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Current Affairs January 2015T SUVARNA RAJU TAKES CHARGE AS CHAIRMAN OF HINDUSTAN AERO-

NAUTICS LTD.

February 1, 2015

SERGIO MATTARELLA ELECTED AS PRESIDENT OF ITALY

January 31, 2015

Italy’s parliament has elected constitutional court judge Sergio Mattarella as thecountry’s president.

He will Italy’s 12th president and succeed Giorgio Napolitano who had resignedearlier in January 2015 citing reason of poor health before his 2020 expiry term.

President of Italy: His role is mainly ceremonial but can declare legislation uncon-stitutional. He also has the power to dissolve parliament, nominate prime minis-ters and call early elections. He has tenure of 7 years.

UNION GOVERNMENT RELEASES COMMEMORATIVE POSTAGE STAMPS

ON SWACHH BHARAT MISSION

January 31

It was launched by the Prime Minister on the 2nd October, 2014 on the occasionof Birth Anniversary of Father of the Nation- Mahatma Gandhi.

This mission seeks to achieve Clean India and aims to provide access to toilets toall households in the country.

It also seeks to provide adequate arrangements for Solid and Liquid Waste Man-agement.

SERENA WILLIAMS WINS AUSTRALIAN OPEN 2015

WOMEN’S SINGLES TITLE

Serena Williams of United States has won Australian Open 2015Women’s Singles title.

In the finals she defeated Russia’s Maria Sharapova by score of 6-3, 7-6, 7-5.

With this win Serena Williams has won 6th Australian Open title and 19th Grand Slam title.

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Serena Williams Currently she is ranked No. 1 in women’s singles tennis. She also has won 4 Olympic gold medals, 1 in women’s singles and 3 in women’s

doubles.Her 19 singles title includes: 6 Australian Open Titles -2003, 2005, 2007, 2009, 2010, 2015. 2 French Open Titles- 2002, 2013. 5 Wimbledon Titles- 2002, 2003, 2009, 2010, 2012. 6 US Open Titles- 1999, 2002, 2008, 2012, 2013, 2014.

FIRST CANISTER-BASED AGNI-V MISSILE SUCCESSFULLY TEST-FIRED

January 31, 2015

For the first time, a canisterised version of Agni-V missile wassuccessfully test-fired on 31 January 2015 from Wheeler Islandoff Odisha coast.This was the third successful flight test of the Inter-Continen-tal Ballistic Missile (ICBM) and the first canister trial.Test: The missile was launched from sealed canister, mountedon a TATRA truck. It was carrying dummy payload. Test showedthat dummy payload withstand temperatures more than 3,0000

C and hit the target at pre-designated point in the Indian Ocean.Implication: A canister-launch system of Agni-V missile will give the forces the requisiteoperational flexibility. With this system, ballistic missile can be transported and can launchedfrom any place.

Agni-V missile Agni-V ICBM is indigenously designed and developed by Defence Research and

Development Organisation (DRDO). It is Part of the Agni series of missiles, one of the missile systems under the origi-

nal Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme. Range: 5,500–5,800 km. It will allow India to strike targets across Asia and into

Europe It is a 3 stage solid fuelled missile with composite motor casing in the second and

third stage. It carries Multiple Independently Targetable Re-entry Vehicles (MIRV) payloads. A

single MIRV equipped missile, that can deliver multiple warheads at different tar-gets.

Incorporate advanced technologies involving ring laser gyroscope and accelerom-eter for navigation and guidance.

First successfully test-fired by DRDO from Wheeler Island off the coast of Orissaon April 19, 2012. With this, India joined an “elite nuclear club” that also includedChina, Russia, France, the US, the UK and possibly Israel.

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SCIENTIST V K SARASWAT JOINS AS FULL-TIME MEMBER OF NITI AAYOG

January 31, 2015

Former DRDO chief Vijay Kumar Saraswat has taken charge as full time-member of National Institution for Transforming India (NITI) Aayog.

V K Saraswat

He had played a very significant role in the development of thecountry’s first Liquid Propulsion Engine, DEVIL.

He was Project Director of Prithvi and had steered the design,development, production and induction of the first indigenous Surface-to-Sur-face missile system into the armed forces.

He was Secretary of Defence (Research & Development) and Director General ofDefence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO).

Awards: He was conferred the Padma Shri (1998) and Padma Bhusan (2013).

Background

Earlier on 1 January 2015, Union Government had announced the replacement of 6 decadeyear old Planning Commission with new age NITI Aayog to function as both a think-tank anda policy forum for government.

On 5 January 2015, Prime Minister Narendra Modi as Chairman of NITI Aayog had appointedV K Saraswat along with eminent economist Bibek Debroy as its full time members andArvind Panagariya as its first Vice-Chairman.

SENIOR IPS OFFICER KRISHNA CHAUDHARY APPOINTED AS NEW ITBP DG

January 31, 2015

Senior IPS officer Krishna Chaudhary has been appointed the new DirectorGeneral (DG) of the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP).His name was announced by the Appointments Committee of Cabinet(ACC) headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and will be in office tillJune 2017.Krishna Chaudhary is 1979-batch Bihar cadre officer. Before this appoint-ment he was working as the Director General of the Railway Protection Force.

Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) It is one of the eight statutory Central Armed Police Forces of India and was es-

tablished on 24 October 1962, under the CRPF Act, in the wake of India- ChinaWar of 1962.

Later Parliament enacted the Indo-Tibetan Border Police Force Act, 1992 to pro-vide full autonomy to ITBP.

At present ITBP has about 50,000 personnel strong force, to secure the 3,488 kmborder with China along Tibet Autonomous Region and operates under Ministryof Home Affairs.

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ITBP force also render in a variety of internal security tasks in the country includ-ing civil Medical Camp, disaster management, nuclear, biological and chemicaldisasters and UN peacekeeping missions around the world.

ZIMBABWE PRESIDENT ROBERT MUGABE APPOINTED AS CHAIRMAN OF

AFRICAN UNION

January 30, 2015

African Union (AU)

It is the successor of Organisation of African Unity (OAU) and came into existencein 2002 at Durban summit in South Africa.

Headquarters: It is located at Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Motto: A United and Strong Africa. Objective: As pan-African organization, AU aims at promoting unity and coop-

eration among African nations. It also strives to spread democracy and good gov-ernance in the continent.

Members: At present the African Union has a total of 54 members. Morocco isthe only African country which is not the part of the Union.

INDIA TOPS CREDIT SUISSE EMERGING CONSUMER SCORECARD 2015

January 30, 2015

INDIA TOPS CREDIT SUISSE EMERGING CONSUMER SCORECARD 2015

January 30, 2015

India has topped in the list of Credit Suisse emerging consumer scorecard 2015, amongthe 9 emerging economies.

This scorecard was prepared by fifth annual Emerging Consumer Survey by the Credit SuisseResearch Institute.

Key facts

The survey had interviewed consumers across nine emerging economies includ-ing Brazil, China, India, Indonesia, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa andTurkey.

Ranking of other countries: Brazil (2nd), Indonesia (3rd), Saudi Arabia (4th), China(5th), Turkey (6th), Mexico (7th), Russia (8th) and South Africa (9th).

This survey had profiled the consumer sentiment and its drivers across the emerg-ing world. Thus, providing insights regarding consumer sentiment and future con-sumption patterns in emerging economies.

As per the survey, the formation of a strong government at the centre in India had

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triggered a major revival of consumer sentiment in 2014. It also mentioned that, e-commerce share in India have increased to 32 per cent

from 20 per cent in 2013. In 2014 survey, India was placed at fourth position.

GNLF FOUNDER SUBHASH GHISINGH PASSES AWAY

January 30, 2015

Gorkha National Liberation Front (GNLF) founder SubhashGhisingh has passed away in New Delhi. He was 78.

He had spearheaded the Gorkhaland movement in the 1980s fora separate state for ethnic Gorkha people living in Darjeeling dis-trict of West Bengal.

Subhash Ghisingh

He was born on 22 June 1936 at Manju Tea Estate in Darjeeling, West Bengal.

EMINENT SINGER SHEKHAR SEN APPOINTED AS CHAIRMAN OF SANGEET NATAK

AKADEMI

January 29, 2015

INDIA TO HOST ICC WORLD TWENTY20 IN 2016

January 29, 2015

India is going to host International Cricket Council (ICC) World Twenty20 in 2016.

It was announced by ICC Board meeting chaired by Chairman N. Srinivasan held in Dubai.ICC Board meeting also scheduled the ICC events during the period2015-2019.

Following schedule was announced India will host the World Twenty20 from 11 March to 3

April 2016. While, Ireland and Scotland will host the quali-fiers between 6-26 July, 2015.

England will host three ICC events in the next four-yearperiod.

In 2017, England will host two events- the Champions Trophy from 1 to 19 Juneand Women’s World Cup from 4 to 27 August and 2019 ICC World Cup from 30May to 15 July 2019.

