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January 2013 Current Affairs

JJB rejects bone ossification test plea January 31st, 2013 The Juvenile Justice Board rejected the police request for his bone ossification test for age determination. The inquiry against the accused who will be 0f 18 years in June 2013, will continue by the Juvenile Justice Board nevertheless as per Section 3 of the Juvenile Justice Act. What is bone ossification test?

Ossification is the process of formation of new bone by cells calledosteoblasts. As per scientific evidence, by the age of 25 years nearly all bones are completely ossified in humans. Ossification test is a guess work based on the fusion of joints in the human body b/w birth and age 25. If all joints are fused the person must be of 25yrs age or older. As per experts that there can be an error of about 2 years in the age determined by the ossification test, but it is still more reliable than ascertaining the age on mere appearance basis. Different ways to tell age of a person:

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School Records Methods like Orchodometry which measures testicular volume. The test is available in India. Teeth (Forensic experts check teeth first. All molars are up by 18.) X-Ray of elbow, hip, knee, wrist, shoulders and collar-bones are taken for bone ossification (hardening) test. Bone age is correlated to chronological age. TW3 Test (Tanner-Whitehouse Tests) or Bone Maturation Test Has been introduced by BCCI to check age fraud in juniorcricket. It works out skeletal maturity from hand and wrist bones. Telomeres Age determination based on the length of telomeres, the protective cap of chromosomes. Telomere length varies with age. What does Section 3 of the Juvenile Justice Act say? Continue reading Indias first ebiz government-to-business portal launched January 31st, 2013 Promoting the National e-Governance Plan, the Govt the launch of an eBiz portal which will offer Government-to-Business (G2B) services for Indias investor and business communities. Developed by: Infosys in a PPP (Public-Private Partnership) mode. Objective:

The portal provides a single-window service to enable businesses and investors to save time and costs and improve the business environment. Government-to-Business (G2B) services for Indias investor and business communities. A 247 facility for information and services, and will also offer joined-up services where a single application submitted by a customer, for a number of permissions, clearances, approvals and

registrations, will be routed automatically across multiple governmental agencies in a logical manner. As a part of the 10-year programme, Infosys will roll-out services in a phased manner. In the first year, eBiz will launch 29 services in the five states including Andhra Pradesh, Delhi, Haryana, Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu. At 105, Ustad Abdul Rashid Khan is the oldest to get Padma Award January 31st, 2013 Hindustani vocalist Ustad Abdul Rashid Khan (105) has become the oldest person to be chosen for this years Padma Shri award. Previously, in 2011, Indias first woman photo-journalist Homai Vyarawala was honoured with the Padma Vibushan at the age of 97. She passed away in 2012. Khan is also a poet who has penned around 2000 compositions under the pseudonym Rasan Piya. Singer S. Janaki declines Padma Bhushan January 31st, 2013 South-India playback singer Sreeramamurthy Janaki refused to accept Padma Bhushan award announced for her on the eve of 64thRepublic Day. She did this showing her dissatisfaction over the number of people from South India chosen for Padma awards list for 2013. Janaki (74) started her singing career with 1957 Tamil film Vidhiyin Vilayattu. She has sung more than 15,000 songs in all southern languages and in Hindi. She has won four National Awards and the prestigious Kalamamanistate award Tamil Nadu

India, Bangladesh ink extradition and visa pacts January 31st, 2013 India and Bangladesh inked a liberalized visa agreement and a significant extradition pact that would pave the way for the deportation of jailed ULFA general secretary Anup Chetia and other wanted criminals. Both nations also introduced a revised travel arrangement under which New Delhi as well as Dhaka eased their visa regimes under several categories. The treaty, however, would not be applicable for persons accused of political offenses and only those with accused with charges like murders, culpable homicide and other serious offenses would come under the ambit of the pact. India has promised to put in efforts to hunt two absconding and convicted killers of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and hand them over to Dhaka as two of them were thought to be hiding in India. Ranji Trophy: Mumbai claim their 40th title, defeat Saurashtra January 31st, 2013 Mumbai won its 40th Ranji trophy after beating Saurashtra in the Ranji Trophy finals at Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. Iran claims to have sent monkey into space January 31st, 2013

