INS Kavaratti, anti-submarine warfare ship launched in Kolkata

INS Kavaratti, Indian Navy’s latest anti-submarine warfare class stealth corvette was launched on 19 May 2015 in Kolkata. Kavaratti is the last of the four anti-submarine warfare class stealth corvettes being built for India under Project 28. Features of INS Kavaratti It weighs 3,300-tonne and has a length of 109.1 metres and measures 13.7-m at beam. Propelled by four diesel engines and can reach a speed of over 25 knots. It has an endurance of more than 3,400 nautical miles. It is 90 percent indigenous, thus adding feather to the cap of the domestic manufacturing for the Indian Naval forces. Equipped with an X-shaped hull, full beam superstructure, inclined ship sides and an Infra-Red Signature Suppression (IRSS) system increase the stealth feature of the ship. It has a Total Atmospheric Control System (TACS) making it capable fight in nuclear, chemical and biological warfare conditions. Designed by the Directorate of Naval Design and built by Garden Reach Ship Builders and Engineers (GRSE) under Project-28. Project-28: Under this project four anti-submarine warfare class stealth corvettes were to build. Kavaratti is the last of four. Others are INS Kamrota, Kadmatt and Kiltan. INS Kamrota was delivered and commissioned in the Indian navy in 2014. INS Kadmatt and Kitan are expected to be delivered between 2015 and 2017.

V Shanmuganathan sworn in as 15th Governor of Meghalaya

V Shanmuganthan was sworn in as the 15th Governor of Meghalaya on 20 May 2015 at the oath taking ceremony held at Raj Bhawan in Shillong. Chief Justice of the Meghalaya High Court, Uma Nath Singh administered the oath of office to him as per the provisions of Article 159 of Constitution of India. He will succeed Keshari Nath Tripathi, governor of West Bengal who was given additional charge of Meghalaya since January 2015. About V Shanmuganthan V Shanmuganthan was born on November 21, 1949. He holds a post-graduate and an M. Phil degree in political science. In 1962, he had joined Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and later joined Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) where he had served in many party positions. He was also in charge of the Defence, Research & Documentation and Overseas Friends of BJP Cells. He is also a prolific writer and had written three books related to culture and social aspects in Tamil.

Meghalaya achieves 100% financial inclusion under Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojna

Meghalaya has achieved 100 percent success in implementing Union Government’s flagship scheme for financial inclusion-Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojna (PMJDY). In the state, all eleven districts have been able to open at least one bank account of every household under the ambitious scheme. More than 5.53 lakh households have been covered with 1.55 lakh new bank accounts. The rural population has given more response to the financial inclusion scheme in the state compared to the urban population. Over 1.8 lakh bank accounts have been opened in rural areas, while in urban area the figure is over 47,000. All banks both from private and public sectors have contributed in successfully implementing the scheme. So far, under the PMJDY, banks have issued more than 1.31 lakh Rupay cards. About Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY) It was launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi with the goal of eradicating financial untouchability of the poor by opening at least one bank account for every family in the country in less than six months. It seeks to financially empower the poor by providing them access to formal banking system. It also seeks to provide platform for Direct Benefits Transfer (DBT) which will curb leakages in government subsidies and thus saving government exchequer. Initially, after its launch the scheme had a target of opening 7.5 crore bank accounts by January 26, 2015, but later it was revised and raised to 10 crore bank accounts.

Tathagata Roy sworn-in as 16th Governor of Tripura

Tathagata Roy on 20 May 2015 was sworn in as the 16th Governor of Tripura in Agartala. Chief Justice of the Tripura High Court Mr. Jc. Deepak Gupta administered the oath of office to him as per the provisions of Article 159 of Constitution of India. He replaced Padmanabh Balkrishna Acharya, Governor of Nagaland, who had held the additional charge of Tripura. About Tathagata Roy Tathagata Roy was born on 14 September 1945 in Kolkata, West Bengal. He is veteran Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader from West Bengal and was president of the state unit of BJP from 2002 till 2006. He is also a writer and written both in English and in his native Bengali. He has authored two books- My People, Uprooted: A Saga of the Hindus of Eastern Bengal and The Life and Times of Dr. Syama Prasad Mookerjee.

