NOVEMBER CURRENT AFFAIRS

INTERNATIONAL
The Vice President of India M. Hamid Ansari inaugurated the International Conference
on Digital Libraries (ICDL) on the theme Vision 2020 Looking back and Forging New
Frontiers organised by The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) in New Delhi on 27
November. The Vice President has said that there is consensus that knowledge would
be the key driving force in the 21st century. The ability to use and create knowledge
capital will determine a countrys capacity to empower and enable its citizens by
increasing human capabilities. Knowledge would also determine the pace and trajectory
of socio-economic development of countries, besides their global competitiveness. The
Vice President also said that the realisation of these objectives would naturally involve
the widest possible dissemination and imparting of knowledge amongst all sections of
society. In this endeavour, digital libraries would be a critical instrument as they would
enable people to access, share, and apply knowledge in a more efficient and effective
manner.
The Italian Senate expelled three-time ex-Premier Silvio Berlusconi from Parliament
over his tax fraud conviction on 27 November, ending, for now, his two-decade
legislative run but not his political career. Berlusconi has warned that the unprecedented
move would embarrass Italy internationally. He maintained his defiance as the Senate
voted. Even though Berlusconi wont hold a seat in Parliament, he is expected to remain
influential in Italian politics. He has relaunched his Forza Italia Party and he still
commands millions of loyal supporters. While his lawyers chart possible legal
challenges and his allies move into Italys opposition, Berlusconis fans massed in front
of his Roman palazzo for a rally that analysts said was essentially the start of Italys next
electoral campaign. The Senate vote on whether to remove Berlusconi from the
chamber stems from a 2012 law that bans anyone sentenced to more than two years in
prison from holding or running for public office for six years. His lawyers claim the law is
unconstitutional and have questioned why the rush to expel him while legal challenges
are still pending. Italys high court on August 1 upheld Berlusconis tax fraud conviction
and four-year prison term stemming from his Mediaset empires purchase of television
rights to US films.
NATO on 26 November, launched its largest-ever cyber exercises to practise warding
off massive, simultaneous attacks on member states and their partners. Based at the
alliances cyber defence centre in EU member Estonia, the exercises will last three days
and include participants in over 30 European states."Cyber attacks are a daily reality
and they are growing in sophistication and complexity," Jamie Shea, a NATO official
specializing in emerging security challenges, said in a statement. Around 400 legal and
IT experts as well as government officials will take part in the operation code-named
"Cyber Coalition 2013".
Latvian Prime Minister Valdis Dombrovskis is resigning in the wake of a deadly
supermarket roof collapse, on 27 November. Dombrovskis is "taking political
responsibility for the tragedy," spokesman Martin Punke told to the media. The roof
collapse last week, in the Zolitude neighborhood of the capital, Riga, left more than 50
people dead -- the deadliest incident in Latvia since the country became independent in
1991.His decision to step down came after a meeting with the president, according to
Latvias national news agency, LETA.A total of 54 people, including three firefighters,
died in the collapse and several dozen were injured. The cause of the disaster is still
under investigation. However, Riga Mayor Nils Usakovs told CNN last week that
authorities think building materials stored on the roof caused it to collapse.
Bureau International des Expositions (BIE) on 27 November 2013 voted in favor of
Dubai to be the host city for the World Trade Fair or EXPO 2020. This was decided after
the third and the final round of voting in Paris on 27 November 2013. The theme of
Dubai for the EXPO 2020 is Connecting Minds, Creating the Future. A World Expo in
Dubai in 2020 would be the first to be held in the MENASA (Middle East, North Africa
and South Asia) region, which takes place every five years. The yearlong event is
considered a major event since the award of the EXPO brings home more number of
visitors and adds to the trade, economy, tourism and hospitality sectors in the host city.
The focus is on attracting 25 million people and through word of mouth may be 100
million over three to four years. This will give a boost to the local economy, trade, realty,
tourism and retail sectors in the long run. World Expos is a meeting point for the global
community to share innovations and make progress on issues of international
importance such as the global economy, sustainable development and improved quality
of life for the worlds population. The first world expo was held in London in 1851. This
Expo will be held every five years in different cities across the world. The last world
expo took place in 2010 at Shanghai, China.
Ignoring seniority and surprising many, Pakistans Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on 27
November, appointed Lt. Gen. Raheel Sharif, the third in the pecking order, as
Pakistans army chief. The change of command comes at a time when Pakistan is
locked in war with the homegrown Taliban a battle that has claimed thousands of
lives going through a phase of icy relation with India and bracing for repercussions of
the imminent withdrawal of US-led Nato troops from Afghanistan. Lt. Gen. Sharif, 57,
was born to Major Muhammad Sharif in Quetta and led a cantonment life.
Iran and P5+1 Group of Nations reached a breakthrough deal on 24 November 2013 to
curb Irans nuclear programme in exchange for limited sanctions relief. An agreement to
this effect was signed at UN Headquarters in Geneva on 24 November 2013 between
the Chief negotiator for the six nations, Catherine Marie Ashton and Iranian Foreign
Minister Mohammad Jawad Zarief. The interim deal for six months is intended to give
time and space to the international community to work towards a comprehensive
agreement. After four days of negotiations, representatives of P5+1 group of nations -
the US, the UK, Russia, China, France and Germany - reached an agreement with Iran.
The deal is intended as the first step in a six-month process aimed at a permanent
resolution to the decade-old global impasse over Irans nuclear programme, and
heading off the threat of a new war in West Asia. The Geneva deal also makes the way
for releasing over US $ 4 billion in Iranian oil sales revenue from frozen accounts, and
suspends restrictions on the countrys trade in gold, petrochemicals, and car and plane
parts. In return, Iran undertakes to restrict its nuclear activities. Iran will give greater
access to inspectors including daily access at the Natanz and Fordo nuclear sites. In
return, there will be no new nuclear-related sanctions for six months if Iran sticks by the
accord.
Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on 26 November, launched the construction of
the countrys biggest atomic power plant and vowed to pursue further projects to make
nuclear the largest energy source. The 2,200-megawatt plant is to be built with Chinese
technical assistance on the Arabian Sea coast at Paradise Beach, 40 kilometers (25
miles) west of Karachi. Pakistan already has three operational nuclear plants generating
a total of around 740 MW of power and has begun work on a fourth, in addition to the
one launched on Tuesday."This is one of the first steps of our goal of racing towards a
load shedding-free Pakistan," Sharif told the audience at the site of the plant. The World
Nuclear Association has estimated the cost of the new project at nearly US $10 billion.
Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission engineers will work on the project with help from
the China Atomic Energy Authority. A few kilometers further west of the new nuclear
power project, an energy park is being built at Gaddani beach in Baluchistan province,
with plans for 6,600 MW coal-fired power projects.
The 3rd BRICS International Competition Conference, 2013 was inaugurated by
Honble Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh in New Delhi on 21st November.
Delivering the inaugural address, the Prime Minister focussed on the need to recognise
the complementarily between competition law enforcement and liberalisation of markets
for procurement. He underscored the importance of adopting competition neutral
policies. Elimination of unnecessary restrictions and better tender design and
specification can enhance possibilities for effective competition, thereby making bid
rigging more difficult. As a result, competitive procurement markets can help save
valuable fiscal resources and release funds for development. Dr. Manmohan Singh
expressed confidence that the two-day conference will see robust discussions covering
all the challenges faced by the BRICS countries in the enforcement of their respective
competition regimes. The two-day conference has been organised by Competition
Commission of India (CCI) on behalf of BRICS countries in pursuance of the Beijing
Consensus, New Delhi Declaration and Action Plan adopted at Fourth BRICS Leaders
Summit in New Delhi on March 29, 2012. The theme of this BRICS ICC is Competition
Enforcement in BRICS Countries: Issues and Challenges. Earlier, in his welcome
address, Chairman, CCI, Mr. Ashok Chawla, expressed the hope that the 3rd BRICS
ICC would provide an opportunity for the five BRICS countries to share the challenges
faced in their respective countries and gain from the experiences of good practices of
mature competition authorities and the international community at large. This would
enable the competition authorities to become more effective institutional ombudsman for
fair play in the market. The Heads of the Competition Authorities of the Federative
Republic of Brazil, the Russian Federation, the Republic of India, the Peoples Republic
of China and the Republic of South Africa signed a Joint Accord namely DELHI
ACCORD on November 22, 2013 during the ongoing 3rd BRICS International
Competition Conference (ICC) at New Delhi. BRICS Competition Authorities, reflecting
the principle of mutual trust and respect, considered the need of establishing good
communication between the BRICS Competition Authorities on competition law and
policy to further improving and strengthening the relationship between the BRICS
Competition Authorities. BRICS Competition Authorities, while recognising the benefits
of technical cooperation among the competition agencies, in sound and effective
enforcement of competition laws expressed their resolve and commitment to exchange
views on different aspects of competition policy. The heads of the Competition
Authorities of BRICS recommended the publication of the material of the 3rd BRICS
ICC on their respective websites for the purpose of competition advocacy. The
Competition Authorities of BRICS support the hosting of the Fourth BRICS ICC during
2015.
Abdulla Yameen, the candidate of Progressive Party of Maldives on 16th November
defeated the former premier, Mohammed Nasheed to win the Maldivian Presidential
elections. Yameen secured 51.39 percent of votes, whereas Mohamed Nasheed
received 48.61. 45 foreign observers and 22 foreign monitors saw the transparency and
credibility of the election. The winning candidate Abdullah Yameen will be sworn in as
the President at a special seating of the Majlis, the Maldivian Parliament. The 54 years
old Yameen is an economist and the half-brother of Maumoon Abdul Gayoom, the
former autocratic ruler, who ruled Maldives for 30 years.Earlier, in September 2013, the
first round of elections was conducted in which none of the candidates secured more
than 50 percent of the votes. Thus the Supreme Court of Maldives annulled the results.
Whereas, the second attempt of polls was to be hold on 19 October 2013, which was
thwarted by the police after the ruling of the Supreme Court. The re-vote was held on 9
November 2013, in which any one didnt emerged as the winner by crossing the 50
percent mark. After the failure of the two polls, international community asked to
conduct the elections as per the Constitutional provisions.
The much-awaited USD 2.3 billion aircraft carrier INS Vikramaditya was inducted into
the Indian Navy on 16 November. The mammoth 44,500-tonne warship was
commissioned into the Indian Navy at the Sevmash Shipyard in the northern Arctic port
at a handing over ceremony attended by Defense Minister A K Antony and Russian
Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin and senior government and naval officials of the
two countries. The commissioning papers were signed by deputy director of Russias
arms exporter Rosoboronexport, Igor Sevastyanov and the ships captain Suraj Berry,
Russias RIA Novosti news agency reported. AK Antony arrived in Russia on 15
November, for the commissioning of the aircraft carrier at Russias nuclear submarine
building centre Sevmash Shipyard. Indian Naval Ship Vikramaditya is the countrys
second aircraft carrier and the navys biggest warship. INS Vikramadityas
commissioning is being described as "a game changer" in naval circles, and is expected
to project Indias maritime power far beyond its shores. The aircraft carrier is expected
to reach India by early next year. Vikramaditya is 284 meters in length, and with its
beam of about 60 meters, it stretches to an area as large as three football fields. It has
22 decks and will have over 1,600 personnel on board. The warship can carry over 30
aircraft, comprising an assortment of MiG 29K/Sea Harrier, Kamov 31, Kamov 28, Sea
King, ALH-Dhruv and Chetak helicopters. Long range air surveillance radars and
advanced electronic warfare suite makes the ship capable of maintaining "a surveillance
bubble" of over 500 km around the ship. The ship is equipped with state-of-the-art
launch and recovery systems and computer-aided Action Information Organization
(CAIO) system, which is the heart of the operational network that infuses life into the
combat systems onboard the ship. Negotiations over acquiring Admiral Gorshkov
(which was re-named INS Vikramaditya) started in 1994. A memorandum of
understanding was signed in December 1998, and the deal was made January 2004.
The Navy has plans of bringing the warship to India and deploy it at the newly-
developed Karwar naval base called Project Seabird.
Iran on 18 November 2013 unveiled a biggest missile-equipped drone with a range of
2000 km, which would enable it to cover much of the Middle East, including Israel. The
drone named Fotros has an operational range of 2000 kilometers and can fly at an
altitude of 25000 feet, with a flight time of 16 to 30 hours. The drone could carry out
reconnaissance missions or launch air-to-surface missile strikes. In September 2013,
Iran announced the mass production of the Shahed 129 drone, which it said has a
range of 1700 kilometers, is capable of carrying eight missiles and can fly for 24 hours.
In the same month, Iran unveiled a reconnaissance drone named Yasseer, which was
said to be capable of flying for eight hours with a range of 200 kilometers and at an
altitude of 4500 meters.
