Delhi's Tihar Jail gets its own radio station: TJ FM Radio

Tihar Jail (New Delhi) has become the first prison in the country to get its very own FM radio station.

Director General of Prisons Vimla Mehra today launched the 'TJ FM Radio' at Central Jail No 4 in the Tihar Jail, the largest prison in the country.

"The FM Radio has been established to meet the twin objectives of entertainment and training of prisoners as Radio Jockey (RJ). The prisoners can engage themselves in creative activities and also get trained as Radio Jockey (RJ)," Tihar Jail spokesperson Sunil Gupta said.

He said that if prisoners want to listen to their favourite songs, they would have to send their request in advance to the RJs so that these may be aired.

Apart from FM Radio, Tihar Jail administration, in association with an NGO "Gandhi Smriti and Darshan Sansthan", also started a Khadi unit or 'Charkha Khand' (spinning wheel unit) in the Central Jail.

"This has been done to spread the teaching of non-violence and communal harmony propounded by Gandhiji," the Jail spokesperson said.

Mr Mehra inaugurated the 'Charkha Khand' today. Ten Nigerian inmates and other foreign prisoners have also actively participated in Khadi making activities.

The model jail has the country's first drug de-addiction and Vipassana meditation centres. The prison houses around 12,000 inmates against the sanctioned strength of 6,250.

TELANGANA:- The New State

1. It will be the 29th state of India.

2. The new Telangana state would comprise the 10 districts of Hyderabad,Medak, Adilabad, Khammam,Karimnagar, Mahbubnagar, Nalgonda, Nizamabad, Rangareddy and Warangal.

3. Hyderabad will b joint capital of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana atleast fr 10 years.

4. 20% of Indian coal reserves will come under Telangana and also of mica and bauxite.

5. It will jave 17 Lok Sabha seats and 119 state assembly seats.

6. The Telangana agitation, as they point out, was started by the people of the region who complained that "Andhra" leaders had flouted the "Gentlemen's Agreement" which had facilitated the formation of the state, in November 1956.The feeling of betrayal was also implicit in the discontent, which spread among Telangana officials and the unemployed youth of the region, who felt they were being exploited by the people from the rest of the state who had flocked to the new capital.

Top 10 Current Affairs 30 July 2013

1. The UPA Coordination Committee favours creation of a seperate State of Telangana. The crucial decision comes ahead of the Congress Working Committee which is in session to take a final call on the issue.

2. The Reserve Bank of India has decided to keep all the key rates unchanged in its first quarter monetary policy review for 2013-2014 today.

Interest Rates are as Follows:
1. The repo rate was kept unchanged at 7.25 percent.
2. Reverse repo remains at 6.25 percent.
3. Cash reserve ratio unchanged at 4.00 percent
4. Keeps Marginal Standing Facility rate at 10.25 percent.
5. Bank rate stands at 10.25 percent.
6. SLR – 23%

3. Sarod maestro Ustad Amjad Ali Khan will be honoured with the 21st Rajiv Gandhi National Sadbhavna Award for promotion of communal harmony peace and goodwill.

4. India-born Pakistani businessman Mamnoon Hussain, a close aide of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, has been elected as the 12th President of Pakistanafter he trounced his lone opponent in a one-sided contest.

5. Indian multinational oil and gas company, Oil & Natural Gas Corp (ONGC) has signed an agreement to explore hiring Reliance Industries’ unutilised production facilities on the east to quickly bring to production its gas finds in the Krishna Godavari basin.

6. Israeli and Palestinian negotiators have resumed long-stalled peace talks with US asking both sides to make the compromises to reach a long lasting deal.

7. Bombay High Court held as “illegal and unconstitutional” the two-member probe panel set up by BCCI to look into spot-fixing and betting charges in the IPL tournament.

8. Taliban militants have freed 248 prisoners in an assault on a prison in north-west Pakistan. Militants armed with automatic weapons, rocket-propelled grenades, mortars and bombs blasted down the walls of the jail in the town of Dera Ismail Khan and streamed inside.

9. “Metro Man” E. Sreedharan has been selected for the prestigious Lokmanya Tilak award for 2013 for his outstanding contribution to society.

10. Astrophysicists from the Irkutsk State University here have begun the construction of the world’s largest gamma-ray telescope Tunka-HiSCORE. The telescope will be constructed in Tunka Valley in Buryatia, close to Russia’s border with Mongolia.

July 29: Top 10 Current Affairs

1.India's Multi Barrel Rocket Launcher System , the PINAKA , has undergone successful firing trials at Chandhan area in Pokhran field firing ranges.

2.The Supreme Court has agreed to examine the government's decision to raise the price of natural gas and issued notices to the Centre and Reliance Industries Ltd.

3. India and Senegal have signed a three-year pact to further expand cultural exchanges. The Executive Programme for Cultural Cooperation seeks exchange of experts in the field of theatre and publications on cultural heritage.

4. Foreign Investment Promotion Board (FIPB) has cleared Abu Dhabi-based Etihad Airlines buying 24 per cent stake in Jet Airways for 2,058 crore rupees. Sources said that the deal has been cleared.

5. All Sports bodies across the country including BCCI are to come under the ambit of RTI Act if suggestions by a Working Group are adopted by Parliament.

6. Indian wrestlers have ended the Cadet Asian Championships with a rich haul of 15 medals. The tally includes three gold, nine silver and three bronze medals.

7. The long-delayed aircraft carrier Admiral Gorshkov achieved a significant milestone when it achieved its top speed of over 30 knots during sea trials in Russia last week.

8. US space agency NASA and India’s premier space agency ISRO are in talks for jointly building a satellite for the first time.

9. The Indian Grand Prix could be dropped from the next year’s Formula One roster, putting a premature end to India’s controversial foray into the world of high speed cars.

10. World Tiger Day observed today in the country as elsewhere in the world underlining the need for protecting the endangered tiger species against total extinction. Some 41 tigers were killed and 11 died normally in last 17 years in the Sundarbans, the world’s largest mangrove forest, said forest officials.

July 28: Top 10 Current Affairs

1. World Hepatitis Day is observed across the world today (28th July 2013). The theme for the year 2013 is “This is Hepatitis, Know it, Confront it” which was set with the aim of creating a global awareness about the Hepatitis virus and to encourage its prevention, treatment and diagnosis.

