Current Affaris:
CURRENT NATIONAL AFFAIRS India, Chile sign four pacts:Chilean President Michelle Bachelet visited India on March 17, 2009. During the meeting with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, the two leaders reiterated that early conclusion of the Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism was imperative to consoli-dation of counter-terrorism efforts within the UN. The two sides also signed four pacts, including one on cooperation in exploration and utilization of outer space for peaceful purposes. The two countries also decided to support each other’s candidature for non-permanent membership of the UN Security Council for 2011-12 (India) and 2014-15 (Chile).
Economy staring at deflation:India is staring at deflation, or negative inflation, with the official inflation rate falling to 0.44%—the lowest since 1977. Food prices, however, continued to be high, with food grains roughly 9% costlier than a year ago, reinforcing a cruel paradox for consumers that they hear about zero inflation but face high prices when they buy their groceries. With the Wholesale Price Index (WPI) falling by one point to 226.7 for the week ending March 7, 2009—the same level at which the index was on March 29, 2008—the year-on-year inflation rate became zero by the last week of March. Planning Commission Deputy Chairperson Montek Singh Ahluwalia, however, ruled out any possibility of the economy slipping into a state of deflation.
IMF pegs India’s growth at 5.25% for FY 10: India’s growth is likely to slow down in 2008-09 on falling corporate investment and deteriorating global outlook, the International Monetary Fund has said. Partly reflecting the deteriorating global outlook, IMF, which concluded its India consultations on March 6, 2009, in a statement projected India’s growth to moderate to 6.25 per cent in 2008-09 and further to 5.25 per cent in 2009-10. However, India has forecast growth at 7.1 per cent for 2008-09. The Fund said corporate investment, the major growth driver during recent years, is expected to slow because of weakening profitability and confidence, and tightening of financing conditions from foreign and non-bank sources. However, the world body said policy measures to stimulate Indian economy and a good harvest should support domestic demand. Even as the reserves have declined in 2008-09, from a historic peak of $315 billion in May 2008 to $252 billion as of February 6, 2009, IMF said the reserves remain adequate compared to India’s gross financing requirement and imports.
India to seek additional $5.2b from World Bank: As a contra-cyclical measure, India proposes to seek an additional assistance of $5.2 billion from the World Bank for recapitalisation of State-owned commercial banks and infrastructure projects. India, at present, receives $3.2 billion annually from the World Bank. India also plans to increase its share in the quotas of multilateral development banks like the International Monetary Fund and Asian Deve-lopment Bank after major stakeholders in these institutions bring forward the issue of quota review and expanding in accordance with current realities that will give proper representation to the emerging economies. However, there is no proposal to commit any additional resources towards the overall fiscal stimulus of $1.1 trillion announced by the G-20 summit.
India registers 2 million tuberculosis cases in 2007:The number of people infected with both tuberculosis (TB) and HIV is twice what researchers previously thought. The World Health Organisation’s (WHO) annual report on TB, presented in Rio, indicates that there were 1.37 million cases of people with both TB and HIV in 2007, the latest year for which statistics are available. Asia registered the most TB cases in 2007, with 55%, while Africa had 31%. Among nations, India had the most cases with two million; China had 1.3 million and Indonesia 530,000.
India to get Boeing’s maritime recce aircraft:The US administration has cleared the $2.1 billion contract for US aviation major Boeing to supply eight P-8I maritime patrol aircraft to India, the largest American arms sale to India to date. The deal surpasses an earlier $1 billion Lockheed sale of six C-130J Super Hercules military transport planes to the Indian Air Force (IAF). The Indian Navy is Boeing’s first international customer for the P-8, a long-range maritime reconnaissance and anti-submarine warfare aircraft capable of broad area, maritime and littoral operations. The first flight test is scheduled in 2009 and initial operational capability is slated for 2013. Boeing will deliver the first P-8I around 2013 and the remaining seven by 2015.
President’s rule imposed in Meghalaya:On March 18, 2009, the Union Cabinet imposed President’s Rule in Meghalaya but decided to keep the Assembly in suspended animation. Chief Minister Donkupar Roy, who had survived a trust vote on March 16, with the help of a controversial casting vote by the Speaker, described the decision as murder of democracy.
Series of blasts in Assam: On April 6, 2009, just ten days before Assam was to go to the polls, and 24 hours before Prime Minister Man-mohan Singh was to land in his home State, Assam was rocked by five deadly explosions that left at least nine people dead and more than 60 people injured. The finger of suspicion pointed to the northeast’s most active terrorist outfit, the United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA), which was observing its 30th ‘Raising Day’ on the same day. In the past also ULFA had triggered blasts in the State to observe the day and also planted bombs just ahead of VVIP visits, the deadliest being serial blasts in January 2009, just ahead of Mr Chidambaram’s first visit to Guwahati as Home Minister. A police officer scanning the site said the explosion was caused by an improvised explosive device planted either on a bicycle or a motorcycle.
CURRENT INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS
G-20 summit in London:On April 2, 2009, leaders of the Group of 20 countries met in London and agreed to a $ 1.1 trillion (Rs 55 lakh crore) deal to combat the worst economic downturn since the Great Depression. The key points of the declaration issued were: An end to banking secrecy; Action against tax havens; Improve global accounting standards; Resist protectionism and promote global trade; No new barriers to investment or trade; New rules on corporate pay; Sale of gold reserves to help poor countries; Financial Stability Board with India as member; New regulations for financial institutions, markets and instruments, including hedge funds.
