26-1-2012

British adventurer Felicity Aston finished her Antarctic crossing today, becoming the first woman to ski across the icy continent alone. She did it in 59 days – ahead of schedule – pulling two sledges for 1,084 miles (1,744 kilometers) from her starting point on the Leverett Glacier on Nov. 25. “It feels amazing to be finished and yet overwhelmingly sad that it’s over at the same time,” Aston said in a phone call she broadcast online from her tent while waiting for her flight out. She announced her achievement by Twitter: “”!!!Congratulations to the 1st female to traverse Antarctica SOLO.V proud,” after reaching Hercules Inlet on Antarctica’s Ronne Ice Shelf. Aston also set another record: the first human to ski solo, across Antarctica, using only her own muscle power. A male-female team already combined to ski across Antarctica without kites or machines to pull them across, but Aston is the first to do this alone. http://www.dispatch.com/content/stories/sports/2012/01/23/british-skier-sets-record-for-solo-antarctic-trek.html

Genetically Modified Products BASF, the German chemical company, has abandoned selling genetically modified products in Europe — including its Amflora potato — because of overwhelming opposition to the technology, the company said Monday. “There is still a lack of acceptance for this technology in many parts of Europe — from the majority of consumers, farmers and politicians,” said Stefan Marcinowski, a board member with responsibilities for plant biotechnology. “Therefore, it does not make business sense to continue investing in products exclusively for cultivation in this market,” he said. The company has instead decided to focus on “attractive markets” in the Americas and in Asia, he added. The withdrawal of the potato leaves a type of corn produced by Monsanto as the only biotech crop grown in Europe. http://www.nytimes.com/2012/01/17/business/global/17iht-gmo17.html

First Underground Carnivorous Plant Scientists have discovered a plant in Brazil that is capable of trapping roundworms with sticky underground leaves. Philcoxia minensis is the first carnivorous plant known to trap and devour prey in the soil with the help of sticky leaves. Rafael Silva Oliveira, of the State University of Campinas in Sao Paulo, Brazil, with his colleagues, has stated they have proof these plants qualify as carnivores, by digesting the nematodes. … http://www.ibtimes.com/articles/279376/20120110/carnivorous-plant-devours-underground-worms-discovered.htm

Nuclear aggressive But FRIENDLY Iran Iran’s nuclear chief says his country is willing to help what he called “friendly” African nations that have uranium reserves to set up facilities to process the ore into nuclear material. … http://www.foxnews.com/world/2012/01/07/iran-offers-to-share-nuke-technology-with-africa/

New Constitution for Hungary Tens of thousands of Hungarians turned out last night to protest what they say is a country dressed up as a democracy but sliding into authoritarian rule. The demonstration came a day after a controversial new Constitution went into effect – one that is likely to deepen chasms between the European Union and this former communist state in the heart of Europe. … http://www.csmonitor.com/layout/set/print/content/view/print/443722

Nuclear Iran

There has been a lot of talk about the dangers to the world from a nuclear Iran, when and if it happens. Rest assured, that day is not far. Sooner than later, Iran will have a nuclear weapon. Who gave the technology, where the centrifuges came from etc all need not be discussed as there is enough proof that Iran has the technology, raw material as well as the capability.

Now, why should Iran be debarred from advantages of nuclear technology. Nobody in theory is against nuclear power. But when there is power generation from nuclear technology, the questions of a nuclear weapon under manufacture are not far. So this brings up the question, why should only few countries be allowed to possess nuclear weapons? Who said that they are “more responsible” than others in any way. And specially when the focal point of world terrorism possess nuclear weapons which can anytime fall in the hands of the terrorists, irresponsible army leaders or religious fanatics. 

The world in general appears to toe the line of UN agencies, IAEA in levying sanctions against Iran. US in particular has to be against a nuclear Iran as that would be a strong Iran in middle east thus threatening US’ oil resources from this region. This will also weaken Israel’s position and strengthen the demand for an independent Palestine. A strong nuclear Iran shall always be detrimental to the interests of the western powers.

But what stand shall India take on this matter? India once voted against Iran at the UN, but since then India has voted in favour of Iran. Russia has gone to the extent of supplying fuel for centrifuges. No country cannot be strongly vocal in favour of a nuclear Iran as it shall bring the condemnation of the world agencies, being seen as anti-peace loving, will reduce the aid from other countries to the extent of banning all trade.

For India, a nuclear Iran might be a good thing.Why? A strong Iran will mean a weakened Israel and a slightly weak US as there energies will get diverted to keep a check on Iran by increased vigilance and also reduced oil imports from this region. Strong India-Iran relations will also incentivise nuclear Iran to keep Pakistan under check. Therefore the most pragmatic thing for India in present is to help Iran as far as possible in infrastructure development and enhance bilateral trade.Nuclear Iran will also strengthen the presence of Turkey with whom has strong cultural and historical linkages.