Hungarian writer Laszlo Krasznahorkai wins Man Booker International Prize 2015

Hungarian writer Laszlo Krasznahorkai has won the prestigious Man Booker International Prize for 2015. He was chosen from a list of 10 contenders from around the world. About Laszlo Krasznahorkai Laszlo Krasznahorkai was born in 1954 Gyula, Hungary. He had gained recognition in 1985 after he had published his debut novel Satantango, which he adapted for the big screen in 1994. Krasznahorkai’s other famous novels are The Melancholy of Resistance (1989), War and War (1999), Seiobo There Below (2008). Awards and Honours: In 1993, he was awarded Bestenliste-Prize of Germany for his novel The Melancholy of Resistanc. In 2004, he was awarded with most prestigious cultural award in Hungary- The Kossuth Prize. About Man Booker International Prize The prize, worth £60,000, recognizes an authors’s achievement in fiction. It is a biennial award, bestowed upon a living author who has published fiction either originally in English or whose work is available in translation in the English language. The prize is sponsored by Man Group plc, which also sponsors the Man Booker Prize for Fiction. Unlike the UK Man Booker Prize for Fiction, publishers cannot submit authors’ works for consideration. The Prize is significantly different in that it highlights one writer’s overall contribution to fiction on the world stage. The judges, who solely decide the winner, consider a writer’s body of work rather than a single novel.

50 NATIONAL PARKS IN INDIA

[1] Anshi National Park --------- Karnataka
[2] Bandipur National Park ----------- Karnataka
[3] Bannerghatta National Park --------- Karnataka
[4] Balphakram National Park ------- Meghalaya
[5] Bandhavgarh National Park --------- Madhya Pradesh
[6] Betla National Park --------- Jharkhand
[7] Bhitarkanika National Park ------- Odisha
[8] Blackbuck National Park, Velavadar -------- Gujarat
[9] Buxa Tiger Reserve -------- West Bengal
[10] Campbell Bay National Park --------- Andaman and Nicobar Islands
[11] Chandoli National Park --------- Maharashtra
[12] Dachigam National Park ------- Jammu and Kashmir
[13] Darrah National Park --------- Rajasthan
[14] Desert National Park -------- Rajasthan
[15] Dibru-Saikhowa National Park --------- Assam
[16] Dudhwa National Park --------- Uttar Pradesh
[17] Eravikulam National Park -------- Kerala
[18] Galathea National Park --------- Andaman and Nicobar Islands
[19] Gangotri National Park --------- Uttarakhand
[20] Gir Forest National Park --------- Gujarat
[21] Gorumara National Park -------- West Bengal
[22] Govind Pashu Vihar Wildlife Sanctuary ------ Uttarakhand
[23] Great Himalayan National Park ------- Himachal Pradesh,
[24] Gugamal National Park -------- Maharashtra
[25] Guindy National Park -------- Tamil Nadu
[26] Gulf of Mannar Marine National Park ---------- Tamil Nadu
[27] Hemis National Park --------- Jammu and Kashmir
[28] Harike Wetland ------- Punjab
[29] Hazaribagh National Park ------- Jharkhand
[30] Indira Gandhi Wildlife Sanctuary and National Park -------- Tamil Nadu
[31] Indravati National Park ------- Chhattisgarh
[32] Jaldapara National Park ------- West Bengal
[33] Jim Corbett National Park -------- Uttarakhand
[34] Kalesar National Park ------ Haryana
[35] Kanha National Park ------- Madhya Pradesh
[36] Kanger Ghati National Park -------- Chhattisgarh
[37] Kasu Brahmananda Reddy National Park -------- Telangana
[38] Kaziranga National Park ------ Assam
[39] Keibul Lamjao National Park ------ Manipur
[40] Keoladeo National Park --------- Rajasthan
[41] Khangchendzonga National Park ------- Sikkim
[42] Kishtwar National Park --------- Jammu and Kashmir
[43] Kudremukh National Park ------- Karnataka
[44] Madhav National Park ------- Madhya Pradesh
[45] Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park ------- Andaman and Nicobar Islands
[46] Mahavir Harina Vanasthali National Park ------- Telangana
[47] Manas National Park ------ Assam
[48] Mandla Plant Fossils National Park -------- Madhya Pradesh
[49] Marine National Park, Gulf of Kutch ------- Gujarat
[50] Mathikettan Shola National Park ------- Kerala