IMF paints gloomy picture of global economy: The International Monetary Fund has said the global economy in 2009 is likely to contract for the first time since the Second World War. At this point, we expect global GDP to decline between half a per cent and one per cent in 2009 before recovery gradually gets underway in 2010, a senior official said.
South Asia doing better due to India’s resilience: India’s economy is estimated to have grown by 7.1 per cent in 2008, providing an anchor of economic stability in the region, concludes the Economic and Social Survey of Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) 2009. It predicts 6 per cent economic growth for India in 2009. The ESCAP notes India’s measures to improve the liqui-dity of the financial sector and its relaxed monetary policy, and predicts that the fiscal stimulus packages offered by the government would soften the economic downturn and further strengthen domestic demand.
China, US caught in naval row: On March 10, 2009, China angrily accused a US navy surveillance ship of violating international law in a face-off with its fleet of Hainan, home to its strategic island naval base. China has lodged a solemn representation that the USNS Impeccable conducted activities in China’s special economic zone in the South China Sea without China’s permission. A US defence department statement said the Chinese vessels shadowed and aggressively maneuvered in dangerously close proximity to the USNS Impeccable, an unarmed ocean surveillance vessel, with one ship coming within 25 feet. The confrontation occurred soon after US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton’s trip to Beijing to gather much needed Chinese support for the US economic recovery.
N. Korea launches rocket, world seeks punishment: On April 5, 2009, North Korea fired a long-range rocket, provoking international outrage and prompting the UN Security Council to call an emergency meeting. The reclusive communist State said a satellite was launched into orbit and circled the earth transmitting revolutionary songs. Analysts say the launch was effectively a test of a ballistic missile designed to carry a warhead, potentially as far as Alaska.
Chavez says yes to Russian military base: Russia is planning to open an airbase for its strategic nuclear bombers in Venezuela in a snub to the United States that taints a promised rapprochement between Moscow and Washington. Venezuela’s President, Hugo Chavez, has offered a Caribbean island for the base.
US weighs expanding Taliban strike in Pakistan: US President Barack Obama and his national security advisers are considering expanding the American covert war in Pakistan far beyond the unruly tribal areas, to strike at a different centre of Taliban power in Baluchistan, where top Taliban leaders are orchestrating attacks into southern Afghanistan. A second option, officials say, is to significantly boost the US commitment to train Afghanistan troops, with Americans taking on the Taliban with increasing help from the Afghan military. A third option would involve devoting full US and North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) resources to a large-scale counter-insurgency effort. But Obama would be bound to face considerable opposition within NATO. At the very time the US is seeking to expand its presence in Afghanistan, many of the allies are scheduled to leave.
US offers Pak cheque on terror:On March 27, 2009, US Presi-dent Barack Obama unveiled his plan for winning the war on terrorism in Pakistan and Afghanistan, describing Al-Qaida and its extre-mist allies as a “cancer that risks killing Pakistan from within” and noting that the future of Afghanistan is “inextricably linked” to that of Pakistan. The US President also sought support for legislation that would increase US financial aid to Pakistan. But, he also warned that the US would “not provide a blank cheque” and expected results from the Pakistani government. Strategic experts, however, wonder whether the “new policy” would actually help defeat the Al-Qaida and the Taliban. India has already cautioned the US against treating any section of the Taliban as ‘good’. Besides, Pakistan has always in the past used military aid from the US against India, the experts argued.
Global meeting on water crisis:Government ministers from 120 countries, scientists and campaigners met in Istanbul from March 16, 2009 to discuss how to avert a global water crisis and ease tensions between States fighting over rivers, lakes and glaciers. The world’s population of 6.6 billion is forecast to rise by 2.5 billion by 2050. Most of the growth will be in developing countries, much of it in region where water is already scarce. As populations and living standards rise, a global water crisis looms unless countries take urgent action, the international body said. The agenda for the talks included how to avert catastrophic floods and droughts as climate patterns change, and how the global financial crisis threatens to hit large scale water infra-structure projects within the next several years.
Chaudhry back as Chief Justice of Pakistan:Pakistan’s sacked Chief Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry got back his office on March 22, 2009, a week after the government gave in to protests that took the nation on the threshold of civil unrest. Chaudhry and 60 other jurists had been fired by former President Pervez Musharraf in November 2007, amid fears that the judiciary might disqualify him for simultaneously holding the offices of President and the military Chief. After Zardari replaced Musharraf as President he backed out on promises to re-instate Chaudhry. The differences with Nawaz Sharif reached crisis proportions in February 2009. The climb-down by President Zardari led lawyers and Nawaz Sharif to call off the “Long March”. However, the stand-off with lawyers and Nawaz Sharif, and the subsequent climb-down has considerably weakened President Zardari and eroded his credibility.
Taliban strike at Lahore police school: On March 30, 2009, in a 26/11-style attack on a Pakistani police training school on the outskirts of Lahore, barely 12 km from the Wagah border, heavily armed terrorists rampaged for eight hours through a complex teeming with hundreds of trainees, killing at least eight cadets and wounding 89 others before fighting a pitched battle with elite commandos. After regaining control of the premises, security forces said four terrorists were dead and three had been nabbed. The assault comes within a month of a similar operation in which gunmen attacked the Sri Lankan cricket team in Lahore, killing six policemen and a bus driver. All 14 assailants escaped.