India needs a grouping of TIrIn like IBSA to strengthen its energy security and expand its bilateral trade in the entire region. 

More importantly, an independent Palestine in due course of time will show the Muslim world about the honest intentions of the Indian people. Friendly relations with Iran, Turkey and Palestine will be the best environment for resolution of the intricate Kashmir problem.

Therefore India appears to be following a well laid out intelligent policy of not opposing Iran, The present stance of having amicable relations with Israel and US are also important presently for the security and economy of the nation.

These are my personal opinions.I have not come across such view expressed anywhere.

 

Federalism: Article 253 and Lokpal

A very good article from TOI editorial dtd 4-1-2012

3-1-11

Hope for infertile men: Breakthrough as scientists grow sperm outside the body

[http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2081260/Infertility-breakthrough-scientists-grow-sperm-outside-body.html]

Scientists have made a major breakthrough that  could lead to infertile men being able to father their own children, rather than using donor sperm.

Researchers in Germany and Israel were able to grow mouse sperm from a few cells in a laboratory dish.

The scientists believe that the same technique – using ‘germ cells’ extracted from the testicles – will eventually work in humans.

The team are now ‘working as quickly as possible’ to reproduce the result in humans.

In a world first a team headed by Professor Stefan Schlatt, at Muenster University in Germany, were able to grow sperm by using germ cells.

These are the cells in testicles that are responsible for sperm production.

Scientists grew the sperm by surrounding the germ cells in a special compound called agar jelly to create an environment similar to that found in testicles.

Professor Mahmoud Huleihel, who also grew the sperm at Israel’s Ben Gurion University in Beersheba, said: ‘I believe it will eventually be possible to routinely grow human male sperm to order by extracting tissue containing germ cells from a man’s testicle and stimulating sperm production in the laboratory.’

The findings of the sperm trial have been revealed in a major scientific journal published by Nature.

Now the scientists who made the discovery have begun experiments that will hopefully lead to the ‘Holy Grail’ – human sperm grown outside a man’s body.

Luxury Maldives resorts set to close their health spas because Islamists say they’re ‘offensive’ – A BLOW TO THE ECONOMY OF MALDIVES

[http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2081201/Paradise-islands-close-health-spas-Islamists-claim-theyre-offensive.html]

U.S. presidential candidate threatens to bomb Iranian nuclear sites

[http://www.antaranews.com/en/news/78842/us-presidential-candidate-threatens-to-bomb-iranian-nuclear-sites]

Washington (ANTARA News/RIA Novosti) – Rick Santorum, an ultra-conservative Republican presidential candidate, has vowed to ensure that Iran cannot produce a nuclear weapon if he is elected president.

“Iran will not get a nuclear weapon under my watch,” Santorum said on NBC`s Meet the Press on Sunday, following the announcement by Iranian scientists of the production of the country`s first nuclear fuel rod.

Santorum, the former senator from Pennsylvania, said he would authorize air strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities unless the country opens them up to inspectors.

The West, led by the United States, suspects Iran of pursuing a secret nuclear weapons program, but the Islamic Republic insists it needs nuclear power only for civilian purposes. Iran is already the subject of a wide range of international sanctions.

In the last few months, a large-scale psychological war has been launched against Iran. Respectable Western publications are carrying intimidating reports about Iran`s military plans, its success in developing nuclear weapons and its terrorist schemes.
(U.H-AK)

Colombian president welcomes death of drug lord

[http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/southamerica/colombia/8988049/Colombian-president-welcomes-death-of-drug-lord.html]

Police killed Juan de Dios Usuga, the head of the Urabenos criminal gang in the northwestern department of Choco, near the border with Panama.

Usuga had a bounty on his head of $2.5 million and was wanted by the United States for drug trafficking.

“The police put down in Choco alias Usuga, head of the Urabenos and captured various of his accomplices. What a good start to the year,” President Juan Manuel Santos said in a message on Twitter.

The Urabenos are one of Colombia’s main gangs, along with Los Rastrojos, Los Paisas and Las Aguilas Negras.

Colombia is one of the world’s top producers of cocaine, and criminal gangs made up of former right-wing paramilitary groups and old cartels have become a major emerging threat to the nation of 46 million people. In November, Colombia and neighbouring Venezuela announced the capture of one of the region’s most-wanted drug traffickers, who was head of the Paisas gang.

While bloodshed from Colombia’s long guerrilla and drug wars has dropped since a U.S.-backed offensive began more than a decade ago, bombings, murders and combat continue, mainly in Colombia’s frontier areas. The decline in violence has attracted billions of dollars in foreign investment mainly to Colombia’s mining and oil sectors, which has allowed the country to boost crude and coal output to historic highs.

