fall ill during the six-month lactating period after pregnancy.
India’s First Cyber Forensic Laboratory (CFL) Established In Tripura
The first Cyber Forensic Laboratory (CFL) of India was established in Tripura on 11 August .The lab was established at the Tripura High Court and the purpose of the lab is to facilitate information related to court cases. The CFL was inaugurated by Supreme Court judge Justice Madan B. Lokur.
‘Agar-Malwa’ Becomes The 51st District Of Madhya Pradesh
Madhya Pradesh government gave nod to creation of the new district of Agar-Malwa, taking the number of districts in the state to 51.The district will come into existence on 16 August.The new district will be created by bifurcating Shajapur district; it will comprise the tehsils of Agar, Badoud, Susner and Nalkheda. Headquarters would be at Agar town.Spread over 2,785 square km, Agar-Malwa will have population of 4.80 lakh.
Sonia Sonia Gandhi Launches ‘Food Security Scheme’ In Delhi
On 20 August Congress president Sonia Gandhi launched the Centre-Sponsored ‘ Food security scheme ‘on the occasion of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi’s 69th birth Anniversary.Delhi was the first state to implement the scheme.Under the scheme, a total of 73.5 lakh people will get foodgrain at highly subsidised rates.The food security programme would provide subsidised grains for 67 per cent of the population and would see government spending an estimated Rs. 1,25,000 crore to supply 62 million tonnes of grains. Under the scheme, beneficiaries would get wheat at Rs. 2 a kg, rice at Rs. 3 a kg and coarse grain at Rs. 1 a kg.Congress party ruled northern states Haryana and Uttarakhand have also launched this scheme.
Maharashtra Cabinet Approved Anti-Black Magic and Superstition Ordinance
On 21 August the Maharashtra Cabinet has approved the “Anti-Black Magic and Superstition Ordinance” after the death of anti-superstition activist Narendra Dabholkar.The decision was taken by the state cabinet in wake up of the protests that followed after the murder of Dabhokar in Pune on 20 August 2013.Dabholkar was at the forefront of a campaign to persuade the Maharashtra government to pass an anti-superstition and black magic bill.
Rajasthan Government Laid Foundation Stone For World’s Largest Solar Park
On 21 August State Government of Rajasthan laid the foundation stone for world’s biggest solar park at Bhadla of Jodhpur District of Rajasthan.The solar park with generation capacity of 3000 MW would be commissioned in phased manner. In its first phase the solar park will generate 1000 MW.Solar Park would be established in 10 thousand hectare land and Asian Development Bank (ADB) will provide 3000 crore rupees loan for development of transmission lines of this solar park.
CONFERENCES
BRICS Business Council Meeting Held In Johannesburg
The first BRICS Business Council Meeting was held on 19 – 20 August 2013 in Johannesburg , South Africa.The objective of the meet is aiming to increase the trade and investment ties between participating economies.The two-day meeting was attended by the Chairpersons of the respective chapters of the BRICS Business Council that attended the meeting are: Jose Rubens de la Rosa (Brazil), Sergey Katyrin (Russian Federation), Onkar Kanwar (India) and MA Zehua (China).The meeting was chaired by Patrice Motsepe, Chairman of the South African and BRICS Business Council.In a joint statement following the first BRICS Business Council meeting ,the council made several recommendations include’s urging governments to facilitate convenience in expediting multiple entry business visas for longer periods, as well as considering a proposal to create a BRICS business travel card ; Enhancing connectivity; and – Creating a BRICS business portal, which will be facilitated by the BRICS Business Council Secretariat, among others.The council has agreed to work together in areas such as infrastructure, mining and mineral beneficiation, value-added manufacturing development, skills development and sustainable development.BRICS an acronym for the Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa group of countries.The BRICS Business Council was established during the 2013 BRICS Summit in Durban in March, with South African businessman Patrice Motsepe named chairman of the body.
Second ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting – Plus Held In Brunei
The 2nd ASEAN Defense Ministers’ Meeting-Plus has concluded in Brunei on 29 August .Defense ministers from ASEAN signed a declaration of commitment to enhance peace and security in the Asia-Pacific region.They committed to adhere to the principles of equality, mutual respect, mutual benefit and respect for international laws in the handling of disputes. The defense ministers also agreed to promote better understanding and confidence-building measures among defense establishments.ASEAN Defence minister’s meeting firstly convened in Vietnam’s capital Hanoi on October 12, 2010, the regional event has involved 18 member states, including ministers from the 10 ASEAN nations.ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting – Plus was established in 2010.This forum is convened every two years.The third ADMM-Plus is scheduled to be held in Malaysia in 2015.
AWARDS & HONOURS
Malayalam Poetess Sugathakumari Awarded With ‘ Saraswati Samman 2013 ‘
On 2 August Renowned Malayalam poetess and social activist Sugathakumari has been conferred with the prestigious Saraswati Samman 2012 for Manalezhuthu (the Writings on the Sand), a collection of poems in Malayalam.Manalezhuthu was published in the year 2006.Saraswati Samman Award was instituted by KK Birla Foundation in 1991.This award is given every year to the literary work in any Indian language which is the part of Eighth Schedule of the Constitution.
US Presidential Medal To Bill Clinton and Oprah Winfrey
On 8 August Barack Obama, the US President would confer the Presidential Medal of Freedom on former US President, Bill Clinton and talk show queen, Oprah Winfrey. It is the highest civilian honour of America.
Indian American Professor Received Top US Environmental Award
On 16 August An Indian American professor of biological and agricultural engineering has been recognised by a top US environmental and water resources institute for his pioneering work in hydrology. Vijay P Singh, professor and Caroline ; William N Lehrer distinguished chair in the department of biological and agricultural engineering at Texas A&M University, was named a recipient of the 2013 Lifetime Achievement Award by the American Society of Civil Engineers Environmental and Water Resources Institute (ASCE-EWRI).Singh is an internationally recognised and pre-eminent engineer specialising in water resources engineering and hydrology. His work has developed the application of kinematic wave theory to the point where it is widely used throughout the world in hydrologic models used for water resource modelling, flood planning and hydrologic design.
