PERSONS
Mr. Alex Menon Collector of Sukma Distt. (Chatisgarh)
abducted by Maoists.
National Bio-Diversity Auth Chairman is Balakrishna Pisupati
P.S.Appu Director, Mussorie 1980-81
Jadav Payeng He made a forest out of a sand bar of 550 hectares
in the middle of Brahmaputra near Jorhat.
Jhina Hikaka BJD MLA of Orissa held hostage by Maoists is let free.
MISCELLANEOUS
Homai Vyasawalla India’s first female photo journalists expires at 98.
Flight Lt. Sneha Sekhawat leads the Air Force in Republic Day Celebrations
Aklaq Md. Khan The poet Lyricist was more famous
as Shahryar. He got JnanaPeetha for 2008.
He died recently.
Sandeep Singh Scores 5 Goals against France in Hockey so
Inida qualifies for Olympic ( by 8 1 goal) In
2008, India did not qualify in 80 Years.
Sailendranath Manna Defender of India football team in London
Olympics dies at 87.
PRESIDENTS AND PMs
Saleh - President of Yemen heads for U.S.A. for the
burns he sustained in June.
Yemen New President is Abd Rabbu Mansour Hadi.
He was vide president under Saleh.
Charles Taylor - Ex President of Liberia Convicted for inciting
Civil war in Siera Leon, the special court
established by Siera Leone & UN.
Mrs. Yubia Tymoshenko former P.M. of Ukrain and Heroine of 2004 pro west
Oranges Revolution is in prison now.
INTERNATIONAL ORGANISATIONS
I C J - Indian sponsors the name of Dalveer Bhandari
S.Court Justice), against the vacancy for Asia.
The vacancy arose due to the resignation of the judge
from Jordan to be P.M. of his country. There are 15
judges whose term is 9 years. Adhoc judges from
India were M.C.Chagla (in a dispute with Portugal)
Justice Jeevan Reddy (in a dispute with Pak)
U.N.G.A. Plenary Session on 26.01.2012 . G4 bid for UNSC seat.
It calls for expansion in the permanent and non
–permanent category. If they insist on veto power ,
the chance for expansion will be vetoed. Coffee club
or “United for Consensus” opposes them.
U N S C -Syria
But China and Russia veto it.
This is the second double veto (first one was on 5th Oct., 2011)
Reasons- the resolution expressly rules out intervention under article 42 of UN Charter.
Article 42 is in Chapter VII of the Charter which authorizes force).
The present resolution is under Chapter VI.
Russia & China
Veto because the Resolution against Libya in last
year March authorized only a no-fly zone. But the
U.S.A. military misused it. It was a more intrusive
operation.
did not authorize use of force on Libya
U N Human rights Council India votes in favour of USA
Out of 47 votes, 24 were in favour, 15 against and 8 were abstentions.
At India’s instance the resolution was made non intrusive and directed to promote reconciliation.
World Bank U.S.A. has 17% weightage in vote.
World Bank Jim Yong Kim is elected President By
profession he is a doctor (AIDS Specialist) and an anthropologist)
UNSMIS UN’s Supervision Mission. In Syria
consist of 300 unarmed personnel.
I M F It needs 70% vote for quota reforms and 85%
vote for any reform in the Board.
I C J - India’s Justice Dalveer Bhandari is elected with
122 votes (out of 187) in UNGA . He defeats
Philippines judge. It is a 6 years term.
One can also get a second 9 years term.
I C J has 15 judges who serve for 9 years –
Africa -3, L.A. -2, Asia-3, Western Europe
and others -5, Eastern Europe -2.
MISCELLANEOUS
Mrs. Meredoth Alexander An environmentalist quits Olympics
Ethics Panel (in London) in protest against
Dow Chemical’s Bhopal link.
Nik Wallenda to rope walk on Niagara Falls
Michael Aris Husband of Suu Kuyi , The British person
has expired in 1988.
INDIA PLACES
War Graves of World War II- Guwahati Kohima Digboi & Imphal in the north
east Nabagraha at Guwahati is the only one
with eleven Japanese bodies. Delhi
Kolkata & Pune have also World War II
cemeteries.
inhabited. Port Blair is 1262 K.M. from main land.
Anola Rohila Khand, U.P. 20 lakh M.T. Urea Plant. It is largest fertilizer
unit of IFFCO.
India will request IMO (Int. Maritime Org) to delist
its peninsular water from the list of high risk
zones, as there has been no case of piracy
during last 3 years (Refer to enrica Lexie Shooting Case)
Shadman Chowk Lahore
hanged on 23 March, 1931.
Abujmad forest H.Q. of Maoist forces. It is in Chhatisgarh.
CRPF enters the forest after 1947.
M.P.- Bans Gutkha. First Indian state to do so.
Siachen 117 Pal Soldiers killed by avalanche.
It is second longest glacier of the world.
(after ples) and the longest in Karakoram.
The accident happened in Byari Sector.
WORLD COUNTRIES
(in 1949) demarcated upto the point N.J.9842 and then
to the glacier. In 1984 India
Operation Meghdoot to pre-emptively occupy
Sachem.
Turkey. Turkey is heavily dependent on Iran Oil.
B R I C S: 18% of World GDP ,40% of population, 15%
of Trade and 40% of currency reserves. Their
GDP is $14 trillion.
3,70,000/- barrels per day from Iran. It is
India’s second highest crude supplier. India ’s
annual consumption is 164 M.T. Saudi Arabia
and Iran supply 58% of it.
Iran oil – Due to US sanctions, India is diversifying to Saudi Arabia,
Iraq, Kazakh, Venezuela and Nigeria.
China is diversifying to S.A. Qatar & UAE all foes of Iran.
Eurasian Union – On Ist Jan Common Economic Space (CES)
come into operation. It comprises Russia
Belarus & Kazhakh 3 ex-Soviet States.
It is an economic integration. They have set up a
customs union removing customs control on their border.
EEC Eurasian Economic Commission) has been established which will
monitor compliance with CES rules. CES courts
will deal with disputes Kyrgyz and Tajiki have
already applied for membership.
Rwanda 8 lakh tulsi minority were killed in 1994 (by Hutus)
years and then extension for 20years.
U.S.A - RESCUES Irania Ship from pirates.