WHAT IS GOVERNMENTS’ STRATEGY TO CURB DRUG TRADE IN COLOMBIA? WHAT IS THE REASON FOR RAMPANT DRUG TRADE IN COLOMBIA? HOW DOES FARC CONTRIBUTE TO DRUG TRADE?

India to open stock market to foreigners

[http://www.news.com.au/breaking-news/india-to-open-stock-market-to-foreigners/story-e6frfku0-1226235097660]

INDIA will allow individual foreign nationals to invest directly in its stock market in a bid to attract more funds and reduce market volatility.

The announcement late follows a year of large losses on the Sensex, India’s benchmark index. The new regulations will come into effect on January 15.

So far, foreign individuals have been limited to investing in the country’s stock markets indirectly through mutual funds.

A government statement said the change is intended to help combat market volatility and increase the flow of foreign funds into the country.

Nigeria’s Boko Haram Militants Tell Christians to Quit North

[http://www.businessweek.com/news/2012-01-03/nigeria-s-boko-haram-militants-tell-christians-to-quit-north.html]

Islamic militants in Nigeria gave Christians three days to leave the north following President Goodluck Jonathan’s declaration of a state of emergency in four northern states.

Boko Haram, a Taliban-inspired group that has carried out a series of raids and bombings in the north and the capital, Abuja, also said Muslims should leave the south of Africa’s top oil producer.

The group urged “our fellow Muslims to come back to the north because we have evidence that they would be attacked,” Abu Qaqa, a spokesman for the group, said today in an e-mailed statement. “We are also giving three days ultimatum to the southerners living in northern Nigeria to move away.”

Boko Haram, which means “Western education is a sin,” says it’s fighting to establish sharia law in the north. Nigeria, Africa’s most populous country of more than 160 million people, is roughly split between a mainly Muslim north and predominantly Christian south.

IS IT POSSIBLE THAT NIGERIA WILL GO THE SUDAN WAY? IF IT DOES, HOW WILL THAT HARM THE WORLD ECONOMY?

Martial law to end in Fiji after nearly three years

[http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/australiaandthepacific/fiji/8987722/Martial-law-to-end-in-Fiji-after-nearly-three-years.html]

The tough regulations, introduced by Bainimarama in April 2009 after theFiji Appeal Court ruled his 2006 coup to be illegal, imposed tight censorship on the news media and banned public meetings.

He also repealed the constitution, sacked the judiciary and gave the police and military power to detain people without charge.

But in his New Year message, Bainimarama said the regulations would be lifted on Saturday to pave the way for consultation on a new constitution.

“I will, over the next few weeks, announce the nationwide consultation process which will commence in February 2012,” he said.

“To facilitate this consultation process the public emergency regulations will cease from January 7, 2012.”

Bainimarama, who seized power in a bloodless coup in 2006, said that even though the emergency regulations were being lifted “public order, protecting the vulnerable and safeguarding the economy, will always be paramount”.

After failing to honour initial pledges for an early return to democracy, resulting in Fiji facing sanctions from many countries and expulsion from the Commonwealth, Bainimarama has promised elections in 2014.

WHAT WAS THE REASON FOR FIJIAN COUP AND HOW WAS IT DIFFERENT FROM OTHER EARLIER COUPS?

31 October – 6 November 2011

UNESCO becomes the first United Nations agency to admit Palestine as a full member, with the United States withdrawing funding in protest.

Almazbek Atambayev, the newly elected President of Kyrgyzstan, states that a lease for a United States air base in Manas will not be renewed when it expires in 2014. THUS CENTRAL ASIAN COUNTRIES ARE IN THE MODE OF PUSHING OUT US FROM ITS AREAS. THIS IS IN LINE WITH RUSSIAN STANCE OF CONTAINING US IN ITS NEIGHBOURHOOD. THIS IS RUSSIA’S RESURGENCE AS IT STOPPED US FROM DEPLOYING RADARS IN CZECH AND POLAND.GEOGRPAHY STUDENTS SHOULD SEE IT AS IMPORTANCE OF THIS AREA AS POSTULATED BY MACKINDER’S HEARTLAND.

China launches the unmanned Shenzhou 8 spacecraft, intending to robotically dock it with the orbiting Tiangong 1space station module. If successful, the mission will mark China’s first orbital docking, and will be a major milestone in its efforts to construct a full-scale space station. (BBC). THUS CHINA’S SPACE STATION WILL REDUCE US’ HEGEMONY IN THE SPACE FIELD WHICH IT HAD BY WAY OF ITS INTERNATIONAL SPACE STATION.

Russia and Georgia strike a deal that will allow Russia to enter the World Trade Organization. (The Moscow Times)

Alfonso Cano, the head of the Colombian militant organisation FARC, is reportedly killed in a raid by the Colombian Army. (AP via Google News). WHAT WILL BE THE IMPACT OF THIS KILLING? WILL THE FARC WEAKEN? WHAT IS FARC AND WHAT ARE ITS OBJECTIVES? [Separate post]

 

2-1-2011

Need a new kidney? Facebook can help

[http://www.news.com.au/technology/need-a-new-kidney-facebook-can-help/story-e6frfro0-1226234699749]

HERE’S another reason to join the social media site Facebook: it’s a great place to find a kidney.