Harshwanti Bisht Selected For “Sir Edmund Hillary Mountain Legacy Medal 2013 “
On 12 August Professor of economics, and conservationist, and mountaineer Dr. Harshwanti Bisht has been selected to receive the “Sir Edmund Hillary Mountain Legacy Medal 2013”.The award is presented for remarkable service in the conservation of culture and nature in mountainous regions.In 2003 the Sir Edmund Hillary Mountain Legacy Medal was initiated by unanimous resolution of the Namche Conference: Parks, People and Mountain Tourism.
Malala Yousafzai Wins International Children’s Peace Prize
On 27 August Pakistani school pupil and education activist Malala Yousafzai won the International Children’s Peace Prize 2013. The peace prize carries a cash value of 100000 euros (133000 US dollars) which is invested in projects relating to the winner’s cause. The International Children’s Peace Prize is an initiative of the Amsterdem-based Dutch KidsRights Foundation. It was launched in the year 2005 by former Soviet President Mikhail Gorbachev, when he chaired the Summit of Nobel Peace Laureates in Rome. Since then, the prize has been awarded every year by a Nobel Peace Prize Laureate. The prize is presented annually to an exceptional child, whose courageous or otherwise remarkable actions have made a difference in countering problems, which affect children around the world.
Mandela Is The First Recipient Of ‘Mahathir Award ‘ For Global Peace
On 27 August Former South African President Nelson Mandela was awarded the first Lifetime Campaigner for Peace and Freedom of the Mahathir Award for Global Peace .Current South African President Jacob Zuma received the award on behalf of Mandela, who is in a critical condition in a hospital in Pretoria.The Mahathir Award for Global Peace is a peace award instituted by the Mahathir Global Peace Foundation. The foundation was formed to contribute to worldwide peace efforts.Mahathir bin Mohamad is a Malaysian politician who was the fourth Prime Minister of Malaysia. He held the post for 22 years from 1981 to 2003, making him Malaysia’s longest serving Prime Minister.
SPORTS & GAMES
India Won Bronze Medal at Junior Women Hockey World Cup
On 4 August Indian Junior Women Hockey team won its first ever Bronze medal in ERGO Hockey Junior World Cup at Monchengladbac, Germany .India defeated England by 3-2 in a penalty shoot-out.Indian forward Rani was declared the Best Player of the ERGO Junior Women Hockey World Cup 2013.The Netherland team won the final against Argentina and clinched the trophy for a record third time.
Parimarjan Negi Won Politiken Cup
On 4 August Indian Grandmaster Parimarjan won the Denmark’s Politiken Cup at Copenhagen, Denmark by gaining 9 out of the total possible 10 points. He defeated the seventh seed, Italian Sabino Brunello in just 31 moves of Ruy Lopez.
Jadeja First Indian After Kumble To Top ODI Bowlers’ List
On 4 August Left-arm spinner Ravindra Jadeja became the first Indian bowler to top the bowlers’ chart in the latest ICC ODI Player Rankings after former captain Anil Kumble claimed the pole position way back in 1996.Overall, Jadeja is the fourth India bowler after Kapil Dev (March 1989), Maninder Singh (December 1987-November 1988) and Kumble to claim the number-one spot in ODIs.
Franklin Wins Record 6 Golds at World Swimming Championships
On 5 August American swimmer Missy Franklin became the first woman to win six gold medals at a world-championships.She claimed her record sixth gold medal of the world championships , swimming the leadoff leg for the Americans in the 400-meter medley relay in Barcelona, Spain.Missy Franklin won four golds and a bronze at the 2012 London Games, joins American men Michael Phelps and Mark Spitz as well as German woman Kristin Otto with six golds in either a world or Olympic competition.Franklin became the winningest female swimmer ever at a world meet, eclipsing the record that was shared by Tracy Caulkins, who won five times in 1978, and Libby Trickett, who did it in 2007.
PV Sindhu Won Bronze Medal at World Badminton Championships
On 10 August Indian shuttler P V Sindhu lost to the Ratchanok Intanon of Thailand in the semi-final match at the World Badminton Championships at Guangzhou, China.P V Sindhu now became the only second Indian singles player to win a medal after Prakash Padukone .Jwala Gutta and Ashwini Ponnappa had won the doubles bronze in London in 2011.
World Badminton Championship 2013 Winners
Women’s Singles :- Thailand’s Ratchanok Intanon won the women’s singles title ,after defeated Li Xuerui (China) in the final at the World Badminton Championships at Guangzhou.This is the first time any shuttler from Thailand has won a gold at the Worlds in any category.
Men’s Singles :- China’s Lin Dan reinforced his claim to being the greatest badminton player in history after he defeated arch rival Malaysian Lee Chong Wei in the World Championship final to become the first man to win five world singles titles.
Rogers Cup Tennis Tournament 2013 Winners
Women’s Singles :- On 11 August Serena Williams (U.S) won the Rogers Cup Tennis Tournament Women’s singles title ,after defeated Romania’s Sorana Cirstea in the final at Montreal (Canada).Serena Williams won the Rogers Cup women’s title for the third time.
Men’s Singles :- Rafael Nadal (Spain) won his third Rogers Cup Men’s Singles title , after defeated Canada’s Milos Raonic in the final.
Marion Bartoli Retires From Tennis
On 14 August Wimbledon champion Marion Bartoli of France announces her retirement from professional tennis.She announced the retirement after losing in the second round of the Cincinnati Masters to Romania’s Simona Halep. She is ranked seventh in the world.Besides Wimbledon 2013, Bartoli won seven other WTA Tour titles, the first one was in Auckland in 2006. Recently she won two tournaments both in 2011 at Eastbourne and Osaka, Japan, prior to Wimbledon.
2013 World Championships in Athletics Winners
The 14th World Championships in Athletics are held in Moscow, Russia from 10–18 August 2013. Russia (17 medals )topped the medal table with seven gold, four silver, and six bronze medals.The US (25 medals) came in second place at the event, receiving six gold, 13 silver, and six bronze medals. Jamaica (19 medals )placed third, with its athletes earning six gold, two silver, and one bronze.
