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INTERNATIONAL

Nepal Calls For Help to Settle Mt Everest Height

Nepal is appealing to the international donors to help its finally settle, a long-running dispute over the height of Mount Everest, according to a Government official. The World’s highest peak, Which straddles Nepal and China, is usually attributed a height of 8,848 meters following an Indian survey in 1954, but other an American team using GPS technology, recorded a height of 8,850 meters. Everest was first measured in 1856. In 2010, Nepal and China reached a compromise under which Nepal measured the height of Everests snow cap at 8,848 meters and China measured the rock peak at 8, 844 meters.

US Court Dismissed a Lawsuit Against, Sri Lankan President

A US federal Judge on 1 March 2012, dismissed a lawsuit filed against the Sri Lankan President Mahindra Rajapaksa. The lawsuit alleged that the president Rajapaksa is responsible for human right abuses occurred during the civil war in Sri Lanka.

25 EU States Sign Pact For Budget Discipline

All but two European Union Countries signed a fiscal pact to tighten budget discipline on 3 March 2012, making a coup for Germany that pushed for the accord to prevent a repeat of the loose spending that led to economic crises. Only Britain and czech Republic did not sign the agreements , under which all other countries in the 27- nation blocks are to write a golden rule on balanced budget in national constitutions equivalent laws and automatic corrections mechanism, if the rule is breached.

Britain Won’t Be Christian By 2030

Britain may no longer be a Christian country by 2030 as the number of non-believers is set to overtake the number of Christians. Christianity is losing more than half a million believers per years, while the count of atheists and agnosties is going up by almost 7,50,000 annually. The number of Muslims has surged by 37%, Hindus by 43% and Buddhist by 74%.

China Develops Systems To Predict Earthquakes

Chines scientists claimed to have developed a system to monitor the movement of the Earth’s crust and predict earthquakes. The new system will be based on satellite navigation involving a network of 260 constant observing stations and 2,000 part time observing stations with data processing technology. According to the officials of China Earthquake Administration, The new system will be used for weather forecasting and scientific research, among their purposes.

US Sees Vatican As Hub For Hawalas

The Obama Administration for the first time has identified Vatican City as a potential hub for money laundering along with 67 other countries. The state department Annual International Narcotics Control Strategy Report (INCSR) identifies the 67 countries for money laundering or other financial crimes.It looks at the national laws to fight financial crime, their enforcement as well as the size of the banking sector. Major economics including the US, Britain and Japan are identified as countries of primary concern for money laundering.

Forbes Rich List Of  2012

Maxican Tycoon Carlos Slim  Helu retains his position as the World’s richest person. An all time high 1,226billion worth a record $4.6trillion were counted this year. The second is Bill Gates with 61.0billion, Warren Buffett in the third place with 44.0billion, the last three in top 10 are Stefan Persson with 26.0billion Li Ka Shing with 25.5billion and Kari Albrecht with 25.4billion.

Russia To Offer Air-Base To US

A new deal allowing the United States and its NATO allies to use a Russian air base for transit of troops and military cargo to Afghanistan. It would help Russia’s own security, Russia’s Foreign Minister said that the plan to permit the US and other NATO nations to use their air base in the city of Ulyanousk on the Volga River will be considered by the Russian cabinet.

China, World’s Biggest Art, Antiques Marketer

China had overtaken the US as the World’s biggest market for art and antiques in 2011. According to the report, China share of the global art market rose from 23% to 30% last year pushing the US to second place with a share of 29%, UK with a share of 22% in third place and France in fourth place with 6%.

Putin Wins Presidential Poll

Prime Minister Vladimir Putin had won for the third term as Russian President in the Presidential elections held on 4 March 2012 and gets the highest percent of 63.6% votes in the election.

Oil Discovered in Kenya

The President of Kenya, Mwai Kibaki said on 26 March 2012 that oil deposits had been discovered in the country’s Northwest and first time in the East African nations. He cautioned that commercial viability is still uncertain through it was good news for the country, but the discovery was the beginning of a long journey before Kenya could become an oil producer. The discovery was made in Kenya’s Turkana region, Neighbouring South Sudan and Uganda both have oil industries. The discovery was made after exploratory drilling by Anglo-Irish firm Tullow oil

Syria Accepts Kofi’s 6-Points Peace Plan

Syria had accepted UN Arab League envoy Kofi Annan’s six points peace proposal to end the year long violence, a more which the former UN Chief Kofi Annan described as an important initial step to taken by the Syria to fulfill.

Syria commits to work with Annan in a inclusive Syrian political process to address the legislative aspirations and concerns of the Syrian people.

Syria commits to stop fighting and immediately stop troop movements and use of heavy weapons in populated areas

Syria accepts and implements a daily two hours humanitarian pause to deliver aid and evacuate the injured

Syria commits to intensify the pace and scale of release of arbitrarily detained persons and provide a list of all places

Syria commits to ensure freedom of movement through out the country for Journalists and a non discriminatory visa policy for them

Syria commits to respect freedom of association and the right to demonstrate peacefully as legally guaranted

Beijing Begins Mapping Disputed In South China Sea

China having maritime disputes with several of its neighbours, said that it is mapping South China sea (SCS) with an aim to step up exploration for oil and gas and reinforce its territorial claims. The majority of the disputed water used to be beyond our reach because we seldom put our claims into action. The Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, told by drawing a map, the country can reinforce its jurisdiction claims in the South China Sea, and further actions may fallow, such as exploiting resources near the Nansha Islands.

Euro-zone Builds $1 trillion Financial Firewall For Larger Economies

The Euro zone nations have reached a deal to build up a massive 800billion euro ( around US 1.1trillion) financial firewall to present the two years old sovereign debt crisis from anguefing larger economies such as Spain & Italy. The finance minister of the 17 nations using the single currency agreed at the start of a two day meeting in Copenhagen to boost the fire power of euro-zone’s financial bailout fund to 700billion euros.It will be done by bringing together the temporary European financial stability facility mechanism (ESM) which has an initial funding capacity of 500billion euros.

Coups In Mali Ousted Its President

Rebel troops in Mali ousted its president Amadov Toumani on 22 March 2012. The ousted president Amadov Toumani Toure was due to leave office after elections on 29 April 2012 The rebels slammed the government for failing to control an ethnic Tuareg insurgency in the Northern part of Mali. The Tuareg insurgency includes fighters who supported Munnar Gaddafi in Libya. USA suspended military and other funds directed to Mali Government.

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INDIA & WORLD

India & China Move To Maritime Cooperation

India & China had decided to open a new bilateral cooperation by agreeing to undertake joint operation against pirated and sharing technological know how on sea bed research. The maritime cooperation proposals were made by visiting Chinese foreign minister Yang Jiechi. This proposal was shared after Beijing was permitted by the international seabed Authority to explore in South-west Indian ocean

India For Science Ties With Africa

India is making stronger scientific ties with Africa as science ministers from 31 African countries had gathered in New Delhi on 1 March 2012. Minister of science & Technology, VilasRao Deshmukh had Inaugurated the first ever India & Africa Science & Technology conference and stressed the need to build bridges between the two scientific communities and also enhance human resources in research and development.

India To Host Trade Show In Jakarta

The Union Commerce minister, Mr. Anand Sharma and Indonesia’s trade minister, Mr. Gita Iranwan Wirjawan, will inaugurate the high profile Indian show being held in Jakarta, Indonesia from 6-8 March 2012. Over 75 domestic corporates would participate in a fair as the two countries aim to achieve a bilateral trade target of $25 billion by 2015 from the current $ 16.6billion.

India, Iran To Step Up Ties In Renewable Energy

India and Iran had agreed to improve co-operation in the field of renewable energy. Both the countries were called for stepping up bilateral ties and economic cooperation in tourism, cultural exchanges and people to people contacts

BRICS Summit Set Pact For Trade

This important move could facilitate trade between Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa in local currency. Two agreements had been linked at the Delhi summit level meeting of its leaders. The agreements are non-binding and the leaders of these countries are to meet for the BRICS summit scheduled to be held on 29 March 2012.