Important gk questions for upcoming exams

● The winner of Miss World 2014 crown – Rolene Strauss
● Chairman of the 14th Finance Commission – YV Reddy
● WPI-based inflation in the month of Nov – Zero per cent
● The country which has created the world record for longest graffiti wall – UAE
● The Pakistan city where Taliban militants killed 145 people, including 132 children, on 16 Dec – Peshawar
● Winner of the London Classic chess title – Viswanathan Anand
● The basin in New Zealand where ONGC Videsh has won offshore oil and gas block – Taranaki basin
● The first African country to use electronic ballots in its general elections – Namibia
● The youngest IBSF World Snooker Champion – Yan Bingtao
● National Milk Day – 26 Nov
● The first and only railway station in Meghalaya so far – Mendipathar
● The country where BHEL has commissioned a 28-MW hydro power project – Rwanda
● India’s first indigenously developed nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine – INS Arihant
● India’s largest company in terms of revenue at present – Indian Oil Corporation
● The new Prime Minister of Mauritius – Anerood Jugnauth
● Author of the book titled Born Again on the Mountain – Arunima Sinha
● The section of the IPC which dealt with attempt of suicide – Article 309
● Winner of the Deodhar trophy 2014-15 – East Zone
● The Railway Committee set up for improving financial health of the Indian Railways – DK Mittal Committee
● The most searched celebrity in India in 2014 as per Google – Sunny Leone
● The first nuclear submarine India leased from Russia – INS Chakra
● The winner of the 2014 Champions Trophy Hockey Title – Germany

Top 10 ‪#‎News‬ of the day:20 May 2015

1. Prime Minister Narendra Modi invites Korean companies to invest in India's infrastructure sector; Calls for collective efforts by Asian Countries for faster and inclusive global economic growth; Concludes his three nation tour.

2. Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal meets President Pranab Mukherjee amidst controversy over appointment of acting Chief Secretary.

3. Public Accounts Committee recommends thorough investigation in bidding process of Ultra Mega Power Projects.

4. Delhi High Court issues notice to TERI Director General RK Pachauri on a plea seeking cancellation of his anticipatory bail in a sexual harassment case.

5. In Afghanistan, at least five killed in a powerful explosion in Kabul.

6. Seven people killed after a strong dust storm hits parts of Rajasthan.

7. ‘Kavaratti’- Fourth Anti Submarine Warfare (ASW) Corvette of Project-28 launched at GRSE, Kolkata.

8. Special CBI court frames charges against Rathi Steel and Power Limited and its three top officials in a coal blocks allocation scam case.

9. Tamil community in Northern Sri Lanka commemorates for the first time the death of Tamilians in the ethnic conflict in the Island nation.

10. IPL :Mumbai Indians take on table topper Chennai Super Kings in the first match of the play-off stage in Mumbai.

1. प्रधानमंत्री नरेन्‍द्र मोदी ने कोरिया की कम्‍पनियों को भारत के बुनियादी क्षेत्र में निवेश के लिए आमंत्रित किया। उन्‍हें कारोबार के अनुकूल माहौल का भरोसा दिया। प्रधानमंत्री का एशियाई देशों से समावेशी और तेज वैश्विक आर्थिक वृद्धि के लिए मिलकर प्रयास करने का आह्वान। श्री नरेन्‍द्र मोदी की तीन देशों की यात्रा सम्‍पन्‍न।

2. दिल्‍ली के मुख्यमंत्री अरविंद केजरीवाल ने कार्यकारी मुख्‍य सचिव की नियुक्ति पर विवादों के बीच राष्‍ट्रपति प्रणब मुखर्जी से मुलाकात की।

3. संसद की लोक लेखा समिति ने अल्‍ट्रा मेगा बिजली परियोजनाओं की नीलामी प्रक्रिया की जांच की सिफारिश की।

4. दिल्‍ली उच्‍च न्‍यायालय ने टेरी के महानिदेशक आर के पचौरी की यौन उत्‍पीड़न मामले में अग्रिम जमानत रदद करने की याचिका पर उनसे जवाब मांगा।

