JANUARY 2010
C.R. Rao, statistician gets the Indian Science Award declared in connection with the 97th Indian Science Congress being held in Thiruvananthapuram.
The Lokmanya Tilak national journalism award is conferred on the Editor-in-Chief of The Hindu N. Ram in Pune
Ashok Leyland unveils ‘Hybus’ the nation’s first plug-in CNG hybrid bus at the 10th Auto Expo in New Delhi.
India and Bangladesh sign five pacts to add thrust to ties following talks between Prime Ministers Manmohan Singh and Sheikh Hasina Wajed
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh calls for the creation of “solar valleys” in India launching the Jawaharlal Nehru National Solar Mission or ‘Solar India’, at the Solar Energy conclave 2010 in New Delhi.
President Pratibha Patil presents the Indira Gandhi Prize for Peace, Disarmament and Development for 2009 to Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina
The millennium’s longest annular solar eclipse covers a swathe of 1,000 km and the 11-minute spectacle enthrals millions. In Tamil Nadu’s Rameswaram, it began at 11-14 a.m. and ended a little after 3 p.m
India and Malaysia sign an extradition treaty, an MoU, on higher education after talks between Prime Ministers Manmohan Singh and Mohammad Najib Tun Abdul Razak
Padma Vibhushan for former RBI Governor, Y.V. Reddy, Prathap C. Reddy, Nobel laureate Venkataraman Ramakrishnan, Umayalpuram Sivaraman, Ebrahim Alkazi and Zohra Segal. Padma Bhushan for Ilaiyaraja, A.R. Rahman, Aamir Khan, Bipan Chandra and 39 others. Resul Pookutty, Virender Sehwag, Venu Srinivasan, Saina Nehwal among 81 Padma Shri awardees.
Eight litterateurs are presented the first Tagore Literature Awards 2009 instituted by Sahitya Akademi and Samsung Electronics, in New Delhi.
President Pratibha Patil inaugurating the diamond jubilee fete of the Election Commission of India.
India, South Korea sign four pacts, including one on peaceful uses of outer space after talks between Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and President Lee Myung-bak
The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs gives nod for National Tobacco Control Programme.
FEBUARY 2010
The government constitutes a five-member committee under Justice Srikrishna on the Telangana issue.
P. Sainath, Rural Affairs Editor of The Hindu is given the Bharat Asmita national award for using the mass media for public awakening at a function in Pune. He shares it with film and theatre director Jabbar Patel
Uttarakhand bans Bt Brinjal, the genetically modified crop.
Agni III, a long range surface-to-surface ballistic missile is successfully launched from the Wheeler Island off Orissa.
The Environment Ministry imposes moratorium on the release of the transgenic brinjal hybrid developed by Mayco, a subsidiary of global seed giant Monsanto.
Russian director Alexander Gutman’s 17 August wins the Golden Conch for the Best Documentary at the 11th Mumbai International Film Festival of Documentary, Animation and Short Films. Umesh Kulkarni’s The Spell is adjudged the best fiction film.
India and Turkey unveil a joint declaration accepting the need for a Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism. Issue joint declaration on S & T.
India signs a “declaration” on civilian nuclear cooperation with the U.K. in New Delhi.
Renowned Hindustani vocalist Pandit Jasraj, veteran film actor Shreeram Lagoo and danseuse Yamini Krishnamurti among six personalities to be awarded with Sangeet Natak Akademi Fellowship
India offers a 250-million line of credit to Nepal following talks between Nepalese President, Ram Baran Yadav and Prime Minister, Manmohan Singh in New Delhi
The Supreme Court sets up a fire-member empowered committee to go into all issues concerning the Mullaiperiyar dam.
The Supreme Court appoints the former Chief Justice of India A.S. Anand as the Chairman of the Empowered ComShyam Saran, the Special Envoy of the Prime Minister on Climate Change quits.mittee on Mullaperiyar issue
The Union Cabinet gives nod for a new pact with the U.S. on Agriculture Cooperation and Food Security
Sanskriti Express a special train to mark Rabindranath Tagore’s 150th birth Anniversary; ‘Karmabhoomi trains’ and special tourist trains, ‘Bharat Tirth’ are among highlights.
