Tuesday 23 October 2012

Norman Borlaug Award

Aditi Mukherjee, a Delhi based scientist, won the prestigious Norman Borlaug Award in Field Research and Application. Mukherjee was picked for the award for her work in transforming access to water for thousands of farmers in West Bengal. The award will be formally presented to Mukherji on 17 October 2012 in Des Moines, Iowa, US. Mukherji, 37, is a senior researcher at the Delhi office of the International Water Management Institute (IWMI). As alumnus of Presidency College (Kolkata), JNU (Delhi), she completed her PhD at the University of Cambridge. The international award is conferred by the World Food Prize Foundation, which was started by Norman Borlogue, the father of Green Revolution in India. The award carries 10000 dollar cash prize. The Borlaug Award is restricted to scientists under 40.

Magsaysay Awards 2012

Indian social activist Kulandei Francis, age sixty six will be felicitated with the Magsaysay Award. In the year 1979, Francis begun with his organisation, Integrated Village Development Project (IVDP) in Krishnagiri, wherein he initially started with small projects, amongst his achievements, he has conducted night schools in the light of gas lamps, set up first aid centres. Then, with the help of development organizations, he undertook a micro-watershed programme that, over twenty-two years, built three thirty one mostly small check dams benefitting cultivators and their families in sixty villages. His organisation, the Integrated Village Development Project also provides training to rural students a in enhancing their skills namely training in rural sanitation, accountancy, management, giving educational assistance for students in high schools, scholarships and also computer skills. The visionary Mr. Francis was also successful in pursuing the holistic economic empowerment of thousands of women and their families. The Board of Trustees of the Ramon Magsaysay Award Foundation (RMAF) announced the recipients of this year, 2012 Asia’s premier prize, the Ramon Magsaysay Award on 25 July 2012. The six individuals chosen from around the globe are from countries, Bangladesh, Cambodia, India, Indonesia, the Philippines, and Taiwan. The other people chosen for the prizes, announced by the Ramon Magsaysay Award Foundation (RMAF) in Manila, are Ms Chen Shu- Chu from Taiwan, Mr Romulo Davide from the Phillipines, Ms Syeda Rizwana Hasan of Bangladesh, Mr Yang Saing Koma of Cambodia and Mr Ambrosius Ruwindrijarto from Indonesia. Kulandai Francis who has been awarded with the Magsaysay says, working with the objective of eradicating poverty and empowering more than one lakh rural women for thirty five long years has got him the award.

Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award 2012

London Olympics silver medalist Vijay Kumar and Bronze medalist Yogeshwar Dutt will be conferred with the country’s highest sporting honour Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award for the year 2012. Besides, 25 sportspersons will be presented the Arjuna Awards, the second highest sports award in the country. The awards were announced by the Union Sports Ministry on 19 August 2012. Usually the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna award is given to only one sportsperson in one calendar year but the rule can be relaxed in special circumstances such as an Olympic medal. Pistol shooter Vijay Kumar bagged a silver in the 25m rapid fire event at the London Olympics, while wrestler Yogeshwar Dutt claimed a bronze in 60kg free style event.

List of the sports persons, chosen for Arjuna Awards: Deepika Kumari (Archery), Laishram Bombayla Devi (Archery), Sudha Singh (Athletics), Kavita Ramdas Raut (Athletics), Ashwani Ponnappa (Badminton), Parupalli Kashyap (Badminton), Aditya S Mehta (Billiards and Snooker), Vikas Krishan (Boxing), Yuvraj Singh (Cricket), Sardar Singh (Hockey), Yashpal Solanki (Judo), Anup Kumar (Kabaddi), Samir Suhag (Polo), Annu Raj Singh (Shooting), Omkar Singh (Shooting), Joydeep Karmakar (Shooting), Deepika Pallikal (Squash), Sandeep Sejwal (Swimming), Ng. Sonia Chanu (Weightlifting), Narsingh Yadav (Wrestling), Rajinder Kumar (Wrestling), Geeta Phogat (Wrestling), M. Bimoljit Singh (Wushu), Deepa Mallick (Athletics - Paralympics), Ramkaran Singh (Athletics - Paralympics).

Miss World 2012 Beauty Pageant

China’s Yu Wenxia won the Miss World 2012 beauty pageant at the Ordos Stadium Arena in inner Mongolia, China on 18 August 2012. Wales’ Sophie Moulds was adjudged the first runner-up, while Australia’s Jessica Kahawaty was the second runner-up. India’s Vanya Mishra made it to the top seven spot but failed to win the competition. However, She, bagged the titles of Miss Social Media and Miss Beauty with a Purpose. Venezuela’s Ivian Sarcos had won the Miss World pageant in 2011.

