September 23

‘Liar’s Dice’ to represent India at Oscars

Hindi film ‘Liar’s Dice’, a road drama about a tribal woman’s journey to find her missing husband, has been selected as India’s official entry to the upcoming 87th Academy awards in the best foreign film category, which will take place on February 22. The film was directed by Geetu Mohandas and leading roles were played by Geetanjali Thapa and Nawazuddin Siddiqui. India has never won an Oscar in the best foreign film category. Till now Indian films made to the final five nominees are Lagaan, Mother India, and Salaam Bombay.

New Inter Service Intelligence (ISI) chief

Lieutenant General Rizwan Akhtar appointed as new Chief for Pakistan's ISI. He will replace Lt-Gen Zaheerul Islam who is scheduled to retire in October 2014. This post is the second most powerful military post after the Army Chief.

Prime Minister of Fiji

Coup Leader Voreqe Bainimarama Sworn in as PM of Fini. It was the first general election in Fiji after 2006 military coup by Bainimarama.Fiji First Party led by Bainimarama earned 59.2 percent of the votes.

India's Mars Orbiter Mission (Mangalyaan) passes crucial test

The Indian Space Research Organisation said on Twitter that the four-second test firing of its Mangalyaan orbiter’s main liquid engine had worked. The engine has been dormant since December when the satellite left the Earth’s gravitational orbit, so ISRO needed to be sure it was still functional.On Wednesday (24th September), the engine will need to fire for 24 minutes in order to slow the satellite down enough to orbit Mars successfully. If India succeeds, it will become the first country in the world to insert a spacecraft around Mars in the first attempt.

Mangalyaan's Mission is to study Martian surface and its mineral composition and it will also search for methane on Mars' atmosphere.



Source indilens.com

India-Bangladesh Joint Consultative Commission (JCC) meet

The third India-Bangladesh JCC meet was held in New Delhi. The JCC meet was co-chaired by Union External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and her Bangladeshi counterpart Abul Hassan Mahmood Ali. Bangladesh said it wants to become India's "number one" friend and invited Indian companies to set up special economic zones and invest in sectors like automobile, power and manufacturing.

September 22

Nilgiri Tahr Faces Threat

Nilgiri Tahr (known as Varai Aadu in Tamil), the State animal of Tamilnadu facing a serious threat, which prevents the population from increasing. The species is endemic to Western Ghats and is spread from Nilgiris to Kanyakumari. Nilgiri Tahr is listed under the Schedule I of the Indian Wildlife Protection Act.

Invasive Plants Threatens Wildlife

Wild growth of invasive alien plants such as Senna spectabilis (calceolaria shower), Lantana , Eupatorium and Parthenium is posing a threat to wildlife and indigenous plants in the forest areas of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve, including the Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary (WWS), a major habitat of Asiatic elephants in the country.

An ongoing survey being conducted by the Wildlife Trust of India (WTI), in association with the Forest Department, shows that the plant is widely distributed in the Muthanga and Tholpetty range of forests under the Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary.

Ganga Rejuvenation Plan

Union Minister Uma Bharti today announced that the Ganga Rejuvenation Plan will be launched from Uttarakhand where the mighty river originates. The Ministry of Water Resource launched a web portal to connect with the public on the ambitious project of the NDA Government.

The home page of the web portal http://nmcg.nic.in/, which opens with the message of Mahatma Gandhi on the holy Ganga is an encyclopedia of the largest river basin in India.

The NDA government informed the Supreme Court that it proposed to spend Rs 51,000 crore in the next five years to completely stop discharge of untreated sewer and waste water from 118 towns into Ganga river. 

A U.N. consultant and engineer has come up with a cost-effective plan for Ganga rejuvenation by building 25 silt-free barrages within the river system to dilute the waste and to maintain a continuous flow of fresh water.

 

Source - The Hindu

Ghani - The Next Afghan President

Ashraf Ghani was declared Afghanistan's next President after sharing a power sharing deal with his rival Mr. Abdullah Abdullah. The long waited "Unity Government" deal was signed within ten minutes. Mr. Abdullah will nominate his choice for the new post of CEO, which will be similar to Prime Minister. 

Singapore Grand Prix 

Lewis Hamilton regained the Formula One drivers' World Championship in the Singapore Grand Prix. It is his seventh win this year. 

September 20, 2014

Cleanliness Index

Union Tourism Ministry announced that it was working on a "Cleanliness Index" for cities in the country to encourage the best performers.

The Index will tell the top 5 cleanest cities in India in the beginning. The step has been taken to develop the tourism sector.

India attracted 6.85 million international tourist arrivals and $18.4 billion in foreign exchange earnings from tourism receipts in 2013. 

Mandolin U Srinivas

Carnatic music legend Mandolin maestro Uppalappu Srinivas passed away in Chennai due to liver failure. 

He was awarded the Padma Shri in 1998 by GOI and the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award in 2009.