Winners Of The 2013 World Championships in Athletics :-
* Jamaica’s Usain Bolt and Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce both won three gold medals in the men’s and women’s 100 m, 200 m and 4 x 100 m relay respectively to become the most successful athletes at the event.Usain Bolt moved to the top of the all-time World Championships medal table by winning three gold medals.It was Bolt’s second three gold performance at the World Championships.With this victory Usain Bolt has joined the club of highest (8) gold medal winners list along with American women’s 200m specialist Allyson Felix, and retired US track stars Carl Lewis and Michael Johnson including relays.
* Christina Obergfoll of Germany won the women’s javelin title with a throw of 69.05 metres .
* French athlete Teddy Tamgho claimed gold in the men’s triple jump event ,, with a jump measuring 18.04m.
* In the Men’s 1, 500 metres race Kenyan Asbel Kiprop ( 3min:36.2 sec) won the gold and Eunice Jepkoech Sum of Kenya won gold in Women’s 800 metres race (1min :57.38 sec)
* Women’s 10,000 meters Race :- Tirunesh Dibaba (Ethiopia)
*Men’s 10,000 meters Race :- Double Olympic champion Mo Farah of Britain created history once again in Moscow as he became the first British man to win a 10,000m world title.The Somalia-born Mo Farah went down in the history books as just the second man to win the 5000 and 10,000m races at the Olympics and the world championships.
* Men’s 20 kilometres Walk :- Aleksandr Ivanov (Russia)
* Women’s Marathon :- Kenya’s Edna Ngeringwony Kiplagat becomes the first women in history to defend her world championship marathon title.
* Shot put :- New Zealand’s Valerie Adams has become the first woman to win four individual world athletics titles in the same event.
* Men’s 110 metres Hurdles :- David Oliver (USA)
* Men’s 400metres Hurdles :- Jehu Gordon (Trinidad)
* Women’s 400 metres Hurdles :- Zuzana Hejnova (Czech Republic )
* Russian pole vaulter Yelena Isinbayeva won gold..Yelena Isinbayeva is a two-time Olympic gold medalist (2004 and 2008), a three-time World Champion (2005, 2007 and 2013), the current world record holder in the event, who is widely considered the greatest female pole-vaulter of all time.
Cincinnati Tennis Tournament 2013 Winners
Women’s Singles :- On 18 August Victoria Azarenka of Belarus won the Cincinnati Tennis Tournament women’s singles title.Azarenka defeated Serena Williams of the U.S in the final at Cincinnati (U.S )
Men’s Singles :- In the Men’s category Rafael Nadal (Spain) has won the Cincinnati Tennis Tournament title for the first time.He defeated John Isner (U.S) in the final.Nadal’s five Masters titles this season are a career best. He’s tied with Novak Djokovic for most Masters titles in a season since 1990. He’s won seven of the nine Masters events during his career.
Sania Mirza – Jie Zheng pair Won New Haven Open Title
On 24 August India’s Sania Mirza won the women’s doubles title at the New Haven Open Tennis tournament along with her partner Jie Zheng of China.Sania and Jie defeated the pair of Anabel Medina Garrigues (Spain) and Katarina Srebotnik (Slovenia) in the final at Yale.This is Sania Mirza’s 17th WTA doubles title and the third Title in 2013.
Australia’s Aaron Finch Hits T20 World Record
Australian batsman Aaron Finch hit a new record in Twenty20 Internationals in Southampton (England), when he scored 156 runs off 63 balls against England at Southampton on 29 August.Finch mashed 14 sixes and 11 fours in his innings and surpassed the previous international record of 123, scored by New Zealand’s Brendon McCullum.In the process he also became the first Australian to score a T20 international century.
ECONOMY
Union Cabinet Approved the Setting up of ‘Bharatiya Mahila Bank ‘
On 8 August the Union Cabinet approved the proposal for setting up of ‘ Bharatiya Mahila Bank (BMB) ‘ with an initial corpus of Rs 1,000 crore.The proposed bank will be headquartered in New Delhi.The Mahila Bank will start with 6 branches — one each in north, south, east, west, central and north eastern part of the country.The proposed bank is likely to begin operations by November this year.
India Signed Agreement With World Bank For Low Income Housing Finance Project
On 14 August the government of India and the World Bank signed a $100 million credit agreement aimed at helping low-income households in Indian cities access loans to purchase, build or upgrade their dwellings.The Low Income Housing Finance Project would be implemented by the National Housing Bank (NHB).The credit agreement for the Low Income Housing Finance Project was signed between the Government of India, National Housing Bank (NHB) and World Bank in New Delhi.
Muslims Have Lowest Living Standard In India
According to the National Sample Survey Organisation (NSSO) study titled ‘Employment and Unemployment Situation Among Major Religious Groups in India’ among various religious groups,Muslims have the lowest living standard in the country
* According to the survey data , Muslims average per capita expenditure of just Rs 32.66 in a day.At the other end of the spectrum, Sikh community enjoys a much better lifestyle as the average per capita spending among them is Rs 55.30 per day, while the same for Hindus is Rs 37.50. For Christians it is Rs 51.43.
* At all-India level, the average monthly per capita expenditure (MPCE) of a Sikh household was Rs 1,659 while that for a Muslim household was Rs 980 in 2009-10.The average MPCE for Hindus and Christians were Rs 1,125 and Rs 1,543, respectively.The survey said that average monthly per capita consumption at all-India level was Rs 901 in villages and Rs1,773 in cities. Overall, the average MPCE was Rs 1,128.
* Muslims were at the bottom in rural areas, with an average MPCE of Rs 833, followed by Hindus at Rs 888, Christians at Rs1,296 and Sikhs 1,498.
* In urban areas, Muslims’ average MPCE was also the lowest at Rs 1,272 followed by Hindus at Rs 1,797, Christians Rs 2,053 and Sikhs at Rs 2,180.