Leviathan oil fields. India
here. India gets most of its gas from Qatar
Jasmine & Tahrir One year after the Revolution people feel that
revolution would not have happened in Egypt had
Obama not given a speech in Cairo, two years back.
Generation Students”. All democratic reform
are called ‘Burmese Spring’ .
China - attacked Vietnam in 1979 ‘to teach them a lesson’.
member next year. It must be approved by
all national parliaments of E.U.
The pre-conditions are democracy market economy,
rule of law and abolition of death penalty.
A Member must also co-operate with Hague
Tribunal which is looking to war crimes of 1990s.
Christians North is dominated by Muslims Boko
Haram bombs Kano City.
South Sudan which offers only one dollar, this
is extortion.
future state of Palestine. It will slice 10% of
West Bank and leave Jerusalem on Israeli side.
Thousands worked there from perennially draught sticken
Niger and others like Chad, Sudan, Eritrea, and Somalia.
Due to unrest everybody goes back.
Kuwait : Parliament Election – Islamists (opposition parties)
get 34 out of total 50 seats. Sunni Islamists get
23 (out of the 34). No women wins. All 4 earlier
women M.Ps. lose. Shias (30% of population) get only 7 seats.
minority. So the Sunni extremists have jumped into the fray.
in west bank and Gaza trip in May. The agreement was brokered by Qatar
Hamas violently took Gaza in 2007.
Out of its 1190 inlands only 200 are inhabited.
It got full independence from England in 1965.
In a coup attempt in 1988, India had saved the then
president by sending naval forces under “ Operation Cactus”.
U.S. : Issues new licences for two nuclear plants. Last licence given was in 1978.
Three mile Island disaster was in 1979.
After that all construction had stopped.
The last reactor come up in 1996 (It has 104 nuclear reactors).
U.K. defence cooperation. This is as per the “Lancaster
House Accords” signed by France & U.K.
house Accords” signed by France & U.K. in 2010
November.
Turkmenistan : Energy rich (in gas) – So TAPI.
Tries ‘stuxnet’ worm against Iran
out the operation. Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi
watched the operation in Navy room in Delhi
TFG transitional Fed Govt. will end in August. So
Puntland & Galmudug regions and the head of anti-
Shebab Militia, haveconcluded an agreement for a new Govt.
A 225 member lower house will have 30% women.
An upper house of 54 to be nominated and drawn from different clans and regions.
A national constituent Assembly of 1000 persons to be nominated by the above 4 heads.
Agreement was signed at Garowe. Mogadishu city is protected by 10000 A.U.
forces from Uganda, Burundi and Dijibouti.
Kyrgyz : Its Manas airport is U.S. U.S.
close it (under Russian Pressure).
Yemen : Saleh to go he is 4th dictator to quit(after Tunisia, Egypt and Libya).
It is the base of Qaida, Shia Iran supports its north rebels of Houthi. Saudi Arabia
had sent troops in 2009 to quell this revolt across its porous border
Iran : Its massive military exercise ‘Sarollah’ (god’s Revenge)
to protect its nuclear sites against Israeli strike.
R P (Responsibility to Protect).
million
shift its population due to sea level rising.
Kiribati has a population of 1,03,000 Fiji’s population is 8,50,000.
Kiribati straddles the Equator near the I.D.L.
U.S.A. : The National Defence Authorisation Act imposes
sanction on Iran.
Mali : Coup by military soldiers who went to fight for
Qadhafi in Libya have come back heavily armed.
The Govt. has not properly handled the Tuareg
Insurgency of the north.
Mali : Tuareg rebels take control of the north. They
declare it to be independent Azawad nation.
In 1958 they requested France (the colonial
Power) not to pair them with Mali
Leader captain Amdaou Sanogo. Mali
Only functioning demo in the region. The election
Was only on month away.
NMLA : National movement for the liberation of Azawad.
Kenya : Oil discovered first time. It is in Turkana region
Bordering south Sudan and Uganda
the injured. Syria-led talks to address concern of
Syrian people.
including east Jerusalem and Gaza
Mali : Ansar Dine, the extremist Islamist group wants
to impose sharia law in the Azawad region freed
by MNLA.
Tuaregs are fighting for freedom since 1958. They
are in the north, and have a light skin. The
Southerners have a dark skin.
Guinea Bissau : Soldiers stage a coup to capture the capital.
South Sudan : Proposes oil pipe line from Juba to Lamu in Kenya
for export.
Occupied West Bank : Only one hour drive from Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion
Airport. Palestinians fly to the airport to throng
to the west bank in protest.
Turkey : Had 4 coups in 1960,1971,1980 and 1997.
The 1997 was called the ‘Post Modern’ coup.
Kenya : Mau Mau rising in 1950s. A man was roasted alive
by the British soldiers. The rising was at Kikuyu.
Sudan : Got independence from England and Eqypt on
1st January 1956.
Turkey : Gulen movement founded by Fetehullah Gulen
against the privileges of the Military. Mr Gulen
did not support the 1997 soft coup that ousted
the Prime Minister Necmetin Erbakan.
NEIGHBOURS
Tripura : Border with Bangladesh is 856 k.m.
Palatana P.P. is 726 MW. Bangladesh
Wants a share. In 1971, Tripura had more
Refugees than population.
Lahore : First ever ‘India Show’ organised 200 Indian
Companies participated.
Years. In 1963 China
Reached on Aksai China China
5300 sq.km. that Pak claimed and transferred
1942 sq.km in Oprang Valley
the word ‘Islamic’ from the name of Pak.
It was reintroduced in 1962.
(Permanent-5) +1 (Germany
Meghalay : Border with Bangladesh
PLACES (FOREIGN)
Sometimes two miles across.
try to monopolise it – US, Russia , Canada
Denmark & Norway Arctic Circle is 21 million
sq km land and 13 million sq km ice bound.
It has 40% of world’s current gas and oil. The
distance between Rotterdam
through North West Passage (above Russia
and Europe ) is 12894 km. It is 20921 km via
traditional strategic choke points of global
route – Panama , Suez
Malacca lose their economic significance. They
are also pirate infested. The distribution of
World’s critical resources would be drastically
re-arranged.
support.
Parchin : Military testing site of Iran
IAEA observers to visit this site.