Maqbool Fida Hussain, India’s most celebrated artist gets Qatar Nationality.
A sum of Rs.66,100 crore is provided for rural development and allocation for defence goes up to Rs.1,47,344 Crore in the Union Budget for 2010-11.
National Social Security fund for unorganised sector on the anvil
MARCH 2010
The 108th Constitution Amendment Bill (Women’s Reservation Bill) is tabled in the Rajya Sabha amid bedlam
The Permanent Residents (Women’s Disqualification) Bill is introduced in the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Council
The Rajya Sabha votes to amend the Constitution to reserve one-third of seats in Parliament and the State Assemblies for women, after three hours of debate. The RJD withdraw’s support to the government.
The Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, inaugurates the world’s first green legislature building, the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly-Secretariat Complex on the Omandurar Government Estate in Chennai
Cabinet nod for National Accreditation Regulatory Authority for Higher Educational Institutions Bill, 2010, and the Educational Tribunals Bill 2010.
Clearance for proposal to amend Anti-Hijacking Act of 1982 to include the death penalty.
Veteran cinematographer V.K. Murthy is presented the Dada Saheb Phalke Lifetime Achievement Award at the 55th National Film Awards 2008 in New Delhi. Upendra Limaye gets best actor award for role in Marathi film Jogva. Priyanka Chopra bags best female actor honours for role in Fashion.
The vertical launch of Brahmos Missile is carried out successfully off the Orissa coast
The Supreme Court stays mining by the Obulapuram Mining Company in Anantapur, Andhra Pradesh owned by Karnataka Ministers G.Janardhan Reddy and G.Karunakara Redd
Maharashtra Chief Minister Ashok Chavan inaugurates the second phase of the Bandra-Worli sealink which becomes fully operational.
Nuclear – capable, ship based Dhanush and surface-to-surface Prithivi II are testfired successfully off the Orissa coastAgni-I ballistic missile is test-fired successfully from the Wheeler Island off the Orissa coast
APRIL 2010
The Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009 comes into effect. For the first time, education will become a constitutional right.
India launches “Census 2011”, the biggest-ever census attempted in the history of mankind. The first-ever National Population Register will also be prepared to create a biometric national database.
Asko Parpola, Professor Emeritus of Indology in the University of Helsinki, Finland is chosen for the Kalaignar M. Karunanidhi Classical Tamil Award for 2009.
The Unique Identity Number project takes a baby step with the launch of a test phase named ‘Proof of Concept’ in Medak and Krishna districts of Andhra Pradesh.
The Centre halts the HPV (Human Papiloma Virus) vaccine programme meant to prevent cervical cancer among women.
The Union Cabinet gives nod for the big ticket disinvestment in Steel Authority of India Ltd.
Indian scientists announce the first-ever detailed mapping of mycobacterium tuberculosis
The Tamil Nadu Assembly passes a resolution seeking to revive the Legislative Council
At least 120 people are killed as Nor’wester, a violent tropical storm strikes Bihar, West Bengal
The mission to put communication satellite GSAT-4 in orbit ends in fiasco after India’s own cryogenic engine in the GSLV-D3 fails to ignite and the vehicle tumbles into the sea
The Country’s first Anti Submarine Warfare Corvette, ASWC Kamorta, is launched at the Garden Reach Ship Builders & Engineers Limited in Kolkata
The Unique Identification Authority of India unveils logo (AADHAR) — the halo of the sun on the imprint of a thumb — and brand name for the 16-digit unique identification number in New Delhi
India’s first stealth frigate INS Shivalik is commissioned at the Mazagon Dock Limited in Mumbai
The Lok Sabha adopts the National Green Tribunal Bill, 2009, which envisages the setting up of a national tribunal exclusively to deal with environmental law
MAY 2010
Gujarat celebrates golden jubilee of the Statehood. Chief Minister Narendra Modi administers “golden pledges’ to the youth
Rajya Sabha passes a Bill for setting up the 78-member Legislative Council in Tamil Nadu.