5. अफगानिस्‍तान में काबुल में एक भीषण विस्‍फोट में कम से कम पांच लोग मारे गए।

6. राजस्‍थान के कई हिस्‍सों में धूलभरी तेज आंधी में सात लोगों की मौत।

7. भारतीय नौसेना के बेडे में आज कोलकाता में कवरती नाम के चौ‍था पनडुब्‍बी रोधी युद्धक जहाज शामिल किया गया।

8. विशेष सी बी आई अदालत ने राठी स्‍टील एण्‍ड पावर लिमिटेड और तीन शीर्ष अधिकारियों के खिलाफ आरोप तय किए।

9. उत्‍तरी श्रीलंका का तमिल समुदाय जातीय संघर्ष में तमिलों की मृत्‍यु की याद में पहली वर्षगांठ मना रहा है।

10. आई.पी.एल क्रिकेट में आज पहले प्ले ऑफ में चेन्नई सुपर किंग्स का मुकाबला मुम्बई इंडियंस से

IMD, POSOCO ink MoU for optimum use of weather information

India Meteorological Department (IMD) and Power System Operation Corporation Ltd (POSOCO) have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) for optimum use of weather information and forecast in the power sector.

The aim of MoU is to enable power operators, generators and utilities to make optimum use of their supply and generation capacities with knowledge of weather conditions obtained from IMD.

Key provisions of MoU

• All weather information provided by IMD will be used by power system operators across India for better power management and analysis.
• IMD will provide current weather information for identified stations, and forecasts at different time scales.
• It will provide information such as temperature, rainfall, wind speed, humidity, wind direction and other meteorological parameters.
• IMD will also provide predicted warnings about likely occurrences of thunderstorm, cold wave, heat wave, fog and rainfall over various states up to the next 72 hours.
• State and region-wise monthly and seasonal outlooks of weather conditions will be also provided.
• Both parties will share and provide expert opinion in areas of weather information and its effect on the power distribution system.
• Data and inputs will be also exchanged in order to encourage further study and research.

POSOCO, on the other hand, will endeavor for economic assessment of impact of weather and climate information provided by IMD.

Thus, the MoU will help to meet precise needs of the energy sector is one of many spheres of human activity that are highly dependent on weather conditions.

India assumes presidency of 68th World Health Assembly

India assumed the presidency of the 68th World Health Assembly (WHA) held in Geneva after a gap of 19 years.

The 68th WHA session began on 18 May 2015 and it will conclude on 27 May 2015. The WHA session is presided by Union Health Minister Jagat Prakash Nadda who is also leading the high-level Indian delegation to the Assembly.

This edition of assembly is expected to deliberate on key issues of global interest that include

• Anti-microbial resistance.
• Air pollution and health
• Global health emergency, preparedness and surveillance.
• Global strategy and plan of action on public health.
• Innovation and intellectual property.
• Research and development in neglected tropical diseases.

About World Health Assembly (WHA)

• WHA is the world’s highest health policy setting body and the top decision-making body of the World Health Organisation (WHO).
• It is governed by WHO’s 194 member state and generally composed of health ministers from member states.
• The first WHA assembly was held in 1948.

Reliance Jio signs pact with Chinese telecom giant Huawei for 4G devices

Reliance Jio Infocomm (RJio), a telecom arm of Reliance Industries (RIL) has signed a pact with Chinese telecom equipment manufacturer firm Huawei for sourcing various 4th Generation (4G) devices.

As per agreement, Huawei will supply RJio with 4G devices which include smartphones, tablets and mifi dongles. Apart from Huawei two other Chinese telecom firms are eager to supply 4G devices to RJio.

This agreement will play important role in RJio ambitious plans to launch 4G service by 2015 in around 5,000 towns and cities in India. It seeks to cover over 90 per cent of urban India and over 2.15 lakh villages.

It should be noted that it is mandatory for RJio and other Indian telecom companies to roll out the 4G services who had won broadband wireless access (BWA) spectrum in 2010 by August 31, 2015 as per the licensing agreement.

These services must be rolled out in at least 90 per cent of the service areas, failing which the Department of Telecom (DoT) have the right to withdraw the radiowaves. In this regard, DoT also had announced the procedure to test network roll out of companies that have procured BWA spectrum.

Global energy subsidies to hit US $ 5.3 trillion this year: IMF report

International Monetary Fund (IMF) in its recent report titled Act Local, Solve Global: The $5.3 Trillion Energy Subsidy Problem has voiced alarm about energy subsidies across the world.

