Current Affairs 23rd August 2013

Third Largest Immigration group is India in US

 US think tank made a study on immigration. They released a report that Mexican placed first in the immigration to US. 2 place attained by China then India placed in third position. In 2011 nearly 40.4 millions of Indian immigrated to US. This news was first published by Online Journal Migration Policy Institute.

Aadhaar Card is Not Mandatory to Avail Subsidies

Rajeev Shukla, Minister of state parliament Affairs, has stated in Rajya Sabha that Aadhaar card is not mandatory to avail subsidies for all the government schemes. This includes cooking gas also. Card is not essential even for the services like obtaining passport, admission in schools, opening bank account etc…

Amithab Pathak, Gujarat Police Chief, Passes Away

Amithab Pathak, Gujarat Police Chief, is no more. He died with heart attack. He went to southern Thailand to spend holidays along with his family. While he was swimming he died. He was 58. Pathak was 1977 IPS batch.  On February 27^th he appointed as Director General of Gujarat Police.

Nine members of National Spot Exchange Limited declared as defaulters

Nine members of National Spot Exchange Limited declared as defaulters. They do not pay for claim settlements. These companies are Yathuri Associates, Vimladevi Agrotech Ltd, Tavishi Enterprises Pvt Ltd, Spin Cot Textiles Pvt Limited, NCS Sugars Limited, NK Proteins Limited, Lotus Refineries Pvt Ltd, Loil Overseas Foods Limited, and ARK Imports Pvt Ltd.

Temple architecture discovered at Badami

Temple architecture stunning piece discovered at Badami in the caves. In 6^th century Badami was the capital of Chalukya Dynasty. Various poses of Lord Vishnu appeared in the sculpture.

Railway Department incurred Loss of Rs.25000 crores
In the passenger segment Railway Department incurred loss of Rs.25000 crores in this year.

People’s Union of Civil Liberties Launched new Website for Modi claims

People’s Union of Civil Liberties Launched new Website to Restore Democracy as stated by Radhakant Saxena , NGO PUCL ‘s Vice President. Website Address is www.pheku.in this website do not target any political party but to make people aware about Modi claims.

Full Pension will Get by Army people after 29 years of Retirement

Kochi bench announced that Armed forces will get full pension after 29 years of Retirement. Vijay Pal Yadav Retire major general attained only 43 % of the basic pension after 31 years of his retirement. He approaches court. At last after several arguments bench declared that Armed forces should get full pension after 29 years. This bench consists of Justice Tripathi Shrikanth and Lt Gen Thomas Mathew.

Use of Chemical Weapon is a Crime in Syria

Use of Chemical Weapons is a crime in Syria stated by Ban Ki Moon, UN Secretary General. He also stated that any use of weapons anywhere, by anybody, under any circumstances would violate international law. This would result in serious consequences.

Government announced National E Mail Policy

With the intension to protect privacy of email users, government announced national e-mail policy as stated by Kapil Sibal Communication and Information Technology Minister. He asked all the Indian embassies and government department to use NIC server for email correspondence. Any foreign agencies NIC cannot access this server.

Australia Guilty for the violation of Human Rights

For indefinite detection of 46 refuges Australia has violated 150 international laws. Australia feeling guilty about the violation found by United Nations committee. Australia government passed an order to release refugees. Most of the refugees were Sri Lankan Tamils.
19^th Delhi Book Fair started at Pragati Maidan

At Pragati Maidan, 19^th Delhi Book Fair was started. Leadership and Readership is the main theme of this book fair. Today this book fair was started and ends on 31^st August 2013. Role of Libraries on the Indian Society is the theme focus.  With the collaboration of India Trade Promotion Organisation, Federation of Indian Publishers organise this book fair every year in Delhi.

Free Trade Hub Launched by China

Shanghai China’s Biggest Business Hub was launched. China is trying to push other countries to establish similar hubs to establish.

Sikkim is India’s greenest state

As per an official data, Sikkim is India’s Greenest State with a forest cover 47.3% of its total geographical area and is more than double the national average of 21 %.
The state government has fixed a target of bringing an additional 1,000 hectares of land under forest cover during the 12th Five Year Plan period (2012—17).