Iran has claimed that it has successfully sent a monkey into space, boasting the launch as another step toward Tehrans aspirations of a manned space flight. As per reports, the rocket dubbed Pishgam (Farsi for pioneer), reached a height of 120 km. The monkey is learnt to have returned to earth safely. The west is worried that Irans advancements in this technology from the space program could also be used to develop long-range missiles that could possibly be armed with nuclear warheads. Iran aims to place its own satellites into orbit to monitor natural disasters in the earthquake-prone nation, improve telecommunications and expand military surveillance in the region. The country has a key satellite launch complex nearSemnan, about 200 km east of Tehran. It also has a satellite monitoring facility outside Mahdasht, about 70 km west of the Tehran. Rising CAD, a major concern: RBI January 31st, 2013 The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has stated that the increasing Current Account Deficit (CAD) has become a major obstacle in relaxing monetary policy. The CAD stood at a record high of 5.4% of GDP in the second quarter of 2012-13. The central bank stressed at the need of using expenditurereducing policies in addition to expenditure-switching policies to bring CAD down to a more sustainable level of around 2.5 per cent of GDP. The banks concerns about Inflation have not dissipated and it has indicated that growth in 2012-13 might fall below the Reserve BanksOctober 2012 projection of 5.8 per cent. RBI cuts repo rate and CRR, slashes growth forecast to 5.5% January 31st, 2013 The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) eased its tight monetary policy by slashing its key interest rates by 0.25% and released Rs 18,000 crore additional liquidity into the system to stimulate growth through reduced cost of borrowing. RBI cut the Repo Rate by 0.25% to 7.75% and Cash Reserve Ratio (CRR) by similar margin to 4%. The cut in repo rate is expected to bring down the borrowing rates individuals and corporate. The slash in CRR, which is the portion of deposits that banks have to keep with RBI, would enhance the availability of funds. The RBI, however, has cut down the growth projections for the current financial year to 5.5% from its earlier estimate of 5.8%. Worlds oldest marathoner to retire January 30th, 2013 Worlds oldest marathon runner, 101-year-old Fauja Singh, from Ilford, east London, has announced retirement from the sport after taking part in the afterHong Kong marathon which will be held in February 2013. Singh is fondly known as Turbaned Tornadoamong his fans. He entered the records as the worlds oldest marathon runner after his show in Toronto marathon. To know more about the Turbaned Tornado Fauja Singh: Click Here. Exide Industries to acquire ING stake in Indian life insurance joint venture January 30th, 2013

Dutch banking and insurance group ING has decided to sell its 26% stake in an Indian insurance venture to local partner Exide Industries. ING is in the process of selling all its Asian insurance and investment management operations. Exide would acquire INGs 26 % percent in ING Vysya. It would also buy 24% from two other private Indian investors Enam Group and Hemendra Kothari Group for a total of about 5.5 billion rupees ($102 million). Within the period of a year, ING is second company to exit Indian insurance market after New York Life sold its 26% stake in a life insurance joint venture with Max India to Japans MS&AD for about $530 million. Why are these companies making exit from India? Continue reading Union Cabinet approves panel to investigate Wal-Marts lobbying activities January 30th, 2013 The Union Cabinet gave its nod to the appointment of a one-man Committee into the media reports alleging Wal-Mart of lobbying activities. What would this panel do? The tasks before the Committee are as follows:(i) To inquire into recent media reports on disclosures of Wal-Mart beforethe US Senate regarding their lobbying activities and details. (ii) Whether Wal-mart undertook any activities in India in infringement of any Indian law. (iii) Any other matter relevant or incidental to the above. The Committee will deliver its report within 3 months. Wal-Mart has reportedly been lobbying with the US lawmakers since 2008 to facilitate its entry into the highly lucrative Indian supermarket. As per the lobbying disclosure reports filed by Walmart with the US Senate, the company has spent close to 25 million dollars (about Rs 125 crore) since 2008 on its various lobbying activities, including on the issues related to "enhanced market access for investment in India". Currently, the retail market of India is of the size of about $500 billion, and is expected to surpass the 1 trillion mark by 2020, given the increment in personal income Shiv Sena elects Uddhav Thackeray as its President January 30th, 2013 Shiv Sena executive president Uddhav Thackeray (52) was formally elected as the president of the party. There will be no post of Shiv Sena pramukh, which was held by late party supremo Bal Thackeray for over four decades. Delhi eliminates Leprosy January 30th, 2013