India & Colombia Signed Exchange Programme For The Years 2012-16

India & Colombia on 12 March 2012 signed a cultural exchange programme in New Delhi for the years 2012-16. The CEP was signed in conformity with the provisions established Government of India and the Government of Colombia, CEP was signed in Bogota, capital of Colombia. The CEP includes areas such as cultural heritage, museum’s, Archives, exhibitions, science Arts, Visual Arts, cinematography, Radio and Television, Music, Libraries, Book and Literature, Creative Industrial and Editorial Industry for Cooperation. Both the nations have agreed to set up a joint working group to look after the implementation of their programme

Turkey Seeks More Flights From Indian Cities

Turkey plans to not only to set up a consulate or appoint honorary consul in Hyderabad but it is also seeking direct air connectivity between Hyderabad and Istanbul. Turkish ambassador said that they had applied to the Indian authorities for direct air link. Turkey  had also sought direct connectivity with Chennai, Amritsar, Bangalore and Kolkata. The envoy was in town to pitch Turkey as an Investment destination and woo Hyderabad based businessmen, from infrastructure and realty sectors

World’s Most Ethical Firms; Tata & Wipro

The Ethisphere Institute’s Annual World’s Most Ethical Companies (WME) list revealed that 145 companies in countries including the US, Great Britain , Japan, Partuagal and India. Ethisphere evaluated about 5,000 global companies, including those in Standard & Poor’s 500 index on reputation. India stood out for setting high standards of employees behaviour and conduct. Tata Steel and Wipro had been named among the World’s Most Ethical Companies by an American Ethical Institute recently

India, World’s Largest Arms Importer

India was the World’s largest arms importer between 2007 to 2011, according to latest data from the Stockholm International Peace Research Institution (SIPRI) India accounted for 10% of the global arms imports in 2007-11. SIPRI said on 19 March 2012 that the four next largest recipients of arms in the same period were South Korea with 6%of arms tranfers, Pakistan 5%, China 5% and Singapore 4%.

India to Vote Against Sri Lanka In UNHRC

P.M.Manmohan singh on 19 March said that India was inclined to vote in favour of a US-sponsored resolution against Sri Lanka at the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) in Geneva. As regarding the issue of a draft resolution initiated by the United States at the on-going 19th Session of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva. The resolution, currently being drafted, has two main components first, it asks the Sri Lankan Government to implement the report of its own Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission (LLRC) ,accept some kind of UN minitoring and report to the UNHRC secondly, UN monitoring efforts are on to watering down the resolution but the Western countries are opposed to it

Indo- Israel FTA Likely To Be Concluded This Year

An Indo- Israel Free Trade Agreement (FTA) is expected to be concluded this year, paving the way for further expansion in bilateral trade between the two countries, Mr,Muneer Akbaria Consul-General, Consulate General of Israel said that the two countries on the FTA were at an advanced level. At present the bilateral trade between both countries is $5billion, and is expected to rise by 60% in next two years. The new areas identified for engagement included water technology, agriculture, pharmaceuticals and life science. This trade meeting between both the countries was held in Hyderabad on 19 March 2012

India To Face Sanctions By America

Along with India and other countries importing oil from Iran, could face sanctions by July, If it did not significantly reduce such imports, the US State Department warned in a conference call, that if such countries may have other kinds of sanctionable activities. The remarks raised brows, as sanctions against countries such as India , China and South Korea appeared more imminent and push for upping the ante against Iran through its 2012 National Defense Authorisation Act (NDAA).

India Offers LNG Gas To Pakistan

After fuel, India is going to offer LNG natural gas to Pakistan to help the neighbouring country tide over its gas crisis. State owned GAIL’s just commissioned natural gas pipeline from West coast to Bhatinda in Punjab is barely 25km away from Pakistan border and the gas utility is proposing that the line can be extended to Lahore in no time .

Iran To Import Major Farm Commodities From India

Iran is going to import four major farm commodities wheat,rice, sugar and tea from India. an export body,the President of the Federation of Indian Export Organisation (FIEO) said, that Iran had signed import contracts with India. and for also 1.25lakh tonnes of Soyameal, used as animal feedstock. The shipment would be delivered in two months. Besides agricultural commodities Mr. Ahmad said that the west Asian nation is also interested in purchasing of Pharmaceuticals and auto components from India .

India, S.Korea to Have Defence Ties

There had been bilateral ties between the India and South Korea to boost up their economic ties in conference held in Seoul. Both the nations had decided to step up cooperation in the defence sector, which would include naval ship, aircrafts and ship building

Indian American In US State Legislature

An prominent Indian American politician and Deputy Speaker of New Jersey State Assembly, Upendra Chivukula is all set to run for the house of Representative in the elections in November. Mr. Upendra holds the proud distinction of being the first Indian American elected to the New Jersey Legislature and only the fourth Indian -American to be elected to a state legislature

Indian Exploration In Vietnam Oil Blocks  Normal

Asserting that China’s opposition to India is undertaking oil exploration in Vietnam blocks was not in accordance with UN norms. Vietnam said the blocks are well within its sovereign territory.maintaining the vietnam will only explore in areas accepted by international community and that the oil blocks that India has been exploring is within the territory.

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NATIONAL

Nine Indian Women In Forbes Magazine

The Indian women named in Forbes Magazine’s inaugural ‘Asia Power Businesswomen List’. The list names 50 “Path Breakers” whose extraordinary business success is driving the region’s remarkable economic rise.The list includes, ICICI Bank CEO& MD, Chanda Kochchar, Bincon founder Kiran Mazumdar-shaw and film producer Ekta Kapoor, Britannia Industries MD Vanitha Bali, HT Media chairman and editorial director Shobhana Bhartia , A2B& Partner Founder & senior partner Zia Mody, Axis Bank CEO & MD Shikha Sharma and Tractor & farm Equipment chairman Mallika Srinivasan. Youngest on the list is Ekta Kapoor 36 yrs.

LIC Launches Jeevan Vriddhi

Life Insurance Corporation Of India (LIC) on 1 March 2012, launched a single premium insurance plan, Jeevan Vriddhi. This is a single premium non-linked insurance plan where the risk cover is five times of the premium chosen by the offers excellent guaranteed returns at maturity

Indian Men Among The Most Dissatisfied At Work

Indian men are among the most dissatisfied people at work across the world, according to a report by Accenture, The Path Forward- research report stated that as much as 72% of men in India are not satisfied with their job. Brazil tops the list with a figure of 74% men dissatisfied with their jobs. Women cited lack of opportunities and heavy work loaded as reasons for dissatisfaction in work, while inadequate pay was cited as the main reason for dissatisfaction by men in their jobs. The overall job satisfaction in India stands at 34%. over 78% Indian women proactively manage their carriers.

Base Price For Broadcast, Rised

BCCI of India had increased the base price for home international games in the new broadcast rights, as they kept the base price at Rs. 31.25crore plus 1crore (that is Rs. 32.25crore) for an international game for A category. And Rs 33crore, plus Rs1crore (Rs 34crore) for a game in B category. The basic price for games will be declared in the tenders .

 Asia’s Richest Man

Asia’s richest man was Hong Kong’s Li ka Shing  stood top with worth of 25.5billion, in second richest Asian on the Forbe’s list in India was Mukesh Ambani with 22.3billion.

India To Spread A Multi Modal Transportation Network

India is making a concerned push into Central Asia by taking charge of a crucial transportation network through Iran into Central Asia and beyond. 14 stakeholder countries in the region in January, experts from all countries will meet in New Delhi on 29 March to put final touches to the project known as the” International North-South Corridor” .The project envisages a multi modal transportation network that connects ports on India’s West coast to Bandar Abbas in Iran than over land to Bandar Anzali port on the Caspian sea, thence through Rasht and Astava on the Azerbaizer border onwards to Kazakhstan and further onwards towards Russia. Once completed this would connect Europe and Asia , which serves economic and strategic interests of all states concerned

Tata Steel Topped The List Of Most Admired Indian Brand

A survey conducted by Fortune India and Global Management Consultancy Hay Group, which  was released on 13 March 2012, revealed that Tata Steel as the most admired brand in India. Several factors corporate, governance and financial make this brand in top most.

55.5% New Cases Of Leprosy Recorded In India

According to the Government, about 55.5% of new leprosy cases were identified in 2010 in India. Minister of Health and Family welfare Ghulam Nabi Azad said that, of the total 2,28,474 new leprosy cases detected World wide in 2010, India contributed 1,26,800 cases which is about 55.5% of the global disease burden. The minister is now concentrating on achieving elimination of leprosy at district level during the 12th plan( 2012-17)

112 Government Websites Hacked

Government websites are turning out to be soft targets for hackers. In the last three months alone more than 112 websites, including the planning commission, the finance minister and Government agencies were hacked. Minister of state for communication and IT Sachin Pilot declared.