A Comparison of Sikkim in Green terms:

• The state has 500 sq km area under very dense forests which is 7.05 %.
• It has 2,161 sq km area under moderately dense which is 30.45%
• 698 sq km of its area is under open forests which is 9.84%

The above figures are significantly higher than the national average of 2.54 % very dense forests, 9.76% moderately dense and 8.73 % open forests.

Who owns the credit of keeping Sikkim green?

Sikkim has achieved the distinction of being the greenest state in the country mainly due to various protection and conservation measures like Sikkim Green Mission, Ten Minutes to Earth and Smriti Vans

U.S. to help India deal with new security challenges

The U.S. has agreed to share its expertise with India in countering new security challenges mainly terrorism. 

The U.S. government has agreed to provide Indian officers of various agencies access to its specialized agencies under the Department of Homeland Security particularly the Georgia head-quartered Federal Law Enforcement Training Centres (FLETC) to help them deal with the changing face of international terrorism.

According to this programme, the Indian officials and security officers would go through various courses like Cyber Security, Megacity Policing and Forensic.

India seeks to build an army of experts who can handle new technologies and mechanism to deal with various kinds of terrorism and anti-national activities with the passage of time.

Focus of US training programmes:

The U.S. programmes will deal with four aspects of terrorism:

1. Global supply chain, transportation, port, border and maritime security
2. Megacity policing and sharing of information among federal, State and local partners
3. Illicit finance, smuggling of cash, financial fraud and counterfeiting
4. Cyber security and critical infrastructure protection.

What is “Megacity Policing”?

The U.S. has also offered India to help develop the concept of Megacity Policing with the growing population in cities and increasing threat perception and which is a step it has been promoting since the 9/11 attacks. An advance course in surveillance, control room design and its operation by various security agencies and police authorities are key elements of this concept.

Who will participate in the US-security training programmes?

The officials would be among the agencies and government departments including the National Security Council Secretariat, the National Investigation Agency, the Intelligence Bureau, the National Technical Research Organisation, the Central Bureau of Investigation, the paramilitary and State police forces, the Customs, the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB), the Enforcement Directorate, the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI), the Ministry of Telecom and Information Technology, the Coast Guard and the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security.

RBI lowers remittance limit, discourage green card dreams

Taking further measures to reduce the burden on the already weakened rupee, RBI reduced the limit for remittances made by individuals to $75,000 from $200,000 per financial year and banned the purchase of property outside India. The rich Indians with a view to invest in a business or buy property in some foreign countries to gain permanent residency find their dreams crushed with this measure.

 

Various countries and their conditions to afford a green card:

• Countries such as the US, UAE, Australia, Bahamas, Spain, Mauritius and parts of Canada offer permanent residency and fast track green card to those who invest in businesses or property there.
• The US EB 5 visa offers a fast track green card if one invests $500,000 in a business.
• Buying a property worth $500,000 one can get a permanent residency in the Bahamas.
• In Australia one has to invest $5 million to het the green card.
• In the UAE foreign property buyers are automatically given a three year residency permit.
• Canada’s Quebec province runs an investor programme which gives permanent residency to immigrants who can invest $800,000 in the province in the form of a guaranteed, interest-free loan.

Current Affairs 22nd August 2013

 

India is Third Largest Internet User of the World

A research conducted Firm Comscore regarding the usage of internet usage. India placed in the third position. Nearly 73.9 million people are using the internet services.  China attained first place and 2 placed attained by US. By the end of March 2013, in Asia Pacific 644 million people are using work and home internet users. Chain attained first place with 54 % and 2^nd place occupied by India with 11.5 %, Japan with 11.4 %, South East Asia using 9.6 % and rest of APAC using 13.5%.

New President of Zimbabwe is Robert Mugabe

Robert Mugabe took oath as Zimbabwe President. He will continue for another 5 years. This is the 7^th times he was acting as president.


Two wheelers of Hero Motocorp launched in Peru

Hero Motocorp is the largest two wheeler maker. It has entered into Peru market by introducing two wheelers of Hero brand. To sell companies two wheelers, MOTOCORP SAC was appointed by the company. Company aims to sell 100 million units by the end of 2020, as stated by Pawan Munjal, CEO and MD of Hero Motocorp. Available two wheelers in Peru Market are Karizma R, Karizma ZMR, Thriller, Hunk, Glamour, Passion Pro, and Scooter Pleasure.