China on 23 November, said it had set up an air defense zone covering the international
airspace over parts of the disputed East China Sea, requiring all non-commercial
aircraft to notify its authorities of their flight plans to avoid triggering a response from air
defense forces. Japan lodged a serious protest in response to the move, describing it
as an extremely dangerous step that could result in unpredictable events. The Air
Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ) over the East China Sea may be followed by the
establishment of similar zones covering Chinas other frontiers, the Defense Ministry
said, with zones to be set up to boost Chinas territorial defenses at an appropriate time
after completing preparations. The ADIZ is a predefined area over international
airspace within which the Chinese military will monitor and track aircraft. Many
countries, from India to the U.S. and Japan, monitor similar zones beyond their
immediate territorial airspaces to track aircraft for security purposes. While the Chinese
government said international flights will not be affected, any other non-commercial
flights that have not notified authorities of their flight plans will likely face interception,
and could also be brought down. The Chinese ADIZ overlaps with the ADIZ that Japan
has already established in the region, with both zones covering the disputed Diaoyu or
Senkaku Islands in the East China Sea. The move is likely to fuel tensions with Japan,
coming at a time when both countries have sparred over the disputed Senkaku or
Diaoyu islands in the East China Sea. In recent months, both countries have dispatched
patrol boats to enforce their claims, while Japan has also scrambled fighter jets after
Chinese Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) entered the airspace above the islands and
threatened recently to shoot them down.
Malta, a Southern European country was on 17 November 2013 unanimously chosen
as the host of the next Commonwealth summit in 2015.The decision was made at the
retreat session of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in
Colombo, Sri Lanka after Mauritius withdrew as host of the 2015 Commonwealth
summit as a result of its prime ministers boycott of the Colombo summit over Sri
Lankas human rights concerns. This is second time for Malta to host the
Commonwealth summit. Before this, Malta hosted a Commonwealth Summit in 2005.
A spacecraft designed to dive deep into the upper atmosphere of Mars and find out
what happened to the planets water took off from Cape Canaveral on 18 November, in
Nasas most ambitious attempt yet to understand the causes of dramatic climate change
on our planetary neighbour. The Mars Atmosphere and Volatile Evolution mission, or
Maven, is bristling with instruments able to measure the effect of solar wind and analyse
thin traces of gases, in order to help scientists model the process that left the planet so
dry and barren. Orbiting between 3,864 miles and 77 miles above the desert surface,
Maven is expected to reveal how Mars atmosphere was gradually peeled away over
billions of years, by the suns radiation. Among the eight instruments and nine sensors
on board the spacecraft is a magnetometer that will help scientists measure changes in
the magnetic field around Mars that would once have protected its atmosphere from
solar wind. In September, decade-long preparations for the mission were briefly
interrupted by the US government shutdown. Maven will take nearly a year to reach the
red planet and scientists estimate it should be sending back its first results by early
2015.Mavens prime mission is expected to last for one year, enough time for scientists
to collect data during solar storms and other space weather events. Maven will remain
in orbit for up to 10 years, serving as a communications relay for Curiosity, a follow-on
rover slated to launch in 2020 and a lander that is being designed to study the planets
deep interior. Following its successful launch on 18 November, the spacecraft is due to
reach Mars on 22 September 2014 two days before Indias Mars Orbiter Mission,
which launched on 5 November. Indias probe has been raising its orbit around Earth
and should be in position to begin the journey to Mars on 1 December.
Russia successfully launched a Proton-M rocket carrying a military satellite on 12
November, from its Baikonur cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. The launch took place on 12
november, carrying a satellite for the Russian defence ministry, the Russian space
agency Roscosmos said.Russia restarted launches of Proton rockets in September
after a pause to investigate why one exploded on takeoff on July 2. The Proton-M rocket
is Russias most popular for commercial satellite launches. Roscomos chief Vladimir
Popovkin was dismissed in October after two and a half years, with Prime Minister
Dmitry Medvedev complaining of a "whole number of problems" in the space agencys
work.
Indias public broadcaster Prasar Bharati and Radio-Television of Slovenia (RTV-SLO)
on 13 November 2013 signed a MoU to develop and strengthen mutual friendly
relations through an increased cooperation in the field of broadcasting. The agreement
was signed by head of international department of RTV SLO, Suzana Vidas Karoli and
Member Personnel of Prasar Bharati, V.A.M. Hussain. The MoU allows exploring further
opportunities in potential projects of production of programmes. It also entails exchange
of programmes in the field of culture, education, entertainment, sports and news.
Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), the UN Chemical
weapons watchdog on 15 November 2013 started its work on the final roadmap for the
destruction of chemical arsenals of Syria. In the plan, Syrian chemical weapons will be
transported for destruction outside its territory to ensure their destruction in the safest
and soonest manner, and no later than 30 June 2014. The deadline of OPCW to agree
on the destruction milestones of more than 1000 tonnes of dangerous chemicals in
Syria expired on 15 November 2013. The plan was adopted during the meeting of its
41-member Executive Council in The Hague.
Abdulla Yameen, the candidate of Progressive Party of Maldives on 16 November 2013
defeated the former premier, Mohammed Nasheed to win the Maldivian Presidential
elections. Election Commission of Maldives announced the result of the election on 16
November 2013, in which Yameen defeated Mohamed Nasheed of Maldivian
Democratic Party with a margin of six thousand votes. Yameen secured 51.39 percent
of votes, whereas Mohamed Nasheed received 48.61. 45 foreign observers and 22
foreign monitors saw the transparency and credibility of the election. The winning
candidate Abdullah Yameen will be sworn in as the President at a special seating of the
Majlis, the Maldivian Parliament. The 54-year old Yameen is an economist and the half-
brother of Maumoon Abdul Gayoom, the former autocratic ruler, who ruled Maldives for
30 years. After the failure of the two polls, international community asked to conduct the
elections as per the Constitutional provisions.
The 22nd Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting; CHOGM began in Colombo,
Sri Lanka on 15 November 2013. The Summit was inaugurated by Prince Charles of
England, who is representing Queen Elizabeth at the Commonwealth Summit. The
theme for CHOGM 2013 is Growth with Equity; Inclusive Development. External Affairs
Minister Salman Khurshid represented the India in the meet. This year, CHOGM in held
Sri Lanka, the first time an Asian country is hosting the summit in 24 years. The last
CHOGM Summit (in 2011) was held at Perth, Australia. The Commonwealth Heads of
Government Meeting (CHOGM) is held every two years to enable leaders of
Commonwealth countries to come together to discuss global and Commonwealth
issues, and to decide on collective policies and initiatives. Every CHOGM is jointly
organized by the host country and the Commonwealth Secretariat. These biennial
meetings serve as the principal policy and decision-making forum to guide the strategic
direction of the association. The Commonwealth of Nations is a voluntary association of
53 countries, many of them former territories of the British Empire. It was established in
1949. The head of the Commonwealth is Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. Fifty-three
countries are members of the Commonwealth. These Countries are from Africa, Asia,
the Americas, Europe and the Pacific and are diverse they are amongst the worlds
largest, smallest, richest and poorest countries. The last two countries to join The
Commonwealth - Rwanda and Mozambique - have no historical ties to the British
Empire. Four countries - Nigeria, Zimbabwe, Fiji and Pakistan - have been suspended
from the Commonwealth in the past. The Gambian Government on 2 October 2013
announced that it is pulling out of the Commonwealth with immediate effect. Gambia, a
West African country joined the Commonwealth of Nations in 1965.
The State Department of US, on 13 November, branded Boko Haram, the home-grown
Islamist insurgent movement in Nigeria which has ties with al-Qaedas regional affiliate
in North and West Africa, as a foreign terrorist organisation. The designation allows the
United States to freeze assets, impose travel bans on known members and affiliates,
and prohibit Americans from offering material support to the organisation, which the
State Department says is responsible for thousands of deaths in northeast and central
Nigeria over the last several years including targeted killings of civilians. The
department also put the same label on Ansaru, a Boko Haram splinter faction that this
year kidnapped and executed seven international construction workers. Administration
officials said that the move would help Nigeria combat a growing menace that also
threatened American citizens and investment in Nigeria. But many Africa scholars say
that branding Boko Haram a terrorist organisation will only enhance the groups
international stature with jihadis and help its recruiting efforts. The group has gained
particular notoriety for its attacks inside Nigeria. Boko Haram has been conducting a
brutal campaign against the Nigerian military and government as well as civilian targets.
On September 17, it carried out attacks in Benisheik, a northeastern town, that killed at
least 143 civilians, including women and children.
The Union Health and Family Welfare Minister, Ghulam Nabi Azad will attend the third
BRICS Health Ministers Meeting from 6th to 7th November at Cape Town, South Africa.
The Health Ministers from Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa will attend the
meeting. The BRICS Meeting will deliberate the issues of Governance Reform including
Risk and Accountability, Finance and Human Resources; Programmatic and Finance
Reform including support to Member States; and a Progress Report on the Delhi Action
Plans. The discussions will be on the key thematic areas focusing on strengthening
health surveillance systems ; reducing NCD risk factors through prevention and health
promotion; Universal Health Coverage ;strategic health technologies, with a focus on
communicable and non-communicable diseases ; medical technologies ; and drug
discovery and development.
These thematic areas of work were identified in respect of each country on the sidelines
of World Health Assembly (WHA) held at Geneva in May 2012 and were to be carried
forward by the Technical Group. The first BRICS Health Ministers Meeting was held at
Beijing, China in July, 2011 where the Beijing Declaration was adopted. It emphasized
the importance and the need of technology transfer as a means to empower developing
countries; the important role of generic medicines in the realization of the right to health
and to establish priorities in research and development as well as cooperation among
BRICS countries including support to transfer of technologies and innovation in a
sustainable way to foster cooperation among BRICS countries to make available and
improve technology. The 2nd BRICS Health Ministers Meetings was held in New Delhi
in January 2013, joint action plans were agreed upon for the thematic areas and a joint
Delhi Communiqué was released.
Tajikistans President Imomali Rakhmon has won re-election by a landslide on 6
November, extending his 20-year-long rule by another seven years. Rakhmon received
83.1 per cent of the votes, the Central Election Commission announced. Several
opposition parties, including the popular Islamic Revival Party of Tajikistan, boycotted
the election, accusing the government of campaign violations and intimidation.
Rakhmon has ruled Tajikistan since 1992 and is credited with winning a five-year civil
war against Islamic militants relying on Russias support. Rakhmons new presidential
term must be his last under the Constitution, which has been changed twice to enable
him to prolong his stay in power. Tajikistan is one of the poorest states in the former
Soviet Union, with more than one million Tajiks earning a living in Russia. India helped
Tajikistan refurbish an air base at Ayni in the past decade in the hope of securing a
bridgehead in the strategically located region.
One of the strongest typhoons ever to make landfall devastated the central Philippines
on 8 November, killing more than 1,000 people in Tacloban city alone and 200 in
another province, the Red Cross estimated on 9 November, as reports of high
casualties began to emerge. A day after Typhoon Haiyan churned through the
Philippine archipelago in a straight line from east to west, rescue teams struggled to
reach far-flung regions, hampered by washed out roads, many choked with debris and
fallen trees. The death toll is expected to rise sharply from the fast-moving storm, whose
circumference eclipsed the whole country. Among the hardest hit was coastal Tacloban
in central Leyte province, where preliminary estimates suggest more than 1,000 people
were killed.
Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) held its 13th Council of Ministers meeting in
Perth, Australia on 1 November 2013. On the occasion, India handed over the chair of
the IORA to Australia. India chaired the IORA, since 2011. The Perth reviewed the
process made by IORA since 2012 meeting in Gurgaon, India. The future directions and
initiatives to advance were considered then for the interests of the IORA and its
members. The thirteenth Council of Ministers Meeting was attended by the member
states Foreign Ministers namely Australia, Bangladesh, Comoros, India, Indonesia, Iran,
Kenya, Madagascar, Malaysia, Mauritius, Mozambique, Oman, Seychelles, Singapore,
South Africa, Sri Lanka, Tanzania, Thailand, United Arab Emirates and Yemen. The
meet reiterated that IORA is the apex pan-regional organisation for the Indian Ocean
and recalled the six priority areas of cooperation agreed at the eleventh COMM (Council
of Ministers Meeting) in Bengaluru, namely: Maritime Safety and Security; Trade and
Investment Facilitation; Fisheries Management; Disaster Risk Management; Academic
and Science and Technology Cooperation; and Tourism and Cultural Exchanges. It is
committed to promote cooperation and collaboration between IORA and other Indian
Ocean regional stakeholders including Dialogue Partner States and other regional and
international forums. Recognising that the United Nations Convention on the Law of the
Sea provides the legal framework for the conservation and sustainable use of the
oceans and their resources and plays a vital role in maintaining peaceful cooperation
and stability across the Indian Ocean. The IOR-ARC was formally launched at the first
Ministerial Meeting in Mauritius on 6 7 March 1997. This meeting adopted the IOR-
ARC Charter, and determined a number of administrative and procedural matters. IORA
was formerly known as IOR-ARC (Indian Ocean Rim Association for Regional
Cooperation).
European Union (EU) member states could cut their plastic bag use by 80 per cent, the
European commission (EC) has said on 6 November, by charging for bags or even
banning them. Plastic bags are a major cause of seaborne pollution, which is a serious
hazard for marine life, and some regions have already moved to cut their use through
charging. The UK Deputy-Prime Minister Nick Clegg has pledged to bring forward
charges in England that will affect single-use bags given out by supermarkets. Bag use
was cut dramatically by the Republic of Ireland after charges were introduced, a similar
charge has recently come into force in Northern Ireland, and supermarkets in Wales
reported a drop in use of up to 96 per cent after a charging scheme was brought in two
years ago. Scotland is bringing in a 5p charge next year.