2018 Women’s World Twenty20 will be organised in the West Indies betweenNovember 2 and 25.

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PACKAGING OF FOODGRAINS & SUGAR IN JUTE MATERIAL MANDATORY: CCEA

January 29, 2015

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) has madepackaging of foodgrains & sugar in jute material mandatory for juteyear 2014-15.

In this regard CCEA mentioned that packaging with jute material willbe mandatory for minimum 90 per cent of production in case of foodgrains and 20 per cent in case of sugar production. With this decision, government isseeking to help the jute sector which generates a lot of livelihoods for farmers and workers.CCEA also has approved providing financial support to the Jute Corporation of India (JCI). Inthis regard, government will provide subsidy to JCI on a continuous basis to off-set thelosses on account of Minimum Support Price (MSP) operations. The quantum of subsidywill include the difference between the Purchase and Sale Price of MSP Raw Jute.

UNION GOVERNMENT TO SELL UP TO 10% STAKE IN COAL INDIA LIMITED (CIL)

January 29, 2015

Union government has announced to sell up to 10 per cent stakein state owned Coal India Limited (CIL) on 30 January 2015.

This decision was cleared by high-powered ministerial panel headedby Finance Minister Arun Jaitley.

It will help the government to raise revenue of 24,000 crore ru-pees at the current market price and meet the fiscal deficit.

Government is planning to divest 5 per cent stake in the company via share saleand the remaining 5 per cent through the green-shoe option.

Currently, the government holds 89.65 per cent stake in CIL. As per the minimumshareholding norms for listed companies, the government needs to lower its staketo 75 percent.

SUBRAHMANYAM JAISHANKAR APPOINTED AS NEW FOREIGN SECRETARY

January 29, 2015

Union Government has appointed Subrahmanyam Jaishankar as the newSecretary of Ministry of External Affairs (i.e. Foreign Secretary).

His name was cleared by Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC)chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

He will be replacing incumbent Foreign Secretary Sujatha Singh whosetenure was curtailed with immediate effect. She had assumed office inAugust 2013 and was due to retire in August 2015.

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KALYAN SINGH SWORN IN AS HIMACHAL PRADESH GOVERNOR

January 28, 2015

Rajasthan Governor Kalyan Singh has sworn in as the 26th Governorof Himachal Pradesh.

He was administered oath of office by Himachal Pradesh High CourtChief Justice Mansoor Ahmed Mir at oath taking ceremony held at RajBhawan in Shimla.

He was given an additional charge of Himachal Pradesh after then gov-ernor Urmila Singh, completed the full five year term on January 24.

ANCIENT STAR WITH FIVE EARTH SIZE PLANETS DISCOVERED BY AS-

TRONOMERS

January 28, 2015

Astronomers have discovered a star that is 11.2 billion yearsold and has at least five Earth-size planets.

It was discovered by team of astronomer’s after analyzingdata from NASA’s planet-hunting Kepler spacecraft for overfour years.

Key findings

This star is named as Kepler-444. It is 25 percentsmaller than our Sun and is 117 light years fromEarth.

It belongs to the first generation of stars and con-sidered as part of one of the oldest systems in thegalaxy.

This star has five known planets which have sizes that fall between Mercury andVenus.

These 5 planets are so close to their star that they complete their orbits in fewerthan 10 days.

This discovery is going to help astronomers learn more about the history of oursolar system- Milky Way.

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AUSTRALIAN CRICKETER SEAN ABBOTT WINS BRADMAN YOUNG CRICK-

ETER OF THE YEAR AWARD

January 28, 2015

Australian cricketer Sean Abbott has won Bradmanyoung cricketer of the year award 2015.

While, Steve Smith was awarded the Allan BorderMedal and being named both Test and one day playerof the year.

Sean Abbott is the bowler, who was unwittingly atthe centre of the tragic death of Phillip Hughes. InNovember 2014, he had delivered bouncer to Hughesthat hit him in head during a Sheffield Shield matchat the SCG against South Australia.

Bradman young cricketer of the year award: It wasinstituted in 1990. It is bestowed annually by Cricket Australia to best player un-der the age of 24. The recipient is presented with a bat personally signed by SirDonald Bradman (He had signed 100 bats in 1989 for this award)

DP SINHA APPOINTED AS SECRETARY (SECURITY) IN THE CABINET SEC-

RETARIAT

January 27, 2015

Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) has appointed Divya Prakash Sinhaas secretary (security) in the cabinet secretariat.

Since November 2013, this post was lying vacant after Yashovardhan Azad whowas holding the post then, was appointed information commissioner.

K DURGA PRASAD APPOINTED AS SPECIAL DG OF CRPF

January 27, 2015

Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) has appointed K Durga Prasad asthe special director general (DG) of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF).

He will be in office for next three years or till further orders, whichever is earlier.

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BARACK OBAMA BECOMES FIRST US PRESIDENT TO BE CHIEF GUEST AT

REPUBLIC-DAY

January 27, 2015

US President Barack Obama has become the first AmericanPresident to be Chief Guest on Republic Day celebrations.

He is also the first American President to visit India twice (ear-lier he had visited India in November 2010).

Key highlights of 66th Republic Day celebrations

In this Parade, US President witnessed India’s mili-tary might and cultural diversity. This year’s paradewas more based on cultural diversity rather thanshowing on military might.

For the parade, Barack Obama arrived in his ownvehicle named cadillac one (The Beast) and not with President Pranab Mukherjee.Thus, breaking the traditional practice, as the Chief Guest usually comes to thevenue with the President, the Head of the State.

Several States displayed tableaux depicting their local flavor and traditions. While, some Union government departments displayed tableaux related to gov-

ernment initiatives like Make in India and ‘save the girl child. For first time in history, all women contingents of the three services Army, Navy

and Air Force marched in the parade. Some of India’s latest military arsenal was displayed in this year’s parade. How-

ever, Nuclear-capable Agni missiles- a highlight for the past several years was notdisplayed this year.

LIBBY LANE, FIRST FEMALE BISHOP OF ENGLAND CONSECRATED

January 27, 2015

Church of England has consecrated Reverend LibbyLane as its first female bishop in a ceremony held atYork Minster (a Gothic cathedral) in northern England.

With this consecration, Church of England ended its500 year old male dominated tradition and consid-ered as a historic move towards widening female par-ticipation in the Church.

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EMINENT CARTOONIST RK LAXMAN PASSES AWAY

January 26, 2015

Eminent cartoonist, illustrator and humorist Rasipuram Laxman passed away in Pune. Hewas 94.

About Rasipuram Laxman

Rasipuram Krishnaswamy Laxman (famously known as RKLaxman) was born on 24 October 1921 in Mysore,Karnataka. Famous novelist R. K. Narayan was his older brother.

His creation:

He is best known for creation of iconic character The Com-mon Man, for his daily cartoon strip, You Said It in TheTimes of India(TOI). It was started in 1951. This characterheld a mirror to the society and targeted politicians for more than five decades.

In 1988, commemorative postage stamp of The Common Man was released bythe Indian Postal Service on the 150th anniversary TOI.

He also created a popular mascot for the Asian Paints group called Gattu in 1954.

Other Works:

His cartoons have appeared in Hindi films such as Mr. & Mrs. in 1955 and a Tamilfilm Kamaraj.

His creations also include the sketches drawn for the television adaptation ofMalgudi Days (written by his elder brother R K Narayan and directed by ShankarNag).

Awards: He is recipient of Padma Bhushan (1971), Padma Vibhushan (2005) andRamon Magsaysay Award for Journalism, Literature and Creative Communica-tion Arts (1984).

His Autobiography: The Tunnel of Time: An Autobiography. Books: He had published numerous short stories, essays, and travel articles, some

of which were collected in The Distorted Mirror (2003). His novels include TheHotel Riviera, The Messenger and the short story collection Servants of India.

COLOMBIA’S PAULINA VEGA CROWNED MISS UNIVERSE 2015

January 26, 2015

Colombia’s Paulina Vega was crowned 63rd Miss Universe afterbeating out contenders from the United States, Ukraine, Jamaicaand Netherlands.

Miss USA Nia Sanchez from Las Vegas was named a runner-up, alongwith Miss Ukraine Diana Harkusha.

Paulina Vega- She is granddaughter of celebrated Colombian singer

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Gastón Vega. Currently, she is a student of business from the northern Colombia city ofBarranquilla.

Miss Universe

It is an annual international beauty pageant that is run by the Miss Universe Or-ganization.

Along with the Miss World and Miss Earth contests, Miss Universe is one of thethree largest beauty pageants in the world and one of the most anticipated beautypageants worldwide.

It was founded in 1952 by the California clothing company Pacific Mills.

MAJOR MUKUND VARADARAJAN AND NAIK NEERAJ KUMAR SINGH

AWARDED ASHOK CHAKRA POSTHUMOUSLY

January 26, 2015

Two army personnel, Major Mukund Varadarajan and Naik NeerajKumar Singh were awarded the highest peacetime military honour,the Ashok Chakra posthumously by President Pranab Mukherjee.

The awards were received by their wives at the 66th Republic Daycelebrations.

Both the army men had laid down their lives while battling groups of militants in separateoperations in Shopian and Kupwara districts of Kashmir.

