1.
World Radio celebrated
across the globe
World
Radio Day was celebrated across the globe on 13 February 2014. This is the
third Radio Day being observed by the UNESCO to celebrate radio as a medium.
The theme for World Radio Day 2014 is Gender Equality and Women's Empowerment in Radio.
The theme of the Day was chosen by the UNESCO in order to get the balance right in favour of women in radio. That is, UNESCO seeks to strengthen pluralism and freedom of expression in radio.
The theme for World Radio Day 2014 is Gender Equality and Women's Empowerment in Radio.
The theme of the Day was chosen by the UNESCO in order to get the balance right in favour of women in radio. That is, UNESCO seeks to strengthen pluralism and freedom of expression in radio.
2.
Karnataka won Irani Cup for the fifth time
Karnataka won the
Irani Cup for the fifth time beating Rest of India in the final held at
Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bangalore on 12 February 2014. Karnataka beat Rest of
India by an innings and 222 runs to win the trophy.In response to Karnataka's
score of 606 in the first innings, Rest of India scored 201 in the first
innings and 183 in the second.
Shreyas Gopal five wickets haul including a hat-trick and Skipper's Vinay Kumar
four wickets haul helped Karnataka comprehensively win the game. The victory made Karnataka the first
Ranji Trophy champion in the last eight seasons to win the Irani Cup, a measure
of the side’s dominance this season. Also Vinay Kumar became the third
Karnataka captain to win both the Ranji Trophy and Irani Cup in a same year. Karnataka last won the Irani Cup in 1998
at the same venue under Venkatesh Prasad.
Man of the Match: R. Vinay Kumar
About Irani Cup.The Irani Cup (earlier called Irani Trophy) tournament was
conceived during the 1959-60 season to mark the completion of 25 years of the
Ranji Trophy championship.
It was named after the
late Z.R. Irani, who was associated with the Board of Control for Cricket in
India (BCCI) from its inception in 1928, till his death in 1970.
The fixture is always
played between the previous year's Ranji Trophy winners and the Rest of India
Team.
3.
Union Government approved Pune Metro Rail Project
The Union Ministry of
Urban Development gave an in-principle approval to the Phase - I of the Pune
Metro Rail Project on 12 February 2014. The approval by the Union
Government will facilitate the State Government to take necessary action
for faster implementation of the project.
The project is aimed to
improve the public transport system in the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) and
Pimpri - Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) areas.
While giving the
approval the Union Government advised the State government to update and keep
the design and technology of the system in accordance with the revised Detailed
Project Report prepared by the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC).
Maharashtra Government
will implement the project through a Special Purpose Vehicle which will be
jointly owned by the Union and State government.
Pune Metro Rail Project phase I details:
Pune Metro Rail Project phase I details:
· It will cover a
length of 31.51 km along two corridors.
· Corridor-1 will cover
16.59 km from Pimpri - Chinchwad Municipal Corporation to Swargate.
· Corridor-2 will cover
14.92 km from Vanaz to Ramwadi.
· The project is
expected to be completed by 2021.
· The revised cost
estimate for entire project is 10183 crore rupees.
4.
National Women's Day of India observed on 13 February
National
Women's Day of India was observed on 13 February 2014. This day is observed on
the date of birth of India’s first women governor Sarojini Naidu. Sarojini
Naidu was born on 13 February 1879 and died on 2 March 1949. This was the 135th
birth anniversary of Sarojini Naidu.
Her birthday has been selected to observe as a National Woman Day in recognition of the works done by her for uplliftment and development of women in India. Her name and birth date was proposed to celebrate as the National Women’s Day in India by members of Bhartiya Mahila Sangh and Akhil Bhartiya Mahila Sammelan.
Sarojini Naidu
• Sarojini Naidu is also known as the Nightingale of
India
• She was a child prodigy, a poet and an activist during the independence of India
• From 1947 to 1949, she served as the first woman to become the governor of an Indian state of United Provinces of Agra and Oudh
• In 1925, she served as second woman to become President of the Indian National Congress and the first Indian woman to do so
• Naidu joined the Indian national movement after the partition of Bengal in 1905
• In 1928, the British Government awarded her with the medal Naidu Kaiser-i-Hind for her work during the plague epidemic in India
Literary works of Sarojini Naidu
• Golden Threshold published in 1905 was her first collection of poems
• The Bird of Time: Songs of Life, Death and the Spring
• Feast of Youth
• The Magic Tree
• The Wizard Mask
• Muhammad Jinnah: An Ambassador of Unity
• The Sceptred Flute: Songs of India, Allahabad: Kitabistan
• The Indian Weavers
Apart from this, the International Women’s Day is observed and celebrated on 8 March every year.
Her birthday has been selected to observe as a National Woman Day in recognition of the works done by her for uplliftment and development of women in India. Her name and birth date was proposed to celebrate as the National Women’s Day in India by members of Bhartiya Mahila Sangh and Akhil Bhartiya Mahila Sammelan.
Sarojini Naidu
• Sarojini Naidu is also known as the Nightingale of
India
• She was a child prodigy, a poet and an activist during the independence of India
• From 1947 to 1949, she served as the first woman to become the governor of an Indian state of United Provinces of Agra and Oudh
• In 1925, she served as second woman to become President of the Indian National Congress and the first Indian woman to do so
• Naidu joined the Indian national movement after the partition of Bengal in 1905
• In 1928, the British Government awarded her with the medal Naidu Kaiser-i-Hind for her work during the plague epidemic in India
Literary works of Sarojini Naidu
• Golden Threshold published in 1905 was her first collection of poems
• The Bird of Time: Songs of Life, Death and the Spring
• Feast of Youth
• The Magic Tree
• The Wizard Mask
• Muhammad Jinnah: An Ambassador of Unity
• The Sceptred Flute: Songs of India, Allahabad: Kitabistan
• The Indian Weavers
Apart from this, the International Women’s Day is observed and celebrated on 8 March every year.
5.
Justice Mukul Mudgal appointed as Chief of BCCC
Justice Mukul
Mudgal, former Chief Justice of Punjab & Haryana High Court, was appointed
as the chief of the Broadcast Content Complaints Council (BCCC). The
appointment was approved by the Indian Broadcasting Foundation (IBF), an
association of channels. He will take charge as the chief of BCCC towards the
end of February 2014.
Justice Mudgal
will replace Justice A P Shah, former Chief Justice of Delhi High Court who has
been appointed as head of the Law Commission of India.
About Justice Mukul
Mudgal
Justice Mukul Mudgal
chaired a committee set up by the Union Information and Broadcasting Ministry
to propose amendments to the Cinematograph Act, 1952. He also headed the
Committee that was set up by the Supreme Court to probe into IPL spot-fixing.
About BCCC BCCC is an independent complaint redressal
system established in June 2011 by the IBF - an apex body of
broadcasters.
The Council is a thirteen member body consisting of a Chairperson who is retired Judge of the Supreme Court or High Court and 12 other members. The objective of BCCC is to
The Council is a thirteen member body consisting of a Chairperson who is retired Judge of the Supreme Court or High Court and 12 other members. The objective of BCCC is to
· issue certain guiding
principles for programme content on the channels;
· usher in a redressal
mechanism for viewer complaints; and
· ensure that
programming creativity flourished in a free-speech environment without ad-hoc
interventions.
6.
Arvind Kejriwal resigned as Delhi CM
Arvind Kejriwal, the Chief Minister of Delhi resigned on
14 February 2014. He resigned following his government failure to muster the
support over whether the Jan Lokpal Bill should be presented before the House
or not. 42 MLAs voted against the bill whereas only 27 members favoured it. The
decision of resignation was announced by him after a cabinet meeting. He sent
his resignatiom to LT. Governor Nejeeb Jung within 48 days after he became the
Chief Minister of Delhi.
Kejriwal in his announcement said that his cabinet has
recommended the Lieutenant Governor Najeeb Jung to dissolve the Legislative
Assembly and to hold fresh elections.
Background
Aam Aadmi Party formed the state government after garnering 28 seats in the Assembly elections held in December 2013 by support of 8 congress MLAs and lone JDU MLA and an independent. Kejriwal became the Chief Minister of Delhi on 28 December 2013. BJP that emerged as the single largest party with 31 seats and its ally Akali Dal got one seat had failed to from the government due to lack of majority in the 70 member Assembly.
Aam Aadmi Party formed the state government after garnering 28 seats in the Assembly elections held in December 2013 by support of 8 congress MLAs and lone JDU MLA and an independent. Kejriwal became the Chief Minister of Delhi on 28 December 2013. BJP that emerged as the single largest party with 31 seats and its ally Akali Dal got one seat had failed to from the government due to lack of majority in the 70 member Assembly.
7.
Italy Prime Minister Enrico Letta resigned
Italy
Prime Minister Enrico Letta resigned on 14 February 2014. The statement
released by the Italian presidential palace stated that the Italy’s President,
Giorgio Napolitano accepted the resignation.
Letta
belongs to the center-left Democratic Party. Letta is likely to be
replaced by the Democratic Party leader, the mayor of Florence Matteo Renzi.
About Enrico Letta
Letta was sworn
as the Prime Minister in April 2013 forming the grand coalition government. The
Democratic Party has a majority in the lower house of Parliament but relies on
smaller parties in the Senate.
The last election
held in Italy was in 2008 where Berlusconi became the Prime Minister for the
third time. After Berlusconi‘s expel from the parliament for the
conviction of tax fraud, the country leaders have been appointed.
8.
VV Dongre and Guocheng Zhang won International Gandhi Award 2013
Pranab Mukherjee,
the President of India on 15 February 2014 presented the International Gandhi
Award for the year 2013 to Dr. Vijaykumar Vinayak Dongre (VV Dongre) and Prof. Guocheng
Zhang at Rashtrapati Bhawan, New Delhi. They were awarded for making
outstanding contributions in the field of leprosy to eradicate the disease
through treatment, training and research.
International Gandhi
Award
The International Gandhi Award was instituted by the Gandhi Memorial Leprosy Foundation that was established in 1950 to commemorate Mahatma Gandhi’s service and scientific approach towards leprosy. It recognizes the commendable contributions of individuals and institutions in ameliorating the quality of life of people afflicted with leprosy. Every alternate year, two awards are given to individuals/institutions for making outstanding contribution in the field of leprosy.
Leprosy
Leprosy is a dreaded and incurable disease and has been in existence over several centuries. It has resulted to inhuman treatment with the patients. In 2012-13, India recorded around 83,000 leprosy cases with a prevalence of 0.68 per 10000 people.
United Nations has passed a resolution on discrimination against people affected by leprosy and efforts are being made to repeal laws that prevent people affected by leprosy from participating in society.
Recently, the World Health Organization Expert Committee has set the challenge to reduce the rate of new patients with disability due to leprosy to one in a million by 2020. This challenge can be met only through a multi – dimensional and integrated approach.
The International Gandhi Award was instituted by the Gandhi Memorial Leprosy Foundation that was established in 1950 to commemorate Mahatma Gandhi’s service and scientific approach towards leprosy. It recognizes the commendable contributions of individuals and institutions in ameliorating the quality of life of people afflicted with leprosy. Every alternate year, two awards are given to individuals/institutions for making outstanding contribution in the field of leprosy.
Leprosy
Leprosy is a dreaded and incurable disease and has been in existence over several centuries. It has resulted to inhuman treatment with the patients. In 2012-13, India recorded around 83,000 leprosy cases with a prevalence of 0.68 per 10000 people.
United Nations has passed a resolution on discrimination against people affected by leprosy and efforts are being made to repeal laws that prevent people affected by leprosy from participating in society.
Recently, the World Health Organization Expert Committee has set the challenge to reduce the rate of new patients with disability due to leprosy to one in a million by 2020. This challenge can be met only through a multi – dimensional and integrated approach.
9.
World Bridge Championship to be hosted by India in 2015
World Bridge
Championship for Bermuda Bowl (men) and Venice Cup (women) will be hosted by
India for the first time in October 2015. This was announced by the World
Bridge Federation (WBF) on 17 February 2014.
Chennai in Tamil
Nadu and Panaji in Goa have been shortlisted to host the World Bridge
Championship. About 550 players from 66 countries are expected to be seen in
action in this world meet.
About World Bridge Championship
The World Bridge Federation (WBF) conducts the World Bridge Team Championships every two years. This is the premier tournament in international bridge and sees the top teams from each geographic region competing against one another for the Bermuda Bowl trophy. Additionally, there are separate trophies for the top women`s team as well as the top senior team (D`Orsi Trophy) globally.
WBF President: Gianrrigo Rona of Italy
Bridge Federation of India (BFI) President: N R Kirubakara Moorthy
About World Bridge Championship
The World Bridge Federation (WBF) conducts the World Bridge Team Championships every two years. This is the premier tournament in international bridge and sees the top teams from each geographic region competing against one another for the Bermuda Bowl trophy. Additionally, there are separate trophies for the top women`s team as well as the top senior team (D`Orsi Trophy) globally.
WBF President: Gianrrigo Rona of Italy
Bridge Federation of India (BFI) President: N R Kirubakara Moorthy
10.
The 67th BAFTA Awards
The 67th British Academy of Film and
Television Arts (BAFTA) Awards were given in London on 16 February 2014. The
Awards were conferred for the outstanding performances in films and
documentaries screened at British Cinemas in 2013.
The Awards are:
Category
|
Names
|
Best Film
|
12 Years a Slave
|
Best Director
|
Alfonso Cuar’on
(Gravity)
|
Best Actor
|
Chiwetel Ejofor (12
years a Slave)
|
Best Actress
|
Cate Blanchett
(Blue Jasmine)
|
Best Supporting
Actor
|
Barkhad Abdi
(Capitan)
|
Best Supporting
Actress
|
Jennifer Lawrence
(American Hustle)
|
Best British Film
|
Gravity
|
Best Debut By a
British Writer, Director or Producer
|
Kieran Evans
|
Best Original
Screenplay
|
American Hustle
|
Best Adapted
Screenplay
|
Philomena
|
Best Film Not In
The English Language
|
The Great Beauty
|
Best Documentary
|
The Act of Killing
|
Best Original Film
Score
|
Gravity
|
Best Cinematography
|
Gravity
|
Best Editing
|
Rush
|
Best Sound
|
Gravity
|
Best Animated Film
|
Frozen
|
Best Visual Effects
|
Gravity
|
Best Makeup and
Hair
|
American Hustle
|
Best Production
Design
|
The Great Gatsby
|
Best Costumes
|
The Great Gatsby
|
Best Short Film
|
Room 8
|
Best Animated Short
|
Sleeping With The
Fishes
|
BAFTA Rising Star
Award
|
Will Poulter
|
About BAFTA
The British Academy of Film and Television
Arts (BAFTA) supports, promotes and develops the art forms of moving image like
film, Television and Video games.
BAFTA Identifies,
rewards and celebrates excellence at it’s internationally- renowned, annual
awards inspiring the practitioner and benefiting the public.
11.
Abdul Basit appointed high commissioner of Pakistan to India
Pakistan
appointed Abdul Basit as Pakistan’s high commissioner to India on 17 February
2014. He will replace Salman Bashir. Salman Bashir relinquishes charge of
office on 28 February 2014.
Basit will take charge of office in March 2014.
He is currently working as ambassador to Germany. From May 2012, he was representing Pakistan in Berlin.
Basit will take charge of office in March 2014.
He is currently working as ambassador to Germany. From May 2012, he was representing Pakistan in Berlin.
Basit had joined
the Foreign Service in 1982. He had held various assignments in Pakistan
missions abroad and at the headquarters, including as the foreign office
spokesperson.
He had previously served at Pakistan’s missions in Moscow, New York, Sana’a, Geneva and London.
The ambassadors of Commonwealth countries are designated as High Commissioner.
He had previously served at Pakistan’s missions in Moscow, New York, Sana’a, Geneva and London.
The ambassadors of Commonwealth countries are designated as High Commissioner.
12.
K Rehman Khan inaugurated Minority Cyber Village in Rajasthan
India’s first
Minority Cyber Village was inaugurated by the Minister for Minority Affairs K
Rehman Khan on 19 February 2014 in Chandoli in Alwar district of Rajasthan.
Chandoli has been selected as the first village for the pilot project as it holds more than 80 percent of minority population and also because the minorities of the Mewat region is still backward in education. The project will be carried in other areas after the success of the pilot project.
Chandoli has been selected as the first village for the pilot project as it holds more than 80 percent of minority population and also because the minorities of the Mewat region is still backward in education. The project will be carried in other areas after the success of the pilot project.
About the Cyber Village
• The Cyber village project will provide computer education to people in the age group of 15 to 59.
• Further also, institution under the project will be instituted in the villages with substantial population of minority
• Under this project experts will provide training of commuter skills to the people of chandoli
The Minority Affairs minister in his announcement said that the government is also considering opening special schools on pattern of Kendriya Vidyalayas from minority community. Government has also planned to come up with 200 new colleges in minority dominated areas and the areas include Laxmangarh, Tijara, Kishengarhbas and Ramgarh.
• The Cyber village project will provide computer education to people in the age group of 15 to 59.
• Further also, institution under the project will be instituted in the villages with substantial population of minority
• Under this project experts will provide training of commuter skills to the people of chandoli
The Minority Affairs minister in his announcement said that the government is also considering opening special schools on pattern of Kendriya Vidyalayas from minority community. Government has also planned to come up with 200 new colleges in minority dominated areas and the areas include Laxmangarh, Tijara, Kishengarhbas and Ramgarh.
13.
Kiran Kumar Reddy resigned as AP Chief Minister
Andhra Pradesh
Chief Minister (CM), Kiran Kumar Reddy resigned from the post on 19 February
2014. He also quitted from the membership of the State Assembly and the
Congress Party as a protest to the decision to bifurcate the Andhra Pradesh
State.
Krian Kumar urged
the governor to make alternate arrangements at the earliest as he is not likely
to continue as caretaker Chief Minister.
The Telangana
Bill, splitting Andhra Pradesh and forming Telangana as 29th State was passed
by the Lok Sabha on 18 February 2014 with Congress and BJP coming together on
the issue. The Bill will be passed in Rajya Sabha on 19 February 2014.
14.
Ten-day festival Taj Mahotsav began in Agra
Taj Mahotsav, the
ten day annual festival began in Agra, Uttar Pradesh on 18 February 2014.The
festival will be celebrated from 18 to 27 February 2014 at the Shilp Gram, the
Eastern gate of Taj Mahal. The theme of the festival for this year is Paigham-e Mohahabbat or the message of love.
About Taj Mahostav
• Taj Mahotsav was started in 1992 and since then
its glory has reached to greater heights. The festival is organized by the Uttar Pradesh Department of Tourism to increase the Indian Tourism.
its glory has reached to greater heights. The festival is organized by the Uttar Pradesh Department of Tourism to increase the Indian Tourism.
• Taj Mahotsav is a vibrant
platform that gives information of India where one can find India’s rich arts,
crafts, cultures, cuisine, dance and music.
• In Taj Mahotsav
legendary artisans from different parts of the country get an opportunity to
display their exquisite works of art like wood or stone carvings from Tamil
Nadu, Bamboo or cane work from North East India, Paper mash work from South
India and Kashmir, the marble and zardozi
work from Agra.
• The Performances of folk,
classical music and dances of various regions, especially the Brij Bhumi will
be performed the way they used to be centuries ago.
15.
Bharti Airtel Signed an Agreement with Loop Mobile
Largest telecom
operator of India Bharti Airtel signed a strategic agreement with Loop Mobile
on 18 February 2014. Under the agreement Bharti Airtel will acquire the mobile
network and 3 million subscribers of Loop Mobile in Mumbai circle.
With this deal, Bharti Airtel will become the largest mobile operator with 7 million subscriber base in Mumbai relegating Vodafone to second position with 6.8 million subscriber base.
The proposed transaction will bring together Loop Mobile’s 2G/EDGE enabled network supported by 2500 plus cell sites, and Airtel’s 2G and 3G network supported by over 4000 cell sites across Mumbai.
It will also offer subscribers the widest exclusive retail reach with 220 outlets that will enable best-in-class customer service.
With this deal, Bharti Airtel will become the largest mobile operator with 7 million subscriber base in Mumbai relegating Vodafone to second position with 6.8 million subscriber base.
The proposed transaction will bring together Loop Mobile’s 2G/EDGE enabled network supported by 2500 plus cell sites, and Airtel’s 2G and 3G network supported by over 4000 cell sites across Mumbai.
It will also offer subscribers the widest exclusive retail reach with 220 outlets that will enable best-in-class customer service.
The deal between Airtel and Loop is
expected to stand at 700 crore rupees. Loop will use these sale proceeds for
repaying debt of 400 crore rupees and the rest will go to promoters IP Khaitan
and family. Loop is the oldest mobile service provider in Mumbai.
This deal assumes significance as customers of Loop Mobile will get continuity of services. Licence of Loop Mobile will expire in September 2014.
This deal assumes significance as customers of Loop Mobile will get continuity of services. Licence of Loop Mobile will expire in September 2014.
16.
Sikkim won National Tourism Award 2012-13
Sikkim won the
National Tourism Award 2012-13 on 18 February 2014. The award was handed over
to Bhim Dhungel, Sikkim’s Tourism Minister by Shashi Tharoor, Union Minister
for Human Resource Development at a function at Vigyan Bhawan in New Delhi.
Union Ministry
of Tourism declared Sikkim as the best State in the implementation of rural
tourism projects. The Ministry described, Sikkim as a perfect destination to
experience rich culture and scenic natural beauty.
Bhim Dhungel at the award ceremony informed that the Chief Minister of Sikkim, Pawan Chamling has launched an ambitious project of 140-crore rupees for development of the tourism facilities in the state along with halting points, view points, retiring units and other infrastructural facilities.
Tourism in Sikkim
The tourism department of Sikkim had tied up with states like Kerala, Gujarat, Karnataka and Goa for tourist flow from these states to Sikkim. To ensure international tourism flow in the state, the department is also negotiating with countries like Bhutan and Nepal.
Ministry of Tourism, Government of India
The Ministry of Tourism of Government of India is the nodal agency for the formulation of national policies and programmes and for the co-ordination of activities of various Central Government Agencies, State Governments/UTs and the Private Sector for the development and promotion of tourism in the country. This Ministry is headed by the Union Minister of State for Tourism (Independent Charge) and at present the Union Minister of State for Tourism is Chiranjeevi.
Some other Achievements, Recognitions and Awards received by Sikkim
• Sikkim has been ranked as the first state in India
for implementation of Nirmal Bharat Abhiyan.
• Sikkim has received 2 MGNREGA Awards for
excellent implementation of MGNREGA Scheme in
the State
• In 2013 for e-Governance, Sikkim received e-North
East Award
• It received the Agriculture Leadership award in 2013
• Environment for Spring Conservation Project
Sikkim received e-North East award in 2012
• In 2004-05 it received the award as best
performing state in Education
• In recognition of commendable work done in the
field of information Technology it received Skoch
Challenger Award in 2005
• Hospitality India Award in 2006
• State Leadership Award 2009 in horticulture
• Best State for Adventure Tourism for the year
2009
Bhim Dhungel at the award ceremony informed that the Chief Minister of Sikkim, Pawan Chamling has launched an ambitious project of 140-crore rupees for development of the tourism facilities in the state along with halting points, view points, retiring units and other infrastructural facilities.
Tourism in Sikkim
The tourism department of Sikkim had tied up with states like Kerala, Gujarat, Karnataka and Goa for tourist flow from these states to Sikkim. To ensure international tourism flow in the state, the department is also negotiating with countries like Bhutan and Nepal.
Ministry of Tourism, Government of India
The Ministry of Tourism of Government of India is the nodal agency for the formulation of national policies and programmes and for the co-ordination of activities of various Central Government Agencies, State Governments/UTs and the Private Sector for the development and promotion of tourism in the country. This Ministry is headed by the Union Minister of State for Tourism (Independent Charge) and at present the Union Minister of State for Tourism is Chiranjeevi.
Some other Achievements, Recognitions and Awards received by Sikkim
• Sikkim has been ranked as the first state in India
for implementation of Nirmal Bharat Abhiyan.
• Sikkim has received 2 MGNREGA Awards for
excellent implementation of MGNREGA Scheme in
the State
• In 2013 for e-Governance, Sikkim received e-North
East Award
• It received the Agriculture Leadership award in 2013
• Environment for Spring Conservation Project
Sikkim received e-North East award in 2012
• In 2004-05 it received the award as best
performing state in Education
• In recognition of commendable work done in the
field of information Technology it received Skoch
Challenger Award in 2005
• Hospitality India Award in 2006
• State Leadership Award 2009 in horticulture
• Best State for Adventure Tourism for the year
2009
17.
Bubba Watson won Northern Trust Open
Bubba Watson won
the Northern Trust Open at Riviera Country Club in Pacific Palisades,
California, USA on 16 February 2014. This is his first title since
2012 Masters where he won the 6.7 million US dollar and fifth US PGA Tour
title.
Watson played
the final 39 holes without a bogey and shot a 7-under 64 to win the Northern
Trust Open. His 15-under total of 269 gave him a two-stroke victory over
eight-time US PGA Tour winner Dustin Johnson. Johnson closed with a five-under
par 66 at Riviera Country Club for 271.
Jason Allred had
three birdies in his three- under 68 for a share of third place on 272. Brian
Harman closed with a 68 at fourth place and South African Charl Schwartzel was
at fifth place after a 68 for 273.
About Northern Trust
Open
• In 1889, Northern
Trust’s partnership with the
tournament established The Rivera Country Club.
The annual site of the Northern Trust Open was
opened for play in 1927.
• In 2013 John Merrick won the tournament and was
the first winner from Los Angeles.
tournament established The Rivera Country Club.
The annual site of the Northern Trust Open was
opened for play in 1927.
• In 2013 John Merrick won the tournament and was
the first winner from Los Angeles.
18.
Sachin and Sehwag nominated for Cricketer of the Generation award
Indian batting
icon Sachin Tendulkar and Virendra Sehwag on 17 February 2014 were nominated
amongst the nominees for the ESPNcricinfo@20 Cricketer of the Generation award,
with the cricket news website today announcing two more categories to its
seventh annual awards.
The two new
special awards-Cricketer of the Generation and Contribution to Cricket will add
to the six categories announced earlier. The award ceremony will be held in
Mumbai on 14 March 2014.
Others nominated for the award are
•Shane Warne
• Braine Lara
• Muttiah Muralitharan
• Jacques Kallis
The finest player of the last 20 years to honour with this award will be judged by a 50-member jury of current and former cricketers along with sportswriters. This is the ESPNcricinfo’s 20th anniversary celebration.
Others nominated for the award are
•Shane Warne
• Braine Lara
• Muttiah Muralitharan
• Jacques Kallis
The finest player of the last 20 years to honour with this award will be judged by a 50-member jury of current and former cricketers along with sportswriters. This is the ESPNcricinfo’s 20th anniversary celebration.
Former Indian captain,
Rahul Dravid will nominate the winner of the Contribution to Cricket award and
under this every person who has contributed to cricket in all forms will be
considered and includes pitch curators, groundsmen, umpires to grassroots organizers
or a person who has made a positive impact on the game
19.
Li Na of China ranked World No. 2 in WTA Singles Ranking
Li Na of China was
ranked World Number 2 in the latest Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) singles
ranking released on 17 February 2014. Li Na became the first Asian player, Male
or Female, to hold the WTA World No. 2 singles ranking.
She moved to
second spot with 6690 points behind the American great Serena Williams, the
17-time Grand Slam title-winner, on 12380 points. She was ranked World No. 3 in
WTA singles ranking in 2013.
The previous
Asian record was No.4 for Kimiko Date-Krumm of Japan.
Li Na, 32, won
the Australian Open 2014 adding to her only Grand Slam title French Open which
she won in 2011. In all she has won nine WTA titles in her career including
Australian Open and Shenzhen Open in 2014 and two WTA doubles titles.
In another break
through for the Asian tennis and especially Chinese tennis, Peng Shuai of China
was rated the top women's doubles player in the latest released WTA doubles
rankings.
20. Kingfisher
Airlines CEO Sanjay Aggarwal resigned
Chief Executive
Officer (CEO) of Kingfisher Airlines Sanjay Aggarwal resigned on 17 February
2014.
He had joined kingfisher Airlines on 30 September 2010.
Prior to Kingfisher, he was working with SpiceJet Airlines ltd. Aggarwal had led SpiceJet as its CEO and led the low-cost airline back to profitability. He quit the airline when media baron Kalanithi Maran of Sun TV Network Ltd bought SpiceJet in June 2010.
He had joined kingfisher Airlines on 30 September 2010.
