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August 2013

INTERNATIONAL

Bangladesh Court Disqualifies Jamaat-e-Islami Party

On 1 August a Bangladesh court has disqualified the countrys largest Islamic party from taking part in

the next general election.The High Court panel ruled that the opposition Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami

partys regulations violate the constitutional provision of secularism.

Robert Mugabe Re-elected As President Of Zimbabwe

On 3 August Zanu-PF (Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front), the political party of the

incumbent President Robert Mugabe has won the Presidential election of Zimbabwe .Mugabe won 61

percent of the vote against the 34 percent won by the Morgan Tsvangirai, the Prime Minister of

Zimbabwe of Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) party.With this win, Mugabe has won his

seventh term to the office of the President of Zimbabwe .Robert Mugabe is one of the leaders of the

guerrilla movements against white-minority rule of Zimbabwe and was elected to power in 1980.

China Built Port Terminal Opens In Sri Lanka

On 5 August Sri Lankas President, Mahinda Rajapakse declared open the new International Container

Terminal of the Colombo harbour.The $500 million Colombo International Container Terminal (CICT)

was built by China Merchants Holdings.The new South Port is the only harbor in South Asia that can

accommodate the Triple-E Class vessels.85-pct of the investment is by CICT and the remaining 15-pct

has been funded by the by the Sri Lanka Ports Authority.

Ibrahim Boubacar Keita Elected As New President of Mali

On 12 August Former Prime Minister Ibrahim Boubacar Keita was elected as President of Mali.He won

the Malis Presidential elections , after his opponent and Ex-Finance Minister Soumala Cisse, conceded

defeat. He was Prime Minister of Mali from 1994 to 2000 and President of the National Assembly of Mali

from 2002 to 2007. He founded a political party, Rally for Mali (RPM), in 2001 and he has led the party

since then. In addition to serving in the National Assembly, Keita was a member of the Parliament of the

Economic Community of West African States.

Britain Parliament Votes Against Possible Military Action In Syria

On 29 August the Britain Parliament rejected a proposal for military action in Syria .By a 285 to 272

margin British MPs rejected the governments motion to support in principle military action against

Syria.


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INDIA & WORLD

India Signs DTAC protocol with Morocco

On 8 August India signed a Protocol amending the India Morocco Double Taxation Avoidance

Convention (DTAC) in New Delhi .The Protocol was signed by Dr Sudha Sharma, Chairperson, Central

Board of Direct Taxes on behalf of Government of India and H.E. Mr. Larbi Reffouh, Ambassador of the

Kingdom of Morocco to India on behalf of Government of the Kingdom of Morocco.The Protocol is

based on international standards of transparency and exchange of information. It provides for effective

exchange of information including banking information between tax authorities of the two countries.

5th India China Strategic Dialogue Held In Delhi

The 5th India-China Strategic Dialogue was held at New Delhi on 20 August .The Indian side was led byForeign Secretary Sujatha Singh and the Chinese side was led by Vice Foreign Minister Liu Zhenmin.The

two sides discussed several issues including enhancing understanding on the utilization of trans-border

river waters, expanding bilateral trade and investment while addressing problems of the large and

growing deficit faced by India, ways of maintaining peace and tranquility along the Line of Actual Control

(LAC) in the India-China border areas, methods of boosting cultural cooperation as well as people-to-

people exchanges and expansion of scientific and technological cooperation.

India Third Largest Internet Using Nation

On 21 August According to research firm com Score latest report titled India Digital Future in Focus

2013 , India with 73.9 million Net users is the worlds third largest Internet population, overtaking

Japan (4th position) but behind China (First position) and the US. (Second position) Riding on a 31 per

cent year-on-year increase, Indias online population grew to 73.9 million.With an extended online

universe in excess of 145 million the market is at a tipping point for online businesses.India overtook

Japan by adding 17.6 million users in 2012.

Indians Third Largest Immigrant Group In US

On 23 August According to the Migration Policy Institute latest study report , Indians have emerged as

the third-largest immigrant group in the US behind Mexicans and Chinese, with nearly 1.9 million of

them living in the country.Indian population in the US has grown to over 150 times its size since 1960,

when the slightly more than 12,000 Indian immigrants represented less than 0.5 per cent of the total

immigrant population of 9.7 million immigrants.Till 2011, Indian-born immigrants accounted for almost

five per cent (1.86 million) of Americas 40.4 million immigrants.Almost one-third of all Indian

immigrants resided in just two states- California and New Jersey.More than a quarter of them lived in


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three major metropolitan areas- New York, Chicago and San Jose.Two per cent of all unauthorised

immigrants in the United States were also from India.

India and Iraq Signed Energy Cooperation Agreement

On 23 August India and Iraq signed an agreement on energy cooperation to boost the bilateral ties.The

agreement was signed along with three other agreements after comprehensive talks between Prime

Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh and his Iraq Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki on strategic bilateral, regional

and international issues. Iraq is an important Gulf nation and has emerged as Indias second largest

crude oil supplier after Saudi Arabia.

India Announced Rs 5,000 crore For Bhutan

On 31 August India announced an aid of Rs 5,000 crore, including a special package of Rs 500 crore, for

Bhutan as part of commitment to its continued socio-economic development, a move that assumessignificance against the backdrop of unease in the bilateral ties recently. India will contribute Rs 4500

crore towards Bhutans 11th Plan, as well as Rs 500 crore towards an Economic Stimulus Package.The

decision was announced after talks in NewDelhi between Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Bhutan

Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay.

NATIONAL

India Lost 220 Languages In Last 50 Years

On 9 August A two-year survey by Bhasha Research and Publication Centre based in Vadodara has

revealed that India has lost around 20 per cent of its languages over the last 50 years.Officials of the

survey, called the Peoples Linguistic Survey of India (PLSI) has held that the country had 1,100 languages

in 1961 of which 220 have vanished. The survey has found 780 languages and might have missed

another 100, which makes it around 880.The 1961 census had recorded that India had 1,652 languages

in all but the number was narrowed down to 1,100 later for variants of same languages were also

included in the list. The 1971 census registered only 108 languages for it was decided that only those

languages with over 10,000 speakers will be included.

Rajya Sabha Passed The Registration of Births and Deaths (Amendment) Bill, 2012

On 13 August Rajya Sabha passed a bill to make registration of marriages mandatory.The Registration of

Births and Deaths (Amendment) Bill, 2012, which was passed by Rajya Sabha, seeks to provide

compulsory registration of marriages irrespective of religion. The registration of marriages will not apply

to those who have registered their marriage under any other law.At present, there is provision for

registration of only births and deaths.


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Lok Sabha Passed National Food Security Bill, 2013

On 26 August Lok Sabha passed the National Food Security Bill, 2013.The Bill seeks to give legal rights

to get subsidized grains every month to 67 percent of the overall population (of which 75 percent is

rural and 50 percent is urban population).A beneficiary will be entitled to 5 kg of rice, wheat or coarsecereals at Rs. 3, Rs. 2 and Re. 1 per kg a month, respectively.The beneficiaries will be identified by the

States based on parameters prescribed by the Union government.Once the Bill gets its nod in the Rajya

Sabha and Presidents accent, India will join the selected league of countries that guarantee food grants

to a majority of its population.

Rajya Sabha Passed The Marriage Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2010

On 26 August the Rajya Sabha passed The Marriage Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2010 was passed by voice

vote .It seeks to amend the Hindu Marriage Act 1955 and the Special Marriages Act, 1954 which

provides for irretrievable breakdown on marriage as a ground for divorce as well as grants women theright to a share in the property of their husbands.Under the new bill, a provision has been made to

restrict the grant of decree of divorce on the ground of irretrievable breakdown of marriage if the court

is satisfied that adequate provision for the maintenance of children born out of the marriage has not

been made consistently with the financial capacities of the parents.

Lok Sabha Passed Land Acquisition Bill

The Lok Sabha passed the landmark land acquisition and rehabilitation bill on 29 August 2013 that aims

to provide fair compensation to those whose land is taken, brings transparency to the process and

details measures for rehabilitation of those displaced.The bill, which will now be called, The Right to Fair

Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Bill, 2012,

replaced a nearly 120-year-old law enacted during British rule in 1894.

Companies Bill 2013 Receives Presidents Assent

The new Companies Bill has received Presidents assent, that will make it into a law replacing thenearly

six-decade old regulations that govern corporates in the country.The Companies Bill 2013 received

assent from the President Pranab Mukherjee on 29 August 2013.The Companies Bill 2012 was passed in

Rajya Sabha on 8 August 2013 . Earlier, the bill was passed by the Lok Sabha on 18 December 2012. With

the Presidents assent, the Companies Bill 2012 became the Companies Act, 2013 (New Act).The new

Bill, providing for sweeping changes in the way companies operate and are regulated in the country,

received Parliamentary approval earlier this month. It would replace the Companies Act 1956.

STATES


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Karnataka Becomes First State To Establish Calamities Relief Fund

On 5 August Karnataka Government has become the first state in the country to establish State Natural

Calamities Relief fund of Rs. 125 crore.The Relief Fund will provide for a natural calamities relief fund

which would provide for building capital assets and relief in respect of man-made disasters that are not

covered under the state disaster response fund guidelines of the Government of India.