Indias capital New Delhi has got rid of Leprosy as a public healthproblem, as the incidence rate of leprosy has declined from 4.5 cases per 10,000 of population in 2001 to 0.8 cases at present. As per WHO guidelines, when the number of leprosy patients gets reduced to below 1 case per 10,000 populations, the disease is considered to have been eliminated as a public health problem. Leprosy is a bacterial disease caused by the bacteria Mycobacterium leprae which affects mainly the skin and nerves. It takes 2 to 5 years for the symptoms to be visible as the disease progresses slowly. India to grow at 5.9% in 2013: IMF January 30th, 2013 As per the projections of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Indiaseconomy is expected to expand at the rate of 5.9% in 2013 and a higher growth of 6.4% in 2014 in line with the modest strengthening of global economic outlook. Panna Tiger Reserve of MP undergoes vulture population estimation January 30th, 2013 The Vulture Population Estimation-2013 has been concluded in thePanna Tiger Reserve in Madhya Pradesh.Counting found 867 vultures including 160 migratory and 48 of unidentified origins. The number of vultures found this year is less compared to last year. The reason could be the sudden increase in temperature in the area during the estimation week. Seven out of nine vulture species in the Indian sub-continent were found in Panna. Another survey will be conducted in April-May 2013 to assess success rate of vulture breeding in Panna Tiger Reserve. Vulture Population Estimation Vulture Population Estimation is being conducted in Panna Tiger Reserve annually in January since 2010. It is carried out with public private participation with the co-operation of bird watchers from across the country. Various species of vultures include Long Billed Vultures, White Backed Vultures, Egyptian Vultures and Red-headed Vultures. The migratory vultures found during the estimation were European Griffon, Himalayan Griffon and vultures of cinereous species. It is being considered to include Paragrin spies of vulture also in the Vulture Population Estimation next yet Britain vulnerable to triple-dip recession January 30th, 2013 With the shriveling of Britains economy shrank by 0.3% in the final quarter of 2012 and 0% growth in its GDP for the year as a whole, the country is facing an elevated risk of a triple dip recession. UK is grappling with the economic problems created by the high debt inherited by the government and eurozone crisis. There are fears that if Britains economy shrinks also in the current first quarter then the country might enter its third recession since the 2008 global financial crisis.

Technically, a recession requires two consecutive quarters of falling output. Britain is not a member of the eurozone but has been affected by the neighboring blocs ongoing financial crisis. The activity has been impacted also by deficit curbing austerity measures from the nations Conservative-Liberal Democrat coalition government. World economy to recover marginally in 2013: IMF January 30th, 2013

As per 188-member International Monetary Funds (IMF) World Economic Outlook (WEO) report, the global economy will undergo modest upturn in 2013 as the constraints on growth gradually ease, but policy complacency should be guarded against as risks remain. As per the report, economic environment improved modestly in the 3rdquarter of 2012, driven by acceleration in emerging economies and the United States. Global financial conditions improved further in the 4th quarter of 2012 with sovereign spreads in weak euro area countries declined considerably. However, in the euro zone, the recuperation in economy after a prolonged contraction is delayed, and Japan slipped into recession in the second half of 2012. As per IMF forecast: Continue reading RBI relaxes rules for FII in debt January 30th, 2013 The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has notified certain relaxations in the rules for FII in debt, these are:

The investment limit in Government Securities (G-Secs) by Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs) and long-term investors has been enhanced by $5 billion to $25 billion from current $20 billion. The investment limit in corporate bonds by FIIs has also been increased by $5 billion $50 billion from current $45 billion. Continue reading Pakistan holds Saffron Bandit combat exercise January 29th, 2013 The Pakistani military conducted a combat exercise Saffron Banditinvolving fighter jets and ground troops. The exercise is being conducted against the backdrop of a elevated tensions with India following a string of ceasefire violations along the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir. The Pakistan Air Force conducted the Saffron Bandit exercise with elements from the Army Aviation and Army Air Defence. Pakistan conducts the Saffron Bandit exercise every 3 years. India, Rwanda ink MoU in Water Resources Development and Management January 29th, 2013 India and Rawanda inked a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on bilateral co-operation in Water Resources Development and Management. The pact targets various areas of co-operation with focus on planning, design and implementation of marshland and hillside irrigation, watershed management, water governance, and training and capacity building of farmers and functionaries in the water sector. Objective: To realize the goal of achieving food security in Rwanda and thereby to encourage further the already existing amicable relations b/w the two nations. Rwanda, (the Republic of Rwanda): A sovereign state in central and eastAfrica. Located a few degrees south of the Equator, bordered by Uganda,Tanzania, Burundi, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Kirti Chakra to Army Major Abup J Manjali January 29th, 2013