In April 2014, Major Mukund Varadarajan who was an officer in the Rajput Regi-ment of the Indian Army had killed three terrorists in an encounter in Shopiandistrict of Jammu and Kashmir.

While in August 2014, Naik Neeraj Singh was leading a search operation in gen-eral area Gurdaji of Kupwara district, he died after heavy fire from terrorists.

About Ashok Chakra

It is India’s highest peacetime military decoration awarded for valor, courageousaction or self-sacrifice away from the battlefield

It is the peace time equivalent of the Param Vir Chakra, and is awarded for themost conspicuous bravery or some daring or pre-eminent valour or self-sacrificeother than in the face of the enemy

INDIA, U.S. SIGN THREE MOUS ON SMART CITIES

January 25, 2015

India and United States (US) have signed three Memoranda of Under-standings (MoUs) on smart cities.

These MoUs were signed by the representatives of United States Trade

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and Development Agency (USTAD) and the respective Chief Secretaries of State Govern-ments of Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan and Andhra Pradesh in the presence of Union UrbanDevelopment Minister M. Venkaiah Naidu.

These MoU’s seeks to give a boost to Union governments flagship smart cities scheme, bybuilding smart cities in

Vishakapatnam in Andhra Pradesh. Ajmer in Rajasthan. Allahabad in Uttar Pradesh.

US will help each respective state to conduct feasibility studies, finding investors, ways touse the best technology and formulating the plan for building three smart cities.

While, respective state Governments will provide resources like technical information and datarelated to smart cities planning; staff, logistical and travel support and budgetary resources.

PARUPALLI KASHYAP WINS SYED MODI GRAND PRIX GOLD TITLE 2015

January 25, 2015

India’s Parupalli Kashyap has won $120,000 Syed Modi India Grand PrixGold badminton title 2015.

In the final match he defeated Kidambi Srikanth to win the men’s singlestitle held at the Babu Banarasi Das Indoor Stadium, Lucknow, UttarPradesh.

Kashyap won the final match by score of 23-21, 23-21.

About Syed Modi International India Open Grand Prix championship

It is named after a famous Indian badminton player Syed Modi, an eight-timeNational Badminton champion.

After his death, a badminton tournament was constituted in his memory, SyedModi Memorial and All India Syed Modi badminton championship hosted eachyear at Lucknow.

SAINA NEHWAL WINS SYED MODI GRAND PRIX GOLD BADMINTON TOUR-

NAMENT 2015

January 25, 2015

Indian ace shuttler Saina Nehwal has clinched the Syed Modi Inter-national India Grand Prix Gold badminton title 2015 in the women’ssingles category.In the final match she defeated world champion Carolina Marin(Spain) by score of 19-21, 25-23, 21-16 held at Lucknow, UttarPradesh.With this win she has retained this title which she had won in 2014.

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About Syed Modi International India Open Grand Prix championship

It is named after a famous Indian badminton player Syed Modi, an eight-timeNational Badminton champion.

After his death, a badminton tournament was constituted in his memory, SyedModi Memorial and All India Syed Modi badminton championship hosted eachyear at Lucknow.

INDIA FUNDS NEPAL’S PANCHESHWAR PROJECT TO COUNTER KHERI

FLOODS

January 25, 2015

India will provide fund of Rs 1500 crore to Nepal’s Pancheshwarmulti-purpose project on Mahakali river for countering the Kherifloods in Uttar Pradesh.

This move of Union government comes after a delegation of MPsvisited Nepal and had submitted their report to government.

Pancheshwar multi-purpose project

It is located at Narayan Ghat of Dharchula on MahakaliRiver( also known as Kali Ganga in Uttarakhand ) in Nepal. The height of dam isthe 315 meters.

After completion dam will be the second largest dam in the world with a capacityof 6720 Mega Watt (MW) power production.

In case of power sharing, India has reached into an agreement with Nepal to pro-cure additional electricity produced by project.

This project will regulate and control the free flow of Karnali and Mohana riverswhich cause floods in Kheri, Pilibhit of Uttar Pradesh and other Terai districts ofnorthern India.

POOJA THAKUR- FIRST WOMAN OFFICER TO LEAD GUARD OF HONOUR

AT RASHTRAPATHI BHAVAN

January 25, 2015

Wing Commander Pooja Thakur has become the firstwoman officer to lead the ceremonial Guard of Honour atRashtrapathi Bhavan.

On 25 January 2015, she led the ceremonial Guard ofHonour which was inspected by the U.S. President BarackObama at Rashtrapathi Bhavan.

President Barack Obama is on 3 day visit to India. He is first American Presidentto be Chief Guest of India’s Republic Day celebrations 2015.

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NATIONAL VOTERS DAY OBSERVED ON 25TH JANUARY EVERY YEAR

January 25, 2015

Every year National Voters’ Day (NVD) is observed on 25th January.

This year i.e. 2015 is fifth National Voters’ Day and theme of thisyear is Easy Registration, Easy Correction.

Functions: On this occasion, awards for best electoral practices aregiven to Chief Electoral Officers and District Election Officers. Mediahouses and civil society organisations are also given awards for bestcampaign in Voters’ Education and Awareness.

Background

It was initiated in 2011 to commemorate the foundation day of the Election Com-mission of India (ECI).

The ECI’s aim behind National Voters’ Day is to enhance registration of voters,particularly of the spring chickens, by using this social occasion to make UniversalAdult Suffrage a complete reality, and thus increase the worth of Indian democ-racy

QUEEN ELIZABETH II NOW OLDEST LIVING MONARCH IN WORLD

January 25, 2015

Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II is now the world’s oldest living mon-arch. Currently she is 88 years old.

Earlier, Saudi Arabia’s King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz was oldest liv-ing monarch but he died on 23 January 2015.

It should be noted that, Queen Elizabeth II is one of the eight octo-genarian monarchs in the world. Others include the King of Thai-land and the Emperor of Japan.

Queen Elizabeth II

She was born on 21 April 1926. She acceded to the throne on 6 February 1952 after her father, King George VI

died. In 1945, she had actively joined World War II as a driver in the Women’s Auxiliary

Territorial Service (WATS). She is also the second longest reigning monarch in British history, behind her

great-great grandmother Queen Victoria. She is Queen of 16 of the 53 member states in the Commonwealth of Nations.

She is also Head of the Commonwealth and Supreme Governor of the Church ofEngland.

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SHANTA KUMAR COMMITTEE ON RESTRUCTURING OF FCI SUBMITS RE-

PORT TO PM

January 24, 2015

The High Level Committee (HLC) for Restructuring of Food Corporation of India(FCI) chaired by Shanta Kumar has submitted its report to the Prime MinisterNarendra Modi.

Background

In August 2014, Union government had set up 8 members High Level Committee(HLC) on FCI restructuring. It was restructuring chaired by Shanta Kumar.

Other members are: FCI Chairman-cum-Managing Director C Viswanath, Electronicand IT Secretary Ram Sewak Sharma, Former Chairman of Commission for Agri-cultural Costs and Prices (CACP) Ashok Gulati, Chief Secretaries of Punjab andChhattisgarh; and Academicians G Raghuram and Gunmadi Nancharaiah of IIM-Ahmedabad.

SARASWATHI MENON NAMED ON PANEL TO REVIEW UN PEACE-BUILD-

ING ARCHITECTURE

January 24, 2015

Saraswathi Menon, an eminent Indian academician hasbeen named on advisory panel to Review UN Peace-Build-ing Architecture.

She is among seven experts nominated by UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon to conduct a policy and institutionalreview on UN’s peace-building architecture and make recommendations.

The other 6 experts are: Anis Bajwa (Pakistan), Funmi Olonisakin (Nigeria), SahelSahara Ahmedou Ould-Abdallah (Mauritania), Charles Petrie- (France), GertRosenthal (Guatemala) and Edith Grace Ssempala (Uganda).

SBI SIGNS 100 MN EURO LOAN PACT WITH EIB

January 23, 2015

India’s largest bank State Bank of India (SBI), has signed a loanagreement for 100 million euro (about Rs 700 crore) with Eu-ropean Investment Bank (EIB).

This agreement was facilitated by SBI Capital Markets, a sub-sidiary of SBI.

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It is the third tranche of a total sanctioned loan of 200 million euro by EIB to SBIfor lending it to private businesses in the country.

SBI will utilize this loan to support the development of private sector in countryin particular for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). It will be also uti-lized social and economic infrastructure as well as climate change mitigation andadaptation.

Earlier on 25 June and 28 November 2014, first tranche of Euro 55 and secondtranche of Euro 45 million was signed between both banks.

INDIA, US INKS PACT TO COOPERATE IN ICTE TO FACILITATE DIGITAL IN-

DIA PROGRAMME

January 23, 2015

India and United States have agreed to cooperate in the field ofInformation and Communications Technology and Electronics (ICTE)to facilitate Union government’s ambitious Digital Indiaprogramme(DIP).

In this regard, Joint Declaration of Intent for cooperation was signedby Secretary in the Department of Electronics and IT- RS Sharmaand US Ambassador to India- Richard Rahul Verma.