Per Capita Income Up 6.7% in 2004-12
On 25 August According to official sources data ,the per capita income in the country increased 6.7 per cent per annum during 2004-05 to 2011-12, while the percentage of poor declined by 2.2 per cent over the period.For 2011-12, the Planning Commission has estimated percentage of people living below the poverty line at 21.9 per cent.The poverty line in 2011-12 in terms of monthly per capita consumption expenditure was estimated at Rs 816 in rural areas and Rs 1,000 in urban areas.State-wise, Uttar Pradesh had highest number of people living below poverty line during 2011-12 at 598.19 people below poverty line out of every lakh.It was followed by Bihar at 358.15 people (per lakh), Madhya Pradesh 234.04 people, Maharashtra 197.92 people and West Bengal at 184.98 people living below the poverty line.
27 crore People Live Below Poverty Line In India
India’s population was estimated at 123 crore as of March 1, 2012, while as many as 27 crore people lived below the poverty line in 2011-12, Minister of State for Planning Rajeev Shukla explained in a written reply to Rajya Sabha on 29 August.As per the Population Census of 2011 conduced by the Office of Registrar General of India, the population in the country was estimated at 121 crore as of March 1, 2011.The poverty ratio in the country has decreased to 21.9 per cent in 2011-12 from 37.2 per cent in 2004-05.The rate of decline between 2004-05 and 2011-12 is three times faster than experienced between 1993-94 and 2004-05.As per the Millennium Development Goals Report 2013, the poverty rate in India fell from 49 per cent in 1994 to 42 per cent in 2005 and 33 per cent in 2010.
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
Australia’s Most Powerful Super Computer Unveiled
On 1 August Australia’s most powerful supercomputer “”Raijin “” was unveiled in Canberra.Raijin, named after the Japanese God of thunder and rain, has costed USD 45.2 million to build and will cost USD 10.85 million a year to run.The super computer, unveiled at Australian National University (ANU),and it is the 27th most powerful computer in the world.
India’s DRDO Launches Explosive Detection Kit In US
On 2 August the India-developed US-manufactured Explosive Detection Kit (EDK) was launched at the US Chamber of Commerce building in Washington.In a first of its kind of reverse technology sharing between India and the US, an innovative Explosive Detection Kit developed by Indian scientists would be manufactured in America and sold globally for quick detection and identification of combinations of explosives.This was probably for the first time that technology developed by Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO) was being manufactured and marketed in the US.
Japan Sends World’s First Talking Robot Into Space
On 4 August Japan has successfully launched the world’s first talking humanoid robot called “” Kirobo “” in to space. The robot was sent by H2B rocket from the island of Tanegashima. The rocket carried food, water and other supplies. Kirobo will serve as a companion for Japanese astronauts.Kirobo was put through a series of zero-gravity and other safety tests prior to sending him into space. Kirobo is 34 centimetres tall and can speak Japanese. It will provide emotional support for people in space. Kirobo will talk to JAXA astronaut Koichi Wakata when he arrives at the space station in November. The name of Kirobo is a merging of Kibo and robot. Kirobo was designed by scientists and engineers at the University of Tokyo. It is equipped with voice-recognition and face-recognition technology, as well as a camera, emotion recognition software and natural language processing.
Japan Unveils Largest Warship
On 6 August Japan has unveiled its biggest warship since the Second World War as part of a plan to bolster its defense of territorial claims in disputed waters.The ship, named the “Izumo”, is classified as a helicopter destroyer, though its flattop design makes it look like an aircraft carrier.The ship is nearly 250 metres (820ft feet) long and is designed to carry up to 14 helicopters.Japanese Defense Ministry announced the ship is not intended to be used as an aircraft carrier and will not be used to launch fighter jets.It will also be used to bolster the nation’s ability to transport personnel and supplies in response to large-scale natural disasters.
Pinaka Rockets Successfully Test Fired
On 7 August India successfully test fired two rounds of indigenously developed “Pinaka” rockets from a multi-barrel rocket launcher (MBRL) from a defence base in Chandipur-on-sea near Balasore, off the Odisha coast.The tests were routine trials conducted for training purpose. The tests were conducted by personnel from Armament Research and Development Establishment (ARDE), Pune unit at Proof and Experimental Establishment (PXE) firing point-2. Pinaka is an area weapon system with a range of 40 km.Pinaka system can fire a salvo of 12 rockets in 44 seconds. Ten rounds of Pinaka rockets were tested from the same base on 30 and 31 January and 28 February this year.
‘ INS Arihant ‘ Nuclear Reactor Activated
On 10 August India has activated the reactor on board the ‘INS Arihant ‘ nuclear submarine, the first to be designed and built in India.With this success, India became a member of the exclusive club of countries that have built their own nuclear powered submarines along with Russia, US, UK, China and France.After the nuclear reactor is activated, INS Arihant has been undergoing trials at Navy’s key submarine base in Vishakhapatnam (Andhra Pradesh) and would be launched for sea trials soon since the nuclear reactor has gone critical.Nuclear triad has the ability to fire nuclear-tipped missiles from land, air and sea.Arihant means destroyer of enemies in Sanskrit is an Indian submarine, which is 111 meter long, 11 broad and 15 meter tall.The 6,000 tonne vessel was built under the Advanced Technology Vessel (ATV) project at the Ship Building Centre in Visakhapatnam ,at a cost of around Rs 15,000 crore .INS Arihant, was introduced to the public on 26 July 2009 at a symbolic launch ceremony by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s wife Gursharan Kaur.India operates the INS Chakra, which is an Akula II class submarine leased from Russia for ten years and has plans of building two more nuclear submarines indigenously.
‘ICGS Rajveer ‘ Commissioned
On 10 August Seventh in the series of eight inshore patrol vessels (IPV), ICGS Rajveer was commissioned at Visakhapatnam (Andhra Pradesh) by defence secretary R K Mathur in the presence of vice-admiral Anurag G Thapliyal, director general of Indian Coast Guard.The IPV is equipped with the most advanced and sophisticated navigational and communication sensors and equipment. The ship is propelled to a maximum speed of 31.5 knots and has an endurance of 1,500 nautical miles. The special feature include an integrated Bridge System, Integrated machinery control system and an indigenously built 30mm gun mount with fire control system.