The EC is proposing a new directive that would require member states to choose
between three methods of reducing the waste from bags: charges, national reduction
targets, or an outright ban. Janez Potocnik, environment commissioner for the EU, said:
Were taking action to solve a very serious and highly visible environmental problems.
Every year, more than eight billion plastic bags end up as litter in Europe, causing
enormous environmental damage. Some member states have already achieved great
results in reducing their use of plastic bags. Critics said the ECs proposals did not go
far enough and allowed member states too much leeway by allowing them to set their
own targets rather than EU-wide goals or clear measures that would cut bag use. When
plastic bags, or pieces of them, find their way into the seas, they are a major hazard to
marine life. A whale found dead on the southern Spanish coast was found to have
swallowed 17 kg of plastic waste, including plastic bags. Fish, seabirds and mammals
can all ingest plastic, which they cannot digest and which can clog up their guts or
cause choking. The first moves to legislation at an EU level were made in 2011, and the
new announcement is likely to take at least two years to put into practice. According to
the most recent estimates, from 2008, the EU produces 3.4 million tones of plastic bags
in a year.
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has pledged US $220 million for development
projects in Afghanistan, officials in the ministry of finance of Afghanistan said on 9
November. Afghan finance minister, Hazrat Omar Zakhilwal said the amount will be
spent for the construction Dara-e-Suf and Yakawlang highway.The agreement for the
provision of funds was signed between the ADB and Afghan Finance Ministry on 9
November. Zakhilwal said Dara-e-Suf and Yakawlang highway is having a length of 178
kilometers. He said the funds will also be used for the preliminary works of Gardan
Dewar-Cheghcharan highway and the other rings of the country. Lack of highways and
ring roads to interlink the main cities and provinces of Afghanistan has been one of the
main challenges for the Afghan traders. The construction of the new highways and ring
roads are expected to reduce the issues of local traders and residents in the central
provinces of Afghanistan.
NATIONAL AFFAIRS:
With the vision of enhancing the use of improved cook stove technologies, envisaged
under the National Biomass Cookstove Programme (NBCP), Minister of New and
Renewable Energy Farooq Abdullah inaugurated the India Clean Cook stove Forum
2013 organized jointly by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy and Deutsche
Gesellschaft fr International Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH operating on behalf of the
German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) on 26
November in New Delhi. Speaking on the occasion, Abdullah said increased use of
clean and efficient cook stoves is crucial to reduce the burden of disease from indoor air
pollution as well to avoid the overuse of biomass resources. Efficient cooking
technologies have a direct tangible impact on the livelihoods of the poor, as they save
time and money that previously had to be spent on procuring cooking fuels. During the
Forum, the Minister launched a new initiative on biomass cook stoves developed under
the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) of the United Nations Frameworks
Convention on Climate Change to reduce the cost of improved stove technologies to
rural customers through the sale of carbon credits. He added that this is just one of
several joint efforts to provide clean and reliable energy to rural areas and these
initiatives have further endorsed the close relations and cooperation between India and
Germany.
The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) on 28 November, has approved
the Ministry of Cultures proposal of the scheme for up gradation of libraries providing
services to the public under the National Mission on Libraries (NML). The scheme would
benefit students, researchers, scientists, children, artists, differently-abled persons, the
general public, neo and non-literates and would entail an expenditure of Rs.400 crore
during the 12th Plan period. The scheme envisages creating a National Virtual Library
of India for facilitating a comprehensive database on digital resources on information
about India and on information generated in India. This would be facilitated in an open
access environment. The scheme would develop six libraries under Ministry of Culture,
35 state Central Libraries and 35 District Libraries, with particular emphasis on
economically backward districts, as model libraries. In addition, 629 district libraries
across the States would be provided network connectivity. The scheme also proposes
to enhance the professional competence of library personnel. While the survey of
libraries would be completed within one year, the other objectives of the scheme would
be achieved by the end of the 12th Plan period. In pursuance of National Knowledge
Commission recommendation for setting up a National Mission on Libraries to revamp
the Library and Information Service Sector, the Ministry of Culture had set up a high
level committee as the National Mission on Libraries.
Secretary, Department of Sports Ajit M. Saran, and Secretary, Department of AIDS
Control Lov Verma on 29 November, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).
Objectives of the MoU are to reach large number of youth engaged in sports activities at
village, district and state level with information on STI/HIV/AIDS prevention and related
services; build the capacity of sports educators, administrators and coaches on
Minimizing the risk of HIV transmission on and outside the sports field; involve youth
organization, sports federations in HIV/AIDS prevention activities; promote awareness
generation through hoarding and banners at eminent places and sports infrastructure
during state/national events and tournaments; and involve eminent sports personalities
for addressing social stigma and discrimination associated with HIV/AIDS .The
Department of AIDS Control provide technical support in capacity building on HIV/AIDS
for sportspersons, trainees and staff of sports organizations and federations; provide
technical support by sharing of IEC materials for awareness generation activities;
provide technical assistance to Department of Sports for inclusion of HIV in ongoing
activities etc.
The Supreme Court on 26 November 2013 constituted a ten-member Gender
Sensitization and Internal Complaints Committee (GSICC) to deal with complaints of
sexual harassment within its premises. The committee was constituted by the Chief
Justice of India P. Sathasivam. The committee is headed by Justice Ranjana Prakash
Desai. The committee has six other female members. Two members are outsiders and
not connected with the Supreme Court. The panel is in consonance with the guidelines
laid down by the apex court in its judgment in the Vishaka case for dealing with
complaints of sexual harassment at the workplace.
In an exercise unprecedented for its sheer scale, Indias creaking legal machinery
swung into action on 24 November, to dispose of over 28 lakh cases in less than seven
hours through lok adalats organized across the country. This is only a fraction of
pending cases over 3 crore at last count but represents a significant step in
clearing the massive backlog, especially as it could now become an annual event. Lok
adalats are an alternative dispute resolution mechanism where parties are encouraged
to amicably settle cases outside the formal court system. Generally, cases where
parties can reach an amicable settlement, including bounced cheque and bank recovery
cases, civil suits, motor accident claims, service matters, family matters and traffic
challan cases are taken up by lok adalats. The adalats, organized by National Legal
Services Authority (NALSA), state legal services authorities and district legal services
authorities, took up 39 lakh cases. NALSA organizes lok adalats on a regular basis but
this is for the first time that it has been organized on such a huge scale. In Delhi alone
300 benches, including at the high court, cleared 3,66,000 cases which means each
bench cleared more than 3 cases every minute on average. This was possible because
many cases were bunched together and much of the legal work was done in advance.
Election Commission decided to use Voter-Verified Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) on a
large-scale for the first time in the country in the Mizoram Assembly polls on 25
November 2013.The VVPAT is a machine attached to EVMS which allows voters to
verify that their vote has been cast in the way they wished. The VVPATs are being used
in only ten assembly constituencies of Aizwal District of the total 40 assembly segments
in Mizoram. The VVPAT system was first experimented in the Noksen Assembly by poll
in Nagaland on 4 September 2013 and Mizoram would be the first state where it would
be introduced on a large scale. The VVPAT system is a new initiative of the Election
Commission to ensure free and fair elections. The VVPT will enable electors to see a
printout of their ballot -displaying the name, election symbol and serial number of the
chosen candidate. However the voter cannot take the printout home.
Five new Information Commissioners are appointed to the Central Information
Commission (CIC) on 22 November 2013. Chief Information Commissioner Deepak
Sandhu administered the oath of office to them in New Delhi. The new commissioners
are Yashovardhan Azad, Sharat Sabharwal, Manjula Parasher , M A Khan Yusufi and
Madabhushanam Sridhar. With this the total number of Information Commissioners
including the Chief Information Commissioner has gone up to 10.Yashovardhan Azad is
a former IPS Officer, before joining the Office of Information Commissioner in Central
Information Commission, was holding the post of Secretary (Security) in Cabinet
Secretariat.Sharat Sabharwal is a career diplomat, retired as High Commissioner of
India in Pakistan before joining the Office of Information Commissioner. Manjula
Parasher is a former Indian Postal Service Officer had retired as Secretary from the
Department of Posts before joining the Office of Information Commissioner. MA Khan
Yusufi is a former Indian Legal Service Officer, before joining the Office of Information
Commissioner in CIC was holding the post of Chairperson in Airport Appellate Tribunal.
Madbhushanam Sridhar was working as Professor at NALSAR, before joining the Office
of Information Commissioner in CIC.
Indias first fully privately funded Rapid Metro Gurgaon announces the start of its
commercial operations from Gurgaon in Haryana on 14 November. Sanjiv Rai,
Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, IL& FS Rail Ltd., inaugurated the
commercial operation of Rapid Metro Gurgaon in Gurgaon. Rapid Metro Gurgaon line
will be open to commuters from 6.05 am till 12:20 (midnight). Five fully automated trains
with a frequency of 4 minutes will be running between the six stations (currently five
stations) with each train carrying over 800 passengers on each trip. The countrys first
fully privately-financed developed metro system has been launched in the public-private
partnership mode. It was built at a cost of nearly Rs.1,100 crore and took 30 months to
reach the present stage. The launch of Rapid Metro will boost connectivity within Cyber
City, the corporate and retail hub of Gurgaon. Nearly one lakh people work or visit the
hub each day.
With a view to foster and reinforce the spirit of Communal Harmony, National Integration
and pride in vibrant, composite culture and nationhood, the Quami Ekta Week
(National Integration week) will be observed all over the country, from the 19th to 25th
November, 2013. The National Foundation for Communal Harmony (NFCH), an
autonomous organization with the Ministry of Home Affairs also organizes communal
harmony campaign coinciding with the Qaumi Ekta Week. The foundation also provides
financial assistance for relief and rehabilitation of children rendered orphan or destitute
in communal, caste, ethnic or terrorist violence. The week long programmes to be
observed during Quami Ekta Week (Nov.19-25th,2013) include National Integration Day
(Nov.19), Welfare of Minorities Day (Nov.20), Linguistic Harmony Day (Nov.21), Weaker
Sections Day (Nov.22), Cultural Unity Day (Nov.23), Womens Day(Nov. 24) and
Conservation Day (Nov.25) .
The President of India, Pranab Mukherjee released a commemorative postal stamp at
an event organised on the occasion of the 175th anniversary of the Times of India on,
November 13, at Rashtrapati Bhavan. Speaking on the occasion, the President referred
to the statement by the Managing Director of the Times Group that it has no political
master and no hidden agenda and said let that be the motto of this great institution. The
President recalled how Times of India has documented every twist and turn of Indias
history. It reported on the coronation of Queen Victoria as the empress of India. It
welcomed the formation of the Indian National Congress in 1885 with the following
words: Surely, never had so important and comprehensive an assemblage occurred in
recent times on the soil of India. Minister for Communications and Information
Technology Kapil Sibal also attended the function.
The Union Government on 13 November 2013 gave its nod to the Union Health Ministry
to go ahead with the scheme aimed at creation of the mid-level rural health cadre of
professionals. To give the nod of creation of the mid-level rural health cadre of
professionals, the government overruled the Parliamentary Committee recommendation
to scrap the course in community health. The Union Cabinet in its meeting gave its nod
to the health ministry to start a new three-year B.Sc. Community Health program. The
program would help in creation of the new cadre of health professionals to improve the
rural medicare infrastructure in India. The proposal was pending for few years but after
the Ministry came up with the idea to create a new cadre of health professionals in rural
areas as the doctors were unwilling to serve there.
The Vice President of India, M. Hamid Ansari on 7 November released the book Indias
Nuclear Energy Programme: Future Plans, Prospects and Concerns edited by Prof. R.
Rajaraman at a function organized by Indian National Science Academy (INSA) in New
Delhi. Addressing on the occasion he said that given the population and economy of our
country, we are and will remain short in energy. Today, nuclear energy is contributing to
a very small segment and by 2032, it will be around 10%. The real question is to focus
on can we do without this 10%. Our energy requirement is a serious one. He opined
that the book is very useful and will surely help in creating a public opinion on nuclear
energy. The book contains state-of-the art discussions by top experts of a whole range
of diverse issues that constitute this complex subject. It brings together expert
contributions both from apex leaders of the Indian nuclear programme and from those
who have serious reservations about the programme.
The Union Cabinet on 7 November 2013 approved the visa waiver agreements with
Poland, Slovenia and Lithuania. This move will help the Indians with diplomatic
passports to visit the three countries. The agreements would be signed very soon. The
CCEA (Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs) cleared a proposal to disinvest 17
percent of paid up capital for Follow on Public Offering (FPO) of the state owned power
grid corporation of India. As per the Power Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia, 13 percent of
fresh equity by the Public Sector Company and 4 percent stake sale by the government
includes under the FPO. A similar agreement was cleared with Cuba in first week of
November 2013.By now India has similar agreements with about 50 countries that
include Japan, Russia and Israel.
The Gauhati High Court has quashed the Union Home Ministry resolution by which the
Central Bureau of Investigation was constituted way back in 1963. The court held that
the CBI was neither an organ nor part of the Delhi Special Police Establishment and
thus could not be treated as a police force constituted under the DSPE Act. In their 89-
page judgment, Justices I.A. Ansari and Indira Shah said on 6 November. While we
decline to hold and declare that the DSPE Act, 1946 is not a valid piece of legislation,
we do hold that the CBI is neither an organ nor part of the DSPE and the CBI cannot be
treated as a police force constituted under the DSPE Act, 1946. Though the Division
Bench had directed the respondents to produce the original records on creation of the
CBI, they just submitted a certified copy of the records from the National Archive.