Northern Distribution
Network : It is a route to Central Asia . It involves
Termez in Uzbekistan
(Afgan) is used by NATO for non-lethal
supplies. Mazar Herat road goes to
Delaram, an India built road from Iran
border to Port of Chabahar
Bab Amr Area : Of Homs in Syria
destruction is comparable to Grozny
the UN described as the most destroyed
city on earth Baba Amr is Sunni dominated.
(Mali
Kawhmu : Suu Kyi’s constituency at the South West
fringe of Yangoon.
Heglig : Oil rich area of Sudan South Sudan captures
it.
Its export. It is hit by cyber attack.
AGRICULTURE
indOOS : Indian ocean observing system- 49 buoys
are to be placed, but thwarted by pirates.
RAMA : Research moored array for African, Asian
Australian Monsoon analysis and
prediction.
BGREI : Bringing green Rev to Eastern India. It is a
Program of RKVYJ. Eastern region includes
Eastern U.P. and W.B.
Cotton Export Ban : Export has exceeded target of 8.4. million bales.
ART
Zhang Jun : Bharatnatyam & Kathak dancer of China
In 1950s & 1960s she xpires at 79 now.
Sobha Brahma : Artist & sculptor from Assam dies at 82.
K.L. Saigal : Sang 185 songs
Films : 100 years. Raja Harischandra was released
On 21st April 1913. Pundalik was released in
1912, but it was the project of a British
Cinematographer.
AWARDS
Ballon d’Or : FIFA’s highest award (for 2011) goes to
Lionel. Messi for the 3rd consecutive year.
Platini, Johan Cruyff & Marco Van, Basten
are the only 3 others who have got it for
3 years.
Golden Globe : Best Director is Martin Scorsese(‘Hugo’).
Best film is ‘descendants’. Best actress is
Meryl streep. Best actor is George
Clooney (Descendants).
Awards : ‘The Artist’ a black and white silent movie
sweeps in 12 categories. Director is French
Michael Hazanavicius.
Padma Vibhushan : Bhupen Hazarika, Mario de Miranda
(Cartoonist), K.G. Subramanian
(Painting & Sculpture), Dr.K.H. Sancheti
(Orthopaedics).
Ashok Chakra : Navdeep Singh posthumously.
Amartya Sen : Gets U S A’s National Medal for arts and
humanities. He is first non-American to
get the honour.
Oscar : ‘The Artist’ – silent movie Meryl Streep gets
Best actress for playing, Margaret Thatcher
in ‘Iron Lady’. Pakistan
“Saving Face” (on acid victims) by Ms Sharmeen
Obaid Chinoy, their first Oscar.
Pritzker Prize : Nobel for architecture. It goes to Wang Shu
of China
National Film Award : Two films – ‘Byari’ and ‘Deool’ (Marrathi)
share the top honour. The Director of
‘Byari’ is K.P. Suveerar.
Women Kabadi : The world cup was at Patna. India
Abel Prize : Endre Szemeredi, Hungarian
Mathematician for 2012.
Dada Saheb Phalke : Soumitra Chatterjee gets it for 2011.
He acted in Satyajit Ray films.
BOOKS
‘Where China Meets India
On Myannar.
“ Breaking the silence” : This books depicts the memory of
1960-65 in Indonesia
started his anti – communism purge.
He killed 5 lakh people, the ruled
‘Can’t is not an option’ : Book by Namrata Randhawa Haley,
South Carolina Governor.
Newton : His book ‘Math Principles of Natural
Philosophy’ could not be published by
Royal Society till 1687. The society
was a bankrupt by publishing an
illustrated book – A History of Fishes
Edmund Halley then a clerk at the
Royal Society raised funds for Newton
Book’s publication.
CELEBRATION
A.N.C. : African National Congress celebrates
100 years on 8th January. It came to
Power in 1994.
Mat science : Institute of mathematical sciences was
set up on 3.1.1962. So fifty years now.
between Gandhiji and Ambedkar.
Gen Francisco Franco : Ruled Spain
Republicans were defeated in the civil war
1936-39. It led to Franco’s rule.1,40,000
People disappeared during his rule. But
the 1977 Amnesty Law does not permit
the period to be investigated.
Falkland war : In 1982 between Argentina and England
over Falkland Islands (Malvinas, as
Queen Elizabeth : Sixty years of reign from 6th Feb.1952,
when her father George VI had died.
She was in Kenya Victoria
Reigned for 63 years.
(lebens raum) in Czech and Poland
the 2nd world war.
A S I : 150 years. It is in charge of 3677
Monuments and sites and 44 antiquities.
Out of them 23 are UNESCO heritage.
Black Hand : Nationalists of Serbia
Ferdinand which led to the First world war.
Genocide denial. So Turkey
Its ambassador from Paris
that law.
CONFRENCES INT
Pravasi Bharatiya Divas : The 10th one at Jaipur. Chief guest is
Mrs. Kamla Prasad Bissessar, Prime Minister of Trinida &
Tobago Oil & Natural Gas is their 40% of GDP. So Tinide & Tobago wants
to set up a refinery in Rajsthan.
Davos : N -11 nations
(Common but differentiated Responsibilities) was recognised in 1992
boycott it.
Fed Govt.will end in August.
One. The first was at Washington
April – 2010. Nuclear materials should be
Safely kept so that terrorists do not make
A ‘dirty bomb’. India
NSRA (Nuclear Safety Regulatory Auth)
Under a law.
The precursor to the NSS meeting at Seoul
‘Sherpa’s’ meeting was concluded at
BRICS : 4th summit at Delhi. It concludes two
agreements – Master Agreement on
Extending credit facility in Local Currency,
and Multilateral Letter of credit Confirmation Facilities Agreement.
Phnom Penh : ASEAN Summit 20th calls for lifting
Sanctions against Myanmar
AGREEMENTS
was originally effective from 21.2.2007.
Territorial Waters : The 1982 Geneva Convention fixed territorial waters at 12 nautical miles,
Contiguous Zone of 24 n.m and E.E.Z. of
200 n.m, measured from appropriate base line.