Nod for National Green Tribunal Bill. Parliament nod for rise in gratuity limit
The Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Bill, 2010 is introduced in the Lok Sabha amid protests
India begins year-long celebrations of Rabindranath Tagore’s 150th birth anniversary with the inaugural of an exhibition of paintings by Gurudev
The government decides to set up a Pharma-copoeia Commission for developing indigenous medicines. Nod for national defence university
The Prototype Fast Breder Reactor under construction at Kalpakkam crosses milestone as the thermal baffle is placed inside main vessel.
Agni-II Surface-to-surface ballistic missile is successfully flight tested from the Wheeler Island off the Orissa coast
The first indigenously built Light Combat Helicopter makes its inaugural flight in Bangalore
ICICI Bank acquires Bank of Rajasthan through a no-cash merger deal valued at Rs. 3,000 crore
Dr. Anil Kakodkar, former Chairman of the Atomic Energy Commission is presented Goa’s highest civilian award – Gomant Vibhushan Award
JUNE 2010
A National Social Security Fund for workers in the unorganised sector on the anvil.
India unveils indigenous A (H1N1) Vaccine – Vaxiflu – s, the egg-based inactivated vaccine
India and South Africa sign three pacts after a summit-level meeting between Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and President Jacob Gedleyihlekisa Zuma,
Bharti Airtel completes a deal to buy out and Kuwait-based Zain Telecom’s African business for $10.7 billion, in the largest-ever telecom takeover by an Indian firm
India and Sri Lanka sign seven pacts. Joint Declaration issued after talks between Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and President Mahinda Rajapaksa
The first World Classical Tamil Conference is inaugurated by the President Pratibha Patil in Coimbatore. The Kalaignar M. Karunanidhi Classical Tamil Award is presented to renowned Indologist Asko Parpola
The Centre deregulates petrol and goes in the partial deregulation in the case of diesel
JULY 2010
The Green Action for National Dandi Heritage Initiative project (GANDHI), a Rs.25 crore scheme is launched in Dandi, Gujarat.
The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs gives nod for the National Programme for Prevention and Control of Cancer, Diabetes, Cardiovascular Diseases and Stroke
‘Soleckshaw’ (solar rickshaw) solar-powered postal delivery rickshaws launched in New Delhi.
ISRO’s Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV-C 15) puts in orbit five satellites, including the tiny Studsat a pico satellite built by engineering college students of Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka, after a successful liftoff from Sriharikota
A supersonic interceptor missile Advanced Air Defence successfully brings down an “enemy” ballistic missile at Wheeler Island in Orissa
Orissa begins the land acquisition process for the proposed Posco-India steel project in Jagatsinghpur district.
India and Myanmar sign five agreements in the presence of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Senior General Than Shwe in New Delhi.
A pact for the supply of 57 Hawk Advanced Jet Trainer aircraft to the IAF and the Navy is signed in the presence of British Prime Minister David Cameron at the HAL centre in Bangalore
India and the U.K. decide to give impetus to their security and trade ties after Manmohan Singh-David Cameron talks in New Delhi. Pact on cultural cooperation inked.
The Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi inaugurates South East Asia’s biggest desalination plant at Minjur in Tiruvallur district
AUGUST 2010
Two merchant vessels, MSC Chitra (laden with 26,000 tonnes of oil) and MV Khalijia III collide in the Arabian Sea off the Mumbai coast resulting in a massive oil spill. Mangroves near the Elephanta Island and those near Vashi in Navi Mumbai take the hit.
The 107-year-old heritage wing of the Taj Palace and Tower Hotel in Mumbai subjected to a terror attack on November 26, 2008 reopens
Amanjot Singh and Sahil Wadhwa, students of Ryan International in Rohini, New Delhi discover the main belt asteroid named 2010 P024.