India Launched First Indigenous Aircraft Carrier ‘ INS Vikrant ‘
India launched its first indigenous aircraft carrier ‘INS Vikrant ‘ on 12 August .Defence Minister A K Antony’s wife Elizabeth launched the 37,500 tonne carrier ‘INS Vikrant’ at Kochi shipyard.This will mark India’s entry into a select club of countries capable of designing and building a carrier of this size. Other countries capable of designing and building an equivalent size ship are the US, the UK, Russia and France.Fighter aircraft–Mig-29K, Light Combat Aircraft and Kamov-31 helicopters–will deployed on board the carrier which will also carry an array of other weapons systems.INS Vikrant has a length of 260 metres and it is 60 metres wide.It is behind schedule by three years.The carrier is expected to be delivered to the Navy by the end of 2018.
India Successfully Test Fired Nuclear Capable ‘ Prithvi-II ‘ Missile
On 12 August India has successfully test-fired its indigenously developed nuclear capable ‘ Prithvi-II ‘ missile from a mobile launcher in salvo mode from launch complex-3 of the Integrated Test Range (ITR) at (Odisha) Chandipur.Prithvi-II missile was launched by the personnel of the Strategic Force Command (SFC) from ITR’s Launch Complex-III as part of routine user training. The missile scientists of the Defence Research and Development Organisation(DRDO) monitored the launch operations.The missile, with a range of 350 km, developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) .The missile, 9 metres in height with a launch weight of 4.6 tonnes, is capable of carrying a warhead of more than 500 kg.The last users trial of Prithvi-II was successfully carried out from the same base on on December 20, 2012.
Voyager Becomes First Man-Made Object To Leave The Solar System
According to the new research shows ,NASA’s long-lived Voyager probe crossed into interstellar space last year, becomes the first man-made object to leave the solar system.Voyager 1 space craft was launched in 1977 along with a sister probe, Voyager 2, to observe the outer planets. Voyager 1 is now approximately 120 times farther away from the sun than Earth. Voyager 2 is heading out of the solar system in a different direction.The probes are powered by the slow decay of radioactive plutonium. Voyager 1 will begin running out of energy for its science instruments in 2020. By 2025, it will be completely out of power.
India’s Super Hercules Lands At Highest Airfield On LAC
The Super Hercules C 130 J transport plane landed at the world’s highest and recently-activated Daulat Beg Oldie airstrip in Ladakh area of Jammu and Kashmir for the first time on 20 August .The Daulat Beg Oldie airstrip located at 16614 feet (5065 metres) in the Aksai Chin area..In April, the area saw a 21-day stand-off between Indian and Chinese troops who came and pitched tents in the vicinity of the airfield and returned only after several rounds of flag meetings between both sides.The achievement will enable the armed forces to use the heavy-lift aircraft to induct troops, supplies, improve communication network and also serve as a morale booster for maintenance of troops positioned there.C-130J is capable of lifting upto 20 tonnes of load.
India’s First Defence Satellite GSAT-7 Launched Successfully
India’s first exclusive defence satellite GSAT-7 was successfully launched by European space consortium Arianespace’s Ariane 5 rocket from Kourou spaceport in French Guiana on 30 August.This launch will push ahead India’s maritime security.GSAT–7 has been built at an expense of 185 crore rupees and will act as the country’s maiden dedicated spacecraft for defence applications.The frequency bands of GSAT-7 will help space-based marine communications. It has coverage over India landmass as well as surrounding seas.Earlier, satellite communication in ships was through Inmarsat, a major provider of global mobile satellite communications services.The state-of-the-art satellite carrying payloads operating in UHF, S, C and Ku bands, had a lift-off mass of 2625 kg and is based on ISRO’s 2500 kg satellite bus with some new technological elements, including the antennae.According to ISRO, GSAT-7 is an advanced communication satellite to provide wide range of service spectrum from low bit rate voice to high bit rate data communication.Payload of the GSAT–7 is designed to provide communication capabilities to users in distant oceanic regions. Its solar arrays generate 2900 W of electrical power.
US Scientists Created the Most Precise Clock of the World
The National Institute of Standards and Technology Scientist from U.S , revealed in the month of August 2013 that they created the most precise clock of the world. The ticking rate of this clock varies less than two parts in one quintillion, or ten times better than any clock in the world. The clock is made up of the element ytterbium. This element can be used for technological advancements beyond the timekeeping. The clock can be used for various purposes such as checking temperature, navigation systems as well as magnetic fields.The co-author of the study which revealed the clock, Andrew Ludlow explained that the stability of this ytterbium lattice clock paves way for other practical applications of high-performance timekeeping.
PERSONS IN NEWS
A) APPOINTMENTS
Rajeev Rishi is new CMD of Central Bank of India
On 1 August Rajeev Rishi took over as the Chairman and Managing Director of Central Bank of India .His appointment is for a period of five years.Prior to the new appointment, Mr. Rishi served as the Executive Director of Indian Bank, since October 2010. Before joining Indian Bank, he was the General Manager of Oriental Bank of Commerce.Rajeev Rishi, who belongs to Chandigarh, holds a BA and an LLB and an expert in Banking.
Arundhati Bhattacharya Appointed Managing Director Of SBI
On 2 August Arundhati Bhattacharya was appointed the managing director and chief financial officer of the State Bank of India(SBI).She is the first managing director at SBI, which is India’s largest bank.Arundhati succeeded Diwakar Gupta.
Hassan Rouhani Sworn In As Iran’s New President
On 4 August Hassan Rohani was sworn in as the new President of Iran in the ceremony held at the Iranian Parliament in Tehran.Rouhani is the seventh (different) President of Iran after the Islamic Revolution of 1979.
Raghuram Rajan Appointed as the New Governor of RBI
On 6 August Chief economic adviser Raghuram Govind Rajan has been appointed as the Governor of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI).Rajan will have a term of three years.He will be the 23rd Governor of RBI.He is 50 years of age and so far, he is the youngest person to become the Governor of the Reserve Bank of India.He was appointed as the youngest-ever Economic Counselor and Director of Research (chief economist) at the International Monetary Fund (IMF) from October 2003 to December 2006.Rajan was appointed as Chief Economic Advisor to the Ministry of Finance, Government of India on 10 August 2012.