Between the children’s photos and reminiscences about high school, more and more pleas for help from people with failing kidneys are popping up.

Facebook and other social media sites are quickly becoming a go-to place to find a generous person with a kidney to spare, according to the people asking for help and some national organisations that facilitate matches.

Damon Brown found a kidney on Facebook after telling his story on a special page the Seattle dad created under the name, “Damon Kidney”.

 

Iran tests the West’s patience with show of might in missile launch

[http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/iran-tests-the-wests-patience-with-show-of-might-in-missile-launch-6284021.html]

Iran says it has successfully test-fired a medium-range missile close to the strategic Straits of Hormuz, a move that will test Western patience in the stand-off over its nuclear programme.

The surface-to-air missile was fired in international waters during a 10-day military exercise and is designed to elude radar detection and thwart jammers, Iran’s state TV said on Sunday, adding that the weapon had been developed by Iranian scientists.

The announcement came a day after Barack Obama signed a law imposing tougher financial sanctions to penalise Iran for its nuclear-research programme. Tehran appeared to be sending the West a clear message that it could follow through on threats to close the Straits of Hormuz, a narrow shipping passage through which one-sixth of the world’s oil supply passes, should the West impose sanctions on its energy industry.

Nevertheless, Iranian officials have stressed in recent days that Tehran has no plans to block the waterway right now, a move that analysts say would have a devastating impact on Iran’s own economy and invite unwanted military retaliation.

The naval drills coincided with an announcement from Tehran that the country has made a significant advance in its nuclear programme, developing its first nuclear rod, a technological achievement necessary to make nuclear fuel that few believed Iran was capable of. It will play into Western fears that Iran is intent on developing an atomic bomb, a claim that Tehran has denied, insisting that its nuclear programme is peaceful and for civilian use.

Pressure on the West to impose tougher sanctions on Iran in a bid to halt its nuclear programme has increased following a report from the UN nuclear watchdog last November that presented fresh evidence Iran had pursued a nuclear-weapons programme until 2003. The agency was suspicious that some of the work was ongoing.

The EU has been mulling further sanctions, including measures against Iran’s oil industry, which could be announced at meeting this month. Washington yesterday imposed new sanctions targeting Iran’s central bank and financial sector.

Iran, the second-largest oil producer in Opec after Saudi Arabia, relies on oil sales for 80 per cent of its foreign currency earnings.

Last week, Iranian officials promised that the country would not permit “even one drop of oil” to pass through the Straits of Hormuz should the West impose oil sanctions. But Western diplomats viewed the threat as posturing because such a move would almost certainly invite a military response, which Iran is thought to want to avoid.

An Iranian lawmaker reiterated the threat yesterday. “If we feel that the enemies want to prevent our oil exports, definitely we will close the Strait of Hormuz,” Ismail Kowsari was quoted by the semi-official Fars news agency as saying.

POINTS TO THINK ON

IS THIS NOT A METHOD BY WHICH WORLD POWER IS BEING BALANCED???

DOES IRAN NOT HAVE RIGHT TO NUCLEAR ENERGY???

THERE IS NO PROOF OF ANY CLANDESTINE NUCLEAR PROJECT BY IRAN???

Not as many dead blackbirds in Ark. town this year

[http://www.usatoday.com/news/offbeat/story/2012-01-01/arkansas-dead-birds/52322058/1]

Authorities in a central Arkansas town say about 100 blackbirds died on New Year’s Eve after being spooked by fireworks, far less than the thousands that perished there a year ago.

AFTER SUCH EVENTS, WHAT FACE IS USA LEFT WITH TO ASK DEVELOPING COUNTRIES TO CONSERVE NATURE???

All the world bodies are just a tool of the developed west world and works as per their direction. WTO,IMF,UNICEF,UNEP, UNFCCC. Why did KYOTO fail? why has no successor pact to Kyoto been signed??

LG to sell TV using new ultra-thin tech

[http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/breaking-news/lg-to-sell-tv-using-new-ultra-thin-tech/story-e6freuyi-1226234543629?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+dailytelegraphbreakingnewsndm+%28Daily+Telegraph+%7C+Breaking+News%29&utm_content=Yahoo%21+Mail]

FOR flat-panel TVs, the choice for years has been between plasma and LCD. In the coming year, there’ll be another choice, at least for those prepared to spend big.

LG Electronics says it’s planning to sell a 55-inch set based on organic light-emitting diodes, or OLEDs. The Korean company is set to show it off at the International Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, which starts on January 10.