Non Alignment 2.O. : It should steer clear of China and USA
Rivalry. It is the foreign and strategic policy
Of India
CTBT : Only 8 countries have not signed – US, India , China , Iran , Pakistan ,
Egypt, Israel and North Korea. In February 2012 Indonesia
BILATERAL
Look East Policy of Obama : China
Sanction against Iran
of Iran
will pour into Azerbaijan & Russia
Sunni Saudi Arabia than from Shia Iran
. But India
Country. India
Afghan (and energy rich Central Asia ) by
World has 18 crore Shia. Iran
40% of it. Pakistan has 40 million Shia, second after Iran
South Sudan & India
in Sudan
lies precariously straddled across the
undemarcated border of Sudan & South
Of the oil of erstwhile undivided Sudan
Afghan US : Strategic Partnership Pact. It defines
their relationship after ISAF quits Afghan
in 2014.
CONSTITUTION & LAWS
Consumer Courts : will get power of Civil & criminal Courts
to enforce their decisions. So Consumer
Protection Act (1986) to be amended.
SOPA & PIPA : Passed by USA
Piracy Act and Protect Intellectual Property Act.
They will block access to
Sites containing unauthorised copyright
material.
13th Amendment Plus : It is an approach to solve Tamil Problems
in Sri Lanka
of a ‘Senate’ (Upper House) representing
all provinces.
Lokpal : Article 253 empowers Parliament to enact
On subjects on which India
International Treaty or Convention. India
has ratified UN Convention on Corruption.
Arms Act : Section 27 (3) imposes mandatory death
Penalty. Supreme Court declares it ultra
vires as it restricts the Court’s power by
Prescribing the irreversible death penalty
only. It violates Article 14 & 21. Due process just,
reasonable, fair, etc are
concepts real into those articles. Dalbir
Model Code of Conduct : Should have statutory backing.
Sec 377 of IPC : deals with homosexuality. Delhi
Court declares it to be ultra vires
Right to Education Act : Supreme Court upholds it. 25%
Reservation for the poor in all private
Schools except unaided pvt. Minority
Schools (Article 30(1)). Right to Education
Is read into right to a dignified life (Art 21).
Art 21(A) was enacted because Article 45
requires the State to provide for free &
compulsory education upto the age of 14.
State is the custodian of all children.
Children of all socio-economic backgrounds
must be properly mixed.
Piracy Bill 2012 : Piracy was not included in IPC 1860 or
Cr PC, 1973. The present bill makes it a
crime and prescribes punishment. If
piracy is committed within India
any national he can be punished with life
imprisonment. The punishment can be
death if the criminal causes death. Any
Gazetted Officer of Centre or States or
any Police officer can arrest them.
DAYS & YEARS
Year of Korea in India India
26th January 1788 : First British fleet arrived in Australia
Set up a colony. So it is Australia Day.
World Malaria Day : 25th April
DEPARTMENTS & COMMISSIONS
DGTR : Director General of Trade Remedies. He will
Enquire into subsidies given by countries to
Boost their trade. He will deal with anti-dumping
Action.
CAA : Civil Aviation Authority will replace DGCA. It will be
a super regulator. Unlike DGCA, the UPSC will have
no role in CAA’s recruitment. CAA can demand financial
documents and B / S from airlines.
Kakodkar Committee
On Railway Safety : recommends modern signalling, doing away with
Unmanned level crossings, replacing overaged assets,
Introducing new generation coaches.
Bathroom excretions should not fall on tracks.
Other reports on
Railway : Justice H.R. Khanna Committee on September 1997.
Anti-Collision devices were introduced as per his
Recommendations. Rakesh Mohan Committee Report
Was in 2001. Sam Pitroda Committee on Railway
Modernisation is presently working.
NCTC : Will act under Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act.
Arrest is to be made u/s 43A. The arrestee has to be
Produced before the nearest SHO u/s 43B.
M.B. Shah
Commission : On illegal mining of iron and manganese last year.
Justice A.S. Anand
Committee : Mullai Periyar Dam is safe.
ELECTIONS
80% in Parliament vote. In 2007 his party had got
88% vote and no other party got a single seat. So,
It was a one Party Parliament.
Kuomingtang party. Chiang Kai Shek fled here in 1949.
Suu Kyi : Objects to the oath ‘to safeguard the Constitution’. She
Can take oath ‘to respect’ the Constitution.
She finally relents and takes oath
ECOLOGY
Sigur Elephant Corridor : Elephants use it to move between
Eastern Ghats and Western Ghats through
Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.
in Andhra Pradesh District of Khammam
due to cutting of eucalyptus trees for
paper pulp.
Asian Wild Buffalo
due to inter breeding with local buffalos,
its genetic purity is being lost. So Supreme
Court directs to preserve its genetic purity.
It may be India
hieritage)
Mahatma Gandhi Marine
National Park : Wandur A &N Islands Grub Island
Near Port Blair.
Reserves – 43, Community Reserves – 4,
So total sites 661 protected areas, which
Account for .5% of country’s area.
RIVERS, DAMS & LAKES
Mullai Periyar Dam : Completed in 1895, it is 116 years old. It
Started in 1886. Colonel J Pennicuick completed
it. It is first transbasin diversion of water for
beneficial use.
Sub glacial Lake : Russia
Metres. It is in Antarctica . New life forms may
be discovered.
Ken Betwa Link : To divert Water from Ken basin to Betwa Basin
Through 231 KM canal. But Ken does not have
Excess Water. Dam on Ken is at Daudhan, 2.5 KM
Upstream of existing Gangau Weir on Chattarpur-
Panna border.
Siang : Largest tributary of Brahmaputra System. It
Originates from Chema Yung Dung Glacier near
Kubi in Tibet
It is India
The dam is in Arunachal. In Arunachal also are
(1750 MW). Tipaimukh is in Manipur (Mizoram
(405 MW) in Lakhimpur has killed the river.
ECONOMICS
Vodafone Tax case : Transaction between two foreign companies
Involving share transaction is not taxable in
It is tax planning.
CRIS : Comparative Rating Index Sovereigns. It is
It is based on Moody’s rating data and IMF’s GDP
Data. India India
55th among 101 nations.
GDP : For 2010-11 it is revised from 8.5% to 8.4%, at
Factor cost at 2010-11 price. Per Capita for
2010-11 is Rs.53,331/-, which is 15.6% growth
From Rs.46,117/- in 2009-10. However, per
Capita increase at Constant prices (2004-05) after
Discounting inflation is 6.4%. It is Rs.35,993 in
2010-11 (from Rs.33,843/- in 2009-10).