2. India beat Zimbabwe by seven wickets to take an assailable 3-0 lead in the five match ODI series at Harare Sports Club ground on Sunday.

3. Two days after its launch, INSAT-3D, India's advanced weather satellite, has reached an intermediate orbit which is much closer to the 36,000 km high geostationary orbit, its final orbital home, Indian Space Research Organisation said today.

4. The Israeli government on Sunday approved the contentious release of long-serving Palestinian and Israeli Arab prisoners, to coincide with the resumption of peace talks, public radio said. It said that the 22-member cabinet approved Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's proposal by 13 votes to seven with two abstentions.

5. Global retail giant Walmart has stopped its lobbying with the US lawmakers on India-specific issues, after continuously seeking their support for about five years to facilitate its entry into the high growth Indian market.

6. In a sign that Western sanctions weigh heavily on it, Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL) has virtually slammed the door on Iran for crude oil imports during 2013-14 and has instead increased imports from Iraq.

7. The decks were on Sunday cleared for President-in-exile N Srinivasan's possible return to the BCCI top post after a two-judge probe panel found no evidence against his team Chennai Super Kings in the T20 spot-fixing and betting scandal which rocked the sixth edition of the event.

8. Lewis Hamilton won the Hungarian Grand Prix from pole position on Sunday to clinch his first victory of a frustrating season.

9. A circular at a girls’ hostel of the Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) advising students to wear 'decent clothes like salwar kameez' has sparked a furore, prompting the varsity to withdraw it.
The controversy started following a circular pasted by the provost of girls’ hostel, Abdullah Hall, two days back which advised students to wear “decent clothes” like salwar kameez and not to carry more than one cellphone.

10. Stephen Hawking has revealed how while writing his best-selling book, A Brief History of Time, he came so close to death that his doctors offered his family the option to switch off his life-support machine and end his "agony."

Some Facts about Banks in India

*First India bank Got ISO : Canara Bank
*First Governor of RBI : Mr. Osborne Smith
*First Indian governor of RBI : Mr. C D Deshmukh
*First Bank to Introduce ATM in India : HSBC
*First Bank to introduce saving Bank in India : Presidency bank in 1833
*First Bank to Introduce Cheque system in India : Bengal Bank 1784
*First Bank to introduce Internet Banking : ICICI BANK
*First Bank to introduce Mutual Fund : State Bank of India
*First Bank to introduce Credit Card in India : Central Bank of India
*First Foreign Bank in India : Comptoire d’Escompte de Paris of France in 1860
*First Bank Set Up in India : Bank of Hindustan in 1770
*First Joint Stock Bank of British India : State Bank of India
*First Joint Stock Bank of India : Allahabad Bank
*First Bank that is oldest Public Bank in India : Allahabad Bank
*First national bank that is merged with Punjab National Bank : New Bank of India in 1993
*First Indian bank to open branch outside India in London in 1946 : Bank of India
*First Indian Bank started with Indian capital / indigenous Bank of India : Punjab National Bank
*First Regional Rural Bank named Prathama Grameen Bank was started by : Syndicate Bank..

July 27: Top 10 Current Affairs

 

   1. Delhi government is all set to launch food   security programme from 20 August 2013. Delhi will be the    first state in India to launch Union government’s food security programme.

2. Nat Research Professor at the National Centre for Biological Sciences, Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR) Obaid Siddiqi, died in a Bangalore hospital on Friday. He was 81.

3. Uttar Pradesh Public Service Commission has cancelled results of examinations, declared on the basis of a controversial reservation policy, evoking sharp reactions from pro-reservation students who went on the rampage accusing the ruling Samajwadi Party of "betrayal".

4. US President Barack Obama has nominated an Indian-American legal luminary, Vince Girdhari Chhabria to a key judiciary post in California.

5. Former IMF chief Dominique Strauss-Kahn is to face trial on pimping charges, French prosecutors say.

6. A state funeral is being held for Tunisian opposition leader Mohamed Brahmiwho was killed on Thursday by gunmen in the capital, Tunis.

7. Rampur today become the first city of North India where ATM facility will be available for people maintaining accounts in co-operative banks.

8. In a bid to make sanitation for all a global development priority, the United Nations General Assembly designated 19 November as World Toilet Day, urging changes in both behaviour and policy on issues ranging from enhancing water management to ending open-air defecation.

9. UK scientists have designed a concept mission to land astronauts on Mars by 2021 - 12 years before Nasa expects to send a manned mission to the Red Planet.

10. The government has told the Supreme Court that a new law is being framed to regulate clinical trials in the country.

COUNTRIES AND THEIR NATIONAL EMBLEMS

Australia... Kangaroo
Barbados... Head of a Trident
Canada... White Lily
Denmark... Beach
France... Lily
Guyana... Canje Pheasant
India Lioned... Capital
Ireland... Shamrock
Italy... White Lily
Japan... Chrysanthemum
Luxenbourg... Lion with Crown
Netherlands... Lion
Norway... Lion
Papua New Guinea... Bird of paradise
Senegal... Bhobab Tree
Sri Lanka... Lion
Syria ...Eagle
U.K..... Rose
Bangladesh... Water Lily
Belgium... Lion
Chile... Candor & Huemul
Dominica... Sisserou Parrot
Germany... Corn Flower
Hong Kong ...Bauhinia (Orchid Tree)
Iran... Rose
Israel... Candelabrum
Ivory Coast... Elephant
Lebanon... Cedar Tree
Mongolia... The Soyombo
New Zealand... Southern Cross, Kiwi,
Fern
Pakistan... Crescent
Spain... Eagle
Sierra Leone... Lion
Sudan... Secretary Bird
Turkey... Crescent & Star
U.S.A.... Golden Rod

Important Abbreviations

1. ITEs: Intra-Group Transactions and Exposures

2. LCR: Liquidity Coverage Ratio

3. NSFR: Net Stable Funding Ratio

4. LRMT: Liquidity risk monitoring tools

5. CBS: Core Banking Solution

6. DEAF: Depositor Education and Awareness Fund

7. CRAR: Capital to Risk-weighted Assets Ratio

8. ECB - External Commercial Borrowings

9. SWIFT: Society for World wide Interbank Financial Telecommunication

10. FSLRC: Financial Sector Legislative Reforms Commission

11. MIBOR: Mumbai Inter-Bank Offer Rate

12. LIBOR: London Inter-Bank Offer Rate

13. LAF – Liquidity Adjustment Facility

14. GIRO - Government Internal Revenue Order

15. EEFC - Exchange Earner's Foreign Currency

16. FRBMA: Fiscal Responsibility and Budget Management Act

July 26,2013 : Top 10 Current Affairs

1. The nation on Friday observes Kargil Vijay Diwas, Defence Minister AK Antony and the three service chiefs paid homage to Kargil martyrs at Amar Jawan Jyoti, India Gate. Kargil Vijay Diwas is celebrated on 26th July every year in honour of the Kargil War's Heroes.

