Current Affairs 1 September 2013

Forex Reserves of India Decreased

Forex Reserves in India were decreased to USD 277,722 billion dollars.  This information was released by RBI.  The reserved are decreased by USD 1.085 billion.  This is because of decrease in the foreign currency assets, it is said.

HLL Biotech Signs Agreement with Institute of Immunology, Croatia

HLL Biotech signed an agreement for supply and technology transfer for mass production of measles vaccine in India.  It is informed that the agreement with Institute of Immunology, Croatia is of long term.  Indian markets will receive more that 80 million measles vaccine doses from HLL Life care.

Ambassador Encore Price Announced

Hindustan Motors announced the price of their new vehicle Ambassador Encore.  It will be priced Rs.4,97,996 (ex-showroom Kolkata).  Bookings for the vehicle begin from tomorrow.  These passenger vehicles will offer additional comfort to those who travel in the vehicles.

Government Considering Shutting of Petrol Pumps at night

In a bid to cut oil import bill, government is considering keeping shutting the petrol pumps closed at night.  This will taper fuel demand.  This is only one of the options considered but no decision is taken yet, said M Veerappa Moily, Oil Minister of India.

Hyderabad Wins first IBL

Hyderabad Hotshots won the first Indian Badminton League title.  Hyderabad Hotshots is led by Naina Sehwal.  The final match was played at National Sports Club of India.

National Sports awards Conferred

President of India conferred that National Sports awards, Arjuna awards, Dronacharya Awards, Dhyan Chand Awards, Rashtriya Khel Protsahan Puraskar, Maulana Abdul Kalam Azad Trophy to the awardees in Rashtrapati Bhawan on 31^st August, 2013.  National Sports awards are given to sports persons to recognize their excellence in their respective field of sport.

Champions League Qualifying Matches in Ahmadabad

Champions League Qualifying matches will be held in Ahmadabad.  Six qualifying matches for champion league will be played from September 17 to September 20. The matches were scheduled to be played in Hyderabad.  But since Ganesh idol’s immersion will be held on September 19, police said that they cannot provide security for the matches.

WISE Spacecraft to be used again for asteroids study

The services of Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer – WISE spacecraft will be used once again to identify and study near earth objects.  It was used to look for celestial heat sources from stars, asteroids and galaxies.  It completed its mission in February, 2011 after observing nearly 158000 rocky bodies.

Curiosity Navigates autonomously on Mars for first time

Curiosity, NASA’s rover is walking on the Mars autonomously for the first time.  The rover will take images and decided its own safe driving path.  The rover will cover large parts of Mars en route to Mount Sharp.  It will study the information of environmental changes in ancient Mars.  Geological layers in Mount sharp hold this information, it is informed.

Yasin Bhatkal Confesses Involvement in Hyderabad Blast Case

Yasin Bhatkal, the Indian Mujahedeen founder who was arrested by admitted that he is involved in Hyderabad blast bomb blasts in February this year.  He said that as per the instruction he received from Pakistan, he supplied explosives to be planted in Dilsukhnagar.  He also confesses involvement in several other blast cases in India.

Ten Percent Dearness Allowance Hike for Central Government Employees

Government of India is to announce ten percent DA hike this month.  This will be applicable from 1^st July, 2013.  The DA will increase to 90 percent from the existing 80 percent.  This will benefit nearly 50 lakh employees and 30 lakh pensioners.  This is the first time that dearness allowance in two digits is hiked in the last 3 years for central government employees.

Sonia Going to America for Medical tests

Congress president Sonia Gandhi is going to America to undergo medical test, according to congress sources.  She will leave for America on Monday evening.  She has undergone a surgery in 2100 August.  She went twice after that to America for post surgery medical tests.

Amitabh and Rekha to star in ‘Welcome Back’

According to sources, Amitabh and Rekha are going to act in an upcoming comedy film ‘Welcome back’. This movie will be directed by Anees Bazmee.  This will be a sequel to the successful film Welcome.  Other films in which both acted together are Muqaddar ka Sikander, Mr Natwarlal, Suhaag and silsila.  Welcome Back has John Abraham and Shruti Hassan as the lead pair.

National Talent Search Examination Fee Payment date Extended

The last date to pay fee for National Talent Search Examination is extended by one week, informed the officials.  As per schedule, last date was 31^st August, 2013.  But examination director informed that the last date is extended up to 7^th September, 2013.