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.