P.S:
Major recommendations of the 12th Finance Commission are: 1. Centre and States to improve the combined tax-GDP ratio of 17.6% of 2009-10. 2. Fiscal deficit to GDP targets for Centre and States to be fixed at 3%. 3. Revenue deficit of the Centre and States to be brought down to zero by 2008-09. 4. Interest payments relative to revenue receipts to be brought down to 28% and 15% in case of Centre and States, respectively. 5. The share of States in the net proceeds of sharable central taxes fixed at 30.5%, treating additional excise duties in lieu of sales tax as part of general pool of central taxes. 6. Share of States to come down to 29.5%, when States are allowed to levy sales tax on sugar, textiles and tobacco. 7. In case of any legislation enacted in respect of service tax, after the notification of the 88th amendment to the Constitution, revenue accruing to a State should not be less than the share that would accrue to it, had the entire service tax proceeds been part of the sharable pool. 8. A grant of Rs 20,000 crore for Panchayati Raj institutions and Rs 5,000 crore for urban local bodies to be given to States for a period of 2005-10. 9. Priority to be given to expenditure on operation and maintenance costs of water supply and sanitation, while utilizing the grants for the Panchayats. 10. The scheme of calamity Relief Fund (CRF) to continue in its present form with contributions from Centre and States in ratio of 75 : 25, the size of the fund worked out at Rs 21,333 crore for the period of 2005-10. 11. Non-plan revenue deficit grant of Rs 56.856 crore recommended to 15 States for the period 2005-10. 12. Grants amounting to Rs 10,172 crore recommended for the education sector to 8 States. 12. A grant of Rs 15,000 crore recommended for roads and bridges, which is in addition to the normal expenditure of States.
Bharat Nirman programme envisages: 1. A four-year business plan for rural infrastructure. 2. Bring additional one crore hectare of land under assured irrigation. 3. Connect all villages that have a population of 1000 (or 500 in hilly/tribal area) with an all-weather road. 4. Construct 60 lakh additional houses for the poor. 5. Provide drinking water to all habitations. 6. Reach electricity to all villages and offer electricity connection to 2.3 crore households. 7. Give telephone connectivity to all villages.
The policy brief for a Global Green New Deal, developed by economist and the UN ahead of the G-20 meeting of world leaders in London on April 2, 2009, highlights the benefits of investing a significant amount of the $ 3 trillion-worth of global stimulus packages in five areas. The UN Environment Programme said these areas include raising the energy efficiency of old and new buildings, and more emphasis on renewable energy sources. The three other areas are: sustainable transport, including hybrid vehicles, high-speed rail and bus rapid transit systems; the planet’s ecological infrastructure, including freshwaters, forests, soils and coral reefs, and sustainable agriculture, including organic production.
The Times of India’s Teach India campaign has received the only grand prix at the creative Abby awards at Goafest 2009.
India’s first human tooth bank has been set-up at the Government Medical College, Lucknow.
Ordnance Factories Day is observed on March 18.
World Water Day is observed on March 23.
Earth Hour was observed on March 29, 2009.
World Health Day is celebrated on April 7. The WHO set the theme for year 2009 as: “resilience and safety of health facilities and workers who treat those affected in emergencies.”
On March 5, 2009, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI announced a 50 basis points reduction in repo and reverse repo rates, from 5.5 per cent to 5 per cent, as part of efforts to moderate the cost of borrowing by a slowing economy.
STD and local calls from cell-phones became 20% cheaper from April 1, 2009, following a directive from the telecom regulator asking mobile service providers to slash the fee they pay each other for moving calls between networks.
With a fortune of US$ 40 billion, software czar Bill Gates has regained his position as the world’s wealthiest from his friend and legendary investor Warren Buffett, even as the economic crisis wiped off $ 2 trillion from the wealth of billionaires across the world. Gates, who himself lost US$ 18 billion in the past one year, is followed by Buffett (US$ 37 billion) at the second and Mexican tycoon Carlos Slim (US$ 35 billion) at the third position, as per the world billionaires’ list released by the US magazine Forbes. Indian petro-chemicals giant Reliance Industries Chairman and MD Mukesh Ambani has been ranked as the richest among all Indians with a net worth of US$ 19.5 billion, followed by NRI steel tycoon Lakshmi Mittal (US$ 19.3 billion). Ambani is ranked seventh in the global list (down from fifth last year) and Mittal is at eighth position (fourth in 2008).
The Union government has chosen well-known Chennai-based ad and feature filmmaker Bharatbala to organize the opening and closing ceremonies of the 2010 Commonwealth Games. Bharatbala is famous for making India-centric patriotic films like Vande Mataram-Ma Tujhe Salaam and Jana Gana Mana.
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has forecast that India’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth will slow dramatically to 6.25% in 2008-09, and to 5.25% in the 2009-10. This is well below the 9% growth in 2007-08 and even lower than the government’s prediction of 7.1% growth in 2008-09.