Dialogue is the only option, be it with Pakistan, Kashmiri separatists or naxalites, says the Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in his address to the nation on the 64th Independence Day. Announces setting up of the Norman Borlaug Institute of South Asia
The Prime Minister Manmohan singh gives nod for setting up a 17-member National Innovation Council
The Centre clears for implementation the Rajiv Gandhi Scheme for Empowerment of Adolescent Girls known as ‘Sabla’
Commander Dilip Dhonde of Maharashtra is awarded Shaurya Chakra for becoming the first Indian to undertake a solo circumnavigation of the globe
The Loharinag Pala hydel project under construction on the Bhagirathi near Uttarkashi in Uttarkhand to be scrapped.
Rajya Sabha passes the Nalanda University Bill
A cloned buffalo, Garima II, is born at the Karnal-based National Dairy Research Institute
The Union Government says ‘no’ to Vedanta Alumina’s $1.7 billion plan to mine bauxite in the Niyamgiri Hills of Orissa
Parliament nod for Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Bill, 2010
A five-rupee commemorative coin on Mother Teresa to mark the birth centenary celebrations is presented to President Pratibha Patil in New Delhi
Parliament adopts the Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Bill, with the Rajya Sabha approving it
SEPTEMER 2010
Brahmos Cruise missile is successfully test-fired at supersonic speed in a steep-dive mode from the Integrated Test Range at Chandipur, off Orissa
Homi Nusserwanji Sethna (86), the former Chairman of the Atomic Energy Commission, who played a key role in the May 18, 1974 Pokhran nuclear explosion dies at his home in Mumbai.
The biggest India-Pakistan transfer of 442 civilian prisoners (which began on Aug.31) is completed
Union Cabinet recommends the revocation of President’s rule in Jharkhand
Veteran filmmaker Daggubati Ramanaidu is chosen for the Dadasaheb Phalke Award 2009
The Union Sports Minister M.S.Gill, launches a song ‘Shera’ for the Common wealth Games, in New Delhi
Irom Sharmila on a fast-unto-death since November 4, 2000, demanding the repeal of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act in Manipur is presented the Rabindranath Tagore Award 2010
The IAF’s gigabyte digital information grid — the AFNET (Air Force Network) is dedicated to the nation by the Defence Minister, A.K. Antony, in New Delhi
The Tata Institute of Fundamental Research to fund a Rs.2-crore proposal to build a prototype gravitational wave detector
Kutty Srank, a Malayalam drama bags the best feature film award at the National Film Awards Festival for 2009 in New Delhi. Amitabh Bachchan gets best Actor award for his role in Paa
An award in the name of the ‘queen of song’ The Hindu Saregama M.S. Subbulakshmi Award’ is instituted in Chennai
Divya Ajith Kumar of Chennai becomes the first woman in the history of the Indian Army to receive the “Sword of Honour’ for the best cadet passing out of the OTA, St. Thomas Mount
Malayalam litterateur O.N.V. Kurup and Urdu poet Aklaq Khan Shahryar are chosen for the Jnanpith Award for 2007 and 2008 respectively
One thousand artistes perform Bharatanatyam as part of the Millennium Celebrations of the Big Temple, Thanjavur.
The release of a special postal stamp and a five rupee coin mark the conclusion of the five-day-long celebration on the Thanjavur Big Temple Millennium
Union Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee launches ‘Swavalamban,’ a pension scheme for unorganised sector workers, in Murshidabad district, West Bengal
Three women among nine scientists chosen for the Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Prize 2010
Veteran actor Shreeram Logoo, danseuse Yamini Krishnamurti and musician Lalgudi G. Jayaraman are among a host of artistes honoured with the Sangeet Natak Akademi fellowships, awards for 2009
India offers $500 million credit line to Mozambique after talks between Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and the visiting President Armando Guebuza in New Delhi. Three pacts inked
OCTOBER 2010
Aruna Roy, political and social activist, is presented the Lal Bahadur Shastri National Award for Excellence in Public Administration, Academic and Management by the President Pratibha Patil, in New Delhi.