World's first water-based Nuclear Battery

Developed by Kwon's Research group at the University of Missouri.

A radioactive isotope called Strontium-90 is used and it boosts the electrochemical energy in water based solutions.

It can work in wide variety of applications including car batteries and spacecrafts.

ASIAN Games 2014

Jitu Roy emerged as victorious in men's 50 m pistol event to give India its first Gold medal in 17th Asian Games at Incheon.

First medal was won by Shweta Chaudry (Bronze) in 10 m pistol event.

Tang Prize - Asia's Version of the Nobel

The President of Taiwan presented the first Tang Prizes in Taipei.

This award honors the outstanding contributions to the Sustainable development, Rule of law, Medicine and Sinology.

The winners are

Sustainable Development - Gro Harlem Brundtland, former Premier of Norway. 

Rule of Law - Albie Sachs, former Justice of the Constitutional Court of South Africa

Medicine - James P Allison of US and Tasuku Honjo of Japan

Sinology -  Chinese American Yu Ying-shih.

The prize was founded in 2012 with the donation of 3 billion Taiwan dollars by Samuel Yin, one of the richest men in Taiwan.

US Envoy to India

Obama nominated Richard Rahul Verma as the next US Ambassador to India. He will be the first Indian-American to serve the top US diplomatic position in India.

General Knowledge

The Industrial Policy of 1956 was announced by Jawaharlal Nehru.

Strait of Gibraltar connects the Mediterranean Sea with Atlantic Ocean.

Mount Kilimanjaro is the highest peak in Africa.

The North Star is also known as Polaris.

Schwann Cells produce the myelin sheath for neurons.

September 19, 2014

Neutrino Observatory

The India-based Neutrino Observatory Project in Theni district of Tamilnadu is awaiting for PMO's approval to start the works.

It is Rs.1500 crore project mainly funded by Department of Atomic Energy and Department of Science and Technology.

The Project will have 50,000 tonne magnetic detector to study the neutrinos. It is expected to be completed in 5 years.

Gates Foundation to wipe out kala azar

Kala azar also known as Visceral Leishmaniasis, balck fever and Dumdum fever is the most severe form of Leishmaniasis and it is caused by the bites of female phlebotomine sand-flies - the vector or a transmitter of the Leishmania parasite.

The disease is the second largest parasite killer after Malaria. It is concentrated in 52 districts in Bihar, UP, Jharkahnad and West Bengal. India targets kala azar elimination by 2015. Gates Foundation is planning to work with the Indian government for its eradication.

The Gates Foundation has committed to spend $1.5 billion over the next 5 years on maternal and child health.

India has till now eradicated polio, smallpox and rinderpest (cattle plague).

India Newborn Action Plan (INAP)

Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan  launched the INAP programme to reduce infant mortality and bring down number of deaths per thousand to single digit by 2030. Right now it is 29 deaths per 1000 live births.

In India 7 lakh children die at birth. Also 13.3 lakh children die under the age of 5 and 7.56 lakh children die within one month.

The programme will be implemented under Reproductive, Maternal, Child Health and Adolescents Plus (RMNCHA+) framework.

Referendum in Scotland

Scotland voters rejected Independence from Britain in a referendum that had threatened to break up the 307 years of union between them. The unionists had won 55% of the vote while the separatists were on 45%.

Li Na announced her retirement

China's Li Na, Asia's only Grand Slam Singles Champion announced her retirement on Friday (19th Sept) due to long time knee injuries.

She won the 2011 French Open and 2014 Australian Open. Known affectionately as "Big Sister Na" and "Golden Flower" in China.

General Knowledge

India's flag bearer in 17th Asian Games - Sardar Singh.

Chatrapathi Sivaji Terminus in Mumbai - a UNESCO World Heritage site - was formerly known as Victoria Terminus.

The Photovoltaic Effect was discovered by Edmund Becquerel in 1839.

Twitter was created in March 2006 by Jack Dorsey, Evan Williams, Biz Stone and Noah Glass.

Fear of Doctors and visiting hospitals is called Iatrophobia. 

September 18, 2014

Chinese President Xi's visit to India

The discussions will be on

* Building industrial cities in Gujarat and Maharashtra at an initial investment of $10 billion.

* Maritime silk road 

* BCIM Corridor

* Convenient route for Mansarovar and Kailash via Sikkim, rather than Uttarakhand. The route will traverse through the city of Shigatse (Part of the Tibetan Autonomous Region). 

* Situation in Chumar sector of Ladakh where the Chinese troops have entered into the perceived Indian area.

National Commission for Women (NCW)

The BJP's National Executive member, Lalitha Kumaramangalam, has been appointed as the Chairperson of NCW. 

Scottish Independence Referendum

Today (September 18, 2014), voters in Scotland choose between becoming an Independent nation and staying with UK. The main campaign groups are YES SCOTLAND and BETTER TOGETHER. The former one campaigns for independence and the latter one campaigns for maintaining the union. The final result is likely to be announced on 19 September. 