2. INSAT 3D, India's advanced and most sophisticated weather satellite, was launched successfully in the early hours of today, July 26, 2013 by European space consortium Arianespace's Ariane 5 ECA VA214 rocket launched INSAT-3D and Alphasat satellites from Kourou, French Guiana.INSAT-3D had a lift-off mass of 2060kg. INSAT-3D also carried the newly developed 19 channel sounder, the first such payload to be flown on an ISRO satellite mission.

3. Former Union Minister Arun Nehru passed away on Thursday night in a hospital in Gurgaon after prolonged illness. He was a powerful figure during the Prime Ministership of Rajiv Gandhi. Family sources said that the funeral would take place at the Lodhi Crematorium in New Delhi today.

4. Supreme Court has directed absconding Gujarat IPS officer PP Pandey to appear before a trial court in Ahmedabad in connection with Ishrat Jahan fake encounter case on July 29 and restrained the CBI from arresting him till then.

5. The Employees' Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) has started registration of digital signatures of employers for online transfer of Provident Fund accounts.

6. Cuba is commemorating the 60th anniversary of Fidel Castro's failed attack on the Moncada army barracks that is considered the beginning of the Cuban Revolution.

7. Meghalaya Chief Minister Mukul Sangma has launched a Centre for Adaptation to Climate Change which aims to engage government departments and civil societies to address the issue of climate change.

8. The over Rs 50,000 crore deal for supplying 126 Rafale combat aircraft and the security situation in the Af-Pak region are understood to have been discussed during the Defence Minister-level talks between India and France in New Delhi on Friday.During the around 90-minute meeting between Defence Minister A K Antony and his visiting French counterpart Jean-Yves Le Drian, the two sides are believed to have flagged the ongoing military hardware cooperation including the Rafale combat aircraft deal.

9. A Court in Egyptian capital Cairo has ordered that the deposed President Mohamed Mursi will remain under arrest for another fortnight on charges of collaboration with the Palestinian group Hamas.

10. There used to be a time when cities such as New York, London and Paris dominated the rankings of major cities in the world. With the rise of Asia, especially China and India, the picture is changing. According to Demographia's World Urban Areas index - - - -Rank first - Tokyo (Japan)......Rank second -Jakarta (Indonesia)......Rank third - Seoul (South Korea).....Rank fourth New Delhi (India).....Rank fifth - Shanghai (China)....Rank sixth - Manila (The Philippines)....Rank seventh - Karachi (Pakistan)....Rank eighth - New York (USA)...Rank ninth -Sao Paulo (Brasil)...Rank tenth - Mexico City (Mexico)
*****

Current Affairs 25 July 2013

K Jennitha Anto

1. First Textile Park dedicated to hand block printing and craft was inaugurated on 24 July 2013 by the Union Minister of Textile, Dr. Kavuru Sambasiva Rao at Bagru near Jaipur. The textile park would bring in new opportunities for exporters and artisans, as the textile sector holds vast potential of employment. The park has been named Jaipur Integrated Texcraft Park Pvt. Ltd. (JITPPL) and is also known as is also known as Jaipur Bloc.

2.Justice Palanisamy Sathasivam took over the post from Justice Altamas Kabir who served as the Chief Justice of India for over 9 months. Justice Sathasivam was elevated to the Supreme Court in August, 2007 and would renounce office on April 26, 2014.


2.The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India on 23 July 2013 released consultation paper on valuation and reserve price of spectrum for the third auction.

3.India's K Jennitha Anto on 24 July 2013 won the 13th IPCA World Women's Individual Chess Championship title. In the event organised by the Interntional Physically Disabled Chess Association, at Velke Losiny in the Czech Republic, she competed in a combined group with men and became the highest scorer among the women players with four and a half points.

4.The Supreme Court of India on 24 July 2013 directed the Railways to approach competent authorities in Uttar Pradesh and Haryana for recovery of losses, suffered by it due to disruption of rail movements in the two states, in the wake of the Mirchpur violence in 2010.A bench comprising justices G S Singhvi and V Gopala Gowda directed the competent authority of Railways to lodge claim within two weeks to the concerned authorities.

5. India and Belarus signed a protocol on 24 July 2013 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..

6.Edward Snowden, the former NSA contractor who exposed the widest US global surveillance operations, was on 25 July 2013 awarded German Whistle blower Prize 2013 worth 3900 Dollars in absentia.

7. Indian American author Jhumpa Lahiri’s "The Lowland" has been listed among 13 novels longlisted for the Man Booker Prize 2013.


8.India and China focussed on additional confidence building measures in the two-day talks between the representatives of the two countries that ended in New Delhi on 24 July 2013. The two nations reviewed the recent developments in the border areas to enhance peace and tranquility along the Line of Actual Control.

9.Chris Froome from Britain on 21 July 2013 has won the 100th edition of the Tour de France.It was Britain's second successive victory in the race. Earlier in year 2012 Sir Bradley Wiggin, Froome's Team Sky colleague became the first Briton to win Tour de France. 

10. Assam government said that would roll out Food Security scheme from November to cover about 2.25 crore people in the state.

11. President Pranab Mukherjee marked one year in office today with inaugurating a library and sports ground. He also unveiled a bronze statue of Mahatma Gandhi near the historic Durbar Hall of the President's house.