However, even a perusal of the entire records makes it clear that the Resolution, dated
April 1, 1963, was neither produced before the President, nor did it ever receive the
assent of the President. Hence, strictly speaking, the Resolution cannot even be termed
the decision of the Government of India. That apart, it is apparent from the records that
the CBI is a newly constituted body and not the same as DSPE.
Bowing to political pressure, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh will not be attending the
Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) beginning on 8 November, in
Colombo, highly placed government sources have said on 9 November. This came at
the end of a day in which the government dropped ample hints that it was not necessary
for the Prime Minister to attend every commonwealth conclave. External Affairs Minister
Salman Khurshid, who is anyway going to Colombo mid-week, will therefore represent
India at CHOGM; there will be no stopover at Jaffna, capital of Sri Lankas Northern
Province, where most of the alleged human rights abuses occurred in the final stages of
the conflict in 2009.Meanwhile, a senior Congress functionary stressed that it was not
important for the Prime Minister to attend CHOGM, especially if it went against the
sentiments of a section of the Indian population the people of Tamil Nadu, in this
case. For the Congress, with a difficult election ahead in 2014, the goodwill of potential
alliance partners is of paramount concern. Diplomats pointed out that over the last two
decades, an Indian Prime Minister had participated in five of 10 CHOGMs. On four
occasions, a Central Minister led the Indian delegation and at the previous CHOGM at
Perth, Vice-President Hamid Ansari had represented the country.
BILATERAL AFFAIRS:
India and Belgium have agreed to work on signing an MOU to enhance cooperation in
renewable energy. This was discussed at a bilateral meeting between Dr. Farooq
Abdullah, Minister for New and Renewable Energy, Government of India and Her Royal
Highness Princess Astrid of Belgium. Princess Astrid is currently visiting India as head
of the Belgian Economic Mission to India. Dr. Abdullah briefed the visiting delegation on
the energy situation in India and the rapid growth of the renewable energy sector in
India. He spoke of Indias plans to add over 30 GW of renewable energy to its energy
mix in the next 5 years. He dwelt on the success of the wind programme as well as the
significant cost reductions in solar energy through the Jawahar Lal Nehru National Solar
Mission (JNNSM). He also highlighted Indias conducive and investor friendly policy
framework for promoting renewable energy in a big way. Dr. Abdullah suggested that
India and Belgium had great potential for enhancing cooperation in promoting
renewable energy and offered to provide all possible assistance for the purpose. The
Belgian delegation recognized Indias considerable achievements and strengths in
renewable energy and noted that India had made large strides in this field. The
business delegation accompanying the official delegation also made brief presentations
on their activities and reciprocated Indias desire for enhanced energy cooperation
between the two countries. After detailed discussions, the two sides agreed to start
work on an MoU in the field of Renewable Energy between the Ministry of New and
Renewable Energy of the Government of India and the Government of Belgium in order
to strengthen, promote and develop renewable energy cooperation between the two
countries on the basis of equality and mutual benefit. Both countries also agreed to
explore possibilities of coordination in renewable energy through joint Research and
Development programmes of mutual interest.
India and Malaysia on 25 November, signed an MoU in Kaulalampur to strengthen co-
operation in public administration and governance as part of the efforts to enhance their
strategic partnership. The MoU covers eight areas of co-operation including human
resource management, e-governance, public delivery system, accountability and
transparency, skills and capacity building and quality results. The MoU was signed by
Malaysias Public Service Department Director-General Mohamad Zabidi Zainal and the
Secretary of Indias Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances of
Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions, Sanjay Kothari. Zabidi said the
MoU was a strategic cooperation and collaboration to strengthen ties between the two
countries. He added that apart from that it could also assist in socio-economic
development through an efficient, accessible, transparent and accountable civil service.
The MoU envisages cooperation via tours, workshops and conferences, sharing of
public administration and governance information and expertise, common project
implementation mechanisms and exchange of publications.
Competition Commission of India (CCI) and the Directorate General for Competition of
the European Commission (DG, Competition) have signed a Memorandum of
Understanding on Cooperation in the Field of Competition Laws. The MoU was signed
during the ongoing 3rd BRICS International Competition Conference at New Delhi on 21
November, by Mr Joaquin Almunia, Vice President for Competition, EU and Mr. Ashok
Chawla, Chairman, CCI. The MoU provides for enhancement of the effective,
transparent and non-discriminatory enforcement of the competition laws in the
European Union and India. The two Sides have agreed to exchange non-confidential
information, experiences and views with regard to (a) Competition policy and
enforcement, (b) Operational issues, (c) Multilateral competition initiatives, (d)
Competition advocacy and (e) Technical cooperation initiatives in the area of
competition law and its enforcement. MoU provides for assistance to be provided
between two Sides wherein on the request of one Side that may believe adverse impact
of competition of its territory on account of action by the other Side, the other Side shall
initiate appropriate enforcement activities as per their applicable competition law. CCI
and DG,Competition, European Commission shall also take steps to minimize any
potentially adverse effects of one Sides enforcement activities on the other Sides
interests in the application of their respective competition laws.
Dr. M.M. Pallam Raju, Honble Minister of Human Resource Development visited
Mauritius on 19th-20th November, 2013. During the visit, Dr. Pallam Raju meat the
Honble Prime Minister of Mauritius, Dr. Navinchandra Ramgoolam and held bilateral
meetings with the Minister for Tertiary Education, Science and Research, Dr. R. Jeetah
as also with Minister of Education and Human Resources of the Republic of Mauritius
Dr. Vasant Kumar Bunwaree. Two MoUs were signed during this visit. The first MoU is
between IIT, Delhi and Mauritius Research Council for setting up of an International
Institute of Technology Research Academy (IITRA) in Mauritius. The aim of the IITRA is
to provide world class research based educational platform for full time and part time
post graduate research leading to MS(Research) and Ph.D. degrees to be awarded by
IIT Delhi in identified areas (clusters). IITRA aims to attract foreign researchers and
students to Mauritius, mainly from Africa and Asia and build core research infrastructure
including faculty and facilities. The other MoU between Association of Indian
Universities (AIU) and Tertiary Education Council (TEC) of Mauritius for mutual
recognition of educational qualifications was also finalized and signed. The MoU will
ensure that both parties facilitate the mutual recognition of higher education
qualifications awarded to students in Mauritius and India. Both AIU and TEC would
advise higher education institutions in their countries on the provision of higher
education and the comparability of qualification with the aim of facilitating academic
mobility and cooperation. They will make available information on currently recognized
higher education institutions in their respective countries.
India and Vietnam on 20 November, inked eight agreements, including one for oil and
gas exploration in the seas off Vietnam that includes the South China Sea as visiting
Vietnamese leader Nguyen Phu Trong and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh held talks
in New Delhi. Nguyen Phu Trong is the general secretary of the Vietnamese Communist
Party. The eight agreements as well as a $100-million line of credit to Vietnam for
defence purchases is a major step forward in Indias "Look East Policy". Manmohan
Singh "reaffirmed that Vietnam was a pillar of Indias Look East Policy, which was
supported by the general secretary. They envisaged a more active role for India in the
regional and international arena," a joint statement said. Eight agreements--Following
their talks, the two leaders witnessed the signing of eight cooperation documents,
including the Air Service Agreement, an MoU on the establishment of the Indira Gandhi
Hi-tech Crime Lab in Hanoi, an agreement on Protection of Classified Information, an
MoU between two Ministries of Finance, a cooperation agreement between Hanoi
National University and Indian Council for Scientific and Industrial Research, an MoU on
cooperation between India Institute of Management (IIM) Bangalore and Ho Chi Minh
National Academy of Public Administration, an MoU between Vietnam Oil and Gas
Group and ONGC Videsh Limited (OVL), and an MOU between the Vietnamese
Ministry of Industry and Trade and Tata Power Ltd on the development of the 1,320 MW
Long Phu 2 Thermal Power Project in Soc Trang province, Vietnam.Both sides later
issued Joint Statement, emphasizing that India - Vietnam agree to further strengthen
and deepen the Strategic Partnership between the two countries. In the instrument, the
leaders of both countries reiterated their desire and determination to work together to
maintain peace, stability, growth and prosperity in Asia. They agreed that freedom of
navigation in the East Sea should not be impeded and called the parties concerned to
exercise restraint, avoid threat or use of force and resolve disputes through peaceful
means in accordance with universally recognized principles of international law,
including the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
The Financing and Project Agreements for World Bank assistance (IDA assistance) of
US $ 236 million for Tamil Nadu-Puducherry Coastal Disaster Risk Reduction Project
(CDRRP) were signed between the Government of India, Government of Tamil Nadu
and the Government of Puducherry and the World Bank in New Delhi on 11 November.
The Financing Agreement was signed by Nilaya Mitash, Joint Secretary, Department of
Economic Affairs on behalf of Government of India and Mr. Onno Ruhl, Country
Director, World Bank on behalf of the World Bank. The Project Agreement was signed
by Gagandeep Singh Bedi, Secretary, Revenue Department, Government of Tamil
Nadu on behalf of Government of Tamil Nadu and Mr.Deepak Kumar, Project Director,
Project Implementing Agency, Government of Puducherry on behalf of Government of
Puducherry. The objective of the Project is to increase the resilience of coastal
communities in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry, to a range of hydro-meteorological and
geophysical hazards along with improving project implementation entities capacity to
respond promptly and effectively to an eligible crisis or emergency. The Project will
have the following five components, viz. (i) Vulnerability Reduction; (ii) Sustainable
Fisheries; (iii) Capacity building in Disaster Risk Management; (iv) Implementation
Support; and (v) Contingency Emergency Response.
India and Trinidad and Tobago will formulate a new agreement to enhance cultural ties
between the two countries. India will also help the Caribbean nation set up a sugar
museum at its capital, Port of Spain, Union Culture Minister Chandresh Kumar Katoch
said in a statement in New Delhi on 4 November. She said both countries had also
discussed a roadmap for enhanced cooperation. "A new cultural agreement between
the two countries will be formulated to replace the 1987 agreement so that it can best
capture the modern developments in the culture sector," the Minister said recently
during a tour of the island nation. Also, based on the proposed cultural agreement, the
two countries would plan a cultural exchange programme for 2014-16.
She invited Trinidad and Tobago Culture Minister Lincoln Douglas to visit India at a
mutually convenient date along with a delegation of performing artistes to discuss the
contours of the collaboration and sign the agreement. Under the roadmap, India has
also offered to collaborate with Trinidad and Tobago authorities on archive
maintenance. "I will be taking up the request of the authorities of Trinidad and Tobago
for collaboration in film development with the Union Ministry of Information and
Broadcasting and the construction of a cultural centre in Divali Nagar with the Union
Ministry of External Affairs," she added.
Indian Institute of Mass Communication (IIMC), New Delhi, and Queensland University
of Technology (QUT), Brisbane, Australia have signed an International Cooperation
Agreement to collaborate in academic programmes and in frontier areas of research in
Media and Communication. The agreement was signed by Bimal Julka, IIMC Chairman
and Secretary I&B Ministry and Prof. Peter Coaldrake, Vice Chancellor, Queensland
University of Technology in New Delhi on 4 November. The agreement envisages
bringing ICT in academic programmes in a significant way. Both the institutes have
agreed for the development of joint venture projects and also for opening avenues for
developing a collaborative doctoral programme to benefit students and faculty. The
bilateral cooperation agreement also envisages organization of joint academic and
scientific activities, such as courses, conferences, seminars, symposia or lectures,
exchange of staff and students and exchange of materials and publications of common
interest. One of the core areas of the agreement is to facilitate Training of senior and
mid-level Indian Information Service officers at the Queensland University of
Technology (QUT), especially in use of modern technology and social media for
providing information about government policies to stakeholders. The objective is to
ensure skill development of IIS officers in critical areas of the changing media
landscape. This is the first agreement signed by IIMC seeking international collaboration
and partnership with a foreign university. The agreement aims to facilitate a two-way
value added training and capacity building programme in the field of Mass Media and
Communication.
India and Japan proposes to strengthen their cooperation in the shipping sector. In this
connection a delegation under the leadership of Union Minister of Shipping G.K. Vasan,
is visiting Japan from 7 November, till the 12th this month on an invitation from Mr.
Akihiro Ohta, the Honble Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism of
Government of Japan. The visiting delegation will have discussions with the Japanese
Government for better coordination between two countries and to further enable various
Japanese companies to utilize facilities at Indian Ports, more particular of Ennore and
Chennai Ports. Vasan will also lead discussions for obtaining funding from the Japan
International Cooperation Agency (JICA) for the Outer Harbour project of VOC Port,
Thuthikoodi. The Government of Japan had earlier shown interest in developing
Chennai Bengaluru Industrial Corridor as part of Penninsular Region Industrial
Development corridor (PRIDe) of India. Ennore Port has been identified as one of the
main logistic hub in this industrial corridor development. JICA has already commenced
a study for the purpose. Japanese automobile manufacturing companies like Toyota,
Mitsubushi, Isuzu, Nissan and Toshiba have been using Chennai Port for importing
automobile components through containers for their factories located in Chennai. The
Japanese Company M/s Metal One (Mitshubishi group) is importing steel coils used for
automobile through Chennai Port in the break bulk form. Around 240 Japanese
companies have developed businesses in and around Chennai in the last decade.