First Public Sector Breast Milk Bank Inaugurated In Kolkata

On 7 August A modern and sophisticated breast milk bank was inaugurated at the state-run Seth Sukhlal

Karnani Memorial Hospital (SSKM) by West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee . This novel scheme

was launched to cater to the basic needs of a child who is just born, but does not get the milk from the

mother or when the mother dies after giving birth to the child.The breast milk bank would help specially

to non-lactating mothers. The stored milk can be used to feed babies whose mothers fall ill during the

six-month lactating period after pregnancy.

Indias First Cyber Forensic Laboratory (CFL) Established In Tripura

The first Cyber Forensic Laboratory (CFL) of India was established in Tripura on 11 August .The lab was

established at the Tripura High Court and the purpose of the lab is to facilitate information related to

court cases. The CFL was inaugurated by Supreme Court judge Justice Madan B. Lokur.

Agar-Malwa Becomes The 51st District Of Madhya Pradesh

Madhya Pradesh government gave nod to creation of the new district of Agar-Malwa, taking the number

of districts in the state to 51.The district will come into existence on 16 August.The new district will be

created by bifurcating Shajapur district; it will comprise the tehsils of Agar, Badoud, Susner and

Nalkheda. Headquarters would be at Agar town.Spread over 2,785 square km, Agar-Malwa will have

population of 4.80 lakh.

Sonia Sonia Gandhi Launches Food Security Scheme In Delhi

On 20 August Congress president Sonia Gandhi launched the Centre-Sponsored Food security scheme

on the occasion of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhis 69th birth Anniversary.Delhi was the first state

to implement the scheme.Under the scheme, a total of 73.5 lakh people will get foodgrain at highly

subsidised rates.The food security programme would provide subsidised grains for 67 per cent of the

population and would see government spending an estimated Rs. 1,25,000 crore to supply 62 million

tonnes of grains. Under the scheme, beneficiaries would get wheat at Rs. 2 a kg, rice at Rs. 3 a kg and

coarse grain at Rs. 1 a kg.Congress party ruled northern states Haryana and Uttarakhand have also

launched this scheme.


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Maharashtra Cabinet Approved Anti-Black Magic and Superstition Ordinance

On 21 August the Maharashtra Cabinet has approved the Anti-Black Magic and Superstition Ordinance

after the death of anti-superstition activist Narendra Dabholkar.The decision was taken by the state

cabinet in wake up of the protests that followed after the murder of Dabhokar in Pune on 20 August

2013.Dabholkar was at the forefront of a campaign to persuade the Maharashtra government to pass an

anti-superstition and black magic bill.

Rajasthan Government Laid Foundation Stone For Worlds Largest Solar Park

On 21 August State Government of Rajasthan laid the foundation stone for worlds biggest solar park at

Bhadla of Jodhpur District of Rajasthan.The solar park with generation capacity of 3000 MW would be

commissioned in phased manner. In its first phase the solar park will generate 1000 MW.Solar Park

would be established in 10 thousand hectare land and Asian Development Bank (ADB) will provide 3000

crore rupees loan for development of transmission lines of this solar park.

CONFERENCES

BRICS Business Council Meeting Held In Johannesburg

The first BRICS Business Council Meeting was held on 19 20 August 2013 in Johannesburg , South

Africa.The objective of the meet is aiming to increase the trade and investment ties between

participating economies.The two-day meeting was attended by the Chairpersons of the respective

chapters of the BRICS Business Council that attended the meeting are: Jose Rubens de la Rosa (Brazil),

Sergey Katyrin (Russian Federation), Onkar Kanwar (India) and MA Zehua (China).The meeting was

chaired by Patrice Motsepe, Chairman of the South African and BRICS Business Council.In a joint

statement following the first BRICS Business Council meeting ,the council made several

recommendations includes urging governments to facilitate convenience in expediting multiple entry

business visas for longer periods, as well as considering a proposal to create a BRICS business travel card

; Enhancing connectivity; and Creating a BRICS business portal, which will be facilitated by the BRICS

Business Council Secretariat, among others.The council has agreed to work together in areas such as

infrastructure, mining and mineral beneficiation, value-added manufacturing development, skills

development and sustainable development.BRICS an acronym for the Brazil, Russia, India, China and

South Africa group of countries.The BRICS Business Council was established during the 2013 BRICSSummit in Durban in March, with South African businessman Patrice Motsepe named chairman of the

body.

Second ASEAN Defence Ministers Meeting Plus Held In Brunei


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The 2nd ASEAN Defense Ministers Meeting-Plus has concluded in Brunei on 29 August .Defense

ministers from ASEAN signed a declaration of commitment to enhance peace and security in the Asia-

Pacific region.They committed to adhere to the principles of equality, mutual respect, mutual benefit

and respect for international laws in the handling of disputes. The defense ministers also agreed to

promote better understanding and confidence-building measures among defense establishments.ASEAN

Defence ministers meeting firstly convened in Vietnams capital Hanoi on October 12, 2010, theregional event has involved 18 member states, including ministers from the 10 ASEAN nations.ASEAN

Defence Ministers Meeting Plus was established in 2010.This forum is convened every two years.The

third ADMM-Plus is scheduled to be held in Malaysia in 2015.

AWARDS & HONOURS

Malayalam Poetess Sugathakumari Awarded With Saraswati Samman 2013

On 2 August Renowned Malayalam poetess and social activist Sugathakumari has been conferred withthe prestigious Saraswati Samman 2012 for Manalezhuthu (the Writings on the Sand), a collection of

poems in Malayalam.Manalezhuthu was published in the year 2006.Saraswati Samman Award was

instituted by KK Birla Foundation in 1991.This award is given every year to the literary work in any Indian

language which is the part of Eighth Schedule of the Constitution.

US Presidential Medal To Bill Clinton and Oprah Winfrey

On 8 August Barack Obama, the US President would confer the Presidential Medal of Freedom on

former US President, Bill Clinton and talk show queen, Oprah Winfrey. It is the highest civilian honour of

America.

Indian American Professor Received Top US Environmental Award

On 16 August An Indian American professor of biological and agricultural engineering has been

recognised by a top US environmental and water resources institute for his pioneering work in

hydrology. Vijay P Singh, professor and Caroline ; William N Lehrer distinguished chair in the department

of biological and agricultural engineering at Texas A&M University, was named a recipient of the 2013

Lifetime Achievement Award by the American Society of Civil Engineers Environmental and Water

Resources Institute (ASCE-EWRI).Singh is an internationally recognised and pre-eminent engineer

specialising in water resources engineering and hydrology. His work has developed the application of

kinematic wave theory to the point where it is widely used throughout the world in hydrologic models

used for water resource modelling, flood planning and hydrologic design.

Harshwanti Bisht Selected For Sir Edmund Hillary Mountain Legacy Medal 2013


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On 12 August Professor of economics, and conservationist, and mountaineer Dr. Harshwanti Bisht has

been selected to receive the Sir Edmund Hillary Mountain Legacy Medal 2013.The award is presented

for remarkable service in the conservation of culture and nature in mountainous regions.In 2003 the Sir

Edmund Hillary Mountain Legacy Medal was initiated by unanimous resolution of the Namche

Conference: Parks, People and Mountain Tourism.

Malala Yousafzai Wins International Childrens Peace Prize

On 27 August Pakistani school pupil and education activist Malala Yousafzai won the International

Childrens Peace Prize 2013. The peace prize carries a cash value of 100000 euros (133000 US dollars)

which is invested in projects relating to the winners cause. The International Childrens Peace Prize is an

initiative of the Amsterdem-based Dutch KidsRights Foundation. It was launched in the year 2005 by

former Soviet President Mikhail Gorbachev, when he chaired the Summit of Nobel Peace Laureates in

Rome. Since then, the prize has been awarded every year by a Nobel Peace Prize Laureate. The prize is

presented annually to an exceptional child, whose courageous or otherwise remarkable actions have

made a difference in countering problems, which affect children around the world.

Mandela Is The First Recipient Of Mahathir Award For Global Peace

On 27 August Former South African President Nelson Mandela was awarded the first Lifetime

Campaigner for Peace and Freedom of the Mahathir Award for Global Peace .Current South African

President Jacob Zuma received the award on behalf of Mandela, who is in a critical condition in a

hospital in Pretoria.The Mahathir Award for Global Peace is a peace award instituted by the Mahathir

Global Peace Foundation. The foundation was formed to contribute to worldwide peace

efforts.Mahathir bin Mohamad is a Malaysian politician who was the fourth Prime Minister of Malaysia.

He held the post for 22 years from 1981 to 2003, making him Ma laysias longest serving Prime Minister.

ECONOMY

Union Cabinet Approved the Setting up of Bharatiya Mahila Bank

On 8 August the Union Cabinet approved the proposal for setting up of Bharatiya Mahila Bank (BMB)

with an initial corpus of Rs 1,000 crore.The proposed bank will be headquartered in New Delhi.The

Mahila Bank will start with 6 branches one each in north, south, east, west, central and north eastern

part of the country.The proposed bank is likely to begin operations by November this year.