Dilip Trivedi is new CRPF chief
On 17 August Senior IPS officer Dilip Trivedi has been appointed as the new chief of the country’s largest paramilitary force CRPF (Central Reserve Police Force). Trivedi, a 1978-batch officer of Uttar Pradesh cadre has served in various positions in the state police and has also served in the Centre as ADG of the Indo-Tibetan Border Police.He succeeded Pranay Sahay who retired on 31 July 2013.
Michel Djotodia Sworn In As Central African Republic President
On 18 August Former rebel leader Michel Djotodia was formally sworn in as the Central African Republic’s President.Djotodia has been in charge of the country during the chaos that followed the rebels’ seizure of control in March 2013, when they swept into power from their northern bases, overpowering South African forces protecting former leader Francois Bozize.Djotodia was a leader of the Seleka rebel coalition in the December 2012 rebellion; following a peace agreement, he was appointed to the government as First Deputy Prime Minister for National Defense in February 2013.
Robert Mugabe Sworn In As Zimbabwe President
On 21 August Robert Mugabe has been sworn in for a new five-year term as President of Zimbabwe.Mugabe of Zanu-PF (Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front) party won the Presidential election (Parliamentary Election) by winning 61 percent votes in his favour on 3 August .
Parthasarathi Shome Appointed As Chairman Of TARC
On 26 August the Union Government of India set up a commission under the chairmanship of Parthasarathy Shome to review tax laws and suggest ways for a stable and non-adversarial tax administration.The seven-member Tax Administration Reform Commission (TARC) will have a 18-month tenure to suggest various measures including an appropriate organisational structure for tax governance.
Justice N V Ramana Appointed as Chief Justice of Delhi High Court
On 30 August Justice Nuthalapati Venkata Ramana, Judge of the High Court of Andhra Pradesh,was appointed as the Chief Justice of the High Court of Delhi.Justice Ramana replaced Chief Justice D. Murugesan, who retired in June.Justice Ramana was appointed as a permanent judge of the Andhra Pradesh High Court on 27 June 2000.Ramana had enrolled as an advocate in February 1983 and has practiced in the Andhra Pradesh High Court, central and state administrative tribunals and the Supreme Court.He holds specialisation in constitutional, criminal, service and inter-state river laws.He has specialized in Constitutional, criminal, service and Inter-State River laws. He has functioned as Panel Counsel for various Government organizations.
B)RESIGNS
Egypt Vice President ElBaradei Resigned
Egyptian vice-president, Nobel laureate Mohamed ElBaradei, announced his resignation in a letter to the interim president on14 August .The resignation comes after scores were killed in a crackdown by security forces on loyalists of ousted Islamist president Mohamed Morsi.
C)DEATHS
Veteran Music Director Dakshinamoorthy Died
Venkateswaran Dakshinamoorthy, the veteran veteran carnatic musician and music director died on 2 August in Mylapore, Chennai.The veteran was known as Swamy in the music industry and gave music to songs of more than 125 films in Tamil, Malayalam and Hindi.He has to his credit about 859 songs that were composed by him over seven decades of his service to the world of Music. He debuted as a Music composer in the a Malayalam movie Nalla Thanka (Nalla Thankal in Tamil) in 1950.He was the proud recipient of Kerala State Film Award for best music director in 1971.In 1998, he received the Kerala State Film Award for Lifetime Achievement.
Former Air Commodore Jasjit Singh Died
On 4 August Noted strategic analyst Air Commodore (retired) Jasjit Singh died in NewDelhi. He was conferred with the Padma Bhushan, the second highest civilian award, in the year 2006 by the former president APJ Abdul Kalam.
Former Union minister Devendra Prasad Yadav Died
On 11 August Former Union minister and senior Congress leader from Bihar, Devendra Prasad Yadav, died in NewDelhi.Yadav was a three-time Member of Parliament from Munger parliamentary seat of Bihar and had served as Minister of State for Education between 1971-77 in Indira Gandhi’s cabinet.
Renowned Naturalist and Ornithologist Zafar Futehally Died
On 11 August Zafar Rashid Futehally an Indian naturalist, ornithologist and conservationist has died on 11 August at Kihim in Maharashtra.Zafar Futehally led the early years of the conservation movement in India and served as a link between conservationists and corporate.He was conferred with several national and international honours, including the Padma Shri in 1970.He also edited and published an anthology of writings by Indian birdwatchers, “India through its birds”, which was published in 2007.
Former Nepal Prime Minister Man Singh Shrestha Died
Former Nepalese Prime Minister Marich Man Singh Shrestha has died in Kathmandu on 15 August.He had served as Nepal’s Prime Minister for about four years till April 1990, when the political parties launched an agitation to restore democratic rights.
Kapil Dev’s Former Coach Desh Prem Azad Died
On 16 August Desh Prem Azad, the former coach of cricketer Kapil Dev and Dronacharya awardee died in Mohali.He trained cricketers such as Kapil Dev, Ashok Malhotra, Chetan Sharma and Yograj Singh in the late 1970s.Desh Prem Azad represented Haryana, the Maharaja of Patiala’s XI and Southern Punjab, while playing 19 first-class matches. In these matches, he scored 658 runs while grabbed 8 wickets in all.
Crime Novelist Elmore Leonard Died
Elmore Leonard, one of America’s best known crime novelists,has died on 20 August .Twenty-six of his books and short stories have been adapted for the screen, including “Hombre,” “Get Shorty,” “Jackie Brown,” (based on 1992’s “Rum Punch”) and “Justified,” a TV shows based on 1993’s “Pronto,” 1995’s “Riding the Rap” and the 2001 short story ‘Fire in the Hole.” His most recent novel, “Raylan,” was released in 2012.
Eminent Classical Singer Raghunath Panigrahi Died
On 25 August Eminent Indian classical singer and music director Pandit Raghunath Panigrahi died in Bhubaneswar.Pandit Panigrahi’s effort to popularise poet Jayadeva’s ‘Gita Govinda’.Pandit Raghunath Panigrahi was born at Gunupur in Odisha’s Rayaga (earlier Koraput) district.Pandit Raghunath was the first Odia singer to be honoured by the French government for his ‘Gita Govinda’ composition way back in the 70s.He was also conferred with the Padmashri award in the year 2010.