Lending Rate of ICICI increased to 10 %

Lending Rate of ICICI increases by 0.25 pcs to 10 %. ICICI is countries largest private sector bank. This increased lending rates will effect from Friday onwards i.e. from 23^rd August 2013. Several private sector banks namely Yes Bank, Kotak Mahindra Bank, Axis Bank, HDFC Bank were increased interest rates by 20 paisa to 25 paisa.

No Marks Brands acquired Bajaj Corp Limited

No Marks Brands belongs to Ozone Ayurvedics. These brands were acquired by Bajaj Corp Limited. Acquisition Amount was not disclosed. In personal care Segment Company wants to establish its own name as stated by Kushagra Nayan Bajaj Chairman of Bajaj Corp Ltd. No Marks include several products such as lotions, facial scrub, Facial cream, Face wash. All products trade mark attained by Bajaj.

Stake of Kingfisher Finvest India Ltd increased to 2.01 %

Stake of MCF (Mangalore Chemicals and Fertilisers Limited) by Kingfisher Finvest India Ltd increased to 2.01 % from 1.96 %. Kingfisher Purchased 47000 shares for the amount of Rs.28.90 lakhs from NSE on 26^th July. It also purchased 14600 shares for Rs.8.96 lakh from BSE.

NRE Deposit Rates Revised by Federal Bank and DCB

For Resident and Non Resident customers NRE deposit rates revised by DCB and Federal Bank. Bank hiked Resident maturity deposit rates from 7 % to 8.5 %. Senior citizens can avail 0.5 % additional interest. NRE Term Deposits increased from 8.75 % to 9 %.

Bottling plant of Coca cola started in Greater Noida

Ahmet C Bozer, Coca cola International Executive Vice president and president inaugurated Bottling plant in Greater Noida.  In the line of bottling system this is the second plant. Rs.140 crores invested on setting up this plant. Annual water recharge capacity is 1.6 lakh kilo litters.

New Mobile application launched by Delhi Metro

Persons who are using Smartphone’s can get train timings and fares by using Mobile application. This can be developed by the website. Passengers will get several information relating to parking availability in the stations, metro map, route information, travel time, timings of last and first train at stations, nearest metro stations, as stated by Mangu Singh MD of Delhi Metro. Passengers who have android phones and i phones only can download this application.

New contract signed by Zensar technology in US

Two new contracts signed by Zesar technologies in US.  Contracts include outsourcing 5 years deal of total infrastructure. This deal is with global direct selling company for 5 of its remote sites.

MISPTM offered by 8KMiles

MISPTM (Multidomian Identity Service Platform) offered by 8K Miles Company.  This is cloud computing company. This service helps to set up identified federations with minimum frictions.

Net Income of BCCI for 2011 – 12 is Rs.350 crores

World’s richest Cricket board is BCCI. Net income for the financial year 2011-2012 is Rs.382.36 crores. During 2012-13 Gross Revenue is Rs.950 crores. These results announced by Ravi Savant Board Treasurer.


Hosni Mubarak Released from the Prison

Hosni Mubarak who was former Egyptian dictator released from prison.  From past two years he was in prison on charges for killing Protestants and of corruption. He was 85 years old. He was taken to court by medical helicopter from Cairo’s Tora Prison. He will remain in house arrest. Before house arrest he will taken to military hospital in Maadi.

Government approved Judicial Appointment Commission

Government approved Judicial Appointment Commission. Under the proposal government will set up panel committee to appoint and transfer senior judges. This panel will headed by CJI (Chief Justice of India). Other members of the commission will be law minister, two judges of Supreme Court, two eminent persons as members and secretary in the law ministry. Government approved that committee will have CJI and PM (Prime Minster) as other members. Leader of opposition party will be part of a committee either of the house of parliament. They will nominate two eminent persons to JAC.

Rajiv Gandhi Shiromani Award Received by Sohan Roy

Rajiv Gandhi Shiromani Award Received by Sohan Roy. He is the film director for the movie Dam 999. He is chief executive of Aries Group of companies.  This award presented by Devanand Konwar, Tripura Governor. Sohan made several experiments in naval architectural engineering. For the project Longest Snake boat he entered into Guinness book.