Agriculture : grew by 7% in 2010-11. In 2009-10 it was
Only one percent. Industry grew by 7.2% and
Services by 9.3%.
2G : Supreme Court cancels 122 licences
Debt : Upto December 2011, it is Rs.33,82,645 crores.
Internal is Rs.30,41,895/- or 89.6% or 33.9%
GDP.
CAD : In 2010-11 it was 2.6% of GDP. Last Year
2010-11 trade gap was $104 billion. Rupee
Depreciated 16% against dollar in 2011. But
Rupee has appreciated against dollar by 7%
after December. This year trade gap may be
$150 billion.
Greek bail out : It has to repay $ 14.5 billion by March.
22% cut in minimum wages. The troika who
Come to help are E.U (E.C.B.), IMF & World Bank.
India Pakistan trade : It was $ 2.7, billion in 2010-11. Pakistan
Positive list has only 1946 items.
Vodafone tax case : Review to be filed. Vodafone acquired Hongkong
Based Hutchison Essar’s 67% from Hutchison
Int. through companies based in Netherlands and
Cayman Island, in 2007.
New Consumer Price
Index : Will replace the WPI as India
Gauge. The new CPI will be reported every month.
The WPI reflects price pressure experienced by producers (at wholesale level).
The new CPI will use 2010 as the base year. It
will also reflect price movement on some selected
services sector. RBI takes WPI for price manage-
ments. Ministry of Labour reports 3 CPIs – CPI
(Agri Labour), (Rural labour) and (I.W). These
represent different segments only. But the new
CPI will give urban & rural separately and an all
RBI’s Gold : 557.75 tons. Out of which 265.5 tons are held
abroad in Bank of England and Bank of Int. Settlement (Basel
Nexavar : Generic drug of Cancer. Govt. Brings down price
by 97%.
External Debt : $306 billion in 2010-11.
‘Buffett Rule’ : more tax on the rich. Buffett pays less tax than
his secretary.
Trade 2011-12 : Exports are $ 303.7 billion (target was $ 300
Billion). Strong growth in petroleum, pharma
& engineering goods. Imports are $ 488.6 billion
(32% growth). So Trade Deficit is $ 184.9 billion
CAD will be 4% of GDP.
INDUSTRY
TAPI : 1735 KM long pipeline from Turkmenistan
Osman gas field to Herat & Kandahar (Afghanistan
Then to Quetta & Multan (Pakistan India
at Fazilka in Punjab .
P.M.I : Purchasing Managers’ Index of HSBC. It is a measure
of manufacturing, where 50 separates growth from
contraction.
Thanagazi Area : Alwar District of Rajastan. Huge Copper deposit
(11 million tones) found. It is 10 times bigger than
The last find at Dausa or Sikar. 10 years ago. Also
traces of gold & silver found.
TAPI : gas pipe from South Yolotan of Turkmenistan to India
will bring the gas. India is also trying to get gas from Uzbekistan ’s Karakal , Pakistan
It already has Kazakhstan
Hajigak Iron
Mines : of Afghanistan ; India
Coal India
Clause has been softened to 0.01%.
INFRA
GIFT : Gujarat International Fin. Tech. City
Tech urban, vertical city.
Manipur : had only 1.5 KM of railway upto Jiribam Station
On Assam
Dholakhal is complete. It is a part of 84 KM railway
from Jiribam to Tupul.
INSTITUTES
1937 for a salary of Rs.6000 per month.
Defence Food &
Research Lab : Mysore
of Liberal Arts
REPORTS
HUNGAMA Report : It is report on hunger and mal-nutrition by
Nandi Foundation. 42% of our children are
under nourished. The last survey was in 2004
where 53% were under nourished. But the
present National Family Health Survey III
focussed on 100 districts.
Under-weight - (low weight for age)
Stunting – (low height for age)
Wasting - (low weight for height)
IFPRI : estimates under nourished population of
44%. FAO estimates the population to be
230 million.
by OECD. India
above Kyrgystan amongst 74 countries.
Nuclear Threat
Initiative Report : Ranks India
Nuclear safety is equated with lack of
Nuclear facilities
UNDESA : UN’s Department of Economic & Social Affairs.
are more girl infant death than male.
SCHEMES
INSPIRE : Innovation in Science Pursuit for Inspired
Research. It belongs to science & Tech. Dept.
National Water Policy : calls for privatisation of water delivery services.
Water be priced to fully recover the cost of
service. Government to ensure minimum
quantity of potable water to all. People displaced
by large water projects should be partners in
progress & be given a share in the benefits.
Profit motive has led to unsustainable extraction
of ground water from aquifers. So it is proposed
to separate ground water rights from land title by
amending the Easement Act 1882.
SCIENCE TECH – PHYSICS NUCLEAR
Kudankulam Plant : Safety standards. It is designed with 8 feet
elevation from main sea level. It has a 26 feet
high wall for Tsunami Protection. It has a passive
Heat Removal System to ensure cooling of fuel
Under most stressed conditions. Seismic sensors
will automatically initiate stoppage of reactor in
case of quake. Radiation level continuously
monitored.
(When Foreign Vendors do not accept 100%
Safety of the plant, why should the locals.
Foreign vendors do not like to visit their fin.
Health on the safety of the plant 12.11.2011)
Neutrino : higher speed will be debunked like the 1989
Theory of Cold fusion – Venkatraman Ramkrishna
- Chemistry Nobelist.
SEU : Slightly enriched Uranium. India
in its 700 MWe PHWR, instead of natural uranium.
Natural Uranium contains 0.7% of the fissile
Isotope of U-235. The rest is fertile isotope U-238
which gets converted to plutonium – 239 in the
reactor by neutron absorption. SEU will contain
1.1% of U-235.
SEU will give us higher nuclear burn up. It will
be 3 times of natural uranium. It can be fed
upto 40% into PHWRs.
OPERA : Experiment that neutrino travels faster than
light is based upon wrong facts. There was a
faulty connection between the GPS signal and
OPERA master clock.
BIOLOGY
TDR – T.B. : Totally Drug Resistant T.B. It is a new strain
in India
(Extensively Drug Resistant T.B) as it is
Responding to treatments, as per the report
of WHO. Some people call it MDR-TB (Multi
Drug Resistant T.B.)