Prior to Kingfisher, he was working with SpiceJet Airlines ltd. Aggarwal had led SpiceJet as its CEO and led the low-cost airline back to profitability. He quit the airline when media baron Kalanithi Maran of Sun TV Network Ltd bought SpiceJet in June 2010.
Prior to joining
SpiceJet, Aggarwal was Chief Operating Office of Flight Options. Flight Options
is the second largest private jet provider of world. He had also worked for US
Airways for six years.
The Mumbai-based Kingfisher Airlines had accumulated losses of 16023.46 crore rupees as on 31 March 2013 and its net worth was a negative 12919.82 crore rupees. Kingfisher Airlines was launched in 2005.
Kingfisher’s operating license was suspended in October 2012 by aviation regulator Directorate General of Civil Aviation following a strike by the airline’s employees. The permit has since expired, although it can be renewed within two years, which is by October 2014.
Meanwhile, a group of 14 lenders led by State Bank of India (SBI) that has an exposure of 7000 crore rupees to the airline is trying to recover at least 1000 crore rupees from it by selling assets such as buildings, helicopters and other fixed assets.
The Mumbai-based Kingfisher Airlines had accumulated losses of 16023.46 crore rupees as on 31 March 2013 and its net worth was a negative 12919.82 crore rupees. Kingfisher Airlines was launched in 2005.
Kingfisher’s operating license was suspended in October 2012 by aviation regulator Directorate General of Civil Aviation following a strike by the airline’s employees. The permit has since expired, although it can be renewed within two years, which is by October 2014.
Meanwhile, a group of 14 lenders led by State Bank of India (SBI) that has an exposure of 7000 crore rupees to the airline is trying to recover at least 1000 crore rupees from it by selling assets such as buildings, helicopters and other fixed assets.
21.
Arun Jaitley launched a book entitled ModiNomics in Delhi
ModiNomics: Inclusive Economics,
Inclusive Governance written by Sameer Kochhar Arun Jaitely, a BJP leader on 16 February 2014 unveiled a book
entitled ModiNomics: Inclusive Economics, Inclusive Governance at the Indian
Habitat Centre, Lodhi Road in New Delhi. The book has been authored by Sameer
Kochhar.
The book presents an insight of Modi’s
idea of both Inclusive Economics as well as Inclusive Governance. It also
speaks about the vision of Narendra Modi about economic and development
strategies. The programme of book launch was skipped by the BJPs Prime
Ministerial candidate Narendra Modi.
Till date, Sameer Kochhar has edited books that praises the reform initiatives of finance minister, P Chidambaram, the Vice-Chairman of Planning Commission Montek Singh Ahluwalia and economist Vijay Kelkar. Earlier 2013, Manmohan Singh, the Prime Minister of India launched a book edited by Kochchar entitled An Agenda for Growth: Essays in honour of P. Chidambaram.
Some other books of Sameer Kochhar
• Growth & Finance: Essays in Honour of C.
Rangarajan. The books preface was written by P.
Chidambaram and its forward has been written by
Manmohan Singh
• Speeding Financial Inclusion preface was written by
C. Rangarajan
• Policymaking for Indian Planning: Essays on
Contemporary Issues in Honour of Montek S.
Ahluwalia was edited by Sameer Kochhar
• Building from the Bottom: Infrastructure and
Poverty Alleviation was edited by Sameer Kochhar
Till date, Sameer Kochhar has edited books that praises the reform initiatives of finance minister, P Chidambaram, the Vice-Chairman of Planning Commission Montek Singh Ahluwalia and economist Vijay Kelkar. Earlier 2013, Manmohan Singh, the Prime Minister of India launched a book edited by Kochchar entitled An Agenda for Growth: Essays in honour of P. Chidambaram.
Some other books of Sameer Kochhar
• Growth & Finance: Essays in Honour of C.
Rangarajan. The books preface was written by P.
Chidambaram and its forward has been written by
Manmohan Singh
• Speeding Financial Inclusion preface was written by
C. Rangarajan
• Policymaking for Indian Planning: Essays on
Contemporary Issues in Honour of Montek S.
Ahluwalia was edited by Sameer Kochhar
• Building from the Bottom: Infrastructure and
Poverty Alleviation was edited by Sameer Kochhar
22.
France won Hopman Cup for the first time
France
won Hopman Cup for the first time at Perth, Australia on 4 January 2014. France
defeated the Poland in the finals. Alinze Cornet and Jo-Wilfried Tsonga of
France won against Grzegorz Panfil and Agniezka Radwanska of Poland.
About Hopman Cup title
• Hopman Cup title was held from
28 December 2013 to
4 January 2014 in Perth, Australia.
4 January 2014 in Perth, Australia.
• The Hopman Cup is an
international team indoor hard
court tennis tournament with mixed teams on a country
by country basis.
court tennis tournament with mixed teams on a country
by country basis.
23. Union
Government confirmed the appointment of Talukdar as head of DGH
Union Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas confirmed the appointment of B.N.Talukdar as the head of Director General of Hydrocarbon (DGH) on 5 February 2014.
B.N.Talukdar will take charge as the new Director General of the DGH on 6 February 2014. He is currently serving as the Director for exploration in Oil India Ltd. (OIL).
He will succeed Rajiv Narayan Choubey who was appointed by the former Union Oil Minister S Jaipal Reddy as the DG of DGH in June 2012. Choubey is a 1981 batch IAS officer of Tamil Nadu cadre.
The confirmation of Talukdar as the head of the DGH came six months after his name was suggested by a government appointed search panel in August 2013. The search panel was headed by the Petroleum Secretary Vivek Rae.
Union Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas confirmed the appointment of B.N.Talukdar as the head of Director General of Hydrocarbon (DGH) on 5 February 2014.
B.N.Talukdar will take charge as the new Director General of the DGH on 6 February 2014. He is currently serving as the Director for exploration in Oil India Ltd. (OIL).
He will succeed Rajiv Narayan Choubey who was appointed by the former Union Oil Minister S Jaipal Reddy as the DG of DGH in June 2012. Choubey is a 1981 batch IAS officer of Tamil Nadu cadre.
The confirmation of Talukdar as the head of the DGH came six months after his name was suggested by a government appointed search panel in August 2013. The search panel was headed by the Petroleum Secretary Vivek Rae.
About DGH
The Directorate General of Hydrocarbons (DGH) was established in 1993 under the administrative control of Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas through Government of India Resolution. Objectives of DGH are to promote sound management of the oil and natural gas resources having a balanced regard for environment, safety, technological and economic aspects of the petroleum activity.
The Directorate General of Hydrocarbons (DGH) was established in 1993 under the administrative control of Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas through Government of India Resolution. Objectives of DGH are to promote sound management of the oil and natural gas resources having a balanced regard for environment, safety, technological and economic aspects of the petroleum activity.
24. MTS launched online
campaign India For Shiva
Telecom major MTS launched an online
campaign IndiaForShiva on Twitter to mobilise support for Indian luge athlete
Shiva Keshavan on 5 February 2014.
The campaign is an extensive social media movement to generate support for Keshavan. It would encompass specially designed twitter feeds, engagement activities on Facebook and other social media channels.
Shiva Keshavan is to compete his fifth Winter Olympics campaign in Sochi,Russia. The winter Olympics will start from 8 February 2014.
Shiva Keshavan is a two-time Asia Cup gold medallist and will be competing under the Olympics flag instead of the Indian flag.
About MTS
MTS is the largest mobile operator in Russia and CIS countries with over 102.4 million subscribers.
MTS started its work in Moscow license zone in 1994. МТS in 1997 received licenses for further areas and began expansion, later entering other countries of the CIS.
The campaign is an extensive social media movement to generate support for Keshavan. It would encompass specially designed twitter feeds, engagement activities on Facebook and other social media channels.
Shiva Keshavan is to compete his fifth Winter Olympics campaign in Sochi,Russia. The winter Olympics will start from 8 February 2014.
Shiva Keshavan is a two-time Asia Cup gold medallist and will be competing under the Olympics flag instead of the Indian flag.
About MTS
MTS is the largest mobile operator in Russia and CIS countries with over 102.4 million subscribers.
MTS started its work in Moscow license zone in 1994. МТS in 1997 received licenses for further areas and began expansion, later entering other countries of the CIS.
25. Sanjeev Kulkarni
appointed dean of Princeton University Graduate School
Indian-American Professor Sanjeev
Kulkarni was appointed as the Dean of Princeton University Graduate School on 5
February 2014. He will succeed William Russel, the present dean of the
Princeton University Graduate School since 2002.
His appointment was recommended by Princeton University President Christopher L Eisgruber and approved by the Board of Trustees.
Sanjeev Kulkarni at present is the professor of electrical engineering and director of the Keller Center. He will take the charge as next dean from 31 March 2014.
His appointment was recommended by Princeton University President Christopher L Eisgruber and approved by the Board of Trustees.
Sanjeev Kulkarni at present is the professor of electrical engineering and director of the Keller Center. He will take the charge as next dean from 31 March 2014.
Kulkarni is the author of An Elementary
Introduction to Statistical Learning Theory, published in 2011.
Kulkarni joined the Princeton University as faculty in 1991.
Kulkarni joined the Princeton University as faculty in 1991.
26. Malala, John Wood and
Indira Ranamagar nominated for World Children's Prize in Sweden
Malala Yousafzai, the Pakistani
schoolgirl who survived after being shot in her head by Taliban was nominated
for the World Children’s Prize in Sweden for championing
education rights for girls on 6 February 2014. As per the 15 member of
international prize jury of WCP name of Malala was selected as she is a child,
who stood up for girls' rights to education in Pakistan, but also in the world
as a whole.
The World Children's Prize (WCP) is
also known as the Children's Nobel Prize and was founded in
2000 with an aim to raise awareness of children's rights in 60000 schools in
110 countries through educational programs. Other candidates nominated
for the year are John Wood from USA and Indira Ranamagar from Nepal. The WCP
Program 2014 is open from 5 February to 15 October 2014.
About Malala Yousafzai
• Malala in 2013 was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize for her crusade for the right of all children to an education
• She has been nominated for the 2014 award for her courageous and dangerous fight for girls’ right to education
• At the age of 11, she started speaking out for the education of the girls after Taliban banned girls from going to school in the swat valley of Pakistan but Malala kept going to school even after the ban imposed by Taliban. She was shot at the age of 15 and was almost killed by the Taliban on her way home from school, but she survived.
About John Wood
• He has fought for the children’s right to education for past 15-years. To fulfill his dream, he quit from his job at Microsoft as a manager. His dream is to fight poverty by giving children all over the world the chance to go to school
• His belief is that educated children are better equipped to demand their rights and can defend themselves against slavery, trafficking and abuse
• He runs an organisation named Room to Read, which till date has built almost 1700 schools and 15000 school libraries in some of the poorest countries of the world
• In local languages, he had published 874 books and has given over 10 million books to poor children, who have been deprived from access to books
The Room to Read that works in Bangladesh, Cambodia, India, Laos, Nepal, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Vietnam, Zambia and Tanzania is an organisation that has a special focus on education of the girls and till date has helped over 20000 girls in finishing their education. It has reached to 7.8 million children.
Indira Ramanagar
• Indira Ramanagar has been nominated for the
prize for her 20-year struggle for prisoners' children in Nepal.
• She grew up in extreme poverty and fought to be able to go to school
• She built an organisation named as Prisoners
• Malala in 2013 was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize for her crusade for the right of all children to an education
• She has been nominated for the 2014 award for her courageous and dangerous fight for girls’ right to education
• At the age of 11, she started speaking out for the education of the girls after Taliban banned girls from going to school in the swat valley of Pakistan but Malala kept going to school even after the ban imposed by Taliban. She was shot at the age of 15 and was almost killed by the Taliban on her way home from school, but she survived.
About John Wood
• He has fought for the children’s right to education for past 15-years. To fulfill his dream, he quit from his job at Microsoft as a manager. His dream is to fight poverty by giving children all over the world the chance to go to school
• His belief is that educated children are better equipped to demand their rights and can defend themselves against slavery, trafficking and abuse
• He runs an organisation named Room to Read, which till date has built almost 1700 schools and 15000 school libraries in some of the poorest countries of the world
• In local languages, he had published 874 books and has given over 10 million books to poor children, who have been deprived from access to books
The Room to Read that works in Bangladesh, Cambodia, India, Laos, Nepal, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Vietnam, Zambia and Tanzania is an organisation that has a special focus on education of the girls and till date has helped over 20000 girls in finishing their education. It has reached to 7.8 million children.
Indira Ramanagar
• Indira Ramanagar has been nominated for the
prize for her 20-year struggle for prisoners' children in Nepal.
• She grew up in extreme poverty and fought to be able to go to school
• She built an organisation named as Prisoners
Assistance Nepal (PA)
The organisation
PA has rescued more than 1000 children from the countries dirty and cramped
prisons. These children were sentenced to prison as there was no one to look
after them after their parents were sentence to prison. After the organisation
rescue those children and take them to the PA’s three children homes, where
they are educated and provided with safe childhood. PA runs a children's home
called Jankuri outside Kathmandu. Children from the surrounding villages are
allowed to attend the school too.
World’s Children’s Prize (WCP)
The WCP is a unique and world’s largest annual global education program. So far it has involved nearly 35 million children who have learnt about their rights and democracy. It operates with a goal or more humane world, where rights of children are respected by all. It teaches young people about the rights of the child, democracy and global friendship. Three child rights heroes are selected by WCP child jury every year to be candidates for the World’s Children’s Prize for the Rights of the Child.
The WCP is a unique and world’s largest annual global education program. So far it has involved nearly 35 million children who have learnt about their rights and democracy. It operates with a goal or more humane world, where rights of children are respected by all. It teaches young people about the rights of the child, democracy and global friendship. Three child rights heroes are selected by WCP child jury every year to be candidates for the World’s Children’s Prize for the Rights of the Child.
27. Bill Gates assumed the
role of Founder & Technology Advisor to CEO
Microsoft Founder Bill gates assumed
the role of Founder & Technology Advisor to the CEO of Microsoft on 5
February 2014. With this he stepped down from the post of Chairman of
Microsoft.
In his new role, Bill Gates will help Satya Nadella, the new CEO of Microsoft, in shaping technology and product direction. He will devote more time in making Microsoft Office more interactive and building a cloud platform as examples of ways Microsoft can innovate in the future.
In his new role, Bill Gates will help Satya Nadella, the new CEO of Microsoft, in shaping technology and product direction. He will devote more time in making Microsoft Office more interactive and building a cloud platform as examples of ways Microsoft can innovate in the future.
For years, Gates has focused on the Bill
& Melinda Gates Foundation, and now that he is taking a more hands-on role
at Microsoft.
28. John Thompson appointed
Chairman of Microsoft
John
Thompson was appointed as the Chairman of Microsoft on 5 February 2014 by the
Board of Directors at a meeting held in Washington, US. He succeeded Bill Gates
who assumed the role of Technology Advisor to the CEO of Microsoft.
John Thompson is the first Afro-American to head the Microsoft and the second Chairman of the Microsoft after Bill Gates. He joined the Board of Microsoft as independent director in February 2012.
With the inclusion of Thompson the Board of Directors of Microsoft will now have 10 members including Nadella. Out of 10 board members, seven are independent directors. Three of the seven have been on the board for more than eight years.
John Thompson is the first Afro-American to head the Microsoft and the second Chairman of the Microsoft after Bill Gates. He joined the Board of Microsoft as independent director in February 2012.
With the inclusion of Thompson the Board of Directors of Microsoft will now have 10 members including Nadella. Out of 10 board members, seven are independent directors. Three of the seven have been on the board for more than eight years.
At present, Thompson is the Chief
Executive Officer (CEO) of privately held Virtual Instruments. The products are
designed to ensure the performance and availability of applications deployed in
virtualised and private cloud computing environments.
He was also the former chairman and CEO
of Symantec Corp.
Mr. Thompson stepped down as CEO in 2009, and stepped down from Board of Directors of Symantec in 2011.
Mr. Thompson stepped down as CEO in 2009, and stepped down from Board of Directors of Symantec in 2011.
29. Vishwanath Tripathi
selected for the Vyas Samman 2013
Vishwanath
Tripathi, the eminent Hindi writer has been selected for the prestigious Vyas
Samman for the year 2013. He has been chosen for his memoir 'Vyomkesh Darvesh'
that is a biography of the noted Hindi scholar Acharya Hazari Prasad Dwivedi.
Tripathi,
who is 82-year-old has around 20 publications by his name that includes
memoirs, novel and poetry collection. Surya Prasad Dikshit, the Hindi
litterateur headed the selection committee for the award.
The Vyas Samman 2012 was given to Hindi litterateur Narendra Kohli for his historical novel Na Bhooto Na Bhavishyati published in 2004 that is based on Swami Vivekananda and the era he belonged. The 2011 award was given to Professor Ramdarash Mishra for his collection of poems Aam ke Patte published in 2004. The collection of poems has tried to establish a relationship of man with ordinary objects like pen and table and has reminded their unnoticed importance in human life.
About Vyas Samman
Vyas Samman was instituted by the K.K. Birla Foundation in 1991 and is awarded annually in recognition of the hindi literary work published in past 10 years in genres like plays, novels, poetry, short stories, critiques and others. The award carries 2.5 lakh rupees and a citation and a plaque.
The Vyas Samman 2012 was given to Hindi litterateur Narendra Kohli for his historical novel Na Bhooto Na Bhavishyati published in 2004 that is based on Swami Vivekananda and the era he belonged. The 2011 award was given to Professor Ramdarash Mishra for his collection of poems Aam ke Patte published in 2004. The collection of poems has tried to establish a relationship of man with ordinary objects like pen and table and has reminded their unnoticed importance in human life.
About Vyas Samman
Vyas Samman was instituted by the K.K. Birla Foundation in 1991 and is awarded annually in recognition of the hindi literary work published in past 10 years in genres like plays, novels, poetry, short stories, critiques and others. The award carries 2.5 lakh rupees and a citation and a plaque.
30. Marco Lambertini
appointed Director-General of WWF International
The global conservation
organisation, WWF (World Wide Fund for Nature) on 6 February 2014 appointed
Marco Lambertini as Director-General (DG) of the WWF International. His new
role as the DG will start from 1 May 2014.
At
the time of this appointment, he was serving Bird Life International as its
chief executive. He will succeed James P Leape, who was appointed as the DG of
WWF International in 2005.
Marco Lambertini
• Lambertini holds an experience of 25 years as a global conservation leader
• Prior to the Bird Life International, he served as the global director of Network and Programme for over a decade
• Lambertini began his association with WWF as a youth volunteer growing up in his native Italy.
Fritz Vollmar from Lenzburg, Switzerland was the first Secretary General of WWF International (the then World Wildlife Fund) from 1962-1978. During his tenure at WWF, he was responsible to establish an international secretariat along with building up the network of fund raising national organisation from its founder members namely UK, Switzerland and USA.
About WWF (World Wide Fund for Nature)
World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) at the time of establishment was known as World Wildlife Fund. It was established as an international non-governmental organization that works on issues regarding the conservation, research and restoration of the environment on 29 April 1961. Its first office was opened on 11 September 1961 in Morges, Switzerland. Its mascot, Giant Panda originated from the panda named as Chi Chi, which was transferred from the Beijing Zoo to the London Zoo in 1961.
Currently there are more than 1300 WWF conservation projects underway around the world.
Marco Lambertini
• Lambertini holds an experience of 25 years as a global conservation leader
• Prior to the Bird Life International, he served as the global director of Network and Programme for over a decade
• Lambertini began his association with WWF as a youth volunteer growing up in his native Italy.
Fritz Vollmar from Lenzburg, Switzerland was the first Secretary General of WWF International (the then World Wildlife Fund) from 1962-1978. During his tenure at WWF, he was responsible to establish an international secretariat along with building up the network of fund raising national organisation from its founder members namely UK, Switzerland and USA.
About WWF (World Wide Fund for Nature)
World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) at the time of establishment was known as World Wildlife Fund. It was established as an international non-governmental organization that works on issues regarding the conservation, research and restoration of the environment on 29 April 1961. Its first office was opened on 11 September 1961 in Morges, Switzerland. Its mascot, Giant Panda originated from the panda named as Chi Chi, which was transferred from the Beijing Zoo to the London Zoo in 1961.
Currently there are more than 1300 WWF conservation projects underway around the world.
31.
Book entitled Leveraging Economic Growth for Collective Prosperity
in South Asia released
Hamid Ansari, the Vice President of India on 6 February 2014
released a book entitled Leveraging Economic Growth for Collective Prosperity
in South Asia at a function in New Delhi. The book has been edited by Rashpal
Singh, Sucha Singh Gill and Neetu Gaur.
32.
Arunima Sinha awarded Amazing Indian Award
Arunima
Sinha received Amazing Indian Award on 6 February 2014.The award was given by
the Vice President of India, M Hamid Ansari. She was awarded for scaling Mount
Everest despite being physically challenged.
The Amazing Indian Award was instituted by
Times Now channel in September 2012.
About Arunima Sinha
• Sinha
is the first Indian amputee to conquer Mount
Everest on 21 may 2013
• Sinha scaled the 8848 metre-high summit of the world’s highest peak on 21 May 2013
• Sinha is a former national volleyball and football player from Uttar Pradesh.
• Sinha scaled the 8848 metre-high summit of the world’s highest peak on 21 May 2013
• Sinha is a former national volleyball and football player from Uttar Pradesh.
33.
Abhinav Bindra won second gold medal in Inter Shoot Tri series
Shooting
Abhinav Bindra won his second gold
medal at the Inter Shoot Tri Series shooting at The Hague, Netherlands on 7
February 2014. He won the second gold on 7 February 2014 by scoring 627.7 in
the qualification round and then scoring 209 points in the finals of the second
match. He defeated Romanian London Olympic Games Champion, H Moldoveanue Alin
George in both the matches.
The 31-year-old Bindra won his first medal in this Tri Series competition with his qualification score of 613.7 and by shooting remarkably well in finals score of 209.3 points to win the gold. He won his first gold on 6 February 2014.
The 31-year-old Bindra won his first medal in this Tri Series competition with his qualification score of 613.7 and by shooting remarkably well in finals score of 209.3 points to win the gold. He won his first gold on 6 February 2014.
In the pre-qualification for the
first round the four times Olympian and gold medalist at the Beijing Olympics
was at 8th position.
Abhinav Bindra
Abhinav Bindra is the first Indian to win an individual Gold medal in Olympic, since 1900 the year our country participated in the Olympic Games. He was also India's first gold medal, since 1980, when the Men's Field Hockey Team won the gold. Awards conferred on Bindra till date
• He won Padma Bhushan in 2009, the same year he
was also conferred with Rajiv Gandhi Award, Bharat
Shiromani Award and India Youth Sports Icon
• He was conferred with the Madhya Pradesh Khel
Ratna in 2006
• In 2006, he received Punjab Praman Patra Award
• He won the Uttaranchal Praman Patra Award in
2003
• In 2001, he was awarded with the Rajiv Gandhi Khel
Ratna Award and Maharaja Ranjit Singh Award
• In 2000, he was awarded with Arjuna Award
Abhinav Bindra is the first Indian to win an individual Gold medal in Olympic, since 1900 the year our country participated in the Olympic Games. He was also India's first gold medal, since 1980, when the Men's Field Hockey Team won the gold. Awards conferred on Bindra till date
• He won Padma Bhushan in 2009, the same year he
was also conferred with Rajiv Gandhi Award, Bharat
Shiromani Award and India Youth Sports Icon
• He was conferred with the Madhya Pradesh Khel
Ratna in 2006
• In 2006, he received Punjab Praman Patra Award
• He won the Uttaranchal Praman Patra Award in
2003
• In 2001, he was awarded with the Rajiv Gandhi Khel
Ratna Award and Maharaja Ranjit Singh Award
• In 2000, he was awarded with Arjuna Award
34.
Shabir Khan resigned from Council of Ministers of Jammu and
Kashmir
Shabir Khan, the Health Minister of
Jammu and Kashmir on 7 February 2014 resigned from the Council of Ministers due
to alleged molestation case. The resignation was received by the state’s Chief
Minister, Omar Abdullah. The Chief Minister forwarded his resignation to the
Governor NN Vohra and was accepted by him.
Shabir Khan is a Congress leader and MLA from Rajouri and his resignation came following allegation of molestation by a lady doctor, who said that the minister called her to his Srinagar based office and attempted to molest her on 28 January 2014.
Shabir Khan is a Congress leader and MLA from Rajouri and his resignation came following allegation of molestation by a lady doctor, who said that the minister called her to his Srinagar based office and attempted to molest her on 28 January 2014.
The case against him has been
registered under Section 354 RPC that says assault or criminal force on a woman
with the intention to outrage her woman and Section 509 RPC that reads,
work/gesture/act intended to outrage the modesty of a woman.
35.
Sangakkara became second cricketer to hit triple century and a
century in same match
Kumar Sangakkara, the cricketer of
Sri Lankan national team on 7 February 2014 became the second person in the
history of Cricket to score a triple century and a century in the same test
match. By performing the rare record, he joined Graham Gooch, the former
skipper of England team.
He achieved this reach by scoring
319 runs in the first inning of the match and 105 runs in the second innings.
He achieved this record, while playing in the second test match against
Bangladesh.
But he failed to break the record of most runs in a Test match of Gooch by 32 runs as in 1990, Gooch scored 333 and 123 runs in two innings, which on aggregated becomes 456 runs. Whereas, Sangakkara’s total aggregate of the two matches is 424 runs. In the second innings, he was dismissed by Sohag Gazi.
But he failed to break the record of most runs in a Test match of Gooch by 32 runs as in 1990, Gooch scored 333 and 123 runs in two innings, which on aggregated becomes 456 runs. Whereas, Sangakkara’s total aggregate of the two matches is 424 runs. In the second innings, he was dismissed by Sohag Gazi.
36.
Kamar Ahmad Simon won Golden Conch Award of MIFF 2014
Bangladesh’s Kamar Ahmad Simon’s
documentary Are You Listening won the Golden Conch Award on 9 February 2014 at
the Mumbai International Film Festival for Documentary, Short and Animation
Films (MIFF).The documentary was awarded the Golden Conch Award as the Best Documentary
Award ( in above 40 minutes category).
Are You Listening is a 90 minutes
documentary that is a set in the coastal belt of Bangladesh. The documentary
reveals the alarming effects of climate change and deftly captures the fighting
spirit of a community and their will to survive, which is a powerful and
beautifully photographed film.
The award comprised of the Golden
Conch trophy and 500000 rupees cash prize of which 300000 rupees for the
Director (Kamar Ahmad Simon) and 200000 rupees for the producer (Sara Afreen).
About Kamar Ahmad Simon
• Kamar
Ahmad Simon was born in Dhaka.
• Are You Listening is his first documentary and has been awarded twice by Jan Vrijman Fund from IDFA and also by Visions Sud est from Switzerland.
• It was awarded as one of the best Pitches at the Asian Forum for Documentaries and it is invited to Campus Studio Lab for Editing.
• Are You Listening is his first documentary and has been awarded twice by Jan Vrijman Fund from IDFA and also by Visions Sud est from Switzerland.
• It was awarded as one of the best Pitches at the Asian Forum for Documentaries and it is invited to Campus Studio Lab for Editing.
About MIFF
• The
first ever International Film Festival for Documentary,
Short and Animation Films was held
in the year 1990.
• The biennial festival is conducted with the active collaboration of Government of Maharashtra and the Indian Documentary Producers’ Association. Mumbai is the permanent venue of the festival.
• MIFF is one of the most prestigious festival in the documentary, short and animation genre at par with International Film Festivals like Leipzig, Berlin, Oberhausen, Cracow and Tampere etc.
• The biennial festival is conducted with the active collaboration of Government of Maharashtra and the Indian Documentary Producers’ Association. Mumbai is the permanent venue of the festival.
• MIFF is one of the most prestigious festival in the documentary, short and animation genre at par with International Film Festivals like Leipzig, Berlin, Oberhausen, Cracow and Tampere etc.
37.
Sushil Koirala elected as the next Prime Minister of Nepal
The
Parliament of Nepal elected Sushil Koirala as next Prime Minister of Nepal on 10 February
2014. Sushil Koirala is a veteran Nepali Congress (NC) leader.
The general election of Nepal was held on 19 November 2013. In the Constituent Assembly of 601-member the NC has 194 seats, while the CPN-UML has 173 seats.
The general election of Nepal was held on 19 November 2013. In the Constituent Assembly of 601-member the NC has 194 seats, while the CPN-UML has 173 seats.