ECNOMIC AFFAIRS:
The 9th International Heavy Minerals Conference (HMC 2013) was held in
Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh from 27 to 29 November 2013. The biennial
International conference is ninth in a series of conferences that focus on the heavy
minerals industry. The International conference was held for the first time in India by the
Mining Engineers Association of India (MEAI) in collaboration with and support from the
Government of India, other professional organizations and industry. The Conference
theme is: Overcoming New Challenges. The aim of HMC 2013 was to discuss the
technical, managerial, business opportunities and challenges facing the sector
worldwide. Delegates attended the conference including from Australia, Canada, Africa,
US, China, Vietnam, Sri Lanka and Europe.
Dr. M. Veerappa Moily dedicated the countrys first state-of-the-art Styrene Butadiene
Rubber (SBR) Plant to nation at Panipat, Harayana on 29 November. He described this
is as a milestone achievement by Indian Oil Corporation, Indias largest company to
visualize and implement such a project which will provide us the product E-SBR for
which we were looking at other countries. This will result in substantial amount of
savings of foreign exchange. SBR is suitable to produce various products like tyres,
conveyor belts, hose, shoe soles, industrial goods, etc with superior processing
properties like flexing resistance, tear and cracking resistance, improved abrasive
resistance, etc. The project is considered as a path breaking venture of national
importance as there is no operating capacity in the country and the entire domestic
demand is met through imports. Indian Oil Corporation Limited, TSRC Corporation,
Taiwan, and Marubeni Corporation, Japan, are Joint Venture Partners in this prestigious
project implemented under the banner of Indian Synthetic Rubber Ltd. (ISRL). It is
based on Butadiene available from Indian Oils Panipat Naphtha Cracker Complex.
Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh and UPA Chairperson, Sonia Gandhi Jointly
inaugurated Indias first all-women bank, Bharatiya Mahila Bank in Mumbai on 19
November 2013,marking the birth anniversary of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi.
The main objectives of the bank will be to focus on the banking needs of women and to
promote their economic empowerment. The bank will commence operations with an
initial capital of one thousand crore rupees. The Union Government on 12 November
2013 appointed Usha Ananthasubramanian as the first chairperson and managing
director of public sector Bharatiya Mahila Bank (BMB).The Union government approved
1000 crore Rupees seed capital for the women-focused public sector bank, announced
by Union finance minister P. Chidambaram in his 2013-14 budget speech.
The Reserve Bank of India on 18 November opened a 5000 crore rupees refinance
window for MSME sector, for a period of one year to ease the liquidity. The view of
easing the liquidity stress to the Micro and Small Enterprises sector was taken by the
RBI to provide refinance to the small Industrial Development Bank of India. Basically the
Micro and Small Enterprises sector is employment intensive and contributes
significantly to exports. At present, the slowdown in the economy has resulted in the
liquidity tightness in the MSEs in the manufacturing and services sector raising the need
of liquidity support. The availability of the refinance facility will be till 13 November 2014.
To boost research and innovation, twelve states and four UTs have been considered
eligible to receive Rs. 120 crore each under the Research, Innovation and Quality
Improvement Component of RUSA Rashtriya Uchchatara Shiksha Abhiyan. They are
Andaman & Nicobar, Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Bihar, Chandigarh, Dadra & Nagar
Haveli, Daman & Diu, Himachal Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, Maharashtra, Manipur,
Nagaland, Odisha, Punjab and Uttar Pradesh. All innovative schemes will be funded as
per the decision of the PAB (Project Approval Board). The funds are meant to support
different types of research programmes like base research, key technology (R&D), High
end (R&D), etc during the current Five Year Plan. Setting up of science parks and
cutting edge technology and instrumentation facility will be supported by this fund. The
funds will also take care of promoting inter-disciplinary and trans-disciplinary research
centres as well as promoting research and entrepreneurial activities. Some other areas
to be funded under the Research and Innovation Component are: initiative to attract
quality researchers and students; institutions that offer merit-based scholarships, fully
funded doctoral fellowships, post-doctoral fellowships; faculty and students exchange
programmes with world-class institutions; and initiatives to scale up industry-academia
partnership. States may decide about unit of implementation. It can either be the State
as a whole or a few select institutions.
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) on 19 November directed Public Sector Banks (PSBs)
to provide loans to women self-help groups (SHGs) at 7 per cent per annum to avail the
benefit of interest rate subvention scheme under the Swarnajayanti Gram Swarozgar
Yojana-Aajeevika (SGSY) scheme. All women SHGs will be eligible for interest
subvention to avail the credit up to 3 lakh Rupees at 7 per cent per annum.
Swarnajayanti Gram Swarozgar Yojana-Aajeevika (SGSY) is an initiative by the
government to provide sustainable income to poor people living in rural areas of the
country.
MTNL (Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Limited) and Los Alamos Technical Associates,
Inc. (LATA) of the USA have signed an MOU on 12 November, for launching the state
of the art training programs on Cyber Security, Risk And Crisis Management, Public
Safety and Disaster Management, Homeland Security/ Critical Infrastructure Protection,
Security Operations Management, Industrial Security, Fire & Safety Management etc.
This will bring to India the best US practices followed in security, which has been
developed over a period of time. Indias security needs are evolving rapidly and this
partnership can help develop professional programs in cyber and physical security to
meet the countrys growing demands. MTNL is going to start these trainings through its
state of the art training centres at New Delhi and Mumbai. A dedicated resource will be
allocated for this project and impart training, so that it is more relevant for Indian
Conditions. First batch of training is likely to start from March 2014. MTNL will be
developing a one or two day series of awareness programs for the top management of
companies and the government departments.
The countrys largest software services firm Tata Consultancy Services (TCS)
inaugurated its 10,000-seat campus at Gandhinagar on 15 November. The software
development facility, inaugurated by Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi, has been
developed over 25.5 acres, with a built-up area of 1.6 million sq ft, TCS said in a
statement."TCS has played a pioneering role to make Gujarat an attractive IT
destination for global companies and also helped drive technology-led growth by
investing in talented youth of the state and building long-term partnerships with state
institutions," TCS CEO and MD N Chandrasekaran said. This centre will help TCS scale
up its presence and drive the expansion of the IT industry in Gujarat, he added. The
new centre has been developed as a green campus and has applied for a LEED
(Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Gold rating. Built with locally sourced
red stone, the campus will use solar panels, LED lighting, occupancy and light-sensitive
sensors to optimise power consumption. The campus, which also features a learning
centre and iClass rooms (connected with other TCS learning hubs globally), is located
in an approved Special Economic Zone and will serve global customers across industry
segments.
With surplus domestic sugar production, the government on 15 November, has relaxed
a condition for exports of the sweetener by doubling the limit on overseas shipments
that sellers can register. One of the conditions was the upper limit of 25,000 tonnes per
application for registration. This limit is now enhanced to 50,000 tonnes. Accordingly, an
exporter can seek registration of up to 50,000 tonnes of sugar, the Directorate General
of Foreign Trade said in a circular. Welcoming the decision, the Indian Sugar Mills
Association said this would help in exports of raw sugar, which is generally shipped in
bulk.
The Centre has proposed four Ultra Mega Solar Power Projects (UMPPs) with
generation capacity ranging between 2,000 MW and 5,000 MW. These projects are
planned in Rajasthan (4000 MW), Gujarat (4,000 MW), Kargil (2,000 MW) and Ladakh
(5,000 MW). These projects to be developed in phases entail an investment of Rs
90,000 crore. Tarun Kapoor, Joint Secretary, Ministry Of New And Renewable Energy
told reporters on 10 November, at the sidelines of Inter Solar conference that the per
megawatt capital cost for proposed UMPPs has been estimated at Rs 6 crore against
the existing cost of Rs 7-7.5 crore while the per unit tariff at Rs 5.50. The UMPP in
Rajasthan will be developed on engineering procurement and construction (EPC) basis.
Six public undertakings including BHEL (26%), Solar Energy Corporation of India
Limited (22%), Power Grid Corporation, Hindustan Salt and Satluj Jal Vidyut Nigam
(16% each) and Rajasthan Electronics & Instruments Ltd (3%) will form a joint venture
company (JVC) to develop UMPP in Rajathan. As far as Gujarat UMPP is concerned, it
will be developed with five to six companies. However, Kapoor said the Centre has yet
to finalise details in this regard. Further, a lot of private developers have desired to
develop 1,000 MW to 3,000 MW on their own. However, it wont be possible as the
project will be tendered, he added. According to Kapoor, transmission is a major issue
for the development of Kargil and Ladakh UMPPs.
Giving a big boost to the disinvestment programme to raise Rs.40,000 crore this fiscal,
the Cabinet, on 7 November, gave its approval for the follow-on public offer of Power
Grid Corporation of India Limited (PGCIL) to raise about Rs.7,500 crore.The 17 per
cent follow-on public offer of PGCIL has been cleared by the Cabinet Committee on
Economic Affairs (CCEA). This includes 13 per cent fresh equity and 4 per cent stake
sale by the government, Minister of State for Power (Independent charge) Jyotiraditya
Scindia said after the meeting. The government will sell 18.51 crore shares in the public
sector company. The company will issue fresh 60.18 crore shares through the offer. Out
of these fresh shares, about 2.4 per cent would be reserved for employees. At current
market valuations, the FPO is likely to fetch close to Rs.7,500 crore. Post-FPO, the
government stake in the company will come down to 57.89 per cent from 69.42 per
cent. The company may garner close to Rs.5,700 crore while the government will get an
estimated Rs.1,700 crore. This would be the second follow-on offering from Power Grid,
which sold a 10 per cent stake along with a similar stake divested by the government in
November 2010 at an issue price of Rs.90 a share.
The Government of India on 4 November 2013 decided to extend the sale of the non-
subsidized 5 kg cooking gas (LPG) cylinders at petrol pumps across the country. The
proposal to extend the scope of the scheme was approved by M. Veerappa Moily, the
Union Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas. Earlier, the scheme was in operation in
Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai and Bengaluru. The scheme was launched on 5 October
2013 by Moily in Bangalore for sale in selected company owned and company operated
petrol pumps in the four cities. The cylinders will be sold at market rates. The scheme
has allowed to sale the 5 kg LPG cylinders with just proof of Identity through Petrol
Stations to students, IT professional, BPO employees and people with odd duty timings.
As per the decision, the sale of the cylinders would be done with or without regulator for
the first.
The Reserve Bank of India has signed cooperation agreement with central banks of
Australia and New Zealand for exchange of information. The MoUs provide a formal, yet
legally non-binding, channel for information exchange between the supervisors, the RBI
said in a statement on 7 November. With this, the Reserve Bank has signed such MoUs
with 18 supervisors, it said.
The Reserve Bank of India on 6 November 2013 permitted the Wholly Owned -
Subsidiaries (WOS) of the foreign banks to acquire the domestic private sector banks.
RBI also permitted the banks to set up branches anywhere in the country. As per the
permission given by RBI, the foreign banks will have to seek permission of RBI to open
branches in certain sensitive locations. The foreign bank subsidiaries have also been
allowed to list on the local stock exchanges. Although, they will not be allowed to hold
more than 74 percent in the private banks they may acquire. The order of the RBI also
stated that the foreign banks that commenced banking business in India before August
2010 will be given an opportunity to convert into a wholly owned subsidiary.
SCIENCE & TECH:
India has declared itself free from Notifiable Avian Influenza (H5N1), commonly called
bird flu, and notified the same to World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE). India
notified outbreak of Avian Influenza (H5N1) at Poultry Production Unit, College of
Veterinary Sciences and Animal Husbandry, Anjora, Durg and Government Poultry
Farm, Jagdalpur, Chhattisgarh on 05th August, 2013. The control measures adopted in
the outbreak were stamping out of entire poultry population including destruction of
eggs, feed, litters and other infected materials in the radius of 1 km around the outbreak
location, restriction on movement of poultry, disinfection and cleaning up of infected
premises and subsequently issuing of the Post Operation Surveillance Plan (POSP).
The POSP was issued on 12th August, 2013. Even though India is free from bird flu,
regular surveillance to be continued throughout the country especially in the vulnerable
areas bordering infected countries and in areas visited by migratory birds.
Marking a new high in India-Russia strategic cooperation, the Defence Minister, AK
Antony commissioned the completely refurbished 44,500 tonne carrier Admiral
Gorshkov into the Indian Navy as INS Vikramaditya at an impressive ceremony at sub-
zero temperature in the wind-swept Sevmash Shipyard in the beautiful city of
Severodvinsk in Russia, on 16 November. Speaking at the event, Antony said INS
Vikramaditya would significantly enhance the reach and capability of the Indian Navy.