The report has clearly mentioned that theenergy subsidies across the world are expected to reach 5.3 trillion dollars in 2015, more than government health spending.

Key facts from report

• The rising subsidy figures are among the largest negative factors for economic growth which is piling up adverse effects on efficiency, growth and inequality.
• 2015 energy subsidies will represent 6.5 per cent of the global economy, likely exceeding government health spending across the world.
• China is the largest spender on energy subsidies and spends around 2.3 trillion dollars a year, followed by the United States at 699 billion dollars and Russia at 335 billion dollars.
• While India spends 277 billion dollars, Japan spends 157 billion dollars and European Union (EU) spends around 330 billion dollars.
• Overall energy subsidies had more than doubled since 2011 which had amounted to 2 trillion dollars i.e. 2.9 percent of the world’s gross domestic product.
• It has damaging effects on air quality and health, such as premature deaths due to global warming.
• By getting energy prices right can help national governments achieve their goals not only for the environment but also for inclusive growth and sound public finances.

Definition of energy subsidies: The IMF report defined energy subsidies as the difference between the amount of money consumers pay for energy and its true costs, plus a country’s normal sales or value-added tax rate.

In addition, the true costs include environmental effects like carbon emissions that lead to global warming and the health effects.

GMR Infra, GIIC ink MoU for Kakinada SEZ

GMR Infrastructure Ltd. has signed Memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Guizhou International Investment Corporation (GIIC) for developing Kakinada special economic zone (SEZ) in Andhra Pradesh.

On behalf of GMR Infrastructure Ltd. the MoU was signed by its subsidiary Kakinada SEZ (KSEZ) Pvt. Ltd- President Challa Prasanna in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and GMR founder Grandhi Mallikarjuna Rao in Beijing, China.

The MoU seeks to set up industrial park for Chinese high-end equipment manufacturing companies in Kakinada SEZ (KSEZ). In this regard, a consortium of three Chinese manufacturing firms- GIIC plans to set up 2,000 acres industrial park.

It should be noted that KSEZ is a port-based multi-product special economic zone, spread over about 10,500 acres.

The fully developed facility by KSEZ and GIIC will in turn generate over 5,000 jobs for both skilled and unskilled workers.

For developing the infrastructure and various facilities of the industrial park GIIC will invest $500 million. In addition, Chinese companies setting up units at the park will invest $ 2-3 billion on their operations over five year

BJP MP S.S. Ahluwalia to head joint panel on Land Acquisition Amendment bill

Bhartiya Janta Party (BJP) MP Surendrajeet Singh Ahluwalia has been appointed chairman of a Joint Committee of Parliament that will look into the provisions of the Land Acquisition Amendment Bill, 2015.

The joint committee will comprise of 30-members- 20 members from Lok Sabha and 10 from the Rajya Sabha. The Committee will submit its report on the first day of the monsoon session.

NDA government led by Prime Minister this move come after they had agreed to refer the Land Bill to the joint committee after it had faced continuous resistance of opposition parties in the Parliament. Even some of its own allies like Shiv Sena, Akali Dal etc had shown opposition on various provisions of the amended legislation.

The agreement was reached during the recently concluded Parliament session. The bill has already been passed by the Lok Sabha. However it was stalled in Rajya Sabha as ruling government is in minority in upper house.

The NDA government also had promulgated ordinances in this regard twice on the bill since December 2014. The Congress and the Left parties have been targeting the ruling dispensation as anti-farmer and pro-corporate.

Union Government sanctions 30 cold storage projects chain with Rs 725 crore outlay

Union Government has sanctioned proposals for setting up 30 new cold storage projects chain in the country with a total investment of 724.9 crore rupees.

It was announced by Union Food Processing Minister Harsimrat Badal in New Delhi. For this project Union Food Processing Ministry will provide grant of 274.9 crore rupees.

Key Facts

• These projects will play important role in reducing the wastage of food in the country.
• The total capacity of these projects will be around 1.12 lakh tonnes of cold storage and 11.10 lakh litres of milk storage per day.
• It will also attract an additional investment of 470 crore rupees and result in addition of 209 refrigerated container vehicles.

These sanctioned projects are part of 138 integrated cold chain projects which were approved by the Union government. Currently 108 approved projects are under implementation and 52 projects have been completed and are operational.