Key highlights of Joint Declaration

It will facilitate Union government’s flagship DIP, including electronic manufactur-ing and cyber security and several other such related fields between the two coun-tries.

Within period of next five years, it will help in strengthening industrial, techno-logical, research and innovation and economic cooperation between India andthe US.

Under the umbrella of the ongoing India-US ICT Dialogue, it will also provide plat-form to US companies for exploring opportunities to collaborate in DIP, electron-ics manufacturing and human resource development

HUMPA LAHIRI WINS DSC PRIZE FOR SOUTH ASIAN LITERATURE 2015

January 23, 2015

Indian American Pulitzer Prize-winning author Jhumpa Lahiri has wonprestigious DSC Prize for South Asian Literature 2015. Fifth edition ofthis prize was announced at the Jaipur Literature Festival.

She has received the prestigious $50,000 DSC Prize for her book TheLowland. Her book was chosen by 5 judges from 75 books.

The Lowland is a tale of two Indian brothers during time of 1950’s in

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Calcutta. It depicts story of both brothers one who get involved in the Naxalite movementin the late 1960s and the other leaves for the United States.

Jhumpa Lahiri

Her original name is Nilanjana Sudeshna. Works- Her debut short story collection Interpreter of Maladies (1999) has won

the 2000 Pulitzer Prize for Fiction. Her first novel was Namesake (2003) was adapted in a movie with the same name

which was directed by Mira Nair. Suresh Kalpenn acted in this movie. The Low-land (2013).

Currently, she is a member of US President’s Committee on the Arts and Humani-ties.

SAUDI ARABIA’S KING ABDULLAH BIN ABDULAZIZ PASSES AWAY

January 23, 2015

Saudi Arabia’s King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz has passed away.He was 93-year old patriarch.

Abdullah’s brother Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud is his suc-cessor and new King of Saudi Arabia. Salman in turn, hasnamed his half-brother Muqrin as the new crown princeand his heir.

Earlier, king Salman was the Crown Prince and defence min-ister since 2012. He was also the Governor of Riyadh prov-ince for five decades before that.

UNION GOVERNMENT LAUNCHES BETI BACHAO-BETI PADHAO CAMPAIGN

January 22, 2015

Union Government has launched ambitious Beti Bachao-BetiPadhao(BBBP) campaign to save and empower girl child.

The scheme was launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi fromPanipat in Haryana.

Why Haryana was chosen to launch Beti Bachao-Beti Padhao cam-paign?

Haryana was chosen to launch the nation-wide Beti Bachao-Beti Padhao initiativebecause of the skewed sex ratio in the state.

It has one of the lowest Child Sex Ratio in country which stands at 879 girls per1,000 boys as against the national child sex ratio of 918 girls per 1000 boys.

Beti Bachao-Beti Padhao (BBBP)campaign

It aims to spread awareness about the declining trend of Child Sex Ratio in thecountry.

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Objective: To prevent gender biased sex selective elimination by strict enforce-ment of laws with stringent punishment to violators.

 The Ministry of Women and Child Development (WCD), is the nodal agency forthe implementation of the scheme. While, Centre has provided initial corpus of100 crore rupees for it.

It will be implemented in 100 districts of the country, including 12 districts ofHaryana.

In this regard, union government will try to ensure access and availability of es-sential requirements related to nutrition, health-care, education, protection andelimination of discrimination of girl child.

This scheme will also generate awareness and improve the efficiency of deliveryof welfare services meant for women.

CONOMIST BIBEK DEBROY TAKES OVER AS MEMBER OF NITI AAYOG

January 22, 2015

Economist Bibek Debroy has taken over as the full-time member ofNational Institution for Transforming India (NITI) Aayog.

Bibek Debroy

He has been working as a professor at the Centre for PolicyResearch in New Delhi.

Previously he has worked as Director of the Rajiv Gandhi In-stitute for Contemporary Studies and as a Consultant in Fi-nance Ministry in various capacities.

He was also the Chairman of High Powered Committee of the restructuring onRailways.

He has been associated with a number of prestigious institutes in the field ofacademics. It includes Presidency College Kolkata Delhi School of EconomicsGokhale Institute of Politics and Economics, the Indian Institute of Foreign Trade,the National Council of Applied Economic Research, Trinity College, Cambridge,and institute for South Asian Studies , Singapore.

He has authored several books, papers and articles on Economic issues. He alsohas authored a ten-volume unabridged English translation of the Hindu epic theMahabharata.

Background

Earlier on 5 January 2015, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had appointed Bibek Debroy alongwith Scientist V K Saraswat as full time member of NITI Aayog.

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UNION GOVERNMENT LAUNCHES HRIDAY SCHEME

January 21, 2015

Union government has launched a Heritage City Development and Augmentation Yojana(HRIDAY) scheme to preserve and rejuvenate the rich cultural heritage of the country.

Union governments ambitious Rs 500 crore HRIDAY project was launched by Urban Devel-opment Minister Venkaiah Naidu in New Delhi.

In the initial phase, 12 heritage cities have been identified which will be rejuvenated anddeveloped under HRIDAY.

The 12 cities are:   Amritsar, Varanasi, Gaya,  Puri, Ajmer, Mathura, Dwarka, Badami,Velankanni, Kanchipuram, Warangal and Amaravati.

HRIDAY- Heritage City Development and Augmentation Yojana

It aims to bring urban planning, economic growth and heritage conservation to-gether for heritage cities.

It also seeks beautification in an inclusive and integrated manner with focus oncleanliness, livelihoods, skills, safety, security, accessibility and faster service de-livery of heritage cities.

Heritage management plan (HMP) will be prepared for the identified cities whichwill outline heritage resources and develop policies to guide their conservation,restoration, future use and development.

It will seek to improve last-mile connectivity heritage sites by documentation,conservation of areas, providing more facilities for women, senior citizens anddifferently abled citizens.

HRIDAY will be dovetailed with the Tourism Ministry’s Pilgrimage Rejuvenationand Spiritual Augmentation Drive (PRASAD) scheme which has an outlay of Rs100 crore for augmentation of infrastructure at pilgrimage sites across the coun-try.

PRADHAN MANTRI JAN DHAN YOJANA FEATURES INTO GUINNESS BOOK

OF WORLD RECORDS

January 21, 2015

NDA government’s flagship scheme Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana(PMJDY) has entered into Guinness book of World Records.

Guinness book of World Records has given certificate stating it as mostbank accounts opened in one week.

In one week, 18,096,130 bank accounts were opened as part of thefinancial inclusion campaign from 23rd to 29th August, 2014. It wasachieved by the Department of Financial Services (Government of India).

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Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY)

It was launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi with the goal of eradicatingfinancial untouchability of the poor by opening at least one bank account forevery family in the country in less than six months.

It seeks to financially empower the poor by providing them access to formal bankingsystem.

It also seeks to provide platform for Direct Benefits Transfer (DBT) which will curbleakages in government subsidies and thus saving government exchequer.

Initially, after its launch the scheme had a target of opening 7.5 crore bank ac-counts by 26 January, 2015, but later it was revised and raised to 10 crore bankaccounts.

As on 17th January 2015, PMJDY has achieved feat of opening of 11.50 crorebank accounts under it in the short span of 5 months since it was launched.

TWITTER BUYS INDIAN START-UP ZIPDIAL

January 21, 2015

Leading social networking website Twitter has boughtIndian mobile marketing start-up ZipDial. It will be firstIndian technology product startup to be bought byTwitter.

This deal is expected to cost Twitter around $34-35 million (Rs 215 crore).

About ZipDial

It is Bengaluru based startup, founded in 2011. It is co-founded by Valerie Wagoner, anAmerican origin entrepreneur who graduated from Stanford University.

ZipDial’s mobile marketing platform gives information about businesses to userswhen they place a missed call.

This interaction information is useful in areas where people aren’t always connectedto the Internet or can access data only through intermittent Wi-Fi networks

Its mobile mobile marketing platform has nearly 60 million users, which includesthe world’s leading brands and media companies.

______________________

January 22, 2015

Periyar Tiger Reserve located in Kerala has won the National TigerConservation Authority (NTCA) biennial award for encouraging localpublic participation in managing the reserve.

Public participation in managing the Periyar Tiger Reserve

India Eco-Development project (IEDP): People’s participation

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started in the reserve in December 1996 by establishing India Eco-Developmentproject (IEDP). It was a community-based eco-tourism initiative, which promotedtourism activities which helped visitors. It also promoted pepper growing in thisregion and marketing it.

Periyar Foundation: Later in 2006, reserve set up the Periyar Foundation whichwas a model for other reserves in biodiversity conservation and community par-ticipation in managing natural resources. It involved 75 communities living aroundthe reserve, including tribal people.

There are around 19 different eco-tourism programmes apart from village eco-development programmes for public participation in managing the reserve.

UNION BUDGET SESSION WILL BEGIN ON FEBRUARY 23

January 22, 2015

The Budget Session of Parliament will begin on 23 Feb-ruary 2015.

Railway Budget will be presented on 26 February,while Economic Survey on 27 February.