India has slipped 11 positions to be ranked 75th in a list of world’s best countries for business, compiled by US publication Forbes, as the country lost ground in areas like trade freedom, technology, corporate tax rate and corruption. The list has been topped for the second year in a row by Denmark. The US has moved up two position to be ranked second on the list. Besides, Canada and Singapore have moved up four spots each to number three and four, respectively. Other countries in the top 10 include New Zealand, UK, Sweden, Australia, Hong Kong and Norway.
The fabled Pearl Carpet of Baroda has become the world’s most expensive rug to be auctioned after it fetched $ 5.5 million at an auction in Doha. The rare jewelled master-piece that was once part of Maharaja Khande Rao Gaekwad’s collection went under the hammer as part of Sotheby’s first international auction series in the Middle East.
Works of three Asia-born authors figure in the long list of 2009’s Orange Prize for Fiction, awarded for writings in English by women, but there are no Indians among the 20. The three novels are Pakistan-born Kamila Shamsie’s Burnt Shadows, Malaysia-born Preeta Samarasan’s Evening is the Whole Day and Sri Lanka-born V.V. Ganeshananthan’s Love Marriage. The Orange Prize is UK’s only annual book award for fiction written by a woman.
First-ever nuclear-weapon-free zone in Central Asia has come into force with the pact being ratified between the nations in the region. All five Central Asian Nations—Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan—have ratified the treaty for a nuclear-weapon-free zone, first formally proposed by Uzbek President Islam Karimov at the General Assembly in 1993.
The Elliott wave theory, created by US market analyst Ralph Elliott in 1938, attempts to predict future price moves by dividing past trends into sections, or waves, and calculating changes in value. Gainesville, Georgia-based Elliott Wave International was founded by Robert Prechter, who was famous for cautioning investors that stocks would slump two weeks before the 1987 stock market crash.
Multi Screen Media, formerly Sony Entertainment Television, and World Sports Group have been signed as the official broadcast partners for the DLF Indian Premier League in a fresh nine-year deal running through to 2017, for a whopping Rs 8,200 crore.
Homai Vyarawala, 96, is the first woman press photographer of India.
Historian Ramachandra Guha has raked in Rs 97 lakh for a seven book deal with Penguin India, which includes a two volume biography of Mahatma Gandhi. Traditionally, big money in India goes to the novelists. Amitav Ghosh’s three book deal, the first of which is Sea of Poppies, got the author a reported advance of Rs 18 lakh per book. It’s only Nandan Nilekani’s Imagining India that got a heftier advance of a reported Rs 25 lakh, that too for a non-fiction book.
The Union government has inked the Rs 10,000 crore project deal with Israel to develop new-generation medium range surface to air missile systems, capable of detecting and destroying hostile aircraft and spy drones at a range of 120 km.
The United Stock Exchange of India, promoted by State-run MMTC and brokerage firm Jaypee Capital, will start trading in currency derivatives by July 2009. This will be the fourth exchange after NSE, BSE and MCX-SX to introduce currency futures. Besides MMTC and Jaypee Capital, the exchange is also promoted by 11 banks, including the Federal Bank.
India spends less than 1.2% of its GDP on health sector. But, it takes enough care while caring for foreign patients. The country ranks second in the world in medical tourism, with Thailand leading the pack. In 2007, Indian hospitals treated 4.5 lakh patients from other countries, compared to 12 lakh by Thailand’s.
Former President APJ Abdul Kalam unveiled the inaugural issue of a monthly magazine, India Matters, launched by the Consulate General of India in Dubai. The publication will focus on economic issues and endeavour to promote and strengthen the India-UAE economic partnership
Current General Knowledge:
ABBREVIATIONSGOCE: Gravity field and steady state Ocean Circulation Explorer.
IW: Information Warfare.
AWARDS
Hoover Medal, 2008: Former President Dr A.P.J. Abdul Kalam has been chosen to receive the prestigious 2008 Hoover Medal for outstanding public service. He has been recognized for making state-of-the-art healthcare available to the common man at affordable prices, bringing quality medical care to rural areas by establishing a link between doctors and technocrats, using spin-offs of defence technology to create state-of-the-art medical equipment, and launching telemedicine projects connecting remote hospitals to super-speciality hospitals.
Stockholm Water Prize, 2009: Bindeshwar Pathak, an Indian doctor who developed cheap toilets to improve sanitation in poor communities has been honoured with the award. He will receive the $ 150,000 cash award and a symbolic glass sculpture. The Stockholm International Water Institute said Pathak’s achievements constitute one of the most amazing examples of how one person can impact the well-being of millions. Pathak founded the Sulabh International Social Service Organisation in India in 1970 and recently started operations in Bhutan and Afghanistan.
Mother Teresa Award, 2009: Tamil Nadu Governor and former Punjab Chief Minister Surjit Singh Barnala has been selected for the Mother Teresa Lifetime achievement award 2009 for his contribution in the field of social work and admi-nistration. Hillary Clinton, Sheikh Hasina, Girija Prasad Koirala, late Rajiv Gandhi, Jyothi Basu, Hema Malini and Rajesh Khanna are among the earlier recipients of the award.
COMMITTEES
Raghavan panel report on ragging: States have been ignoring the Raghavan committee recommendations that were accepted by the Supreme Court in 2007. The major recommendation of the committee was that Central regulatory bodies should take ragging situation as an important factor in accreditation of education institutions.