India Signed Agreement With World Bank For Low Income Housing Finance Project

On 14 August the government of India and the World Bank signed a $100 million credit agreement

aimed at helping low-income households in Indian cities access loans to purchase, build or upgrade their

dwellings.The Low Income Housing Finance Project would be implemented by the National Housing


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Bank (NHB).The credit agreement for the Low Income Housing Finance Project was signed between the

Government of India, National Housing Bank (NHB) and World Bank in New Delhi.

Muslims Have Lowest Living Standard In India

According to the National Sample Survey Organisation (NSSO) study titled Employment and

Unemployment Situation Among Major Religious Groups in India among various religious

groups,Muslims have the lowest living standard in the country

* According to the survey data , Muslims average per capita expenditure of just Rs 32.66 in a day.At the

other end of the spectrum, Sikh community enjoys a much better lifestyle as the average per capita

spending among them is Rs 55.30 per day, while the same for Hindus is Rs 37.50. For Christians it is Rs

51.43.

* At all-India level, the average monthly per capita expenditure (MPCE) of a Sikh household was Rs 1,659

while that for a Muslim household was Rs 980 in 2009-10.The average MPCE for Hindus and Christians

were Rs 1,125 and Rs 1,543, respectively.The survey said that average monthly per capita consumptionat all-India level was Rs 901 in villages and Rs1,773 in cities. Overall, the average MPCE was Rs 1,128.

* Muslims were at the bottom in rural areas, with an average MPCE of Rs 833, followed by Hindus at Rs

888, Christians at Rs1,296 and Sikhs 1,498.

* In urban areas, Muslims average MPCE was also the lowest at Rs 1,272 followed by Hindus at Rs

1,797, Christians Rs 2,053 and Sikhs at Rs 2,180.

Per Capita Income Up 6.7% in 2004-12

On 25 August According to official sources data ,the per capita income in the country increased 6.7 per

cent per annum during 2004-05 to 2011-12, while the percentage of poor declined by 2.2 per cent over

the period.For 2011-12, the Planning Commission has estimated percentage of people living below the

poverty line at 21.9 per cent.The poverty line in 2011-12 in terms of monthly per capita consumption

expenditure was estimated at Rs 816 in rural areas and Rs 1,000 in urban areas.State-wise, Uttar

Pradesh had highest number of people living below poverty line during 2011-12 at 598.19 people below

poverty line out of every lakh.It was followed by Bihar at 358.15 people (per lakh), Madhya Pradesh

234.04 people, Maharashtra 197.92 people and West Bengal at 184.98 people living below the poverty

line.

27 crore People Live Below Poverty Line In India

Indias population was estimated at 123 crore as of March 1, 2012, while as many as 27 crore people

lived below the poverty line in 2011-12, Minister of State for Planning Rajeev Shukla explained in a

written reply to Rajya Sabha on 29 August.As per the Population Census of 2011 conduced by the Office

of Registrar General of India, the population in the country was estimated at 121 crore as of March 1,

2011.The poverty ratio in the country has decreased to 21.9 per cent in 2011-12 from 37.2 per cent in


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2004-05.The rate of decline between 2004-05 and 2011-12 is three times faster than experienced

between 1993-94 and 2004-05.As per the Millennium Development Goals Report 2013, the poverty rate

in India fell from 49 per cent in 1994 to 42 per cent in 2005 and 33 per cent in 2010.

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

Australias Most Powerful Super Computer Unveiled

On 1 August Australias most powerful supercomputer Raijin was unveiled in Canberra.Raijin,

named after the Japanese God of thunder and rain, has costed USD 45.2 million to build and will cost

USD 10.85 million a year to run.The super computer, unveiled at Australian National University

(ANU),and it is the 27th most powerful computer in the world.

Indias DRDO Launches Explosive Detection Kit In US

On 2 August the India-developed US-manufactured Explosive Detection Kit (EDK) was launched at the US

Chamber of Commerce building in Washington.In a first of its kind of reverse technology sharing

between India and the US, an innovative Explosive Detection Kit developed by Indian scientists would be

manufactured in America and sold globally for quick detection and identification of combinations of

explosives.This was probably for the first time that technology developed by Defence Research &

Development Organisation (DRDO) was being manufactured and marketed in the US.

Japan Sends Worlds First Talking Robot Into Space

On 4 August Japan has successfully launched the worlds first talking humanoid robot called Kirobo

in to space. The robot was sent by H2B rocket from the island of Tanegashima. The rocket carried food,

water and other supplies. Kirobo will serve as a companion for Japanese astronauts.Kirobo was put

through a series of zero-gravity and other safety tests prior to sending him into space. Kirobo is 34

centimetres tall and can speak Japanese. It will provide emotional support for people in space. Kirobo

will talk to JAXA astronaut Koichi Wakata when he arrives at the space station in November. The name

of Kirobo is a merging of Kibo and robot. Kirobo was designed by scientists and engineers at the

University of Tokyo. It is equipped with voice-recognition and face-recognition technology, as well as a

camera, emotion recognition software and natural language processing.

Japan Unveils Largest Warship

On 6 August Japan has unveiled its biggest warship since the Second World War as part of a plan to

bolster its defense of territorial claims in disputed waters.The ship, named the Izumo, is classified as a

helicopter destroyer, though its flattop design makes it look like an aircraft carrier.The ship is nearly 250

metres (820ft feet) long and is designed to carry up to 14 helicopters.Japanese Defense Ministry

announced the ship is not intended to be used as an aircraft carrier and will not be used to launch


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fighter jets.It will also be used to bolster the nations ability to transport personnel and supplies in

response to large-scale natural disasters.

Pinaka Rockets Successfully Test Fired

On 7 August India successfully test fired two rounds of indigenously developed Pinaka rockets from a

multi-barrel rocket launcher (MBRL) from a defence base in Chandipur-on-sea near Balasore, off the

Odisha coast.The tests were routine trials conducted for training purpose. The tests were conducted by

personnel from Armament Research and Development Establishment (ARDE), Pune unit at Proof and

Experimental Establishment (PXE) firing point-2. Pinaka is an area weapon system with a range of 40

km.Pinaka system can fire a salvo of 12 rockets in 44 seconds. Ten rounds of Pinaka rockets were tested

from the same base on 30 and 31 January and 28 February this year.

INS Arihant Nuclear Reactor Activated

On 10 August India has activated the reactor on board the INS Arihant nuclear submarine, the first to

be designed and built in India.With this success, India became a member of the exclusive club of

countries that have built their own nuclear powered submarines along with Russia, US, UK, China and

France.After the nuclear reactor is activated, INS Arihant has been undergoing trials at Navys key

submarine base in Vishakhapatnam (Andhra Pradesh) and would be launched for sea trials soon since

the nuclear reactor has gone critical.Nuclear triad has the ability to fire nuclear-tipped missiles from

land, air and sea.Arihant means destroyer of enemies in Sanskrit is an Indian submarine, which is 111

meter long, 11 broad and 15 meter tall.The 6,000 tonne vessel was built under the Advanced

Technology Vessel (ATV) project at the Ship Building Centre in Visakhapatnam ,at a cost of around Rs

15,000 crore .INS Arihant, was introduced to the public on 26 July 2009 at a symbolic launch ceremony

by Prime Minister Manmohan Singhs wife Gursharan Kaur.India operates the INS Chakra, which is an

Akula II class submarine leased from Russia for ten years and has plans of building two more nuclear

submarines indigenously.

ICGS Rajveer Commissioned

On 10 August Seventh in the series of eight inshore patrol vessels (IPV), ICGS Rajveer was commissioned

at Visakhapatnam (Andhra Pradesh) by defence secretary R K Mathur in the presence of vice-admiral

Anurag G Thapliyal, director general of Indian Coast Guard.The IPV is equipped with the most advanced

and sophisticated navigational and communication sensors and equipment. The ship is propelled to a

maximum speed of 31.5 knots and has an endurance of 1,500 nautical miles. The special feature include

an integrated Bridge System, Integrated machinery control system and an indigenously built 30mm gun

mount with fire control system.

India Launched First Indigenous Aircraft Carrier INS Vikrant


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India launched its first indigenous aircraft carrier INS Vikrant on 12 August .Defence Minister A K

Antonys wife Elizabeth launched the 37,500 tonne carrier INS Vikrant at Kochi shipyard.This will mark

Indias entry into a select club of countries capable of designing and building a carrier of this size. Other

countries capable of designing and building an equivalent size ship are the US, the UK, Russia and

France.Fighter aircraftMig-29K, Light Combat Aircraft and Kamov-31 helicopterswill deployed on

board the carrier which will also carry an array of other weapons systems.INS Vikrant has a length of 260metres and it is 60 metres wide.It is behind schedule by three years.The carrier is expected to be

delivered to the Navy by the end of 2018.

India Successfully Test Fired Nuclear Capable Prithvi-II Missile

On 12 August India has successfully test-fired its indigenously developed nuclear capable Prithvi-II

missile from a mobile launcher in salvo mode from launch complex-3 of the Integrated Test Range (ITR)

at (Odisha) Chandipur.Prithvi-II missile was launched by the personnel of the Strategic Force Command

(SFC) from ITRs Launch Complex-III as part of routine user training. The missile scientists of the Defence

Research and Development Organisation(DRDO) monitored the launch operations.The missile, with arange of 350 km, developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) .The

missile, 9 metres in height with a launch weight of 4.6 tonnes, is capable of carrying a warhead of more

than 500 kg.The last users trial of Prithvi-II was successfully carried out from the same base on on

December 20, 2012.