It will be first full-year General Budget of the NDA gov-ernment under the leadership of Prime MinisterNarendra Modi. It will be presented on 28 February2015.

These dates were announced by the Cabinet Commit-tee on Parliamentary Affairs that met under the chair-manship of Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister M. Venkaiah Naidu.

Some facts

Budget is a statement of the estimates receipts and expenditure of Union Gov-ernment in a financial year.

Constitutional provisions of Budget are mentioned Article 112. It should be notedthat word Budget is not mentioned in Constitution rather it is referred as ‘AnnualFinancial Statement’.

Budget is presented in two parts namely: The Railway Budget and the GeneralBudget.

Railway Budget: It is estimates of receipts and expenditure of Ministry of Rail-ways only .

General Budget: It is estimates of receipts and expenditure of all Ministries ofUnion Government.

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MICROSOFT UNVEILS VIRTUAL ASSISTANT CORTANA FOR WINDOWS

HANDSETS

January 22, 2015

Technology giant Microsoft has unveiled virtual assistant- Cortanafor Windows Phone handsets.

Cortana is female voice-controlled application. It uses Microsoftssearch engine Bing and data stored on the handsets to makepersonalised recommendations and carry out tasks.

It is named after AI system in the firm’s Halo video game franchise.

Initially, it will be made available in US, then in UK and China and finally other markets aspart of a wider Windows Phone 8.1 system software update.

It should be noted that Apple and Google already offer comparable facilities on their iOSand Android platforms.

EU DECIDES TO LIFT BAN ON IMPORT OF MANGOES FROM INDIA

January 21, 2015

European Union (EU) has decided to lift seven-month-long ban onthe import of mangoes from India. In this regard, a European Com-mission committee unanimously voted to lift the ban.

The ban was lifted after an audit carried out by the EuropeanCommission’s Food and Veterinary Office in India in September2014.

This audit had showed that India world’s biggest producer of man-goes have made significant improvements in the phytosanitaryexport certification system of mangoes.

Background

EU had imposed temporary ban on import of mangoes from in 1 May 2014 afterauthorities in Brussels found consignments of the premium Alphonso mangoesinfested with fruit flies.

Along with Alphonso mangoes they also had banned import of 4 vegetables- aub-ergines, bitter gourds, snake gourds and patra leaves.

They had imposed ban citing the reason that fruit flies from these consignmentsmay damage European salad crops.

However, it should be noted that EU has not lifted ban on these 4 vegetables and will bereviewed at later stage after collecting more evidence.

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INDIA RANKS 78TH GLOBALLY IN GLOBAL TALENT COMPETITIVENESS IN-

DEX (GTCI) 2014

January 21, 2015

India ranked 78th globally in Global Talent Competitiveness Index (GTCI) 2014 list of 93countries in terms of talent competitiveness of its human capital.

This GTCI list was compiled by INSEAD business school in partnership with Adecco andHuman Capital Leadership Institute of Singapore (HCLI).

GTCI measures a nation’s competitiveness based on the quality of talent it can produce,attract and retain.

Key facts of Global Talent Competitiveness Index (GTCI) 2014 list

Top twenty scoring countries in the GTCI 2014 are all high-income countries. While,the top rankings were dominated by European countries, with only six non-Euro-pean countries in the top 20 which included Singapore (2nd), the United States(4th), Canada (5th), Australia (9th), New-Zealand (16th) and Japan (20th).

Rich countries were able to top in the list, since they tend to have better universi-ties and a greater ability to attract foreign talents through higher quality of lifeand remuneration, making them more talent competitive.

Top 10 in GTCI list: Switzerland (1st), Singapore (2nd), Luxembourg (3rd), UnitedStates (4th) and Canada (5th), Sweden (6th), United Kingdom (7th), Denmark (8th),Australia (9th) and Ireland (10th).

India’s lower position indicates acute shortage of skilled workforce. It also ranksat last among BRICS members.

India’s neighbuors in GTCI list: China (41th), Sri Lanka (76th), Pakistan (89th),Bangladesh (90th).

INDIA’S TIGERS POPULATION INCREASES BY 30% SINCE 2011

January 20, 2015

As per tiger census report 2014, the population of tigers in India has increased from 1,706in 2011 to 2,226 in 2014.

This tiger census report was released by Union environment min-ister Prakash Javadekar.

Key facts of tiger census report 2014

It shows an increase of 30 per cent in country’s tigerpopulation compared to 2011 tiger census report.

The latest tiger census figures show that Karnatakahas the highest number of tigers in the age group of

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1.5 years and more. It has 408 tigers in that age group. While census figures show that 340 tigers are in Uttarakhand, 308 in Madhya

Pradesh, 229 in Tamil Nadu, 190 in Maharashtra, 167 in Assam, 136 in Kerala and117 in Uttar Pradesh.

As per new census, India is estimated to be home to around 70% of the world’stigers.

For census, total of 3,78,118 sq km of forest area in 18 tiger states was surveyedwith a total of 1,540 unique tiger photo captures.

Tiger census

In India, tiger census is carried out after a gap of every three years by the National TigerConservation Authority (NTCA).

2008 tiger census: Tiger population estimated was 1,411.

2011 tiger census: Tiger population estimated was 1,706.

FIRST SUCCESSFUL ORGAN DONATION FROM NEWBORN TAKES PLACE

IN UK

January 20, 2015

Doctors from United Kingdom (UK) have carried out the first suc-cessful organ donation from a newborn baby.

It is considered as a milestone in neonatal care after donor’s kid-neys and liver were used to save the lives of two patients.

Successful organ donation involved

Kidneys, which were transplanted into a patient withrenal failure.

Liver cells (hepatocytes), which were transfused into a further recipient.The donor was six-day-old baby girl who had died after she was born in extremely poorhealth. After donors death, her parents had given their consent for organ donation in orderto benefit of other sick patients.

Implication: In future organ donation from newborns will play significant role insaving the lives sick newborns dying due to organ failure.

INDIA’S GROWTH TO REACH 6.3 PER CENT IN 2016: UN WESP REPORT

January 20, 2015

According to the United Nations World Economic Situation and Pros-pects (WESP) 2015 report, India’s growth in terms of GDP is expected toreach 5.9 per cent in 2015 and 6.3 per cent in 2016.

Key highlights of report

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India: Its growth recovery is partly the result of improved market sentiment afterthe new government took office in the second quarter of 2014 and had announcedplans to reform the bureaucracy, labour laws and public subsidies.

South Asia: Economic growth in South Asia is set to gradually pick up from anestimated 4.9 percent in 2014 to 5.4 percent in 2015 and 5.7 percent in 2016.India, will account for about 70 percent of regional output in South Asia.

Average inflation in this region is expected remain moderate at 7.8 percent in2015 and 7.2 percent in 2016, as commodity prices are likely remain subduedand domestic demand picks up gradually.

Global economy: It is expected to grow at 3.1 percent in 2015 and 3.3 percent in2016, compared with an estimated growth of 2.6 percent in 2014.

About United Nations World Economic Situation and Prospects (WESP) report

This report is published at the beginning of each year by the combined efforts of

UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs. UN Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD). 5 UN regional commissions. World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO).

EMINENT POLITICAL SCIENTIST RAJNI KOTHARI PASSES AWAY

January 20, 2015

Eminent political scientist, scholar and former Planning Com-mission member Rajni Kothari passed away in New Delhi. Hewas 86.

About Rajni Kothari

He was born on 16th August, 1928. He was a well-known political thinker, political theo-

rist, academician and writer. He had started his career as a lecturer at the Maha-

raja Sayajirao University of Baroda (Baroda University).In 1961, for first time he received recognition whenhis essays series, Form and Substance in Indian Politics were published in Eco-nomic and Political Weekly (then Economic Weekly) over six issues.

In 1963, he had founded Centre for the Study of Developing Societies (CSDS) – asocial sciences and humanities research institute based in New Delhi.

In 1980, he had founded Lokayan (Dialogue of the People), a forum for interac-tion between activists and intellectuals.

He was member of the Planning Commission during the national Front Govern-ment led by then Prime Minister V P Singh.

He was also associated with number of prestigious institutions including IndianCouncil of Social Science Research (ICSSR), International Foundation for Develop-

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ment Alternatives and People’s Union for Civil Liberties (PUCL). Books: His famous published works include Politics in India (1970), Caste in In-

dian Politics and Rethinking Democracy (1973), In Search of Humane World OrderPoverty: Human Consciousness (1989) and the Amnesia of Development and Com-munalism in Indian Politics (1995).

Awards: In 1985 on behalf of Lokayan, he has received the Right Livelihood Awardfrom the Swedish Parliament in Stockholm (widely referred as the AlternativeNobel Prize). He has also received the UGC’s Swami Pranavananda Award in Po-litical Science.

SOUTH AFRICAN CRICKETER AB DE VILLIERS HITS FASTEST CENTURY IN ODIS

January 18, 2015

South African cricketer AB de Villiers has hit the fastest centuryand half-century in one-day internationals (ODI).