The committee had also recommended anti-ragging cells should have been established at Central, State and college level and toll-free helpline should be provided for ragging victims. Strong law against ragging with responsibility to prove not guilty lying on the perpetrator was also recommended.
The committee had also suggested that NCERT and SCERT school books should include chapter on ragging, and psychological counselling on anti-ragging and human rights should be conducted at higher secondary level.
DEFENCE
Interceptor Missile tested: On March 6, 2009, India’s Missile Defence Programme took a leap forward as scientists demonstrated the capacity to intercept an enemy missiles in mid-air and destroy it. The third test in the continuing programme was conducted off the wheeler island in Orissa.
As part of the test, an enemy missile was destroyed at a height of 75 km above the earth. With this India joins a select band of nations, such as the USA, Russia and Israel, who have similar capabilities.
The latest test was against a moving missile. This provides a credible defence against long-range missiles owned by Pakistan having range between 400 and 2,000 km and the Chinese arsenal that varies from a range of 300 km to 2,800 km. Countering an incoming missile is one of the biggest challenges in modern-day warfare.
To mimic the incoming enemy’s ballistic missile trajectory, a Dhanush missile was launched from a ship about 100 km off the coast of Orissa. This missile achieved a height of 120 km. The interceptor missile sensed the enemy missile and was fired from a mobile launcher located on Wheeler island.
Phalcons to give IAF early bird advantage: After several technical and other hiccups, IAF will finally get its most potent force-multiplier, the desperately awaited Phalcon AWACS (Airborne Warning and Control Systems), from Israel in May 2009. The Phalcon AWACS will bolster IAFs capabilities to detect troop build-up or aircraft movements deep inside Pakistan, much further than ground-based radars, while flying well within Indian air-space. An AWACS flying over Amritsar, for instance, will be able to detect and track a Pakistani F-16 fighter jet as soon as it takes off from its Sargodha airbase. AWACS are primarily used for detection of incoming hostile cruise missiles and aircraft from hundreds of km away in all-weather conditions, as well as directing air defence fighters during combat operations against enemy jets.
DISCOVERY
Indian scientists find UV-resistant bacteria: Indian scientists have discovered three new bacteria, about 40 km above the surface of the earth, which can resist ultra-violet radiation, a finding that could throw light on the origin of life on the planet. These three types of bacteria that do not match any species on earth were found in samples collected through a balloon sent up to the stratosphere in April 2005. This layer of earth’s atmosphere receives heavy ultraviolet radiation that is harmful to almost all life on earth and typically kills bacteria.
The balloon sent up to the stra-tosphere was the second effort by India after a maiden venture in 2001. It contained probes that collected air samples at different heights ranging from 20 km to 41 km above the earth’s surface.
The experiment was conducted by a team led by Jayant Narlikar, founder director of the Inter-
University Centre for Astronomy and Astrophysics, Pune, and Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), Bangalore.
The current belief is that ultra-violet radiation inhibits growth of any living system. Based on the origin of life theory, some of these organisms may be coming from an extraterrestrial source, or it could be mutants that have emanated from the various earthly processes. Though the experiment does not conclusively establish the extraterrestrial origin of microorganisms, it does provide positive encouragement to continue the work in a quest to explore the origin of life.
The three bacteria have been named Janibacter hoylei after astrophysicist Fred Hoyle, who promoted the theory that life evolved in space; Bacillus isronensis that recognizes the contribution of India’s space agency in the balloon experiments that led to its discovery; and Bacillus aryabhata after India’s ancient astronomer who postulated that the earth revolves around the sun.
ENVIRONMENT
New greenhouse gases: Scientists have identified two new greenhouse gases, one emitted by the electronic industry and the other used in pest control, which are rapidly accumulating in the atmosphere. Climate scientist Dr Paul Fraser of CSIRO Marine and Atmospheric Research has reported the measurements of nitrogen trifluoride (NF3) and sulfuryl fluoride (SO2F2), the two new gases. They say countries should consider including these gases for control in the revision of the Kyoto Protocol.
OIL
RIL’s KG basin commences production: Reliance Industries Ltd has announced the commencement of gas production from one of the world’s largest gas discoveries that took place in 2002 in the Krishna- Godavari (KG) basin in the Bay of Bengal. With this, India is expected to save $ 9 billion in annual energy import expenditure.
Gas production from Reliance’s $ 8.8 billion KG-D6 deepwater gas project, of which $ 5.4 billion has already been invested, is expected to transform India’s energy landscape by doubling the current level of indigenous gas production by 2010.
At $ 4.2 per million British thermal unit, the KG-D6 gas is 25 per cent cheaper than the fuel produced by UK’s BG-operated Panna/Mukta and Tapti fields in the Western Offshore and 20 per cent cheaper than Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) imported on long-term contracts.
The KG-D6 gas is also expected to substantially reduce India’s dependence on energy imports and bring down subsidy levels in the fertilizer, transportation and other sectors.
Besides doubling the nation’s domestic gas production, the KG-D6 gas would substitute costly naphtha or imported LNG as fuel at power and fertilizer plants. The gas would also boost power supply from idle power plants starved of fuel and produce cheaper urea for agriculture. By 2010, output from D6 will be increased to 80 mmscmd, doubling India’s gas production capability.
Gas from the KG D6 deepwater block will be piped to an onshore facility at Gadimoga, a small village in the East Godavari district of Andhra Pradesh, before it is deli-vered to the consumers. Reliance operates D6 with a 90% stake, with Canada’s Niko Resources holding the remaining 10%.