TAG LINES OF VARIOUS BANKS

1] Allahabad Bank : A tradition of trust

 2] Andhra Bank : For all your needs

3] Bank of Baroda : India's International bank

4] Bank of India : Relationships beyond Banking

5] Bank of Maharastra : One Family one bank

6] Canara Bank : Together we can 

7] Corporation Bank : Our Premier govt of India Enterprise

8] Dena Bank : Trusted Family Bank

9] Indian bank : Taking Banking Technology to Common Man

10] IDBI : Banking for all

11] OBC : where every individual is committed

12] Indian Overseas Bank : Good People to grow with

13] PNB : The name you can trust upon

14] Punjab and Sind Bank : where service is a way of life

15 SBI : Nations banks on us; Pure Banking Nothing Else; With you all the way

16] Syndicate bank : Your Faithful And Friendly Financial Partner

17] Union bank of India : Good People to bank with

18] United bank of India : The Bank that begins with

19] Union Cooperative bank : Owners your trust

20] Vijaya Bank : A friend you can bank upon

21] Federal Bank : Your Perfect Banking Partner

22] HDFC : We Understand Your World

23] Yes Bank : Experience our expertise

24] Central Bank of India : Build A Better Life Around Us

25] J & K Bank : Serving to Empower

Current Affairs 24 July 2013

1. India has been ranked third in the Global Consumer Confidence Index. he latest survey by the Nielsen reveals that in the second quarter of the current financial year, India slipped one point behind Indonesia and Philippines in the overall consumer confidence levels. Indonesia emerged as the most optimistic country with 124 points followed by Philippines with 121 points and India came third with 121 points.


2. Afghanistan’s first and only female governor and a humanitarian worker from the Kachin minority in Myanmar, Habiba Sarabi, is among this year’s recipients of the Ramon Magsaysay Award.

3. Wipro’s Azim Premji has been awarded the Asian Business Leaders Award 2013 for “impressive business credentials’ and service to society by London’s Asia House.

4. Government has approved Free Trade LPG Scheme for selling five Kilogram LPG cylinders through Company Owned Retail Outlets of Oil Marketing Companies.

5. Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) has completed the acquisition of French IT services firm Alti SA. It will help the Tata Group company to expand its reach in Europe.

6. Realising the potential of nano technology in modern warfare, state-owned Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) is planning to set up nano materials research and production facilities in three places at a cost of Rs 1,000 crore.

7. Ford Became First Automaker to Participate in Greenhouse Gas Reporting Programme. Ford Motor Company joined the Voluntary India Greenhouse Gas Reporting Programme in India on 23 July 2013. Voluntary reporting enables a complete transparency in terms of the carbon dioxide emissions. It is important to note that Ford has the objective of bringing down the carbon dioxide emissions at all the global facilities, two of which are in Chennai. The objective is to bring down these emissions by 30 percent per vehicle by the year 2025.

8. India and China focused on additional confidence building measures in the two-day talks between the representatives of the two countries that ended in New Delhi today.

9. India’s K Jennitha Anto has won the 13th IPCA World Women’s Individual Chess Championship title for the disabled players.

10. The Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (CDAC) has developed India’s first wireless road traffic controller technology at around one-third price of the international product, and would help in controlling traffic from any remote location

Top 10 Current Affairs 23 July 2013

Kumar Mangalam Birla

1.Aditya Birla Group chairman Kumar Mangalam Birla has resigned from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) board to avoid any conflict of interest as one of his group firm is in the race for a new banking licence, a company spokesperson said Tuesday.





2. India and China are holding the third meeting on border affairs in New Delhi today. The meeting focuses on maintaining peace and tranquillity on the border and ensuring better coordination and communication.

3. Poverty ratio in the country has declined to 21.9 per cent in 2011-12 from 37.2 per cent in 2004-05.

4. Shane Warne, the spin legend retired from all forms of cricket officially. He announced retiring from Twenty20 League, thereby ending the overall competitive cricket career.

5. India and Nigeria on 22 July 2013 signed an agreement in Abuja to locate sites for solar power plants in Niger state.

6. Arvind Sharma, the Chairman and CEO of Leo Burnett, India subcontinent was re-elected as the President of Advertising Agencies Association of India (AAAI).

7. Novak Djokovic and Serena Williams remained atop the latest tennis rankings issued on Monday by the ATP and the WTA.

8. Football’s apex body, FIFA has lifted Cameroon’s indefinite suspension from international football, saying its conditions had been met.

9. Cautioning that the entry of foreign retail giants could create joblessness, a Parliamentary panel today asked the government to set up a ”Retail Regulatory Authority.

10. Devendra Jhajharia has created history by becoming the first differently-abled Indian to win a gold at the IPC Athletics World Championships in France.

Top 10 Current Affairs 22 July 2013

1. The Supreme Court has paved the way for the Centre to enforce rules on advertisement of tobacco products at their sale outlets that prohibits display of ads larger than 60 centi meters by 45 centimetres at shops.

2. According to the 4th advance estimates of foodgrain production released today, the production of pulses is estimated to be 184.5 lakh tonnes in the current crop year.

3. A 6.6-magnitude strong earthquake today ripped through China’s northwestern Gansu Province, killing at least 47 people and injuring nearly 300 others.

4. North and South Korea began a fifth round of talks today on reopening a joint industrial complex, after previous meetings failed to agree on a framework for resuming operations.

5. Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s ruling coalition has won a comfortable majority in yesterday’s Upper House of Parliament elections.

6. Australian researchers have said that a new drug that stops the malaria parasite from using vitamin B1 to multiply, is now plausible.

7. India has bagged a Gold medal in the Women’s Recurve Team event at the Archery World Cup Stage-3 in Medellin, Colombia.

8. Amid mounting tension over a controversial reservation policy introduced by Uttar Pradesh Public Service Commission, Allahabad High Court today reserved its verdict on the issue and restrained the panel from conducting interviews for civil services exams scheduled later this month.

9. The 32-year-old Rajasthan athlete Mr.Devendra Jhajharia, whose world record stands at 62.15m, today created history by becoming the first differently-abled Indian to win a gold at the IPC Athletics World Championships as he bagged the yellow metal in javelin throw in the sixth edition of the event in Lyon, France.

10. The prospect of reversing blindness has made a significant leap, according to scientists in the UK. An animal study in the journal Nature Biotechnology showed the part of the eye which actually detects light can be repaired using stem cells.