He said, the country has a rich maritime history and the Indian Ocean has guided our
fate over the centuries. INS Vikramaditya, the floating airfield has an overall length of
about 284 meters and a maximum beam of about 60 meters, stretching as much as
three football fields put together. Standing about 20 storeys tall from keel to the highest
point, the sheer sight of this 44,500 tonne mega structure of steel is awe inspiring. The
ship has a total of 22 decks. The ship has the ability to carry over 30 aircraft comprising
an assortment of MiG 29K/Sea Harrier, Kamov 31, Kamov 28, Sea King, ALH-Dhruv
and Chetak helicopters. The MiG 29K swing role fighter is the main offensive platform
and provides a quantum jump for the Indian Navys maritime strike capability. These
fourth generation air superiority fighters provide a significant fillip for the Indian Navy
with a range of over 700 nm and an array of weapons including anti-ship missiles,
Beyond Visual Range air-to-air missiles, guided bombs and rockets. The ship is
equipped with state of the art launch and recovery systems along with aids to enable
smooth and efficient operation of ship borne aircraft. Major systems include the LUNA
Landing system for MiGs, DAPS Landing system for Sea Harriers and Flight deck
lighting systems.
The Minister of Railways Mallikarjun Kharge flagged off the first ever Dual Cab 4500 HP
Freight Diesel locomotive called Vijay from Diesel Locomotive Works (DLW), Varanasi,
a production unit of Indian Railways, on 6 November 2013. At the same time, the
Minister announced to stop the Swatantrata Senani Express at Bhulanpur Railway
Station, Sub-way at DLW administration. It is important to note that the DLW has not
only increased its production in large but also developed latest state-of-the-art
technologies. Building of this WDG4D High Horse Power freight locomotive is a
breakthrough for DLW as well as for the Indian Railways. Vijay, the dual cab freight
WDG4D is a trailblazer. It is the first dual cab diesel electric freight locomotive to be built
by Indian Railways.
India has developed a new tactical surface-to-surface missile Pragati with a range
between 60-170 km and will offer it to friendly countries. The new missile, now on
display at a defence exhibition in South Korea, is based on the Prahaar missile
developed by the DRDO for the Army and can be termed as its export variant with minor
differences, said a DRDO official on 28 October .The government has approved that it
may be offered to friendly countries if anyone shows interest in it, he said. The missile is
the main exhibit of the DRDO which is showcasing an array of indigenous weapons at
the Seoul International Aerospace and Defense Exhibition (ADEX 2013).This is the first
time ever that an array of latest defence equipment developed by the DRDO, will be
unveiled internationally at such a scale. DRDO chief Avinash Chander is leading the
Indian delegation at the show. ADEX 2013 is expected to host more than 300
companies from 33 countries. DRDOs participation also commemorates the 40th
anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between India and South Korea.
Indias space agency, ISRO, on 5 November 2013 successfully launched its historic
mission to Mars from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota, about 100km
from Chennai. It was Indias first mission to the red planet. The mission follows Indias
successful 2008-2009 Chandrayaan-1 moon probe, which discovered water molecules
in the lunar soil. The total cost of the Mars mission is US $ 73 million. The main
objective of the mission is to develop the technologies required for design, planning,
management and operations of an interplanetary mission. The main objective of the
mission is to explore Mars surface features, morphology, mineralogy and search for
methane in the Martian atmosphere using indigenous scientific instruments. The
satellite carries instruments such as Lyman Alpha Photometer, a methane sensor, a
composition analyser, a camera and an imaging spectrometer for studying the
atmosphere, particle environment and surface imaging. The satellite is scheduled to
reach the Mars orbit in September 2014 and is designed to circle the Red Planet in an
elliptical orbit of 366 km X 80000 km.
</ul></td>
AWARDS:
East Timor film Beatrizs War bagged Golden Peacock award for best Film at the
closing ceremony of 44th International Film Festival of India on 30 November. The film,
directed by Bety Reis and Luigi Acquisto. The award carries a Golden Peacock, a
certificate and a Cash Prize of Rs. 40 lakh. Indian Director Kaushik Ganguli bags the
award for Best Director for his Bengali film Apur Panchali. The award carries a Silver
Peacock, a certificate and a cash prize of Rs. 15 lakh. Best Actor (Male) award went to
Alon Moni Aboutboul for his performance in Israeli movie A Place in Heaven. The
award carries a Silver Peacock, a certificate and a cash prize of Rs. 10 lakh. Best Actor
(Female) award was presented to Boczarska Magdalena for her excellent performance
in Polish film In Hiding. On the occasion Union Minister for Information and
Broadcasting, Manish Tewari said that 44th IFFI was a celebration of freedom of the
human spirit, liberated from the mores of conventionalism, imbued with the ability to
dare and above all the power of a New Idea. With this, the 11-day extravaganza of
films, discussions and press conferences on films came to an end. Goa Governor
Bharat Veer Wanchoo, Union Minister for Information and Broadcasting, Manish Tewari,
Chief Minister of Goa, Manohar Parrikar were also present at the closing ceremony.
Famous Malaysian actress and filmmaker Michelle Yeoh was the Chief Guest for the
closing ceremony.
Malala Yousafzai, Kainat Riaz and Shazia Ramzan on 27 November 2013 were chosen
for the GG2 Hammer Award, for their bravery at the GG2 (Garavi Gujarat 2) Leadership
Awards 2013 in London. The activist Malala Yousafzai won the number one spot in the
GG2 Power List 101 for her work in raising awareness for female empowerment. Malala
Yousafzai, the teenager from Pakistan, who was shot in the head by the Taliban for
campaigning for girls education. She has been named as the Britains most influential
Asian by a weekly publication. Kainat Riaz and Shazia Ramzan were shot and wounded
in Swat Valley last year. The GG2 Hammer Award winner of 2013 transcends every
boundary and appeals to the very core of our humanity. The GG2 Power 101 has been
compiled by The Asian Media and Marketing Group (AMG) and features the top 101
most influential Asians in the UK, ranging from all walks of life. Now in its third year, the
list honours some notable British Asians who hold power and influence not just in
Britain, but also globally.
The 18th International Childrens Film Festival concluded on 20 November in
Hyderabad. A Dutch Film named Kauwboy, directed by Boudewijn Koole won the
Golden Elephant Award for best film in the International Live Action category. The film
is about a 10 year old boy and a bird. The Golden Plaque for second-best film in the
same section was won by a German film Das Pferd Auf Dem Balkon or A horse on the
Balcony. The Jury Prize for the best artwork was won by a Hindi film Goopi Gawaiya
Bagha Bajaiya directed by Shilpa Ranade. Ernest Et Celestine won the award for the
Best Animation Feature. During the film festival, Batul Mukthiar received the best
director award for his film Kaphal in the International Live Action. The best screenplay
award went to Nono-The Zigzag Kid. The Golden Elephant trophy for Best Little Director
category was given to an Indian film Breaking Silence and Tamator Chor. The film
festival was organised by the Childrens Film Festival India (CFSI), which is an
autonomous body under the Union Ministry of Information and Broadcasting and Andhra
Pradesh Government.
Pakistani teenage activist Malala Yousafzai, who survived a Taliban assassination
attempt last year, on 20 November, received the EUs Sakharov human rights prize at a
ceremony in Strasbourg. The European Parliament President, Martin Schulz, presented
the award to the 16-year-old who was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize earlier this
year. Malala dedicated the award to "the unsung heroes of Pakistan" and to human
rights campaigners worldwide. Malala was shot in the head a year ago for campaigning
for better rights for girls in Swat Valley of northwest Pakistan, an erstwhile Taliban
stronghold. The Sakharov Prize for free speech is awarded by the European Parliament
annually in memory of Soviet physicist and dissident Andrei Sakharov. The 50,000-euro
(USD 65,000) prize is considered Europes top human rights award. Malala joins a
distinguished list of winners of the prize that includes South Africas Nelson Mandela
and Aung San Suu Kyi of Myanmar.
Dr. Angela Merkel, German Chancellor on 19 November selected for Indira Gandhi
Prize for Peace, Disarmament and Development for the year 2013. The International
Jury for the Prize was chaired by the Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh, which made
this announcement on 19 November 2013 on the birth anniversary of Indira Gandhi. Dr.
Angela Merkel is nominated for her exemplary leadership in Europe and the world
during the financial crises, her commitment to universal peace and disarmament and
her leadership role in strengthening productive and mutually beneficial relations with
India and other developing countries. The award is conferred upon the person or an
organisation irrespective of race, religion, nationality or other aspects. It consists of
award worth 2.5 million Rupees as well as trophy along with citation. The Indiara
Gandhi Award is constituted by Indira Gandhi Memorial Trust. Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, the
Liberian President was conferred with the Indira Gandhi Prize for Peace, Disarmament
and Development for the year 2012.
The 44th International Film Festival of India (IFFI) began at Panaji in Goa on 20
November 2013. Academy award winning actress Suasan Sarandon inaugurated the
11- day cinematic extravaganza in the distinguished presence of Union Minister of
Information and Broadcasting Manish Tewari, Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parriker and
a galaxy of cine stars. The 44th International Film Festival of India (from 20 to 30
November 2013) is organized by the IFFI Secretariat under the aegis of the Ministry of
Information and Broadcasting, Government of India, in collaboration with the
Government of Goa.44th edition of IFFI is unique on several accounts. The festival
would highlight for the first time Cinema from the North Eastern states of India. A
package of 19 films from the North-East will explore the immense ethnic, traditional and
cultural diversity in the 8 states of North- East. The Lifetime Achievement Award is
being conferred on the legendary Czech film director Jiri Menzel whose films have been
acknowledged as the Czech New Wave Cinema. Renowned actress Waheeda Rehamn
will be conferred with the first Centenary Award for Indian Film Personality of the Year.
The International Film Festival of India (IFFI) is one of the most significant film festivals
in Asia, held every year. The first edition of IFFI was organized by the Films Division,
Government of India at Mumbai 1952.
The General Council of Sangeet Natak Akademi, the National Academy of Music,
Dance and Drama, New Delhi has declared fellowships (Akademi Ratna) and Akademi
awards (Akademi Auraskar) for the year 2013 . A decision to this effect was taken in a
meeting held on 21 November 2013 where three (3) eminent personalities in the field of
performing arts, namely Smt. Kanak Rele, Shri R Sathyanarayana and Shri Mahesh
Elkunchwar as Sangeet Natak Akademi Fellows (Akademi Ratna) were elected. The
Fellowship of the Akademi is the most prestigious and rare honor, which is restricted to
a very limited number at a given time. Presently there are only 40 Fellows of the
Sangeet Natak Akademi. The General Council of the Akademi also selected thirty eight
(38) artists (2 Joint Awards) from the fields of Music, Dance, Theatre and Puppetry for
the Sangeet Natak Akademi Awards (Akademi Puraskar) for the year 2013.In the field
of Music, nine eminent artists, namely Shri Ritwik Sanyal, Smt. Veena Sahasrabuddhe
in Hindustani Vocal; Shri Hashmat Ali Khan, Hindustani Instrumental Music (Tabla); Shri
Dhruba Ghosh, Hindustani Instrumental Music (Sarangi); Smt. Aruna Sairam, S/Shri D.
Seshachari & D Raghavachari Hyderabad Brothers(Joint Award) in Carnatic Vocal; Shri
Trichy Sankaran, Carnatic Instrumental Music (Mridangam); Shri Thiruvizha
Jayashankar, Carnatic Instrumental Music (Nadaswaram) and Shri Bankim Sethi, Major
Traditions of Music (Odissi Music) have been selected for the Akademi Awards 2013.In
the field of Dance, Smt. Jamuna Krishnan and Shri B Herambhanathan,
(Bharatanatyam); Smt. Rajashree Shirke (Kathak); Shri Kalamandalam M P S
Namboodiri, (Kathakali); Shri Chinta Seetha Ramanjaneyulu (Kuchipudi); Smt Sangeeta
Dash (Odissi); Shri Jogen Dutta Bayan (Sattriya); Shri Srinivasa Rangachariar (Major
Traditions of Dance & Dance Theatre (Arayer Sevai) and Shri Dhaneswar Swain, Music
for Dance have been selected for the Akademi Awards 2013. In the field of Theatre,
eight eminent persons have been selected for Akademi Awards 2013. They include Shri
Rameshwar Prem, Shri Pundalik Narayan Naik in Playwriting; Shri Kamalakar
Muralidhar Sontakke, Shri Kewal Dhaliwal, Smt. Prasanna Ramaswamy in the field of
Direction; Shri Vasant Josalkar, Smt Kusum Haidar in Acting and Shri Krishna Borkar in
the field of Allied Theatre Arts (Make-up).For their contribution to Traditional/Folk/ Tribal
Music/ Dance/ Theatre and Puppetry, eight artists have been selected for the Akademi
Awards. They are Smt. Raj Begum, Traditional, Folk Music/Dance & Theatre (Jammu &
Kashmir); S/Shri T.A.R. Nadi Rao & N Jeeva Rao (Joint Award), Folk Music
(Tamilnadu); Shri Gurdial Singh, Instrument Making (Punjab); Shri Mohan Singh
Khangura, Rabindra Sangeet (West Bengal); Shri Umakanta Gogoi (Bairagi), Tokari
Geet and Dehbichar Geet, (Assam), Smt Lilavati M Kavi (Bajaj), Puppetry; Smt
Meenakshi, Instrument Making - Ghatam (Tamilnadu) and Shri Sheikh Riyajuddin alias
Rajubaba, Folk Theatre ( Maharashtra).Shri Mysore V Subramanya (Performing Arts)
and Shri N Ramanathan (Music) will receive the Akademi Awards 2013 for Overall
Contribution/Scholarship to Performing Arts.The honour of Akademi Fellow has been
conferred since 1954 and Akademi Award since 1952. The honour of Akademi Fellow
carries a purse money of Rs 3,00,000/- (Rupees three lacs) and Akademi Awards carry
Rs 1,00,000/- (Rupees one lac), besides Tamrapatra and Angavastram.