Samsung, LG’s Korean rival, will also reveal a nearly market-ready OLED TV at the show, according to people with knowledge of the matter. They spoke on condition of anonymity because Samsung has yet to make an announcement. Its website says CES announcements will come on January 9.

PLEASE READ ON THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN LCD LED and now OLED. [ I shall soon make a summary and paste it here].

Haiti Panel Recommends Restoring Army

[http://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/haiti-panel-recommends-restoring-army-15270701#.TwGalTW9X-U]

A press liaison for Haitian President Michel Martelly says a presidential commission is urging the leader to restore the nation’s disbanded army.

Vladimir Laguerre of the National Palace says the recommendation for the force came in a report.

Martelly was expected to restore the army through a decree in November but instead said he would form a panel to study the issue.

The restoration of the armed forces was one of Martelly’s campaign goals but has met opposition from Western diplomats who say money would be better spent on the understaffed police force.

The army was disbanded in 1995 because of its history of abuse.

Martelly made the announcement Sunday in the coastal city of Gonaives. He traveled there to celebrate Haiti’s Independence Day.

 

From TOI

 

Current facts summary for RBI Exam 2011

TRADITIONAL OLD FACTS

1)      Bank Nationalisation 1969 and 1980

2)      Lead Bank Scheme 1969 – banks given respo for adopting a village/region and making plan to develop it

3)      DIRS 1972- Differential Interest Rate Scheme – to lend to priority sector at 4%

4)      Priority sector lending is 15% of total lending of banks

5)      Oldest Bank – Oudh National Bank

6)      Oldest existing bank- Punjab and sindh bank

7)      Narsimhan Commt  1991 Financial sector reforms and 1998– Banking reforms

8)      CAMELS- capital adequacy, asset quality, mgmt, earning,liquidity, system control

9)      Verma commt 1999- on restructuring of weak banks – called for weak-strong merger

10)   M1 – narrow money(coins, currency, demand drafts); M3- broad money

11)   India introduced modified version of VAT by name of MODVAT in 1986. It was renamed as CENVAT in 2000.State VAT was introduced in 2005.(Asim Das Gupta Commt)

12)   Kelkar commt 2002- tax reforms; proposed Good and services tax

13)   New Direct Code proposed to be implemented from 2012 april will replace Income Tax Act 1961

14)   SARFAESI 2004

15)   Zero Based Budgeting 2005 – all programmes/schemes sanctioned each year from zero rupees

16)   Kelkar’s FRBM Act 2004 – to curtail Fiscal deficit (below 3% by 2008) and revenue deficit to zero (by 2008). NOT DONE TILL NOW; introduction of Goods and Service Tax to subsume CENVAT, sales tax, excise tax, octroi. States opposing it as their revenues may fall according to them. So there is delay in its implementation.

17)   See current CRR, SLR, Repo and Reverse Repo rates

18)   Prevention of money laundering act 2004

19)   HDI by Mahboob-ul-Haq of Pakistan 1990; HDI comprised of life expectancy, literacy, and GDP per capita – simple mean of all; in 2010 important changes were made – now it is GNI per capita and geometric mean

20)   3 main subsidies expenditure- food fuel(petrol) fertilizer

21)   Foreign Investment = FDI + portfolio investment(hot money)[3 types – FII, GDR&ADR,offshore funds]

22)   Tobin tax proposed to discourage quick flight of portfolio investment; not imposed

23)   Participatory notes – shares of Indian market sold by FII’s to overseas investors

24)   FDI in India comes through 3 routes – automatic(rbi route), by approval of FIBP9foreign investment promotion board- all approvals are taken by this board so most FDI comes through this route);NRI route

25)   Press Note 1 (2005) to promote FDI

26)   Indian currency is fully convertible on current account. But partially convertible on capital account.

27)   WTO (set up in 1995) replaced GATT(general agreement on trade and tariffs). WTO was the result of Uraguay round talks of GATT lasting from 1986-1995 which resulted in Dunkel draft.

28)    Things realted to WTO- IPR’s, Singapore issues, subsidies issue,TRIPS, TRIMS,hong kong meet, doha round, GATS, developing countries want Mode 1 and 4

29)   Green subsidies are acceptable

30)   India is product patent since 2005

31)   Industry is sick if it has eroded its net worth, has losses in last 3 years and is in existence for last 5 years

32)   Bull, bear, ….stag- invests in ipo’s

33)   Bse, nse….nasdaq-new York stock exchange index for IT industries; dow jones- nyse’s index  for traditional and manufacturing industries

34)   Demat 2001 – through nsdl and csdl

35)   BSE was corporatized in 2005

36)   Short selling, book building

37)   SMILE commt- securities market infra leveraging expert commt 2004 of P.J.Nayak- for faster allotment of primary and secondary issue

38)   Rolling settlement – completion of equity transaction within 2 days – replaced badla system