Indian Rotocraft to be Produced Near RGIA

Indian Rotocraft, a joint venture of Tata sons and Augusta Westland, had decided to set up a facility near the Rajiv Gandhi International Airport (RGIA) here to assemble, customise and flight -test helicopters for World wide markets. The joint venture, with capacity of 30 units a year, will initially start producing the 8 seat AW119ke light helicopter with production expected to be from the middle of next year. This is the second chopper producing facility in city after Tata -Sikorsky joint venture

 5 Crore People Moved Out Of Poverty- Govt

Data released by the Planning Commission of India on 19 March 2012 showed that poverty had significantly declined between 2004-05 and 2009-10. The new estimates are based on a poverty line that averages Rs.672.8 per month (Rs 22.43 per day) in rural areas and Rs 857.6 per month( Rs 28.65 per day in urban areas for 2009-10. Poverty down by 7.3% points to 29.8% in 2009-10 from 37.2% in 2004-05. Rural poverty declined faster down 8%points to 33.8% from 41.8%.

Woman Share In Husband’s Property After Divorce

Making amendment in Marriage Act for women, the Union Cabinet on 23 March 2012 approved a Bill seeking to give a woman share in her husband’s property after divorce. The quantum of share however will be decided by the courts on a case by case basis, while a wife can oppose a husband’s plea for divorce, but husband will have no such rights to oppose if the wife moves the court on the same. Apart from this it also aims at giving equal rights to adopted children on a par with biological off-spring in case the parents go for divorce.

Nation’s First Vaccine Park

The Finance Minister had given its approval to set up the country’s first integrated vaccine park. The Rs. 594crore park spread over 100 acres at Chengalpattu near Chennai will produce, all six primary vaccines used in the country’s Universal Immunization Programme (UIP), besides manufacturing several new generation vaccines.India’s UIP is one of the largest in the world that targets 2.7crore infants and 3crore pregnant women every year. the main intention was to establish vaccine security in India.

NTPC Board Approved Rs. 17,000crore Investment In Projects

The National Thermal Power Corporation Ltd (NTPC) board on 30 March 2012 approved an investment of over 17,000crore rupees in two power projects in Maharashtra. The projects would have a total generation capacity of 2540mw. The NTPC board approved the investment for the Mouda Super Thermal Power project and Solapur Super Thermal Power project.

IRDA Notified Revision Of Premium Rates For Motors

The Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDA) notified in March 2012 that premium rate for motor third party liability only cover will undergo an upward revision bringing 1 April 2012. IRDA listed the third party liability premium rates for vehicles of assorted categories. The premium rates calculated on the basis of a specified formula is to be notified every financial year by the IRDA. The ratio for 2012-13 were calculated by using the average growth rate in severity assuming that the average frequency remains instant.

SEBI Decided Guidelines For Algorithmic Trading

The securities and exchange board of India (SEBI) on 31 March 2012 issued board guidelines on algorithmic trading based on recommendations of technical advisory committee and secondary market advisory committee (SMAC) SEBI decided to enforce board guidelines for algorithmic trading in the securities market. The market regulator decided stock exchanges to undertake system up gradation, including periodic up gradation of its surveillance system so as to keep pace with the speed of trade and volume of data that may rise through algorithmic trading.

Infosys Co- Founder Narayana  Murthy Named In The Fortune List

Infosys co- founder N.R.Narayana Murthy got his name figured in the list of 12 greatest entrepreneurs of our time. The list published by the Fortune magazine on 28 March 2012 was prepared considering the economic and social impact and world changing vision of entrepreneurs other famous personalities who got their names included in the list are Steve Jobs of Apple, who topped the list, Bill Gates in second and followed by Fred Smith

Union Cabinet Approved Credit Risk Guarantee Fund Trust

The Union cabinet on 23 March 2012 approved the setting up of a credit guarantee fund trust with an initial corpus of Rs 1200crore to with an objective to encourage housing for low- income groups in India. The scheme will work on the key principle that the lender shall secure loans to construct and upgrade low income housing purely on the assets financed, without any other collateral. The trust is to be set up under the Indian trust Act and the Ministry of Housing.

IIT Madras Students To Sign “Honour Code”

In a first of this kind move, over 7,000 Madras IIT students studying various courses & staying in 17 hostels decided to sign an Honour Code. The honour code makes students take a written pledge that they would attend classes regularly, study well, be friendly with others, maintain personal hygiene and cleanliness. This will bring a sense of accountability among students and it will also deal with how they go about acquiring knowledge, besides their behaviour inside the campus.

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STATES

Hyderabad City Aims To Set Record With Sky Lanternns

On 25 March, the Hyderabad city sky would be lit-up with thousands of sky lanterns, just like that sense out of the popular animated movie Tangular, when the maiden Hyderabad sky lanterns festival gets under way at Gachibowli stadium. The event is also an attempt to make it to the Guinness Book Of Records. And break the current record for the most number of sky lanterns recorded is 10,000 plus accomplished in Indonesia in 2009. To break that record 8,000 people participated in flying 12,000 lanterns at Hitek in Hyderabad .and a New Guinness World Record has been created at last.

Bangalore City Station Boost Of BluFi

The Bangalore city Railway Station on 2 March 2012 became the first in the railway network to offer Blu-Fi, combination of Blu-tooth and Wi-Fi that will provide passengers with a wealth of information .The facility was launched by Railtel corporation of India in collaboration with TeleBrahma. Bangalore being India’s IT capital, it deserves to be the first in the country to offer the facility.

Uttarakhand Became The Ninth Indian State For e-Stamps

Uttarakhand Government on 2 March 2012 introduced e-stamping in the state, which would ensure a secure way of paying non-judicial stamp duty to the Government. Uttarakhand is the ninth state in the country to implement the stamping service. In the first phase, e-stamping is set to be introduced in the four districts of Dehradun, Haridwar,Udhamsingh nagar and Nainital. e-stamps would be sold through the branches of Punjab National Bank in these districts.

New CM for Punjab, Uttarakhand, Uttarpradesh.Goa and Manipur states

Akali dal leader Mr. Parkash Singh Badal had been appointed as the new chief minister for Punjab for the second time.Vijay Bahuguna, a high court retired judge had been appointed as chief minister of Uttarakhand by the Congress party.and Akilesh yadav had been elected as the new chief minister of Uttar pradesh.Okram singh Ibobi was appointed as the new chief minister of Manipur for the third time after the congress won elections in the state. And Mr. Manohar Parrikar was appointed as the chief minister of Goa state.

T.N To Move For Kudankulam Project

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalitha on 19 March 2012 solved to take steps for the early commissioning of the nuclear plant in Kudankulam. The cabinet also decided that a Rs 500crore package of development works should be taken up in Kudankulam with regards to the local fishermen’s welfare

IOCL To Set Up LNG Terminal In Chennai

Indian Oil Corporation Ltd had signed an agreement with the Tamil Nadu Industrial Development Corporation for setting up of 4,500crore LNG terminal in Chennai.

Four States Signed For MoU

Four states namely Jharkhand, Mizoram, Sikkim and Lakshadweep on 16 March 2012 signed MoU with the Ministry of Statisitics and Programme Implementation under the Indian Statistical Strenghthening Project (ISSP) for the states and Union Territories.

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CONFERENCES

The 50th Anniversary Celebration of (AARDO)

The Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has inaugurated the 50th anniversary celebrations of Afro Asian Rural Development Organisation (AARDO) on 5 March 2012 in New Delhi. The members of the countries to work together and to build a favourable international regime axis funds and green technologies for rural growth. This organization consists of 15 African and 14 Asian countries

International Conference of BRICS

Delegates from Russia, China and South Africa arrived at the International conference on New World Economic Order organised at Gitam University in Visakhapatnam on 10 March 2012. BRICS was firmly committed to the common interests of the countries and strengthens the role of emerging markets and developing countries in global economic governance

Turkey World Trade Bridge Business Summit

A seven days Turkey World Trade Bridge International Business Summit is going to be organized by the confederation of Businessman and Industrialists of Turkey (TUSKON) and the Indo-Turkish Business Association (ITBA) from 3 June to 10 June 2012 in Istanbul. More than 15 Hyderabad businessmen are expected to participate in the summit. The envoy said that Turkey was also seriously pursuing a free trade agreement (FTA) or economic partnership agreement (EPA) with India to accelerate bilateral trade that hit a historic high of $7billion last year.

World Telugu Conference At Thrirupati

The Andhra Pradesh state Government had decided to conduct the third Telugu Conference in December in Thirupati as proposed earlier. The previous conference, which held at Hyderabad and Kuala Lumpur which focused mainly on Telugu language and culture. The meet would be highlights the strides made by the Andhra Pradesh over the years.

Two days 2nd Nuclear Security Summit In Seoul (NSS)

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has taken part at the two days Nuclear Security Summit that will be attended by 53 leaders and five international organisations, which held at Seoul in South Korea. The meeting will discuss the threats posed by the nuclear terrorism and the measures required to prevent terrorists from gaining access to sensitive nuclear material & technologies,  calling Nuclear terrorism as one of the most challenging threats to international security, the 2012 Seoul Nuclear Security summit had outlined a number of steps the world should take to secure vulnerable nuclear material.