Indias top scientist CNR Rao, who was recently named for the Bharat Ratna - the
countrys highest civilian award - has been elected honorary foreign member of the
Chinese Academy of Sciences, the first Indian to be so honoured."Dr Rao is the first
Indian scientist to be elected recently (November 4) to the prestigious academy, which
consists of several Nobel laureates and eminent scientists of the world," the Jawaharlal
Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research (JNCASR) where Dr Rao is the
founder-president, said in a statement in Bangalore on 22 November. The Chinese
Academy of Science had bestowed upon the 80-year-old Dr Rao the Award for
International Scientific Cooperation in January 2012.The Bangalore-born Dr Rao is
chairman of the Scientific Advisory Council to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh since
2005 in addition to being the national research professor.
An icon for the film lovers and iconoclast for the professionals, Waheeda Rehman will
be honoured with the first Centenary Award for the Indian Film personality at the 44th
International Film Festival of India (IFFI). The award has been introduced this year and
the veteran actor will receive the trophy on the opening day of the festival. It consists of
a cash component of Rs. 10 lakh and a citation. The Quintessential Beauty of
Bollywood is known as much for her performance as for her choice of roles. Born in
Chengalpattu near Chennai in 1936, Waheeda Rehman began her career with Tamil
and Telugu movies and went on to work with Gemini Ganesan in Kaalam Maari Pochu
in 1955. Guru Dutt happened to see the Telugu version of this film and offered her a
role in C.I.D.. The pairing of Waheeda Rehman with Guru Dutt treated the cinegoers
with such marvels as Pyasa. Kaghaz Ke Phool, Saheb Bibi aur Ghulam and
Chudhvin ka Chaand. A persona oozing grace and grandeur, Waheeda Rehmaan won
the National Award for the Best Actor in 1971 for Reshma Aur Shera and Filmfare
Awards in 1966 for Guide and in 1968 for Neel Kamal. She was honoured with Padma
Shri in 1972 and with Padma Bhushan in 2011. In 2004, a Waheeda Rehman Film
Retrospective was held at the Seattle Arts Museum and the University of Washington.
The first Centenary Award to Waheeda Rehman acknowledges the creative contribution
of an artist who opted for roles which were much more than just the appealing shadow
of the male actors of the times. SPORTS
Jamaican sprinters Usain Bolt and Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce were crowned male and
female World Athletes of the Year for 2013 by the sports governing IAAF, in Monaco on
16 November. Bolt won gold in the 100 metres, 200 and 4x100 relay at the Moscow
worlds in August to take his all-time tally to eight golds and two silvers at the
championships, making him the most successful athlete in their history. The 27-year-
old, who also has six Olympic gold medals and holds the 100 and 200 metres world
records, won the IAAF (International Association of Athletics Federations) award for the
third season in a row and the fifth time in six years. Compatriot Fraser-Pryce claimed
gold medals in the same three events in Moscow, having previously won two golds and
two silvers, and is also the Olympic sprint champion. The 26-year-old Fraser-Pryce
collected her first female World Athlete of the Year award. Bolt and Fraser-Pryce also
receive a prize of $100,000.
The four-time world champion Sebastian Vettel became the first driver to win eight
straight races in a single season, with his victory at the US Grand Prix on 18 November.
Sebastien Grosjean came second. Webber coming 3rd with Hamilton finishing fourth.
Magnus Carlsen of Norway won the FIDE World Chess Championship 2013 at Chennai
on 22 November 2013.Magnus Carlsen defeated the previous world champion
Viswanathan Anand of India by 6.5-3.5. The victory was worth 8.4 crore Rupees for
Magnus Carlsen. Anand settled for 5.6 crore Rupees. The match was organized by
FIDE and AICF.The Magnus Calsens victory was also the end of Anands six-year reign
as the World champion. It was Anands first loss in a world title match since 2007.
Lionel Messi, the Barcelonan forward footballer on 20 November 2013 won the Golden
Shoe award. Messi won the award in recognition of his 46 goals in 32 leagues
appearances in the Europes domestic football league in the 2012-13 seasons. This is
the third Golden Shoe award of Messi and with this win he became the first footballer
win the shoe three times. Earlier Messi won the award in 2009-10 for 34 goals and a
Spanish record 50 in 2011-12. Lionel Andres Messi (26) is an Argentine Footballer and
a captain to the national team of Argentina. At present he plays for FC Barcelona in
Spain.
Indian Cricketer Virat Kohli became the fastest batsman to score 5000 runs in one-day
internationals when he scored 86 against the West Indies in the first ODI in Kochi on 21
November 2013. Virat Kohli achieved the feat in just 120 matches and 114 innings. He
has so far scored 5005 runs, which included 17 centuries, and 27 fifties in his short
career.In terms of innings, Virat Kohli has equalled the record of Sir Viv Richards of
West Indies, who also achieved the feat in 114 innings way back in 1987 but it was Vivs
126th match. Before Kohli, former captain Sourav Ganguly was the fastest to achieve
the feat among Indian batsmen in 131 matches and 126 innings.
The Infosys Prize 2013 in Life Sciences is awarded to Dr. Rajesh S. Gokhale, Director,
CSIR-Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology, for his work in the field of lipid
metabolism in tubercle bacilli. Each year two million people are infected and die of
tuberculosis (TB) and there will be 10 million new patients every year. Dr. Gokhale
discovered biochemical networks and new paradigms necessary for the synthesis of
Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) cell envelope coat that makes these bacteria escape
host immune systems. This discovery opens up new avenues to develop new therapy
against TB. The Infosys Prize, comprising a 22-karat gold medallion, a citation
certificate and prize money of Rs. 55 lakh, ranks among the highest monetary awards in
India that recognizes scientific research. The prize endeavors to elevate the prestige of
scientific research in India and inspires young Indians to choose a vocation in the
scientific research. Prof Samir K. Brahmachari, Director General of CSIR, said that
conferring this prestigious award to four CSIR scientists in three consecutive years after
its inception in 2009 exhibits that internationally competitive scientific research is being
carried out in CSIR and CSIR has an outstanding young scientific leadership in position.
.
The Union Finance Minister P.Chidambaram released a Commemorative Coin of Rs. 20
and a circulation coin of Rs.5 to mark the culmination of the 125th Birth Anniversary of
Maulana Abul Kalam Azad at a function held in New Delhi on 11 November. K.
Rehman, Union Minister for Minority Affairs, Wazahatt Habibullah, Chairman, National
Commission for Minorities were present on the occasion among others. This year marks
culmination of 125th Birth Anniversary of Maulana Abul Kalam Azad. Maulana Azad
was one of Indias most prominent freedom fighters, who espoused the cause of an
undivided India. He opposed the two nation theory of Muslim League and was a
leading proponent of Hindu-Muslim unity. He was Indias first Minister of Education. He
was posthumously awarded countrys highest civilian award, the Bharat Ratna in 1992.
The Government on 16 November has decided to confer Bharat Ratna, the highest
civilian award, on eminent scientist Prof C.N.R. Rao and cricket icon Sachin Tendulkar.
Prof. C.N.R. Rao is an eminent scientist and a well recognized international authority on
solid state and materials chemistry. He has published over 1,400 research papers and
45 books. Prof. Raos contributions have been recognized by most major scientific
academies around the world through conferment of memberships and fellowships. He
has been honoured with several national and international awards. Sachin Tendulkar is
undoubtedly an outstanding cricketer - a living legend who has inspired millions across
the globe. During the last 24 years, since the young age of 16 years, Tendulkar has
played cricket across the world and won laurels for our country. He has been a true
ambassador of India in the world of sports. His achievements in cricket are unparalleled,
the records set by him unmatched, and the spirit of sportsmanship displayed by him
exemplary. That he has been honoured with several awards is testimony to his
extraordinary brilliance as a sportsman.
Renowned actress Waheeda Rehman will be conferred with the Centenary Award for
Indian Film Personality of the Year at the International Film Festival of India 2013 in
Panji, Goa. The 2013 edition of the Festival is being held between 20 and 30
November. The award has been instituted to commemorate 100 years of Indian
Cinema, and being given annually to an outstanding film personality for his or her
contribution to Indian cinema. After extensive deliberations, a five member jury identified
Waheeda Rehman as the ideal member of the Indian film fraternity to be the first
recipient of the award. The Centenary Award recognizes her prolific body of work
through the film industrys formative years. The award carries a citation, a certificate, a
medal (Silver Peacock),a shawl and Rs.10 lakh cash prize.
Shiraz Naval Minwalla, Professor of Physics in TIFR, Mumbai selected for the 2014
New Horizons in Physics Prize on 5 November 2013. He was awarded "for his
pioneering contributions to the study of string theory and quantum field theory; and in
particular his work on the connection between the equations of fluid dynamics and
Albert Einsteins equations of general relativity". The New Horizons for Physics Prize
awarded to promising junior researchers by Fundamental Physics Prize Foundation.
The award carries prize money of US $ 1,00,000. The Fundamental Physics Prize
Foundation is a not-for-profit corporation established by the Milner Foundation, Russia
in 2012 and dedicated to advancing our knowledge of the Universe at the deepest level
by awarding annual prizes for scientific breakthroughs, as well as communicating the
excitement of fundamental physics to the public. The Fundamental Physics Prize
recognizes transformative advances in the field, while the New Horizons in Physics
Prizes are targeted at promising junior researchers.
Lord Swraj Paul, a leading NRI industrialist and educationist was presented with the
International Indian of the Decade award on 15 November 2013. Swraj Paul was
presented the award for his outstanding achievements in the fields of industry,
education and philanthropy. Virender Paul, the acting High Commissioner of India to the
UK presented the award to Lord Swraj Paul at the 20th anniversary of the publication of
India Link International (a monthly magazine). Lord Swraj Paul is the founder of the UK-
based steel and engineering multinational company Caparo, which at present employs
about 10,000 people worldwide from UK, USA and India.
Information and Broadcasting Ministry has instituted a new centenary award to honour
personalities for contribution to Indian Cinema. The minister for Information and
Broadcasting, Manish Tewari has announced the institution of a special award in the
series of initiatives undertaken to commemorate the 100 years of Indian Cinema. The
centenary award would be given every year to an outstanding Indian film personality "A
Film Icon" for his/her contribution to Indian Cinema at IFFI. Speaking on the occasion in
Bangalore on 7 November, Tewari said that the award reiterated the rich legacy of
Indian Cinema where eminent personalities had contributed to its growth through
different stages of its evolution. The award is the second in the series instituted by the
Government to commemorate the centenary celebrations. He said that the ministry had
taken initiatives to promote the growth of the film industry. It had tried to review the
statutory architecture under the films paradigm by instituting the Mudgal Committee to
review the provisions of the Cinematography Act. The recommendations of the
committee were under consideration and the opinions have been invited as the report
had been placed on the website of the ministry, he added.
Martha Dodray, a health worker from Bihar on 6 November 2013 won the global UN
Award for her commitment and dedication to eradicate Polio in India. United Nation has
conferred the UN Frontline Workers Global Leadership Award to Martha Dodray. The
award was given in recognition of the roles to individuals, organizations, and
corporations played in supporting the work of the United Nations to advance global
peace, justice, and prosperity. The United Nations Foundation and the United Nations
Association of the USA (UNA-USA) honored recipients of the 2013 Global Leadership
Awards at the annual Global Leadership Dinner in New York City. Martha Dodray is an
Auxiliary Nurse and Midwife (ANM) from Darbhanga district of Bihar. She represented
the worldwide polio frontline workers. Her contribution cause was recognized by United
Nations Foundation in 2013 and awarded
An Indian-origin doctor has been selected for prestigious "Outstanding American by
Choice" award for his valuable contribution to US health sector. Eminent transplant
surgeon and philanthropist, Rahul Jindal, will be honoured by the US Citizenship and
Immigration Services (USCIS) on November 13.The initiative recognizes naturalized
citizens who have made significant contributions to both their community and their
adopted country. Jindal, who recently received the Leadership Award by the
International Leadership Foundation, was recently appointed as Commissioner on
Service and Volunteerism. He obtained his MD from BJ Medical College, Ahmedabad,
and then studied in Britain where he and earned an FRCS from the Royal College of
Edinburgh. Known for his philanthropy and community services, Jindal is the director of
the National Blood and Bone marrow Drive Campaign which was sponsored by about
600 Hindu temples throughout North America.
SPORTS:
Formula one racing driver Sebastian Vettel won the F1 Brazilian Grand Prix 2013 on 24
November 2013. With this victory Vettel matched Michael Schumachers record of 13
victories in a year and equaled the nine consecutive wins of Alberto Ascari. Vettels Red
Bull teammate Mark Webber was second in his final F1 race. Fernando Alonso of
Ferrari was third. Recently, Sebastian Vettel also won the Formula One Indian Grand
Prix 2013 at Buddha International Circuit on 27 October 2013.Sebastian Vettel is a
German formulae one racing driver and at present he is driving for the Red Bull a
Austrian racing team. He became the youngest driver, who won the World Drivers
Championship in 2010 and the same year he helped Red Bull to win the first teams
World Constructors Championship.