Dronacharya Award for 2012

The names of six sporting coaches were recommended for the Dronacharya Awards for the year 2012. Wrestling coach Yashvir Singh, Boxing Coach BI Fernandez, Athletics Coach Virender Poonia, Kabaddi Coach Sunil Davas, Parathletics Coach Dr. Satyapaul and Hockey Coach Harinder Singh are the six coaches who have been selected for the coveted award, given to the coach of different sports, for their excellent contribution to the sports. Boxing Coach BI Fernandez, who is a Cuban national, became the first foreign coach to be recommended for the Dronacharya Award. Fernandez has been instrumental in India’s impressive performances in Boxing in the international tournaments.

Most Successful Athlete in the Olympic History

US swimmer Michel Phelps became the most successful athlete in the history of Olympic games after he won the gold medal in 4x200 metre freestyle relay in final race at the Aquatic Centre on 31 July 2012. Phelps, who is playing his 4th Olympics, with this victory took his individual Olympic tally to 19 (15 gold, two silver and two bronze), surpassing the 18 won by Soviet gymnast Larisa Latynina between 1956 and 1964. He first swam at the Olympics in 2000 Sydney Olympics, when he was just 15. He became the youngest American male swimmer in 68 years and placed fifth in the 200m butterfly. He also holds the world record in swimming when he swam1: 54.92 in the 200m butterfly event in March 2001.

London Paralympic Games

Queen Elizabeth officially on 29 August 2012 opened the London Paralympic games, which will be the biggest in the event’s 64 year history. The flame was lit at midnight, local time. The ceremony was watched by some 80000 spectators. Britain’s first Paralympic Games gold medallist, Margaret Maughan hit the cauldron. The opening ceremony signalled the start of 11 days of competition by 4200 athletes from 164 countries, including more than 300 athletes from Britain.

Friday 12 October 2012

GENERAL BIKRAM SINGH

General Bikram Singh, a veteran infantry officer, assumed the charge as the 25th Chief of the Indian Army. He succeeded General V K Singh whose 26- month tenure came to end on 31 May 2012. Bikram Singh, 59, will remain at the top position for next two years and three months. Prior to his appointment to the top post, General Bikram served as commanding officer of the Eastern Army Command. He is the second Sikh to reach the top notch position, the first having been General JJ Singh. In his 40-year-long illustrious career with the Indian army, General Bikram Singh held a number of vital positions in counter insurgency areas as the Corps Commander of Srinagarbased 15 Corps and Akhnoorbased 10 Division as Major General.

Thursday 11 October 2012

RAJA PARVEZ ASHRAF

Raja Parvez Ashraf, the senior Pakistan People’s Party leader, was appointed the 17th Prime Minister of Pakistan on 22 June 2012.

ONDAATJE PRIZE 2012

Rahul Bhattacharya, the Delhibased author, on 29 May 2012 won the prestigious Ondaatje Prize 2012 for his book The Sly Company of People Who Care. He is the first Indian author to have received the award. Bhattacharya was also conferred with the Hindu Literary Prize for Best Fiction, 2011 for the same book. The 10000 pounds award is conferred by the Royal Society of Literature every year to recognize a work of fiction, nonfiction or poetry which evokes the spirit of a place. The award is presented to the author who is a citizen of or who has been resident in the Commonwealth or Ireland. The other authors whose work were shortlisted for the prize include Julia Blackburn’s ‘Thin Paths’, Teju Cole’s ‘Open City’, Paul Farley and Michael Symmons Roberts’ ‘Edgelands’, Olivia Laing’s ‘To the River’ and Tim Robinson’s ‘Connemara’.

INDIAN HOCKEY GOALKEEPER D’SOUZA SUSPENDED FOR 1 YEAR

Indian Hockey Goalkeeper Adrin D’Souza was suspended on 18 June 2012 for his anti- doping rule violation during World Series Hockey (WSH) tournament 2012.The sample was collected on 21 March 2012 after WSH match in between Mumbai Marines and Sher-E-Punjab at Jalandhar. He was the captain of Mumbai Marines. In the test, D’Souza was tested positive for tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). THC is a metabolite of marijuana. According to the statement of Kaithavalappil, D’Souza had smoked cigarettes which were binded with marijuana and he offered the same cigarettes to the players as well. Adrian Albert D’souza was born 24 March 1984 in Mumbai. He is a field hockey Indian goalkeeper. He made international debut for Men’s National Team in January 2004 during the Sultan Azlam Shah Hockey Tournament in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