AIDS Vaccine : Works well with monkeys again SIV (Simian
Immuno deficiency Virus) This virus is closely
related to HIV. The Vaccine is called Placebo
Vaccine. ‘Env protein’ (in the vaccine) binds
the virus with a cell, so that the virus is blocked.
Telomeres : They are tiny stretches of repetitive DNA
sequence found at the end of chromosomes,
that gradually wear away as we age. Length of
these caps can be measured and our age can
be predicted at birth.
Polio : no cases in India
Basic Tastes : 5 were there (sweet, Sour, Salty, Savoury and
Bitter). Now a 6th one is added – Fat.
Ca MRSA : Commonly acquired Methicillin Resistant
Staphylococus Aureus –It is a new super-bug
Which is resistant to all common antibiotics.
iPS cells : induced pluri potent stem cells – Human skin
cells are re-programmed into embryonic like
stem cells. They can be used to treat the
untreatable spinal injuries. Thus the ethics
debate is over. Also the risk of tissue rejection
after the transplant is reduced. Pluri potent stem
cells possess ability to differentiate into any other
type of cells and are capable of rapid proliferation.
They can be made from 2-3 millimeter of patients
Skin. It can give us heart cells also. It can cure
macular disease, Type -1 diabetes & motor neuron
disease. Prof. Shinya Yamanaka of Japan
created it.
Plants talk : A cabbage plant was heard warning its
neighbour of trouble ahead, when its own leaf
was sniffed with scissors. It is captured on
camera by emission of a gas (methyl jasmonate)
by modifying its gene.
Chikilidae : New limbless amphibian discovered in North
east by Scientist S.D. Biju. They are like earth
worms. The name comes from Chikila, a tribal
language of Garo.
Polio : detected in Murshidabad.
Synriam : India
SPACE
Shenzhou 8 : Unmanned spacecraft will dock with Tiangong – I
which went on September 29. Both will fly
together for 12 days. After this Shenzhou comes
back on 18.11.
Janitor Satellite : To clean up the space junk debris, to be launched
By Switzerland
One.
ISS : is at 385 KM height
US Space Age : 50 years since 20.02.1962. It was 10 months
After Gagarin’s encircling.
RISAT – 1 : Radar Imaging Sat. It will be launched by a
PSLV - XL (Extra Large). It will have 4 stages.
This will be heaviest remote sensing Sat with an
Weight of 1858 KG. It will be finally settled at
536 KM.
Optical satellites depend on sunlight to illuminate
the ground. So, they do not work during cloudy
days, nights, etc. But Radar Sats send out pulses
of radio waves & then pick up the signals that
bounces back. So they can see through cloud,
rain and night – through all hostile conditions.
RISATs use a Synthetic Aperture Radar SAR.
It can give pictures of one metre resolution.
It can give details of agri-crops. It can be used
for disaster management, during cyclones &
floods. It can give information on glaciers. It can
also give information on enemy’s military operations etc.
It can tell whether a reactor of
other country is producing plutonium. In that
case the reactor will be shut down more frequently.
It will be 3rd laurel of PSLV-XL. It took Chandrayan in 2008.
Also GSAT-12 in July 2011.
It will be ISRO’s first RISAT. But it has launched
In April 2009. Both are surveillance sats. But
Whereas Israel uses Tecsar India
RISAT-2 for survelliance.
RISAT – 1 : will make 14 orbits daily at a height of 536 kms
Polar orbit.
It is the 21st flight of PSLV and the 20th
Consecutive success.
GSLV : it failed in 2010 with our own cryogenic.
So further cryogenics tests are being done, so
that Chandrayan II can be lifted.
ASTRONOMY
GRAIL – B: Enters moon’s orbit GRAIL-A had entered
yesterday. They will study moon’s inner core to find its origin.
Their inter-se distance can measure the gravity difference between places.
They will also study whether there was a second moon which fused with the existing one.
The two crafts have taken 3 months to reach instead of 3 days.
GRAIL-A & B will be renamed as Ebb and Flow. Launched on Sept.2011,
they will encircle moon at 34 miles (55 km) height in a near polar, near circular orbit.
MARS METORITES Found in Foumzgit(Morocco
Mars meteorites fall almost every 50 years on earth – France(1815),
India (1865), Egypt(1911), Nigeria(1962)
SOLAR STORM The geomagnetic solar flare will hit earth’s magnetic field.
It will hit airline routes, power grids and satellites
Due to CME(Coronal Mass Ejection) a big chunk of sun’s atmosphere was hurled towards the earth.
Energised solar particles travelled to earth at 2000 km per second. Aurora Borealis in Norway
MOON Temperature varies from +93*C to -129*C
HABITABLE PLANET Right energy from benign sun. Also not too heavy. If the planet is too hevy, gravity will be more, so atmosphere will be too thick. Too heavy also mean too far away from sum, so less energy. Size is right for orbiting the sun, so that it has a reasonable day night cycle. The orbit has to be circular, not too elliptical. If eccentricity is too much the day night temperature difference will be too much for life forms to bear earth’s eccentricity is juts 0.02. Tilting of the planet provides season. Too large tilt will make seasons extreme. Too small will wipe out seasons.
DIONE One of the saturn’s 62 moons. Oxygen is discovered there. Dione was discovered by Giovanni Casini in 1684.
MISCELLANEOUS
Anthropocene: The Age of Man, the new geological time.
We entered it 12,000 years ago
The earlier age was Holocene
The commission on Stratigraphy in the
body to set global standards for the scale to express the history of the world.
Pi is 3.14159265.
But it will be replaced by tau now which is 2 or 6.28.
Hominius Evolved in grasslands and not in forests.
The two sites are Awash basin in Ethiopia and Omo
Turkana basin in Kenya.
Open grassland encouraged bipedalism.
Australopitecus Seliba Human ancestor in South Africa
It is a 2 million years old bone found in Malaba.
Mobile phones Will not cause brain tumour.
Unlike X rays and gamma rays, radio waves are non ionising.
They do not have energy to damage cellular DNA ionising radiation of x rays.
It is cumulative effect.
Millimeter wave scanning is a better alternative.
It uses radio waves which do not ionise molecules of body.
Electric current DC is better for conservation of energy.
It can be produced from renewable sources (wind & solar)
To use it we first convert it to AC because our buildings are wired that way.