Sarah Teelow, the world champion water skier of Australia died on 25 November 2013
after a fall during a high-speed endurance race on Australias Hawkesbury River. The
21 year old, Teelow fell from her skis after the start of the 75 mile Bridge to Bridge
Water Ski Classic near Sydney. She was airlifted to the hospital in critical condition, with
spinal and head injuries and later she died in the hospital. She is the seventh water-
skier to die in an accident in Australia in last five years. Teelow had won the Formula 2
category at the World Waterski Racing Championships in Spain in last September.
Indian weightlifter, Deepak Lathore won Gold and two Silver medals in the Boys 50 Kg
category of the Commonwealth Weightlifting Championships on 25 November 2013 at
Penang, Malaysia. On the opening day of the event, Lathore took the Gold in Snatch
with a lift of 83 kg. In Clean and Jerk, he lifted 102 kg to claim the Silver. With a total lift
of 185 kg, he won another Silver in the event. The 2013 Commonwealth Senior, Junior
and Youth weightlifting Championships are being held at Penang city of Malaysia from
24 to 30 November 2013. In this event, India is represented by 41 Weightlifters in three
categories.
Jason Day, Australian Golfer won the Golf world cup at The Royal Melbourne Golf Club
in Melbourne on 24 November 2013. Australia team (Jason Day and Adam Scott) also
won the team Championships by beating the American team of Matt Kuchar and Kevin
Streelman.With this victory Jason Day collected 1.2 million Dollars for sealing individual
Title and will share another 6,00,000 Dollars with Adam Scott for winning the team
trophy. Indian Golfer Anirban Lahiri finished with 25th place in the tournament. India
finished 26th and last in the team Championships.
Mohammed Siddikur of Bangladesh won the 50th edition of Indian Open golf
tournament on 10 November, 2013 held at Delhi Golf Club, New Delhi. It was his
second Asian Tour title win after Brunei Open victory in 2010. The tournament carries a
cash prize of US $ 1.25 million. This win catapulted him from ninth to third spot on the
Order of Merit. Siddikur scored a total of 274 to edge past his Indian friends Anirban
Lahiri and S.S.P. Chowrasia to win the tournament. Mohammad Siddikur Rahman was
born on 20 November 1984. He is a Bangladeshi professional golfer who plays on the
Asian Tour.
Novak Djokovic on 11 November 2013 retained the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals title
after defeating the number one Rafael Nadal. The world number two Djokovic, won 6-3,
6-4 at the O2 Arena in London. The ATP world tour took place between 4 and 11
November 2013. He earned US $ 19,23,000 prize money and 1,500 Emirates ATP
Ranking points, while Nadal earned US $ 10,13,000 and 1,000 points as he dropped to
a 10-4 record in finals in 2013. Earlier, Djokovic won the same title in the year 2008 and
2012.
The Indian Women Hockey Team on 9 November 2013 won the Silver Medal, losing 0-1
to the hosts Japan in the final of the 3rd Women Asian Champions Trophy played at
Kakamigahara in Japan. Indian goalkeeper Rajni Etimarpu was adjudged Best
Goalkeeper of the Tournament and Indian Women Team won Fair Play Award in the
tournament. Japan won the gold, while India and Malaysia bagged the silver and bronze
medals respectively in the four-team event. Malaysia defeated China 3-1 in the bronze-
medal play-off match.
India was selected by the International Hockey Federation (FIH) on 7 November 2013 to
host the Mens World Cup of Hockey in 2018. The finals will be played from 1 to 16
December 2018. Also, England will host the Womens World Cup of hockey from 7-21
July, 2018. This was announced by Leandro Negre, the President of FIH at Lausanne
during the special ceremony. Hockeys World Cup is held every four years and is
second only to the Olympics in significance. India hosted the world cup in 2010 at New
Delhi. The 2014 edition of Hockey World Cup would be played in The Hague,
Netherlands.
Yuki Bhambri on 4 November 2013 won the ATP mens singles title of Traralgon event
in Australia. He defeated Bradely Klahn of America in the summit clash that was hit by
rain. This is the second win of his career. Yuki, the 21 years old Indian defeated higher
ranking Bradely by 6-7, 6-3, 6-4 in the finals in a match played on two days due to rain.
This is the third straight win of Yuki over a higher ranked opponent in this tournament.
The 277 ranked Yuki earlier defeated, Tatsuma of Japan ranked 191 and the James
Duckworth of Australia ranked 147 in the tournament to reach the finals.
Rohit Sharma, the Indian batsman on 2 November 2013 became the third cricketer in
the world to score a double hundred in a one-day international (ODI) match. He scored
209 runs off 158 balls against Australia in seventh and final ODI match at Bangalores
M. Chinnaswamy Stadium. His runs included 12 fours and 16 sixes, which also means
that he re-wrote the record of highest number of sixes in an ODI match. He out-beat
Shane Watsons record of 15 sixes in the ODI which he hit in the match against
Bangladesh. It is worth noticing that all the three batsmen who scored double hundred
in one day match are Indians. The milestone was at first achieved by Sachin Tendulkar
who scored 200 runs against South Africa in the year 2010. The second one to do so
was Virendra Sehwag who scored 219 against West Indies in the year 2011 and the
third one is Rohit Sharma to score 209 runs against Australia in 2013. The records
broken by Rohit Sharma are - the highest scorer against Australia, highest number of
sixes in the ODI innings, second highest ODI score (209) after Virendra Sehwag (219).
PERSONS:
Sachin Tendulkar---- Recently-retired batting legend Sachin Tendulkar on 28 November
became UNICEFs first brand ambassador for South Asia and is all set to work in
promoting hygiene and sanitation in the region. "Thanks for allowing me to start this
wonderful second innings of my life. Im looking forward to being an ambassador for
UNICEF and serve to the best of my ability. This is an innings that is really, really
important to me, so I will try my best," said Tendulkar. The batting icon, who has been
involved with the global organization for the last 8-10 years, was now, named its
ambassador for South Asia region for two years. Tendulkar said it was hard to digest
that many people around the world did not have access to clean toilets.
Neeraj Sahai (56)---- Indian-American has appointed as president of Standard & Poors
Ratings Services, the worlds largest ratings firm. He was appointed by McGraw Hill
Financial Company. Neeraj Sahai will assume his new role at Standard & Poors from 6
January 2014. Sahai, who did his masters in economics from University of Delhi, is
currently head of Citis Securities and Fund Services business and also acts as chief
fiduciary officer of Citigroup. He succeeds Douglas Peterson, who became president
and chief executive officer of McGraw Hill Financial on 1 November, 2013.Standard &
Poors Ratings Services, part of McGraw Hill Financial, is the worlds leading provider of
independent credit risk research. It publishes more than a million credit ratings on debt
issued by sovereign, municipal, corporate and financial sector entities.
Omprakash Valmiki (63)----- Noted Dalit writer Omprakash Valmiki passed away on 17
November 2013 at Dehradun, Uttarakhand. Omprakash Valmiki is one of the most
famous Dalit litterateurs in Hindi and he portrayed the life of Dalits with an authentically
Dalit voice. He was born in Muzaffarnagar, Uttar Pradesh in 1950. He worked with
Government Ordnance Factory Dehradun. Valmikis autobiography Joothan (1997) is
one of his famous works. In this work, he spoke in detail about the caste discrimination,
persecution and humiliation than he faced, when he is growing up. Joothan is regarded
as a milestone in Hindi literature.
Justice A.P.Shah ----Union Government on 22 November appointed Justice Ajit Prakash
Shah as the new Chairman of the 20th Law Commission of India. Justice Ajit Prakash
Shah succeeded Justice D. K. Jain who resigned in October 2013 to take over as the
President of National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission. He was Chief Justice
of the High Court of Delhi from May 2008 till his retirement in February 2010. He is
known for his bold judgments, especially concerning social issues, including the world-
headliner July 2009 ruling that found India s 150-year-old statute prohibiting
homosexual acts (Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code) as discriminatory and,
therefore, a "violation of fundamental rights. The 20th Law Commission of India was
constituted with the Order of the Government of India with effect from 1 September
2012. It has a three-year term ending on 31st August; 2015.The commission would be
responsible for identification of obsolete laws and suggest measures suitable for quick
grievance handling and redressal of the citizens. It would also be examining the laws
that effects poor and suggest measures which would help in harnessing the law and the
legal process for the economically weaker and poor section of the society.
Nisha Desai Biswal--- Nisha Desai Biswal assumed the post of the US Assistant
Secretary of State for South and Central Asia. On 21 November 2013, Nisha Desai
Biswal was sworn in as Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asia. Nisha
Desai Biswal replaced at this post Robert Blake and will be responsible for policy of the
US State Department for South and Central Asia. Prior to appointment, Nisha Desai
Biswal worked as the Assistant Administrator for Asia at the US Agency for International
Development (USAID).
Frederick Sanger (95) ---- A British biochemist who is the only person to win Nobel Prize
two times for Chemistry died on 19 November 2013 in Cambridge, eastern England. For
the first time, he won the Nobel Prize in 1958 for development of the methods, which
helped to unravel the chemical structure of Protein, mainly insulin. Second Nobel Prize
was given to him in 1980, jointly with Walter Gilbert and Paul Berg for the development
of the techniques to read the sequences of DNA, which carries the basic code for life.
By winning two Nobel, Sanger became one of the four people who had won the Nobel
Prizes two times. The other winners of Nobel Prize two times are Marie Curie, John
Bardeen and Linus Pauling.
Doris Lessing (94) ----British Nobel Prize-winning author Doris Lessing was died on 17
November 2013 at London. Her best-known works are The Golden Notebook, Memoirs
of a Survivor and The Summer before the Dark. In 2007, the 88-year-old Doris Lessing
became the oldest recipient of the Nobel Prize in Literature. and only the 11th woman to
win the award.
Usha Ananthasubramanian ---- The Union Government on 12 November 2013
appointed Usha Ananthasubramanian as the chairperson and managing director of
public sector Bharatiya Mahila Bank (BMB), the first womens bank. Before joining BMB,
she was an Executive Director with Punjab National Bank (PNB).Usha
Ananthasubramanian started her career in the actuarial department with LIC and
banking career in February 1982 with Bank of Baroda. She holds a masters degree in
statistics from the University of Madras and a masters degree in ancient Indian culture
from University of Mumbai. During her tenure at Punjab National Bank, she was part of
the panel formed for examination of the blueprint and other issues for setting up of the
womens bank. The panels report paved the way for Indias first public sector womens
bank. The bank aims to service women and women-run businesses, support womens
self-help groups and their livelihoods and promote further financial inclusion. The Union
Cabinet cleared the proposal for setting up of all-women bank on August 2013. The
Reserve Bank of India gave its in-principal approval for the Bharatiya Mahila Bank in
June 2013 and the banking company was set up.The Union government approved Rs.
1,000 crore seed capital for the women-focused public sector bank, announced by
Union finance minister P. Chidambaram in his 2013-14 budget speech.
Justice R. Banumathi----The Judge of the Madras High Court was appointed as the
Chief Justice of the Jharkhand High Court on 12 November 2013. She was appointed
by the President Pranab Mukherjee. The Supreme Courts Collegium has cleared her
elevation as Chief Justice in August 2013 and the Union government has taken three
months to process and notify the appointment. Justice R. Banumathi entered the Tamil
Nadu Higher Judicial Service in 1988 as a direct recruit district judge. She worked as
District and Sessions Judge in Coimbatore and Vellore, and Principal District and
Sessions Judge in Pudukottai, Madras, Tirunelveli and Salem. She also worked as
Chief Metropolitan Magistrate, Chennai. She was made a judge of the Madras High
Court on 3 April 2003.
Gamani Corea (87)----Veteran Sri Lankan economist Gamani Corea one of the chief
architects of Sri Lankas first national plan in the late 1950s passed away in Colombo on
3 November. A highly regarded economist, Dr. Corea was also a seasoned diplomat,
who held key positions such as Secretary-General of the United Nations Conference on
Trade and Development and Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations from 1974
to 1984.The Institute of Policy Studies appointed Dr. Corea its first chairman, he said. In
his vibrant career serving different capacities, Dr. Corea worked closely with leading
economists of the world, including Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.
Reshma ---- Legendary Pakistani folk singer Reshma passed away in Lahore on 3
November 2013 after a long battle with throat cancer. She was 66. She is known for her
popular songs such as Lambi Ju dai and Dama Dam Mast Kalandar. Reshma was born
in 1947 in Bikaner, Rajasthan, in a Banjara family. She has no formal education in
music, but at the age of just 12 years, she was seen singing at the Shahbaz Qalanders
shrine. Thereafter, her iconic song Laal Meri was recorded on the state-run Pakistan
Radio. With this, she became the most popular folk singer of Pakistan. She won various
national awards such as Sitara-i-Imtiaz as well as Legends of Pakistan, by the President
of Pakistan.
Gabriela Isler----- Gabriela Isler from Venezuela won Miss Universe 2013 title on 9
November 2013 held in Moscow, Russia. Patricia Yurena Rodriguez from Spain and
Constanza Baez from Ecuador finished as the first and second runner-ups. Manasi
Moghe from India had been shortlisted for the top 10 finalists of Miss Universe 2013 but
failed to win the crown. Gabriela Isler is the third Miss Universe from Venezuela in 6
years.