Major Abup J Manjali of the Rashtriya Rifles has been awarded the Kirti Chakra on this Republic Day for the exhibition of exceptional valor in counter- terrorist operations in Jammu and Kashmir. Manjali is the only soldier to be awarded the second- highest peacetime gallantry award Kirti Chakra on this Republic Day. Boeing delivers first of C-17 to IAF January 29th, 2013 American Plane maker Boeing has made scheduled delivery of the first of 10 C-17 Globemaster III airlifters to the Indian Air Force (IAF). Boeing is expected to deliver four more C-17s to the IAF this year and five in 2014.India inked a pact with the U.S. in June 2011, to buy 10 C-17 airlifters, making India the largest C-17 customer outside the U.S. About C-17 Globemaster-III A high-wing, 4-engine, T-tailed military-transport aircraft, the multi-service C-17 can carry large equipment, supplies and troops directly to small airfields in harsh terrain anywhere in the world day or night. The massive, sturdy, long-haul aircraft tackles distance, destination and heavy, oversized payloads in unpredictable conditions. It can land in remote airfields in rough, land-locked regions to serve for military, humanitarian and peacekeeping missions. It can take off from a 7,600-ft. airfield, carry a payload of 160,000 pounds, fly 2,400 nautical miles, and refuel while in flight and land in 3,000 ft. or less on a small unpaved or paved airfield in day or night. Railways to take food complaints on real time January 29th, 2013 Railways Minister Pawan Kumar Bansal launched a new food catering policy for providing hygienic food at enhanced prices and to the satisfaction of passengers. Railways has set up a toll-free phone number (1800111321) to register the complaints about quality, quantity or charges of food on a real-time basis b/w 7 a.m. and 10 p.m. International Tea Producers Forum (ITPF): Key tea producing countries form global forum January 29th, 2013 Major tea producing nations held a meeting in Colombo, Sri Lanka, to set up a global forum named the International Tea Producers Forum (ITPF). It will be headquartered at Colombo for now. The participation of China is uncertain as of now. The decision to form a global body was taken at a ministerial-level meeting in Colombo which was attended by countries includingKenya, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Malawi, Rwanda and China. What is the aim of this forum? The forum is aimed at research on issues such as impact of climate change on tea production and to promote tea as a preferred beverage across the globe. It would make it possible to share technology and expertise among member countries. It would also fuel demand for tea by promoting tea consumption through generic promotional campaigns. RBI revises norms for bulk deposits January 29th, 2013 The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has revised the rules for bulk deposits, offering differential interest rates, which would be applicable with effect from April 1, 2012. As per the revised rules:

Continue reading Wild card entrants win Australian Open 2013 mixed doubles title January 29th, 2013 Wild card entrants Jarmila Gajdosova and Matthew Ebden combined to won the Australian Open mixed doubles title with a win over Lucie Hradecka and Frantisek Cermak in the finals. Djokovic first ever to win 3 consecutive Australian Open mens singles titles January 28th, 2013 The Serbian professional tennis player Novak Djokovic became the first man to win three successive Australian Open titles in the professional era when he beat Andy Murray in the finals of mens singles at Australian Open 2013 Bryan brothers clinch mens doubles Australian Open 2013 January 28th, 2013 American siblings Bob and Mike Bryan clinched the mens doubles title in Austr alian Open 2013. The pair defeated the Dutch team of Robin Haase and Igor Sijsling to win their record 13th Grand Slam doubles title. Victoria Azarenka lifts Australian Open 2013 womens title January 28th, 2013 Belarus tennis star Victoria Azarenka vanquished Chinese opponent Li Na to clinch the 2013 title of Australian Open for the second successive time. Worlds first cloned buffalo delivers a calf January 28th, 2013 Garima II which is worlds first cloned buffalo has delivered a healthy and normal calf at the Karnal based National Dairy Research Institute (NDRI). The calf, named Mahima, was born through hand-guided cloning technique. It is the first calf born from a cloned buffalo in the world. Garima II was inseminated with frozen-thawed semen of a progeny tested bull of NDRI. RBI asks banks to issue bonds to retail investors January 28th, 2013 The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has asked banks to issue bonds to retail investors so as to deepen the corporate debt market. It has encouraged banks to consider the option of raising subordinated debt for Tier II capital by issuing bonds to retail investors. In general practice, banks build up Tier II capital by issuing subordinated debt to banks and large investors. Canara Bank to launch e-Lounge services January 28th, 2013 Canara Bank is about to unveil its e-Lounge services in Bangalore andDelhi. What this service would offer?