Top 10 Current Affairs 21 June 2013

1. Russia has rejected U.S. President Barack Obama’s call for deeper cuts in nuclear weapons, dismissing it as misleading and not serious.

2. The much-awaited railway section, providing all-weather surface link to Kashmir valley, will be launched by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi on June 26. Singh and Gandhi will jointly flag off the first train on the 18-km-long section between Banihal in Jammu and Qazigund in Kashmir, marking start of the service.

3. Market regulator SEBI has notified guidelines for investment advisers and their ‘associated persons’ making it compulsory for them to get requisite certifications to operate in stock markets.

4. India and Iraq agreed to revive bilateral ties and intensify cooperation by moving beyond buyer-seller relation, with Baghdad inviting New Delhi to invest more in the oil-rich Arab country, scarred by years of conflict.

5.The Export-Import Bank of India has approved a $300 million worth of line of credit to Ethiopia, paving the way for construction of a railway line linking this landlocked country in the Horn of Africa to a port city in neighbouring Djibouti.

6. Amid growing concerns over huge gold imports hurting the country’s economic strength, financial services major Reliance Capital on Friday became the first company to suspend gold sales across all its businesses.

7. The Capital will host the South Asian Junior Table Tennis Championships next month instead of Ranchi after the organisers in Jharkhand expressed their inability to the stage the event.

8. The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) on Friday cleared the Food Ministry’s proposal to offload 10.5 million tonnes of Food Corporation of India (FCI) foodgrains in the open market to control retail prices. However, the proposal on allowing extra 2 million tonnes of wheat export through public sector trading agencies was not listed on the CCEA agenda for discussion.

9. Violence breaks out in more than 10 cities as a million people take to the streets across Brazil. About a million people took to the streets of 100 Brazilian cities as their protests against corruption and social and economic injustice saw their first death.

10. Google given 35 days to delete personal data gathered through wi-fi connections in its Street View project. Britain’s data regulator has ordered Google to delete personal data scooped up in its Street View project or face contempt of court.

Top 10 Current Affairs 20 July 2013

1. China Saturday successfully launched three satellites for scientific experiments, authorities said. The Chuangxin-3, Shiyan-7 and Shijian-15 satellites were boosted by a Long March-4C carrier rocket, according to the Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center in north China’s Shanxi province.




2. The Group of 20 nations put growth ahead of austerity as it seeks to rebalance a multi-speed global economy, pledging to shift policy carefully so that recovery is not derailed by volatile financial markets. Finance ministers and central bank governors meeting in Moscow on Saturday will put the finishing touches to a joint communique that delegates said was not changed after they met for dinner on Friday night.

3. Leading automaker Nissan India has entered into a 10-year agreement with Ennore Port Ltd for export of its vehicles. Ennore Port CMD M A Bhaskarachar and Kenichiro Yomura, President of Nissan’s India operations and MD and CEO of Nissan Motor India pvt Ltd, signed the agreement in the presence of Union Shipping Minister G K Vasan.

4. India has emerged as the second largest investor in the city of London with Indian companies led by software major Infosys wooed by the investment fervour generated by the 2012 Olympic Games in the British capital.

5. President Pranab Mukherjee has appointed Nagaland Governor Dr. Ashwani kumar as Governor of Manipur, (with additional charge) when the incumbent, Gurbachan Jagat, Governor of Manipur, completes his tenure.

6. Khurshed Alam Khan, a former Union Minister and father of External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid, died on Saturday at the age of 95.

7. American swimmer Haley Anderson won the 5km open water race on Saturday to take the first gold medal of the swimming world championships.Anderson edged Poliana Okimoto of Brazil in a sprint finish in the city’s harbour.

8. Tiger Woods will start the British Open golf Championship on Saturday perfectly placed to mount a strong challenge for his 15th major title. The world number one trails overnight leader Miguel Angel Jimenez by one shot after battling his way to a level-par 71 on Friday to finish on two under, one behind Spaniard Jimenez.

9. Trinidad and Tobago`s Jehue Gordon won the men’s 400 metres hurdles at the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) Diamond League Herculis meeting here.

10. Sports Ministry has recommended hockey legend Major Dhyan Chand’s name for India’s highest civillian honour — the Bharat Ratna.

Top 20 Current Affairs of 19 July,2013

1. Senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader L.K. Advani today resigned from all posts in the party, a day after Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi was appointed as the chief of the party’s election campaign committee.

2. The Reserve Bank on Monday imposed a fine of Rs 5 crore on Axis Bank, Rs 4.5 crore on HDFC Bank and Rs. 1 crore on ICICI Bank for violation of Know Your Customer KYC norms and anti-money laundering guidelines after inquiring into charges leveled by a online portal Cobra post.

3. In Assam, BPL families are availing medical benefits under the Centre’s Rashtriya Swasthya Bima Yojna,RSBY. The scheme is being implemented in 24 districts. Remaining 3 districts will also be covered soon.

4. Railways have decided to launch an SMS-based service for immediate response to passenger complaints regarding housekeeping service in coaches.

5. Upadhyayula Suryanarayana Murty, Chief Scientist and Head-Biology Division of CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Technology, Hyderabad has been awarded with the ICMR prize for biomedical research conducted in underdeveloped areas for the year 2010.

6. Carnatic vocalist Ranjani Hebbar Guruprasad passed away yesterday in her hometown Udupi, after a prolonged battle with cancer. She was suffering from cancer.

7. K Srikanth became the latest badminton sensation to emerge from India as he lifted his maiden men’s singles title with a stunning straight-game triumph over top-seeded local favourite Boonsak Ponsana at the Thailand Open Grand Prix Gold in Bangkok on Sunday.

8. Red Bull’s Sebastian Vettel won the Canadian Grand Prix, defeating Ferrari’s Fernando Alonso in Montreal on Sunday, meanwhile, Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton and Ferrari’s Fernando Alonso took the third and second position simultaneously.

9. Rafael Nadal won his 8th Men’s Singles Tittle of the French Open Tennis Tournament. Serena Williams won the Women’s Singles title of French Open Tennis tournament by defeating Maria Sharapova in straight sets by 6-4, 6-4. Top-ranked American twins Bob and Mike Bryan won their record 14th major doubles title by defeating Michael Llodra and Nicolas Mahut of France 6-4, 4-6, 7-6 in the French Open men’s doubles final.