SULTAN AZLAN SHAH CUP HOCKEY TOURNAMENT

New Zealand beat Argentina 1-0 to win Sultan Azlan Shah Cup hockey tournament at Ipoh, Malaysia on 3 June 2012. Andy Hayward scored the only goal for New Zeland in the summit clash, which prevented Argentina, the 2008 winner, to reclaim the trophy. In a clash for the third spot and bronze medal, India defeated Great Britain 3-1. From Indian side Shivendra Singh, Sandeep Singh and Tushar Khandekar scored goals at 42nd minute, 52nd minute and 69th minute respectively. Ashley Jackson struck the only goal for the Great Britain at 35th minute of the game. Earlier the Great Britain had outshined the Indian squad in their round robin league encounter. In another clash for the fifth position the South Korean team defeated hosts Malaysia 3-2 to earn the fifth position. Pakistan for the first time in the history of the tournament ended with the 7th position, bottom most the in the table. While the Fairplay Trophy was given to Great Britain, Sardar Singh of India was awarded with the trophy of the Best Player of Tournament. Kyle Pontifex of New Zealand was chosen the Best Goalkeeper for the tournament. Kyle Pontifex of New Zealand was awarded with the Man of the Final trophy. Ashley Jackson of Great Britain emerged the top scorer of the tournament

DANISH KANERIA WAS BANNED BY ECB


Pakistani Cricket player Danish Kaneria was banned by England and Wales Cricket Board on 21 June 2012. He was given a lifetime ban because he was found guilty for corruption. He is the third Pakistani player who is banned because of match fixing. In addition, in the year 2000 Salim Malik and Ata-ur-rehman were banned for lifetime from Cricket because of match-fixing. Moreover, Salman Butt, Mohammad Aamer and Mohammad Asif were banned by the International Cricket Council and jailed by the court of United Kingdom in the year 2010 for fixing specific parts of a Test match. Danish Kaneria is 31 years old. He took 261 wickets in 61 Tests for Pakistan. He had taken 15 wickets in 18 one-day internationals.

MAHENDRA SINGH DHONI APPOINTED BRAND AMBASSADOR


Indian Criket Captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni was appointed as a brand ambassador of Nepal Cricket Association, Nepal on 17 June 2012.The announcement was made by Posta Bahadur Bogati, Minister for Tourism and Civil Aviation of Nepal. Dhoni will promote and develop cricket in Nepal.

INDIA AND ISRAEL

India and Israel inked a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to expand the bilateral relation in the tourism sector on 24 June 2012. Israel, under the MoU, will open a tourism office in Mumbai and increase the frequency of flights to India. The MoU was signed between Israeli Tourism Minister Stas Misezhnikov and his Indian counterpart Minister Subodh Kant Sahai in Jerusalam in Israel. Israel is also set to invest 660000 dollar to draw more Indian tourists to the country.

SEVENTH G20 SUMMIT HELD IN LOS CABOS, MEXICO

The 7th G20 summit took place on 18,19 June 2012.Mexico chaired the summit. The summit took place in the city of Los Cabos in Mexico. It is a twenty member brigade, the summit includes countries, South Africa, Canada, India, Mexico, United States, China, Japan, South Korea, Russia, Turkey, Argentina, Brazil, India, Indonesia, Saudi Arabia, European Union, France, Germany, Italy, United Kingdom, Australia.

SEQUOIA - new Fastest Computer in the World

Sequoia, the US super computer, was crowned the fastest computer in the world on 17 June 2012. Situated at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory in California, Sequoia is able to make 16.32 quadrillion calculations per second (16.32 petaflops/s). Developed by IBM, the supercomputer belongs from IBM’s BlueGene family
The top 10 Powerful Supercomputers of the world:
1. Sequoia at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory in California - US
2. K Computer at RIKEN Advanced Institute for Computational Science campus in Kobe - Japan
3. Mira at Argonne National Laboratory in Illinois - US
4. SuperMUC at Leibniz Supercomputing Centre in Garching - Germany
5. Tianhe-1A at National Supercomputing Center in Tianjin - China
6. Jaguar at Oak Ridge National Laboratory in Tennessee - US
7. Fermi at CINECA in Bologna - Italy
8. JuQueen at Forschungszentrum Juelich in Julich - Germany
9. Curie thin nodes at CEA/ TGCC-GENCI in Bruyeres-le- Chatel - France
10. Nebulae at National Supercomputing Centre in Shenzhen - China

Monday 8 October 2012

Navratna of India

Navratna was the title given originally to nine Public Sector Enterprises (PSEs) identified by the Government of India in 1997 as "public sector companies that have comparative advantages", giving them greater autonomy to compete in the global market so as to "support [them] in their drive to become global giants". The number of PSEs having Navratna status has been raised to 16, the most recent addition being Oil India Limited.