Voyager Becomes First Man-Made Object To Leave The Solar System

According to the new research shows ,NASAs long-lived Voyager probe crossed into interstellar space

last year, becomes the first man-made object to leave the solar system.Voyager 1 space craft was

launched in 1977 along with a sister probe, Voyager 2, to observe the outer planets. Voyager 1 is nowapproximately 120 times farther away from the sun than Earth. Voyager 2 is heading out of the solar

system in a different direction.The probes are powered by the slow decay of radioactive plutonium.

Voyager 1 will begin running out of energy for its science instruments in 2020. By 2025, it will be

completely out of power.

Indias Super Hercules Lands At Highest Airfield On LAC

The Super Hercules C 130 J transport plane landed at the worlds highest and recently-activated Daulat

Beg Oldie airstrip in Ladakh area of Jammu and Kashmir for the first time on 20 August .The Daulat Beg

Oldie airstrip located at 16614 feet (5065 metres) in the Aksai Chin area..In April, the area saw a 21-day

stand-off between Indian and Chinese troops who came and pitched tents in the vicinity of the airfield

and returned only after several rounds of flag meetings between both sides.The achievement will enable

the armed forces to use the heavy-lift aircraft to induct troops, supplies, improve communication

network and also serve as a morale booster for maintenance of troops positioned there.C-130J is

capable of lifting upto 20 tonnes of load.


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Indias First Defence Satellite GSAT-7 Launched Successfully

Indias first exclusive defence satellite GSAT-7 was successfully launched by European space consortium

Arianespaces Ariane 5 rocket from Kourou spaceport in French Guiana on 30 August.This launch will

push ahead Indias maritime security.GSAT7 has been built at an expense of 185 crore rupees and will

act as the countrys maiden dedicated spacecraft for defence applications.The frequency bands of GSAT-

7 will help space-based marine communications. It has coverage over India landmass as well as

surrounding seas.Earlier, satellite communication in ships was through Inmarsat, a major provider of

global mobile satellite communications services.The state-of-the-art satellite carrying payloads

operating in UHF, S, C and Ku bands, had a lift-off mass of 2625 kg and is based on ISROs 2500 kg

satellite bus with some new technological elements, including the antennae.According to ISRO, GSAT-7

is an advanced communication satellite to provide wide range of service spectrum from low bit rate

voice to high bit rate data communication.Payload of the GSAT7 is designed to provide communication

capabilities to users in distant oceanic regions. Its solar arrays generate 2900 W of electrical power.

US Scientists Created the Most Precise Clock of the World

The National Institute of Standards and Technology Scientist from U.S , revealed in the month of August

2013 that they created the most precise clock of the world. The ticking rate of this clock varies less than

two parts in one quintillion, or ten times better than any clock in the world. The clock is made up of the

element ytterbium. This element can be used for technological advancements beyond the timekeeping.

The clock can be used for various purposes such as checking temperature, navigation systems as well as

magnetic fields.The co-author of the study which revealed the clock, Andrew Ludlow explained that the

stability of this ytterbium lattice clock paves way for other practical applications of high-performance

timekeeping.

PERSONS IN NEWS

A) APPOINTMENTS

Rajeev Rishi is new CMD of Central Bank of India

On 1 August Rajeev Rishi took over as the Chairman and Managing Director of Central Bank of India .His

appointment is for a period of five years.Prior to the new appointment, Mr. Rishi served as the Executive

Director of Indian Bank, since October 2010. Before joining Indian Bank, he was the General Manager of

Oriental Bank of Commerce.Rajeev Rishi, who belongs to Chandigarh, holds a BA and an LLB and an

expert in Banking.

Arundhati Bhattacharya Appointed Managing Director Of SBI


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On 2 August Arundhati Bhattacharya was appointed the managing director and chief financial officer of

the State Bank of India(SBI).She is the first managing director at SBI, which is Indias largest

bank.Arundhati succeeded Diwakar Gupta.

Hassan Rouhani Sworn In As Irans New President

On 4 August Hassan Rohani was sworn in as the new President of Iran in the ceremony held at the

Iranian Parliament in Tehran.Rouhani is the seventh (different) President of Iran after the Islamic

Revolution of 1979.

Raghuram Rajan Appointed as the New Governor of RBI

On 6 August Chief economic adviser Raghuram Govind Rajan has been appointed as the Governor of the

Reserve Bank of India (RBI).Rajan will have a term of three years.He will be the 23rd Governor of RBI.He

is 50 years of age and so far, he is the youngest person to become the Governor of the Reserve Bank ofIndia.He was appointed as the youngest-ever Economic Counselor and Director of Research (chief

economist) at the International Monetary Fund (IMF) from October 2003 to December 2006.Rajan was

appointed as Chief Economic Advisor to the Ministry of Finance, Government of India on 10 August

2012.

Dilip Trivedi is new CRPF chief

On 17 August Senior IPS officer Dilip Trivedi has been appointed as the new chief of the countrys largest

paramilitary force CRPF (Central Reserve Police Force). Trivedi, a 1978-batch officer of Uttar Pradesh

cadre has served in various positions in the state police and has also served in the Centre as ADG of theIndo-Tibetan Border Police.He succeeded Pranay Sahay who retired on 31 July 2013.

Michel Djotodia Sworn In As Central African Republic President

On 18 August Former rebel leader Michel Djotodia was formally sworn in as the Central African

Republics President.Djotodia has been in charge of the country during the chaos that followed the

rebels seizure of control in March 2013, when they swept into power from their northern bases,

overpowering South African forces protecting former leader Francois Bozize.Djotodia was a leader of the

Seleka rebel coalition in the December 2012 rebellion; following a peace agreement, he was appointed

to the government as First Deputy Prime Minister for National Defense in February 2013.

Robert Mugabe Sworn In As Zimbabwe President

On 21 August Robert Mugabe has been sworn in for a new five-year term as President of

Zimbabwe.Mugabe of Zanu-PF (Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front) party won the

Presidential election (Parliamentary Election) by winning 61 percent votes in his favour on 3 August .


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Parthasarathi Shome Appointed As Chairman Of TARC

On 26 August the Union Government of India set up a commission under the chairmanship of

Parthasarathy Shome to review tax laws and suggest ways for a stable and non-adversarial tax

administration.The seven-member Tax Administration Reform Commission (TARC) will have a 18-monthtenure to suggest various measures including an appropriate organisational structure for tax

governance.

Justice N V Ramana Appointed as Chief Justice of Delhi High Court

On 30 August Justice Nuthalapati Venkata Ramana, Judge of the High Court of Andhra Pradesh,was

appointed as the Chief Justice of the High Court of Delhi.Justice Ramana replaced Chief Justice D.

Murugesan, who retired in June.Justice Ramana was appointed as a permanent judge of the Andhra

Pradesh High Court on 27 June 2000.Ramana had enrolled as an advocate in February 1983 and has

practiced in the Andhra Pradesh High Court, central and state administrative tribunals and the SupremeCourt.He holds specialisation in constitutional, criminal, service and inter-state river laws.He has

specialized in Constitutional, criminal, service and Inter-State River laws. He has functioned as Panel

Counsel for various Government organizations.

B)RESIGNS

Egypt Vice President ElBaradei Resigned

Egyptian vice-president, Nobel laureate Mohamed ElBaradei, announced his resignation in a letter to the

interim president on14 August .The resignation comes after scores were killed in a crackdown bysecurity forces on loyalists of ousted Islamist president Mohamed Morsi.

C)DEATHS

Veteran Music Director Dakshinamoorthy Died

Venkateswaran Dakshinamoorthy, the veteran veteran carnatic musician and music director died on 2

August in Mylapore, Chennai.The veteran was known as Swamy in the music industry and gave music to

songs of more than 125 films in Tamil, Malayalam and Hindi.He has to his credit about 859 songs thatwere composed by him over seven decades of his service to the world of Music. He debuted as a Music

composer in the a Malayalam movie Nalla Thanka (Nalla Thankal in Tamil) in 1950.He was the proud

recipient of Kerala State Film Award for best music director in 1971.In 1998, he received the Kerala State

Film Award for Lifetime Achievement.


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Former Air Commodore Jasjit Singh Died

On 4 August Noted strategic analyst Air Commodore (retired) Jasjit Singh died in NewDelhi. He was

conferred with the Padma Bhushan, the second highest civilian award, in the year 2006 by the former

president APJ Abdul Kalam.

Former Union minister Devendra Prasad Yadav Died

On 11 August Former Union minister and senior Congress leader from Bihar, Devendra Prasad Yadav,

died in NewDelhi.Yadav was a three-time Member of Parliament from Munger parliamentary seat of

Bihar and had served as Minister of State for Education between 1971-77 in Indira Gandhis cabinet.

Renowned Naturalist and Ornithologist Zafar Futehally Died

On 11 August Zafar Rashid Futehally an Indian naturalist, ornithologist and conservationist has died on

11 August at Kihim in Maharashtra.Zafar Futehally led the early years of the conservation movement inIndia and served as a link between conservationists and corporate.He was conferred with several

national and international honours, including the Padma Shri in 1970.He also edited and published an

anthology of writings by Indian birdwatchers, India through its birds, which was published in 2007.