After
the results, CPN-UML had pressed for new elections for president and vice
president. Both the parties had reached a consensus and CPN-UML standing
committee decided to give support to Nepali Congress (NC).
They also agreed to draft the Constitution according to the 12-point agreement that was reached in New Delhi in 2005, the Comprehensive Peace Agreement, the Interim Constitution and the mandate expressed by the people in the November election.
Under the six-point agreement, the two parties have agreed to promulgate the new constitution within a year and to hold elections for the posts of president, vice president and chairman of the Constituent Assembly. Sushil Koirala will take over the charge from Khil Raj Regmi, who was working as acting Prime Minister of Nepal from 14 March 2013.
After the dissolution of the Nepalese Constituent Assembly in March 2012 there was a political deadlock in Nepal. The 36th Prime Minister of Nepal, Dr. Baburam Bhattarai was then replaced by Khil Raj Regmi.
They also agreed to draft the Constitution according to the 12-point agreement that was reached in New Delhi in 2005, the Comprehensive Peace Agreement, the Interim Constitution and the mandate expressed by the people in the November election.
Under the six-point agreement, the two parties have agreed to promulgate the new constitution within a year and to hold elections for the posts of president, vice president and chairman of the Constituent Assembly. Sushil Koirala will take over the charge from Khil Raj Regmi, who was working as acting Prime Minister of Nepal from 14 March 2013.
After the dissolution of the Nepalese Constituent Assembly in March 2012 there was a political deadlock in Nepal. The 36th Prime Minister of Nepal, Dr. Baburam Bhattarai was then replaced by Khil Raj Regmi.
38.
Mumbai International Film Festival 2014
Mumbai
International Film Festival (MIFF) for Documentary, Short and Animation Films
held in Mumbai from 3 to 9 February 2014.
MIFF is a biennial festival that is
conducted with the active collaboration of Government of Maharashtra and the
Indian Documentary Producers Association, Mumbai as the permanent venue.
Golden Conch Award for 2014 is
Category
|
Names
|
Name of Documentary
|
Best Documentary
Film (Up to 40 minutes)
|
Maria Stomeier
|
In Between: Isang
Yun in North and South Korea
|
Best Documentary
Film (Above 40 minutes)
|
Kamar Ahmad Simon
|
Are You Listening
|
Best Short Fiction
Film (Up to 45 minutes)
|
Vikrant Janardhan
Pawar
|
Black Rock
|
Best Animation Film
|
Gitanjali Rao
|
True Love Story
|
Best Director award
|
||
Most Popular Film
|
Dhvani Desai
|
Chakravyuh
|
39.
Yulia Lipnitskaya is the youngest Russian to win gold medal in
Winter Olympics
Yulia
Lipnitskaya became the youngest Russian athlete to win a gold medal at the
Winter Olympics. Yulia, 15-years-old won this medal in Winter Olympics 2014 at
Sochi, Russia on 9 February 2014 in free skating in the team figure skating
competition.
Yulia scored 141.51 points and earned a
combined total of 214.41 under the International Judging System. Kim Yuna of
South Korea is the current record holder, who scored 150.06 and combined total
of 228.56 in women’s single in Winter Olympics 2010.
The youngest athlete is South Korean
short track speed skater Kim Yun-mi, who won the medal at the age of 13 in
Winter Olympics, 1994.
About Yulia Lipnitskaya
• Yulia
was born in the Ural Mountains, Russia.
• Yulia won a silver medal at the Russian Senior Championships, 2012 and a gold medal at the Russian Junior Championships, 2012.
• Yulia holds the title of Master of Sport of International Class in Russia.
• Yulia won a silver medal at the Russian Senior Championships, 2012 and a gold medal at the Russian Junior Championships, 2012.
• Yulia holds the title of Master of Sport of International Class in Russia.
40.
Cancer awareness programme launched by Yuvraj Singh
Yuvraj Singh, the Indian cricketer
cancer foundation named YouWeCan joined its hand with an NGO
Navbharat Sewa Samiti on 10 February 2014 to roll out a campaign named Cancer
Mukt Purvi Dilli. The aim of joining the hand is to focus on awareness,
early detection of the disease and education.
Yuvraj Singh during the launch of the
programme highlighted the need for an early detection of the dangerous disease
to save more lives.
About YouWeCan foundation
The YouWeCan foundation was launched by Yuvraj Singh on 6 July 2012 after he successfully fought his battle against cancer. This organisation was launched as an initiative dedicated to raise cancer-awareness.
About YouWeCan foundation
The YouWeCan foundation was launched by Yuvraj Singh on 6 July 2012 after he successfully fought his battle against cancer. This organisation was launched as an initiative dedicated to raise cancer-awareness.
41.
South Central Railway launched HYLITES
The South Central Railway (SCR)
launched Hyderabad Live Train Enquiry System (HYLITES) on 10 February 2014. It
is the first of its kind in India developed by South Central Railway on
out-sourcing basis.
About HYLITES
• HYLITES
is a GPS (Global Positioning System) and
GPRS (General Packet Radio Service) based smart
phone application that operates on android platform
• HYLITES will display real time information of the live status information like arrival, departure, platform numbers etc from Secunderabad, Hyderabad and Kachiguda stations
• It also gives information about all running MMTS (Multi-Modal Transport System) and local trains
• HYLITES will display real time information of the live status information like arrival, departure, platform numbers etc from Secunderabad, Hyderabad and Kachiguda stations
• It also gives information about all running MMTS (Multi-Modal Transport System) and local trains
42.
N Ramachandran elected President of IOA
N
Ramachandran was elected President of Indian Olympic Association (IOA) on 9
February 2014. Presently, he is the chief of World Squash Federation. He was
elected unopposed for the presidential post. He will remain in the office till
2016. Kho-Kho Federation of India President Rajeev Mehta were also elected
unopposed as Secretary General. All India Tennis Association (AITA) chief Anil
Khanna were also elected unopposed as Treasurer. The poll was conducted
by a three-member election commission of the IOA. It was preceded by a Special
GBM which made an amendment in the constitution under the diktat of
International Olympic Committee (IOC). Under the new constitution, any member
against whom charges have been framed by a court of law for an offence that
carries imprisonment of more than two years will not be allowed to contest
elections and the case will be referred to the IOA Ethics Commission. Indian
Boxing Federation, Taekwondo Federation of India and Fencing Association of
India were barred by the IOC from casting votes on the ground that these three
was suspended by their international federations. Earlier, Abhay Singh
Chautala, was the president of IOA.
43.
Krishi Karman Awards for 2012-13
The President of India, Pranab
Mukherjee, presented Krishi Karman Awards for the year 2012-13 on 10 February
2014. The awards were presented during inaugural function of World Congress on
Agro-Forestry (WCA-2014) held in New Delhi.
The awards were presented in two
categories. In the Total food grain production category, the awards were
presented to Madhya Pradesh, Odisha and Manipur states. In the excellence in
the Individual food grains crops category, the awards were presented to
Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Andhra Pradesh and Bihar States.
Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal,
Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, Mizoram and Tripura got commendation prizes for
total food grain production. Maharashtra got commendation prize for rice, Assam
for pulses and Punjab and Haryana for rice and wheat.
Total food grain production
Total food grain production
Category
|
States
|
more than 10
million tonnes (large)
|
Madhya Pradesh
|
1 to 10 million
tonnes (medium )
|
Odisha
|
Less than 1 million
tonnes (small )
|
Manipur
|
Individual food grain crops
Crops
|
States
|
Rice
|
Chhattisgarh
|
Wheat
|
Bihar
|
Pulses
|
Jharkhand
|
Coarse cereals
|
Andhra Pradesh
|
KRISHI KARMAN AWARDS
Krishi Karman awards were instituted
in 2010-11 by the Government of India, Ministry of Agriculture.
Krishi Karman awards
are given to States for their effort and contribution towards raising the
country’s food grain production.
Krishi Karman Awards
comprises of three awards for total food grain production and four awards for
production of rice, wheat, coarse cereals and pulses - the crops that
constitute the food grain basket.
Each award winning
State gets a trophy, a citation and cash award. The cash award is 2 crore
rupees for total food grain production and 1 crore rupees for each of the four
crops included in food grains.
44. R.K.Tiwari appointed
new Chairman of CBDT
R.K.Tiwari was appointed as the new
chairman of Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) on 9 February 2014.
The appointment was approved by the
Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC).
Mr. Tiwari is a 1976-batch Indian Revenue Service (IRS) officer. He is currently working as the Member of Legislation and Computerisation Department in the CBDT.
He will take the charge from 1 March 2014. He will succeed Chairperson Sudha Sharma who is scheduled to retire on 28 February 2014.
About CBDT
The CBDT is a part of Department of Revenue in the Ministry of Finance. The Central Board of Direct Taxes is a statutory authority functioning under the Central Board of Revenue Act, 1963.
Mr. Tiwari is a 1976-batch Indian Revenue Service (IRS) officer. He is currently working as the Member of Legislation and Computerisation Department in the CBDT.
He will take the charge from 1 March 2014. He will succeed Chairperson Sudha Sharma who is scheduled to retire on 28 February 2014.
About CBDT
The CBDT is a part of Department of Revenue in the Ministry of Finance. The Central Board of Direct Taxes is a statutory authority functioning under the Central Board of Revenue Act, 1963.
CBDT is a seven-member body
including the Chairman and it is the apex authority for policy planning and
administrative control over the I-T department and collection of direct taxes
in the country.
45. Jatinder Bir Singh
appointed CMD of Punjab and Sind Bank
Jatinder Bir
Singh was appointed Chairman and Managing Director of Punjab and Sind Bank
(PSB) on 6 February 2014. He will succeed D.P.singh He will take the charge
from 10 February 2014. The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) under
the Union Government has approved the appointment. Jatinder Bir Singh is
1983-batch IAS officer of Assam-Meghalaya cadre. Prior to this, Singh was an
Additional Secretary in the Ministry of Water Resources. About PSB The bank was
set up in 1908. Punjab & Sind Bank (P&SB) is a major Public Sector bank
in Northern India and working 100 percent on CBS platform. The banks
government shareholding is 79.86 percent. Of its 1249 branches and offices
spread throughout India, almost 515 are in Punjab state. The bank's corporate
headquarters is in New Delhi.
46. Indian boxers finished
Fourth at the 58th Bocskai International Tournament
Indian boxers finished fourth at the
58th Bocskai International Tournament which concluded in Hungary on 10 February
2014.
Indian contingents won a gold, a silver and
two bronze medals to finish fourth among the 22 nations that participated in
the tournament.
Indian boxers who won were:
Indian boxers who won were:
· L Devendro Singh
(49kg) bagged the Gold Medal
· Commonwealth Games
gold medallist Manoj Kumar (64kg) won
the Silver Medal
· Sumit Sangwan (81kg)
and Sunil Kumar (57kg) secured
Bronze Medals
The
Indians finishing fourth despite provisional ban. The boxers were forced to
play under the flag of International Boxing Association (AIBA) in place of the
national flag.
The organizers were so impressed with their performance that the boxers were presented with a permanent invite for the event.
The organizers were so impressed with their performance that the boxers were presented with a permanent invite for the event.
47. Vinod Sawhny appointed
CEO of Reliance Communications
Vinod Sawhny was
appointed as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Reliance Communications
(RCom) on 10 February 2014. Vinod Sawhny will succeed Gurdeep Singh. Gurdeep
Singh has been given additional responsibility of consumer business comprising
DTH and consumer broadband business. Punit Garg will continue as CEO of Indian
Enterprise and IDC business. Bill Barney also continues as CEO of Reliance
Globalcom comprising Flag Telecom, Vanco and Yipes. Anil Ambani announced the
formation of RCom Management Board that will comprise of Sawhny, Gurdeep Singh,
Bill Barney, Suresh Rangachar, President for IT and Services, Manikantan Iyer,
Chief Financial Officer and Human Resource President Amit Das. About Vinod
Sawhny Sawhny served as CEO and Whole time Director of Beetel Teletech Limited.
He was head of Bharti Airtel and left the Company in 2012.
48. President Pranab Mukherjee
conferred Award of Honour of Rotary International
The President of India, Pranab
Mukherjee was conferred Award of Honour on 11 February 2014 in
New Delhi. The award was presented by Ron Burton, President of Rotary
International at Rashtrapati Bhavan.
The President, Mukherjee was awarded
for the leadership he has provided and the India’s victory over Polio. Recently
India completed three years without reporting any case of polio on 13 January
2014.
Officially the World Health
Organisation (WHO) certified India as polio-free on 11 February 2014. The WHO
on 24 February 2012 removed India from the list of countries with active
endemic wild polio transmission.
About Award of Honour
· The Rotary’s highest
award, Award of Honour is recognition for Heads of countries
or governments who have rendered unique service to the humanity and served the
country and its people upholding values reflected in Rotary’s motto Service
Above Self.
· The Rotary Club is
one of the World’s first service organizations established on 23 February 1905
in Chicago with the vision of Paul P Harris.
· The Rotary Club is a
place where professionals with diverse backgrounds could exchange ideas and
form meaningful, lifelong friendships.
49. Mark Zuckerberg became
the most generous donor of America in 2013
Facebook founder and CEO Mark
Zuckerberg became the youngest and the most generous philanthropist of America
in 2013. This was revealed by the Chronicle of Philanthropy on 10 February
2014.
He had given almost 1 billion dollar of his fortune to the charity. The charity was made to the Silicon Valley Community Foundation. He along with his wife Priscilla Chan dedicated their 2012 funds managed by the group for health and education.
Mr. Zuckerberg at 30 is the youngest benefactor ever to top the annual charitable donations list.
In September 2012, his net worth was estimated by Forbes magazine at 19 billion dollar, making him the 20th richest in the United States.
He had given almost 1 billion dollar of his fortune to the charity. The charity was made to the Silicon Valley Community Foundation. He along with his wife Priscilla Chan dedicated their 2012 funds managed by the group for health and education.
Mr. Zuckerberg at 30 is the youngest benefactor ever to top the annual charitable donations list.
In September 2012, his net worth was estimated by Forbes magazine at 19 billion dollar, making him the 20th richest in the United States.
Last year, the Facebook founder and
his wife occupied the number two spot in charitable giving, making donations of
nearly 500 million dollar in 2012.
Over the past two years, Mr. Zuckerberg and his wife, a physician, have given 36 million Facebook shares to the fund, valued at about 1.5 billion dollar.
Over the past two years, Mr. Zuckerberg and his wife, a physician, have given 36 million Facebook shares to the fund, valued at about 1.5 billion dollar.
50. Penguin decided to withdraw
a book entitled, The Hindus: An Alternative History
The Hindus: An
Alternative History written by Wendy Doniger Penguin India, the publisher of book
The Hindus: An Alternative History on 11 February 2014 agreed to withdraw the
book from the Indian market. This book is written by Wendy Doniger, an American
Scholar and Indologist. The decision was made by the publisher following a
legal wrangle against it.
The decision was made between the
publisher and Delhi based complainant organisation called Shiksha Bachao
Andolan, who moved to court alleging distortion aimed at denigrating Hindu
traditions. The organisation has found that the book is insulting Hindus. The
settlement between complainant and penguin publishers says that all the
recalled or withdrawn or unsold copies of the book shall be pulped by Penguin
within next six months.
Doniger reacted to the development of
action saying that she is deeply troubled by what it foretells for free speech
in India. Union Jairam Ramesh has said this decision was atrocious as the book
in not blasphemous. The author of the book is a scholar without any political
agenda.
51. Three-day long Desert
Festival started in Jaisalmer
Internationally
popular Desert Festival started at Thar Desert, Jaisalmer in Rajasthan on 12
February 2014. The festival started with a ceremonial procession from Jaisalmer
Fort Gate (also called Golden Fort due to its yellow sandstone structure) to
Shahid Poonam Singh Stadium. The festival will conclude with kite show and
cultural programmes on sand on 14 February 2014.
Desert Festival
• The Desert festival of Rajasthan takes
place in Jaisalmer in the month of February every year and lasts for three
days.
• The Rajasthan tourism organizes the Jaisalmer Desert Festival.
• Desert festival has become a synonym of colour, music, folk performances, camel tattoo show, camel dance and camel competitions. The famous fire dances, folk music and dance are the major attraction of the desert festival celebrations of Rajasthan.
• Other interesting competitions on the fringes are the moustache and turban tying competitions, which not only demonstrate a glorious tradition but also inspire its preservation.
• The Rajasthan tourism organizes the Jaisalmer Desert Festival.
• Desert festival has become a synonym of colour, music, folk performances, camel tattoo show, camel dance and camel competitions. The famous fire dances, folk music and dance are the major attraction of the desert festival celebrations of Rajasthan.
• Other interesting competitions on the fringes are the moustache and turban tying competitions, which not only demonstrate a glorious tradition but also inspire its preservation.
52. Kosnam Himalaya Singh
appointed as Lieutenant General
Konsam Himalaya Singh became the first
Lieutenant General in the army from North East States on 12 February 2014.
Singh is the senior most serving officer in the army from Manipur. At present
Singh is serving in the military secretary’s branch which is headquartered in
New Delhi.
About Konsam Himalaya
Singh
·
Singh was born in Chararngpat village, Thoubal district Maj,
Manipur. He completed his graduation in Defence Services Staff College
Wellington and National Defence College.
·
Singh was commissioned to the second battalion Rahput Regiment in
1978.
·
Singh got his masters in defence studies from Madras University,
masters in management studies from Osmaina University and MPhil in strategic
studies from Madras University.
·
Singh has operational experience in Counter Insurgency Operations
in Jammu and Kashmir and in North East which included Line of Control (LoC),
Line of Actual Control (LAC) and HAA (High Altitude Area).
·
In Kargil war, Singh commanded 27 Rajput Regiment and he was
awarded Yudh Seva Medal for leading successful operations against Pakistan.
·
Singh was awarded thrice the COAS commendation card and once Army
Commander’s commendation card.
1.
World Radio celebrated
across the globe
World
Radio Day was celebrated across the globe on 13 February 2014. This is the
third Radio Day being observed by the UNESCO to celebrate radio as a medium.
The theme for World Radio Day 2014 is Gender Equality and Women's Empowerment in Radio.
The theme of the Day was chosen by the UNESCO in order to get the balance right in favour of women in radio. That is, UNESCO seeks to strengthen pluralism and freedom of expression in radio.
The theme for World Radio Day 2014 is Gender Equality and Women's Empowerment in Radio.
The theme of the Day was chosen by the UNESCO in order to get the balance right in favour of women in radio. That is, UNESCO seeks to strengthen pluralism and freedom of expression in radio.
2.
Karnataka won Irani Cup for the fifth time
Karnataka won the
Irani Cup for the fifth time beating Rest of India in the final held at
Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bangalore on 12 February 2014. Karnataka beat Rest of
India by an innings and 222 runs to win the trophy.In response to Karnataka's
score of 606 in the first innings, Rest of India scored 201 in the first
innings and 183 in the second.
Shreyas Gopal five wickets haul including a hat-trick and Skipper's Vinay Kumar
four wickets haul helped Karnataka comprehensively win the game. The victory made Karnataka the first
Ranji Trophy champion in the last eight seasons to win the Irani Cup, a measure
of the side’s dominance this season. Also Vinay Kumar became the third
Karnataka captain to win both the Ranji Trophy and Irani Cup in a same year. Karnataka last won the Irani Cup in 1998
at the same venue under Venkatesh Prasad.
Man of the Match: R. Vinay Kumar
About Irani Cup.The Irani Cup (earlier called Irani Trophy) tournament was
conceived during the 1959-60 season to mark the completion of 25 years of the
Ranji Trophy championship.
It was named after the
late Z.R. Irani, who was associated with the Board of Control for Cricket in
India (BCCI) from its inception in 1928, till his death in 1970.
The fixture is always
played between the previous year's Ranji Trophy winners and the Rest of India
Team.
3.
Union Government approved Pune Metro Rail Project
The Union Ministry of
Urban Development gave an in-principle approval to the Phase - I of the Pune
Metro Rail Project on 12 February 2014. The approval by the Union
Government will facilitate the State Government to take necessary action
for faster implementation of the project.
The project is aimed to
improve the public transport system in the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) and
Pimpri - Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) areas.
While giving the
approval the Union Government advised the State government to update and keep
the design and technology of the system in accordance with the revised Detailed
Project Report prepared by the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC).
Maharashtra Government
will implement the project through a Special Purpose Vehicle which will be
jointly owned by the Union and State government.
Pune Metro Rail Project phase I details:
Pune Metro Rail Project phase I details:
· It will cover a
length of 31.51 km along two corridors.
· Corridor-1 will cover
16.59 km from Pimpri - Chinchwad Municipal Corporation to Swargate.
· Corridor-2 will cover
14.92 km from Vanaz to Ramwadi.
· The project is
expected to be completed by 2021.
· The revised cost
estimate for entire project is 10183 crore rupees.
4.
National Women's Day of India observed on 13 February
National
Women's Day of India was observed on 13 February 2014. This day is observed on
the date of birth of India’s first women governor Sarojini Naidu. Sarojini
Naidu was born on 13 February 1879 and died on 2 March 1949. This was the 135th
birth anniversary of Sarojini Naidu.
Her birthday has been selected to observe as a National Woman Day in recognition of the works done by her for uplliftment and development of women in India. Her name and birth date was proposed to celebrate as the National Women’s Day in India by members of Bhartiya Mahila Sangh and Akhil Bhartiya Mahila Sammelan.
Sarojini Naidu
• Sarojini Naidu is also known as the Nightingale of
India
• She was a child prodigy, a poet and an activist during the independence of India
• From 1947 to 1949, she served as the first woman to become the governor of an Indian state of United Provinces of Agra and Oudh
• In 1925, she served as second woman to become President of the Indian National Congress and the first Indian woman to do so
• Naidu joined the Indian national movement after the partition of Bengal in 1905
• In 1928, the British Government awarded her with the medal Naidu Kaiser-i-Hind for her work during the plague epidemic in India
Literary works of Sarojini Naidu
• Golden Threshold published in 1905 was her first collection of poems
• The Bird of Time: Songs of Life, Death and the Spring
• Feast of Youth
• The Magic Tree
• The Wizard Mask
• Muhammad Jinnah: An Ambassador of Unity
• The Sceptred Flute: Songs of India, Allahabad: Kitabistan
• The Indian Weavers
Apart from this, the International Women’s Day is observed and celebrated on 8 March every year.
Her birthday has been selected to observe as a National Woman Day in recognition of the works done by her for uplliftment and development of women in India. Her name and birth date was proposed to celebrate as the National Women’s Day in India by members of Bhartiya Mahila Sangh and Akhil Bhartiya Mahila Sammelan.
Sarojini Naidu
• Sarojini Naidu is also known as the Nightingale of
India
• She was a child prodigy, a poet and an activist during the independence of India
• From 1947 to 1949, she served as the first woman to become the governor of an Indian state of United Provinces of Agra and Oudh
• In 1925, she served as second woman to become President of the Indian National Congress and the first Indian woman to do so
• Naidu joined the Indian national movement after the partition of Bengal in 1905
• In 1928, the British Government awarded her with the medal Naidu Kaiser-i-Hind for her work during the plague epidemic in India
Literary works of Sarojini Naidu
• Golden Threshold published in 1905 was her first collection of poems
• The Bird of Time: Songs of Life, Death and the Spring
• Feast of Youth
• The Magic Tree
• The Wizard Mask
• Muhammad Jinnah: An Ambassador of Unity
• The Sceptred Flute: Songs of India, Allahabad: Kitabistan
• The Indian Weavers
Apart from this, the International Women’s Day is observed and celebrated on 8 March every year.
5.
Justice Mukul Mudgal appointed as Chief of BCCC
Justice Mukul
Mudgal, former Chief Justice of Punjab & Haryana High Court, was appointed
as the chief of the Broadcast Content Complaints Council (BCCC). The
appointment was approved by the Indian Broadcasting Foundation (IBF), an
association of channels. He will take charge as the chief of BCCC towards the
end of February 2014.
Justice Mudgal
will replace Justice A P Shah, former Chief Justice of Delhi High Court who has
been appointed as head of the Law Commission of India.
About Justice Mukul
Mudgal
Justice Mukul Mudgal
chaired a committee set up by the Union Information and Broadcasting Ministry
to propose amendments to the Cinematograph Act, 1952. He also headed the
Committee that was set up by the Supreme Court to probe into IPL spot-fixing.
About BCCC BCCC is an independent complaint redressal
system established in June 2011 by the IBF - an apex body of
broadcasters.
The Council is a thirteen member body consisting of a Chairperson who is retired Judge of the Supreme Court or High Court and 12 other members. The objective of BCCC is to
The Council is a thirteen member body consisting of a Chairperson who is retired Judge of the Supreme Court or High Court and 12 other members. The objective of BCCC is to
· issue certain guiding
principles for programme content on the channels;
· usher in a redressal
mechanism for viewer complaints; and
· ensure that
programming creativity flourished in a free-speech environment without ad-hoc
interventions.
6.
Arvind Kejriwal resigned as Delhi CM
Arvind Kejriwal, the Chief Minister of Delhi resigned on
14 February 2014. He resigned following his government failure to muster the
support over whether the Jan Lokpal Bill should be presented before the House
or not. 42 MLAs voted against the bill whereas only 27 members favoured it. The
decision of resignation was announced by him after a cabinet meeting. He sent
his resignatiom to LT. Governor Nejeeb Jung within 48 days after he became the
Chief Minister of Delhi.
Kejriwal in his announcement said that his cabinet has
recommended the Lieutenant Governor Najeeb Jung to dissolve the Legislative
Assembly and to hold fresh elections.
Background
Aam Aadmi Party formed the state government after garnering 28 seats in the Assembly elections held in December 2013 by support of 8 congress MLAs and lone JDU MLA and an independent. Kejriwal became the Chief Minister of Delhi on 28 December 2013. BJP that emerged as the single largest party with 31 seats and its ally Akali Dal got one seat had failed to from the government due to lack of majority in the 70 member Assembly.
Aam Aadmi Party formed the state government after garnering 28 seats in the Assembly elections held in December 2013 by support of 8 congress MLAs and lone JDU MLA and an independent. Kejriwal became the Chief Minister of Delhi on 28 December 2013. BJP that emerged as the single largest party with 31 seats and its ally Akali Dal got one seat had failed to from the government due to lack of majority in the 70 member Assembly.
7.
Italy Prime Minister Enrico Letta resigned
Italy
Prime Minister Enrico Letta resigned on 14 February 2014. The statement
released by the Italian presidential palace stated that the Italy’s President,
Giorgio Napolitano accepted the resignation.
Letta
belongs to the center-left Democratic Party. Letta is likely to be
replaced by the Democratic Party leader, the mayor of Florence Matteo Renzi.
About Enrico Letta
Letta was sworn
as the Prime Minister in April 2013 forming the grand coalition government. The
Democratic Party has a majority in the lower house of Parliament but relies on
smaller parties in the Senate.
The last election
held in Italy was in 2008 where Berlusconi became the Prime Minister for the
third time. After Berlusconi‘s expel from the parliament for the
conviction of tax fraud, the country leaders have been appointed.
8.
VV Dongre and Guocheng Zhang won International Gandhi Award 2013
Pranab Mukherjee,
the President of India on 15 February 2014 presented the International Gandhi
Award for the year 2013 to Dr. Vijaykumar Vinayak Dongre (VV Dongre) and Prof. Guocheng
Zhang at Rashtrapati Bhawan, New Delhi. They were awarded for making
outstanding contributions in the field of leprosy to eradicate the disease
through treatment, training and research.
International Gandhi
Award
The International Gandhi Award was instituted by the Gandhi Memorial Leprosy Foundation that was established in 1950 to commemorate Mahatma Gandhi’s service and scientific approach towards leprosy. It recognizes the commendable contributions of individuals and institutions in ameliorating the quality of life of people afflicted with leprosy. Every alternate year, two awards are given to individuals/institutions for making outstanding contribution in the field of leprosy.
Leprosy
Leprosy is a dreaded and incurable disease and has been in existence over several centuries. It has resulted to inhuman treatment with the patients. In 2012-13, India recorded around 83,000 leprosy cases with a prevalence of 0.68 per 10000 people.
United Nations has passed a resolution on discrimination against people affected by leprosy and efforts are being made to repeal laws that prevent people affected by leprosy from participating in society.
Recently, the World Health Organization Expert Committee has set the challenge to reduce the rate of new patients with disability due to leprosy to one in a million by 2020. This challenge can be met only through a multi – dimensional and integrated approach.
The International Gandhi Award was instituted by the Gandhi Memorial Leprosy Foundation that was established in 1950 to commemorate Mahatma Gandhi’s service and scientific approach towards leprosy. It recognizes the commendable contributions of individuals and institutions in ameliorating the quality of life of people afflicted with leprosy. Every alternate year, two awards are given to individuals/institutions for making outstanding contribution in the field of leprosy.