Volcanic Eruption in Philippines

Philippines most active volcano, The Mayon Volcano started its eruptions and huge lava fragments are rolling down its slopes. More than 50,000 people were evacuated. 

UN Messenger of peace for Climate

Hollywood Actor and Environmental Activist Leonardo DiCaprio has been appointed as the UN Messenger of Peace. He will use the post to create awareness about climate change.

NASA selects Boeing and SpaceX to ferry astronauts

After NASA’s (National aeronautics and space administration) shuttles retired in 2011 (Discovery, Endeavour and Atlantis shuttles), NASA has been depending on Russia for transporting astronauts to International Space Station. This Expensive reliance will end now as Boeing and SpaceX will use crew capsules to transport from Cape Canaveral. The landing of Atlantis shuttle on June 21, 2011 ended the 30 year space shuttle programme of NASA, now the goal of 2017 has been set for Commercial Crew Program.

17th Asian Games

The 2014 Asian Games is scheduled to take place in Incheon, South Korea from September 19 to October 4, with 36 sports, 45 countries and about 10,000 athletes. The official mascots are three spotted seal siblings, known as "Barame", "Chumuro" and "Vichuon", means wind, dance and light in Korean language.  The official slogan of the games is "Diversity Shines Here".

The 18th Asian Games will be hosted by Indonesia in 2018 after Vietnam withdrew because of financial concerns.  

General Knowledge

* Chairman of Securities and Exchange Board of India is U K Sinha (as of Sept 2014).

* The National Pledge of India was first recited at Vishakapatnam. 

* The highest peak within the Eastern Ghat mountain range is Mahendragiri (1501 m), Odisha.

* The process of vaccination was discovered by Edward Jenner.

* Agrostology is the study of grasses. 

September 17, 2014

BATHUKAMMA - Floral Festival of Telangana

Telangana, the 29th and the youngest state in the Indian Republic declared "Bathukamma" as the State festival and that will be celebrated officially from this year onwards. This festival marks the end of the rainy season.

UKRAINE ratified EU pact

Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko ratified Ukraine-EU association agreement. It is first step from Ukraine towards the membership of 28-nation bloc. Poroshenko also drafted a peace plan that offers three years of limited self-rule to rebel-held regions.

Central bank suggests norms for reforming public sector banks (PSBs)

Based on the recommendations of  P J Nayak committee and some other committees, RBI have made certain suggestions such as segregation of Chairman and MD posts and a separate committee for appointment of Directors on the board of PSU banks.

Leander Paes The Unstoppable 

Paes has played tennis for more than two decades and he is the only tennis player who played six Olympics. He became the oldest man to win a Major title  in the open era at the US open in 2013. Paes has won the most number of wins in doubles among active players at 41. Paes ranks only below Italin Nicola Peitrangeli, who has 42 wins.

General Knowledge

Operations launched by Indian Army to deal with the floods of Jammu and Kashmir are Operation Megh Rahat and Operation Sahayata. 

MIDORI Prize Winners for Biodiversity 2014:

1) Kamal Bawa R

2) Dr.Alfred Oteng-Yeboah

3) Dr. Bibiana Vila

Jammu and Kashmir will host the Football Federation Cup (FFC) in 2015. 

Himachal Pradesh has been selected as venue to host Para Gliding World Cup in 2015.

Pradhan Mantri Krishi Seenchayi Yojana is associated with meeting the irrigation demands of all farmers across India. 

September 16, 2014

What's Today?

September 16th is the International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer.

Theme for this year : "Ozone Layer Protection : The Mission Goes On". 

India-China

Chinese President Xi Jinping arrives on Wednesday, September 17. According to the sources India and China will sign MOUs in different fields that would total more than $100 billion.

Xi is also eager in India's participation in the revival of Southern Silk Road also known as BCIM (Bangladesh, China, India, Myanmar) Corridor.

European Space Agency's Rosetta Spacecraft

The ESA unveiled the spot on Comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko in deep space where Rosetta (World's first spacecraft to rendezvous with a comet with the intent to orbit) will let down a robot called Philae to carry out the experiments.

Android One Devices

Google launched the first Android One devices in India by the domestic handset makers Micromax, Karbonn and Spice. The launch across Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal and Sri Lanka will follow in the coming months.

Inflation weakens to 5-year low in August

According to the data released by Commerce and Industry Ministry, Inflation based on the Whole-sale Price Index (WPI), declined from 5.19 per cent in July to 3.74 per cent in August (Lowest since October 2009).

General Knowledge

Ozone Layer was discovered by Henri Buisson and Charles Fabry in 1913. 

CRISIL stands for Credit Rating Information Services of India Limited. 

Film and TV Institute of India is located at Pune, Maharashtra. 

The fear of being buried alive is called 'Taphophobia'.

Sachin Tendulkar's Autobiography - Playing It My Way.