e-Lounge will cater to the needs of corporate, IT and businessprofessionals. It would offer Services of ATM, cash deposit kiosk, check deposit kiosk, pass book update, internet banking terminal, online trading terminal, corporate web site terminal to offer latest information of banks services all under one roof. The bank would launch first e-Lounge at Koramangala Branch, Bangalore. SKEWPY can address unemployment problem in J&K January 28th, 2013 Minister for Labour and Employment, Planning and Development, Ajay Kumar Sadhotra has said that Sher-e-Kashmir Employment and Welfare Programme for Youth (SKEWPY) is a right initiative to address the unemployment problem in Jammu and Kashmir. What is SKEWPY? In J&K the problem of unemployment is at alarming levels and is a matter of serious concern for the Central as well as State govt. To tackle this problem the state announced policy on Employment to simultaneously and comprehensively address all issues relating to the problem of unemployment in the state. The policy was launched on the 5th December, 2009, the 105th birthday of the great visionary of the state, the Sher-e-Kashmir, Sheikh Mohammed Abdullah Sahib and hence named as ,"The Sher-E-Kashmir Employment & Welfare Programme for the Youth" (SKEWPY). SRK tops Forbes India Celebrity 100 chart January 28th, 2013 Bollywood star Shah Rukh Khan stood at the pinnacle of inaugural ForbesIndia Celebrity 100 list. The 2nd spot was held by Salman Khan, while Indian cricket skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni stood at the 3rd place in the list. Top 3 earners during October 2011 to September 2012:

Shah Rukh Khan- Rs 202.8 crore. Salman Khan Rs 144.2 crore Dhoni Rs 135.16 crore The list considered factors such as celebrities income (from the business ofentertainment) and fame (as measured by media mentions, online presence and social media followers) in the duration b/w October 1, 2011 and September 30, 2012. The celebrities were positioned across 8 categories film actors, directors, sport stars, TV personalities, singers/musicians, authors, models and comedians. India to test fire sub-sonic missile Nirbhay January 28th, 2013 As per Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), Indiawould test fire sub-sonic, medium range cruise missile Nirbhay in Feb 2013. The missile is being developed by Aeronautical Development Establishment (ADE), a DRDO lab. Nirbhay:

All-weather low-cost medium-range cruise missile with stealth and high accuracy. Range of 1,000 km. It will carry a ring laser gyroscope for high-accuracy navigation and a radio altimeter for the height determination. Capable of being launched from multiple platforms on land, sea and air and shall be inducted into Indian Navy, Army, and Air Force.

Capable of carrying nuclear warheads. Capable of flying at different altitudes ranging from 500 m to 4 km above the ground. Good loitering capability, control and guidance with high degree of accuracy for maximum impact. Nirbhay will supplement the Brahmos cruise missile by carrying warheads beyond the 300-km range Ameet Shah appointed to US Dept committee on renewable energy January 28th, 2013 The Co-Chairman of Astonfield Renewable Resources Ltd, Ameet Shah, has been appointed to the US Department of Commerces Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Advi sory Committee (RE&EEAC). Shah will represent project developers in the renewable energy sector. He will advice the Departments top official on competitiveness issues facing the US renewable energy and energy efficiency exports, and help provide consensus advice on the development and administration of programmes and policies. Astonfields 12.3 MW solar photovoltaic plant in Nayaka of Patan district of Gujarat, was sanctioned under the Gujarat Energy Development Agency (GEDA). DRDO begins AWACS programme January 28th, 2013 Indias Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has just taken up development of the Rs 6,000 crore Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS). What is AWACS? AWACS is acronym of Airborne Warning and Control System. To know more about AWACS follow links:

Link-1 Link-2 How is it different from indigenous Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C)? AWACS is a heavier and high endurance system, which can give you in terms of coverage about 360 degrees as against AEW&C which is about270 degree coverage. Besides this, (compared to AEW&C) AWACS flies at a higher altitude and it can penetrate into the enemy territory not physically (but) by way of radars and EW (electronic warfare) systems to longer distances and it can be in sky for larger durations, besides giving better visibility. US Senators introduce Malala Yousufzai Scholarship Act January 28th, 2013 A bill in the name of Pakistani peace activist MalalaYousafzai has been introduced by two top American Senators.

The legislation named Malala Yousufzai Scholarship Act is aimed at expanding scholarship opportunities for disadvantaged young women in Pakistan.

The bill would require a 30 % increase in the number of scholarships awarded under the program for the next four years, and that these additional scholarships be awarded solely to women.