Leprosy
Leprosy is a dreaded and incurable disease and has been in existence over several centuries. It has resulted to inhuman treatment with the patients. In 2012-13, India recorded around 83,000 leprosy cases with a prevalence of 0.68 per 10000 people.
United Nations has passed a resolution on discrimination against people affected by leprosy and efforts are being made to repeal laws that prevent people affected by leprosy from participating in society.
Recently, the World Health Organization Expert Committee has set the challenge to reduce the rate of new patients with disability due to leprosy to one in a million by 2020. This challenge can be met only through a multi – dimensional and integrated approach.
9.
World Bridge Championship to be hosted by India in 2015
World Bridge
Championship for Bermuda Bowl (men) and Venice Cup (women) will be hosted by
India for the first time in October 2015. This was announced by the World
Bridge Federation (WBF) on 17 February 2014.
Chennai in Tamil
Nadu and Panaji in Goa have been shortlisted to host the World Bridge
Championship. About 550 players from 66 countries are expected to be seen in
action in this world meet.
About World Bridge Championship
The World Bridge Federation (WBF) conducts the World Bridge Team Championships every two years. This is the premier tournament in international bridge and sees the top teams from each geographic region competing against one another for the Bermuda Bowl trophy. Additionally, there are separate trophies for the top women`s team as well as the top senior team (D`Orsi Trophy) globally.
WBF President: Gianrrigo Rona of Italy
Bridge Federation of India (BFI) President: N R Kirubakara Moorthy
About World Bridge Championship
The World Bridge Federation (WBF) conducts the World Bridge Team Championships every two years. This is the premier tournament in international bridge and sees the top teams from each geographic region competing against one another for the Bermuda Bowl trophy. Additionally, there are separate trophies for the top women`s team as well as the top senior team (D`Orsi Trophy) globally.
WBF President: Gianrrigo Rona of Italy
Bridge Federation of India (BFI) President: N R Kirubakara Moorthy
10.
The 67th BAFTA Awards
The 67th British Academy of Film and
Television Arts (BAFTA) Awards were given in London on 16 February 2014. The
Awards were conferred for the outstanding performances in films and
documentaries screened at British Cinemas in 2013.
The Awards are:
Category
|
Names
|
Best Film
|
12 Years a Slave
|
Best Director
|
Alfonso Cuar’on
(Gravity)
|
Best Actor
|
Chiwetel Ejofor (12
years a Slave)
|
Best Actress
|
Cate Blanchett
(Blue Jasmine)
|
Best Supporting
Actor
|
Barkhad Abdi
(Capitan)
|
Best Supporting
Actress
|
Jennifer Lawrence
(American Hustle)
|
Best British Film
|
Gravity
|
Best Debut By a
British Writer, Director or Producer
|
Kieran Evans
|
Best Original
Screenplay
|
American Hustle
|
Best Adapted
Screenplay
|
Philomena
|
Best Film Not In
The English Language
|
The Great Beauty
|
Best Documentary
|
The Act of Killing
|
Best Original Film
Score
|
Gravity
|
Best Cinematography
|
Gravity
|
Best Editing
|
Rush
|
Best Sound
|
Gravity
|
Best Animated Film
|
Frozen
|
Best Visual Effects
|
Gravity
|
Best Makeup and
Hair
|
American Hustle
|
Best Production
Design
|
The Great Gatsby
|
Best Costumes
|
The Great Gatsby
|
Best Short Film
|
Room 8
|
Best Animated Short
|
Sleeping With The
Fishes
|
BAFTA Rising Star
Award
|
Will Poulter
|
About BAFTA
The British Academy of Film and Television
Arts (BAFTA) supports, promotes and develops the art forms of moving image like
film, Television and Video games.
BAFTA Identifies,
rewards and celebrates excellence at it’s internationally- renowned, annual
awards inspiring the practitioner and benefiting the public.
11.
Abdul Basit appointed high commissioner of Pakistan to India
Pakistan
appointed Abdul Basit as Pakistan’s high commissioner to India on 17 February
2014. He will replace Salman Bashir. Salman Bashir relinquishes charge of
office on 28 February 2014.
Basit will take charge of office in March 2014.
He is currently working as ambassador to Germany. From May 2012, he was representing Pakistan in Berlin.
Basit will take charge of office in March 2014.
He is currently working as ambassador to Germany. From May 2012, he was representing Pakistan in Berlin.
Basit had joined
the Foreign Service in 1982. He had held various assignments in Pakistan
missions abroad and at the headquarters, including as the foreign office
spokesperson.
He had previously served at Pakistan’s missions in Moscow, New York, Sana’a, Geneva and London.
The ambassadors of Commonwealth countries are designated as High Commissioner.
He had previously served at Pakistan’s missions in Moscow, New York, Sana’a, Geneva and London.
The ambassadors of Commonwealth countries are designated as High Commissioner.
12.
K Rehman Khan inaugurated Minority Cyber Village in Rajasthan
India’s first
Minority Cyber Village was inaugurated by the Minister for Minority Affairs K
Rehman Khan on 19 February 2014 in Chandoli in Alwar district of Rajasthan.
Chandoli has been selected as the first village for the pilot project as it holds more than 80 percent of minority population and also because the minorities of the Mewat region is still backward in education. The project will be carried in other areas after the success of the pilot project.
Chandoli has been selected as the first village for the pilot project as it holds more than 80 percent of minority population and also because the minorities of the Mewat region is still backward in education. The project will be carried in other areas after the success of the pilot project.
About the Cyber Village
• The Cyber village project will provide computer education to people in the age group of 15 to 59.
• Further also, institution under the project will be instituted in the villages with substantial population of minority
• Under this project experts will provide training of commuter skills to the people of chandoli
The Minority Affairs minister in his announcement said that the government is also considering opening special schools on pattern of Kendriya Vidyalayas from minority community. Government has also planned to come up with 200 new colleges in minority dominated areas and the areas include Laxmangarh, Tijara, Kishengarhbas and Ramgarh.
• The Cyber village project will provide computer education to people in the age group of 15 to 59.
• Further also, institution under the project will be instituted in the villages with substantial population of minority
• Under this project experts will provide training of commuter skills to the people of chandoli
The Minority Affairs minister in his announcement said that the government is also considering opening special schools on pattern of Kendriya Vidyalayas from minority community. Government has also planned to come up with 200 new colleges in minority dominated areas and the areas include Laxmangarh, Tijara, Kishengarhbas and Ramgarh.
13.
Kiran Kumar Reddy resigned as AP Chief Minister
Andhra Pradesh
Chief Minister (CM), Kiran Kumar Reddy resigned from the post on 19 February
2014. He also quitted from the membership of the State Assembly and the
Congress Party as a protest to the decision to bifurcate the Andhra Pradesh
State.
Krian Kumar urged
the governor to make alternate arrangements at the earliest as he is not likely
to continue as caretaker Chief Minister.
The Telangana
Bill, splitting Andhra Pradesh and forming Telangana as 29th State was passed
by the Lok Sabha on 18 February 2014 with Congress and BJP coming together on
the issue. The Bill will be passed in Rajya Sabha on 19 February 2014.
14.
Ten-day festival Taj Mahotsav began in Agra
Taj Mahotsav, the
ten day annual festival began in Agra, Uttar Pradesh on 18 February 2014.The
festival will be celebrated from 18 to 27 February 2014 at the Shilp Gram, the
Eastern gate of Taj Mahal. The theme of the festival for this year is Paigham-e Mohahabbat or the message of love.
About Taj Mahostav
• Taj Mahotsav was started in 1992 and since then
its glory has reached to greater heights. The festival is organized by the Uttar Pradesh Department of Tourism to increase the Indian Tourism.
its glory has reached to greater heights. The festival is organized by the Uttar Pradesh Department of Tourism to increase the Indian Tourism.
• Taj Mahotsav is a vibrant
platform that gives information of India where one can find India’s rich arts,
crafts, cultures, cuisine, dance and music.
• In Taj Mahotsav
legendary artisans from different parts of the country get an opportunity to
display their exquisite works of art like wood or stone carvings from Tamil
Nadu, Bamboo or cane work from North East India, Paper mash work from South
India and Kashmir, the marble and zardozi
work from Agra.
• The Performances of folk,
classical music and dances of various regions, especially the Brij Bhumi will
be performed the way they used to be centuries ago.
15.
Bharti Airtel Signed an Agreement with Loop Mobile
Largest telecom
operator of India Bharti Airtel signed a strategic agreement with Loop Mobile
on 18 February 2014. Under the agreement Bharti Airtel will acquire the mobile
network and 3 million subscribers of Loop Mobile in Mumbai circle.
With this deal, Bharti Airtel will become the largest mobile operator with 7 million subscriber base in Mumbai relegating Vodafone to second position with 6.8 million subscriber base.
The proposed transaction will bring together Loop Mobile’s 2G/EDGE enabled network supported by 2500 plus cell sites, and Airtel’s 2G and 3G network supported by over 4000 cell sites across Mumbai.
It will also offer subscribers the widest exclusive retail reach with 220 outlets that will enable best-in-class customer service.
With this deal, Bharti Airtel will become the largest mobile operator with 7 million subscriber base in Mumbai relegating Vodafone to second position with 6.8 million subscriber base.
The proposed transaction will bring together Loop Mobile’s 2G/EDGE enabled network supported by 2500 plus cell sites, and Airtel’s 2G and 3G network supported by over 4000 cell sites across Mumbai.
It will also offer subscribers the widest exclusive retail reach with 220 outlets that will enable best-in-class customer service.
The deal between Airtel and Loop is
expected to stand at 700 crore rupees. Loop will use these sale proceeds for
repaying debt of 400 crore rupees and the rest will go to promoters IP Khaitan
and family. Loop is the oldest mobile service provider in Mumbai.
This deal assumes significance as customers of Loop Mobile will get continuity of services. Licence of Loop Mobile will expire in September 2014.
This deal assumes significance as customers of Loop Mobile will get continuity of services. Licence of Loop Mobile will expire in September 2014.
16.
Sikkim won National Tourism Award 2012-13
Sikkim won the
National Tourism Award 2012-13 on 18 February 2014. The award was handed over
to Bhim Dhungel, Sikkim’s Tourism Minister by Shashi Tharoor, Union Minister
for Human Resource Development at a function at Vigyan Bhawan in New Delhi.
Union Ministry
of Tourism declared Sikkim as the best State in the implementation of rural
tourism projects. The Ministry described, Sikkim as a perfect destination to
experience rich culture and scenic natural beauty.
Bhim Dhungel at the award ceremony informed that the Chief Minister of Sikkim, Pawan Chamling has launched an ambitious project of 140-crore rupees for development of the tourism facilities in the state along with halting points, view points, retiring units and other infrastructural facilities.
Tourism in Sikkim
The tourism department of Sikkim had tied up with states like Kerala, Gujarat, Karnataka and Goa for tourist flow from these states to Sikkim. To ensure international tourism flow in the state, the department is also negotiating with countries like Bhutan and Nepal.
Ministry of Tourism, Government of India
The Ministry of Tourism of Government of India is the nodal agency for the formulation of national policies and programmes and for the co-ordination of activities of various Central Government Agencies, State Governments/UTs and the Private Sector for the development and promotion of tourism in the country. This Ministry is headed by the Union Minister of State for Tourism (Independent Charge) and at present the Union Minister of State for Tourism is Chiranjeevi.
Some other Achievements, Recognitions and Awards received by Sikkim
• Sikkim has been ranked as the first state in India
for implementation of Nirmal Bharat Abhiyan.
• Sikkim has received 2 MGNREGA Awards for
excellent implementation of MGNREGA Scheme in
the State
• In 2013 for e-Governance, Sikkim received e-North
East Award
• It received the Agriculture Leadership award in 2013
• Environment for Spring Conservation Project
Sikkim received e-North East award in 2012
• In 2004-05 it received the award as best
performing state in Education
• In recognition of commendable work done in the
field of information Technology it received Skoch
Challenger Award in 2005
• Hospitality India Award in 2006
• State Leadership Award 2009 in horticulture
• Best State for Adventure Tourism for the year
2009
Bhim Dhungel at the award ceremony informed that the Chief Minister of Sikkim, Pawan Chamling has launched an ambitious project of 140-crore rupees for development of the tourism facilities in the state along with halting points, view points, retiring units and other infrastructural facilities.
Tourism in Sikkim
The tourism department of Sikkim had tied up with states like Kerala, Gujarat, Karnataka and Goa for tourist flow from these states to Sikkim. To ensure international tourism flow in the state, the department is also negotiating with countries like Bhutan and Nepal.
Ministry of Tourism, Government of India
The Ministry of Tourism of Government of India is the nodal agency for the formulation of national policies and programmes and for the co-ordination of activities of various Central Government Agencies, State Governments/UTs and the Private Sector for the development and promotion of tourism in the country. This Ministry is headed by the Union Minister of State for Tourism (Independent Charge) and at present the Union Minister of State for Tourism is Chiranjeevi.
Some other Achievements, Recognitions and Awards received by Sikkim
• Sikkim has been ranked as the first state in India
for implementation of Nirmal Bharat Abhiyan.
• Sikkim has received 2 MGNREGA Awards for
excellent implementation of MGNREGA Scheme in
the State
• In 2013 for e-Governance, Sikkim received e-North
East Award
• It received the Agriculture Leadership award in 2013
• Environment for Spring Conservation Project
Sikkim received e-North East award in 2012
• In 2004-05 it received the award as best
performing state in Education
• In recognition of commendable work done in the
field of information Technology it received Skoch
Challenger Award in 2005
• Hospitality India Award in 2006
• State Leadership Award 2009 in horticulture
• Best State for Adventure Tourism for the year
2009
17.
Bubba Watson won Northern Trust Open
Bubba Watson won
the Northern Trust Open at Riviera Country Club in Pacific Palisades,
California, USA on 16 February 2014. This is his first title since
2012 Masters where he won the 6.7 million US dollar and fifth US PGA Tour
title.
Watson played
the final 39 holes without a bogey and shot a 7-under 64 to win the Northern
Trust Open. His 15-under total of 269 gave him a two-stroke victory over
eight-time US PGA Tour winner Dustin Johnson. Johnson closed with a five-under
par 66 at Riviera Country Club for 271.
Jason Allred had
three birdies in his three- under 68 for a share of third place on 272. Brian
Harman closed with a 68 at fourth place and South African Charl Schwartzel was
at fifth place after a 68 for 273.
About Northern Trust
Open
• In 1889, Northern
Trust’s partnership with the
tournament established The Rivera Country Club.
The annual site of the Northern Trust Open was
opened for play in 1927.
• In 2013 John Merrick won the tournament and was
the first winner from Los Angeles.
tournament established The Rivera Country Club.
The annual site of the Northern Trust Open was
opened for play in 1927.
• In 2013 John Merrick won the tournament and was
the first winner from Los Angeles.
18.
Sachin and Sehwag nominated for Cricketer of the Generation award
Indian batting
icon Sachin Tendulkar and Virendra Sehwag on 17 February 2014 were nominated
amongst the nominees for the ESPNcricinfo@20 Cricketer of the Generation award,
with the cricket news website today announcing two more categories to its
seventh annual awards.
The two new
special awards-Cricketer of the Generation and Contribution to Cricket will add
to the six categories announced earlier. The award ceremony will be held in
Mumbai on 14 March 2014.
Others nominated for the award are
•Shane Warne
• Braine Lara
• Muttiah Muralitharan
• Jacques Kallis
The finest player of the last 20 years to honour with this award will be judged by a 50-member jury of current and former cricketers along with sportswriters. This is the ESPNcricinfo’s 20th anniversary celebration.
Others nominated for the award are
•Shane Warne
• Braine Lara
• Muttiah Muralitharan
• Jacques Kallis
The finest player of the last 20 years to honour with this award will be judged by a 50-member jury of current and former cricketers along with sportswriters. This is the ESPNcricinfo’s 20th anniversary celebration.
Former Indian captain,
Rahul Dravid will nominate the winner of the Contribution to Cricket award and
under this every person who has contributed to cricket in all forms will be
considered and includes pitch curators, groundsmen, umpires to grassroots organizers
or a person who has made a positive impact on the game
19.
Li Na of China ranked World No. 2 in WTA Singles Ranking
Li Na of China was
ranked World Number 2 in the latest Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) singles
ranking released on 17 February 2014. Li Na became the first Asian player, Male
or Female, to hold the WTA World No. 2 singles ranking.
She moved to
second spot with 6690 points behind the American great Serena Williams, the
17-time Grand Slam title-winner, on 12380 points. She was ranked World No. 3 in
WTA singles ranking in 2013.
The previous
Asian record was No.4 for Kimiko Date-Krumm of Japan.
Li Na, 32, won
the Australian Open 2014 adding to her only Grand Slam title French Open which
she won in 2011. In all she has won nine WTA titles in her career including
Australian Open and Shenzhen Open in 2014 and two WTA doubles titles.
In another break
through for the Asian tennis and especially Chinese tennis, Peng Shuai of China
was rated the top women's doubles player in the latest released WTA doubles
rankings.
20. Kingfisher
Airlines CEO Sanjay Aggarwal resigned
Chief Executive
Officer (CEO) of Kingfisher Airlines Sanjay Aggarwal resigned on 17 February
2014.
He had joined kingfisher Airlines on 30 September 2010.
Prior to Kingfisher, he was working with SpiceJet Airlines ltd. Aggarwal had led SpiceJet as its CEO and led the low-cost airline back to profitability. He quit the airline when media baron Kalanithi Maran of Sun TV Network Ltd bought SpiceJet in June 2010.
He had joined kingfisher Airlines on 30 September 2010.
Prior to Kingfisher, he was working with SpiceJet Airlines ltd. Aggarwal had led SpiceJet as its CEO and led the low-cost airline back to profitability. He quit the airline when media baron Kalanithi Maran of Sun TV Network Ltd bought SpiceJet in June 2010.
Prior to joining
SpiceJet, Aggarwal was Chief Operating Office of Flight Options. Flight Options
is the second largest private jet provider of world. He had also worked for US
Airways for six years.
The Mumbai-based Kingfisher Airlines had accumulated losses of 16023.46 crore rupees as on 31 March 2013 and its net worth was a negative 12919.82 crore rupees. Kingfisher Airlines was launched in 2005.
Kingfisher’s operating license was suspended in October 2012 by aviation regulator Directorate General of Civil Aviation following a strike by the airline’s employees. The permit has since expired, although it can be renewed within two years, which is by October 2014.
Meanwhile, a group of 14 lenders led by State Bank of India (SBI) that has an exposure of 7000 crore rupees to the airline is trying to recover at least 1000 crore rupees from it by selling assets such as buildings, helicopters and other fixed assets.
The Mumbai-based Kingfisher Airlines had accumulated losses of 16023.46 crore rupees as on 31 March 2013 and its net worth was a negative 12919.82 crore rupees. Kingfisher Airlines was launched in 2005.
Kingfisher’s operating license was suspended in October 2012 by aviation regulator Directorate General of Civil Aviation following a strike by the airline’s employees. The permit has since expired, although it can be renewed within two years, which is by October 2014.
Meanwhile, a group of 14 lenders led by State Bank of India (SBI) that has an exposure of 7000 crore rupees to the airline is trying to recover at least 1000 crore rupees from it by selling assets such as buildings, helicopters and other fixed assets.
21.
Arun Jaitley launched a book entitled ModiNomics in Delhi
ModiNomics: Inclusive Economics,
Inclusive Governance written by Sameer Kochhar Arun Jaitely, a BJP leader on 16 February 2014 unveiled a book
entitled ModiNomics: Inclusive Economics, Inclusive Governance at the Indian
Habitat Centre, Lodhi Road in New Delhi. The book has been authored by Sameer
Kochhar.
The book presents an insight of Modi’s
idea of both Inclusive Economics as well as Inclusive Governance. It also
speaks about the vision of Narendra Modi about economic and development
strategies. The programme of book launch was skipped by the BJPs Prime
Ministerial candidate Narendra Modi.
Till date, Sameer Kochhar has edited books that praises the reform initiatives of finance minister, P Chidambaram, the Vice-Chairman of Planning Commission Montek Singh Ahluwalia and economist Vijay Kelkar. Earlier 2013, Manmohan Singh, the Prime Minister of India launched a book edited by Kochchar entitled An Agenda for Growth: Essays in honour of P. Chidambaram.
Some other books of Sameer Kochhar
• Growth & Finance: Essays in Honour of C.
Rangarajan. The books preface was written by P.
Chidambaram and its forward has been written by
Manmohan Singh
• Speeding Financial Inclusion preface was written by
C. Rangarajan
• Policymaking for Indian Planning: Essays on
Contemporary Issues in Honour of Montek S.
Ahluwalia was edited by Sameer Kochhar
• Building from the Bottom: Infrastructure and
Poverty Alleviation was edited by Sameer Kochhar
Till date, Sameer Kochhar has edited books that praises the reform initiatives of finance minister, P Chidambaram, the Vice-Chairman of Planning Commission Montek Singh Ahluwalia and economist Vijay Kelkar. Earlier 2013, Manmohan Singh, the Prime Minister of India launched a book edited by Kochchar entitled An Agenda for Growth: Essays in honour of P. Chidambaram.
Some other books of Sameer Kochhar
• Growth & Finance: Essays in Honour of C.
Rangarajan. The books preface was written by P.
Chidambaram and its forward has been written by
Manmohan Singh
• Speeding Financial Inclusion preface was written by
C. Rangarajan
• Policymaking for Indian Planning: Essays on
Contemporary Issues in Honour of Montek S.
Ahluwalia was edited by Sameer Kochhar
• Building from the Bottom: Infrastructure and
Poverty Alleviation was edited by Sameer Kochhar
22.
France won Hopman Cup for the first time
France
won Hopman Cup for the first time at Perth, Australia on 4 January 2014. France
defeated the Poland in the finals. Alinze Cornet and Jo-Wilfried Tsonga of
France won against Grzegorz Panfil and Agniezka Radwanska of Poland.
About Hopman Cup title
• Hopman Cup title was held from
28 December 2013 to
4 January 2014 in Perth, Australia.
4 January 2014 in Perth, Australia.
• The Hopman Cup is an
international team indoor hard
court tennis tournament with mixed teams on a country
by country basis.
court tennis tournament with mixed teams on a country
by country basis.
23. Union
Government confirmed the appointment of Talukdar as head of DGH
Union Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas confirmed the appointment of B.N.Talukdar as the head of Director General of Hydrocarbon (DGH) on 5 February 2014.
B.N.Talukdar will take charge as the new Director General of the DGH on 6 February 2014. He is currently serving as the Director for exploration in Oil India Ltd. (OIL).
He will succeed Rajiv Narayan Choubey who was appointed by the former Union Oil Minister S Jaipal Reddy as the DG of DGH in June 2012. Choubey is a 1981 batch IAS officer of Tamil Nadu cadre.
The confirmation of Talukdar as the head of the DGH came six months after his name was suggested by a government appointed search panel in August 2013. The search panel was headed by the Petroleum Secretary Vivek Rae.
Union Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas confirmed the appointment of B.N.Talukdar as the head of Director General of Hydrocarbon (DGH) on 5 February 2014.
B.N.Talukdar will take charge as the new Director General of the DGH on 6 February 2014. He is currently serving as the Director for exploration in Oil India Ltd. (OIL).
He will succeed Rajiv Narayan Choubey who was appointed by the former Union Oil Minister S Jaipal Reddy as the DG of DGH in June 2012. Choubey is a 1981 batch IAS officer of Tamil Nadu cadre.
The confirmation of Talukdar as the head of the DGH came six months after his name was suggested by a government appointed search panel in August 2013. The search panel was headed by the Petroleum Secretary Vivek Rae.
About DGH
The Directorate General of Hydrocarbons (DGH) was established in 1993 under the administrative control of Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas through Government of India Resolution. Objectives of DGH are to promote sound management of the oil and natural gas resources having a balanced regard for environment, safety, technological and economic aspects of the petroleum activity.
The Directorate General of Hydrocarbons (DGH) was established in 1993 under the administrative control of Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas through Government of India Resolution. Objectives of DGH are to promote sound management of the oil and natural gas resources having a balanced regard for environment, safety, technological and economic aspects of the petroleum activity.
24. MTS launched online
campaign India For Shiva
Telecom major MTS launched an online
campaign IndiaForShiva on Twitter to mobilise support for Indian luge athlete
Shiva Keshavan on 5 February 2014.
The campaign is an extensive social media movement to generate support for Keshavan. It would encompass specially designed twitter feeds, engagement activities on Facebook and other social media channels.
Shiva Keshavan is to compete his fifth Winter Olympics campaign in Sochi,Russia. The winter Olympics will start from 8 February 2014.
Shiva Keshavan is a two-time Asia Cup gold medallist and will be competing under the Olympics flag instead of the Indian flag.
About MTS
MTS is the largest mobile operator in Russia and CIS countries with over 102.4 million subscribers.
MTS started its work in Moscow license zone in 1994. МТS in 1997 received licenses for further areas and began expansion, later entering other countries of the CIS.
The campaign is an extensive social media movement to generate support for Keshavan. It would encompass specially designed twitter feeds, engagement activities on Facebook and other social media channels.
Shiva Keshavan is to compete his fifth Winter Olympics campaign in Sochi,Russia. The winter Olympics will start from 8 February 2014.
Shiva Keshavan is a two-time Asia Cup gold medallist and will be competing under the Olympics flag instead of the Indian flag.
About MTS
MTS is the largest mobile operator in Russia and CIS countries with over 102.4 million subscribers.
MTS started its work in Moscow license zone in 1994. МТS in 1997 received licenses for further areas and began expansion, later entering other countries of the CIS.
25. Sanjeev Kulkarni
appointed dean of Princeton University Graduate School
Indian-American Professor Sanjeev
Kulkarni was appointed as the Dean of Princeton University Graduate School on 5
February 2014. He will succeed William Russel, the present dean of the
Princeton University Graduate School since 2002.
His appointment was recommended by Princeton University President Christopher L Eisgruber and approved by the Board of Trustees.
Sanjeev Kulkarni at present is the professor of electrical engineering and director of the Keller Center. He will take the charge as next dean from 31 March 2014.
His appointment was recommended by Princeton University President Christopher L Eisgruber and approved by the Board of Trustees.
Sanjeev Kulkarni at present is the professor of electrical engineering and director of the Keller Center. He will take the charge as next dean from 31 March 2014.
Kulkarni is the author of An Elementary
Introduction to Statistical Learning Theory, published in 2011.
Kulkarni joined the Princeton University as faculty in 1991.
Kulkarni joined the Princeton University as faculty in 1991.
26. Malala, John Wood and
Indira Ranamagar nominated for World Children's Prize in Sweden
Malala Yousafzai, the Pakistani
schoolgirl who survived after being shot in her head by Taliban was nominated
for the World Children’s Prize in Sweden for championing
education rights for girls on 6 February 2014. As per the 15 member of
international prize jury of WCP name of Malala was selected as she is a child,
who stood up for girls' rights to education in Pakistan, but also in the world
as a whole.
The World Children's Prize (WCP) is
also known as the Children's Nobel Prize and was founded in
2000 with an aim to raise awareness of children's rights in 60000 schools in
110 countries through educational programs. Other candidates nominated
for the year are John Wood from USA and Indira Ranamagar from Nepal. The WCP
Program 2014 is open from 5 February to 15 October 2014.
About Malala Yousafzai
• Malala in 2013 was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize for her crusade for the right of all children to an education
• She has been nominated for the 2014 award for her courageous and dangerous fight for girls’ right to education
• At the age of 11, she started speaking out for the education of the girls after Taliban banned girls from going to school in the swat valley of Pakistan but Malala kept going to school even after the ban imposed by Taliban. She was shot at the age of 15 and was almost killed by the Taliban on her way home from school, but she survived.
About John Wood
• He has fought for the children’s right to education for past 15-years. To fulfill his dream, he quit from his job at Microsoft as a manager. His dream is to fight poverty by giving children all over the world the chance to go to school
• His belief is that educated children are better equipped to demand their rights and can defend themselves against slavery, trafficking and abuse
• He runs an organisation named Room to Read, which till date has built almost 1700 schools and 15000 school libraries in some of the poorest countries of the world
• In local languages, he had published 874 books and has given over 10 million books to poor children, who have been deprived from access to books
The Room to Read that works in Bangladesh, Cambodia, India, Laos, Nepal, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Vietnam, Zambia and Tanzania is an organisation that has a special focus on education of the girls and till date has helped over 20000 girls in finishing their education. It has reached to 7.8 million children.