All countries should sign up to international treaties on nuclear security like the Convention on the Physical Protection of Nuclear Material ( CPPNM), its 2005 amendment and the international convention for the suppression of nuclear terrorism.

Countries with resources should contribute more to the IAEA’s Nuclear security fund

Countries should minimize the use of highly enriched uranium (HEU) for civilian purposes

Countries should  secure all radioactive sources

Nuclear safety and nuclear security measures should be designed, implemented and managed in nuclear facilities in a coherent and synergistic manner

Countries should  consider appropriate plans for the management of spent nuclear fuel and radioactive waste

Action oriented coordination to combat illicit trafficking urged on all, consistent with national laws and regulations

Countries should work with one another to develop and enhance nuclear forensis capabilities

Countries  encouraged to develop a nuclear security culture

Attention must be paid to information security, preventing non-stake actors from obtaining information required to get or use nuclear materials as a weapon or to hack into IT-based security and safety systems at nuclear facilities

World Summit On Accreditation

India, the independence accreditation agency organized its 1st world summit on Accreditation from 25 -28 March 2012 in New Delhi.( WOSA )world summit on Accreditation would bring together Indian and global leaders in Technical, professional education, educational Administration,Policy makers and regulatory bodies, corporate and Industry .WOSA- 2012 has been inaugurated by the Honourable union minister for education Mr.Kapil Sibal.

23rd Arab Summit In Baghdad

The 23rd Arab summit was held on 29 March 2012 Baghdad, half of the Arab world’s 22 heads of states had to meet for the summit in former president Saddam Hussain’s palace, but only few leaders gathered. It was the first summit to be held following the people’s power movement. Syria’s crisis topped the agenda for the Arab summit and discussed about the turmoil in Iraq’s .

“Indian Aviation 2012” At Hyderabad

The international exhibition-cum conference “Indian Aviation 2012” held at Hyderabad from 14-18 March 2012. A special postal stamp was released on the eve of completing hundred years of Indian Aviation

Two-Day National Agricultural Conference

Two-day national agricultural conference held at New Delhi. Eminent scientist and higher authorities from all over the country participated in this conference

The Fourth BRICS Summit

The fourth BRICS summit was held in New Delhi on 29 March 2012, the theme of the summit was BRICS partnership for global stability,  security  and prosperity. At the end of the summit a draft was released as ‘ Delhi Declaration’. In that declaration the BRICS countries decided to work together on internal trade in local currencies and to establish BRICS bank. The president of Brazil, Dilma Rousseff, The president of Russia Dmitry Medvedev, The Prime minister of India,  Manmohan singh, The president of China Hu Jinton and President of South Africa, Jacob Zuma were participated in the summit.

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AWARDS & HONOURS

Chinese Architect Bags Pritzker Prize

For the first time Pritzker Architecture Prize, considered as the Nobel Prize in architecture, had been awarded to Wang Shu a Chinese, for ” producing an architecture that is time less “, deeply rooted in the context and yet universal. The Prize includes a $ 100,000 grant, a citation certificate and a bronze medallion

MANNU To Honour, Gulzar, Former Chief Justice

Filmmaker & Lyricist Gulzar and former chief Justice of supreme court A.M Ahmadi along with two other eminent personalities would be honoured with D.Lit (Honour’s Causa ) by the Maulana Azad National Urdu University (MANNU) during its fourth convocation on 3 March 2012.

Sahitya Akademi Prize For Young Writer

V.Gangadhar, an upcoming telugu writer of Rayalaseema had received the Sahitya Akademi Yuva Puraskar for the year 2011, for his compilation of short stories “Molakala Punnami”

101 Years Old Woman Set World Record

A 101 years old Mary Hardison, Utah woman is being honoured with a world record for a Paraglide Ride and entered into Guinness Book of World Records. The previous record was set by 100 years woman

59th National Film Awards

The 59th National awards had been announced on 7 March 2012 in New Delhi.

Best Feature Film -‘ Del’ (Marathi) and ‘Byari’ (Karnataka)

Best Actor- Girish Kulkarni

Best Actress – Vidya Balan ( The Dirty Picture)

Best Editing – Pravin K.L (for Aranyakandam)

Best Special Effects – Ra.one

A.P Woman Gets Sthree Shakti Puraskar

President Pratibha Patil had presented the Devi Ahilyabai Holkar Award to Hypno Padma Kamlakar from Andhra pradesh during the Sthree Shakti Puraskar 2011 in New Delhi  held on 7 March 2012.

International Women of Courage Awards

On March 8 2012 International Women’s Day Secratory of states Hillary Clinton and first lady Michelle Obama honoured 10 women from around the world.

Shad Begum of lower Dir women of Pakistan received the 2012 international women of courage award for bravely working for women in a deeply conservative areas

Afghanisthan provincial council woman Maryam Durani, for her works towards economic equality

Saudi Arabia’s Samar Badawi for her work preparing legal challenges to law restricting women’s rights to many works

Brazil’s police Major Pricilla De Oliveira Azevedo for working to improve health care & education

Myanmar’s political activist Zin MarAung to promote democracy & the right of ethnic minorities

Turkish Parliamentarian Safak Pavey for promoting the rights of the physically disabled women & minorities

Maldives Aneesa Ahmed for eliminating domestic violence

Libya’s Hana El Hebshi for helping properly document the violence of her country’s resolution

Colombian Jineth Bedoya Lima in pushing for Justice in unsolved case of sexual and gender based violence

Sudan’s Hawa Abdallah Mohammed Salih for defending the rights of differences and in particular rights of women & children

Kuchipudi Dancer Anjana In Indian Book of Records

Ajana Thomas , an eight class student had entered the Indian Book of Records by performing Kuchipudi dance from Timmapur in Dubbak mandal to Siddipet on 12 March, walking  the dance which began at 5am, completed at 1 pm

Indian American Wins Science Talent Search

An Indian-American teenager Nithin Reddy Tumma topped the Intel Science Talent Search and also two other Indian Americans Neet Patel from Florida, Anirudh Prabhu from Indiana had been in the top.Tumma had won the prestigious Science Talent Competition in the US for his research on devising a more effective and less toxic breast cancer treatment.

Chameli Devi Jain Award

Chameli Devi Jain Award for 2012 was awarded to Tusha Mittal on 13 March 2012 in New Delhi for her outstanding women mediaperson for reporting of life in the raw at the margins in deep interior states like, Bengal, Orissa and Chhattisgarh

Dr. Burgula Award For Babu Rao Varma

Freedom fighter and former member of National Commission for Backward Classes, B.Babu Rao Varma was awarded with Dr. Burgula Ramakrishna Rao, who was the first Chief minister of Hyderabad state . this award was given on 14 March 2012 by the state Government.

NTR Award For Sharada

Veteran actress Sharada had been awarded the NTR National Award for the year 2010 which was announced by the state Government of Andhra Pradesh on 19 march 2012

Indian NGO Selected For US Award

An Indian NGO, Chintan had been chosen for American first innovation awsrd for the empowerment of women and girls, for training and organizing waste pickers and eliminating child labour from recycling

Gram Ratna Award For Andhra Pradesh

Kotala Gram Panchayat of Chandragiri Mandal, Chittoor district of Andhra Pradesh had won the Central Government Gram Ratan Award. It has won the award for showing the best results in the development of Panchayat.

Hungarian Mathematician Gets 2012 Abel Prize

The prestigious Abel Prize of the Norwegion Academy of Science and Letters for the year 2012 had been awarded to Hungarian Mathematician Endre Szemere’de of the Alfred Renyi Institute of Mathematics, this award was given for his fundamental contributions to discrete mathematics and Computer science

Phalke Award For Soumitra Chaterjee

Veteran Bengali actor, Soumitra Chaterjee has been honoured with the Prestigious Dadasaheb Phalke award for lifetime contribution to Indian cinema.

Bangladesh Govt To Honour 47 Indian’s

The Bangladesh Government has decided to honour 132 foreign leaders, intellectuals, cultural personalities and organisations who helped in the country’s Liberation war of 1971. The list of people to be honoured includes 47 Indian’s. The honour was conferred on 27 March 2012. The Indian’s who has been awarded include Sachindra lal singh, Rajeshawar Rao, Siddhartha Shankar Ray, P.A Sangma, Justice Sadat Abul Masual, Dr. Karan singh, Maharani Biva Kumari Devi, Field Marshal Sam manekshaw, Lt Gen Jagjit singh Aurora, Lt Gen Jacob, Lance Nayek Albert Ekka.