10. Global Credit rating agency Standard & Poor’s has upgraded its credit outlook for the United States government to “stable” from “ negative” today saying that these is less than one in three chances of a downgrade for the world’s largest economy. It has maintained its credit rating at “AA+”, one notch lower than top most rating of “AAA”.

11. Justice P Sathasivam has been sworn in as the new Chief Justice of India. President Pranab Mukherjee administered the oath of office and secrecy to Justice Sathasivam in a ceremony held at Rashtrpati Bhawan.

12. US President Barack Obama nominated Nisha Desai Biswal, an accomplished Indian-American administrator, to head the South Asia bureau in the US state department.

13. Finance Ministers from the G-20 Group of leading economies are meeting in Moscow. They are expected to discuss the global economic outlook, as well as efforts to tackle tax avoidance and evasion.

14. Union Sports Ministry has recommended hockey legend Major Dhyan Chand's name for highest civilian honour - Bharat Ratna.

15. The Supreme Court has ruled that there can be no reservation in appointment for faculty posts in specialty and super specialty courses in medical colleges including the All India Institute of Medical Sciences, AIIMS.

16. The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Finance has finalised its report on Goods and Services Tax (GST) which will be tabled in Parliament in the monsoon session beginning August 5.

17. India trumped Israel, the United States, and China as the most promising location for tech innovation to flourish, according to a KPMG global survey.

18. Former South Africa player Dave Staniforth has been appointed as goalkeeping coach and strategic analyst of the Indian senior and junior men's teams, Hockey India announced on Thursday.

19. Mizoram Minister for Information and Communication Zdintluanga today said that Software Technology Park would soon be established at the Mizoram University Campus near Aizawl.

20. Around 2,000 people who have worked at Japan’s wrecked Fukushima nuclear plant face a heightened risk of thyroid cancer, its operator said Friday. Tokyo Electric Power (TEPCO) said 1,973 people — around 10% of those employed in emergency crews involved in the clean-up since the meltdowns— were believed to have been exposed to enough radiation to cause potential problems.

Current Affairs July 18,2013

Nelson Mandela

1. Nelson Mandela International Day was observed across the world on 18 July 2013 to earmark freedom, justice and democracy. The overarching objective of Mandela Day is to inspire individuals to take action to help change the world for the better, and in doing so build a global movement for good. Ultimately it seeks to empower communities everywhere. “Take Action; Inspire Change; Make Every Day a Mandela Day.”

2. Mukesh Ambani, ranked as India’s most powerful CEO, represents the changing face of Corporate India. He exemplifies the glory of India Inc’s success, global prowess and competence. A study by The ET Corporate Dossier rates India’s top CEOs on the basis of leadership, strategy & innovation, performance, stature, social contribution and governance.

3. Students pay for JEE percentile calculation goof-up. In yet another goof-up in the Joint Entrance Examination 2013, it has emerged that school boards and the IITs had calculated the top 20 percentile of students in different ways and this may have affected the admission prospects of a number of students.

4. Veteran Tamil film lyricist Vaali died at a private hospital here today. He was 82. Vaali was undergoing treatment at a private hospital for respiratory problems for a month and was on ventilator support.

5. Facing widespread criticism over the death of 23 children after eating mid-day meals in Chhapra, the Bihar government on Thursday denied receiving any alert from the Centre over shortcomings in its implementation and insisted that the food was ‘poisonous’.

6. British Indian actor Paul Bhattacharjee, who played the role of a doctor in James Bond film ‘Casino Royale’, has been found dead in London. He was 53.

7. Veteran Communist leader Samar Mukherjee died in Kolkata this morning. Samar Mukherjee was suffering from old age diseases.He was elected in Lok Sabha, Rajya Sabha and state assembly number of times. He joined in the CPI(M) after the division of Communist party in 1967.

8. Professor Amartya Sen recently launched his new book “An Uncertain Glory: India and its Contradictions“, written with Professor Jean Drèze, at LSE. He pointed out that despite concerns about India’s recent economic slowdown, the country’s main problems lie elsewhere, particularly in the lack of attention that is paid to the essential needs of the people, especially the poor.

9. Setback for Vedanta as Dongaria tribals reject mining on Niyamgiri hills. It’s a resounding no from the Dongaria Kondhs of this hilly village to the bauxite mining project proposed on top of Niyamgiri hills, a natural treasure trove which the tribals value more than their lives and consider too sacred to part with.

10. Auto-components manufacturer Hinduja Foundries has appointed G R V Rajan as Managing Director in place of B Swaminathan who has resigned.

CURRENT AFFAIRS Question.- Answers

Q1. Which country has largest Muslim Population?
Ans. Indonesia
 
Q2. Kiel Canal connects which two seas?
Ans. Baltic Sea and North Sea
 
Q3. Recently, Supreme Court approved the Central Government of India’s decision to invite Global tenders for restarting the Bharat Gold Mines ltd at Kolar Gold Fields.In which state Kolar Gold Fields are located?
Ans. Karnataka
 
Q4. Name the former Australian cricketer, who would be inducted into the ICCcricket hall of fame?
Ans. Shane Warne
 
Q5. World Population Day is observed on____?
Ans. July 11
 
Q6. The Union Government has given nod to set up country’s first Woman University at which
place?
Ans. Raebarelli, Uttar Pradesh
 
Q7. Recently, who became thefourth Indian Cricketer to be inducted into the Legend's Club at the Cricket Club of India?
Ans. Sunil Gavaskar
 
Q8. The BSNL has close down the Telegram service from July 15,2013, thus Telegraph becoming a thing of past. In which year, first Telegram was sent in India?
Ans. 1850
 
Q9. India's Shiva Thapa is related to which sports/games?
Ans. Boxing
 
Q10. With reference to variouspractices during the holy month of Ramzan (Ramadan),the'Tarawih' refers to? Ans. Prayer
 
Q11. The term "Churia hills" refers to ?
Ans. Shivalik Hills
 
Q12. United Nation has declared which one of the following date as “Malala Day”?
Ans. July 12
 