Indira Ramanagar
• Indira Ramanagar has been nominated for the
prize for her 20-year struggle for prisoners' children in Nepal.
• She grew up in extreme poverty and fought to be able to go to school
• She built an organisation named as Prisoners
• Malala in 2013 was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize for her crusade for the right of all children to an education
• She has been nominated for the 2014 award for her courageous and dangerous fight for girls’ right to education
• At the age of 11, she started speaking out for the education of the girls after Taliban banned girls from going to school in the swat valley of Pakistan but Malala kept going to school even after the ban imposed by Taliban. She was shot at the age of 15 and was almost killed by the Taliban on her way home from school, but she survived.
About John Wood
• He has fought for the children’s right to education for past 15-years. To fulfill his dream, he quit from his job at Microsoft as a manager. His dream is to fight poverty by giving children all over the world the chance to go to school
• His belief is that educated children are better equipped to demand their rights and can defend themselves against slavery, trafficking and abuse
• He runs an organisation named Room to Read, which till date has built almost 1700 schools and 15000 school libraries in some of the poorest countries of the world
• In local languages, he had published 874 books and has given over 10 million books to poor children, who have been deprived from access to books
The Room to Read that works in Bangladesh, Cambodia, India, Laos, Nepal, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Vietnam, Zambia and Tanzania is an organisation that has a special focus on education of the girls and till date has helped over 20000 girls in finishing their education. It has reached to 7.8 million children.
Indira Ramanagar
• Indira Ramanagar has been nominated for the
prize for her 20-year struggle for prisoners' children in Nepal.
• She grew up in extreme poverty and fought to be able to go to school
• She built an organisation named as Prisoners
Assistance Nepal (PA)
The organisation
PA has rescued more than 1000 children from the countries dirty and cramped
prisons. These children were sentenced to prison as there was no one to look
after them after their parents were sentence to prison. After the organisation
rescue those children and take them to the PA’s three children homes, where
they are educated and provided with safe childhood. PA runs a children's home
called Jankuri outside Kathmandu. Children from the surrounding villages are
allowed to attend the school too.
World’s Children’s Prize (WCP)
The WCP is a unique and world’s largest annual global education program. So far it has involved nearly 35 million children who have learnt about their rights and democracy. It operates with a goal or more humane world, where rights of children are respected by all. It teaches young people about the rights of the child, democracy and global friendship. Three child rights heroes are selected by WCP child jury every year to be candidates for the World’s Children’s Prize for the Rights of the Child.
The WCP is a unique and world’s largest annual global education program. So far it has involved nearly 35 million children who have learnt about their rights and democracy. It operates with a goal or more humane world, where rights of children are respected by all. It teaches young people about the rights of the child, democracy and global friendship. Three child rights heroes are selected by WCP child jury every year to be candidates for the World’s Children’s Prize for the Rights of the Child.
27. Bill Gates assumed the
role of Founder & Technology Advisor to CEO
Microsoft Founder Bill gates assumed
the role of Founder & Technology Advisor to the CEO of Microsoft on 5
February 2014. With this he stepped down from the post of Chairman of
Microsoft.
In his new role, Bill Gates will help Satya Nadella, the new CEO of Microsoft, in shaping technology and product direction. He will devote more time in making Microsoft Office more interactive and building a cloud platform as examples of ways Microsoft can innovate in the future.
In his new role, Bill Gates will help Satya Nadella, the new CEO of Microsoft, in shaping technology and product direction. He will devote more time in making Microsoft Office more interactive and building a cloud platform as examples of ways Microsoft can innovate in the future.
For years, Gates has focused on the Bill
& Melinda Gates Foundation, and now that he is taking a more hands-on role
at Microsoft.
28. John Thompson appointed
Chairman of Microsoft
John
Thompson was appointed as the Chairman of Microsoft on 5 February 2014 by the
Board of Directors at a meeting held in Washington, US. He succeeded Bill Gates
who assumed the role of Technology Advisor to the CEO of Microsoft.
John Thompson is the first Afro-American to head the Microsoft and the second Chairman of the Microsoft after Bill Gates. He joined the Board of Microsoft as independent director in February 2012.
With the inclusion of Thompson the Board of Directors of Microsoft will now have 10 members including Nadella. Out of 10 board members, seven are independent directors. Three of the seven have been on the board for more than eight years.
John Thompson is the first Afro-American to head the Microsoft and the second Chairman of the Microsoft after Bill Gates. He joined the Board of Microsoft as independent director in February 2012.
With the inclusion of Thompson the Board of Directors of Microsoft will now have 10 members including Nadella. Out of 10 board members, seven are independent directors. Three of the seven have been on the board for more than eight years.
At present, Thompson is the Chief
Executive Officer (CEO) of privately held Virtual Instruments. The products are
designed to ensure the performance and availability of applications deployed in
virtualised and private cloud computing environments.
He was also the former chairman and CEO
of Symantec Corp.
Mr. Thompson stepped down as CEO in 2009, and stepped down from Board of Directors of Symantec in 2011.
Mr. Thompson stepped down as CEO in 2009, and stepped down from Board of Directors of Symantec in 2011.
29. Vishwanath Tripathi
selected for the Vyas Samman 2013
Vishwanath
Tripathi, the eminent Hindi writer has been selected for the prestigious Vyas
Samman for the year 2013. He has been chosen for his memoir 'Vyomkesh Darvesh'
that is a biography of the noted Hindi scholar Acharya Hazari Prasad Dwivedi.
Tripathi,
who is 82-year-old has around 20 publications by his name that includes
memoirs, novel and poetry collection. Surya Prasad Dikshit, the Hindi
litterateur headed the selection committee for the award.
The Vyas Samman 2012 was given to Hindi litterateur Narendra Kohli for his historical novel Na Bhooto Na Bhavishyati published in 2004 that is based on Swami Vivekananda and the era he belonged. The 2011 award was given to Professor Ramdarash Mishra for his collection of poems Aam ke Patte published in 2004. The collection of poems has tried to establish a relationship of man with ordinary objects like pen and table and has reminded their unnoticed importance in human life.
About Vyas Samman
Vyas Samman was instituted by the K.K. Birla Foundation in 1991 and is awarded annually in recognition of the hindi literary work published in past 10 years in genres like plays, novels, poetry, short stories, critiques and others. The award carries 2.5 lakh rupees and a citation and a plaque.
The Vyas Samman 2012 was given to Hindi litterateur Narendra Kohli for his historical novel Na Bhooto Na Bhavishyati published in 2004 that is based on Swami Vivekananda and the era he belonged. The 2011 award was given to Professor Ramdarash Mishra for his collection of poems Aam ke Patte published in 2004. The collection of poems has tried to establish a relationship of man with ordinary objects like pen and table and has reminded their unnoticed importance in human life.
About Vyas Samman
Vyas Samman was instituted by the K.K. Birla Foundation in 1991 and is awarded annually in recognition of the hindi literary work published in past 10 years in genres like plays, novels, poetry, short stories, critiques and others. The award carries 2.5 lakh rupees and a citation and a plaque.
30. Marco Lambertini
appointed Director-General of WWF International
The global conservation
organisation, WWF (World Wide Fund for Nature) on 6 February 2014 appointed
Marco Lambertini as Director-General (DG) of the WWF International. His new
role as the DG will start from 1 May 2014.
At
the time of this appointment, he was serving Bird Life International as its
chief executive. He will succeed James P Leape, who was appointed as the DG of
WWF International in 2005.
Marco Lambertini
• Lambertini holds an experience of 25 years as a global conservation leader
• Prior to the Bird Life International, he served as the global director of Network and Programme for over a decade
• Lambertini began his association with WWF as a youth volunteer growing up in his native Italy.
Fritz Vollmar from Lenzburg, Switzerland was the first Secretary General of WWF International (the then World Wildlife Fund) from 1962-1978. During his tenure at WWF, he was responsible to establish an international secretariat along with building up the network of fund raising national organisation from its founder members namely UK, Switzerland and USA.
About WWF (World Wide Fund for Nature)
World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) at the time of establishment was known as World Wildlife Fund. It was established as an international non-governmental organization that works on issues regarding the conservation, research and restoration of the environment on 29 April 1961. Its first office was opened on 11 September 1961 in Morges, Switzerland. Its mascot, Giant Panda originated from the panda named as Chi Chi, which was transferred from the Beijing Zoo to the London Zoo in 1961.
Currently there are more than 1300 WWF conservation projects underway around the world.
Marco Lambertini
• Lambertini holds an experience of 25 years as a global conservation leader
• Prior to the Bird Life International, he served as the global director of Network and Programme for over a decade
• Lambertini began his association with WWF as a youth volunteer growing up in his native Italy.
Fritz Vollmar from Lenzburg, Switzerland was the first Secretary General of WWF International (the then World Wildlife Fund) from 1962-1978. During his tenure at WWF, he was responsible to establish an international secretariat along with building up the network of fund raising national organisation from its founder members namely UK, Switzerland and USA.
About WWF (World Wide Fund for Nature)
World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) at the time of establishment was known as World Wildlife Fund. It was established as an international non-governmental organization that works on issues regarding the conservation, research and restoration of the environment on 29 April 1961. Its first office was opened on 11 September 1961 in Morges, Switzerland. Its mascot, Giant Panda originated from the panda named as Chi Chi, which was transferred from the Beijing Zoo to the London Zoo in 1961.
Currently there are more than 1300 WWF conservation projects underway around the world.
31.
Book entitled Leveraging Economic Growth for Collective Prosperity
in South Asia released
Hamid Ansari, the Vice President of India on 6 February 2014
released a book entitled Leveraging Economic Growth for Collective Prosperity
in South Asia at a function in New Delhi. The book has been edited by Rashpal
Singh, Sucha Singh Gill and Neetu Gaur.
32.
Arunima Sinha awarded Amazing Indian Award
Arunima
Sinha received Amazing Indian Award on 6 February 2014.The award was given by
the Vice President of India, M Hamid Ansari. She was awarded for scaling Mount
Everest despite being physically challenged.
The Amazing Indian Award was instituted by
Times Now channel in September 2012.
About Arunima Sinha
• Sinha
is the first Indian amputee to conquer Mount
Everest on 21 may 2013
• Sinha scaled the 8848 metre-high summit of the world’s highest peak on 21 May 2013
• Sinha is a former national volleyball and football player from Uttar Pradesh.
• Sinha scaled the 8848 metre-high summit of the world’s highest peak on 21 May 2013
• Sinha is a former national volleyball and football player from Uttar Pradesh.
33.
Abhinav Bindra won second gold medal in Inter Shoot Tri series
Shooting
Abhinav Bindra won his second gold
medal at the Inter Shoot Tri Series shooting at The Hague, Netherlands on 7
February 2014. He won the second gold on 7 February 2014 by scoring 627.7 in
the qualification round and then scoring 209 points in the finals of the second
match. He defeated Romanian London Olympic Games Champion, H Moldoveanue Alin
George in both the matches.
The 31-year-old Bindra won his first medal in this Tri Series competition with his qualification score of 613.7 and by shooting remarkably well in finals score of 209.3 points to win the gold. He won his first gold on 6 February 2014.
The 31-year-old Bindra won his first medal in this Tri Series competition with his qualification score of 613.7 and by shooting remarkably well in finals score of 209.3 points to win the gold. He won his first gold on 6 February 2014.
In the pre-qualification for the
first round the four times Olympian and gold medalist at the Beijing Olympics
was at 8th position.
Abhinav Bindra
Abhinav Bindra is the first Indian to win an individual Gold medal in Olympic, since 1900 the year our country participated in the Olympic Games. He was also India's first gold medal, since 1980, when the Men's Field Hockey Team won the gold. Awards conferred on Bindra till date
• He won Padma Bhushan in 2009, the same year he
was also conferred with Rajiv Gandhi Award, Bharat
Shiromani Award and India Youth Sports Icon
• He was conferred with the Madhya Pradesh Khel
Ratna in 2006
• In 2006, he received Punjab Praman Patra Award
• He won the Uttaranchal Praman Patra Award in
2003
• In 2001, he was awarded with the Rajiv Gandhi Khel
Ratna Award and Maharaja Ranjit Singh Award
• In 2000, he was awarded with Arjuna Award
Abhinav Bindra is the first Indian to win an individual Gold medal in Olympic, since 1900 the year our country participated in the Olympic Games. He was also India's first gold medal, since 1980, when the Men's Field Hockey Team won the gold. Awards conferred on Bindra till date
• He won Padma Bhushan in 2009, the same year he
was also conferred with Rajiv Gandhi Award, Bharat
Shiromani Award and India Youth Sports Icon
• He was conferred with the Madhya Pradesh Khel
Ratna in 2006
• In 2006, he received Punjab Praman Patra Award
• He won the Uttaranchal Praman Patra Award in
2003
• In 2001, he was awarded with the Rajiv Gandhi Khel
Ratna Award and Maharaja Ranjit Singh Award
• In 2000, he was awarded with Arjuna Award
34.
Shabir Khan resigned from Council of Ministers of Jammu and
Kashmir
Shabir Khan, the Health Minister of
Jammu and Kashmir on 7 February 2014 resigned from the Council of Ministers due
to alleged molestation case. The resignation was received by the state’s Chief
Minister, Omar Abdullah. The Chief Minister forwarded his resignation to the
Governor NN Vohra and was accepted by him.
Shabir Khan is a Congress leader and MLA from Rajouri and his resignation came following allegation of molestation by a lady doctor, who said that the minister called her to his Srinagar based office and attempted to molest her on 28 January 2014.
Shabir Khan is a Congress leader and MLA from Rajouri and his resignation came following allegation of molestation by a lady doctor, who said that the minister called her to his Srinagar based office and attempted to molest her on 28 January 2014.
The case against him has been
registered under Section 354 RPC that says assault or criminal force on a woman
with the intention to outrage her woman and Section 509 RPC that reads,
work/gesture/act intended to outrage the modesty of a woman.
35.
Sangakkara became second cricketer to hit triple century and a
century in same match
Kumar Sangakkara, the cricketer of
Sri Lankan national team on 7 February 2014 became the second person in the
history of Cricket to score a triple century and a century in the same test
match. By performing the rare record, he joined Graham Gooch, the former
skipper of England team.
He achieved this reach by scoring
319 runs in the first inning of the match and 105 runs in the second innings.
He achieved this record, while playing in the second test match against
Bangladesh.
But he failed to break the record of most runs in a Test match of Gooch by 32 runs as in 1990, Gooch scored 333 and 123 runs in two innings, which on aggregated becomes 456 runs. Whereas, Sangakkara’s total aggregate of the two matches is 424 runs. In the second innings, he was dismissed by Sohag Gazi.
But he failed to break the record of most runs in a Test match of Gooch by 32 runs as in 1990, Gooch scored 333 and 123 runs in two innings, which on aggregated becomes 456 runs. Whereas, Sangakkara’s total aggregate of the two matches is 424 runs. In the second innings, he was dismissed by Sohag Gazi.
36.
Kamar Ahmad Simon won Golden Conch Award of MIFF 2014
Bangladesh’s Kamar Ahmad Simon’s
documentary Are You Listening won the Golden Conch Award on 9 February 2014 at
the Mumbai International Film Festival for Documentary, Short and Animation
Films (MIFF).The documentary was awarded the Golden Conch Award as the Best Documentary
Award ( in above 40 minutes category).
Are You Listening is a 90 minutes
documentary that is a set in the coastal belt of Bangladesh. The documentary
reveals the alarming effects of climate change and deftly captures the fighting
spirit of a community and their will to survive, which is a powerful and
beautifully photographed film.
The award comprised of the Golden
Conch trophy and 500000 rupees cash prize of which 300000 rupees for the
Director (Kamar Ahmad Simon) and 200000 rupees for the producer (Sara Afreen).
About Kamar Ahmad Simon
• Kamar
Ahmad Simon was born in Dhaka.
• Are You Listening is his first documentary and has been awarded twice by Jan Vrijman Fund from IDFA and also by Visions Sud est from Switzerland.
• It was awarded as one of the best Pitches at the Asian Forum for Documentaries and it is invited to Campus Studio Lab for Editing.
• Are You Listening is his first documentary and has been awarded twice by Jan Vrijman Fund from IDFA and also by Visions Sud est from Switzerland.
• It was awarded as one of the best Pitches at the Asian Forum for Documentaries and it is invited to Campus Studio Lab for Editing.
About MIFF
• The
first ever International Film Festival for Documentary,
Short and Animation Films was held
in the year 1990.
• The biennial festival is conducted with the active collaboration of Government of Maharashtra and the Indian Documentary Producers’ Association. Mumbai is the permanent venue of the festival.
• MIFF is one of the most prestigious festival in the documentary, short and animation genre at par with International Film Festivals like Leipzig, Berlin, Oberhausen, Cracow and Tampere etc.
• The biennial festival is conducted with the active collaboration of Government of Maharashtra and the Indian Documentary Producers’ Association. Mumbai is the permanent venue of the festival.
• MIFF is one of the most prestigious festival in the documentary, short and animation genre at par with International Film Festivals like Leipzig, Berlin, Oberhausen, Cracow and Tampere etc.
37.
Sushil Koirala elected as the next Prime Minister of Nepal
The
Parliament of Nepal elected Sushil Koirala as next Prime Minister of Nepal on 10 February
2014. Sushil Koirala is a veteran Nepali Congress (NC) leader.
The general election of Nepal was held on 19 November 2013. In the Constituent Assembly of 601-member the NC has 194 seats, while the CPN-UML has 173 seats.
The general election of Nepal was held on 19 November 2013. In the Constituent Assembly of 601-member the NC has 194 seats, while the CPN-UML has 173 seats.
After
the results, CPN-UML had pressed for new elections for president and vice
president. Both the parties had reached a consensus and CPN-UML standing
committee decided to give support to Nepali Congress (NC).
They also agreed to draft the Constitution according to the 12-point agreement that was reached in New Delhi in 2005, the Comprehensive Peace Agreement, the Interim Constitution and the mandate expressed by the people in the November election.
Under the six-point agreement, the two parties have agreed to promulgate the new constitution within a year and to hold elections for the posts of president, vice president and chairman of the Constituent Assembly. Sushil Koirala will take over the charge from Khil Raj Regmi, who was working as acting Prime Minister of Nepal from 14 March 2013.
After the dissolution of the Nepalese Constituent Assembly in March 2012 there was a political deadlock in Nepal. The 36th Prime Minister of Nepal, Dr. Baburam Bhattarai was then replaced by Khil Raj Regmi.
They also agreed to draft the Constitution according to the 12-point agreement that was reached in New Delhi in 2005, the Comprehensive Peace Agreement, the Interim Constitution and the mandate expressed by the people in the November election.
Under the six-point agreement, the two parties have agreed to promulgate the new constitution within a year and to hold elections for the posts of president, vice president and chairman of the Constituent Assembly. Sushil Koirala will take over the charge from Khil Raj Regmi, who was working as acting Prime Minister of Nepal from 14 March 2013.
After the dissolution of the Nepalese Constituent Assembly in March 2012 there was a political deadlock in Nepal. The 36th Prime Minister of Nepal, Dr. Baburam Bhattarai was then replaced by Khil Raj Regmi.
38.
Mumbai International Film Festival 2014
Mumbai
International Film Festival (MIFF) for Documentary, Short and Animation Films
held in Mumbai from 3 to 9 February 2014.
MIFF is a biennial festival that is
conducted with the active collaboration of Government of Maharashtra and the
Indian Documentary Producers Association, Mumbai as the permanent venue.
Golden Conch Award for 2014 is
Category
|
Names
|
Name of Documentary
|
Best Documentary
Film (Up to 40 minutes)
|
Maria Stomeier
|
In Between: Isang
Yun in North and South Korea
|
Best Documentary
Film (Above 40 minutes)
|
Kamar Ahmad Simon
|
Are You Listening
|
Best Short Fiction
Film (Up to 45 minutes)
|
Vikrant Janardhan
Pawar
|
Black Rock
|
Best Animation Film
|
Gitanjali Rao
|
True Love Story
|
Best Director award
|
||
Most Popular Film
|
Dhvani Desai
|
Chakravyuh
|
39.
Yulia Lipnitskaya is the youngest Russian to win gold medal in
Winter Olympics
Yulia
Lipnitskaya became the youngest Russian athlete to win a gold medal at the
Winter Olympics. Yulia, 15-years-old won this medal in Winter Olympics 2014 at
Sochi, Russia on 9 February 2014 in free skating in the team figure skating
competition.
Yulia scored 141.51 points and earned a
combined total of 214.41 under the International Judging System. Kim Yuna of
South Korea is the current record holder, who scored 150.06 and combined total
of 228.56 in women’s single in Winter Olympics 2010.
The youngest athlete is South Korean
short track speed skater Kim Yun-mi, who won the medal at the age of 13 in
Winter Olympics, 1994.
About Yulia Lipnitskaya
• Yulia
was born in the Ural Mountains, Russia.
• Yulia won a silver medal at the Russian Senior Championships, 2012 and a gold medal at the Russian Junior Championships, 2012.
• Yulia holds the title of Master of Sport of International Class in Russia.
• Yulia won a silver medal at the Russian Senior Championships, 2012 and a gold medal at the Russian Junior Championships, 2012.
• Yulia holds the title of Master of Sport of International Class in Russia.
40.
Cancer awareness programme launched by Yuvraj Singh
Yuvraj Singh, the Indian cricketer
cancer foundation named YouWeCan joined its hand with an NGO
Navbharat Sewa Samiti on 10 February 2014 to roll out a campaign named Cancer
Mukt Purvi Dilli. The aim of joining the hand is to focus on awareness,
early detection of the disease and education.
Yuvraj Singh during the launch of the
programme highlighted the need for an early detection of the dangerous disease
to save more lives.
About YouWeCan foundation
The YouWeCan foundation was launched by Yuvraj Singh on 6 July 2012 after he successfully fought his battle against cancer. This organisation was launched as an initiative dedicated to raise cancer-awareness.
About YouWeCan foundation
The YouWeCan foundation was launched by Yuvraj Singh on 6 July 2012 after he successfully fought his battle against cancer. This organisation was launched as an initiative dedicated to raise cancer-awareness.
41.
South Central Railway launched HYLITES
The South Central Railway (SCR)
launched Hyderabad Live Train Enquiry System (HYLITES) on 10 February 2014. It
is the first of its kind in India developed by South Central Railway on
out-sourcing basis.
About HYLITES
• HYLITES
is a GPS (Global Positioning System) and
GPRS (General Packet Radio Service) based smart
phone application that operates on android platform
• HYLITES will display real time information of the live status information like arrival, departure, platform numbers etc from Secunderabad, Hyderabad and Kachiguda stations
• It also gives information about all running MMTS (Multi-Modal Transport System) and local trains
• HYLITES will display real time information of the live status information like arrival, departure, platform numbers etc from Secunderabad, Hyderabad and Kachiguda stations
• It also gives information about all running MMTS (Multi-Modal Transport System) and local trains
42.
N Ramachandran elected President of IOA
N
Ramachandran was elected President of Indian Olympic Association (IOA) on 9
February 2014. Presently, he is the chief of World Squash Federation. He was
elected unopposed for the presidential post. He will remain in the office till
2016. Kho-Kho Federation of India President Rajeev Mehta were also elected
unopposed as Secretary General. All India Tennis Association (AITA) chief Anil
Khanna were also elected unopposed as Treasurer. The poll was conducted
by a three-member election commission of the IOA. It was preceded by a Special
GBM which made an amendment in the constitution under the diktat of
International Olympic Committee (IOC). Under the new constitution, any member
against whom charges have been framed by a court of law for an offence that
carries imprisonment of more than two years will not be allowed to contest
elections and the case will be referred to the IOA Ethics Commission. Indian
Boxing Federation, Taekwondo Federation of India and Fencing Association of
India were barred by the IOC from casting votes on the ground that these three
was suspended by their international federations. Earlier, Abhay Singh
Chautala, was the president of IOA.
43.
Krishi Karman Awards for 2012-13
The President of India, Pranab
Mukherjee, presented Krishi Karman Awards for the year 2012-13 on 10 February
2014. The awards were presented during inaugural function of World Congress on
Agro-Forestry (WCA-2014) held in New Delhi.
The awards were presented in two
categories. In the Total food grain production category, the awards were
presented to Madhya Pradesh, Odisha and Manipur states. In the excellence in
the Individual food grains crops category, the awards were presented to
Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Andhra Pradesh and Bihar States.
Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal,
Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, Mizoram and Tripura got commendation prizes for
total food grain production. Maharashtra got commendation prize for rice, Assam
for pulses and Punjab and Haryana for rice and wheat.
Total food grain production
Total food grain production
Category
|
States
|
more than 10
million tonnes (large)
|
Madhya Pradesh
|
1 to 10 million
tonnes (medium )
|
Odisha
|
Less than 1 million
tonnes (small )
|
Manipur
|
Individual food grain crops
Crops
|
States
|
Rice
|
Chhattisgarh
|
Wheat
|
Bihar
|
Pulses
|
Jharkhand
|
Coarse cereals
|
Andhra Pradesh
|
KRISHI KARMAN AWARDS
Krishi Karman awards were instituted
in 2010-11 by the Government of India, Ministry of Agriculture.
Krishi Karman awards
are given to States for their effort and contribution towards raising the
country’s food grain production.
Krishi Karman Awards
comprises of three awards for total food grain production and four awards for
production of rice, wheat, coarse cereals and pulses - the crops that
constitute the food grain basket.
Each award winning
State gets a trophy, a citation and cash award. The cash award is 2 crore
rupees for total food grain production and 1 crore rupees for each of the four
crops included in food grains.
44. R.K.Tiwari appointed
new Chairman of CBDT
R.K.Tiwari was appointed as the new
chairman of Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) on 9 February 2014.
The appointment was approved by the
Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC).
Mr. Tiwari is a 1976-batch Indian Revenue Service (IRS) officer. He is currently working as the Member of Legislation and Computerisation Department in the CBDT.
He will take the charge from 1 March 2014. He will succeed Chairperson Sudha Sharma who is scheduled to retire on 28 February 2014.
About CBDT
The CBDT is a part of Department of Revenue in the Ministry of Finance. The Central Board of Direct Taxes is a statutory authority functioning under the Central Board of Revenue Act, 1963.
Mr. Tiwari is a 1976-batch Indian Revenue Service (IRS) officer. He is currently working as the Member of Legislation and Computerisation Department in the CBDT.
He will take the charge from 1 March 2014. He will succeed Chairperson Sudha Sharma who is scheduled to retire on 28 February 2014.
About CBDT
The CBDT is a part of Department of Revenue in the Ministry of Finance. The Central Board of Direct Taxes is a statutory authority functioning under the Central Board of Revenue Act, 1963.
CBDT is a seven-member body
including the Chairman and it is the apex authority for policy planning and
administrative control over the I-T department and collection of direct taxes
in the country.
45. Jatinder Bir Singh
appointed CMD of Punjab and Sind Bank
Jatinder Bir
Singh was appointed Chairman and Managing Director of Punjab and Sind Bank
(PSB) on 6 February 2014. He will succeed D.P.singh He will take the charge
from 10 February 2014. The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) under
the Union Government has approved the appointment. Jatinder Bir Singh is
1983-batch IAS officer of Assam-Meghalaya cadre. Prior to this, Singh was an
Additional Secretary in the Ministry of Water Resources. About PSB The bank was
set up in 1908. Punjab & Sind Bank (P&SB) is a major Public Sector bank
in Northern India and working 100 percent on CBS platform. The banks
government shareholding is 79.86 percent. Of its 1249 branches and offices
spread throughout India, almost 515 are in Punjab state. The bank's corporate
headquarters is in New Delhi.
46. Indian boxers finished
Fourth at the 58th Bocskai International Tournament
Indian boxers finished fourth at the
58th Bocskai International Tournament which concluded in Hungary on 10 February
2014.
Indian contingents won a gold, a silver and
two bronze medals to finish fourth among the 22 nations that participated in
the tournament.
Indian boxers who won were:
Indian boxers who won were:
· L Devendro Singh
(49kg) bagged the Gold Medal
· Commonwealth Games
gold medallist Manoj Kumar (64kg) won
the Silver Medal
· Sumit Sangwan (81kg)
and Sunil Kumar (57kg) secured
Bronze Medals
The
Indians finishing fourth despite provisional ban. The boxers were forced to
play under the flag of International Boxing Association (AIBA) in place of the
national flag.
The organizers were so impressed with their performance that the boxers were presented with a permanent invite for the event.
The organizers were so impressed with their performance that the boxers were presented with a permanent invite for the event.