Tamil Writer To Honour With Saraswati Samman

The K.K Birla Foundation announced on 22 March 2012, its decision to honour Tamil writer A.A.Manavalan with the 21st Saraswati Samman for his book on Ramayana.

Dalai Lama Winner Of World’s Leading Religion Prize

The John Templeton Foundation on 29 March 2012 decided to honour Tibetan Buddhist Spirutual Leader, the Dalai Lama with one of the world’s leading religion prizes called , ‘Templeton Prize’ for 2012. The Buddhist leader who lives in exile in India had won the Nobel prize in recognition of his work on science & religion. The Templeton prize to be presented to him on 14 May 2012 at St. Poul’s Cathedral in London is a $1.7million award.

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SPORTS & GAMES

Lahiri Qualifies For British Open Golf

India will have a representation at the British Open after two years, as the Anirban Lahiri shot a final round five under-par 67 had won the top honours at the International Final Qualilfy (IFQ) on 2 March 2012 in Chonburi. The open championship will be played at the Royal Lytham St. Annes from 19 to 22 July 2012. .

Bhupathi-Bopanna Wins Dubai Doubles Finals

The Indian pair Rohan Bopanna & Mahesh Bhupathi had won the doubles finals of the Dubai tennis Championships held in Dubai by defeating Mariusz Fyrstenberg and Marcin Malkowski. It was the fourth Dubai title for Bhupathi, and sixth title for Bopanna.

Roger Federer Wins Single men’s Dubai Tennis Championship

Roger Federer of Switzerland had won the single men’s Dubai tennis championship by defeating Andy Murray of Britain held on 3 March 2012 in Dubai for the fifth time . It was the 72nd title for Federer

Indian Women Wins Kabaddi World Cup

India clinched the first women’s kabaddi world cup championship title by defeating Iran by 25-19 in the final played at Patliputra in Patna on 4 March 2012.

Irishman became The World No.1 In Golf

Rory Mcllroy, a Northern Irishman who won the US PGA tour’s Honda Classic on 4 March 2012, to be the golf’s world number one ranking after defeating Tiger Woods former world’s no -1.

Anderson Wins Delray Tennis Championship

South African Kevin Anderson beats Aussle Qualifier Marinko Matosevic on 4 March 2012 and won the ATP Tour’s Delray Beach International Tennis Championship Title held in Johannesburg. This is the second career title for Anderson.

Justin Rose Wins The Cadillic Golf Championship

Justin Rose had won the Cadillic Championship Golf title on 11 March held in Miami and defeated Bubba Waston . Rose captured his 10th global title and his first in an elite world golf championship

Women Doubles All England Title For Chinese

World no-2 Tian Qing & Zhoe Yun Lei of China had won the Women’s Doubles All England championship title for 2012 by defeating world no-1 Wang Xiaoli & Yu Yang held at Britain on 11 March 2012.

Men’s Doubles All England Title For Korea

World’s no-2 Jung Jae Sung and Lee Yong Dae of Korea had won the Men’s doubles All England Championship for 2012 by defeating world’s no-1 Cai Yun and Fu Haifeng of China on 11 March 2012 held in Britain.

Chinese Lin Dan Cliams All England Title

Chinese Lin Dan had won his fifth All England Open men’s single championship title on 11 March 2012 by defeating Lee Chong Wei held in Britain

Li Xuerui Won Women’s All England  Single Title

Chinese Li Xuerui had won the All England Open Women’s single championship title on 11 March 2012 by defeating Wang Yihan of China held in Britain

Sachin’s Century of Centuries

Sachin Tendulkar’s incredible cricket journey reaches a momentous destination at Mirpur in Dhaka on 16 March 2012. The master hero of cricket became the first cricketer to make up 100 international centuries. This hundreth century was scored against Bangladesh in the Asia Cup ODI Tournament. The 38 years old Tendulkar had made a magical collection of 51 tests matches and 49 ODI hundreds, he made his 99th century against South Africa in Nagpur on 12 March 2011.

Saina Retains Swiss Open Crown

Saina Nehwal had won her first title of the season, she retained the Swiss Open Grand Prix Gold Trophy with straight game victory against China’s Wang Shixian, World no. 5 in the summit clash at Basel, Switzerland on 18 March 2012.

Kenyan Wins Seoul Marathon

Kenyan Rookie Wilson Loyance Erupe ran to a surprise victory on 18 March 2012 in the Seoul Marathon, by setting a new record. The 24 years old crossed the finishing line in 2 hours five minutes 27 seconds breaking the previous record of 2 hours six minutes 49 seconds set by SylvesterTeimet in 2010

McLaren’s Wins The Australian Grand Prix Racing Championship

McLaren’s Jenson Button had won the Australian Grand Prix Openig Race Championship on 18 March 2012 held at Melbourne. This was his 13th career victory

Donald Wins US PGA Golf

Luke Donald of England reclaimed the World no-1 ranking by defeating Rory Mcllory by winning the US PGA Transitions Championship on 18 March 2012 in Palm Harbour, Florida

Victoria Azarenka Wins The BNP Paribas Women’s Title

Victoria Azarenka of Belarusian World no-1 ranked had won the BNP Paribas Women’s  Open Single title at Indian Wells in California, defeating Maria Sharapova world’s no-2 on 19 March 2012 .It was just two months after Victoria had won the Australian Open title and this was her fourth title of the year

Federer Win’s The BNP Paribas Men’s Title

Switzerland’s Roger Federer had won the men’s single title in the BNP Paribas Open Tennis tournament at the Indian Wells in California by defeating John ISner of US on 19 March 2012

Spanish Duo Wons Doubles Title

Spanish duo of Rafael Nadal and Marz Lopez had won the Men’s Double Title in the BNP Paribas by defeating the American pair of John Isner and Sam Querrey on 18 March 2012

American Pairs Wins Women’s Doubles Title

The American pair of Lisa Raymaond and Leizel Huber had won the Women’s Double Title of BNP Paribas at the Indian Wells in California.

A.P Archer To Represent India At World Cup

Jyothi Surekha from Andhra Pradesh Volga Archery Academy Trainee, after bagging hat rick of medals in the National Archery events, had made her way into the Indian Compound Women’s team for the World Cup (stage I) to be held at Shanghai (China) from 10 to 15 April 2012.

Pakistan Wins Asia Cricket Cup Finals

Pakistan had won the Asia Cricket Cup by defeating Bangladesh by two runs in Dhaka on 22 March 2012

Eight Medals For India In Nepal

Indain weight lifters had won ten medals, including eight golds in the inaugural of South Asian Weightlifting Championship  held at Nepal

Mary, Saritha Win Gold At Asian Championship

Five time world champion M.c Mary Kom and L.Sarita Devi on 25 March 2012 won gold medals in the sixth Asian Women’s Boxing championship in Ulaanbaatar in Mongolia. Mary defeated world champion Ren Cancam of China, while Sarita defeated Chorieva Mavzuna of China

Alonsa Wons The Malaysian GP

Spain’s Ferrari Fernando Alonsa, a two time world champion had claimed his first victory in eight months by winning the Malysian Grand Prix at Sepang in Malaysia .

Indo, Czech Pair Wins ATP Miami Doubles Title

Indo, Czech pair of Leander Peas and Radek Stepanek claimed the doubles title of Miami Masters on 31 March 2012. Peas by winning the Miami title took the total number of his career titles to 50. The pair had defeated the world no-1 pairing of Americans Bob and Mike Bryan held at Florida.

Radwanska Wins ATP Women’s Single Title

Agnieszka Radwanska on 31 March 2012 defeated Russian tennis star Maria Sharapova to clinch ATP Miami Masters Women’s Single title held in Florida.

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ECONOMY

Country’s First Infrastructure Debt Fund Launched

Four banking and financial services giants ICICI, LIC,Citicop Finance and Bank of Baroda on 5 March 2012 joined together to launch India’s first Infrastructure debt fund (IDF) to be structured as a non- banking finance company. This (IDF) was signed in the presence of the finance minister, Mr.Pranab Mukerjee. The company will have initial equity share of Rs capital of 300 crore

Brazil Economy Overtakes UK

Brazil claimed that the UK’s spot as the largest economy globally, after official figured its economy rose by 2.7% last year against the UK’s 0.8%. France remains in fifth place behind Germany, Japan, China and the US. The per capita income of Brazillian’s is at $11,000 per head.

RBI Cuts CRR By 75 bps

The Reserve Bank Of India on 9 March 2012, cut the cash reserve ratio by 75 basis points. The move to cut the amount of cash that banks need to perk with RBI was from 5.50% to 4.75% of deposits is aimed at easing the persistent liquidity crunch being faced by banks

World Bank Okays $ 50 million Credit For Assam

The World Bank has approved a $50-million additional credit for an ongoing agricultural project in Assam. The Assam agricultural competitiveness project aims at the increasing the productivity, profitability and market access of the farming community in the state.