Q13. Who has been appointedas United Nation (UN) Women Chief?
Ans. Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka
 
Q14. Under which name the National Aviation University, has been proposed to being set up at Rae Bareli in the stateof Uttar Pradesh?
Ans. Rajiv Gandhi National Aviation University
 
Q15. The abbreviated form of Computer VIRUS is______?
Ans. Vital Information Resource Under Seize
 
Q16. Which country is estimated to have Worlds largest Shale gas reserve?
Ans. China
 
Q17. Who has been sworn in as the 9th Chief Minister of Jharkhand?
Ans. Hemant Soren

IMPORTANT GAMES VENUES

* 2013 World Chess Championship -India

 

  * 2014 Asian Games - Incheon(s.korea)
 

* 2014 Commonwealth Games -Glagow (scotland)
 

* 2014 World Cup Football - Brazil
 

* 2013 Confederation Cup -Brazil
 

* 2016 - Euro Cup - France
 

* 2015 World Cup cricket -Australi& Newzealand
 

* 2014 20 -20 world cup- Bangladesh
 

* 2016 Summer OlYmpics - Reo De Genero (Brazil)
 

* 2014 Winter Olympics - Sochi (Rassia)
 

* 2014 Youth Olympics - Nanjing (china)
 

* 2014 Hockey world Cup - Hague(Netherland)

Top 9 Current Affairs June 17,2013

1. The Supreme Court on Wednesday upheld the Juvenile Justice Act providing for differential treatment to a minor irrespective of the nature of crime committed by him or her. The apex court bench headed by Chief Justice Altamas Kabir upheld the Juvenile Justice Act by declining the prayer that the age in the act should be reduced from 18 to 16 and those involved in heinous crimes should not be treated differently.

2. The Reserve Bank opened a special borrowing window of Rs 25,000 crore to help the crisis-ridden mutual funds tide over liquidity problems. RBI has decided to conduct a special 3-day repo auction under which banks would be encouraged to raise funds totaling Rs 25,000 crore at 10.25 per cent for on lending to the mutual funds.

3. A special meeting of the UN General Assembly will mark the Nelson Mandela International Day on 18th July. Honouring the ailing South African anti-apartheid leader’s contributions to democracy, racial justice and reconciliation.

4. The Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, Akhilesh Yadav, launched a state-wide campaign to improve family health across 75 districts of the state. HAUSLA (meaning “spirit” or “determination”), the campaign’s twin goals include galvanizing state health systems to deliver high-quality, accessiblehealth programs and services, while also increasing awareness and utilization of services by families and communities across the state’s 75 districts.

5. Arctic may become ice-free for a part of the year by 2058, say Scientists.

6. In Bihar, State Education Minister P K Shahi confirmed that 22 children have died due to contaminated food that was served yesterday in a primary school of Saran district.

7. India have bagged an unprecedented nine medals, including four gold, in the Golden Glove of Vojvodina — an international boxing tournament being held in Kikinda, Serbia.

8. There were violent protests in Chandigarh today as members of the Rajput community took to the streets protesting against the newly-launched TV serial – ‘Jodha Akbar’ on Zee Tv.The police used water cannons and lathi-charged the crowd as they resorted to violence. Rajput organisations say ‘Jodha-Akbar’ portrays their community in bad light. Protestors accused the producers of the show of distorting historical facts.

9. Penguin imprint tells Vikram Seth to give back Rs 10-cr advance. Within a week of Random House and Penguin merging to become the world’s largest books publisher with an estimated revenue of four billion dollars, the aftershocks have started. The new entity, eager to cut cost and streamline operations, has asked author Vikram Seth to return his 1.7 million USD (approx Rs ten crore and thirty lakh) advance, a part of which was paid to him for A Suitable Girl, the ‘jump-sequel’ to his best-selling novel, A Suitable Boy. Seth was scheduled to submit his manuscript this June

Current Affairs 16 July 2013

1. The Government on Tuesday liberalised FDI limits in twelve sectors, including telecom and defence. Paving way for fresh investments in telecom companies, the government cleared 100 per cent FDI in telecom sector. To boost the sagging economy, the government also raised FDI in defence sector from 26 per cent to 49 per cent. But the hike comes with some conditions. 49 per cent will only be allowed with state-of-the art technology transfer.

2. Finance Minister P Chidambaram has said that all LPG consumers will get subsidy in banks accounts through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) by this year.

3. Bhim Sain Bassi will take over as the new Police Commissioner of Delhi on August 1. Bassi will take over from the present incumbent Neeraj Kumar, who will retire on July 31.

4. Supreme Court has summoned Chief Secretaries of four states Uttar Pradesh, Andhra, Tamil Nadu and Maharashtra for failing to take steps on police reforms.

5. After two years of what appeared to be a healthy association, the Indian Air Force(IAF) has dropped the legendary cricketer Sachin Tendulkar as its brand ambassador. Sachin Tendulkar has been replaced with the basic trainer aircraft Pilatus after their association failed to yield the desired results.

6. The Bangladesh Parliament has passed a landmark amendment to its labour law aimed at protecting the rights and interests of workers, in the wake of a strong plea for labour law reforms following death of over 1000 workers in Rana Plaza factory collapse.

7. Santosh B Nayar has been appointed as Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of the Industrial Financial Corporation of India. The IFCI was the 1st specialised financial institution setup in India to provide term finance to large industries in India.

8. TCS has emerged as India’s most admired company ahead of Hindustan Unilever, ITC, and Infosys, says global management consultancy Hay Group.

9. Steel major POSCO has decided to scrap the proposed 6 million tonnes steel plant in Karnataka, following long delay in land acquisition and adverse market conditions.