47. Vinod Sawhny appointed
CEO of Reliance Communications
Vinod Sawhny was
appointed as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Reliance Communications
(RCom) on 10 February 2014. Vinod Sawhny will succeed Gurdeep Singh. Gurdeep
Singh has been given additional responsibility of consumer business comprising
DTH and consumer broadband business. Punit Garg will continue as CEO of Indian
Enterprise and IDC business. Bill Barney also continues as CEO of Reliance
Globalcom comprising Flag Telecom, Vanco and Yipes. Anil Ambani announced the
formation of RCom Management Board that will comprise of Sawhny, Gurdeep Singh,
Bill Barney, Suresh Rangachar, President for IT and Services, Manikantan Iyer,
Chief Financial Officer and Human Resource President Amit Das. About Vinod
Sawhny Sawhny served as CEO and Whole time Director of Beetel Teletech Limited.
He was head of Bharti Airtel and left the Company in 2012.
48. President Pranab Mukherjee
conferred Award of Honour of Rotary International
The President of India, Pranab
Mukherjee was conferred Award of Honour on 11 February 2014 in
New Delhi. The award was presented by Ron Burton, President of Rotary
International at Rashtrapati Bhavan.
The President, Mukherjee was awarded
for the leadership he has provided and the India’s victory over Polio. Recently
India completed three years without reporting any case of polio on 13 January
2014.
Officially the World Health
Organisation (WHO) certified India as polio-free on 11 February 2014. The WHO
on 24 February 2012 removed India from the list of countries with active
endemic wild polio transmission.
About Award of Honour
· The Rotary’s highest
award, Award of Honour is recognition for Heads of countries
or governments who have rendered unique service to the humanity and served the
country and its people upholding values reflected in Rotary’s motto Service
Above Self.
· The Rotary Club is
one of the World’s first service organizations established on 23 February 1905
in Chicago with the vision of Paul P Harris.
· The Rotary Club is a
place where professionals with diverse backgrounds could exchange ideas and
form meaningful, lifelong friendships.
49. Mark Zuckerberg became
the most generous donor of America in 2013
Facebook founder and CEO Mark
Zuckerberg became the youngest and the most generous philanthropist of America
in 2013. This was revealed by the Chronicle of Philanthropy on 10 February
2014.
He had given almost 1 billion dollar of his fortune to the charity. The charity was made to the Silicon Valley Community Foundation. He along with his wife Priscilla Chan dedicated their 2012 funds managed by the group for health and education.
Mr. Zuckerberg at 30 is the youngest benefactor ever to top the annual charitable donations list.
In September 2012, his net worth was estimated by Forbes magazine at 19 billion dollar, making him the 20th richest in the United States.
He had given almost 1 billion dollar of his fortune to the charity. The charity was made to the Silicon Valley Community Foundation. He along with his wife Priscilla Chan dedicated their 2012 funds managed by the group for health and education.
Mr. Zuckerberg at 30 is the youngest benefactor ever to top the annual charitable donations list.
In September 2012, his net worth was estimated by Forbes magazine at 19 billion dollar, making him the 20th richest in the United States.
Last year, the Facebook founder and
his wife occupied the number two spot in charitable giving, making donations of
nearly 500 million dollar in 2012.
Over the past two years, Mr. Zuckerberg and his wife, a physician, have given 36 million Facebook shares to the fund, valued at about 1.5 billion dollar.
Over the past two years, Mr. Zuckerberg and his wife, a physician, have given 36 million Facebook shares to the fund, valued at about 1.5 billion dollar.
50. Penguin decided to withdraw
a book entitled, The Hindus: An Alternative History
The Hindus: An
Alternative History written by Wendy Doniger Penguin India, the publisher of book
The Hindus: An Alternative History on 11 February 2014 agreed to withdraw the
book from the Indian market. This book is written by Wendy Doniger, an American
Scholar and Indologist. The decision was made by the publisher following a
legal wrangle against it.
The decision was made between the
publisher and Delhi based complainant organisation called Shiksha Bachao
Andolan, who moved to court alleging distortion aimed at denigrating Hindu
traditions. The organisation has found that the book is insulting Hindus. The
settlement between complainant and penguin publishers says that all the
recalled or withdrawn or unsold copies of the book shall be pulped by Penguin
within next six months.
Doniger reacted to the development of
action saying that she is deeply troubled by what it foretells for free speech
in India. Union Jairam Ramesh has said this decision was atrocious as the book
in not blasphemous. The author of the book is a scholar without any political
agenda.
51. Three-day long Desert
Festival started in Jaisalmer
Internationally
popular Desert Festival started at Thar Desert, Jaisalmer in Rajasthan on 12
February 2014. The festival started with a ceremonial procession from Jaisalmer
Fort Gate (also called Golden Fort due to its yellow sandstone structure) to
Shahid Poonam Singh Stadium. The festival will conclude with kite show and
cultural programmes on sand on 14 February 2014.
Desert Festival
• The Desert festival of Rajasthan takes
place in Jaisalmer in the month of February every year and lasts for three
days.
• The Rajasthan tourism organizes the Jaisalmer Desert Festival.
• Desert festival has become a synonym of colour, music, folk performances, camel tattoo show, camel dance and camel competitions. The famous fire dances, folk music and dance are the major attraction of the desert festival celebrations of Rajasthan.
• Other interesting competitions on the fringes are the moustache and turban tying competitions, which not only demonstrate a glorious tradition but also inspire its preservation.
• The Rajasthan tourism organizes the Jaisalmer Desert Festival.
• Desert festival has become a synonym of colour, music, folk performances, camel tattoo show, camel dance and camel competitions. The famous fire dances, folk music and dance are the major attraction of the desert festival celebrations of Rajasthan.
• Other interesting competitions on the fringes are the moustache and turban tying competitions, which not only demonstrate a glorious tradition but also inspire its preservation.
52. Kosnam Himalaya Singh
appointed as Lieutenant General
Konsam Himalaya Singh became the first
Lieutenant General in the army from North East States on 12 February 2014.
Singh is the senior most serving officer in the army from Manipur. At present
Singh is serving in the military secretary’s branch which is headquartered in
New Delhi.
About Konsam Himalaya
Singh
·
Singh was born in Chararngpat village, Thoubal district Maj,
Manipur. He completed his graduation in Defence Services Staff College
Wellington and National Defence College.
·
Singh was commissioned to the second battalion Rahput Regiment in
1978.
·
Singh got his masters in defence studies from Madras University,
masters in management studies from Osmaina University and MPhil in strategic
studies from Madras University.
·
Singh has operational experience in Counter Insurgency Operations
in Jammu and Kashmir and in North East which included Line of Control (LoC),
Line of Actual Control (LAC) and HAA (High Altitude Area).
·
In Kargil war, Singh commanded 27 Rajput Regiment and he was
awarded Yudh Seva Medal for leading successful operations against Pakistan.
·
Singh was awarded thrice the COAS commendation card and once Army
Commander’s commendation card.
1.
World Radio celebrated
across the globe
World
Radio Day was celebrated across the globe on 13 February 2014. This is the
third Radio Day being observed by the UNESCO to celebrate radio as a medium.
The theme for World Radio Day 2014 is Gender Equality and Women's Empowerment in Radio.
The theme of the Day was chosen by the UNESCO in order to get the balance right in favour of women in radio. That is, UNESCO seeks to strengthen pluralism and freedom of expression in radio.
The theme for World Radio Day 2014 is Gender Equality and Women's Empowerment in Radio.
The theme of the Day was chosen by the UNESCO in order to get the balance right in favour of women in radio. That is, UNESCO seeks to strengthen pluralism and freedom of expression in radio.
2.
Karnataka won Irani Cup for the fifth time
Karnataka won the
Irani Cup for the fifth time beating Rest of India in the final held at
Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bangalore on 12 February 2014. Karnataka beat Rest of
India by an innings and 222 runs to win the trophy.In response to Karnataka's
score of 606 in the first innings, Rest of India scored 201 in the first
innings and 183 in the second.
Shreyas Gopal five wickets haul including a hat-trick and Skipper's Vinay Kumar
four wickets haul helped Karnataka comprehensively win the game. The victory made Karnataka the first
Ranji Trophy champion in the last eight seasons to win the Irani Cup, a measure
of the side’s dominance this season. Also Vinay Kumar became the third
Karnataka captain to win both the Ranji Trophy and Irani Cup in a same year. Karnataka last won the Irani Cup in 1998
at the same venue under Venkatesh Prasad.
Man of the Match: R. Vinay Kumar
About Irani Cup.The Irani Cup (earlier called Irani Trophy) tournament was
conceived during the 1959-60 season to mark the completion of 25 years of the
Ranji Trophy championship.
It was named after the
late Z.R. Irani, who was associated with the Board of Control for Cricket in
India (BCCI) from its inception in 1928, till his death in 1970.
The fixture is always
played between the previous year's Ranji Trophy winners and the Rest of India
Team.
3.
Union Government approved Pune Metro Rail Project
The Union Ministry of
Urban Development gave an in-principle approval to the Phase - I of the Pune
Metro Rail Project on 12 February 2014. The approval by the Union
Government will facilitate the State Government to take necessary action
for faster implementation of the project.
The project is aimed to
improve the public transport system in the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) and
Pimpri - Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) areas.
While giving the
approval the Union Government advised the State government to update and keep
the design and technology of the system in accordance with the revised Detailed
Project Report prepared by the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC).
Maharashtra Government
will implement the project through a Special Purpose Vehicle which will be
jointly owned by the Union and State government.
Pune Metro Rail Project phase I details:
Pune Metro Rail Project phase I details:
· It will cover a
length of 31.51 km along two corridors.
· Corridor-1 will cover
16.59 km from Pimpri - Chinchwad Municipal Corporation to Swargate.
· Corridor-2 will cover
14.92 km from Vanaz to Ramwadi.
· The project is
expected to be completed by 2021.
· The revised cost
estimate for entire project is 10183 crore rupees.
4.
National Women's Day of India observed on 13 February
National
Women's Day of India was observed on 13 February 2014. This day is observed on
the date of birth of India’s first women governor Sarojini Naidu. Sarojini
Naidu was born on 13 February 1879 and died on 2 March 1949. This was the 135th
birth anniversary of Sarojini Naidu.
Her birthday has been selected to observe as a National Woman Day in recognition of the works done by her for uplliftment and development of women in India. Her name and birth date was proposed to celebrate as the National Women’s Day in India by members of Bhartiya Mahila Sangh and Akhil Bhartiya Mahila Sammelan.
Sarojini Naidu
• Sarojini Naidu is also known as the Nightingale of
India
• She was a child prodigy, a poet and an activist during the independence of India
• From 1947 to 1949, she served as the first woman to become the governor of an Indian state of United Provinces of Agra and Oudh
• In 1925, she served as second woman to become President of the Indian National Congress and the first Indian woman to do so
• Naidu joined the Indian national movement after the partition of Bengal in 1905
• In 1928, the British Government awarded her with the medal Naidu Kaiser-i-Hind for her work during the plague epidemic in India
Literary works of Sarojini Naidu
• Golden Threshold published in 1905 was her first collection of poems
• The Bird of Time: Songs of Life, Death and the Spring
• Feast of Youth
• The Magic Tree
• The Wizard Mask
• Muhammad Jinnah: An Ambassador of Unity
• The Sceptred Flute: Songs of India, Allahabad: Kitabistan
• The Indian Weavers
Apart from this, the International Women’s Day is observed and celebrated on 8 March every year.
Her birthday has been selected to observe as a National Woman Day in recognition of the works done by her for uplliftment and development of women in India. Her name and birth date was proposed to celebrate as the National Women’s Day in India by members of Bhartiya Mahila Sangh and Akhil Bhartiya Mahila Sammelan.
Sarojini Naidu
• Sarojini Naidu is also known as the Nightingale of
India
• She was a child prodigy, a poet and an activist during the independence of India
• From 1947 to 1949, she served as the first woman to become the governor of an Indian state of United Provinces of Agra and Oudh
• In 1925, she served as second woman to become President of the Indian National Congress and the first Indian woman to do so
• Naidu joined the Indian national movement after the partition of Bengal in 1905
• In 1928, the British Government awarded her with the medal Naidu Kaiser-i-Hind for her work during the plague epidemic in India
Literary works of Sarojini Naidu
• Golden Threshold published in 1905 was her first collection of poems
• The Bird of Time: Songs of Life, Death and the Spring
• Feast of Youth
• The Magic Tree
• The Wizard Mask
• Muhammad Jinnah: An Ambassador of Unity
• The Sceptred Flute: Songs of India, Allahabad: Kitabistan
• The Indian Weavers
Apart from this, the International Women’s Day is observed and celebrated on 8 March every year.
5.
Justice Mukul Mudgal appointed as Chief of BCCC
Justice Mukul
Mudgal, former Chief Justice of Punjab & Haryana High Court, was appointed
as the chief of the Broadcast Content Complaints Council (BCCC). The
appointment was approved by the Indian Broadcasting Foundation (IBF), an
association of channels. He will take charge as the chief of BCCC towards the
end of February 2014.
Justice Mudgal
will replace Justice A P Shah, former Chief Justice of Delhi High Court who has
been appointed as head of the Law Commission of India.
About Justice Mukul
Mudgal
Justice Mukul Mudgal
chaired a committee set up by the Union Information and Broadcasting Ministry
to propose amendments to the Cinematograph Act, 1952. He also headed the
Committee that was set up by the Supreme Court to probe into IPL spot-fixing.
About BCCC BCCC is an independent complaint redressal
system established in June 2011 by the IBF - an apex body of
broadcasters.
The Council is a thirteen member body consisting of a Chairperson who is retired Judge of the Supreme Court or High Court and 12 other members. The objective of BCCC is to
The Council is a thirteen member body consisting of a Chairperson who is retired Judge of the Supreme Court or High Court and 12 other members. The objective of BCCC is to
· issue certain guiding
principles for programme content on the channels;
· usher in a redressal
mechanism for viewer complaints; and
· ensure that
programming creativity flourished in a free-speech environment without ad-hoc
interventions.
6.
Arvind Kejriwal resigned as Delhi CM
Arvind Kejriwal, the Chief Minister of Delhi resigned on
14 February 2014. He resigned following his government failure to muster the
support over whether the Jan Lokpal Bill should be presented before the House
or not. 42 MLAs voted against the bill whereas only 27 members favoured it. The
decision of resignation was announced by him after a cabinet meeting. He sent
his resignatiom to LT. Governor Nejeeb Jung within 48 days after he became the
Chief Minister of Delhi.
Kejriwal in his announcement said that his cabinet has
recommended the Lieutenant Governor Najeeb Jung to dissolve the Legislative
Assembly and to hold fresh elections.
Background
Aam Aadmi Party formed the state government after garnering 28 seats in the Assembly elections held in December 2013 by support of 8 congress MLAs and lone JDU MLA and an independent. Kejriwal became the Chief Minister of Delhi on 28 December 2013. BJP that emerged as the single largest party with 31 seats and its ally Akali Dal got one seat had failed to from the government due to lack of majority in the 70 member Assembly.
Aam Aadmi Party formed the state government after garnering 28 seats in the Assembly elections held in December 2013 by support of 8 congress MLAs and lone JDU MLA and an independent. Kejriwal became the Chief Minister of Delhi on 28 December 2013. BJP that emerged as the single largest party with 31 seats and its ally Akali Dal got one seat had failed to from the government due to lack of majority in the 70 member Assembly.
7.
Italy Prime Minister Enrico Letta resigned
Italy
Prime Minister Enrico Letta resigned on 14 February 2014. The statement
released by the Italian presidential palace stated that the Italy’s President,
Giorgio Napolitano accepted the resignation.
Letta
belongs to the center-left Democratic Party. Letta is likely to be
replaced by the Democratic Party leader, the mayor of Florence Matteo Renzi.
About Enrico Letta
Letta was sworn
as the Prime Minister in April 2013 forming the grand coalition government. The
Democratic Party has a majority in the lower house of Parliament but relies on
smaller parties in the Senate.
The last election
held in Italy was in 2008 where Berlusconi became the Prime Minister for the
third time. After Berlusconi‘s expel from the parliament for the
conviction of tax fraud, the country leaders have been appointed.
8.
VV Dongre and Guocheng Zhang won International Gandhi Award 2013
Pranab Mukherjee,
the President of India on 15 February 2014 presented the International Gandhi
Award for the year 2013 to Dr. Vijaykumar Vinayak Dongre (VV Dongre) and Prof. Guocheng
Zhang at Rashtrapati Bhawan, New Delhi. They were awarded for making
outstanding contributions in the field of leprosy to eradicate the disease
through treatment, training and research.
International Gandhi
Award
The International Gandhi Award was instituted by the Gandhi Memorial Leprosy Foundation that was established in 1950 to commemorate Mahatma Gandhi’s service and scientific approach towards leprosy. It recognizes the commendable contributions of individuals and institutions in ameliorating the quality of life of people afflicted with leprosy. Every alternate year, two awards are given to individuals/institutions for making outstanding contribution in the field of leprosy.
Leprosy
Leprosy is a dreaded and incurable disease and has been in existence over several centuries. It has resulted to inhuman treatment with the patients. In 2012-13, India recorded around 83,000 leprosy cases with a prevalence of 0.68 per 10000 people.
United Nations has passed a resolution on discrimination against people affected by leprosy and efforts are being made to repeal laws that prevent people affected by leprosy from participating in society.
Recently, the World Health Organization Expert Committee has set the challenge to reduce the rate of new patients with disability due to leprosy to one in a million by 2020. This challenge can be met only through a multi – dimensional and integrated approach.
The International Gandhi Award was instituted by the Gandhi Memorial Leprosy Foundation that was established in 1950 to commemorate Mahatma Gandhi’s service and scientific approach towards leprosy. It recognizes the commendable contributions of individuals and institutions in ameliorating the quality of life of people afflicted with leprosy. Every alternate year, two awards are given to individuals/institutions for making outstanding contribution in the field of leprosy.
Leprosy
Leprosy is a dreaded and incurable disease and has been in existence over several centuries. It has resulted to inhuman treatment with the patients. In 2012-13, India recorded around 83,000 leprosy cases with a prevalence of 0.68 per 10000 people.
United Nations has passed a resolution on discrimination against people affected by leprosy and efforts are being made to repeal laws that prevent people affected by leprosy from participating in society.
Recently, the World Health Organization Expert Committee has set the challenge to reduce the rate of new patients with disability due to leprosy to one in a million by 2020. This challenge can be met only through a multi – dimensional and integrated approach.
9.
World Bridge Championship to be hosted by India in 2015
World Bridge
Championship for Bermuda Bowl (men) and Venice Cup (women) will be hosted by
India for the first time in October 2015. This was announced by the World
Bridge Federation (WBF) on 17 February 2014.
Chennai in Tamil
Nadu and Panaji in Goa have been shortlisted to host the World Bridge
Championship. About 550 players from 66 countries are expected to be seen in
action in this world meet.
About World Bridge Championship
The World Bridge Federation (WBF) conducts the World Bridge Team Championships every two years. This is the premier tournament in international bridge and sees the top teams from each geographic region competing against one another for the Bermuda Bowl trophy. Additionally, there are separate trophies for the top women`s team as well as the top senior team (D`Orsi Trophy) globally.
WBF President: Gianrrigo Rona of Italy
Bridge Federation of India (BFI) President: N R Kirubakara Moorthy
About World Bridge Championship
The World Bridge Federation (WBF) conducts the World Bridge Team Championships every two years. This is the premier tournament in international bridge and sees the top teams from each geographic region competing against one another for the Bermuda Bowl trophy. Additionally, there are separate trophies for the top women`s team as well as the top senior team (D`Orsi Trophy) globally.
WBF President: Gianrrigo Rona of Italy
Bridge Federation of India (BFI) President: N R Kirubakara Moorthy
10.
The 67th BAFTA Awards
The 67th British Academy of Film and
Television Arts (BAFTA) Awards were given in London on 16 February 2014. The
Awards were conferred for the outstanding performances in films and
documentaries screened at British Cinemas in 2013.
The Awards are:
Category
|
Names
|
Best Film
|
12 Years a Slave
|
Best Director
|
Alfonso Cuar’on
(Gravity)
|
Best Actor
|
Chiwetel Ejofor (12
years a Slave)
|
Best Actress
|
Cate Blanchett
(Blue Jasmine)
|
Best Supporting
Actor
|
Barkhad Abdi
(Capitan)
|
Best Supporting
Actress
|
Jennifer Lawrence
(American Hustle)
|
Best British Film
|
Gravity
|
Best Debut By a
British Writer, Director or Producer
|
Kieran Evans
|
Best Original
Screenplay
|
American Hustle
|
Best Adapted
Screenplay
|
Philomena
|
Best Film Not In
The English Language
|
The Great Beauty
|
Best Documentary
|
The Act of Killing
|
Best Original Film
Score
|
Gravity
|
Best Cinematography
|
Gravity
|
Best Editing
|
Rush
|
Best Sound
|
Gravity
|
Best Animated Film
|
Frozen
|
Best Visual Effects
|
Gravity
|
Best Makeup and
Hair
|
American Hustle
|
Best Production
Design
|
The Great Gatsby
|
Best Costumes
|
The Great Gatsby
|
Best Short Film
|
Room 8
|
Best Animated Short
|
Sleeping With The
Fishes
|
BAFTA Rising Star
Award
|
Will Poulter
|
About BAFTA
The British Academy of Film and Television
Arts (BAFTA) supports, promotes and develops the art forms of moving image like
film, Television and Video games.
BAFTA Identifies,
rewards and celebrates excellence at it’s internationally- renowned, annual
awards inspiring the practitioner and benefiting the public.
11.
Abdul Basit appointed high commissioner of Pakistan to India
Pakistan
appointed Abdul Basit as Pakistan’s high commissioner to India on 17 February
2014. He will replace Salman Bashir. Salman Bashir relinquishes charge of
office on 28 February 2014.
Basit will take charge of office in March 2014.
He is currently working as ambassador to Germany. From May 2012, he was representing Pakistan in Berlin.
Basit will take charge of office in March 2014.
He is currently working as ambassador to Germany. From May 2012, he was representing Pakistan in Berlin.
Basit had joined
the Foreign Service in 1982. He had held various assignments in Pakistan
missions abroad and at the headquarters, including as the foreign office
spokesperson.
He had previously served at Pakistan’s missions in Moscow, New York, Sana’a, Geneva and London.
The ambassadors of Commonwealth countries are designated as High Commissioner.
He had previously served at Pakistan’s missions in Moscow, New York, Sana’a, Geneva and London.
The ambassadors of Commonwealth countries are designated as High Commissioner.
12.
K Rehman Khan inaugurated Minority Cyber Village in Rajasthan
India’s first
Minority Cyber Village was inaugurated by the Minister for Minority Affairs K
Rehman Khan on 19 February 2014 in Chandoli in Alwar district of Rajasthan.
Chandoli has been selected as the first village for the pilot project as it holds more than 80 percent of minority population and also because the minorities of the Mewat region is still backward in education. The project will be carried in other areas after the success of the pilot project.
Chandoli has been selected as the first village for the pilot project as it holds more than 80 percent of minority population and also because the minorities of the Mewat region is still backward in education. The project will be carried in other areas after the success of the pilot project.
About the Cyber Village
• The Cyber village project will provide computer education to people in the age group of 15 to 59.
• Further also, institution under the project will be instituted in the villages with substantial population of minority
• Under this project experts will provide training of commuter skills to the people of chandoli
The Minority Affairs minister in his announcement said that the government is also considering opening special schools on pattern of Kendriya Vidyalayas from minority community. Government has also planned to come up with 200 new colleges in minority dominated areas and the areas include Laxmangarh, Tijara, Kishengarhbas and Ramgarh.
• The Cyber village project will provide computer education to people in the age group of 15 to 59.
• Further also, institution under the project will be instituted in the villages with substantial population of minority
• Under this project experts will provide training of commuter skills to the people of chandoli
The Minority Affairs minister in his announcement said that the government is also considering opening special schools on pattern of Kendriya Vidyalayas from minority community. Government has also planned to come up with 200 new colleges in minority dominated areas and the areas include Laxmangarh, Tijara, Kishengarhbas and Ramgarh.
13.
Kiran Kumar Reddy resigned as AP Chief Minister
Andhra Pradesh
Chief Minister (CM), Kiran Kumar Reddy resigned from the post on 19 February
2014. He also quitted from the membership of the State Assembly and the
Congress Party as a protest to the decision to bifurcate the Andhra Pradesh
State.
Krian Kumar urged
the governor to make alternate arrangements at the earliest as he is not likely
to continue as caretaker Chief Minister.
The Telangana
Bill, splitting Andhra Pradesh and forming Telangana as 29th State was passed
by the Lok Sabha on 18 February 2014 with Congress and BJP coming together on
the issue. The Bill will be passed in Rajya Sabha on 19 February 2014.
14.
Ten-day festival Taj Mahotsav began in Agra
Taj Mahotsav, the
ten day annual festival began in Agra, Uttar Pradesh on 18 February 2014.The
festival will be celebrated from 18 to 27 February 2014 at the Shilp Gram, the
Eastern gate of Taj Mahal. The theme of the festival for this year is Paigham-e Mohahabbat or the message of love.
About Taj Mahostav
• Taj Mahotsav was started in 1992 and since then
its glory has reached to greater heights. The festival is organized by the Uttar Pradesh Department of Tourism to increase the Indian Tourism.
its glory has reached to greater heights. The festival is organized by the Uttar Pradesh Department of Tourism to increase the Indian Tourism.
• Taj Mahotsav is a vibrant
platform that gives information of India where one can find India’s rich arts,
crafts, cultures, cuisine, dance and music.
• In Taj Mahotsav
legendary artisans from different parts of the country get an opportunity to
display their exquisite works of art like wood or stone carvings from Tamil
Nadu, Bamboo or cane work from North East India, Paper mash work from South
India and Kashmir, the marble and zardozi
work from Agra.
• The Performances of folk,
classical music and dances of various regions, especially the Brij Bhumi will
be performed the way they used to be centuries ago.
15.
Bharti Airtel Signed an Agreement with Loop Mobile
Largest telecom
operator of India Bharti Airtel signed a strategic agreement with Loop Mobile
on 18 February 2014. Under the agreement Bharti Airtel will acquire the mobile
network and 3 million subscribers of Loop Mobile in Mumbai circle.
With this deal, Bharti Airtel will become the largest mobile operator with 7 million subscriber base in Mumbai relegating Vodafone to second position with 6.8 million subscriber base.
The proposed transaction will bring together Loop Mobile’s 2G/EDGE enabled network supported by 2500 plus cell sites, and Airtel’s 2G and 3G network supported by over 4000 cell sites across Mumbai.
It will also offer subscribers the widest exclusive retail reach with 220 outlets that will enable best-in-class customer service.
With this deal, Bharti Airtel will become the largest mobile operator with 7 million subscriber base in Mumbai relegating Vodafone to second position with 6.8 million subscriber base.
The proposed transaction will bring together Loop Mobile’s 2G/EDGE enabled network supported by 2500 plus cell sites, and Airtel’s 2G and 3G network supported by over 4000 cell sites across Mumbai.
It will also offer subscribers the widest exclusive retail reach with 220 outlets that will enable best-in-class customer service.
The deal between Airtel and Loop is
expected to stand at 700 crore rupees. Loop will use these sale proceeds for
repaying debt of 400 crore rupees and the rest will go to promoters IP Khaitan
and family. Loop is the oldest mobile service provider in Mumbai.
This deal assumes significance as customers of Loop Mobile will get continuity of services. Licence of Loop Mobile will expire in September 2014.
This deal assumes significance as customers of Loop Mobile will get continuity of services. Licence of Loop Mobile will expire in September 2014.
16.
Sikkim won National Tourism Award 2012-13
Sikkim won the
National Tourism Award 2012-13 on 18 February 2014. The award was handed over
to Bhim Dhungel, Sikkim’s Tourism Minister by Shashi Tharoor, Union Minister
for Human Resource Development at a function at Vigyan Bhawan in New Delhi.
Union Ministry
of Tourism declared Sikkim as the best State in the implementation of rural
tourism projects. The Ministry described, Sikkim as a perfect destination to
experience rich culture and scenic natural beauty.
Bhim Dhungel at the award ceremony informed that the Chief Minister of Sikkim, Pawan Chamling has launched an ambitious project of 140-crore rupees for development of the tourism facilities in the state along with halting points, view points, retiring units and other infrastructural facilities.