Former Nepal Prime Minister Man Singh Shrestha Died

Former Nepalese Prime Minister Marich Man Singh Shrestha has died in Kathmandu on 15 August.He

had served as Nepals Prime Minister for about four years till April 1990, when the political parties

launched an agitation to restore democratic rights.

Kapil Devs Former Coach Desh Prem Azad Died

On 16 August Desh Prem Azad, the former coach of cricketer Kapil Dev and Dronacharya awardee died

in Mohali.He trained cricketers such as Kapil Dev, Ashok Malhotra, Chetan Sharma and Yograj Singh in

the late 1970s.Desh Prem Azad represented Haryana, the Maharaja of Patialas XI and Southern Punjab,

while playing 19 first-class matches. In these matches, he scored 658 runs while grabbed 8 wickets in all.

Crime Novelist Elmore Leonard Died

Elmore Leonard, one of Americas best known crime novelists,has died on 20 August .Twenty-six of his

books and short stories have been adapted for the screen, including Hombre, Get Shorty, Jackie

Brown, (based on 1992s Rum Punch) and Justified, a TV shows based on 1993s Pronto, 1995s

Riding the Rap and the 2001 short story Fire in the Hole. His most recent novel, Raylan, was

released in 2012.


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Eminent Classical Singer Raghunath Panigrahi Died

On 25 August Eminent Indian classical singer and music director Pandit Raghunath Panigrahi died in

Bhubaneswar.Pandit Panigrahis effort to popularise poet Jayadevas Gita Govinda.Pandit Raghunath

Panigrahi was born at Gunupur in Odishas Rayaga (earlier Koraput) district.Pandit Raghunath was the

first Odia singer to be honoured by the French government for his Gita Govinda composition way back

in the 70s.He was also conferred with the Padmashri award in the year 2010.

Nobel Literature Laureate Seamus Heaney Died

On 30 August Irish writer and poet Seamus Heaney, who won the 1995 Nobel Prize in Literature, died in

Dublin.Seamus Heaney was born on 13 April 1939 in Northern Ireland.Northern Ireland-born Heaney

published his first major collection of poems, Death of a Naturalist, in 1966 and went on to become

one of the English languages leading poets.Heaney worked as the professor of poetry at Oxford

University between 1989 and 1994.

D)VISITORS

Afghanistan Vice-President Mohammad Karim Khalili Visited India

The vice president of Afghanistan, Mohammad Karim Karim Khalili visited India from 20 22

August.During the visit Khalili met Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in New delhi .In the meet both

nations discussed security issues and trade among other bilateral issues.Khalili also meets Indias

president Pranab Mukherjee, vice-president Mohammad Hamid Ansari, and external affairs minister

Salman Khurshid and discussed on both countries bilateral issues.

Iraqs Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki Visited India

Nouri Al-Maliki, Prime Minister of the Republic of Iraq visited India from 22 -25 August.During his four

day visit , Maliki met with the Prime Minister of India, Manmohan Singh and President of Indian Union,

Pranab Mukherjee, Vice President of India, Hamid Ansari in New Delhi.Both the nations exchanged views

on bilateral, regional and multilateral issues of mutual interest and reached a broad consensus. The

discussions enabled better understanding and appreciation of each others concerns and perspectives

and helped in forging closer understanding at the highest political level and also several MoUs were

signed between the two nations. This was the first visit of Maliki to India

E)MISCELLANEOUS

Amazon Founder & CEO Jeff Bezos Buys Washington Post


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Amazon Founder & CEO Jeff Bezos has purchased the Washington Post Newspaper of US. Seattle-based

Amazon owner Jeffrey P Bezos has agreed to buy the newspaper assets of The Washington Post

Company for USD 250 million.Bezos, whose entrepreneurship has made him one of the worlds richest

men, will pay $250 million in cash for The Post and affiliated publications to The Washington Post Co.,

which owns the newspaper and other businesses.The Washington Post (WP) is an American daily

newspaper. It is the most widely circulated newspaper published in Washington, D.C., and oldest extantin the area, founded in 1877.

11-year-old UK girl has higher IQ than Einstein

On 5 August An 11-year-old schoolgirl in the U.K. has achieved the highest possible score of 162 on a

Mensa IQ test, making her brainier than scientists Stephen Hawking and Albert Einstein. Cerys

Cooksammy-Parnell, a grade six schoolgirl took up the test with the aim of beating her fathers score of

142. She also scored the highest mark possible in the test, scoring 162 on the Cattell B scale.

Sharapova Tops Forbes List of Best Paid Female Athletes

On 6 August Russian tennis star Maria Sharapova has topped the Forbes list of highest-earning female

athletes for the ninth-straight year, raking in $29 million over the last 12 months.American Serena

Williams is second on the list with earnings of 20.5 million US dollars, Chinese star Li Na in third with

$18.2 million and Victoria Azarenka of Belarus in fourth with $15.7 million.

Indian American Students Wins National Geographic World Championship

On 9 August A team of three young Indian American students defeated teams from 17 other regions towin top honours at the 11th National Geographic World Championship in Russias St Petersburg.The

team was made up of captain Gopi Ramanathan from Sartell, Minnesota; Asha Jain from Minocqua,

Wisconsin; and Neelam Kaur Sandhu from Bedford, New Hampshire.In the biennial competition, teams

of students answered questions on physical, cultural and economic geography.Ramanathan, already has

won his state geography bee twice. He had finished seventh in the 2012 National Bee in Washington,

DC. The competition was sponsored by Google, and presented by the US National Geographic Society in

partnership with the Russian Geographical Society.

Canadian Street Named After Mahatma Gandhi

On 15 August A street in Canadas Winnipeg city has been named after Mahatma Gandhi on the

occasion of Indias 67th Independence Day. The street leading to the Canadian Museum for Human

Rights will now be known as Honorary Mahatma Gandhi Way. At a ceremony , the Mayor of Winnipeg

Sam Katz explained that the street was named so after an individual who is synonymous with the

struggle for human rights.


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Dhoni Beats Rafael NadalUsain Bolt In Forbes List Of Highest Paid Athletes

On 20 August Indian cricket team captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni has been ranked 16th in the latest

Forbes list of highest-paid athletes with an earning of $31.5 million (around Rs.180 crore).In the list, he

was placed above Rafael Nadal and Usain Bolt.As per the latest Forbes list of highest-paid athletes in the

world, dhoni earned $31.5 million between June 2012 and June 2013.List of places don above F1

Fernando Alonso, who is on the 19th, Lewis Hamilton on the 26th, Novak Djokovic on the 28th, Rafael

Nadal is in 30th place, and Usain Bolt in the 40th grade.Doni has risen 15 places in this years list. It took

31 th rank in the last year. Sachin Tendulkar is the only Indian athlete, who is one of the rank of 31 and a

total annual revenue of $ 22 million (Rs 125 crore).List is topped by golfer Tiger Woods, who made $

78.1 million last year, followed by Roger Federer, who earned $ 71.5 million, basketball player Kobe

Bryant with earnings of $ 61.9 million.The calculation is based on earnings estimates, which includes

salaries, bonuses and cash prizes from both the club and the national team, as well as approval of

revenue.

Madonna Tops Forbes 2013 Highest-Paid Celebrities List

On 27 August According to Forbes 2013 list of highest-paid celebrities Madonna was the worlds

highest-earning celebrity in 2012-13.Madonna made $US125 million between June 2012 and June

2013.Veteran film director Steven Spielberg took second place in the list, while musical talent show

mogul Simon Cowell tied for third with Fifty Shades of Grey author EL James and disc jockey Howard

Stern.

Most Wanted Indian Mujahideen Terrorist Yasin Bhatka Arrested

Indian Mujahideen co-founder and one of Indias most wanted terrorists, Yasin Bhatkal was arrested on30 August.Yasin has been on the run since 2008. The IM leader is wanted in a string of terror attacks in

Ahmedabad, Surat, Bangalore, Pune, Delhi and Hyderabad.Yasin, who co-founded IM in 2008 along with

brother Riaz, is also wanted in the German Bakery bomb blast in Pune on February 13, 2010.

PLACES IN NEWS

Strong Earthquake HitsChina

On 14 August China hit by strong earthquake with magnitude of 6.1.The earthquake occured in joltedparts of Tibet.Due to this earthquake at least 87 people were injured and over 45,000 homes damaged

.The epicenter of the earthquake was identified nearer to the Ringo town.

Submarine INS Sindhurakshak Sinks After Major Blast In Mumbai


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On 14 August in a huge setback to the Indian Navy, a conventional submarine INS Sindhurakshak

exploded after a fire on board and sank in the naval dockyard in Mumbai , in which 18 personnel,

including three officers are feared killed.A smaller intensity explosion was followed by two massive

blasts, causing a major fire in the Russian-made submarine.In 2010, a fire broke out on board

Sindhurakshak leaving a sailor dead and two others injured. INS Sindhurakshak was a Russian-made Kilo-

class 877EKM(Sindhughosh-class) diesel-electric submarine of the Indian Navy.Commissioned on 24December 1997, it was the ninth of the ten Kilo-class submarines in the Indian Navy.On 4 June 2010, the

Indian Defence Ministry and Zvezdochka shipyard signed a contract worth US$80 million to upgrade and

overhaul the submarine. After the overhaul, it returned to India from Russia in 2013.