39)   Abhijit Sen Gupta commt – on foodgrain procurement policy

40)   Public distribution system is done through fair price shops —FPS

41)   KCC kissan credit cards to provide cheap and easy credit to farmers

42)   There r 3 support prices for farmers – Minimum support price MSP, Statutory min price SMP for sugarcane, State administered price SAP

43)   New Pension Scheme NPS for central employees joining service after 1 jan 2004; 10% deducted and equal  contribution by govt

44)   Inflation due to international factors (like petrol price , price of metals etc)- import cost push inflation

45)   Inflation is measured by WPI wholesale price index and CPI-IW consumer price index Industrial workers

46)   Control inflation – monetary methods[1. Quantitative – Bank rate, CRR, open market operations, market stabilization scheme, repo and reverse repo rates. 2 qualitative – credit rationing, tool of variation of margin requirements] fiscal methods [reduce indirect tax and reduce non plan expenditure] and other methods [ population control, public distribution system, imports, proper wage policy etc.]

47)   Major economic reforms – 1991 under Manmohan Singh

48)   Competition Act 2002 has replaced the Monopolies ….act

49)   Now only 3 sectors are reserved for public sector – atomic energy, specified substances notified by govt and dept of atomic energy, railway transport

50)   Now only 5 industries are subject to licensing – tobacco, alcohol, aerospace, industrial explosives, hazardous chemicals

51)   We are reducing number of sectors reserved for small scale industries since 1997.

52)   External trade means trade with foreign countries. [ Note: Special economic zones SEZ’s have been constructed by many countries including India. Such areas are DEEMED to be FOREIGN areas within domestic area as they are allowed many benefits not allowed to other industries outside such area. Thus trade with them can also be called external trade.]

53)   Alexander Commt, Abid Hussain Commt – on external sector trade

54)   India formulated 1^st long term EXIM [export import]  policy in 1992

55)   External trade is restricted by any country by two ways – tariff barriers [imposing high tariffs i.e. duties on import] and non-tariff barriers[imposing restriction on quantity that can be imported or banning a commodity or imposing Sanitary/phytosanitary conditions i.e. saying that we wont buy from India as it uses child labour or food is not packed in hygienic conditions etc]

56)   As per WTO, non tariff barriers have been removed since 2003

57)   Remember the sequence: Preferential trade agreement PTA-àFree TAà Customs Unionà Common MarketàEconomic Union [European union is economic union]

58)   South Asian free trade area is proposed

59)   South America has common market

60)   Poverty Line is defined by PLANNING COMMISSION

61)   Stagflation = inflation + recession(unemployment)

62)   Forex reserves include foreign currency assets, gold, special drawing rights SDR’s, Reserve Tranche position

63)   SDR’s are notional currency with WTO based on country’s trade/standing

64)   Tarapore commt 1997 and 2006 on capital account convertibility laid down guidelines for slow opening up

65)   Microfinance – group lending approach to Self Help groups SHG’s – based on grameen bank of Bangladesh – idea by Md Younus of Bangladesh – noble peace prize winner. India’s Swaranjayanti Grameen Swarazrojgar Yojana is based upon this concept

66)   12 th Finance Commission 2005-10 under Rangarajan

67)   SPV special purpose vehicle – firms to raise funds for infra projects

68)   2^nd Five year plan – Mahalanobis strategy of eco growth

69)   NABARD nat bank for agr and rural dev – apex bank for agricultural refinance

70)   DOHA Round of talks of WTO which started in 2001 are COLLAPSING due to opposite stands by the developed and developing countries over agriculture; Developing countries want developed to stop giving subsidies to their farmers

71)   Foreign trade policy 2004-09

72)   NRI deposits are considered as debt creating by India in its foreign capital account

Nov.’11

• New procurement policy in which preference to small scale sector will be given
• UK Sinha –chairman of SEBI
• Largest IPO by internet  company after google–Groupe on$ 800m
• GOI increased rate of interest from 8.2 to 8.6% on post office ,savings o\c ,monthly income  scheme PPEF
• Hargobind khurana- indian in US -noble medicine prize winner -died .
• Pension fund regulatory dev authority -PFDRA Bill- approved allowing 26% FDI in pension sector.
• Investment limit for FII’s in govt. scheme corporate founds increased from $5b to $15b .
• Chairman of SKS  Micro Akula  resigns.