AC is produced by rotating engines It can be send through a transformer to
enable it to step up the voltage for transmission over long distance.
Our household appliances also need DC power because they all use
semi conductors(which were not there in edison’s time)
These have to convert the AC supply to DC to be used in our houses.
NATURAL SELECTION THEORY: of Darwin
Never before, so many fails explained by assuming so many facts explained by assuming so few.
Next comes Einstein’s General Relativity It explains the curvature of space
MAGNETIC SOAP It can clean up oil spills. Iron atoms are added to soap molecules.
When applied to oil slicks the magnet can attract the soap which was dissolved in water
This is done by Bristol University.
SPECIFIC ABSORPTION RATE: It is a measure of radio frequency energy absorbed
by us while using a mobile phone.
DOT recommends SAR value of 1.6 watts per KG averaged over six minutes.
GAGAN It is a collaboration by AAI(Airport Authority of India),
ISRO and Raytheon.
It comprises 3 geo stationary sats, 15 reference systems(including A&N) and two master control stations.
It will help aircrafts to take shortest possible routes (To save fuel & time)
SAR Stringent electromagnetic emission limit to be enacted SAR value must be mentioned on every mobile set.
Radio waves(unlike x ray or gamma ray) are non ionising & do not have energy to damage the cellular DNA.
ONE ATOM TRANSISTOR It will run next generation computers.
It comprises a single phosphorous atom etched into a silicon bed with gates to control electrical flow.
Transistors which switch or amplify electrical flow are building blocks of computer chips.
A scanning tunnelling microscope can see an atom and manipulate it using super fine metal chip.
JARAWA This community has 300 members.
JENU KURUBA TRIBE It is found in Karanataka. The members lives on trees
There are 1 lakh members now.
VOLCANOS Ring of Fire (around the Pacific) has 75% of active volcanos
The next is the Alpine Belt( Java, Sumatra, Himalayas, Mediterranean & Atlantic)
TROPICAL STORM WIDS AERE:Based Philipines
HURRICAN IRENE Slams North Carolina
Tropical storm Lee Bashes Luistana
Typhoon Talas Hits Central Japan
Typhoon Nesat Causes flood in Philipines.
Tropical storm Nesat Bashes Philipines Island of Mindanad
TROPICAL CYCLONES: A tropical cyclone is a low pressure centre
that feeds on heat released by condensation of moist air.
The latent heat gets converted into kinetic energy
It has a warn centre. It forms over large bodies of warm water in tropic
It has counter clockwise rotation in northern hemi and clockwise rotation in southern hemi.
HURRICANE: North Atlantic , North Easst Pacific (east of
International Dateline) south Pacific.
TYPHOON: North West Pacific(west of International Dateline)
TROPICAL CYCLONE: South West Pacific, south East Indian Ocean
Saffir Simpson Hurricane scale : from one to five.
EVEREST HEIGHT: In 1852, Radhanth Sikdhar found peak XV to be the highest.
In 1954, surveyor BL Gualtee fixed its height at 8848 m, which Nepal accepts.
China accepts the rock height to be 8844.43m. USA
GOR KATRI In Peshawar the temple reopens.
It was built in 1823 after destroying a mosque which was built
as per Jehan Ara (Shahjahan’s daughter)’s order.
The temple was built in sikh regime.
BOKOHARAM An Islamist sect extremists kill 63 in Damatur (Nigeria
They are called Nigerial Taliban.
OTEZI 5300 years old iceman. It was found in Otez
valley in the Alps in Austria Italy border in 1991.
Bedmap2 Maps bedrock of Antartica 3000 M peaks lie hidden below its ice cover.
GIAHS Global Important Agri Heritage System It is recognised by FAO and UNDP.
It is a remarkable land use system of preserved biodiverse of plants and animals.
Now Koraput (Orissa) is recognised for its resilient farming system.
Earlier recognised are Andean Peru, Ifugao Rice Terraces of Philipines,
Rice fish inter cropping of China and Maghrab landscape of Tunisia Algeria
Waiting to be recognised is Seppina Beltas system of use of foliage and leaf litter system of Western Ghats.
COASTA CONCORDIA Italian passenger liner capsizes near Island of Giglio
LEAP SECONDS Prevent atomic clocks to speed ahead of solar time. They will be abolished after 3 years.
ENRICA LEXIE Italian tanker fires at fisherman off Kerala Coast
KACHIN INDEPDENCE ARMY Myanmar also saffron revolution by Myanmar monks in 2007.
PRABHU DAYA Vessels collides with fishing vessel of India
MARIANA TRENCH James Cameroon (titanic director) goes there alone in his Deep Sea Challenge
First to go there were Jacques Piccard & Don Walsh in 1960s in their bathyscape Trieste.
Off the south west of Guam Challenger deep is 35756feet (or 10898 meter)
MS BALMORAL The Titanic memorial cruise to start from Sothampton.
EARTHQUAKE NEAR ACEAH In Indian Ocean .
Magnitude 8.6 But no Tsunami Tsunami happens only in case of vertical
displacement of water column, which happens in the case of a thrust
fault(Dec.26,2004) But today’s quake is caused by strike slip fault.
NILA GUMBAD Is integrated into a heritage corridor with Humayun tomb
A NEW COMPAD Report on J & K by the 3 inter locators. Central
Laws made applicable to J & K without their consent should be reviewed.
Parliament’s right to
Legislate for the state should be limited to scrutiny
and vital economic interest. Autonomous councils
should ne set up to address concern of difference
regions. AFSPA should be reviewed.
(Irish Kader), (3) Napoteon, (4) Erwin Rommel
(Field Marshall of Germany
Kemal Ataturk. It contains Tipu Sultan. The only
Lady in the list in Rani Laxmibai.
PERSONS
Mr. Alex Menon Collector of Sukma Distt. (Chatisgarh)
abducted by Maoists.
National Bio-Diversity Auth Chairman is Balakrishna Pisupati
P.S.Appu Director, Mussorie 1980-81
Jadav Payeng He made a forest out of a sand bar of 550 hectares
in the middle of Brahmaputra near Jorhat.
.Jhina Hikaka BJD MLA of Orissa held hostage by Maoists is let free.
Homai Vyasawalla India’s first female photo journalists expires at 98.