Nobel Literature Laureate Seamus Heaney Died
On 30 August Irish writer and poet Seamus Heaney, who won the 1995 Nobel Prize in Literature, died in Dublin.Seamus Heaney was born on 13 April 1939 in Northern Ireland.Northern Ireland-born Heaney published his first major collection of poems, “Death of a Naturalist”, in 1966 and went on to become one of the English language’s leading poets.Heaney worked as the professor of poetry at Oxford University between 1989 and 1994.
D)VISITORS
Afghanistan Vice-President Mohammad Karim Khalili Visited India
The vice president of Afghanistan, Mohammad Karim Karim Khalili visited India from 20 – 22 August.During the visit Khalili met Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in New delhi .In the meet both nations discussed security issues and trade among other bilateral issues.Khalili also meet’s India’s president Pranab Mukherjee, vice-president Mohammad Hamid Ansari, and external affairs minister Salman Khurshid and discussed on both countries bilateral issues.
Iraq’s Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki Visited India
Nouri Al-Maliki, Prime Minister of the Republic of Iraq visited India from 22 -25 August.During his four day visit , Maliki met with the Prime Minister of India, Manmohan Singh and President of Indian Union, Pranab Mukherjee, Vice President of India, Hamid Ansari in New Delhi.Both the nations exchanged views on bilateral, regional and multilateral issues of mutual interest and reached a broad consensus. The discussions enabled better understanding and appreciation of each other’s concerns and perspectives and helped in forging closer understanding at the highest political level and also several MoUs were signed between the two nations. This was the first visit of Maliki to India
E)MISCELLANEOUS
Amazon Founder & CEO Jeff Bezos Buys Washington Post
Amazon Founder & CEO Jeff Bezos has purchased the Washington Post Newspaper of US. Seattle-based Amazon owner Jeffrey P Bezos has agreed to buy the newspaper assets of The Washington Post Company for USD 250 million.Bezos, whose entrepreneurship has made him one of the world’s richest men, will pay $250 million in cash for The Post and affiliated publications to The Washington Post Co., which owns the newspaper and other businesses.The Washington Post (WP) is an American daily newspaper. It is the most widely circulated newspaper published in Washington, D.C., and oldest extant in the area, founded in 1877.
11-year-old UK girl has higher IQ than Einstein
On 5 August An 11-year-old schoolgirl in the U.K. has achieved the highest possible score of 162 on a Mensa IQ test, making her brainier than scientists Stephen Hawking and Albert Einstein. Cerys Cooksammy-Parnell, a grade six schoolgirl took up the test with the aim of beating her father’s score of 142. She also scored the highest mark possible in the test, scoring 162 on the Cattell B scale.
Sharapova Tops ‘ Forbes ‘ List of Best Paid Female Athletes
On 6 August Russian tennis star Maria Sharapova has topped the ‘ Forbes ‘ list of highest-earning female athletes for the ninth-straight year, raking in $29 million over the last 12 months.American Serena Williams is second on the list with earnings of 20.5 million US dollars, Chinese star Li Na in third with $18.2 million and Victoria Azarenka of Belarus in fourth with $15.7 million.
Indian American Students Wins National Geographic World Championship
On 9 August A team of three young Indian American students defeated teams from 17 other regions to win top honours at the 11th National Geographic World Championship in Russia’s St Petersburg.The team was made up of captain Gopi Ramanathan from Sartell, Minnesota; Asha Jain from Minocqua, Wisconsin; and Neelam Kaur Sandhu from Bedford, New Hampshire.In the biennial competition, teams of students answered questions on physical, cultural and economic geography.Ramanathan, already has won his state geography bee twice. He had finished seventh in the 2012 National Bee in Washington, DC. The competition was sponsored by Google, and presented by the US National Geographic Society in partnership with the Russian Geographical Society.
Canadian Street Named After Mahatma Gandhi
On 15 August A street in Canada’s Winnipeg city has been named after Mahatma Gandhi on the occasion of India’s 67th Independence Day. The street leading to the Canadian Museum for Human Rights will now be known as Honorary Mahatma Gandhi Way. At a ceremony , the Mayor of Winnipeg Sam Katz explained that the street was named so after an individual who is synonymous with the struggle for human rights.
Dhoni Beats Rafael Nadal – Usain Bolt In ‘ Forbes ‘ List Of Highest – Paid Athletes
On 20 August Indian cricket team captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni has been ranked 16th in the latest ‘Forbes’ list of highest-paid athletes with an earning of $31.5 million (around Rs.180 crore).In the list, he was placed above Rafael Nadal and Usain Bolt.As per the latest Forbes list of highest-paid athletes in the world, dhoni earned $31.5 million between June 2012 and June 2013.List of places don above F1 Fernando Alonso, who is on the 19th, Lewis Hamilton on the 26th, Novak Djokovic on the 28th, Rafael Nadal is in 30th place, and Usain Bolt in the 40th grade.Doni has risen 15 places in this year’s list. It took 31 th rank in the last year. Sachin Tendulkar is the only Indian athlete, who is one of the rank of 31 and a total annual revenue of $ 22 million (Rs 125 crore).List is topped by golfer Tiger Woods, who made $ 78.1 million last year, followed by Roger Federer, who earned $ 71.5 million, basketball player Kobe Bryant with earnings of $ 61.9 million.The calculation is based on earnings estimates, which includes salaries, bonuses and cash prizes from both the club and the national team, as well as approval of revenue.
Madonna Tops Forbes’ 2013 Highest-Paid Celebrities List
On 27 August According to Forbes ‘2013 list of highest-paid celebrities ‘Madonna was the world’s highest-earning celebrity in 2012-13.Madonna made $US125 million between June 2012 and June 2013.Veteran film director Steven Spielberg took second place in the list, while musical talent show mogul Simon Cowell tied for third with Fifty Shades of Grey author EL James and disc jockey Howard Stern.