He achieved the feat in second match as part of the 5-match ODIseries against West Indies. Overall in this match, AB de Villiersmade 149 off 44 balls.

Fastest century: He made the century in just 31 ballsand broke earlier record of New Zealand’s Corey Ander-son who had hit the century in 36 balls in 2013-14.

Fastest half-century: He also made fastest half-century, off 16 balls breaking SriLankan cricketer Sanath Jayasuriya’s previous record who had made half-centuryin 17 balls.

Most sixes in an innings: His innings included 16 sixes. It equalled the previousrecord set by India’s Rohit Sharma against Australia in Bangalore in 2013/14.

UNION GOVERNMENT LAUNCHES SCHEMES TO SUPPORT ENTREPRE-

NEURS FROM SCHEDULED CASTES

January 17, 2015

Union Government has launched Venture Capital Fund for Scheduled Castes Scheme toencourage budding and existing entrepreneurs from Scheduled Castes (SCs).

It was launched by Union Social Justice Minister Thaawar Chand Gehlot in Delhi.

Venture Capital Fund for Scheduled Castes Scheme

Objectives: To promote entrepreneurship amongst the SCs who are oriented towards inno-vation and technological growth by providing concessional finance to them. It also seeks toenhance direct and indirect employment generation for SC population.

It consists of an initial capital of Rs. 200 crore.

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Industrial Finance Corporation of India (IFCI) Limited will be the Sponsor this scheme.While, Settler and Asset Management Company (AMC) will be nodal agency to operatethe scheme.

Under this scheme, Union Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment will provideassistance of Rs. 15 crore to each 30 persons a year, in the form of loan.

SANIA MIRZA, BETHANIE MATTEK-SANDS WINS SYDNEY DOUBLES TITLE

January 17, 2015

India’s Sania Mirza along with her American partner BethanieMattek-Sands has won doubles title at the Sydney InternationalTennis Tournament 2015.

Indo-American in the finals defeated top-seeded AmericansAbigail Spears and Raquel Kops-Jones by score of 6-3, 6-3.

It should be noted that it was fifth WTA title won by Sania andBethanie together as partner. While, this win is Sania’s first title of the season and 23rd ofher career.

Sydney International Tennis Tournament

It is one of the oldest professional tennis tournaments in the world, dating to 1885.

It is currently noted as an ATP 250 point event on the men’s tour and a WTA Premier eventon the women’s tour.

It is played annually at the Sydney Olympic Park Tennis Centre in Homebush, New SouthWales, Australia.

J&K WINS NATIONAL E-GOVERNANCE AWARD 2014-15 FOR BEST DIS-

TRICT-LEVEL INITIATIVE

January 16, 2015

Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) has been selected for National e-Governance award 2014-15 forits best district level initiative in the country.

J&K state has been selected for this award by Department of Administrative Reforms for itse-Panchayat project.

This award will be presented during 18th National Conference on e-Governance to be heldat Gandhinagar, Gujarat on January 30-31, 2015.

Background

J&K’s e-Panchayat project was shortlisted among 53 nominees for spot studywhich was done by PriceWater Coopers Ltd and officers of Department of Admin-

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istrative Reforms of PMO in November-December 2014. Finally it was is selected by the by jury headed by Secretary Administrative Re-

forms and conferred after approval of Prime Minister who heads Ministry of Per-sonnel, Department of Administrative Reforms.

J&K’s e-Panchayat project

It was launched in 2013-14 for strengthening 147 panchayats in the state.

This project provided platform for a decentralized regime of panchayats in the state byshifting the service delivery from block level to panchayat level.

National e-Governance award

It was instituted in 1997. It is given by Department of Administrative Reforms.

Purpose of the award

It recognizes the achievements in the area of e-Governance. It seeks to disseminate knowledge on effective methods of designing and imple-

menting sustainable e-Governance initiatives. Encourage incremental innovations in successful e-Governance solutions. Promote and exchange experiences in solving problems, Mitigating risks, resolv-

ing issues and planning for success.It should be noted that J&K state has bagged this award for first time in 18 years sinceaward was instituted.

HS BRAHMA APPOINTED AS CHIEF ELECTION COMMISSIONER OF INDIA

January 15, 2015

President Pranab Mukherjee has appointedHarishankar Brahma as the new Chief ElectionCommissioner (CEC) of India.

He will be 19th CEC of India and succeed V SSampat who had retired after attaining age 65on 15 January 2015.

He will take charge on 16 January 2015.

About Harishankar Brahma

He is a retired IAS officer of 1975batch from the Andhra Pradesh cadre.

He hails from the state of Assam. He is second person from North East India tobecome Chief Election Commissioner after J. M. Lyngdoh.

He had assumed charge of Election Commissioner on 24 August 2010, after heretired from position of Secretary in Ministry of Power.

Chief Election Commissioner

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As per the provisions of Article 324 of Constitution

Chief Election Commissioner and Election Commissioners are appointed by thePresident.

They hold office for the term of 6 years or until they attain age of 65 years, which-ever is earlier.

The Chief Election Commissioner can be removed from office only through im-peachment by Parliament.

RBI CUTS REPO RATE BY 25 BASIS POINT

January 15, 2015

Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has cut down repo rate by 25 basis pointsto 7.75 percent from 8 percent, with immediate effect.

It was announced ahead of the scheduled date of monetary policyannouncement on 3rd February 2015 as part of RBI’s 6th bi-monthlymonetary policy statement.

RBI’s 6th bi-monthly monetary policy statement says that

Repo rate: RBI has reduced the policy repo rate under theliquidity adjustment facility (LAF) by 25 basis points from8.0 per cent to 7.75 per cent.

Cash reserve ratio (CRR): RBI has unchanged CRR and kept itat 4.0 per cent of net demand and time liabilities (NDTL).

Reverse repo rate: RBI has adjusted reverse repo rate under the LAF to 6.75 percent.

While, RBI has adjusted Marginal standing facility (MSF) rate and the Bank Rateto 8.75 per cent with immediate effect.

INDIA’S OPEN WATER SWIMMER BHAKTI SHARMA SETS WORLD RECORD

IN ANTARCTIC OCEAN

January 15, 2015

India’s open water swimmer Bhakti Sharma hasset a new world record by swimming 1.4 miles in52 minutes in one degree temperature in theAntarctic Ocean.

She has bettered the earlier record of British openwater swimmer Lewis Pugh and American swimmer Lynne Cox. She is also the first Asiangirl and youngest in the world to achieve this feat.

Hindustan Zinc had sponsored her to achieve this feat and pursue swimming career.

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EMINENT SANSKRIT SCHOLAR PRABHU NATH DWIVEDI NAMED FOR

SAHITYA AKADEMI AWARD 2014

January 14, 2015

Eminent Sanskrit scholar Prabhu Nath Dwivedi has been conferred with prestigious SahityaAkademi Award 2014 for Sanskrit language.

He was chosen for his work Kanakalochanaha- a collection of 16 short-stories based uponvarious social issues eroding the system.

His book was selected by a three-member jury of the Sahitya Akademi.

ISRO MARS ORBITER MISSION TEAM WINS 2015 SPACE PIONEER AWARD

January 14, 2015

The team of ISRO’s Mars Mission has been awarded 2015 Space Pioneer Award in theScience and Engineering category by National Space Society (NSS).

They are being conferred with this award for achieving the rare feat of entering Mars orbitin maiden attempt.

Mars Orbiter Programme Team will receive the award during NSS’ 34th International SpaceDevelopment Conference which will be held in Toronto from 20 May 2015.

ISRO’s Mars Orbiter Mission(MOM)

It was launched on 5 November, 2013. It made history on 24 September 2014after it entered Mars orbit in maiden attempt.

It achieved two significant missions. First, entering into orbit around Mars andsecondly, taking full-disk colour imagery of Mars with its onboard high resolutioncamera.

It should be noted that, the Mars Orbiter programme team is located in Bengaluru,Karnataka. It is headed by eminent ISRO scientist Mylswamy Annadurai.

About Space Pioneer Award

It recognizes those individuals and teams whose accomplishments have helped to open thespace frontier. It was instituted in 1988.

This prestigious award is be given by the National Space Society (NSS), an American educa-tional and scientific organization.

Award memento consists of a silvery pewter Moon globe cast. It is casted by the Baker ArtFoundry in Placerville, California. Originally, this sculpture was created by Don Davis, thewell-known space and astronomical artist.

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KAMAL KISHORE GOYANKA SELECTED FOR VYAS SAMMAN 2014

January 13, 2015

Well-known Hindi scholar and writer Dr Kamal Kishore Goyanka has been selected for theprestigious Vyas Samman for the year 2014.

He has been chosen for this award for his research work ‘Premchand Kee Kahaniyo KaaKaalkramanusar Adhyayan’.

Vyas Samman

This award is instituted by the K.K. Birla Foundation. It was started in 1991.  It is awarded annually in recognition of the hindi literary work published in past

10 years. The award carries monetary award of 2.5 lakh rupees, a citation and a plaque.