1300 People Killed In Chemical Attack On Syria

On 21 August nearly 1300 people, including children were killed in in Damascus, the capital of

Syria..This was one of the deadliest chemical attacks in the civil war of Syria. Toxic gas was fired from the

rockets.

ABBREVIATIONS

DRDO Defence Research and Development Organisation

SAARC South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation

AGOC Asian Games Organisation Committee

CDRI - Central Drug Research Institute

FEMA Foreign Exchange Management Act

FIPB - Foreign Investment Promotion Board

IFTU International Federation of Trade Unions

IRDA Insurance Regulatory Development Authority


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NABARD - National Bank for Agricultural and Rural Development

SEBI - Security Exchange Board of India

UNHCR United Nations High Commission for Refugees

WMO World Meteorological Organisation

BOOKS IN NEWS

The Moon Baller Book Released

On 5 August Former India No.1 and tennis ace Nirupama Vaidyanathans autobiographical account The

Moon Baller was released at a function held at the Madras Cricket Club.The book, which goes back in

time to chronicle the times when professional tennis for Indian women was quite unheard of, was

launched by tennis legend Vijay Amritraj.

My Journey: Transforming Dreams into Actions by Abdul Kalam Released

In the month of August My Journey: Transforming Dreams into Actions by former President of India,Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam was launched by the Rupa Publication.In his new book Kalam shares the inspiration

and the lessons he learned from personal stories of his life. The book describes the lesser known events

from his life.

Dhyan Chand The Wizard of Hockey Book Released

The first-of-its-kind graphic biography on former Indian Hockey player Dhyan Chand titled Dhyan

Chand-The Wizard of Hockey was launched at Dhyanchand Stadium in New Delhi on 29 August .The

biography was launched on the National Sports Day to commemorate the 108th birth anniversary of the

legend.The book has been written by Luis Fernandes, who researched extensively on the subject.Thebook is being printed by comic-series publication Amar Chitra Katha.The book focussed on Dhyan

Chands achievements and goal-scoring feats at 1928, 1932 and 1936 Olympics that got him the title The

Wizard.

COMMITTEES


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Virginius Xaxa Committee To Asses Status Of Scheduled Tribes

On 17 August On the pattern of Sachar Committee for Muslims, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has set

up a committee to assess the status of scheduled tribes with an aim of ensuring their uplift, particularly

in socio-economic, health and education fields.Prof. Virginius Xaxa was appointed as the chairman of theseven-member committee.The committee will finalise and present its report within nine months from

the date of this notification.The Prime Ministers decision of setting up a committee came after the

government found that the STs, who form 7.5 percent of the countrys population, are not getting

enough dues despite the special status in the constitution.

IMPORTANT DAYS AND DATES

International Day of the Victims of Enforced DisappearancesThe United Nations (UN) observes the International Day of the Victims of Enforced Disappearances on

August 30 each year.The UN General Assembly declared this day by its resolution 65/209, on 21

December 2010. The UN General Assembly, by this same resolution also welcomed the adoption of the

International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance. The

involuntary or enforced disappearances are a result of abduction, detention or arrest or other factors or

reasons. Also, there are growing numbers of reports which include ill-treatment, harassment as well as

intimidation of the witnesses of these disappearances or of the persons or the relatives who have

disappeared.

National Sports Day Is Observed On 29 August

National Sports Day in India is observed on 29 August of every year to commemorate the birth

anniversary of Indian hockey legend Dhyan Chand.National sports day celebrated every year on 29

August to bring awareness about sports in public.This year, events like walkathon and football

tournaments were held across the country for the first time as part of the National Sports Day

celebrations. On the occasion of National Sports Day, a scheme known as Come and Play has been

launched for general public to make optimal use of Sports Authority of India stadia. Major Dhyan Chand

is an iconic Indian hockey player who is remembered as a magician of Indian hockey. He was the prime

member of Indian hockey team which brought three Olympic gold medals in field of Hockey in 1928

(Amsterdam), 1932 (Los Angeles) and 1936 (Berlin).He was honored with Padma Bhushan by theGovernment of India in 1956 for his outstanding contribution to Indian Hockey.Major Dhyan Chands

birthday, 29 August is celebrated as National Sports Day in India. Major sports awards like Rajiv Gandhi

Khel Ratna, Arjuna, Dronacharya awards are presented on this occasion to the sportsperson who has

shown tremendous commitment towards the game and made the Country proud.

July 2013


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INTERNATIONAL

Croatia Joins The EU as 28th Member State

On 1 July Croatia became the 28th member of the European Union.It is the first addition since Bulgaria

and Romania joined EU in 2007.Croatia formally applied for EU membership in 2003.

International Assistance Force In Mali Transformed into UN Force

On 1 July A new United Nations peacekeeping mission for insurgent-affected Mali was launched on 1

July .The previous African-led International Support Mission in Mali (AFISMA) has been transformed to

the UN Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA).The transfer of authority

from the forces of the African-led International Support Mission in Mali (AFISMA) to the UN

Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA) took place during a ceremony in

Bamako, capital of the West African country.

Pakistan China Signed 8 Agreements

On 5 July Pakistan and China signed eight documents of cooperation in various areas of economy , for

furthering already strong economic and technical ties between two friendly countries.The first pact

signed pertained to the building of a long term project (Pak-China Economic Corridor) a 200KM tunnel

which will be built at a cost of $18 billion.These agreements and MoU were signed in the presence of

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and Chinese Premier Li Keqaing.Federal Minister for Planning and

Development Ahsan Iqbal signed the pact from the Pakistani side while Chairman National Development

and Reforms Commission of PRC, Xu Shao Shi inked the pact from the Chinese side.

Hazem El-Beblawi Named As New Egyptian Prime Minister

On 9 July Hazem el Beblawi a liberal economist and Egypt s former finance minister was named as the

new Prime Minister of Egypt by the Interim President Adly Mansour.El-Beblawi is a founding member of

the Egyptian Social Democratic Party, Al Ahram.He has also served as the undersecretary-general at the

United Nations between 1995 and 2000.

Taiwan and New Zealand Signed Free Trade Agreement

On 10 July New Zealand signed a free trade agreement with Taiwan.Two-way trade is worth 1.6 billion

New Zealand dollars (US$1.2 billion) annually, with New Zealand exporting mainly agricultural products

like milk and Taiwan shipping largely electronics.Taiwan is New Zealands 12th largest trading partner,

with bilateral trade totalling about $120.7 million.


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France and Switzerland Signed New Inheritance Tax Agreement

On 11 July France and Switzerland have signed an agreement on inheritance tax as part of an amended

double taxation agreement. Paris hopes will help it bring in more money.Under the agreement

inheritances would be taxed based on where the recipient resides, not where the deceased lived, as

used to be the case.

Bhutans Opposition Party Wins Parliamentary Elections

On 14 July Bhutans Election Commission formally announced that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)

won the National Assembly elections by having secured a majority of thirty two seats.The Druk

Phuensum Tshogpa (DPT) won fifteen seats and was elected as the opposition party.PDP leader Tshering

Tobgay is likely to be named prime minister of the new government.

Bangladesh Passes Labour (Amendment) Bill 2013On 15 July the Bangladesh Parliament passed Bangladesh Labour (Amendment) Bill 2013 aimed to

protect the interest and rights of the workers and ensuring their safety.The new law has seen

amendments to a total of 87 sections of the Labor Act 2006.

Britains Queen Elizabeth II Signed Bill Legalizing Gay Marriage

On 17 July Britain has legalized gay marriage after Queen Elizabeth II gave her royal stamp of

approval.The queens approval was a formality.Britain became the 15th country to legalize gay marriage

after a bill cleared Parliament and Queen Elizabeth II signed off on the law.

Iran and Iraq Signed Gas Export Agreement

On 21 July Iran has signed an agreement to export gas to Iraq, worth 3.7 billion dollars a year.The

agreement was signed in the Iraqi capital of Baghdad by Irans Oil Minister Rostam Qasemi and his Iraqi

counterpart, Abdul Kareem Luaibi.

EU Declared Hezbollahs Military Wing As Terrorist Organization

On 22 July The European Union (EU) declared the military wing of Hezbollah a terrorist organization.TheEUs 28 foreign ministers reached the decision unanimously at their meeting.The Iranian-backed group

plays a major role in Lebanese politics and has dominated the government since 2011.The blacklisting

would mean imposing visa bans on individuals and asset freezes on organizations associated with the

group.


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Thirty Meter Telescope Partners Signed Agreement

On 26 July The partners building the worlds largest and most advanced optical telescope at Mauna

Keas summit have signed an agreement laying the foundation for the telescopes operation.Mauna Kea

is a volcano on the island of Hawaii.The Thirty Meter Telescope project representatives from partnering

institutions in the U.S., Canada, China, India and Japan signed the document.The agreement defines

project goals, member party rights, obligations and benefits. It also establishes a governance

structure.The telescope is a partnership of the Association of Canadian Universities for Research in

Astronomy, the California Institute of Technology, the National Astronomical Observatory of Japan,

institutions in India, a consortium of Chinese institutions and the University of California.