PSU companies are divided into three categories:
Maharatna
Navratna
Miniratna CPSEs
Category I
Category II

Maharatna Status

In 2009, the government established the Maharatna status, which raises a company's investment ceiling from Rs. 1,000 crore to Rs. 5,000 crore.[3] The Maharatna firms can now decide on investments of up to 15 per cent of their net worth in a project; the Navaratna companies could invest up to Rs 1,000 crore without explicit government approval.

Criteria:-
The six criteria for eligibility as Maharatna are:
·        Having Navratna status.
·        Listed on Indian stock exchange with minimum prescribed public shareholding under SEBI regulations.
·        An average annual turnover of more than Rs. 20,000.[4] crore during the last 3 years. Earlier it was Rs 25,000 Crore.
·        An average annual net worth of more than Rs. 10,000[4] crore during the last 3 years. Earlier it was Rs. 15,000 crore.
·        An average annual net profit after tax of more than Rs. 2500 crore during the last 3 years. Earlier it was Rs. 5000 crore.
·        Should have significant global presence/international operations.
(The earlier criteria stands as on date, as the order modifying the criteria was later withdrawn. But, needs confirmation)

List of Maharatna
1.     Coal India Limited
2.     Indian Oil Corporation Limited
3.     NTPC Limited
4.     Oil and Natural Gas Corporation Limited
5.     Steel Authority of India Limited

Navratna Status

Navratna was the title given originally to nine Public Sector Enterprises (PSEs), identified by the Government of India in 1997 as having comparative advantages, which allowed them greater autonomy to compete in the global market.[1] The number of PSEs having Navratna status has been raised to 16,[2] The government is likely to accord the coveted status to Engineers India Limited, which is under consideration.

List of Navratna
1.     Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited
2.     Bharat Electronics Limited
3.     Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited
4.     Hindustan Aeronautics Limited
5.     Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited
6.     Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Limited
7.     National Aluminium Company Limited
8.     National Mineral Development Corporation Limited
9.     Neyveli Lignite Corporation Limited
10. Oil India Limited
11. Power Finance Corporation Limited
12. Power Grid Corporation of India Limited
13. Rashtriya Ispat Nigam Limited
14. Rural Electrification Corporation Limited
15. Shipping Corporation of India Limited
16. Gas Authority of India Limited

Miniratna Status

In addition, the government created another category called Miniratna. Miniratnas can also enter into joint ventures, set subsidiary companies and overseas offices but with certain conditions. In 2002, there were 61 government enterprises that were awarded Miniratna status. However, at present, there are 68 government enterprises that were awarded Miniratna status.
Category I

This designation applies to PSEs that have made profits continuously for the last three years or earned a net profit of Rs. 30 crore or more in one of the three years. These miniratnas granted certain autonomy like incurring capital expenditure without government approval up to Rs. 500 crore or equal to their net worth, whichever is lower.
1.     Projects & Development India limited
2.     Airports Authority of India
3.     Antrix Corporation Limited
4.     Balmer Lawrie & Co. Limited
5.     Bharat Dynamics Limited
6.     BEML Limited
7.     Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited
8.     Bridge & Roof Company (India) Limited
9.     Central Warehousing Corporation
10. Central Coalfields Limited
11. Chennai Petroleum Corporation Limited
12. Cochin Shipyard Limited
13. Container Corporation of India Limited
14. Dredging Corporation of India Limited
15. Engineers India Limited
16. Ennore Port Limited
17. Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers Limited
18. Goa Shipyard Limited
19. Hindustan Copper Limited
20. HLL Lifecare Limited
21. Hindustan Newsprint Limited
22. Hindustan Paper Corporation Limited
23. Housing and Urban Development Corporation
24. India Tourism Development Corporation
25. Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation
26. IRCON International Limited
27. Kudremukh Iron Ore Company Limited.
28. Mazagaon Dock Limited
29. Mahanadi Coalfields Limited
30. Manganese Ore (India) Limited
31. Mangalore Refinery and Petrochemicals Limited
32. Mishra Dhatu Nigam Limited
33. Minerals and Metals Trading Corporation of India
34. MSTC Limited
35. National Fertilizers Limited
36. National Seeds Corporation Limited
37. NHPC Limited
38. Northern Coalfields Limited
39. Numaligarh Refinery Limited
40. ONGC Videsh Limited
41. Pawan Hans Helicopters
42. Rashtriya Chemicals & Fertilizers Limited
43. RITES Limited
44. Satluj Jal Vidyut Nigam
45. Security Printing and Minting Corporation of India Limited
46. South Eastern Coalfields Limited
47. State Trading Corporation of India Limited
48. Tehri Hydro Development Corporation Limited
49. Telecommunications Consultants (India) Limited
50. Western Coalfields Limited
51. Water & Power Consultancy (India) Limited
52. RailTel Corporation of India Ltd.