GOVERNMENT APPOINTS ALUR SEELIN KIRAN KUMAR AS ISRO CHAIR-

MAN

January 13, 2015

Alur Seelin Kiran Kumar has been appointed chairman of Indian Space Research Organisation(ISRO).

His name was cleared by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC), headed byPrime Minister Narendra Modi.

He will replace former ISRO chairman K Radhakrishnan who had retired on 31 December2014. He will have tenure of 3 years from the date he take charge.

Previously, Shailesh Nayak, Secretary, Ministry of Earth Sciences, was given additional chargeof ISRO till the appointment of a new head following the retirement of K Radhakrishnan.

About Alur Seelin Kiran Kumar

Education: He has an honours degree in Physics from National College, BangaloreUniversity and an M Tech in Physical Engineering from Indian Institute of Science(IISc), Bangalore.

ISRO career: In 1975, he started his ISRO career with the Space Application Cen-tre.

He had played a key role in developing image sensors for Bhaskara- India’s firstremote sensing satellite launched in 1979.

He also had played important role in developing key components of India’sChandrayaan-1 and Mangalyaan missions.

Before this appointment, he was director of Space Application Centre (SAC),Ahmedabad.

Awards: In 2014, he was awarded Padma Shri.

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CRISTIANO RONALDO WINS FIFA BALLON D’OR AWARD FOR THE THIRD

TIME

January 13, 2015

Cristiano Ronaldo has won the FIFA Ballon d’Or award for year 2014.

He has earned this title of world’s best football player for a third time. Earlier he was con-ferred with award in 2008 and 2013.

He has retained this highest individual honour in football after scoring 61 goals for RealMadrid and Portugal in 2014. He also had played important role, by making record tally of17 goals in a Champions League season that helped his club to win an unprecedented 10thEuropean Cup title.

While in women’s section, Germany’s midfielder Nadine Kessler has been awarded FIFAWomen’s World Player of the Year title.

FIFA Ballon d’Or Award

It is an annual football association award given by FIFA to the male player whohas performed the best in the previous calendar year.

This award was instituted in 2010 after France Football’s Ballon d’Or and the men’sFIFA World Player of the Year award were merged.

It is awarded to the male player, based upon highest votes secured by him fromnational team coaches and captains, as well as journalists from around the world.

Inaugural 2010 FIFA Ballon d’Or was awarded to Lionel Messi. Later he won thisaward for consecutive two years i.e. 2011 and 2012.

ARVIND PANAGARIYA TAKES CHARGE AS VICE-CHAIRMAN OF NITI AAYOG

January 13, 2015

Eminent Economist Arvind Panagariya has taken charge as first Vice-Chairman of the newly-created National Institution for Transforming India (NITI) Aayog on 13 January 2015.

After taking charges, he was briefed about newly created NITI Aayog by its CEO SindhushreeKhuallar and other senior officials.

IDUKKI DISTRICT OF KERALA BECOMES INDIA’S FIRST DISTRICT WITH

RURAL BROADBAND NETWORK

January 13, 2015

Idukki district of Kerala has become first district in India to have high speed Rural Broad-band Network i.e. National Optical Fibre Network (NOFN) Internet connectivity.

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Union Minister of Information Technology and Communications Ravi Shankar Prasad com-missioned this Hi-speed rural broadband network under the governments flagship DigitalIndia programme.

In Idukki, 8 block offices and 52 village panchayats out of 53 will benefit from this project.

Facts about National Optical Fibre Network (NOFN)

NOFN is the largest rural connectivity project of its kind in the world. It aims to transform the country into a digitally empowered society and knowl-

edge economy. It seeks to link each of the 2.5 lakh village panchayats in the country spread over

6600 blocks and 631 districts through broadband optical fibre network in orderto provide a minimum bandwidth of 100 Mbps.

On its completion, NOFN is expected to facilitate Broadband connectivity to over600 million rural citizens of the country.

NOFN, is being funded by the Universal Service Obligation Fund (USOF), Depart-ment of Telecom, Ministry of Communications & IT.

It will offer people with friendly services like e-governance, e-health, e-education,e-banking, public internet access etc. It will also enable delivery of various gov-ernment services such as local planning, management, monitoring and paymentsof Government schemes at panchayat level.

Thus it will help to provide non-discriminatory telecom infrastructure, in order to bridgethe gap of digital divide in rural internet access.

72ND GOLDEN GLOBE AWARDS

January 13, 2015

72nd edition of Golden Globe Awards was organized at Beverly Hills, California.

The winners of various awards in 72nd Golden Globe Awards are as follows:

Best Motion Picture Drama: Boyhood Best Motion Picture Musical/Comedy: The Grand Budapest Hotel Best Director in Motion Picture-Drama: Richard Linklater for Boyhood Best Actor in Motion Picture-Drama: Eddie Redmayne for The Theory of Every-

thing Actress in Motion Picture-Drama: Julianne Moore for Still Alice Best Actor in Motion Picture or Musical or Comedy: Michael Keaton for Birdman Best Actress in Motion Picture Musical or Comedy: Amy Adams for Big Eyes Best Actor in a Supporting role in Motion Picture: K. Simmons for Whiplash Best Actress in a Supporting role in Motion Picture: Patricia Arquette for Boy-

hood Best Original Score Motion Picture: Jóhann Jóhannsson for The Theory of Every-

thing Best Foreign Language Film: Leviathan (Russia)

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ROGER FEDERER RECORDS 1000TH WIN AFTER WINNING BRISBANE TITLE

January 12, 2015

Tennis living legend Roger Federer has recorded 1000 titles wins in men’s professional cir-cuit career.

He made his 1000 win after winning Brisbane International Tennis title. In his 1,000 careermatch, he defeated Milos Raonic with score of 6-4, 6-7, 6-4.

It should be noted that Roger Federer is third tennis player to win more than 1000 titles. Other two tennisplayer are Jimmy Connors and Ivan Lendl.

About Roger Federer

He is a Swiss professional tennis player. Currently, he is ranked world No. 2 by the Association of Tennis Professionals

(ATP). He has won the most prize money of any player in history of tennis. In 2008 Olympic Games, he has won the Olympic gold medal in doubles with his

compatriot Stanislas Wawrinka and the Olympic silver medal in singles at the2012 Olympic Games.

He also holds record of winning 17 Grand Slam singles titles and reaching eachGrand Slam Final at least five times.

GOVERNOR’S RULE IMPOSED IN JAMMU AND KASHMIR

January 9, 2015

Governor’s rule has been imposed in the state of Jammu and Kashmir (J&K).

It was imposed after President Pranab Mukherjee approved the recommendation of J&KGovernor N. N. Vohra as there is deadlock in the State over formation of a new governmentafter state assembly election.

Earlier, Governor had submitted a report to the President, after caretaker Chief MinisterOmar Abdullah had resigned.

Background

Jammu Kashmir State assembly election held in December 2014 had given hung verdict asno party has majority to form government in State.

In this election, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has emerged as the single largest partywith 28 seats in the 87 members House. While Bhartiya Janta Party (BJP) has emergedsecond largest party winning 25 seats. But both parties failed to get the magic figure of 44to form a government.

Other parties like National Conference (NC) have 15 MLAs while Indian National Congress(INC) has 12 MLA’s.

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What is Governor Rule in Jammu & Kashmir?

In case of failure of constitutional machinery in any other state of India, thePresident’s Rule is imposed under Article 356 of the Constitution.

But in case of J&K, as per Section 92 of state Constitution, the Governor’s Rulecan be imposed in the state for a period of six months only after the consent ofthe President of India in case of failure of constitutional machinery. During theGovernors rule, State Assembly is either suspended or dissolved.

If the Constitutional machinery is not restored before the expiry of this six monthperiod, the provision of Article 356 of the Constitution of India are extended toJ&K and the President’s rule is imposed in the State.

It should be noted that, Governors rule has been imposed in the state for the 6time since 1977.

Governor shall hold office for the term of 5 years from date he enters office.

19TH NATIONAL YOUTH FESTIVAL BEGINS IN GUWAHATI, ASSAM

January 8, 2015

The 19th National Youth Festival has begun in Guwahati, Assam. This festival coincideswith the 152nd birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda.Theme of this edition of youth festival is Youth for Clean, Green and Progressive India. Itaims to spread to spread national integration and harmony.Events: It is 5 day event, which will provide platform to the young talents to perform theirlevel best in music and cultural events.During this festival, different competitions, exhibitions, cultural programs, and seminarswill be held.In this festival sports persons including Virender Sehwag, Sushil Kumar and Mary Kom alongwith several young MPs are participating to motivate the young minds towards nationbuilding.  This youth  festival  is also  likely  to give a boost  to  the  tourism  industry of  thestate.It will showcase various shades of youth talent through Yuva Kriti, Food Festival, YoungArtist Camp, Youth Convention, Suvichar and Adventure activities.Besides these there will be other competitive and non-competitive events between youthsof different states.Opening ceremony: It was attended by Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi, Union SportsMinister Sarbananda Sonowal and Minister of State for Home state Kiren Rijiju at NehruStadium in Guwahati.About National Youth FestivalIt is an annual gathering of youth during National Youth Week i.e. from 12 to 16 January. Itis celebrated to mark birth anniversary of youth icon Swami Vivekananda.It is organized by Union Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports in collaboration with one ofthe State Governments.