PERSONS
Chawla, Navin: He has been appointed as the Chief Election Commissioner of India. An Indian Administrative Service officer of the 1969 batch, he will hold charge till July 29, 2010. He was appointed Election Commissioner on May 13, 2005. Navin Chawla has had a controversial past. The Chief Election Commissioner N. Gopalaswami, on January 31, 2009, had sent his
recommendation regarding removal of Election Commissioner Navin Chawla to the President of India. The CEC had alleged that Chawla had discharged his duties as Election Commissioner in a partisan manner, seeking to further the interests of “one party”. The CEC recommendation was, however, rejected by the Union government.
Naik, Pradeep Vasant: Air Marshal Pradeep Vasant Naik has been appointed as the next chief of Indian Air Force. Born on July 22, 1949, he was commissioned into the IAF in 1969 and has 3,085 hours of fighter flying under his belt. A veteran of the 1971 Indo-Pak war, he has also served as the Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Allahabad-based Central Air
Command. He is a fellow of the National Defence College, New Delhi, College of Defence Management, Secundrabad and Defence Services Staff College, Wellington. The courses attended by him include flying instructor course, jungle and snow survival and junior commanders’ course.
PLACES
Istanbul: Government ministers from 120 countries, scientists and campaigners met in Istanbul from March 16-22, 2009, to discuss how to avert a global water crisis and ease tensions between States fighting over rivers, lakes and glaciers.
L’Aquila: More than 250 persons were killed in a devastating earthquake that rocked central Italy in first week of April 2009, around the ancient town of L’Aquila. An estimated 50,000 people were left homeless. The US geological survey reported the strength of the quake at 6.3 saying it was centred 95 km northeast of Rome, at a depth of 10 km.
London: World leaders gather-ed here on April 2, 2009 for the G-20 Summit to discuss the ongoing economic crisis and to find solution to the economic woes of developing countries.
Rome: Labour Ministers from the G-8 nations and six other major economies gathered here in March 2009 for talks on the human dimension of the financial crisis sweeping the planet. The three-day Group of 14 meeting brought together the G8 leading industrial powers with the emerging giants China, India and Brazil, as well as Mexico, South Africa and Egypt.
South Africa: Indian Premier League (IPL) has chosen South Africa for hosting the second edition of the highly popular Twenty20 cricket tournament from April 18, 2009. The tournament had to be shifted from India due to clash of dates with General Elections being held in India at the same time.
PROJECTS
Krishnapatnam Port: The developer and operator of an all-weather, deep-water port in Andhra Pradesh, Krishnapatnam Port Co Ltd (KPCL) is constructing the port in three phases at Krishnapatnam in Nellore district of Andhra Pradesh. The first phase, built at a cost of Rs 1,400 crore, had commenced operations in July 2008. The first phase of KPCL’s port project has a cargo handling capacity of 25 million tonnes a year. The second phase of expansion will take up total berths in the port to 12 from four now, where the company plans to reserve at least six berths for handling coal, leaving the rest for general bulk and container cargo.
Mughal road project: The prestigious Mughal road project, which will connect Kashmir valley with the rest of India, is expected to be completed by March 2011. The estimated cost of the project, undertaken under the Prime Minister’s Reconstruction Programme (PMRP), was Rs 225 crores in 2006. This has been revised to Rs 639.85 crore now. So far, at least 6 culverts are ready, while work on 43 culverts and two bridges is going on.
RESEARCH
Polypill passes first major test: A single pill that contains five life saving drugs to combat bad cholesterol, high blood pressure and clotting at one go, has come closer to reality after passing its first big test. Scientists have announced that polypill, a once-a-day pill that combines cholesterol-lowering statin, aspirin and three BP-lowering drugs was as effective as drugs taken separately, with no greater side effects. The study tested polypill on 2,053 Indians aged 48-80 years who did not have heart disease but had a single risk factor like raised BP, diabetes, obesity or smoking. It concluded that if the pill was given to this population, it would reduce risk of heart disease by 62% and stroke by 48%.
Green chewing gum launched: The world’s first biodegradable chewing gum, which is completely environment-friendly, has been introduced in supermarkets all over Britain. Chicza Rainforest Gum, as it is called, is manufactured in Mexico by Consorcio Chiclero, which is a consortium of 56 co-operatives employing some 2,000 chicleros (gum farmers) and their families.
The workers extract natural gum from the sap of the chicle tree, which is then used to make the pro-duct. Unlike conventional chewing gum, which contains petrochemicals, the organic chewing gum does not stick to clothing or pavements. Once disposed of, it will crumble to dust in about six weeks, dissolving harmlessly in water or being absorbed into the soil.
Big step for creating artificial life: US scientists said they have taken an important step toward making an artificial life form by making a ribosome that makes the proteins that carry out key business for all form of life.
Messenger RNA carries DNA’s genetic instructions to a cell’s ribosome, which then cooks up the desired protein. Every living organism from bacteria to humans uses a ribosome, and they are all strikingly similar. It is not quite artificial life, but an important step in that direction, said George Church, a professor of genetics at Harvard Medical School, who directed the research with a single graduate student.