Category-II

53. Bharat Pumps & Compressors Limited
54. Broadcast Engineering Consultants (I) Limited
55. Central Mine Planning & Design Institute Limited
56. Ed.CIL (India) Limited
57. Engineering Projects (India) Limited
58. FCI Aravali Gypsum & Minerals India Limited
59. Ferro Scrap Nigam Limited
60. HMT (International) Limited
61. HSCC (India) Limited
62. India Trade Promotion Organisation
63. Indian Medicines & Pharmaceuticals Corporation Limited
64. M E C O N Limited
65. National Film Development Corporation Limited
66. National Small Industries Corporation Limited
67. P E C Limited
68. Rajasthan Electronics & Instruments Limited

UNO

The UN was founded in 1945 after World War II to replace the League of Nations, to stop wars between countries, and to provide a platform for dialogue. It contains multiple subsidiary organizations to carry out its missions.
There are 193 member states. The organization has six principal organs: the General Assembly (the main deliberative assembly); the Security Council (for deciding certain resolutions for peace and security); the Economic and Social Council (for assisting in promoting international economic and social cooperation and development); the Secretariat (for providing studies, information, and facilities needed by the UN); the International Court of Justice (the primary judicial organ); and the United Nations Trusteeship Council (which is currently inactive). Other prominent UN System agencies include the World Health Organization (WHO), World Food Programme (WFP) and United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund (UNICEF). The UN's most prominent position is Secretary-General which has been held by Ban Ki-moon of South Korea since 2007.

The United Nations Headquarters resides in international territory in New York City, with further main offices at Geneva, Nairobi, and Vienna. The organization is financed from assessed and voluntary contributions from its member states, and has six official languages: Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian, and Spanish.

Secretary-General
Ban Ki-moon
Deputy Secretary-General
Jan Eliasson
General Assembly President
Nassir Abdulaziz Al- Nasser
Security Council President
Li Baodong

Nuclear Power in India

Nuclear power is the fourth-largest source of Power (electricity) in India after thermal, hydro and wind power. As of 2010, India had 20 Nuclear Reactors in operation in six Nuclear Power Plants, generating 4,780 MW while 7 other nuclear reactors are under construction and are expected to generate an additional 5300 MW.

Nuclear Power Plants

Currently 20 Nuclear Reactors in six Nuclear Power Plants are operated (All nuclear reactors are operated by the Nuclear Power Corporation of India)-

Name
Operator
Establishment Date
Location
Type
Units
Total Capacity (MW)
Kaiga
NPCIL
November 16, 2000
Kaiga, Karnataka
PHWR
220 x 4
880
Kakrapar
NPCIL
May 6, 1993
Kakrapar, Gujarat
PHWR
220 x 2
440
Kalpakkam
NPCIL
January 24, 1984
Kalpakkam, Tamilnadu
PHWR
220 x 2
440
Narora
NPCIL
January 1, 1991
Narora , Uttar Pradesh
PHWR
220 x 2
440
Rawatbhata
NPCIL
December 16, 1973
Rawatbhata, Rajasthan
PHWR
100 x 1, 200 x 1, 220 x 4
1180
Tarapu
NPCIL
October 28, 1969
Tarapur, Maharashtra
PHWR
160 x 2, 540 x 2
1400
Total




20 Units
4780

Currently 7 Nuclear Reactors in four Nuclear Power Plants are under construction (6 nuclear reactors are operated by the Nuclear Power Corporation of India & 1 nuclear reactors are operated by the BHAVINI)-
Name
Operator
Location
Type
Units
Total Capacity (MW)
Kudankulam
NPCIL
Kudankulam, Tamilnadu
VVER-1000
1000 x 2
2000
Kalpakkam
BHAVINI
Kalpakkam, Tamilnadu
PFBR
500 x 1
500
Kakrapar
NPCIL
Kakrapar, Gujarat
PHWR
700 x 2
1400
Rawatbhata
NPCIL
Rawatbhata, Rajasthan
PHWR
700 x 2
1400
Total



7 Units
5300