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PRESIDENT SIGNS ORDINANCE TO PAVE WAY FOR E-RICKSHAWS ON

DELHI ROADS

January 8, 2015

President Pranab Mukherjee has signed an ordinance to amend the Motor Vehicles Act,1988 as per Article 123 of Constitution. This ordinance will pave the way for plying of e-rickshaws on roads of Delhi.

Earlier, in December 2014 Union Cabinet had approved promulgation of the ordinance as abill in this regard was not able to pass in the recently concluded winter session of Parlia-ment due to logjam in Upper House (Rajya Sabha).

Background

Previously in July 2014, Delhi High Court had banned E-rickshaws or battery-operated three-wheeler vehicles on safety concerns.

Union government had brought Motor Vehicles Amendment Bill, 2014 to amend to parentAct in order to legalize E-rickshaws. It was passed by the Lok Sabha.

Article 123 of Constitution: It gives legislative power to President. He can issue ordinanceswhen Parliament is in recess i.e. not in session if there is urgent need to have a law on someurgent public matter. The ordinance has similar effect to an act of parliament.

However, every ordinance must be laid and approved by both houses of the parliamentwithin 6 weeks from the reassembling. If not placed and approved by both houses of theparliament after reassembling it becomes invalid.

AMITABH BACHCHAN APPOINTED AS BRAND AMBASSADOR OF ANDHRA

PRADESH HEALTH SECTOR

January 7, 2015

Bollywood actor Amitabh Bachchan is appointed as the brand ambassador for health sec-tor in Andhra Pradesh.

His name was announced by the Andhra Pradesh state Health Minister Kamineni Srinivas.

As a brand ambassador actor Amitabh Bachchan will participate in various health-relatedcampaigns to be taken up by the state government without taking any remuneration forthe services.

Implication: It will help bifurcated state to boost and improve its health sector as it worsthit due to bifurcation. At present, state does not have proper health sector facilitiesdue major corporate hospitals and medical and health institutions are located in then capi-tal of undivided state Hyderabad (now capital of Telangana).

Some facts

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It should be also noted that, actor Amitabh Bachchan is also brand ambassador of GujaratTourism since 1 February 2010.

While in 2002, he was brand ambassador for the Polio Eradication Campaign.

PRESIDENT SIGNS ORDINANCE AMENDING CITIZENSHIP ACT, 1955

January 7, 2015

President Pranab Mukherjee has signed the ordinance that amend’s Citizenship Act, 1955.

Earlier, union government had promulgated this ordinance in order to merge Person ofIndian Origin (PIO) and Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI) schemes. Thus, providing life-long Indian visa facility to PIOs.

It was signed on the eve of the opening of the three-days meet of Indian diaspora i.e. PravasiBharatiya Divas 2015 held in Gujarat.

Key amendments

Citizenship Act amendments will benefit PIO and will give them benefits like life-long visa and exemption from appearing before the local police station on everyvisit etc.

It will also change the clause of parent Act which says that foreigners who marryIndians must continuously stay in the country for a period of one year beforethey get an Indian citizenship. In this regards they will get relief of 30 days in ayear when they can travel outside the country.

The amendment also clears the way for relaxed visa norms for minor children ofOCI cardholders.

PM LAUNCHES NATIONAL PROGRAMME FOR LED-BASED HOME AND

STREET LIGHTING FOR ENERGY CONSERVATION

January 7, 2015

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has launched National Programme for LED-based Homeand Street Lighting in New Delhi for energy conservation by reducing energy consumption.

Along with this programme, PM launched scheme for Light Emitting Diode (LED) bulb distri-bution under the Domestic Efficient Lighting Programme (DELP) and a web-based system toenable consumers in Delhi to register requests for procuring LED bulbs under DELP.

EMINENT ECONOMIST ARVIND PANAGARIYA APPOINTED AS NITI AAYOG

VICE-CHAIRMAN

January 5, 2015

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Eminent free-market economist Arvind Panagariya has been appointed as Vice-chairman ofNational Institution for Transforming India (NITI) Aayog.

NITI Aayog is established by government to function as both a think tank and a policy fo-rum and replaces decades year old Planning Commission.

As a vice chairman, he will play a pivotal role in coordinating economic strategy and holdposition similar to cabinet rank minister.

Other Appointments of NITI Aayog

Full-Time Members:

Bibek Debroy- Economist. V.K. Saraswat- Former Secretary Defence R&D.

Ex-officio members:

Rajnath Singh- Union Home Minister. Arun Jaitley- Union Finance, Corporate Affairs and Information & Broadcasting

Minister. Suresh Prabhu- Union Minister of Railways. Radha Mohan Singh- Union Minister of Agriculture.

Special Invitees:

Nitin Gadkari- Union Minister of Road Transport & Highways and Shipping. Thawar Chand Gehlot-Union Minister of Social Justice and Empowerment. Smriti Zubin Irani- Union Minister of Human Resource Development (HRD).

NATIONAL FLAG DESIGNER PINGALI VENKAYYA HONOURED

January 5, 2015

Freedom fighter and National Flag designer Pingali Venkayya was honoured by naming AllIndia Radio(AIR) Vijayawada (in Andhra Pradesh) building after him.

In this regard, Union Minister for Urban Development and Parliamentary Affairs, M. VenkaiahNaidu unveiled the statue of Pingali Venkaiah, in the premises of AIR Vijayawada.

On this occasion, minister also released a book on the biography of Pingali Venkayya, trans-lated into Hindi by Mr.Venna Vallabha Rao.

About Pingali Venkayya

He was born in Bhatlapenumarru, near Masulipatnam district in Andhra Pradesh. In the National Conference of Indian National Congress (INC) held in Kakinada (in

Andhra Pradesh) 1921, he had suggested that India should have a flag of its ownthat impressed Mahatma Gandhi.

After Mahatma Gandi’s request, he had designed the flag which initially had saf-fron and green colours, but in the course of time, modifications were made withadditions like a spinning wheel at the centre and a third colour- white, Chakra i.e

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Dharma Chakra which depicts the “wheel of the law”. It should be noted that India’s present flag was adopted during the meeting of

Constituent Assembly held on the 22 July 1947, a few days before India’s inde-pendence from the British.

He was also an educationist who had set up an educational institution inMachilipatnam district of Andhra Pradesh and was an authority in geology, agri-culture.

He died in 1963.

DELHI POLICE LAUNCHES WOMEN SAFETY MOBILE APP ‘HIMMAT’

January 1, 2015

Delhi police has launched women safety mobile application ‘Himmat’. It was launched bythe Union home minister Rajnath Singh in New Delhi.

It is an android based mobile app, which aims to cater employed women who havesmartphones and travel alone late in the night.

This application will allow women to send a distress call to Police Control Room (PCR) andtheir relatives in case of any emergency.

UNION GOVERNMENT RENAMES PLANNING COMMISSION

AS ‘NEETI AYOG’

January 1, 2015

Union government has renamed Planning commission as National Institution for Trans-forming India (NITI) Aayog.

The renaming of the Planning Commission is being seen as the first step towards replacingit with a new-age institution.

Key Facts about National Institution for Transforming India (NITI) Aayog

It will serve as a ‘Think Tank’ of the government i.e. a directional and policy dy-namo.

It will also provide governments at the central and state levels with relevant stra-tegic and technical advice across the spectrum of key elements of policy formula-tion.

This includes matters of national and international import on the economic front,dissemination of best practices from within the country as well as from othernations, the infusion of new policy ideas and specific issue-based support

It will work towards the following objectives

Evolve a shared vision of national development priorities Foster cooperative federalism

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Develop mechanisms to formulate credible plans at the village level Focus on technology upgradation, among other things.

Composition

Chairperson- Prime Minister.

Governing Council- It will consist of- Chief Ministers (of States) and Lt. Governors (of Union Territories).

Regional Council- It will be formed on need basis. It will compromise Chief Minis-ters (of States) and Lt. Governors (of Union Territories).

Vice-Chairperson- To be appointed by the Prime Minister. Members- Full time Basis. Part time members- Maximum of 2. They will from leading universities research

organizations and other relevant institutions on a rotational basis. Ex Officio members- Maximum of 4 members of the Union Council of Ministers

to be nominated by the Prime Minister. Special invitees- They will be nominated by the Prime Minister and will be ex-

perts, specialists and practitioners with relevant domain knowledge as specialinvitees.

Chief Executive Officer- Appointed by the Prime Minister for a fixed tenure, inthe rank of Secretary to the Government of India.

Secretariat- If deemed necessary.

Background

Government’s decision comes after the Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s 2014 Indepen-dence Day announcement that the Planning Commission would be replaced with a new-ageinstitution.

Earlier, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 7th December 2014 had held consultation meet-ing with Chief Ministers of states, where most CM’s had favoured restructuring of the So-cialist-era planning body. However, some Congress Chief Ministers opposed disbanding ofthe existing set-up.