Liberals, Smaller Tribes Win Seats In Kuwaits Parliamentary Elections

On 27 July Liberals and candidates from some of Kuwaits more marginalised tribes have won seats in a

parliament .The ballot was the sixth since 2006 in the major oil producer, where political upheaval and

bureaucracy have held up the vast majority of projects in a 30-billion-dinar (68 billion pounds) economic

development plan announced in 2010.Kuwait has the most open political system in the Gulf Arab region

but parliaments have been repeatedly dissolved over procedural disputes or for challenging the

government in which members of the ruling Al-Sabah family hold top posts.Shiites estimated at 20-30

percent of the population won just eight seats in the 50-member parliament compared to 17 in the

last election in December, after Sunnis in their districts ramped up a campaign to win seats.

Myanmar China Gas Pipeline Starts To Deliver Gas To China

On 28 July Myanmar-China natural gas pipeline (Myanmar section) was inaugurated in northern

Myanmars Mandalay and started to deliver gas to China.The gas pipeline stretches for 793 kilometersonshore within Myanmars territory with six processing stations, while the crude oil pipeline, which is

nearing completion, starts from Made Island and extends onshore for 771 kilometers.

Republican Turkish Party Wins Turkish Cypriot Parliamentary Elections

On 29 July the centre-left Republican Turkish Party (CTP) emerged as the winner on in the Turkish

Cypriot parliamentary elections, but came short of winning an outright majority.The CTP won 38.49 per

cent of the vote and 21 seats in the 50-seat Parliament of the breakaway Turkish Republic of Northern

Cyprus, results showed.The nationalist National Unity Party (UBP) won 27.16 per cent and 14 seats and

the centre-right Democratic Party (DP) took 23.1 per cent of the vote and 12 seats.The centre-leftCommunal Democracy Party (TDP) won 7.41 per cent of the vote and three seats.The CTP will now need

to form a coalition government.The election was called a year early after the Government of Prime

Minister Irsen Kucuk, in power since 2009.Cyprus has been divided into a Turkish northern part and a

Greek south since a Turkish invasion in July 1974.

Mamnoon Hussain Elected As Pakistans New President


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On 30 July Pakistan Muslim League-Nawazs (PML-N) nominee Mamnoon Hussain was elected as the

12th President of Pakistan.Hussain emerged as a clear winner in the contest with ex-judge Wajihuddin

Ahmed of Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf party , headed by cricketer-turned politician Imran Khan.Mamnoon

Hussain has secured 432 votes whereas justice Wajihuddin (Ahmed) secures 77 votes.The presidential

office of Pakistan will be vacated on 8 September 2013 by the incumbent Asif Ali Zardari, as his term of 5

years ended.Mamnoon Hussain will be administered the oath of the office on 9 September 2013.Mamnoon Hussain was born on 2 March 1940 in Agra, India.He is the textile businessman as well as

politician of Pakistan.He migrated to Pakistan from India in 1954.

Ireland President Signed The Abortion Bill In To Law

On 31 July Ireland President Michael D. Higgins has signed the abortion bill into law. The bill,

overwhelmingly passed by both houses of the Irish parliament on 12 July 2013, permits abortions only in

cases where doctors deem the womans life at risk from continued pregnancy.

INDIA & WORLD

India Ranks 66th On Global Innovation Index

On 2 July India ranked 66th in the Global Innovation Index 2013, published by Cornell University,

INSEAD, World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) and Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) as a

knowledge partner.Switzerland and Sweden maintained rank 1 and 2 respectively The study ranked 142

economies across the world on their innovation capacity and efficiency.

India and Mauritius Signed 5 MoUs

On 5 July India and Mauritius signed 5 MoUs (Memorandum of understanding).The 5 MoUs are signed in

the presence of the Union Minister of Commerce & Industry Shri Anand Sharma and Mr. Sayyad Abd-Al-

Cader Sayed Hossen, Minister of Industry, Mauritius, in Port Louis.Five institutional level MoUs were

signed to take the partnership forward. These are:

* MoU between Apparel Export Promotion Council (AEPC) and Enterprise Mauritius (EM)

* MoU between Northern India Textile Research Association (NITRA) and Mauritius Standards Bureau

* MoU between NITRA and National Productivity and Competitive Council (NPCC) of Mauritius

* MoU between Clothing Manufacturers Association of India (CMAI) and Mauritius Export Association

(MEXA); and

* MoU between Institute of Apparel Management (IAM) and Fashion and Design Institute of Mauritius

(FDI)


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UN Millennium Development Goals Report 2013

On 5 July According to the UN Millennium Development Goals Report 2013, the world has reached the

poverty reduction target five years ahead of schedule. In developing regions, the proportion of people

living on less than $1.25 a day fell from 47 per cent in 1990 to 22 per cent in 2010. Extreme poverty is

also falling in every region.Nevertheless, the gender gap in employment persists, with a 24.8 percentage

point difference between men and women in the employment-to-population ratio in 2012.

India, Albania Signed Agreement For Avoidance Of Double Taxation

On 8 July India and Albania signed an agreement for avoidance of double taxation and the prevention of

fiscal evasion with respect to taxes on income and on capital.The agreement was signed by Ms Sudha

Sharma, chairperson, Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT), and Mr Fatos Kerciku, Ambassador, Republic

of Albania.

India, Iraq Signed Agreement To Enhance Co-operation In Energy Sector

On 8 July India and Iraq signed a agreement to enhance co-operation in energy security, bilateral trade

& commerce, infrastructure development among others.The agreement was signed between the Union

Petroleum Minister Veerappa Moily and his counterpart from Iraq, Abdul Karim Luaibi at the end of the

India-Iraq Joint Commission on technical co-operation in Baghdad.

India, SriLanka & Maldives Signed Tripartite Maritime Security Agreement

On 8 July India, Sri Lanka and the Maldives have entered into a tripartite agreement on maritime

cooperation to secure sea routes in the Indian Ocean region at the end of the Meeting on Trilateral

Cooperation on Maritime Security.The agreement was reached by all on the importance of raising the

maritime cooperation between the three countries in the current context of maritime security

environment in the Indian Ocean region.

India Tanzania Signed Agreements On Bilateral Cooperation

On 9 July India and Tanzania have signed agreements on bilateral cooperation in several sectors,

including agriculture, health and education, mines and minerals.All the agreements were signed

between the Union Minister of State for External Affairs, Preneet Kaur and the Tanzanian Minister for

Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Bernard K. Membe at Dar es Salaam.

15th India Vietnam Joint Commission Meeting

On 11 July India and Vietnam held 15th Joint commission meeting in New Delhi.The meeting was co-

chaired on the Vietnams side Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh and on the Indian side by Indias


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External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid .In the meeting both nations discussed the strengthening of

strategic partnership which included an exchange of a co-operative agenda on bilateral relations.At the

end of the meeting, both nations signed the Agreed Minutes of the JCM and witnessed the signing of an

Agreement on the US$19.5 million LOC for setting up Nam Trai-IV hydropower project and Binh Bo

Pumping station by CMD, Exim Bank and the Vietnam Vice Minister of Finance.

India, Nigeria Signed Solar Power Plant Agreement

On 22 July India and Nigeria have signed an agreement to locate sites for solar power plants in Niger

state.The agreement will provide additional energy for Nigerias national grid.The agreement was signed

between Nigerias permanent secretary in the Ministry of Power Godknows Igali and the secretary to

the Government of India, Sutanu Behuria.

India, Belarus Signed Protocol To Enhance Trade Ties

On 24 July 2013 India and Belarus signed a protocol to enhance trade ties during the sixth session of the

Inter-Governmental Commission on Trade, Economic, Scientific, Technological and Cultural Cooperation

held in New Delhi.The session was co-chaired from the Indian Side by Dr. E.M. Sudarsana Natchiappan,

Minister of State for Commerce and Industry, and Dmitry S. Katerinich, Minister of Industry of the

Republic of Belarus.

India and France Hold Talks On Military Cooperation

On 26 July India and France discussed their ongoing military cooperation including the progress over Rs

50,000 crore 126 multirole combat aircraft deal during the defence minister-level talks in NewDelhi.Thetwo sides are also holding negotiations for a Rs 30,000-crore project for co-developing the Maitri

surface-to-air missile defence system.In a joint statement issued after the deliberations between

defence minister A K Antony and his French counterpart Jean-Yves Le Drian, they agreed that such

cooperation should continue to be progressed to the mutual benefit of both countries, including in high

technology areas involving joint research and development and transfer of technology.

India and Afghanistan Signed MoUs for SDP scheme projects

On 30 July India and Afghanistan have signed memoranda of understanding (MoUs) in Kabul for

implementing 60 projects in ten Afghan provinces under the Small Development Projects (SDP)scheme.The MoUs signed by Afghan Minister of Economy Abdul Hadi Arghandiwal and Indian

Ambassador Amar Sinha in Kabul are related to the third phase of the SDP scheme and will be

completed in the next four years.