Indian Railway Budget 2012-13

The Indian Railways run the fourth largest railroad network in the world spread over some by 64,000km, with 12,000 passengers and 7,000 freight trains each day from as many as 7,083 stations to carry 23million travellers and 2.65million tonnes of goods.  Former Union Railway Minister Mr. Dinesh Trivedi, who presented his Railway Budget for the financial year 2012, had proposed 8.33% raise to improve  the state of rail finance.

Railways plan to barrow Rs. 15,000crore from the market.

Gross rail traffic targeted to increased by Rs.28.635crore to Rs. 1,32,552crore in 2012-13.

To hire more than one lakh persons in 2012-13.

All unmanned level crossing to be abolished in the next five years.

2paise per km for subarbun and ordinary second class, 3paise per km for mail-express second class, 5paise per km for sleeper class, 10paise per km for AC chair car, AC 3tier and first class, 15paise per km for Ac 2 tier 30paise per km for AC1 tier.

Minimum fare and platform ticket to cost Rs. 5

75 new express trains to be introduced, along with 21 new passengers services, nine DEMU services and eight Memu service trains.

Outlay of Rs.60,100crore during 2012-13

Passenger earning to increase to Rs. 36,200crore.

Indian Railway Station Development Corporation to be set up to redevelop stations and maintain them like airports.

The open discharge toilets on trains to be replaced with green toilets.

Double decker container trains to be introduced.

Steps to improve cleanliness and hygiene on trains and stations.

A special house keeping body to be set up to take care of both stations and trains.

To set up an independent Railway Safety Authority as a statutory body.

On-board passengers displays indicating the next halt station and arrival time to be introduced.

Introduction of regional cuisine, book a meal scheme to provide meals through SMS.

Specially designed coaches for differently disabled persons to be provided in each mail and express trains.

Stress on strengthening safety.

Signalling to be improved over 19,00km more

To provide rail connectivity to neighbouring countries.

World Bank Approves $4.3billion Aid To India

The World Bank had announced $ 4.3billion financial aid to India through a new innovative and flexible financing arrangement to help the country to fight against poverty. This arrangement, while facilitating a $ 4.3billion increase in support to India’s, is designed to maintain International Bank For Reconstruction and Development (IBRD) .Which is lending its arms net- exposure within the limit of $ 17.5billion established by it.

Economic Survey 2011-12

The Economic Survey by the Union Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee on 15 March 2012. Indian economy was estimated to grow by 6.9% in 2011-12, mainly due to weakening industrial growth. The survey state that despite dip in the economic growth India remains among the fastest growing economies of the world country’s sovereign credit rating was stated to have risen by a substantial 2.98% in 2011-12. The economic survey stressed the need for fiscal consolidation to tame inflation. The survey estimates the economy to grow at 7.35% to 7.85%, during 2012-13 against 6.9% in the current fiscal year

GDP growth rate pegged at 6.9% this fiscal, for 2012-13 7.6% and for 2013-14 at 8.6%.

Agriculture growth forecast at 2.5%

Service sector grows by 9.4%, its share in GDP rises to 59%.

Industrial growth pegged at 4.6%, expected to improve and performed poorly a share of 27% of the GDP.

Inflation to low down by year end, fiscal consolidation on track- saving and capital formation expected to rise.

Exports grew at 40.5% in the first half of current fiscal and imports grew 30.4%.

Forex reserves rise to nearly to cover the entire extended debt stock.

Central spending on social services hiked to 18.5% this fiscal .

MNREGA coverage rises to 5.49crore household in 2010-11

Sustainable development and climate change concern high on priority.

Overall growth during April-December 2011 reached 3.6% compared to 8.3% in the corresponding period of the previous year.

Union Budget 2012-13

Union Finance Minister Pranab Mukharjee on 16 March 2012, announced the union budget in the parliament for the financial year 2012-13. Mukharjee, who presented the fourth annual budget seemed to focus on the recovery of the domestic economy. The budget 2012-13 aims at achieving the rapid growth for the economy which remained on a downward all through out the fiscal year 2011-12. The budget estimated the Indian economy to grow at 7.6% in the fiscal year 2012-13.

Highlights of the budget 2012-13

Total expenditure in 2012-13 seen at 14.9trillion rupees, up by 29%

Plan expenditure budgeted at 521.25billion rupees in 2012-13, up by 18%

Economy expected to grow at 7.6% in 2012-13, plus or minus 0.25%

Income tax exemption limit raised to 2 lakh rupees from 1,80,000 rupees

Fiscal deficit seen at 5.1% of GDP in 2012-13

Net market borrowing seen at 4.80trillion rupees in 2012-13

Proposes to raise service tax rate to 12% from 10%

Gross tax receipts seen at 10.8trillion rupees in 2012-13

Non tax revenue seen at 1.64trillion rupees in 2012-13

Proposes to levy tax on all services expect 17 items in the negative list from  2012-13

No change in corporate tax rates

Signs of economy turning around in March quarter

Allow external commercial borrowing of upto 1billion dollar to raise working capital for airlines industry for 1 year

To allow qualified foreign investors in Indian corporate debt markets

To allow external commercial borrowing to part finance rupee debt in power projects.

To award contracts to build 8.800km of roads in 2012-13

Allocate 1.94trillion rupees for defense in 2012-13 up from 1.64trillion rupees for defense in 2011-12

Government doubles allocation for tax free bonds to 600billion rupees for financing infrastructure projects 2012-13

Disinvestment target in 2012-13 of 300billion rupees

Expects country to become self sufficient in urea production in five years.

Proposes to raise agricultural credits targets in 2012-13 to 5.75trillion rupees

To keep 2012-13 subsides under 2% of GDP

To inject 159billion rupees to capitalize state run banks in 2012-13

Current account deficit seen at 3.6% of GDP in 2011-12

How India Compares To Other Countries

India fares favourably on the income inequality front when compared to other countries measures in terms of Gini Coefficient on scale of 1 to 100. India ranks better than China and the US on the income inequality front, it ranks on par with Japan and below UK on the front, with a score of 66.9. For wealth inequality, it only lags behind the US and UK, where the wealth is distributed unequally. India has managed to be the second fastest growing economy in the world next to China with 6.9%.

India & The World Bank Signed An IDA Credit of $152million

India and the World Bank on 21 March 2012 signed an IDA credit of 152million US dollars to finance the Indian Government’s efforts to help and improve the efficiency, equality and accountability of health services in Uttar pradesh. The project will include two main components first, it will focus an improving the department of health’s management and accountability system. Th project will seek to improve, planning capacities, information flows and data inputs to enable policy-makers to improve monitor and manage service delivery in U.P, Secondly, the project will help the state Government to improve the department of health’s capacity to perform its quality assurance role and manage more effectively with private sectors.

World Bank Approves $500million For Secondary Education Project

In a progress to make quality education accessible to young people at the secondary level, the World Bank had approved $500million credit to support Indian’s secondary education project. The project will give support to all activities as envisioned in the $12.9billion Rastriya Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyan (RMSA) programme.

Interest Rates, High of 0.5% On Post Office Operated Small Saving

The Union Government on 26 March raised interest rates on post office operated small savings like Monthly Income Scheme (IMS) and Public provident Fund (PPF) by 0.5% Interest rates on term deposits of one or two years were increased by 0.5% each to 8.2% and 8.3%, while rates for popular (MIS)were increased by 0.3% to 8.5%. The new rates will be effective from 1 April 2012 and will valid during 2012-13

World Bank Approved 109million Dollar Grant For (RACP)

The World Bank on 28 March 2012 approved a 109million dollar-grant fund to Rajasthan Agriculture Competitiveness Project. The project is aimed at promoting water efficient agriculture through sustainable and efficient use of resources in Rajasthan. The project is likely to benefit about 1,55,000 farmers mainly those with small land holdings in the state the project in line with the stake water policy of 2010 will help farmers more from low value and water -gazzling crops to high value farming.

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SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

Thickest Arctic Ice Melting Faster

The oldest and thickest Arctic sea ice is disappearing at a faster rate than the younger and thinner ice at the edges of the Arctic Ocean’s floating ice cap, NASA had revealed that the thicker ice known as multi year ice survives through the cyclical summer melt season, when young ice that had formed over winter season just as quickly melts again.Arctic ocean where multi year ice covers at least 15% of the ocean surface, is diminishing at a rate of 15.1% per decade.