Tourism in Sikkim
The tourism department of Sikkim had tied up with states like Kerala, Gujarat, Karnataka and Goa for tourist flow from these states to Sikkim. To ensure international tourism flow in the state, the department is also negotiating with countries like Bhutan and Nepal.
Ministry of Tourism, Government of India
The Ministry of Tourism of Government of India is the nodal agency for the formulation of national policies and programmes and for the co-ordination of activities of various Central Government Agencies, State Governments/UTs and the Private Sector for the development and promotion of tourism in the country. This Ministry is headed by the Union Minister of State for Tourism (Independent Charge) and at present the Union Minister of State for Tourism is Chiranjeevi.
Some other Achievements, Recognitions and Awards received by Sikkim
• Sikkim has been ranked as the first state in India
for implementation of Nirmal Bharat Abhiyan.
• Sikkim has received 2 MGNREGA Awards for
excellent implementation of MGNREGA Scheme in
the State
• In 2013 for e-Governance, Sikkim received e-North
East Award
• It received the Agriculture Leadership award in 2013
• Environment for Spring Conservation Project
Sikkim received e-North East award in 2012
• In 2004-05 it received the award as best
performing state in Education
• In recognition of commendable work done in the
field of information Technology it received Skoch
Challenger Award in 2005
• Hospitality India Award in 2006
• State Leadership Award 2009 in horticulture
• Best State for Adventure Tourism for the year
2009
Bhim Dhungel at the award ceremony informed that the Chief Minister of Sikkim, Pawan Chamling has launched an ambitious project of 140-crore rupees for development of the tourism facilities in the state along with halting points, view points, retiring units and other infrastructural facilities.
Tourism in Sikkim
The tourism department of Sikkim had tied up with states like Kerala, Gujarat, Karnataka and Goa for tourist flow from these states to Sikkim. To ensure international tourism flow in the state, the department is also negotiating with countries like Bhutan and Nepal.
Ministry of Tourism, Government of India
The Ministry of Tourism of Government of India is the nodal agency for the formulation of national policies and programmes and for the co-ordination of activities of various Central Government Agencies, State Governments/UTs and the Private Sector for the development and promotion of tourism in the country. This Ministry is headed by the Union Minister of State for Tourism (Independent Charge) and at present the Union Minister of State for Tourism is Chiranjeevi.
Some other Achievements, Recognitions and Awards received by Sikkim
• Sikkim has been ranked as the first state in India
for implementation of Nirmal Bharat Abhiyan.
• Sikkim has received 2 MGNREGA Awards for
excellent implementation of MGNREGA Scheme in
the State
• In 2013 for e-Governance, Sikkim received e-North
East Award
• It received the Agriculture Leadership award in 2013
• Environment for Spring Conservation Project
Sikkim received e-North East award in 2012
• In 2004-05 it received the award as best
performing state in Education
• In recognition of commendable work done in the
field of information Technology it received Skoch
Challenger Award in 2005
• Hospitality India Award in 2006
• State Leadership Award 2009 in horticulture
• Best State for Adventure Tourism for the year
2009
17.
Bubba Watson won Northern Trust Open
Bubba Watson won
the Northern Trust Open at Riviera Country Club in Pacific Palisades,
California, USA on 16 February 2014. This is his first title since
2012 Masters where he won the 6.7 million US dollar and fifth US PGA Tour
title.
Watson played
the final 39 holes without a bogey and shot a 7-under 64 to win the Northern
Trust Open. His 15-under total of 269 gave him a two-stroke victory over
eight-time US PGA Tour winner Dustin Johnson. Johnson closed with a five-under
par 66 at Riviera Country Club for 271.
Jason Allred had
three birdies in his three- under 68 for a share of third place on 272. Brian
Harman closed with a 68 at fourth place and South African Charl Schwartzel was
at fifth place after a 68 for 273.
About Northern Trust
Open
• In 1889, Northern
Trust’s partnership with the
tournament established The Rivera Country Club.
The annual site of the Northern Trust Open was
opened for play in 1927.
• In 2013 John Merrick won the tournament and was
the first winner from Los Angeles.
tournament established The Rivera Country Club.
The annual site of the Northern Trust Open was
opened for play in 1927.
• In 2013 John Merrick won the tournament and was
the first winner from Los Angeles.
18.
Sachin and Sehwag nominated for Cricketer of the Generation award
Indian batting
icon Sachin Tendulkar and Virendra Sehwag on 17 February 2014 were nominated
amongst the nominees for the ESPNcricinfo@20 Cricketer of the Generation award,
with the cricket news website today announcing two more categories to its
seventh annual awards.
The two new
special awards-Cricketer of the Generation and Contribution to Cricket will add
to the six categories announced earlier. The award ceremony will be held in
Mumbai on 14 March 2014.
Others nominated for the award are
•Shane Warne
• Braine Lara
• Muttiah Muralitharan
• Jacques Kallis
The finest player of the last 20 years to honour with this award will be judged by a 50-member jury of current and former cricketers along with sportswriters. This is the ESPNcricinfo’s 20th anniversary celebration.
Others nominated for the award are
•Shane Warne
• Braine Lara
• Muttiah Muralitharan
• Jacques Kallis
The finest player of the last 20 years to honour with this award will be judged by a 50-member jury of current and former cricketers along with sportswriters. This is the ESPNcricinfo’s 20th anniversary celebration.
Former Indian captain,
Rahul Dravid will nominate the winner of the Contribution to Cricket award and
under this every person who has contributed to cricket in all forms will be
considered and includes pitch curators, groundsmen, umpires to grassroots organizers
or a person who has made a positive impact on the game
19.
Li Na of China ranked World No. 2 in WTA Singles Ranking
Li Na of China was
ranked World Number 2 in the latest Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) singles
ranking released on 17 February 2014. Li Na became the first Asian player, Male
or Female, to hold the WTA World No. 2 singles ranking.
She moved to
second spot with 6690 points behind the American great Serena Williams, the
17-time Grand Slam title-winner, on 12380 points. She was ranked World No. 3 in
WTA singles ranking in 2013.
The previous
Asian record was No.4 for Kimiko Date-Krumm of Japan.
Li Na, 32, won
the Australian Open 2014 adding to her only Grand Slam title French Open which
she won in 2011. In all she has won nine WTA titles in her career including
Australian Open and Shenzhen Open in 2014 and two WTA doubles titles.
In another break
through for the Asian tennis and especially Chinese tennis, Peng Shuai of China
was rated the top women's doubles player in the latest released WTA doubles
rankings.
20. Kingfisher
Airlines CEO Sanjay Aggarwal resigned
Chief Executive
Officer (CEO) of Kingfisher Airlines Sanjay Aggarwal resigned on 17 February
2014.
He had joined kingfisher Airlines on 30 September 2010.
Prior to Kingfisher, he was working with SpiceJet Airlines ltd. Aggarwal had led SpiceJet as its CEO and led the low-cost airline back to profitability. He quit the airline when media baron Kalanithi Maran of Sun TV Network Ltd bought SpiceJet in June 2010.
He had joined kingfisher Airlines on 30 September 2010.
Prior to Kingfisher, he was working with SpiceJet Airlines ltd. Aggarwal had led SpiceJet as its CEO and led the low-cost airline back to profitability. He quit the airline when media baron Kalanithi Maran of Sun TV Network Ltd bought SpiceJet in June 2010.
Prior to joining
SpiceJet, Aggarwal was Chief Operating Office of Flight Options. Flight Options
is the second largest private jet provider of world. He had also worked for US
Airways for six years.
The Mumbai-based Kingfisher Airlines had accumulated losses of 16023.46 crore rupees as on 31 March 2013 and its net worth was a negative 12919.82 crore rupees. Kingfisher Airlines was launched in 2005.
Kingfisher’s operating license was suspended in October 2012 by aviation regulator Directorate General of Civil Aviation following a strike by the airline’s employees. The permit has since expired, although it can be renewed within two years, which is by October 2014.
Meanwhile, a group of 14 lenders led by State Bank of India (SBI) that has an exposure of 7000 crore rupees to the airline is trying to recover at least 1000 crore rupees from it by selling assets such as buildings, helicopters and other fixed assets.
The Mumbai-based Kingfisher Airlines had accumulated losses of 16023.46 crore rupees as on 31 March 2013 and its net worth was a negative 12919.82 crore rupees. Kingfisher Airlines was launched in 2005.
Kingfisher’s operating license was suspended in October 2012 by aviation regulator Directorate General of Civil Aviation following a strike by the airline’s employees. The permit has since expired, although it can be renewed within two years, which is by October 2014.
Meanwhile, a group of 14 lenders led by State Bank of India (SBI) that has an exposure of 7000 crore rupees to the airline is trying to recover at least 1000 crore rupees from it by selling assets such as buildings, helicopters and other fixed assets.
21.
Arun Jaitley launched a book entitled ModiNomics in Delhi
ModiNomics: Inclusive Economics,
Inclusive Governance written by Sameer Kochhar Arun Jaitely, a BJP leader on 16 February 2014 unveiled a book
entitled ModiNomics: Inclusive Economics, Inclusive Governance at the Indian
Habitat Centre, Lodhi Road in New Delhi. The book has been authored by Sameer
Kochhar.
The book presents an insight of Modi’s
idea of both Inclusive Economics as well as Inclusive Governance. It also
speaks about the vision of Narendra Modi about economic and development
strategies. The programme of book launch was skipped by the BJPs Prime
Ministerial candidate Narendra Modi.
Till date, Sameer Kochhar has edited books that praises the reform initiatives of finance minister, P Chidambaram, the Vice-Chairman of Planning Commission Montek Singh Ahluwalia and economist Vijay Kelkar. Earlier 2013, Manmohan Singh, the Prime Minister of India launched a book edited by Kochchar entitled An Agenda for Growth: Essays in honour of P. Chidambaram.
Some other books of Sameer Kochhar
• Growth & Finance: Essays in Honour of C.
Rangarajan. The books preface was written by P.
Chidambaram and its forward has been written by
Manmohan Singh
• Speeding Financial Inclusion preface was written by
C. Rangarajan
• Policymaking for Indian Planning: Essays on
Contemporary Issues in Honour of Montek S.
Ahluwalia was edited by Sameer Kochhar
• Building from the Bottom: Infrastructure and
Poverty Alleviation was edited by Sameer Kochhar
Till date, Sameer Kochhar has edited books that praises the reform initiatives of finance minister, P Chidambaram, the Vice-Chairman of Planning Commission Montek Singh Ahluwalia and economist Vijay Kelkar. Earlier 2013, Manmohan Singh, the Prime Minister of India launched a book edited by Kochchar entitled An Agenda for Growth: Essays in honour of P. Chidambaram.
Some other books of Sameer Kochhar
• Growth & Finance: Essays in Honour of C.
Rangarajan. The books preface was written by P.
Chidambaram and its forward has been written by
Manmohan Singh
• Speeding Financial Inclusion preface was written by
C. Rangarajan
• Policymaking for Indian Planning: Essays on
Contemporary Issues in Honour of Montek S.
Ahluwalia was edited by Sameer Kochhar
• Building from the Bottom: Infrastructure and
Poverty Alleviation was edited by Sameer Kochhar
22.
France won Hopman Cup for the first time
France
won Hopman Cup for the first time at Perth, Australia on 4 January 2014. France
defeated the Poland in the finals. Alinze Cornet and Jo-Wilfried Tsonga of
France won against Grzegorz Panfil and Agniezka Radwanska of Poland.
About Hopman Cup title
• Hopman Cup title was held from
28 December 2013 to
4 January 2014 in Perth, Australia.
4 January 2014 in Perth, Australia.
• The Hopman Cup is an
international team indoor hard
court tennis tournament with mixed teams on a country
by country basis.
court tennis tournament with mixed teams on a country
by country basis.
23. Union
Government confirmed the appointment of Talukdar as head of DGH
Union Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas confirmed the appointment of B.N.Talukdar as the head of Director General of Hydrocarbon (DGH) on 5 February 2014.
B.N.Talukdar will take charge as the new Director General of the DGH on 6 February 2014. He is currently serving as the Director for exploration in Oil India Ltd. (OIL).
He will succeed Rajiv Narayan Choubey who was appointed by the former Union Oil Minister S Jaipal Reddy as the DG of DGH in June 2012. Choubey is a 1981 batch IAS officer of Tamil Nadu cadre.
The confirmation of Talukdar as the head of the DGH came six months after his name was suggested by a government appointed search panel in August 2013. The search panel was headed by the Petroleum Secretary Vivek Rae.
Union Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas confirmed the appointment of B.N.Talukdar as the head of Director General of Hydrocarbon (DGH) on 5 February 2014.
B.N.Talukdar will take charge as the new Director General of the DGH on 6 February 2014. He is currently serving as the Director for exploration in Oil India Ltd. (OIL).
He will succeed Rajiv Narayan Choubey who was appointed by the former Union Oil Minister S Jaipal Reddy as the DG of DGH in June 2012. Choubey is a 1981 batch IAS officer of Tamil Nadu cadre.
The confirmation of Talukdar as the head of the DGH came six months after his name was suggested by a government appointed search panel in August 2013. The search panel was headed by the Petroleum Secretary Vivek Rae.
About DGH
The Directorate General of Hydrocarbons (DGH) was established in 1993 under the administrative control of Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas through Government of India Resolution. Objectives of DGH are to promote sound management of the oil and natural gas resources having a balanced regard for environment, safety, technological and economic aspects of the petroleum activity.
The Directorate General of Hydrocarbons (DGH) was established in 1993 under the administrative control of Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas through Government of India Resolution. Objectives of DGH are to promote sound management of the oil and natural gas resources having a balanced regard for environment, safety, technological and economic aspects of the petroleum activity.
24. MTS launched online
campaign India For Shiva
Telecom major MTS launched an online
campaign IndiaForShiva on Twitter to mobilise support for Indian luge athlete
Shiva Keshavan on 5 February 2014.
The campaign is an extensive social media movement to generate support for Keshavan. It would encompass specially designed twitter feeds, engagement activities on Facebook and other social media channels.
Shiva Keshavan is to compete his fifth Winter Olympics campaign in Sochi,Russia. The winter Olympics will start from 8 February 2014.
Shiva Keshavan is a two-time Asia Cup gold medallist and will be competing under the Olympics flag instead of the Indian flag.
About MTS
MTS is the largest mobile operator in Russia and CIS countries with over 102.4 million subscribers.
MTS started its work in Moscow license zone in 1994. МТS in 1997 received licenses for further areas and began expansion, later entering other countries of the CIS.
The campaign is an extensive social media movement to generate support for Keshavan. It would encompass specially designed twitter feeds, engagement activities on Facebook and other social media channels.
Shiva Keshavan is to compete his fifth Winter Olympics campaign in Sochi,Russia. The winter Olympics will start from 8 February 2014.
Shiva Keshavan is a two-time Asia Cup gold medallist and will be competing under the Olympics flag instead of the Indian flag.
About MTS
MTS is the largest mobile operator in Russia and CIS countries with over 102.4 million subscribers.
MTS started its work in Moscow license zone in 1994. МТS in 1997 received licenses for further areas and began expansion, later entering other countries of the CIS.
25. Sanjeev Kulkarni
appointed dean of Princeton University Graduate School
Indian-American Professor Sanjeev
Kulkarni was appointed as the Dean of Princeton University Graduate School on 5
February 2014. He will succeed William Russel, the present dean of the
Princeton University Graduate School since 2002.
His appointment was recommended by Princeton University President Christopher L Eisgruber and approved by the Board of Trustees.
Sanjeev Kulkarni at present is the professor of electrical engineering and director of the Keller Center. He will take the charge as next dean from 31 March 2014.
His appointment was recommended by Princeton University President Christopher L Eisgruber and approved by the Board of Trustees.
Sanjeev Kulkarni at present is the professor of electrical engineering and director of the Keller Center. He will take the charge as next dean from 31 March 2014.
Kulkarni is the author of An Elementary
Introduction to Statistical Learning Theory, published in 2011.
Kulkarni joined the Princeton University as faculty in 1991.
Kulkarni joined the Princeton University as faculty in 1991.
26. Malala, John Wood and
Indira Ranamagar nominated for World Children's Prize in Sweden
Malala Yousafzai, the Pakistani
schoolgirl who survived after being shot in her head by Taliban was nominated
for the World Children’s Prize in Sweden for championing
education rights for girls on 6 February 2014. As per the 15 member of
international prize jury of WCP name of Malala was selected as she is a child,
who stood up for girls' rights to education in Pakistan, but also in the world
as a whole.
The World Children's Prize (WCP) is
also known as the Children's Nobel Prize and was founded in
2000 with an aim to raise awareness of children's rights in 60000 schools in
110 countries through educational programs. Other candidates nominated
for the year are John Wood from USA and Indira Ranamagar from Nepal. The WCP
Program 2014 is open from 5 February to 15 October 2014.
About Malala Yousafzai
• Malala in 2013 was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize for her crusade for the right of all children to an education
• She has been nominated for the 2014 award for her courageous and dangerous fight for girls’ right to education
• At the age of 11, she started speaking out for the education of the girls after Taliban banned girls from going to school in the swat valley of Pakistan but Malala kept going to school even after the ban imposed by Taliban. She was shot at the age of 15 and was almost killed by the Taliban on her way home from school, but she survived.
About John Wood
• He has fought for the children’s right to education for past 15-years. To fulfill his dream, he quit from his job at Microsoft as a manager. His dream is to fight poverty by giving children all over the world the chance to go to school
• His belief is that educated children are better equipped to demand their rights and can defend themselves against slavery, trafficking and abuse
• He runs an organisation named Room to Read, which till date has built almost 1700 schools and 15000 school libraries in some of the poorest countries of the world
• In local languages, he had published 874 books and has given over 10 million books to poor children, who have been deprived from access to books
The Room to Read that works in Bangladesh, Cambodia, India, Laos, Nepal, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Vietnam, Zambia and Tanzania is an organisation that has a special focus on education of the girls and till date has helped over 20000 girls in finishing their education. It has reached to 7.8 million children.
Indira Ramanagar
• Indira Ramanagar has been nominated for the
prize for her 20-year struggle for prisoners' children in Nepal.
• She grew up in extreme poverty and fought to be able to go to school
• She built an organisation named as Prisoners
• Malala in 2013 was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize for her crusade for the right of all children to an education
• She has been nominated for the 2014 award for her courageous and dangerous fight for girls’ right to education
• At the age of 11, she started speaking out for the education of the girls after Taliban banned girls from going to school in the swat valley of Pakistan but Malala kept going to school even after the ban imposed by Taliban. She was shot at the age of 15 and was almost killed by the Taliban on her way home from school, but she survived.
About John Wood
• He has fought for the children’s right to education for past 15-years. To fulfill his dream, he quit from his job at Microsoft as a manager. His dream is to fight poverty by giving children all over the world the chance to go to school
• His belief is that educated children are better equipped to demand their rights and can defend themselves against slavery, trafficking and abuse
• He runs an organisation named Room to Read, which till date has built almost 1700 schools and 15000 school libraries in some of the poorest countries of the world
• In local languages, he had published 874 books and has given over 10 million books to poor children, who have been deprived from access to books
The Room to Read that works in Bangladesh, Cambodia, India, Laos, Nepal, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Vietnam, Zambia and Tanzania is an organisation that has a special focus on education of the girls and till date has helped over 20000 girls in finishing their education. It has reached to 7.8 million children.
Indira Ramanagar
• Indira Ramanagar has been nominated for the
prize for her 20-year struggle for prisoners' children in Nepal.
• She grew up in extreme poverty and fought to be able to go to school
• She built an organisation named as Prisoners
Assistance Nepal (PA)
The organisation
PA has rescued more than 1000 children from the countries dirty and cramped
prisons. These children were sentenced to prison as there was no one to look
after them after their parents were sentence to prison. After the organisation
rescue those children and take them to the PA’s three children homes, where
they are educated and provided with safe childhood. PA runs a children's home
called Jankuri outside Kathmandu. Children from the surrounding villages are
allowed to attend the school too.
World’s Children’s Prize (WCP)
The WCP is a unique and world’s largest annual global education program. So far it has involved nearly 35 million children who have learnt about their rights and democracy. It operates with a goal or more humane world, where rights of children are respected by all. It teaches young people about the rights of the child, democracy and global friendship. Three child rights heroes are selected by WCP child jury every year to be candidates for the World’s Children’s Prize for the Rights of the Child.
The WCP is a unique and world’s largest annual global education program. So far it has involved nearly 35 million children who have learnt about their rights and democracy. It operates with a goal or more humane world, where rights of children are respected by all. It teaches young people about the rights of the child, democracy and global friendship. Three child rights heroes are selected by WCP child jury every year to be candidates for the World’s Children’s Prize for the Rights of the Child.
27. Bill Gates assumed the
role of Founder & Technology Advisor to CEO
Microsoft Founder Bill gates assumed
the role of Founder & Technology Advisor to the CEO of Microsoft on 5
February 2014. With this he stepped down from the post of Chairman of
Microsoft.
In his new role, Bill Gates will help Satya Nadella, the new CEO of Microsoft, in shaping technology and product direction. He will devote more time in making Microsoft Office more interactive and building a cloud platform as examples of ways Microsoft can innovate in the future.
In his new role, Bill Gates will help Satya Nadella, the new CEO of Microsoft, in shaping technology and product direction. He will devote more time in making Microsoft Office more interactive and building a cloud platform as examples of ways Microsoft can innovate in the future.
For years, Gates has focused on the Bill
& Melinda Gates Foundation, and now that he is taking a more hands-on role
at Microsoft.
28. John Thompson appointed
Chairman of Microsoft
John
Thompson was appointed as the Chairman of Microsoft on 5 February 2014 by the
Board of Directors at a meeting held in Washington, US. He succeeded Bill Gates
who assumed the role of Technology Advisor to the CEO of Microsoft.
John Thompson is the first Afro-American to head the Microsoft and the second Chairman of the Microsoft after Bill Gates. He joined the Board of Microsoft as independent director in February 2012.
With the inclusion of Thompson the Board of Directors of Microsoft will now have 10 members including Nadella. Out of 10 board members, seven are independent directors. Three of the seven have been on the board for more than eight years.
John Thompson is the first Afro-American to head the Microsoft and the second Chairman of the Microsoft after Bill Gates. He joined the Board of Microsoft as independent director in February 2012.
With the inclusion of Thompson the Board of Directors of Microsoft will now have 10 members including Nadella. Out of 10 board members, seven are independent directors. Three of the seven have been on the board for more than eight years.
At present, Thompson is the Chief
Executive Officer (CEO) of privately held Virtual Instruments. The products are
designed to ensure the performance and availability of applications deployed in
virtualised and private cloud computing environments.
He was also the former chairman and CEO
of Symantec Corp.
Mr. Thompson stepped down as CEO in 2009, and stepped down from Board of Directors of Symantec in 2011.
Mr. Thompson stepped down as CEO in 2009, and stepped down from Board of Directors of Symantec in 2011.
29. Vishwanath Tripathi
selected for the Vyas Samman 2013
Vishwanath
Tripathi, the eminent Hindi writer has been selected for the prestigious Vyas
Samman for the year 2013. He has been chosen for his memoir 'Vyomkesh Darvesh'
that is a biography of the noted Hindi scholar Acharya Hazari Prasad Dwivedi.
Tripathi,
who is 82-year-old has around 20 publications by his name that includes
memoirs, novel and poetry collection. Surya Prasad Dikshit, the Hindi
litterateur headed the selection committee for the award.
The Vyas Samman 2012 was given to Hindi litterateur Narendra Kohli for his historical novel Na Bhooto Na Bhavishyati published in 2004 that is based on Swami Vivekananda and the era he belonged. The 2011 award was given to Professor Ramdarash Mishra for his collection of poems Aam ke Patte published in 2004. The collection of poems has tried to establish a relationship of man with ordinary objects like pen and table and has reminded their unnoticed importance in human life.
About Vyas Samman
Vyas Samman was instituted by the K.K. Birla Foundation in 1991 and is awarded annually in recognition of the hindi literary work published in past 10 years in genres like plays, novels, poetry, short stories, critiques and others. The award carries 2.5 lakh rupees and a citation and a plaque.
The Vyas Samman 2012 was given to Hindi litterateur Narendra Kohli for his historical novel Na Bhooto Na Bhavishyati published in 2004 that is based on Swami Vivekananda and the era he belonged. The 2011 award was given to Professor Ramdarash Mishra for his collection of poems Aam ke Patte published in 2004. The collection of poems has tried to establish a relationship of man with ordinary objects like pen and table and has reminded their unnoticed importance in human life.
About Vyas Samman
Vyas Samman was instituted by the K.K. Birla Foundation in 1991 and is awarded annually in recognition of the hindi literary work published in past 10 years in genres like plays, novels, poetry, short stories, critiques and others. The award carries 2.5 lakh rupees and a citation and a plaque.
30. Marco Lambertini
appointed Director-General of WWF International
The global conservation
organisation, WWF (World Wide Fund for Nature) on 6 February 2014 appointed
Marco Lambertini as Director-General (DG) of the WWF International. His new
role as the DG will start from 1 May 2014.
At
the time of this appointment, he was serving Bird Life International as its
chief executive. He will succeed James P Leape, who was appointed as the DG of
WWF International in 2005.
Marco Lambertini
• Lambertini holds an experience of 25 years as a global conservation leader
• Prior to the Bird Life International, he served as the global director of Network and Programme for over a decade
• Lambertini began his association with WWF as a youth volunteer growing up in his native Italy.
Fritz Vollmar from Lenzburg, Switzerland was the first Secretary General of WWF International (the then World Wildlife Fund) from 1962-1978. During his tenure at WWF, he was responsible to establish an international secretariat along with building up the network of fund raising national organisation from its founder members namely UK, Switzerland and USA.
About WWF (World Wide Fund for Nature)
World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) at the time of establishment was known as World Wildlife Fund. It was established as an international non-governmental organization that works on issues regarding the conservation, research and restoration of the environment on 29 April 1961. Its first office was opened on 11 September 1961 in Morges, Switzerland. Its mascot, Giant Panda originated from the panda named as Chi Chi, which was transferred from the Beijing Zoo to the London Zoo in 1961.
Currently there are more than 1300 WWF conservation projects underway around the world.
Marco Lambertini
• Lambertini holds an experience of 25 years as a global conservation leader
• Prior to the Bird Life International, he served as the global director of Network and Programme for over a decade
• Lambertini began his association with WWF as a youth volunteer growing up in his native Italy.
Fritz Vollmar from Lenzburg, Switzerland was the first Secretary General of WWF International (the then World Wildlife Fund) from 1962-1978. During his tenure at WWF, he was responsible to establish an international secretariat along with building up the network of fund raising national organisation from its founder members namely UK, Switzerland and USA.
About WWF (World Wide Fund for Nature)
World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) at the time of establishment was known as World Wildlife Fund. It was established as an international non-governmental organization that works on issues regarding the conservation, research and restoration of the environment on 29 April 1961. Its first office was opened on 11 September 1961 in Morges, Switzerland. Its mascot, Giant Panda originated from the panda named as Chi Chi, which was transferred from the Beijing Zoo to the London Zoo in 1961.
Currently there are more than 1300 WWF conservation projects underway around the world.
31.
Book entitled Leveraging Economic Growth for Collective Prosperity
in South Asia released
Hamid Ansari, the Vice President of India on 6 February 2014
released a book entitled Leveraging Economic Growth for Collective Prosperity
in South Asia at a function in New Delhi. The book has been edited by Rashpal
Singh, Sucha Singh Gill and Neetu Gaur.
32.
Arunima Sinha awarded Amazing Indian Award
Arunima
Sinha received Amazing Indian Award on 6 February 2014.The award was given by
the Vice President of India, M Hamid Ansari. She was awarded for scaling Mount
Everest despite being physically challenged.
The Amazing Indian Award was instituted by
Times Now channel in September 2012.
About Arunima Sinha
• Sinha
is the first Indian amputee to conquer Mount
Everest on 21 may 2013
• Sinha scaled the 8848 metre-high summit of the world’s highest peak on 21 May 2013
• Sinha is a former national volleyball and football player from Uttar Pradesh.
• Sinha scaled the 8848 metre-high summit of the world’s highest peak on 21 May 2013
• Sinha is a former national volleyball and football player from Uttar Pradesh.
33.
Abhinav Bindra won second gold medal in Inter Shoot Tri series
Shooting
Abhinav Bindra won his second gold
medal at the Inter Shoot Tri Series shooting at The Hague, Netherlands on 7
February 2014. He won the second gold on 7 February 2014 by scoring 627.7 in
the qualification round and then scoring 209 points in the finals of the second
match. He defeated Romanian London Olympic Games Champion, H Moldoveanue Alin
George in both the matches.