Flight Lt. Sneha Sekhawat leads the Air Force in Republic Day
Celebrations
Aklaq Md. Khan The poet Lyricist was more famous
as Shahryar. He got Jnanakeethafor 2008.
He dies now.
Sandeep Singh Scores 5 Goals against France in Hockey so
Inida qualifies for Olympic ( by 8 1 goal) In
2008, India did not qualify in 80 Years.
Sailendranath Manna Defender of India football team in London
Olympics dies at 87.
Saleh - President of Yemen heads for U.S.A.
burns he sustained in June.
Yemen New President is Abd Rabbu Mansour Hadi.
He was vide president under Saleh.
Charles Taylor - Ex President of Liberia Convicted for inciting
Civil war in Siera Leon, the special court
established by Siera Leone & UN.
Mrs. Yubia Tymoshenko former P.M. of Ukrain and Heroine of 2004 pro
west Oranges Revolution is in prison now.
I C J - Indian sponspers the name of Dalveer Bhandam
S.Court Justice), against the vacancy for Asia. The
vacancy arose due to the resignation of the judge
from Jordan to be P.M. of his country there are 15
judges whose term is 9 years. Adhoc judges from
India were M.C.Chagla (in a dispute with Portugal)
Justice Jeevan Reddy (in a dispute with Pak)
U.N.G.A. Plenary Session on 26.01.2012 g.Y. bid for UNSC seat.
It calls for expansion in the permanent and non –permanent category.
If they insist on veto power , the change fo explanation will be vetoed.
Coffee club or united for consensus opposes them.
U N S C - Syria vote 13 countries support the west and Arab League resolution.
But China and Russia veto it. This is the second double veto (first one was on 5th Oct., 2011)
Reasons- the resolution expressly rules out intervention under article 42 of UN Charter.
Article 42 is in Chapter VII of the Charter which authorizes force).
The present resolution is under Chapter VI.
Russia & China
veto because the Resolution against Libya in last
year March authorized only a no-fly zone. But the
U.S.A. military misused it. It was a more intrusive
operation.
U N Human rights Council India votes in favour of USA
Out of votes, 24 were in favour, 15 against and 8 were abstentions.
At India’s instance the resolution was made non intrusive and directed to promote reconciliation.
World Bank U.S.A.
World Bank Jim Yong Kim is elected President By
profession he is a doctor (AIDS Specialist) and
an anthropologist)
UNSMIS UN’s Supervision Mission. In Syria
consist of 300 unarmed personnel.
I M F It needs 70% vote for quota reforms and 85%
vote for any reform in the Board.
I C J - India’s Justice Dalveer Bhandari is elected with
122 votes (out of 1287) in UNGA . He defeats
Philippines judge. It is a 6 years term . One
can also get a second 9 years term.
I C J has 15 judges who serve for 9 years –
Africa -3, L.A. -2, Asia-3, Western Europe
and others -5, Eastern Europe -2.
Mrs. Meredoth Alexander An environmentalist quits Olympics
Ethics Panel (in London) in protest against
Dow Chemical’s Bhopal link.
Nik Wallenda to rope walk on Niagara Falls
Michael Aris Husband of Suu Kiji , The British person
has expired in 1988.
War Graves of World War II- Guwahati Kohima Digboi & Implhal in the north
east Nabagraha at Guwahati is the only one
with eleven Japanese bodies. Delhi
Kolkata & Pune have also World War II cemeteries.
inhabited. Port Blair is 1262 K.M. from main land.
Anola Rohila Khand, U.P. 20 lakh M.T. Urea Plant. It is largest fertilizer
unit of IFFCO.
India will request IMO (Int. Maritime Org) to delist
its peninsular water from the list of high risk
zones, as there has been no case of piracy
during last 3 years (Refer to enrica Lexie Shooting Case)
Shadman Chowk Lahore
hanged on 23 March, 1931.
Abujmad forest H.Q. of Maoist forces. It is in Chhatisgarh.
CRPF enters the forest after 1947.
M.P.- Bans Gutkha. First Indian state to do so.
Siachen 117 Pal Soldiers killed by avalanche. It is
second longest glacier of the world.
(after ples) and the longest in Karakoram the
accident happened in Byari Sector.
Karachi Agreement after the first Indo Pak conflict in 1949
democrated upto the point N.J.9842 and then
to the glacier. In 1984 India
Operation Meghdoot to pre-emptively occupy
Siachem.
Syria is Iran’s key alloy with has fallen out with
turkey. Turkey is heavily dependent on Iran Oil.
B R I C S: 18% of World GDP 40% of population, 15%
of Trade and 40% of currency reserves. Their
GDP is $14 trillion.
3,70,000/- barrees per day from Iran. It is
India’s second highest crude supplier. India ’s
annual consumption is 164 M.T. Saudi Arabia
and Iran supply 58% of it.
Iraq, Kazakh, Venezuela and Nigeria. China is diversifying to S.A. Watar & UAE all foes of Iran
Eurasian Union – On Ist Jan Common Economic Space (CES)
come into operation. It comprises Russia
Belarus & Kazhakh 3 ex-Soviet States. It is
an economic integration. They have set up a
customs union removing customs control on
their border. EEC Eurasian Economic
Commission) has been established which will
monitor compliance with CES rules. CES courts
will deal with disputes Kyragyz and Tajike have
already applied for membership.
Rwanda 8 lakh tulsi minority were killed in 1994 (by Hutus)
years and then extension for 20years.
U.S.A - RESCUES Irania Ship from pirates.
Leviathan oil fields. India
here. India gets most of its gas from Qatar
Jasmine & Tahrir One year after the Revolution people feel that
revolution would not happened in Egypt had
Obama not given a speech in Cairo, two years back.
Generation Students”. All democratic reform
are called ‘Burmese Spring’ .
China - attacked Vietnam in 1979 ‘to teach them a lesson’.
member next year. It must be approved by
all national parliaments of E.U.
The pre-conditions are democracy market economy,
rule of law and abolition of death penalty.
A member must also co-operate with hagure
Tribunal which is looking to war crimes of 1990s.
Christians North is dominated by Muslims Boko
Haram bombs Kano City.
South Sudan which offers only one dollar, this
is extortion.
Israel Proposes West Bank barrier as border with
future state of Palestine. It will slice 10% of
West Bank and leave Jerusalem on Israeli side.