Ocean’s Turning Acidic At Fastest Pace In 300m yrs

The world’s oceans are turning acidic at, what could be the fastest pace of anytime in the past 300million years, even more rapidly than during a monster emission of planet- warming carbon  56million yrs ago. Quickly acidifying sea water eats away at coral reefs, which provide habitat for other animals and plants and makes it harder for mussels and oysters to form protective shells.

5 Places Where Life May Exist In Solar System

Life on Earth occupies some bizarre places from deep sea hydrothermal vents to frigid and lightless lakes. According to the Christain Science Monitor the following are the five places where life may exist. Mars-The red planet which had abundant surface water could microbes lurk under ground. Europa-With rocky cores heated by tugs from Jupiter. Enfolds – This icy moon of Saturn also has subsurface deposits of liquid water. Titan – Saturn’s largest moon has lots of hydrocarbons as raw material for biologically improvement molecules. Venus – Its a long shot with its crushing atmosphere and surface  temperature that would melt lead.

Oxygen Found On Saturn Moon: Dione

Planetary Scientists claims for the first time that the presence of oxygen in the atmosphere of Saturn’s moon, Dione . An international lead by Los Alamos National Laboratory had said that it had discovered molecular oxygen ions in the upper most atmosphere of Dione, one of the 62 known moon’s orbiting Saturn. The tiny moon is a mere 700 miles wide and appears to be a thick pockmarked layer of water ice surrounding a smaller rock core, as it orbits Saturn every 2.7 days.

US Tests Railgun That Can Shoot 160 km

The US Navy is one step ahead in developing a futuristic supersonic weapon capable of firing missiles between 80km to 160km at seven times the speed of sound. The 40 feet long electromagnetic railgun consists of parallel rails and uses a magnetic Field and electric current, instead of chemicals to generate the energy required to fire the rounds.The first weapon scale prototype of the railgun began under going firing test last week and the next big step towards putting the super weapon on US warships by 2020. The full size prototype made by BAE system , looks like a real gun.

Torpedo, Akash Missile To Be Handed Over To Navy & IAF

The indigenously developed advanced lightweight torpedo and the Akash missile system will be handed over to navy and the Indian Air Force at a function in Hyderabad on 3 March 2012. The defence Research & Development Laboratory (DRDL), Hyderabad, developed Akash , a surface to air missile. Torpedoes are underwater missiles which are fired from ships, submarines or helicopters against ships and submarines. The Torpedo Advanced Light (TAL) which was developed by the Naval Science and Technological Laboratory in Vishakapatnam.

Brahmos Supersonic Cruise Missile Successfully Test Fired

The Army had successfully test-fired the 290km range Brahmos supersonic cruise missile at the Pokhran range in Rajasthan on 4 March 2012, to operationalise the second regiment of the weapon system in service.

Nirbhay To Be Test Fired In April

The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) had developed a new sub-sonic cruise missile called Nirbhay, which may be test -fired in April. This is the first time that India has developed a cruise missile that will travel at sub-sonic speed.  Nirbhay is a two stages, surface to surface missile and surface to air missile, while a booster engine would kick the first stage from the ground. It is India’s equivalent of US Tomahawk. It can engage many targets and be in air for longer period.

Huge Asteroid To Come Close To Earth In One Year

About 150-foot asteroid orbiting earth called 2012 DA14 will fly fast, just 17,000 miles from earth nearer than geostationary satellites on 15 Feb next year hits our planet. If an asteroid of that big size hits our planet, it would cause an explosion similar to a nuclear blast. Two Astronomers from the Observatorio Astronomics De La Sagra in Spain spotted 2012 DA 14 in late Feb 2012 and its orbit has been estimated to be very similar to Earth’s

Huge Space Storm Hits Earth

A strong geomagnetic storm hit Earth early on 8 March 2012, but the planet’s magnetic field appeared to be absorbing the shock and it was unlikely to reach severe levels. The storm was expected to be the strongest in five years and has the potential to disrupt global positioning systems, airlines flights, satellites and power grids. The leading edge of the coronal mass ejection a Burst of hot plasma and charged particles that erupted from the sun

Jupiter, Venus Gets Closer

The pair of Jupiter and Venus will reach its closest point between 12 March and 15 March, despite being vastly far from one another in space, the conjunction will make them appear just a few degrees apart in the sky. The most anticipated planetary event for 2012, will be the transits of Venus in early June.

Students ” Space Web” Experiment To Be Launched Soon

A team of science and engineering students had developed an innovative ‘Space Web’ experiment which will be carried on a rocket from the Arctic circles to the edge of space. The experiment known as ‘Suaineadh’, which was developed by a team of 20 students from the Universities of Glasgow and Strathclyde and the Royal Institute of Technology in Stockholm. It will be launched from the Esrange Space Centre in Northern Sweden in March

Russia To Send Man To The Moon By 2030

Russia is now to send a team of Cosmonauts to the Moon. According to a leaked strategy document from Russia’s Space Agency, Roskosmos, a space craft will conduct a demonstrative manned circumlunar test flight with the subsequent landing of cosmonauts on the Moon’s surface and their return to Earth by 2030.

India To Launch Mars Mission Next Year

The Indian Space Research Organisation is planning to send a scientific probe to Mars next year. The Mars orbiter mission would be launched using the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV)during Nov 2013, the spacecraft, which has a provision for carrying nearly 25kg of scientific instruments, will be placed in an orbit 500km by 80,000km around Mars.

North Korea To Launch A Missile

North Korea announced on 16 March 2012 that it would launch a rocket carrying a Satellite next month to mark the 100th birthday of the former President late Kim II Sung, just 16 days after agreeing to suspend long range missile test in return for massive US food aid. The US, Japan and South Korea condemned the plan and said, it would breach a United Nations ban imposed after previous launches. North Korea said a Unha-3 rocket will launch a home built polar orbiting Earth observation satellite known as Kwangmyoug-sons-3 by the last deal under which Pyongyang also promised to freeze its uranium enrichment plant, had raised hopes of eased tensions under the new regime headed by Kim Jong Un and it is the violation of UN Security Council resolutions.

A New Species Of Frog Discovered

A new frog species was found by researchers in  Mawphlang, 25km from Shilong, capital of Megalaya. The new species was named Fejervarya Sengupti in honour of Saibal Sengupta. Sengupta was the head of Aryavidyapeeth College and one of the pioneers of amphibian research. The new species was different from all congeners in terms of body size and cell charecteristics. The discovery of new species shows that Northeast part of India is quite rich in terms of its biodiversity, especially in case of amphibians.

India Joins In Making Critical Tubes For Nuclear Plants

India had joined a select band nations on 26 March 2012 when the Nuclear Fuel Complex (NFC) successfully manufactured critical tubes required for steam generators of nuclear plants. Currently only three companies in the world are producing the UNS NO8800 U tubes with NFC becoming the fourth entity. The first tubing consignment was handed over to Larsen & Toubro, which is manufacturing eight steam generators for Kakrapara (3&4 units) and Rajasthan (7&8 units) nuclear power plant being set up by the Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL)

Sea Levels Could Rise By 22Metres

The sea levels could rise up to 22meters in the future due to global warming, an international team lead by Prof Kem Miller and Prof Tim Narish analized sediment cores in Virginia in the US, Eneweta K Atoll in pacific and the Whanganui region of New zealand that the late pliocene epoch 2.7m to 3.2m years ago, which is the last time the carbon dioxide level in the atmosphere was at its current level, and atmospheric temperatures were two degrees higher than are now  The global sea levels were higher than present.

Brohmos Supersonic Cruise Missile Test-Fired Successfully

India had successfully test fired its supersonic cruise missile from the Integrated Test Range at Chandipur in Odisha on 28 March 2012. The missile rose from a Tatra truck on the sea-side launch station and speed over the Bay of Bengal at 2.8 times the speed of sound. The missile, which has a flight range up to 290km is capable of carrying a conventional warhead of 200 to 300kg, the cruise missile was a surface to surface Army version.

NASA SpaceCraft Found Evidence Of Water Ice In Mercury

A NASA spacecraft called messenger in the month of March 2012 discovered further evidence for the existence of water ice at Mercury’s poles. Although surface temperature at mercury can soar above 400C, some craters at mercury’s poles are permanently in shadow, turning them into so called cold trops.

American Robot Cheetah Sets New Record

A Cheetah robot funded by the US military had broken the land speed record, while running on a lab treadmill. Its robotic display of athleticism given hope for new battlefield robots that could prove nimbler than existing robots on wheels or tank like treads.

Speech Jammer Device

The Japanese researchers recently introduced a prototype for a device called as ‘speech Jammer’, which can literally jam some one voice effectively stopping them from talking

China To Launch 100 Satellites By 2015

China has set a target of completing a space mission of 100 rockets, 100 satellites between 2011 and 2015. According to the Deputy General Manager of China Aerospace, Science and Technology. On an average China will complete about 20 launch missions each year before 2015, China had launched 19 satellites, 1 target orbiter,  8 spacecraft with 19 long march rockets last year.