The 31-year-old Bindra won his first medal in this Tri Series competition with his qualification score of 613.7 and by shooting remarkably well in finals score of 209.3 points to win the gold. He won his first gold on 6 February 2014.
The 31-year-old Bindra won his first medal in this Tri Series competition with his qualification score of 613.7 and by shooting remarkably well in finals score of 209.3 points to win the gold. He won his first gold on 6 February 2014.
In the pre-qualification for the
first round the four times Olympian and gold medalist at the Beijing Olympics
was at 8th position.
Abhinav Bindra
Abhinav Bindra is the first Indian to win an individual Gold medal in Olympic, since 1900 the year our country participated in the Olympic Games. He was also India's first gold medal, since 1980, when the Men's Field Hockey Team won the gold. Awards conferred on Bindra till date
• He won Padma Bhushan in 2009, the same year he
was also conferred with Rajiv Gandhi Award, Bharat
Shiromani Award and India Youth Sports Icon
• He was conferred with the Madhya Pradesh Khel
Ratna in 2006
• In 2006, he received Punjab Praman Patra Award
• He won the Uttaranchal Praman Patra Award in
2003
• In 2001, he was awarded with the Rajiv Gandhi Khel
Ratna Award and Maharaja Ranjit Singh Award
• In 2000, he was awarded with Arjuna Award
Abhinav Bindra is the first Indian to win an individual Gold medal in Olympic, since 1900 the year our country participated in the Olympic Games. He was also India's first gold medal, since 1980, when the Men's Field Hockey Team won the gold. Awards conferred on Bindra till date
• He won Padma Bhushan in 2009, the same year he
was also conferred with Rajiv Gandhi Award, Bharat
Shiromani Award and India Youth Sports Icon
• He was conferred with the Madhya Pradesh Khel
Ratna in 2006
• In 2006, he received Punjab Praman Patra Award
• He won the Uttaranchal Praman Patra Award in
2003
• In 2001, he was awarded with the Rajiv Gandhi Khel
Ratna Award and Maharaja Ranjit Singh Award
• In 2000, he was awarded with Arjuna Award
34.
Shabir Khan resigned from Council of Ministers of Jammu and
Kashmir
Shabir Khan, the Health Minister of
Jammu and Kashmir on 7 February 2014 resigned from the Council of Ministers due
to alleged molestation case. The resignation was received by the state’s Chief
Minister, Omar Abdullah. The Chief Minister forwarded his resignation to the
Governor NN Vohra and was accepted by him.
Shabir Khan is a Congress leader and MLA from Rajouri and his resignation came following allegation of molestation by a lady doctor, who said that the minister called her to his Srinagar based office and attempted to molest her on 28 January 2014.
Shabir Khan is a Congress leader and MLA from Rajouri and his resignation came following allegation of molestation by a lady doctor, who said that the minister called her to his Srinagar based office and attempted to molest her on 28 January 2014.
The case against him has been
registered under Section 354 RPC that says assault or criminal force on a woman
with the intention to outrage her woman and Section 509 RPC that reads,
work/gesture/act intended to outrage the modesty of a woman.
35.
Sangakkara became second cricketer to hit triple century and a
century in same match
Kumar Sangakkara, the cricketer of
Sri Lankan national team on 7 February 2014 became the second person in the
history of Cricket to score a triple century and a century in the same test
match. By performing the rare record, he joined Graham Gooch, the former
skipper of England team.
He achieved this reach by scoring
319 runs in the first inning of the match and 105 runs in the second innings.
He achieved this record, while playing in the second test match against
Bangladesh.
But he failed to break the record of most runs in a Test match of Gooch by 32 runs as in 1990, Gooch scored 333 and 123 runs in two innings, which on aggregated becomes 456 runs. Whereas, Sangakkara’s total aggregate of the two matches is 424 runs. In the second innings, he was dismissed by Sohag Gazi.
But he failed to break the record of most runs in a Test match of Gooch by 32 runs as in 1990, Gooch scored 333 and 123 runs in two innings, which on aggregated becomes 456 runs. Whereas, Sangakkara’s total aggregate of the two matches is 424 runs. In the second innings, he was dismissed by Sohag Gazi.
36.
Kamar Ahmad Simon won Golden Conch Award of MIFF 2014
Bangladesh’s Kamar Ahmad Simon’s
documentary Are You Listening won the Golden Conch Award on 9 February 2014 at
the Mumbai International Film Festival for Documentary, Short and Animation
Films (MIFF).The documentary was awarded the Golden Conch Award as the Best Documentary
Award ( in above 40 minutes category).
Are You Listening is a 90 minutes
documentary that is a set in the coastal belt of Bangladesh. The documentary
reveals the alarming effects of climate change and deftly captures the fighting
spirit of a community and their will to survive, which is a powerful and
beautifully photographed film.
The award comprised of the Golden
Conch trophy and 500000 rupees cash prize of which 300000 rupees for the
Director (Kamar Ahmad Simon) and 200000 rupees for the producer (Sara Afreen).
About Kamar Ahmad Simon
• Kamar
Ahmad Simon was born in Dhaka.
• Are You Listening is his first documentary and has been awarded twice by Jan Vrijman Fund from IDFA and also by Visions Sud est from Switzerland.
• It was awarded as one of the best Pitches at the Asian Forum for Documentaries and it is invited to Campus Studio Lab for Editing.
• Are You Listening is his first documentary and has been awarded twice by Jan Vrijman Fund from IDFA and also by Visions Sud est from Switzerland.
• It was awarded as one of the best Pitches at the Asian Forum for Documentaries and it is invited to Campus Studio Lab for Editing.
About MIFF
• The
first ever International Film Festival for Documentary,
Short and Animation Films was held
in the year 1990.
• The biennial festival is conducted with the active collaboration of Government of Maharashtra and the Indian Documentary Producers’ Association. Mumbai is the permanent venue of the festival.
• MIFF is one of the most prestigious festival in the documentary, short and animation genre at par with International Film Festivals like Leipzig, Berlin, Oberhausen, Cracow and Tampere etc.
• The biennial festival is conducted with the active collaboration of Government of Maharashtra and the Indian Documentary Producers’ Association. Mumbai is the permanent venue of the festival.
• MIFF is one of the most prestigious festival in the documentary, short and animation genre at par with International Film Festivals like Leipzig, Berlin, Oberhausen, Cracow and Tampere etc.
37.
Sushil Koirala elected as the next Prime Minister of Nepal
The
Parliament of Nepal elected Sushil Koirala as next Prime Minister of Nepal on 10 February
2014. Sushil Koirala is a veteran Nepali Congress (NC) leader.
The general election of Nepal was held on 19 November 2013. In the Constituent Assembly of 601-member the NC has 194 seats, while the CPN-UML has 173 seats.
The general election of Nepal was held on 19 November 2013. In the Constituent Assembly of 601-member the NC has 194 seats, while the CPN-UML has 173 seats.
After
the results, CPN-UML had pressed for new elections for president and vice
president. Both the parties had reached a consensus and CPN-UML standing
committee decided to give support to Nepali Congress (NC).
They also agreed to draft the Constitution according to the 12-point agreement that was reached in New Delhi in 2005, the Comprehensive Peace Agreement, the Interim Constitution and the mandate expressed by the people in the November election.
Under the six-point agreement, the two parties have agreed to promulgate the new constitution within a year and to hold elections for the posts of president, vice president and chairman of the Constituent Assembly. Sushil Koirala will take over the charge from Khil Raj Regmi, who was working as acting Prime Minister of Nepal from 14 March 2013.
After the dissolution of the Nepalese Constituent Assembly in March 2012 there was a political deadlock in Nepal. The 36th Prime Minister of Nepal, Dr. Baburam Bhattarai was then replaced by Khil Raj Regmi.
They also agreed to draft the Constitution according to the 12-point agreement that was reached in New Delhi in 2005, the Comprehensive Peace Agreement, the Interim Constitution and the mandate expressed by the people in the November election.
Under the six-point agreement, the two parties have agreed to promulgate the new constitution within a year and to hold elections for the posts of president, vice president and chairman of the Constituent Assembly. Sushil Koirala will take over the charge from Khil Raj Regmi, who was working as acting Prime Minister of Nepal from 14 March 2013.
After the dissolution of the Nepalese Constituent Assembly in March 2012 there was a political deadlock in Nepal. The 36th Prime Minister of Nepal, Dr. Baburam Bhattarai was then replaced by Khil Raj Regmi.
38.
Mumbai International Film Festival 2014
Mumbai
International Film Festival (MIFF) for Documentary, Short and Animation Films
held in Mumbai from 3 to 9 February 2014.
MIFF is a biennial festival that is
conducted with the active collaboration of Government of Maharashtra and the
Indian Documentary Producers Association, Mumbai as the permanent venue.
Golden Conch Award for 2014 is
Category
|
Names
|
Name of Documentary
|
Best Documentary
Film (Up to 40 minutes)
|
Maria Stomeier
|
In Between: Isang
Yun in North and South Korea
|
Best Documentary
Film (Above 40 minutes)
|
Kamar Ahmad Simon
|
Are You Listening
|
Best Short Fiction
Film (Up to 45 minutes)
|
Vikrant Janardhan
Pawar
|
Black Rock
|
Best Animation Film
|
Gitanjali Rao
|
True Love Story
|
Best Director award
|
||
Most Popular Film
|
Dhvani Desai
|
Chakravyuh
|
39.
Yulia Lipnitskaya is the youngest Russian to win gold medal in
Winter Olympics
Yulia
Lipnitskaya became the youngest Russian athlete to win a gold medal at the
Winter Olympics. Yulia, 15-years-old won this medal in Winter Olympics 2014 at
Sochi, Russia on 9 February 2014 in free skating in the team figure skating
competition.
Yulia scored 141.51 points and earned a
combined total of 214.41 under the International Judging System. Kim Yuna of
South Korea is the current record holder, who scored 150.06 and combined total
of 228.56 in women’s single in Winter Olympics 2010.
The youngest athlete is South Korean
short track speed skater Kim Yun-mi, who won the medal at the age of 13 in
Winter Olympics, 1994.
About Yulia Lipnitskaya
• Yulia
was born in the Ural Mountains, Russia.
• Yulia won a silver medal at the Russian Senior Championships, 2012 and a gold medal at the Russian Junior Championships, 2012.
• Yulia holds the title of Master of Sport of International Class in Russia.
• Yulia won a silver medal at the Russian Senior Championships, 2012 and a gold medal at the Russian Junior Championships, 2012.
• Yulia holds the title of Master of Sport of International Class in Russia.
40.
Cancer awareness programme launched by Yuvraj Singh
Yuvraj Singh, the Indian cricketer
cancer foundation named YouWeCan joined its hand with an NGO
Navbharat Sewa Samiti on 10 February 2014 to roll out a campaign named Cancer
Mukt Purvi Dilli. The aim of joining the hand is to focus on awareness,
early detection of the disease and education.
Yuvraj Singh during the launch of the
programme highlighted the need for an early detection of the dangerous disease
to save more lives.
About YouWeCan foundation
The YouWeCan foundation was launched by Yuvraj Singh on 6 July 2012 after he successfully fought his battle against cancer. This organisation was launched as an initiative dedicated to raise cancer-awareness.
About YouWeCan foundation
The YouWeCan foundation was launched by Yuvraj Singh on 6 July 2012 after he successfully fought his battle against cancer. This organisation was launched as an initiative dedicated to raise cancer-awareness.
41.
South Central Railway launched HYLITES
The South Central Railway (SCR)
launched Hyderabad Live Train Enquiry System (HYLITES) on 10 February 2014. It
is the first of its kind in India developed by South Central Railway on
out-sourcing basis.
About HYLITES
• HYLITES
is a GPS (Global Positioning System) and
GPRS (General Packet Radio Service) based smart
phone application that operates on android platform
• HYLITES will display real time information of the live status information like arrival, departure, platform numbers etc from Secunderabad, Hyderabad and Kachiguda stations
• It also gives information about all running MMTS (Multi-Modal Transport System) and local trains
• HYLITES will display real time information of the live status information like arrival, departure, platform numbers etc from Secunderabad, Hyderabad and Kachiguda stations
• It also gives information about all running MMTS (Multi-Modal Transport System) and local trains
42.
N Ramachandran elected President of IOA
N
Ramachandran was elected President of Indian Olympic Association (IOA) on 9
February 2014. Presently, he is the chief of World Squash Federation. He was
elected unopposed for the presidential post. He will remain in the office till
2016. Kho-Kho Federation of India President Rajeev Mehta were also elected
unopposed as Secretary General. All India Tennis Association (AITA) chief Anil
Khanna were also elected unopposed as Treasurer. The poll was conducted
by a three-member election commission of the IOA. It was preceded by a Special
GBM which made an amendment in the constitution under the diktat of
International Olympic Committee (IOC). Under the new constitution, any member
against whom charges have been framed by a court of law for an offence that
carries imprisonment of more than two years will not be allowed to contest
elections and the case will be referred to the IOA Ethics Commission. Indian
Boxing Federation, Taekwondo Federation of India and Fencing Association of
India were barred by the IOC from casting votes on the ground that these three
was suspended by their international federations. Earlier, Abhay Singh
Chautala, was the president of IOA.
43.
Krishi Karman Awards for 2012-13
The President of India, Pranab
Mukherjee, presented Krishi Karman Awards for the year 2012-13 on 10 February
2014. The awards were presented during inaugural function of World Congress on
Agro-Forestry (WCA-2014) held in New Delhi.
The awards were presented in two
categories. In the Total food grain production category, the awards were
presented to Madhya Pradesh, Odisha and Manipur states. In the excellence in
the Individual food grains crops category, the awards were presented to
Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Andhra Pradesh and Bihar States.
Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal,
Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, Mizoram and Tripura got commendation prizes for
total food grain production. Maharashtra got commendation prize for rice, Assam
for pulses and Punjab and Haryana for rice and wheat.
Total food grain production
Total food grain production
Category
|
States
|
more than 10
million tonnes (large)
|
Madhya Pradesh
|
1 to 10 million
tonnes (medium )
|
Odisha
|
Less than 1 million
tonnes (small )
|
Manipur
|
Individual food grain crops
Crops
|
States
|
Rice
|
Chhattisgarh
|
Wheat
|
Bihar
|
Pulses
|
Jharkhand
|
Coarse cereals
|
Andhra Pradesh
|
KRISHI KARMAN AWARDS
Krishi Karman awards were instituted
in 2010-11 by the Government of India, Ministry of Agriculture.
Krishi Karman awards
are given to States for their effort and contribution towards raising the
country’s food grain production.
Krishi Karman Awards
comprises of three awards for total food grain production and four awards for
production of rice, wheat, coarse cereals and pulses - the crops that
constitute the food grain basket.
Each award winning
State gets a trophy, a citation and cash award. The cash award is 2 crore
rupees for total food grain production and 1 crore rupees for each of the four
crops included in food grains.
44. R.K.Tiwari appointed
new Chairman of CBDT
R.K.Tiwari was appointed as the new
chairman of Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) on 9 February 2014.
The appointment was approved by the
Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC).
Mr. Tiwari is a 1976-batch Indian Revenue Service (IRS) officer. He is currently working as the Member of Legislation and Computerisation Department in the CBDT.
He will take the charge from 1 March 2014. He will succeed Chairperson Sudha Sharma who is scheduled to retire on 28 February 2014.
About CBDT
The CBDT is a part of Department of Revenue in the Ministry of Finance. The Central Board of Direct Taxes is a statutory authority functioning under the Central Board of Revenue Act, 1963.
Mr. Tiwari is a 1976-batch Indian Revenue Service (IRS) officer. He is currently working as the Member of Legislation and Computerisation Department in the CBDT.
He will take the charge from 1 March 2014. He will succeed Chairperson Sudha Sharma who is scheduled to retire on 28 February 2014.
About CBDT
The CBDT is a part of Department of Revenue in the Ministry of Finance. The Central Board of Direct Taxes is a statutory authority functioning under the Central Board of Revenue Act, 1963.
CBDT is a seven-member body
including the Chairman and it is the apex authority for policy planning and
administrative control over the I-T department and collection of direct taxes
in the country.
45. Jatinder Bir Singh
appointed CMD of Punjab and Sind Bank
Jatinder Bir
Singh was appointed Chairman and Managing Director of Punjab and Sind Bank
(PSB) on 6 February 2014. He will succeed D.P.singh He will take the charge
from 10 February 2014. The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) under
the Union Government has approved the appointment. Jatinder Bir Singh is
1983-batch IAS officer of Assam-Meghalaya cadre. Prior to this, Singh was an
Additional Secretary in the Ministry of Water Resources. About PSB The bank was
set up in 1908. Punjab & Sind Bank (P&SB) is a major Public Sector bank
in Northern India and working 100 percent on CBS platform. The banks
government shareholding is 79.86 percent. Of its 1249 branches and offices
spread throughout India, almost 515 are in Punjab state. The bank's corporate
headquarters is in New Delhi.
46. Indian boxers finished
Fourth at the 58th Bocskai International Tournament
Indian boxers finished fourth at the
58th Bocskai International Tournament which concluded in Hungary on 10 February
2014.
Indian contingents won a gold, a silver and
two bronze medals to finish fourth among the 22 nations that participated in
the tournament.
Indian boxers who won were:
Indian boxers who won were:
· L Devendro Singh
(49kg) bagged the Gold Medal
· Commonwealth Games
gold medallist Manoj Kumar (64kg) won
the Silver Medal
· Sumit Sangwan (81kg)
and Sunil Kumar (57kg) secured
Bronze Medals
The
Indians finishing fourth despite provisional ban. The boxers were forced to
play under the flag of International Boxing Association (AIBA) in place of the
national flag.
The organizers were so impressed with their performance that the boxers were presented with a permanent invite for the event.
The organizers were so impressed with their performance that the boxers were presented with a permanent invite for the event.
47. Vinod Sawhny appointed
CEO of Reliance Communications
Vinod Sawhny was
appointed as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Reliance Communications
(RCom) on 10 February 2014. Vinod Sawhny will succeed Gurdeep Singh. Gurdeep
Singh has been given additional responsibility of consumer business comprising
DTH and consumer broadband business. Punit Garg will continue as CEO of Indian
Enterprise and IDC business. Bill Barney also continues as CEO of Reliance
Globalcom comprising Flag Telecom, Vanco and Yipes. Anil Ambani announced the
formation of RCom Management Board that will comprise of Sawhny, Gurdeep Singh,
Bill Barney, Suresh Rangachar, President for IT and Services, Manikantan Iyer,
Chief Financial Officer and Human Resource President Amit Das. About Vinod
Sawhny Sawhny served as CEO and Whole time Director of Beetel Teletech Limited.
He was head of Bharti Airtel and left the Company in 2012.
48. President Pranab Mukherjee
conferred Award of Honour of Rotary International
The President of India, Pranab
Mukherjee was conferred Award of Honour on 11 February 2014 in
New Delhi. The award was presented by Ron Burton, President of Rotary
International at Rashtrapati Bhavan.
The President, Mukherjee was awarded
for the leadership he has provided and the India’s victory over Polio. Recently
India completed three years without reporting any case of polio on 13 January
2014.
Officially the World Health
Organisation (WHO) certified India as polio-free on 11 February 2014. The WHO
on 24 February 2012 removed India from the list of countries with active
endemic wild polio transmission.
About Award of Honour
· The Rotary’s highest
award, Award of Honour is recognition for Heads of countries
or governments who have rendered unique service to the humanity and served the
country and its people upholding values reflected in Rotary’s motto Service
Above Self.
· The Rotary Club is
one of the World’s first service organizations established on 23 February 1905
in Chicago with the vision of Paul P Harris.
· The Rotary Club is a
place where professionals with diverse backgrounds could exchange ideas and
form meaningful, lifelong friendships.
49. Mark Zuckerberg became
the most generous donor of America in 2013
Facebook founder and CEO Mark
Zuckerberg became the youngest and the most generous philanthropist of America
in 2013. This was revealed by the Chronicle of Philanthropy on 10 February
2014.
He had given almost 1 billion dollar of his fortune to the charity. The charity was made to the Silicon Valley Community Foundation. He along with his wife Priscilla Chan dedicated their 2012 funds managed by the group for health and education.
Mr. Zuckerberg at 30 is the youngest benefactor ever to top the annual charitable donations list.
In September 2012, his net worth was estimated by Forbes magazine at 19 billion dollar, making him the 20th richest in the United States.
He had given almost 1 billion dollar of his fortune to the charity. The charity was made to the Silicon Valley Community Foundation. He along with his wife Priscilla Chan dedicated their 2012 funds managed by the group for health and education.
Mr. Zuckerberg at 30 is the youngest benefactor ever to top the annual charitable donations list.
In September 2012, his net worth was estimated by Forbes magazine at 19 billion dollar, making him the 20th richest in the United States.
Last year, the Facebook founder and
his wife occupied the number two spot in charitable giving, making donations of
nearly 500 million dollar in 2012.
Over the past two years, Mr. Zuckerberg and his wife, a physician, have given 36 million Facebook shares to the fund, valued at about 1.5 billion dollar.
Over the past two years, Mr. Zuckerberg and his wife, a physician, have given 36 million Facebook shares to the fund, valued at about 1.5 billion dollar.
50. Penguin decided to withdraw
a book entitled, The Hindus: An Alternative History
The Hindus: An
Alternative History written by Wendy Doniger Penguin India, the publisher of book
The Hindus: An Alternative History on 11 February 2014 agreed to withdraw the
book from the Indian market. This book is written by Wendy Doniger, an American
Scholar and Indologist. The decision was made by the publisher following a
legal wrangle against it.
The decision was made between the
publisher and Delhi based complainant organisation called Shiksha Bachao
Andolan, who moved to court alleging distortion aimed at denigrating Hindu
traditions. The organisation has found that the book is insulting Hindus. The
settlement between complainant and penguin publishers says that all the
recalled or withdrawn or unsold copies of the book shall be pulped by Penguin
within next six months.
Doniger reacted to the development of
action saying that she is deeply troubled by what it foretells for free speech
in India. Union Jairam Ramesh has said this decision was atrocious as the book
in not blasphemous. The author of the book is a scholar without any political
agenda.
51. Three-day long Desert
Festival started in Jaisalmer
Internationally
popular Desert Festival started at Thar Desert, Jaisalmer in Rajasthan on 12
February 2014. The festival started with a ceremonial procession from Jaisalmer
Fort Gate (also called Golden Fort due to its yellow sandstone structure) to
Shahid Poonam Singh Stadium. The festival will conclude with kite show and
cultural programmes on sand on 14 February 2014.
Desert Festival
• The Desert festival of Rajasthan takes
place in Jaisalmer in the month of February every year and lasts for three
days.
• The Rajasthan tourism organizes the Jaisalmer Desert Festival.
• Desert festival has become a synonym of colour, music, folk performances, camel tattoo show, camel dance and camel competitions. The famous fire dances, folk music and dance are the major attraction of the desert festival celebrations of Rajasthan.
• Other interesting competitions on the fringes are the moustache and turban tying competitions, which not only demonstrate a glorious tradition but also inspire its preservation.
• The Rajasthan tourism organizes the Jaisalmer Desert Festival.
• Desert festival has become a synonym of colour, music, folk performances, camel tattoo show, camel dance and camel competitions. The famous fire dances, folk music and dance are the major attraction of the desert festival celebrations of Rajasthan.
• Other interesting competitions on the fringes are the moustache and turban tying competitions, which not only demonstrate a glorious tradition but also inspire its preservation.
52. Kosnam Himalaya Singh
appointed as Lieutenant General
Konsam Himalaya Singh became the first
Lieutenant General in the army from North East States on 12 February 2014.
Singh is the senior most serving officer in the army from Manipur. At present
Singh is serving in the military secretary’s branch which is headquartered in
New Delhi.
About Konsam Himalaya
Singh
·
Singh was born in Chararngpat village, Thoubal district Maj,
Manipur. He completed his graduation in Defence Services Staff College
Wellington and National Defence College.
·
Singh was commissioned to the second battalion Rahput Regiment in
1978.
·
Singh got his masters in defence studies from Madras University,
masters in management studies from Osmaina University and MPhil in strategic
studies from Madras University.
·
Singh has operational experience in Counter Insurgency Operations
in Jammu and Kashmir and in North East which included Line of Control (LoC),
Line of Actual Control (LAC) and HAA (High Altitude Area).
·
In Kargil war, Singh commanded 27 Rajput Regiment and he was
awarded Yudh Seva Medal for leading successful operations against Pakistan.
·
Singh was awarded thrice the COAS commendation card and once Army
Commander’s commendation card.
1.
World Radio celebrated
across the globe
World
Radio Day was celebrated across the globe on 13 February 2014. This is the
third Radio Day being observed by the UNESCO to celebrate radio as a medium.
The theme for World Radio Day 2014 is Gender Equality and Women's Empowerment in Radio.
The theme of the Day was chosen by the UNESCO in order to get the balance right in favour of women in radio. That is, UNESCO seeks to strengthen pluralism and freedom of expression in radio.
The theme for World Radio Day 2014 is Gender Equality and Women's Empowerment in Radio.
The theme of the Day was chosen by the UNESCO in order to get the balance right in favour of women in radio. That is, UNESCO seeks to strengthen pluralism and freedom of expression in radio.
2.
Karnataka won Irani Cup for the fifth time
Karnataka won the
Irani Cup for the fifth time beating Rest of India in the final held at
Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bangalore on 12 February 2014. Karnataka beat Rest of
India by an innings and 222 runs to win the trophy.In response to Karnataka's
score of 606 in the first innings, Rest of India scored 201 in the first
innings and 183 in the second.
Shreyas Gopal five wickets haul including a hat-trick and Skipper's Vinay Kumar
four wickets haul helped Karnataka comprehensively win the game. The victory made Karnataka the first
Ranji Trophy champion in the last eight seasons to win the Irani Cup, a measure
of the side’s dominance this season. Also Vinay Kumar became the third
Karnataka captain to win both the Ranji Trophy and Irani Cup in a same year. Karnataka last won the Irani Cup in 1998
at the same venue under Venkatesh Prasad.
Man of the Match: R. Vinay Kumar
About Irani Cup.The Irani Cup (earlier called Irani Trophy) tournament was
conceived during the 1959-60 season to mark the completion of 25 years of the
Ranji Trophy championship.
It was named after the
late Z.R. Irani, who was associated with the Board of Control for Cricket in
India (BCCI) from its inception in 1928, till his death in 1970.
The fixture is always
played between the previous year's Ranji Trophy winners and the Rest of India
Team.
3.
Union Government approved Pune Metro Rail Project
The Union Ministry of
Urban Development gave an in-principle approval to the Phase - I of the Pune
Metro Rail Project on 12 February 2014. The approval by the Union
Government will facilitate the State Government to take necessary action
for faster implementation of the project.
The project is aimed to
improve the public transport system in the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) and
Pimpri - Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) areas.
While giving the
approval the Union Government advised the State government to update and keep
the design and technology of the system in accordance with the revised Detailed
Project Report prepared by the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC).
Maharashtra Government
will implement the project through a Special Purpose Vehicle which will be
jointly owned by the Union and State government.
Pune Metro Rail Project phase I details:
Pune Metro Rail Project phase I details:
· It will cover a
length of 31.51 km along two corridors.
· Corridor-1 will cover
16.59 km from Pimpri - Chinchwad Municipal Corporation to Swargate.
· Corridor-2 will cover
14.92 km from Vanaz to Ramwadi.
· The project is
expected to be completed by 2021.
· The revised cost
estimate for entire project is 10183 crore rupees.
4.
National Women's Day of India observed on 13 February
National Women's Day of India was observed on 13 February
2014. This day is observed on the date of birth of India’s first women governor
Sarojini Naidu. Sarojini Naidu was born on 13 February 1879 and died on 2 March
1949. This was the 135th birth anniversary of Sarojini Naidu. Her birthday has been selected to observe as a National Woman Day in recognition of the works done by her for uplliftment and development of women in India. Her name and birth date was proposed to celebrate as the National Women’s Day in India by members of Bhartiya Mahila Sangh and Akhil Bhartiya Mahila Sammelan.
Sarojini Naidu
• Sarojini Naidu is also known as the Nightingale of
India
• She was a child prodigy, a poet and an activist during the independence of India
• From 1947 to 1949, she served as the first woman to become the governor of an Indian state of United Provinces of Agra and Oudh
• In 1925, she served as second woman to become President of the Indian National Congress and the first Indian woman to do so
• Naidu joined the Indian national movement after the partition of Bengal in 1905
• In 1928, the British Government awarded her with the medal Naidu Kaiser-i-Hind for her work during the plague epidemic in India