NATIONAL


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Government Announced National Cyber Security Policy

On 2 July the Union Government of India announced the National Cyber Security Policy with an aim to

protect information and build capabilities to prevent cyber attacks. The National Cyber Security Policy

2013 to safeguard both physical and business assets of the country.This policy aims at facilitatingcreation of secure computing environment and enabling adequate trust and confidence in electronic

transactions and also guiding stakeholders actions for protection of cyber space.The National Cyber

Policy in order to create a secure cyber ecosystem has planned to set-up a National Nodal Agency to

coordinate all matters related to cyber security in the country.

President Pranab Mukherjee Signed Ordinance On Food Security

On 5 July President Pranab Mukherjee signed the ordinance on food security ,which seeks to give legal

rights to 67 per cent of the population over subsidised grains every month.Now, with the presidential

consent, the bill will be presented before the Parliament when it convenes for the Monsoon Session.TheGovernment had issued the ordinance to give nations two-third population the right to get 5 kgs of

foodgrains every month at highly subsidised rates of 1-3 Rupees per kg amid political opposition.

District Rural Development Agency Disbanded

On 9 July the Union government announced disbanding of the Rural Development Agency (DRDA), the

body which looks after implementation of anti-poverty programmes of Rural Development Ministry.The

agency will now be rechristened and it will perform its role under zila parishads, the local elected bodies

at the district level.The District Rural Development Agencies (DRDAs) were set up as independent

societies in 1980 and since then have been principal organs at the district level to oversee the

implementation of the ministrys anti-poverty programmes.

Cabinet Approved For Aviation, Women Varsities In Raebareli

On 11 July the Union cabinet has approved two universities for Raebareli, the parliamentary

constituency of Congress president Sonia Gandhi in Uttar Pradesh.Raebareli will get the first ever all-

women university and first national aviation university in the country.National University for Women in

Uttar Pradesh by the name of The Indira Gandhi National University for Women.This will be the first

university of the country to be established exclusively for women.The cost involved is Rs.500

crore.National Aviation University (NAU) in the name of Rajiv Gandhi National Aviation University at

the District of Rae Bareli in the State of U.P. as a Central University.The Rajiv Gandhi National Aviation

University will be established as a Central University and as an autonomous body under the

administrative control of Ministry of Civil Aviation in Rae Bareli District of U.P. with an estimated Central

Governments funding of Rs. 202 crore in 12th Plan period.Both universities bills will be introduced in

the coming Monsoon Session of Parliament.


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Govt Approved To Replace DGCA With Civil Aviation Authority

On 11 July The government cleared a proposal to replace Directorate General of Civil Aviation(DGCA)

with a new aviation regulator with full operational and financial autonomy.The new regulatory body

would be called the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) and it would replace the DGCA.The estimated cost of

establishing the new Authority would be over Rs 110 crore.

Free Medical Treatment For Pregnant Women

On 16 July Union Health Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad announced the government will provide free pre-

natal health care and ambulance facilities to pregnant women across the country .Under the Janani

Suraksha Yojna (JSY) scheme, pregnant women are provided free medical treatment during the delivery

and post natal care.Pregnant women will be given free medical and ambulance facilities from

conception to delivery. They will also be able to avail free consultation from doctors at government

hospitals for 45 days from delivery and infants will be given free treatment at the hospitals for one year.

Indian Telegram Service Stopped

The 163-year old telegram service in the country ends on 14 July.Started in 1850 on an experimental

basis between Koklata and Diamond Harbour, it was opened for use by the British East India Company in

1851and it was opened to the public in 1854.Within a short time of BSNL handling telegram services in

1990s, the PSU had a rift with the Department of Posts following which telegrams were accepted as

phonograms from various villages and other centres from telephone consumers.

Bengaluru International Airport Renamed as Kempegowda International Airport

On 17 July the Union Cabinet gave its approval for renaming Bengaluru International Airport as

Kempegowda International Airport to fulfill the long pending demand of the people of Karnataka, as

well as the State Government of Karnataka.Hiriya Kempegowda, known as Kempegowda was a ruler

under the Vijayanagar Empire, who ruled most parts of Karnataka during the sixteenth century. He had

the vision of building a large futuristic city and is widely accepted as being the founder of Bengaluru.

Kempegowda built Bengaluru Fort and moved his capital from Yelahanka to the new Bengaluru.

President Of India Promulgated The Securities Laws (Amendment) Ordinance 2013

On 18 July Pranab Mukherjee, the President of India promulgated the Securities Law Amendment

Ordinance 2013. The ordinance would grant Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI), the powers

to regulate any pooling of funds under an investment contract involving a corpus of 100 crore rupees or

more and attach assets in case of non-compliance.The Chairman of SEBI would have powers to authorize

the carrying out of search and seizure operations, as part of its efforts to crack down on ponzi schemes.


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Acid Attacks On Women Non-bailable Offence

On 18 July the Supreme Court o made acid attack a non-bailable offence and ordered all state

governments to pay Rs 3 lakh compensation to acid attack victims. The states were also directed to

frame rules for regulating sale of acid within three months.The material cannot be sold to a person who

is below the age of 18 years.Going through the compensation schemes of 17 states and seven Union

Territories (UTs), the bench found the amount being paid to the victims as grossly inadequate.The

compensation for after-care and rehabilitation at present ranges between Rs 5,000 and Rs 1,50,000.

Union Tourism Minister Launched Clean India Campaign

On 24 July Union Tourism Minister K. Chiranjeevi launched the Project Clean India Campaign at Taj

Mahal.Clean India Campaign has been initiated by the Ministry of Tourism with the objective to increase

tourist arrivals to the country and to improve quality of services and provide a hygienic environment in

and around tourist destinations across the country.Taj Mahal is the second heritage site to be covered

under this project. The first being Qutub Minar Delhi, which has been adopted by India Tourism

Development Corporation in June 2012.On the request from the Tourism Minister, the Oil and Natural

Gas Commission (ONGC) has agreed to adopt and upkeep the environs of Taj Mahal Complex including

up gradation of tourist facilities in the monument.Besides Taj Mahal, the ONGC has also agreed to adopt

five more monuments including Ellora and Elephanta Caves in Maharashtra, Red Fort in the national

capital, Golkonda Fort in Hyderabad and Mahabalipuram in Tamil Nadu.

STATES

Himachal Pradesh Declared First Smoke Free State In Country

On 2 July Himachal Pradesh has been declared the first smoke-free State in the country in compliance

with Section 4 of the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA), 2003. The State has achieved

85.45% compliance with the relevant parameters.

Uttar Pradesh Grants District Status To Amethi

On 5 July the Uttar Pradesh government granted district status to Amethi ,which will include three

tehsils of Sultanpur and one of Rae Bareli. The district headquarters of Amethi will be

Gauriganj.Sultanpurs Amethi, Gauriganj and Musafirkhana tehsils and Rae Barelis Tiloi will be part ofAmethi district.Some revenue villages of Maharajganj tehsil of Rae Bareli were included in Tiloi tehsil of

Amethi and in exchange some villages of Tiloi were included in Maharajganj.

Karnataka Launched Anna Bhagya Scheme


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On 10 July Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah launched the ambitious Anna Bhagya scheme in

Bangalore.The scheme under which 30 kg of rice per month will be given to BPL (below poverty line)

families across the state at Re 1 per kg. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah had announced the scheme after

taking oath on June 13.The government will spend Rs 4,300 crore every year on the scheme.

Kudankulam Nuclear Power Project Starts Fission

On 13 July Indias 21st nuclear power reactor and the countrys first pressurised water reactor under the

light water reactor category ,Kudankulam Nuclear Power Project (KNPP) in Tamil Nadu began the

nuclear fission process.Indias atomic power plant operator, NPCIL is setting up two 1,000 MW reactors

with Russian technology and equipments at Kudankulam, around 650 km from Chennai.The over Rs

17,000 crore project, which generated severe protests from the locals, has started generating heat and

steam from the 163 uranium fuel bundles loaded in the reactor.

Night Policing Scheme Launched In Punjab

On 14 July Punjab government launched the Night Policing Scheme (NPS) with 4000 police personnel

and an independent cadre and command structure. The NPS is aimed at augmenting and strengthening

the deployment of police personnel, through the usage of modern technology during night hours in

cities and towns of the state.The NPS will also focus on the national and state highways and major roads

crisscrossing the state, mainly to instill a sense of security among the citizens.

UP Launched Family Health Campaign

On 15 July the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, Akhilesh Yadav, launched the Hausla awareness state-wide campaign to improve family health in 75 districts of the State.The campaigns twin goals include

galvanizing state health systems to deliver high-quality, accessible health programs and services, while

also increasing awareness and utilization of services by families and communities across the states 75

districts.

Kerala Govt.Approved Tapping Sweet Toddy From Coconut

On 16 July the Kerala Government has given its nod for tapping neera or unfermented sap from coconut

across the State.Neera, which is also called sweet toddy, is the non-alcoholic drink which is extracted

from immature inflorescence of coconut.This decision would prove to be very beneficial for depressingcoconut sector.Neera tapping will take place in units of 1500 coconut trees in each and every district all

over Kerala, in the beginning as a part of the pilot project.lic content.

Madhya Pradesh Police Health Security Scheme


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On 17 July Madhya Pradesh state cabinet has decided to implement Madhya Pradesh Police Health

Security Scheme for police officers and employees. The scheme will be applicable only to the police

personnel working in the state.Th

bank preperation 2013

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