Once all these 138 cold chain projects become operational, it will add total 4.76 lakh tonnes of storage capacity in the country along with 118 lakh litres per day milk processing capacity and 810 reefer vehicles.

Ousted Egyptian President Mohammed Morsi sentenced to death

Ousted Egyptian President Mohammed Morsi was sentenced to death by Cairo court for his part in a mass jailbreak in 2011.

Now, country’s religious authorities will have to give their opinion before the sentence can be carried out.

Morsi who is leader Muslim Brotherhood Party was earlier sentenced to 20 years in jail for was on charges of espionage for his involvement in ordering the arrest and torture of protesters during his time in power.

He was Egypt’s first freely elected president after the military rule under Hosni Mubarak came to end in 2011.

In July 2013, he was ousted by the military after days of mass street protests by Egyptians demanding his removal because of his divisive policies.

After he was overthrown, the military led government had suppressed the Muslim Brotherhood movement and thousands of its supporters were arrested including Mohammed Morsi.

The Muslim Brotherhood movement was at its peak during Mohammed Morsi stint as President and had resulted in deaths of hundreds of people and thousands were imprisoned illegally.

UN adopts resolution to strengthen relief efforts in earthquake hit Nepal

United Nations (UN) has adopted a resolution in order to call attention of international community to urgently assist Nepal and help rebuild the country after it was hit by devastating earthquake.

The resolution was led by India and was co-sponsored by 65 other nations including Bangladesh, Afghanistan, Australia, Japan, China, Germany, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Pakistan UK and the US.

It was adopted by consensus at the United Nations during a special 193-member General Assembly session. In the resolution UN has appealed to help raise US $ 423 million over the next three months in order to meet essential needs of Nepal earthquake survivors.

The relief funds collected help rebuild the country and support the victims of the massive 7.8 magnitude quake that had struck Nepal on 25 April 2015 in which more than 8,200 people died.

6th edition of National Conference on Nuclear Energy held in New Delhi

Sixth edition of National Conference on Nuclear Energy held in New Delhi. The theme of this edition was Nuclear Energy: a Clean Energy option.

It was organized by Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (ASSOCHAM), one of the apex trade associations of India.

The conference discussed the issue related to the status of Nuclear Energy in India. Apart from it various issues were also discussed including on nuclear energy to the decarbonisation of power sector, Climate change & the future of nuclear energy, nuclear energy expansion & Make in India.

Quick facts

India is on course of doubling its nuclear power generation capacity in five years i.e. till 2020 by more than 10,000 MW.

At present 3.5% of India’s electricity is generated by Nuclear power plants. In future its share will be less than 10% even if the installed capacity is tripled.

Pope Francis canonises two Palestinian nuns

Pope Francis has canonized Marie Alphonsine Ghattas and Mariam Bawardy from Palestine.

The canonization ceremony was held in Vatican’s St Peter’s Square and was attended by Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and over 2,000 Christian pilgrims from the region.

Both of them are 19th Century nuns who lived in Ottoman-ruled Palestine. They are also are the first Arabic-speaking Catholic saints to Canonized.

Sister Marie-Alphonsine Danil Ghattas was founder of the Sisters of the Most Holy Rosary of Jerusalem and Maryam Baouardy had founded a Carmelite convent in Bethlehem. It should be noted that this move is seen as a token of Vatican support for dwindling Christian communities in the Middle East.

Note: Cannonisation is the act by which the Catholic Church or Eastern Orthodox Church declares a deceased person as a saint. After canonization the person acquires the title of Saint.

Ethiopian runners win both Men’s & Women’s titles in TCS World 10000m run

Ethiopian runners won both the Men’s and Women’s titles in the eighth edition of Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) World 10 Thousand metre run in Bengaluru, Karnataka.

In Men’s category, Mosinet Geremew bagged the title by clocking 28 minutes and 16 seconds, while his teammate Fikadu settled at second place clocking 28 minutes and 14 seconds.

In the women’s section, Mamitu Daska bagged the title by clocking 31 minutes and 57 seconds.

In Indian Men’s category Suresh Kumar bagged the title by clocking 29 minutes 49 seconds. In women’s category Tamil Nadu’s Suriya Loganathan won the title with a time of 35 minutes and 58 seconds.