Ministry of Finance launches “STAR scheme”

STAR: (Standard Training Assessment and Reward) 

The Ministry of Finance launched the National Skill Certification and Monetary Reward Scheme that will be implemented on national level. The scheme will motivate the youth to acquire a vocational skill. The scheme is expected to benefit a million people in the first year of its implementation.

The scheme which is promoted by the name STAR (Standard Training Assessment and Reward) envisages for a monetary reward to financially help those who wish to acquire a new skill or upgrade their skills to a higher level.

The scheme will also be helpful for implementation of the National Skilling Mission which aims to add 500 million skilled Indians by the year 2022. While 150 million are expected to be contributed by the private sector working under National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC), 350 million will be contributed by 18-odd ministries at the Centre. The scheme has been started with Rs 1000 crore budget to benefit at least 1 million people. Under this scheme each tested and certified trainee will get an average of Rs. 10,000 to cover training costs.

National Skill Development Corporation

National Skill Development Corporation, a body under the Ministry of Finance, is one of its kinds public private partnership initiative with 51% equity held by private sector and 49% by the Union Government. Established in 2010, NSDC is a professionally run not-for-profit company that includes 22 Sector Skill Councils and 87 training partners with over 2500 training centres present in 352 districts in the country.

Important Current Affairs 21st August 2013

Floating Retail Touch Point launched By Vodafone

As a part of customer service, Vodafone launched Floating Retail Touch point boat in the back waters.  This helps the people to reside on the banks of the backwater during monsoons. Timing are from 10 Am to 5.30 PM. Route is between Alappuzha to Changanacherry.  Boat is specially designed to meet the needs of the people who enjoy the banks of backend water, as stated by Kerala Business Head Murali.

Abhay Gupta New CEO of Manipal Technologies Limited (MTL)

Abhay Gupta appointed as New CEO of Manipal Technologies Limited (MTL). Earlier CEO was Anjani Mandal. Official announcement given by Gautham Pai, MD of MTL.


Long Term Investments would buy By RBI
With the intension to increase the liquidity flow in Indian  Banking system Reserve Bank of India approved to buy long term government bonds Worth of Rs.8000 crores. SLR and statutory Liquidity Ratio are also relaxed by RBI.

Samsung Electronics became largest Phone maker

Earlier Nokia was India’s largest Phone Maker now this place was occupied by Samsung Electronics. Market share of Samsung Electronics is 43.6 % as against 31.5 % in the last financial year.

M-Pesa Service launched by Vodafone

Along with ICICI, Vodafone launched M-Pesa Service along with Mobile money transfer.  With the intension to expand foot print in the capital this scheme was launched by Vodafone in Delhi.  Within two days this scheme will introduce in Luck now and Mumbai also.

Tax savings Fund launched by IDBI Mutual Fund

Tax savings Fund launched by IDBI Mutual Fund. This is Open Ended Equity Linked Savings Scheme (ELSS). This product is specially designed for the investors who are looking for capital appreciation of investment apart from income tax savings. Open subscription opens offers from August 20^th and this will close on 3^rd September as stated by Balasubranamanian, Vice president and Fund Manager.

ICC T20 Rankings Issued

ICC T20 Rankings issued. Virat Kohli placed in 6^th position in the top 10 list. In the bowlers list no person from India has attained the position in top 10 lists. Suresh Raina placed in 8^th Position. Yuvraj Singh is in 16^th position. Best ranked Indian bowler is R Ashwin off spinner. He placed in 16^th position.

Fresh landslides triggered in Idukki

An investigation made by Sree Kumar’s team in Idukki. SreeKumar is a Christ College Associate Professor with the department of Geology and Environment Science. The team indicated possibility of fresh landslides in the areas near idukki. SreeKumar’s last project was on long term migration strategies in landline prone areas in the Western Ghats region of Kerala. This project conducted for 3 years.

RTI Applications can be filed on online

In New Delhi, online RTI portal launched by V Narayanasamy, Minister of state for personnel Public Grievances and Pensions. Website Address is www.rtionline.gov.in .

TPWS introduced in Kolkata Metro

Kolkata Metro Railways Dum Dum (Kavi Subhash Section) introduced new safety system. With the intension to enhance the safety system TPWS (Train Protection and Warning System) introduced. This new system will prevent the train from SPAD (Signal Passing at Danger). TPWS monitor speed restriction. It also helps to stop the train if it crosses the red signal.