OCT’11

• Planning Commission’s  poverty line 32/day urban—26/day rural per person.
• Global rating firm downgraded  SBI ‘s rating .
• Cheapest computing tablet @ 45$ by sumeet singh tuli
• Punjab frames Right to service ACT 2011 for timely delivery of services.
• Report on JK calls for “meaningfull autonomy”.
• Railways planning to raise tax free bounds to raise money.
• Arab spring refers to various  revolutions going on in middle east & north Africa for  democracy .
• Gaddaffi – libya
• New manufacturing policy –aim 100 million jobs in next 10 years

 SEPT’11

• Food inflation is a worry 10 % double digit
• Turkey expelled Israeli ambassador
• Sakshar bharat  prog 2009 –for achieving 80% literacy by 2017
• world bank prez –Robort zoclhick
• WTO prez –pascal lamy
• Jahangir sabavale –noted artist \printer –died
• land acquisition & rehabilitation Bill
• Teesta water agreement –India Bangladesh
• India to set up sovereigh wealth fund -$ 10b –to invest in energy & mining assets abroad
• SEBI renewed recognition to MCX stock exchange for one year
• DA is 58% of basic presently.
• Duty entitlement passbook (DEPB) scheme withdrawn
• Repo  rate 8.25%(rate of lending to banks by rbi); reverse repo-7.25%
• Railway safely review commt-under Anil Kakodkar
• earthquake in Sikkim
• Proposed kudankulam  nuclear plant –Tamil Nadu –Protests by people
• Govt. lifts ban on export of onions .
• Padmanaswamy temple –Kerala –treasure found
• CERN –Europe Nuclear research lab- says neutrinos faster than light detected(will destroy basics of of physics (relativity theory))

August 2011

• Rajan Sodhi – shooter; Krishna Poonia – Discuss thrower
• India elected to UN security council as non-permanent member after 19 years
• Li Na of China – 1^st Asian born player to win grand slam singles title
• IMF Chairperson – Christine Lagarde (took over after removal of Strauss Kahn on charges of sexual misconduct)
• Chemical endosulfan – banned
• RBI governor – D Subbarao
• Ousted Commonwealth games chief – suresh kalmadi
• Duronto – fast cheap nonstop trains
• New CEO of apple – Tim Cook
• Case against chief justice of Sikkim high court – P D Dinakaran – resigned
• FOREX approx $ 320 b

Committes

• On commonwealth games scam – shunglu commt
• 2G scam parliamentary commt- under Murli Manohar Joshi
• Financial Sector Legislative reforms commission – B.N.Srikrishna

Economy

• Disinvestment of 5% in BHEL
• XIIth FYP 2012-17 —–growth target 9%
• Rajiv Awas Yojana – Urban Housing for poor
• 25p coin – phased out
• Largest power producer of India – NTPC (loan agreement of 10,000 cr with SBI)
• UN’s millennium development goals set in 2000- to achieve certain targets by 2015
• Axis’s Bank – e-wallet card
• $1trillion – t0 be spent on infrastructure in XIIth FYP
• Competition Commission of India (CCI) penalized NSE by 55 cr
• No return to be filed if income less than 5 lacs(only for salaried people)
• Disproportionate case against former Chief Justice of India – K.G.Balakrishnan

Miscellaneous

• Book “Great soul:Mahatama Gandhi…..” by Joseph Lelyveld…..controversy
• BRICS = brazil Russia china india southafrica

Census 2011

• Registrar General – Chandramouli
• Sex ratio increased from 933 in 2001 to 940 (best kerala; worst haryana) while child sex ratio declined
• Literacy rate – 74%

CURRENT

13^th finance commission 2010-15 – Vijay Kelkar

Govt is mulling opening FDI in multibrand retail; in single brand retail fdi is already allowed

NREGA nat rural employment gurantee act – to all districts; ensures 100 days of work to one person of each family; work to be infrastructure building, out of work given to all people, 33% have to be women

XI th five year plan is in progress 2007-12; draft of XII th five year plan has been approved