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PERSONS IN NEWS

a) Appointments

Gopal Gandhi As New IIAS Chairman

Gopal Krishna Gandhi had been elected as the new chairman of the Governing body of the Indian Institute of Advanced Study Shimla, and president of its society.

New Chairman Securities Commission For Malaysia

Mr. Ranjit Singh had been appointed as the chairman of the Securities Commission of Malaysia , replacing Mr. Zarinah Anwar.

New CII Chief For A.P

Ms.Suchitra K.Ella, co-founder and joint M.D of Bharat Biotech International had been elected as chairman of Cost Inflation Index (CII) of Andhra Pradesh for 2012-13

H.S Bedi As The Chairman Judge

Justice H.S Bedi, the Supreme Court of India on 2 March 2012 appointed its former judge, as the chairman of the monitoring authority which will investigate the case of 22 alleged fake encounter killing in Gujarat in 2007-8.

New Chairman For Coal India

S. Narasinga Rao has been appointed as the Chairman of the Coal India Ltd. He is presently working as the CMD of Singareni Collieries.

Germany’s New President, Gauck

Former East German Rights Activist Joachim Gauck had been appointed as the New President of Germany on 18 March 2012.

New Railway Minister

Mukul Roy had been appointed as the new Railway Minister on 20 March 2012 in the UPA Government

Shyamala As Central Vigilance Commission

Shyamala Gopinath, Central Vigilaner Commission was appointed as the chairperson of the Advisory Board and commercial & financial frauds on 29 March 2012

b) Resigns

Rahul Dravid Takes Retirement From International Cricket

Rahul Dravid Had announced his retirement from international cricket on 8 March 2012, by ending a long outstanding career. He was the second highest test scorer after Sachin Tendulkar in test matches.

Railway Minister Resigns

Railway Minister Mr. Dinesh Trivedi had resigned on 18 March 2012 due to crises over, increasing fare prices for passengers in the railway budget 2012-13 which was against the Trinamul party policy.

Waterman’ Rajendra Singh Quits NGRBA

Magsaysay award winner ‘ Waterman of Rajasthan’ Rajendra Singh on 11 March 2012 quits the Prime Minister Manmohan Singh chaired National Ganga River Basin Authority (NGRBA) protesting the Governments negligence of the river.

c) Deaths

Former Basketballl Champion Muniyappa Passes Away

A member of the Indian team at the 1967 South Asian Basketball Championship B.Muniyappa, and a qualified NIS coach died on 5 March 2012 in Bangalore.

West Indian Cricket Player Dies In Accident

West Indian cricket player Runok Morten died on 4 March 2012 in a car accident. He played 15 test matches, 56 one day international and 7 20-20 matches since 2002.

Former PTI Chairman Died

P.K.Roy, former chairman of press trust of India, and president of the Indian Newspapers society and the Audit Bureau of Circulations for Several terms died on 24 March 2012 in Kolkata.

Marathi Poet Passed Away

Marathi poet and Sahitya Akademi award winner, Manik Godghate passed away in Pune on 26 March 2012. He was honoured with the Sahitya Akademi for his prose collection.  ‘Varyane Halta Raan in Feb 2012

d) Visitors

Anwar Ibrahim Visits Kerala Mosque

Anwar Ibrahim, former deputy prime minister of Malaysia and opposition leader of the country, visited the historic shrine at Thalangara locality paid obeisance at the Malik Dinar Juma Masjid.

IMF Chief Visiting India

The International Monetary Fund managing director Ms. Christine Lagarde , is going to visit New Delhi on 19 March 2012, to meet senior Government officials and to participate in a high level conference”China and India sustaining high quality growth”. The conference is being co-hosted by the IMF and will be inaugurated by the Finance minister Mr. Pranab Mukerjee. The two days conference will bring together policy makers, academics and private sector representatives to discuss the growth success of China and India

Ravi Shankar To Visit Pakistan

Spirutual leader Ravi Shankar had visited Pakistan for three day peace mission on 11 March 2012 ,This was his second visit to Pakistan, to emphasizing the urgent need for a people to people movement

IAF Chief’s 4 Day Bangladesh Trip

Indian policy to step up bilateral military cooperation with Bangladesh, Our IAF Chief Air Marshal (ACM) N.AK. Browne had left for a four day visit to Dhaka on 18 March 2012.

e) Miscellaneous

NEET  Rollout In 2013-14

India is to set roll out NEET from 2013-14, the Common National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET) for admission to under graduate courses will be conducted by the CBSE, while the National Board of Examination will conduct the post graduate exams. The Union Health Ministry had informed the state Governments that their existing reservation policies would not be disturbed under the proposed scheme and state wise eligibility merit lists will be prepared for the respective state authorities.

Blind Woman Gets Railway Job After 4 Yrs Struggle

A visually challenged woman who cleared the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) exam with distinction in 2008, but was denied posting got justice after 4 years battle and the intervention of P.M Manmohan singh, 75% visual disability, had been offered an Indian Railway Personal Services post under group B of class I

Bin Laden Cinema By Oscar Director

Oscar winning director Kathryn Bigelow is going to make a movie about Osama Bin Laden. the name of the movie is Zero dark thirty.

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PLACES IN NEWS

Earthquake of 4.9 Magnitude in North

A low density of earthquake measuring of 4.9 on Ritcher scale felt in Northern India, at Bahadurgarh in Haryana as its epicentre is the third tremor in these places since two months

Earthquake Leaves 800 Homes Damaged In Mexico

A strong 7.4 magnitude earthquake  hitted Southern Mexico on 20 March 2012, damaging some 800 homes near the epicentre and swaying tall buildings and spreading fear and panic hundreds of miles away in the capital of Mexico.

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ABBREVIATIONS

           ASOSAI – Association of Supreme Audit Institutions

           GATT – General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade

           NSIGSE – National Scheme of Incentive to Girls Secondary Education

           ARAI – Automotive Research Association of India

           IGPCC – Inter Governmental Panel on Climate Change

           AIDWA – All India Democratic Women’s Association

           DTAA – Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement

            IATA – International Air Transport Association

            DTC – Direct Tax Code

            AEPC – The Apparel Export Promotion Council

            SCRES – South Central Railway Employees Sangh.

            IMF – International Monetary Fund

            APMC – All Agriculture produce Marketing Committee

            CII – Cost Inflation Index

            AOSIS – Association of Small Island States

           NFIR – The National Federation of Railwaymen

           INSC – International North-South Corridor

           DGFT – Directorate General of Foreign Trade

           DGFT – Directorate General of Foreign Trade

           IRFC                – Indian Railway Finance Corporation

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BOOKS IN NEWS

Mamata Banerjee: Political Biography Book Released

A journalist Monobina Gupta had written a political biography of Mamata Benerjee’s “Didi, The Political Biography” which tries to capture the complexities that make Mamata Benerjee what she is explores her personal, her perception of herself as a woman and her equations with the lefts radical politics in Bengal.

North-Eastern State’ Book Released

Minister of State for Defence M.M.Pallam Raju had released the book ” NorthEast Trilogy” written by Dipti Bhalla and Kunal Verma  , which has the spirit of the country, its tribes and languages.

Masterpiece Book Of Garcia Marquez

Colombian writer Gabrial Garcia Marquez on his 85th birthday on 6 March 2012 starts the sales of an electronic version of his masterpiece novel “One Hundred years of Solitude”. The book had already sold 30million copies world wide.

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COMMITTEES IN NEWS

ECCE Committee Had Set Up

The Government had proposed a National Early Childhood Care & Education (ECCE) policy, which lays down the way for a comprehensive approach for every child.  To sustain the Multi sectoral and inter agency collaboration, a thematic ECCE Committee with experts will be formed under the ICDS mission steering groups initially and later formed as a National ECCE council, with corresponding councils at the state level. The council will be the apex body to guide and oversee the implementation of the policy as well it keeps ECCE  programmes consistent with the National ECCE policy

Finance minister set up committee to Address Bad Loans

Finance minister had set up a committee to address rise of bad loans after Moody’s downgrading Union bank of India by one notch due to its high level of troubled assets and low provisions for coverage.

Committee For Corporate Governance

Ministry of Corporate Affairs in March 2012 set up a committee under the leadership of Adi Godrej chairman Godrej group to bring out a formal policy document that will initiate enlisting of diverse elements of corporate governance under a single national corporate governance policy, the first meeting of the committee is scheduled to be held on 5 April 2012.

Responses to “March 2012 Current Affairs Study Material”