Normal ribosomes make some drugs slowly, and others can’t be made at all. However, a man-made, or reconstituted, ribosome may be programmable to make all kinds of molecules.
SPACE RESEARCH
GOCE—Eye in space to disclose earth’s secrets: A European satellite, GOCE (Gravity field and steady state Ocean Circulation Explorer), launched in March 2009, is to show scientists the inner workings of earth, from the movements of ocean currents to the location of oil deposits. Its data will enable scientists to detect the flows of molten rock that underlie the movements of tectonic plates and cause earthquakes. The GOCE probe will measure tiny anomalies in earth’s gravity, caused by anything from mountain ranges to subterranean lava flows or ocean trenches.
Scientists have long known that the earth’s gravity varies all over its surface and that measuring those changes could give insights into the planet’s inner workings. However, designing an instrument capable of measuring them, which would also survive the rigours of blast-off, has until now proved impossible. GOCE will yield details of the Earth’s gravity field to an accuracy and resolution that is simply unobtainable by existing terrestrial and space techniques. For geologists, perhaps the most exciting prospect is of being able to peer deep below the earth’s crust.
MISCELLANEOUS
Images from moon to go online: US space agency NASA has entered into a collaboration with software giant Microsoft Corp to develop a new technology that will make planetary images and data accessible worldwide through Internet. The joint venture will work to develop a new technology to make NASA’s content, including high-resolution images and data from Mars and the moon, available on worldwide telescope, Microsoft’s online virtual telescope.
Under the agreement, NASA’s Ames Research Centre in Moffett Field, California, will process and host more than 100 terabytes of data, enough to fill 20,000 DVDs. Worldwide Telescope will also incorporate the data and feature images sent from NASA’s Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter. The tool will also have images from a camera aboard NASA’s Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter, scheduled to be launched in May 2009.
NSE free float-based indices to change market-cap weightage: When the National Stock Exchange (NSE) calculates its bench mark indices using the free float metho-dology from June 2009, the market capitalisation (M-cap) weightage of key companies and sectors would undergo major changes. Sectors with high institutional holding and companies having a large number of shares available for trading would gain from the move. The NSE currently uses full m-cap weightage methodology for computing its key indices.
Free float m-cap takes into consideration only those shares which are readily available for trading in the market. It usually excludes promoters’ holding, government holding, strategic holding and locked in shares that normally do not come to the market for trading.
G-20: G-20 or the Group of Twenty is a forum of Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors of the biggest industrialised and deve-loping economies to discuss key issues in the global economy. The G-20 countries account for 90% of global GDP, 80% of world trade and two-thirds of the world’s population.
The Asian financial crisis of 1997-98 raised fears of a global economic meltdown and world leaders became acutely aware of the lack of a platform where key emerging market countries and the G-7 industrialised nations could discuss the status of the global economy and measures for its improvement. The G-20 was born in 1999 as a result of this recognition.
Although the group has 19 of the world’s largest economies as its members, it has no formal criteria for membership. Apart from the G-7 industrialised nations, it includes emerging economies like India,
China, Russia, Brazil, South Africa, Mexico, South Korea, Argentina, Indonesia, Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Australia. The 20th member is the European Union, which is represented by whichever country holds the EU Presidency. The IMF and the World Bank also attend G-20
meetings. The chairmanship rotates every year. Britain is in the chair for 2009.
Events, Appointments, etc..:
MARCH8—The countdown to the 2010 Commonwealth Games begins with a dazzling function to kick off the Queen’s Baton Relay at India Gate.
16—President Asif Ali Zardari of Pakistan agrees to reinstate deposed Chief
Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry following intense pressure caused by the “Long March” announced by former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif.
18—President’s Rule is imposed in Meghalaya.
23—History is created in Mumbai as Tata Motors launches the world’s least expensive car, Nano.
27—At least 70 people are killed as a suicide bomber blows himself up inside a Pakistani mosque in Jamrud town, near the Afghanistan border.
28—Remote Pacific island communities turn off the lights as they kick off Earth Hour 2009, a global event to highlight climate change. The event also sees landmarks around the world go dark for an hour.
30—Pakistani commandos regained control of a police academy outside Lahore after terrorists rampage through the complex, killing at least eight cadets.
APRIL
5—A suicide bomber strikes in a crowded Shia mosque in Punjab province of Pakistan killing 22 worshippers.
6—More than 250 people are killed in a devastating earthquake that rocks central Italy around the ancient town of L’Aquila.
—Eight persons are killed in series of bomb blasts in Assam, suspected to be triggered by ULFA militants.
11—ASEAN summit is deferred as
thousands of anti-government protestors smash their way into the Summit venue in Pattaya, Thailand.
12—Indian hockey team reclaims the Azlan Shah title after 13 years.
APPOINTED; ELECTED; Etc.
Najib Razak: He has been appointed as the Prime Minister of Malaysia.Air Chief Marshal Pradeep Vasant Naik: He has been appointed as the Chief of Air Staff of Indian Air Force.
Navin Chawla: He has been appointed as the Chief Election Commissioner of India with effect from April 20, 2009.
Air Marshal D.C. Kumaria: He has been appointed as the first-ever Director-General Operations at the Air Headquarters, New Delhi.
Pramod Bhasin: Chief Executive of business process outsourcer Genpact Ltd, he has been appointed the Chairman of National Association of Software and Services Companies (NASSCOM).