• Solar energy mission – target 20,000 MW by 2022
• BASIC = brazil southafrica india china
• Spirit shuttle to Mars
• Plan India – child centred development organization
• France is deporting roma people
• NEW WHOLESALE PRICE INDEX WPI with base year 2004-05
• Mary Kom – boxer
• National Integration council set up under PM
• Vidya Stokes – grand old lady of Indian hockey
• Orissa’s name changed to Odisha;  language odia – amendment to Schedule 8 of the constitution 113^th
• Karnataka bans export of iron-ore
• Jago Punjab yatra of Manpreet Badal
• IndraNooyi – Pepsi
• UN framework convention on climate change 16^th COP at cancun,mexico dec 2010
• 2011- year of india-china exchange
• Public accounts chairman – murli manohar joshi (looking into 2G scam also)
• SBI’s launched ‘Bank on Bike’ scheme
• 25^th JANUARY WILL NOW BE CELEBRATED AS NATIONAL’s VOTER DAY
• Pandit Bhimsen Joshi – kirana gharana of classical music – died
• New START treat by US-Russia for limiting nuclear arsenal
• NREGA 2 feb 2006 – 2feb 2011 completed 5 years
• New COUNTRY formed SOUTH SUDAN (cut out from sudan)
• 2011 census was 15^th census in india
• Avant Bai – creator of comics died
• Wildlife conservationist – Fateh S Rathore
• Brigadier General Ravinder Singh – Singapore’s first sikh army chief
• MUKESH AMBANI – made director of BANK OF AMERICA Corp
• Osama Bin Laden died in operation NAVY SEALS
• India has created special force on lines of US’ Navy Seals force called MARCOS
• Justice Wadhwa Panel on Public Distribution system
• Man Brooker award – Philip Roth
• Baba Ramdev’s party – Bharat Swabhimaan
• INDIA WITHDRAWS FROM ASIAN CLEARING UNION ACU
• Yellow shirts protests/red shirt protests of Thailand
• Great tsunami in japan – fukushima nuclear plant
• China’s choice of Panchen Lama – Gyancain Norbu
• Interest rate on savings account of commercial banks – is set by RBI
• 2010-15 13^th Finance Commission under Kelkar
• Fringe Benefit Tax and Bank Cash withdrawl Tax have been abolished
• Public Sector banks in India – 26
• Jaitpur nuclear plant – ratnagiri district, Maharashtra
• Nat. Skill Dev Corp: to train/upskilling of 500million people by 2022
• One of the SI units of measurement – kg- is going to undergo a change in way it is benchmarked
• Microfinance Equity Fund – introduced to provide equity to smaller MF institutions
• Suman Sahai – environmentalist – padam shri 2011
• USHA THORAT’s panel to examine NBFC’s
• 91 day govt bills- T bills are now allowed to be traded in future market
• France became the first county to grant recognition to transitional govt in Libya
• Estonia becomes 17^th member of Euro Zone
• SIDDHARTHA MUKHERJEE’s – THE EMPEROR OF MALADIES – on cancer
• BANKING PENETRATION RATIO  – 36%
• Mahanavratnas – CIL  IOCL  NTPC  ONGC  SAIL ………COINS ( to remember)
• 150^th BIRTH ANNIVERSARY OF RABINDRANATH TAGORE
• Samoa decides to shift west of date line
• JK OUT OF UN DISPUTE LIST
• Megha tropiques – a satellite of india-french joint venture
• GANGETIC DOLPHIN – NATIONAL ACQUATIC ANIMAL
• NSE STARTS MOBILE TRADING
• BSE TO LAUNCH SHARIAH COMPLIANT INDEX
• Govt bans FDI in Tobacco
• TENDULKAR COMMITTEE on URBAN POVERTY LINE
• MALEGAM COMMITTEE on MFI’s
• Unique identification authority of India UIDAI – Nandan Nilekani(wrote ‘Imagining India’)
• SWABHIMAAN – scheme started in feb 2011 to provide banking in 73000 villages with no banking facility by march 2012
• SWARANJAYNTI GRAM SWAROZGAR YOJANA has been renamed as NAT RURAL LIVELIHOOD MISSION NRLM
• Bharat Nirman has 6 components –housing elec water transport (HEWaT) irrigation communication
• RAJIV AWAS YOJANA – for a slum free India
• Right to Education – for all children 6-14 years
• Revised Tuberculosis programme
• RAJIV GANDHI SCEHEME FOR EMPOWERMENT OF ADOLESCENT GIRLS(RGSEAG)= SABLA scheme- 11-18 years
• National Action Plan on climate change – 8 missions
• Homai Vyarawalla – India’s 1^st woman photographer; Padma Vibhushan
• JUSTICE SRIKRISHNA COMMITTEE gave its report on TELENGANA
• Indian Community welfare fund ICWF – in all Indian missions in all countries to help Indians in distress
• GORKHALAND PACT between govt of india – west Bengal govt – Gorkha janmukti morcha GJM to form autonomous gorkhaland territoriall army

 

 

Economist September quarterly

Computational photography

It is advanced form of photography which does not capture single images (as in traditional photography) but captures information by using multiple lenses or multiple exposure. Then this complex information is converted by the software into a conventional photograph. One form of Computational photography is high-dynamic-range (HDR) imaging in which multiple shots are taken quickly at different exposures. These shots are combined into one picture of superior quality. Such technology is now being inbuilt in smartphones.

Laser Speckle

It refers to the phenomenon of scattering of light caused by unevenness (ridges and grooves etc) on any object’s surface. This speckle can be analysed to chart the texture of the surface. Even credit cards are read the same way.

Notification Proteins

These are proteins that are released at the site of injury which acts as a signal for initiation of clotting of blood. These proteins communicate with platelets and fibrinogen (circulating in bloodstream) to stop bleeding.

Electroactive polymers also called “artificial muscles”

Traditionally electrical energy is converted into physical/rotational/mechanical energy by electric motors which lead to quite some energy wastage in conversion of form of energy.

Use of artificial muscles which are nothing but electroactive polymers can help reduce energy loss in conversion. But these can be used for a limited number of  activities where motion required is small. The most important use can be in robots to replace motors making robots lighter and less energy intensive; coiling motion in cameras etc.