Most Wanted Indian Mujahideen Terrorist Yasin Bhatka Arrested
Indian Mujahideen co-founder and one of India’s most wanted terrorists, Yasin Bhatkal was arrested on 30 August.Yasin has been on the run since 2008. The IM leader is wanted in a string of terror attacks in Ahmedabad, Surat, Bangalore, Pune, Delhi and Hyderabad.Yasin, who co-founded IM in 2008 along with brother Riaz, is also wanted in the German Bakery bomb blast in Pune on February 13, 2010.
PLACES IN NEWS
Strong Earthquake HitsChina
On 14 August China hit by strong earthquake with magnitude of 6.1.The earthquake occured in jolted parts of Tibet.Due to this earthquake at least 87 people were injured and over 45,000 homes damaged .The epicenter of the earthquake was identified nearer to the Ringo town.
Submarine ‘INS Sindhurakshak ‘ Sinks After Major Blast In Mumbai
On 14 August in a huge setback to the Indian Navy, a conventional submarine ‘INS Sindhurakshak’ exploded after a fire on board and sank in the naval dockyard in Mumbai , in which 18 personnel, including three officers are feared killed.A smaller intensity explosion was followed by two massive blasts, causing a major fire in the Russian-made submarine.In 2010, a fire broke out on board Sindhurakshak leaving a sailor dead and two others injured. INS Sindhurakshak was a Russian-made Kilo-class 877EKM(Sindhughosh-class) diesel-electric submarine of the Indian Navy.Commissioned on 24 December 1997, it was the ninth of the ten Kilo-class submarines in the Indian Navy.On 4 June 2010, the Indian Defence Ministry and Zvezdochka shipyard signed a contract worth US$80 million to upgrade and overhaul the submarine. After the overhaul, it returned to India from Russia in 2013.
1300 People Killed In Chemical Attack On Syria
On 21 August nearly 1300 people, including children were killed in in Damascus, the capital of Syria..This was one of the deadliest chemical attacks in the civil war of Syria. Toxic gas was fired from the rockets.
ABBREVIATIONS
DRDO —– Defence Research and Development Organisation
SAARC —– South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation
AGOC —— Asian Games Organisation Committee
CDRI ——- Central Drug Research Institute
FEMA —– Foreign Exchange Management Act
FIPB ——- Foreign Investment Promotion Board
IFTU —— International Federation of Trade Unions
IRDA —– Insurance Regulatory Development Authority
NABARD —- National Bank for Agricultural and Rural Development
SEBI ——- Security Exchange Board of India
UNHCR —— United Nations High Commission for Refugees
WMO —– World Meteorological Organisation
BOOKS IN NEWS
‘The Moon Baller’ Book Released
On 5 August Former India No.1 and tennis ace Nirupama Vaidyanathan’s autobiographical account ‘The Moon Baller’ was released at a function held at the Madras Cricket Club.The book, which goes back in time to chronicle the times when professional tennis for Indian women was quite unheard of, was launched by tennis legend Vijay Amritraj.
” My Journey: Transforming Dreams into Actions ” by Abdul Kalam Released
In the month of August ” My Journey: Transforming Dreams into Actions” by former President of India, Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam was launched by the Rupa Publication.In his new book Kalam shares the inspiration and the lessons he learned from personal stories of his life. The book describes the lesser known events from his life.
‘Dhyan Chand – The Wizard of Hockey’ Book Released
The first-of-its-kind graphic biography on former Indian Hockey player Dhyan Chand titled ” Dhyan Chand-The Wizard of Hockey ” was launched at Dhyanchand Stadium in New Delhi on 29 August .The biography was launched on the National Sports Day to commemorate the 108th birth anniversary of the legend.The book has been written by Luis Fernandes, who researched extensively on the subject.The book is being printed by comic-series publication Amar Chitra Katha.The book focussed on Dhyan Chand’s achievements and goal-scoring feats at 1928, 1932 and 1936 Olympics that got him the title The Wizard.
COMMITTEES
Virginius Xaxa Committee To Asses Status Of Scheduled Tribes
On 17 August On the pattern of Sachar Committee for Muslims, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has set up a committee to assess the status of scheduled tribes with an aim of ensuring their uplift, particularly in socio-economic, health and education fields.Prof. Virginius Xaxa was appointed as the chairman of the seven-member committee.The committee will finalise and present its report within nine months from the date of this notification.The Prime Minister’s decision of setting up a committee came after the government found that the STs, who form 7.5 percent of the country’s population, are not getting enough dues despite the special status in the constitution.
IMPORTANT DAYS AND DATES
International Day of the Victims of Enforced Disappearances
The United Nations (UN) observes the International Day of the Victims of Enforced Disappearances on August 30 each year.The UN General Assembly declared this day by its resolution 65/209, on 21 December 2010. The UN General Assembly, by this same resolution also welcomed the adoption of the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance. The involuntary or enforced disappearances are a result of abduction, detention or arrest or other factors or reasons. Also, there are growing numbers of reports which include ill-treatment, harassment as well as intimidation of the witnesses of these disappearances or of the persons or the relatives who have disappeared.
National Sports Day Is Observed On 29 August
National Sports Day in India is observed on 29 August of every year to commemorate the birth anniversary of Indian hockey legend Dhyan Chand.National sports day celebrated every year on 29 August to bring awareness about sports in public.This year, events like walkathon and football tournaments were held across the country for the first time as part of the National Sports Day celebrations. On the occasion of National Sports Day, a scheme known as Come and Play has been launched for general public to make optimal use of Sports Authority of India stadia. Major Dhyan Chand is an iconic Indian hockey player who is remembered as a magician of Indian hockey. He was the prime member of Indian hockey team which brought three Olympic gold medals in field of Hockey – in 1928 (Amsterdam), 1932 (Los Angeles) and 1936 (Berlin).He was honored with Padma Bhushan by the Government of India in 1956 for his outstanding contribution to Indian Hockey.Major Dhyan Chand’s birthday, 29 August is celebrated as National Sports Day in India. Major sports awards like Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna, Arjuna, Dronacharya awards are presented on this occasion to the sportsperson who has shown tremendous commitment towards the game and made the Country proud.