Vikas Gowda wins bronze medal in Shanghai IAAF Diamond League

India’s ace discus thrower Vikas Gowda won a bronze medal in the second leg of the prestigious International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) Diamond League series in Shanghai, China.

In his fifth and penultimate attempt, Gowda hurled the disc to a distance of 63.90 metres to settle at third position. With this win, he has won 4,000 US Dollars besides earning one Diamond League point.

In this IAAF Diamond League series, Robert Urbanek of Poland won the Gold with a throw of 64.47 metres. Piotr Malachowski of Poland won Silver medal with a throw of 64.47m.

It should be noted that Gowda is National record holder and also 2014 Commonwealth Games gold medallist and Asian Games silver medal winner.

Union Government allocates Rs 5000 cr for development of AYUSH

Union Government has allocated 5,000 crore rupees for the growth of Department of AYUSH, that comprises Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homoeopathy.

It was announced by Union Minister of State (MoS) for AYUSH Sripad Naik at a function in Mumbai, Maharashtra.

The allocation of additional funds to Department of AYUSH will help it to create awareness about Ayurveda and promote traditional ayurvedic medicines at international level.

India and China are two prominent players in the field of traditional medicines at international level. However, traditional Chinese medicines have seen easy acceptance across the globe, but the Indian Ayurvedic medicines are yet to gain global acceptance.

In the last ten years, Indian traditional medicines have seen a 25 per cent rise in sales at the international level. Union Government also focusing to address the issues in order to compete at international level.

Department of AYUSH also has launched an independent National AYUSH Mission aimed at capacity building for the sector. It is also planning to observe Ayurveda Day for creating awareness about Ayurveda.

India, Mongolia decide to elevate ties to strategic partnership

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India and Mongolia have decided to elevate their ties to the level of Strategic partnership.

In this regard a joint statement was issued after the delegation level talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Mongolian counterpart Saikhanbileg in Ulaan Baatar.

It should be noted that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is first Indian PM to Mongolia.

Apart from this India and Mongolia signed 13 agreements to further strengthen bilateral ties in different sectors. They are

• Revised Air Services Agreement- To update the previous arrangements of international air services between India and Mongolia under the Convention on International Civil Aviation.
• Treaty on the Transfer of Sentenced Persons- Indian prisoners convicted in Mongolia will be transferred to India to serve the remaining part of their sentence. Similarly Mongolian citizens convicted in India can be sent to their home country to serve their sentence.
• Agreement on Cooperation in the Field of Animal Health and Dairy- It envisages joint cooperation activities in the areas of dairy, modern technical application, quality control and animal disease control measures, marketing in dairy etc.
• MoU on Cooperation in the Field of Traditional Systems of Medicine and Homeopathy.
• MoU on Establishment of Cyber Security Training Centre in the Ministry of Defence of Mongolia.
• MoU on Establishment of India-Mongolia JointFriendshipSchool in Mongolia.
• Programme on Cooperation in the field ofCulture for the Years 2015-2018.
• MoU for Cooperation between the India’s National Security Council and the National Security Council of Mongolia.
• MoU on Cooperation between the Union Ministry of External Affairs and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Mongolia– To focus on all aspects of the bilateral relationship between both nations in the areas of political, commercial, economic, technical scientific and cultural cooperation as per Protocol on Cooperation signed between both parties on September 17, 1996.
• MoU on Renewable Energy- Both nations will focus on development of new and renewable energy technologies, viz. Solar Energy and Wind Energy.
• MoU on enhancing cooperation between the border guarding forces.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi also announced a line of credit of US $ one billion to support expansion of Mongolia’s economic capacity and infrastructure.

Harkeert Singh Saini, an Indian-American wins Prestigious Police Award in Texas, US

Harkeert Singh Saini, an Indian-American policeman has been awarded the prestigiousTop Civilian Supervisor of the Year.

He was conferred with award for his efficient services to the Houston Police department in the state of Texas of United States. He received this award from Houston Mayor Anise Parker and Police Chief Charles A McClelland.

Saini hails from Hoshiarpur district of Punjab and is a graduate from Deshbandu College in New Delhi.

He had settled in Houston in 1998 and joined Houston Police Department in March 2000. In his 15 years of service he was subsequently promoted as an office supervisor.