10. The Hubble space telescope has discovered a new moon orbiting Neptune, Nasa has confirmed.

Bharat Ratna Awardees

 

1. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan 1954

2. Chakravarti Rajagopalachari 1954

3. C. V. Raman 1954

4. Bhagwan Das 1955

5. Sir Mokshagundam Visvesvarayya 1955

6. Jawaharlal Nehru 1955
 

7. Govind Ballabh Pant 1957
 

8. Dhondo Keshav Karve 1958
 

9. B. C. Roy 1961
 

10. Purushottam Das Tandon 1961
 

11. Rajendra Prasad 1962
 

12. Zakir Hussain 1963
 

13. Pandurang Vaman Kane 1963
 

14. Lal Bahadur Shastri 1966
 

15. Indira Gandhi 1971
 

16. V. V. Giri 1975
 

17. K. Kamaraj 1976
 

18. Agnes Gonxha Bojaxhiu (Mother Teresa)1980
 

19. Acharya Vinoba Bhave 1983
 

20. Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan 1987
 

21. M. G. Ramachandran 1988

22. B. R. Ambedkar 1990

23. Nelson Mandela 1990
 

24. Rajiv Gandhi 1991

 25. Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel 1991

26. Morarji Desai 1991

27. Maulana Abul Kalam Azad 1992

28. J. R. D. Tata 1992

29. Satyajit Ray 1992

30. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam 1997

31. Gulzarilal Nanda 1997

32. Aruna Asaf Ali 1997

33. M. S. Subbulakshmi 1998

34. Chidambaram Subramaniam 1998

35. Jayaprakash Narayan 1998

36. Ravi Shankar 1999

37. Amartya Sen 1999

38. Gopinath Bordoloi 1999

39. Lata Mangeshkar 2001

40. Ustad Bismillah Khan 2001

41. Pt. Bhimsen Joshi 2008

 
            

Current Affairs 15 July 2013

1.The 163-year old telegram service in the country – the indication of good and bad news for generations of Indians – comes to an end.


2. Supreme Court refuses to entertain PIL challenging appointment of CAG. The Supreme Court today refused to entertain a PIL challenging appointment of Shashi Kant Sharma as the Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG). A bench headed by Chief Justice Altamas Kabir asked the petitioners, including former Chief Election Commissioner N Gopalaswami and former Chief of Naval Staff Admiral (retd) R H Tahiliani, to approach the high court which is “equally equipped to deal with the matter”.

3. A special Bangladesh court on Monday sentenced a top leader to 90 years in prison for masterminding atrocities during the 1971 war. Ghulam Azam, 90, the wartime head of the Jamaat-e-Islami and now its spiritual leader, was found guilty of all five charges by the controversial International Crimes Tribunal.


4. Sri Lanka has banned a film about the island nation’s ethnic conflict and civil war because it insults the government and its military, a government spokesman said on Monday. The film, “Flying Fish,” was banned in Sri Lanka because the film’s creators used images of the Sri Lankan military uniform without permission from the Ministry of Defence.

5. The RBI has imposed fines totalling Rs 49.5 crore on 22 private and public sector banks including SBI, PNB and Yes Bank for violating KYC/Anti-Money laundering norms.

6. Japan may nationalise any unclaimed remote islands in its waters in a bid to bolster its territorial claims.

7. Grandmaster and former world junior champion Abhijeet Gupta has won the Commonwealth Chess Championship title.

8. US sprinter Tyson Gay and Jamaica’s former 100 meter world record holder Asafa Powell have failed drug tests.

9. State-run ONGC Videsh has emerged as the Indian company having the most international exposure, replacing Tata Steel, according to a survey.

10. Periodic jumps generated in the Earth’s core change the length of a day every 5.9 years on our planet, a new study has found.

11. Labor Law approved by Bangladesh Government on 15^th July 2013.Main Provisions in the Labor laws are Company Management has to deposit 5 % of profit in Employees Welfare Fund. Labors are having the right to form trade union.

12.Ragabashyam who is a famous surgical gastroenterologist passes away at the age of 79. In 2002, he received Padma Bhushan Award. In India he was the first person to introduce the degree course in Surgical Gastroenterologist. He also designed diploma course for nursing students. Name of this diploma course is Enterostomal Therapy Diploma. He acted as honorary surgeon to R Venkatraman who is the former President of India.

13. India has beaten US in buying Crude oil from Nigeria. Statistics are stating that from past 3 months India is buying more crude oil of all the countries. India is playing the key role in the development of Nigerian economy through building of workers in both the sectors (Public and Private), improving agriculture by using new techniques, establishing health care centers. India has targeted to invest Rs.16.6 billion dollars in Nigeria.

14.Kynan Chenai is an India Shooter. In Singapore open Shooting Championship he won the gold medal. In 2008, he got gold medal in Common Wealth Youth Games. He is also an expert in swimming.

Current Affairs 14 July 2013

1. England wins first Ashes Test in a thriller. England won the first Ashes Test beating Australia by 14 runs in a cricket thriller on the fifth day at Trent Bridge Sunday.

2. ElBaradei sworn in as Egypt’s vice-president. Prominent liberal Egyptian leader Mohamed ElBaradei was sworn in on Sunday as Egypt’s interim vice president for foreign relations, the presidency said in a statement.

3. Modi slams UPA’s food security scheme. Taking a dig at UPA government’s ambitious food security programme, Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday said the Centre was under the impression that merely bringing in the Bill would lead to food reaching the needy.

4. Ottavio Quattrocchi (74), who was main accused in the Bofors scam, died in Milan on Friday, thus bringing to an end a quarter-century-old saga of political bickering between the Congress and its rivals over the infamous gun deal.


 5. A former president of South Africa says he expects Nelson Mandela to soon be discharged from the hospital to recuperate at home. Mandela has been hospitalised for more than five weeks for a recurring lung infection, sparking an outpouring of support in South Africa and internationally.

6. The first nuclear reactor of the Rs 17,000 crore country’s 21st nuclear power plant in Kudankulam, which attained criticality on Saturday night, is functioning smoothly on Sunday (July 14) and all the parameters are normal, a top official said.

7. Spanish rookie Marc Marquez earned his second win of the season with a victory at the German MotoGP at Sachsenring on Sunday to go top of the championship standings.

8. Private sector Reliance General Insurance today said it plans to roll out a health insurance next month for independent woman and girl child at a discount, as part of its effort to empower women.

9. Petrol price was today hiked by a steep Rs 1.55 a litre, the fourth increase in rates in six weeks, as falling rupee made oil imports costlier. Oil companies raised petrol rates by Rs 1.55 a litre, excluding local sales tax or VAT, with effect from midnight.

10. NASA scientists have discovered a blue planet that possibly rains glass, orbiting a star 63 light years away, marking the first time an exoplanet’s true colour has been determined.