The Union Cabinet approves the Judicial Standards and Accountability Bill.
Music director A.R. Rahman and the Ramakrishna Mission Ashram, Chhattisgarh are jointly chosen for the 25th Indira Gandhi Award for National Integration for the year 2009.
The Cabinet Committee on Infrastructure gives nod for the proposal to build a Mega Container Terminal at the Chennai Port.
The biggest ever Commonwealth Games end on a dazzling note. India bags 101 medals.
Nod for Neutrino Observatory project in the Bodi West Hills in Theni district in Tamil Nadu.
Coal India’s initial public offer opens for public subscription.
India launches the National Green Tribunal to be headed by former Supreme Court Judge Lokeshwar Singh Panta.
The Union Cabinet gives nod for The Enemy Property (Amendment and Validation) Second Bill, 2010
Nod for Indira Gandhi Matritva Sahyog Yojana, a monetary scheme for pregnant women and lactating mothers.
President Pratibha Patil presents the Dada Saheb Phalke Award to D. Ramanaidu at the 57th National Films Award 2009 function in New Delhi. Pasanga bags the Rajat Kama for the best Tamil film
The National Advisory Council reaches consensus on a universal food security system with legal guarantees
India and Bangaladesh sign a $ 1 billion Line of Credit agreement
Narmada Bachao Andolan completes 25 years. in New Delhi.
NOVEMBER 2010
The Union Cabinet gives nod for the Protection of Women against sexual Harassment at Workplace Bill, 2010
Mumbai a symbol of incredible energy and optimism that defines India, says the U.S. President Barack Obama commemorating the 26/11 terror attack at the Taj Mahal Palace and Towers.
The outgoing Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva is chosen for the Indira Gandhi Prize for Peace, Disarmament and Development for 2010
‘Sabla’ or Rajiv Gandhi’s Scheme for Adolescent Girls’ is launched in New Delhi
Huge oil spill as two cargo ships collide on the Hooghly river at Nurpur in West Bengal’s South 24 Parganas district
India launches the Mobile Number Portability service, with Union Minister Kapil Sibal making it available from Rohtak, Haryana.
The 9900 MWe Jaitapur Nuclear Power Project in Maharashtra gets environmental clearance
DECEMBER 2010
The Union Cabinet gives nod for India-Sri Lanka ferry service
The Judicial Standards and Accountability Bill is tabled in the Lok Sabha.
Bengali filmmaker Gautam Ghose’s “Moner Manush” (The Quest) bags the Golden Peacock Award for Best Film at the 41st IFFI 2010, in Panaji, Goa
India, France sign seven pacts, including five in the area of nuclear energy, presided over by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and President Nicolas Sarkozy in New Delhi.
Actor Saroja Devi is selected for the NTR National Award for 2009. Media baron Ch. Ramoji Rao gets the Nagi Reddy and Chakrapani National Award.
The Protection of Women against Sexual Harassment at Workplace Bill, 2010 is introduced in Lok Sabha.
Satyanand Mishra is chosen the next Chief Information Commissioner
India and China sign 50 deals worth $16 billion in the presence of the Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao in New Delhi. China-India Friendship Award for nine persons
Sachin Tendulkar creates history by becoming the first batsman to score 50 Test centuries during his unbeaten knock at Centurion in South Africa
The former Union Minister M.P. Veerendra Kumar and Tamil writer Nanjil Nadan among this year’s Sahitya Akademi winners
India and Russia sign the contract for the preliminary design of the Fifth Generation Fighter Aircraft after talks between Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and President Dmitry Medvedev, in New Delhi. Twentynine other pacts inked
The launch of the GSLV-F06 from Sriharikota ends in a failure
‘Jal Hans,’ the nation’s first seaplane service is launched at the Juhu aerodrome in Mumbai.
The Srikrishna Committee on the Telangana issue submits report
The Krishna Water Disputes Tribunal II grants highest share to Andhra Pradesh.