Venu Srinivasan: TVS Motor Com-pany CMD, he has been elected President of the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) for the year 2009-10.
Mohan Bhagwat: He has been elected as the chief of Rashtriya Swyamsevak Sangh (RSS).
Justice G.R. Majithia (Retd): He has been appointed as the Chairman of the National Wage Board for journalists and non-journalist newspaper employees.
Meera Shankar: She has been appointed as the Ambassador of India in USA.
Sharat Sabharwal: He has been appointed as India’s High Commissioner in Pakistan.
Helen Clark: Former New Zealand Prime Minister she has been named as the head of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
Sister Prema: She has been elected the new Superior General of the Missionaries of Charity, founded by Mother Teresa.
RESIGNED
Abdullah Badawi: Prime Minister of Malaysia.
DISTINGUISHED VISITORS
Michelle Bachelet: President of Chile.MILESTONES
Aishwarya Rai: Hindi film actress, she will soon join the ranks of Hollywood beauties like Beyonce Knowles, Elizabeth Taylor and Diana Ross, by becoming the first Indian face of the legendary doll Barbie.Ekta Chaudhary: of Delhi, she has been crowned Miss Universe (India), 2009. Pooja Chopra of Pune has been selected as Miss World (India) and Shriya Kishore from Mumbai as Miss Earth (India).
Vivek Kundra: He has been appointed as the first federal chief information officer by President Obama of USA.
Sunil Bharti Mittal: Founder, Chairman and group CEO of Bharti Airtel, he has become the first Indian to join the board of trustees of the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. This global think tank has former UN Secretary General Kofi Annan among its only three non-US board members.
Sports:
ARCHERYIndia trio clinch recurve gold: Mangal Singh Champia, Jayanta Talukdar and Rahul Banerjee combined to clinch their second successive gold in the men’s recurve team event as India signed off with three medals in the Archery World Cup Stage I at Santo Domnigo in Dominican Republic.
Dola Banerjee settled for a third place finish in the women’s recurve, while women’s compound team of Jhano Hansdah, Bheigyabati Chanu and Manjudha Soy also finished third.
BADMINTON
Yonex-Sunrise Indian Open: Men’s Singles: Taufik Hidayat, Indonesia. Women’s Singles: Hongyan Pi, China. Men’s doubles: Tan Fook Choong and Wan Wah Lee, Malaysia. Mixed doubles: Flandy Limpele and Vita Marissa, Indonesia.
CRICKET
Women’s World Cup: Caroline Atkins top-scored with 40 runs and Nicky Shaw took four wickets for 34 as England beat New Zealand by four wickets to claim the women’s World Cup. India finished third.
West Indies-England One-Day Series: England ended their ragged tour of the West Indies on a high when an Andrew Flintoff hat-trick helped them beat the hosts by 26 runs in a rain-shortened match to win the one-day series 3-2.
New Zealand-India One Day Series: Virender Sehwag (125 not out) smashed the fastest ODI century by an Indian to fashion the team’s commanding 10-wicket win in the fourth match, also giving India their first one-day cricket series win in New Zealand. Sehwag’s 60-ball hundred bettered Mohammad Azharuddin’s 62-ball century against the Kiwis at Baroda. India won the series 3-1.
New Zealand-India Test Series: India still needed to take two wickets before the third Test was called off and declared to have ended as a draw. However, India came out stronger by winning the three-Test series 1-0. This was India’s first Test series win in New Zealand after 41 years. Earlier, Harbhajan Singh scalped six wickets to guide India to their first Test triumph on New Zealand soil in 33 years as the visitors spanked the Kiwis by 10 wickets in the first Test. The second Test ended in a draw.
South Africa-Australia Test Series: Australia clinched a series win over South Africa and remained top of the world rankings after completing a crushing 175-run victory in the second Test. South Africa left-arm spinner Paul Harris took six wickets as the Proteas beat Australia by an innings and 20 runs to win the third Test but lose the three-Test series 2-1. The first Test had been won by Australia.
Gautam Gambhir breaks Gavaskar’s record for most runs after 25 tests: Gautam Gambhir’s 167 in the third Test against New Zealand helped him reach 2,271 runs (average 54.07), the most by an Indian in his first 25 tests, eclipsing Sunil Gavaskar’s 2,256 (avg 52.47).
Dravid becomes world record holder of most catches: India’s Rahul Dravid became the world record holder of most catches in Tests, surpassing Australian Mark Waugh, when he caught New Zealand opener Tim McIntosh at third slip for his 182nd catch on the fourth day of the third and last Test against New Zealand.
Deodhar Trophy: West Zone beat East Zone to win the title.
Vijay Hazare Trophy: Tamil Nadu defeated Bengal by 66 runs to win the Premier Cup.
Australia receives Test Championship Mace: Australian captain Ricky Ponting received the International Cricket Council’s (ICC) Test Championship Mace for his team’s top finish in table in the 2008-09 calendar year.
TENNIS
Serena Williams voted player of the year: Serena Williams has been voted the WTA tour player of the year for the second time. Dinara Safina was selected most improved player for 2008, and Zheng Jie of China was chosen comeback player of the year. Top-ranked Cara Black of Zimbabwe and Liezel Huber of the United States were chosen doubles team of the year. Caroline Wozniacki of Denmark was selected newcomer of the year.
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