16th January, 2007 to 15th February, 2007
1. Larsen & Toubro has signed a joint venture agreement with A. A. Turki Contracting & Trading Corporation (ATCO) of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The new venture — Larsen & Toubro ATCO LLC — will focus on electromechanical construction for the hydrocarbon and power sectors
2. Aviva Life Insurance and IndusInd Bank have announced their tie-up as Bancassurance partners. Aviva has now extended its leadership position in the Bancassurance channel with 30 tie-ups, the largest number of bank partnerships by any private insurer in India.
What is Bancassurance? Bancassurance is the distribution of insurance products through a bank's distribution channels. It is a service that can fulfill both banking and insurance needs at the same time. Bancassurance as a concept first began in India when the insurance industry opened up to private participation in December 1999. There are basically four models of bancassurance: n Distribution alliance between the insurance company and the bank. n Joint venture between the two companies. n Mergers between a bank and insurer. n Bank builds or buys own insurance products. |
3. Ashok Chaturvedi will be the new chief of the Research and Analysis Wing (RAW), the country's external intelligence agency. He will succeed P.K. Hormis Tharakan.
India has a number of intelligence agencies. Some of them are : Research and Analysis Wing Intelligence Bureau Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA) Joint Cipher Bureau All India Radio monitoring service Joint Intelligence Committee Signals Intelligence Directorate Aviation Research Centre Directorate of Air Intelligence Directorate of Navy Intelligence. Research and Analysis Wing The Research and Analysis Wing (R&AW) of Cabinet secretariat was formed on September 21, 1968 and handles India's external covert intelligence gathering. |
4. The former Intelligence Bureau Director, E.S.L. Narasimhan, and the former Finance Minister of Kerala, K. Sankaranarayan, were appointed Governors of Chhattisgarh and Nagaland respectively.
5. Deaths due to measles have fallen by 60 per cent worldwide since 1999, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). This exceeds the United Nations' goal to halve such deaths between the years 2000 and 2005. This is largely due to an unprecedented decline in the deaths in the African region. According to WHO data, global measles deaths fell from an estimated 8,73,000 in 1999 to 3,45,000 in 2005. The goal has been surpassed mainly due to achievements in the African region, which registered a 75 per cent decline.
Measles is a highly contagious disease caused by a paramyxovirus. Medically known as rubeola, it was once exceedingly common during childhood, occurring often in local epidemics. Today, it is rare in most industrialized countries, thanks to widespread immunization during infancy. The first measles shot should be given between 12 and 15 months, with a second between ages 4 and 6 or 12 and 14 years. |
6. Lord Swaraj Paul's UK-based Caparo Group, has announced that its wholly owned subsidiary, Caparo Engineering India Private Limited (CEIPL), has completed the acquisition of the Sheet Metal Business of the International Auto Ltd. (IAL), a flagship company of RSB Group. International Auto Ltd. is one of the major suppliers of sheet metal auto components to Tata Motors Pune and Jamshedpur.
7. The Union Health Ministry intends to ban advertisement of treatment processes under the Drugs and Magical Remedies Act. This would require amendments to the Act, which had hitherto prohibited only advertisement of drugs or `magical cures' for certain diseases. This move follows the controversy late last year after the Ministry sent a notice to the yoga Guru Baba Ramdev questioning his claims of curing cancer and HIV/AIDS. The amendment would seek to curb these kinds of advertisements, promising cures through allopathy or alternative systems of medicine
8. India and Russia plan to develop an Advanced Combat Aircraft. MiG engine will be produced and maintained by HAL, Bangalore. Russia is looking for greater cooperation with India in the fields of Space, Military, Nuclear Energy and Information Technology. This was announced by its Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Sergey Borisovich Ivanov. India was the only country Russia would engage with in the development of Glonass (Global Navigation Satellite System). The radio satellite navigation system was Russia's answer to the United States' GPS system.
9. The Manmohan Singh government has upgraded the entire 1973 batch of the Indian Administrative Service to the Secretary to the Government of India rank. This is the first time since 1950 that an entire batch stands promoted. This wholesale promotion violates the very spirit of administrative reforms which the government has committed to undertake.
10. The Centre has appointed State Bank of India as the Income Tax refund banker to credit the due amount to the bank accounts of taxpayers. With the launch of the scheme as a pilot project, about eight to 10 lakh IT assesses in Delhi and Patna stand to benefit by way of speedy refunds. Under the arrangement, the SBI is to issue refund cheques to tax assesses within three days of the IT department intimating the State-owned bank about refund details.
The origin of the State Bank of India goes back to the first decade of the nineteenth century with the establishment of the Bank of Calcutta in Calcutta on 2 June 1806. Three years later the bank received its charter and was re-designed as the Bank of Bengal (2 January 1809). A unique institution, it was the first joint-stock bank of British India sponsored by the Government of Bengal. The Bank of Bombay (15 April 1840) and the Bank of Madras (1 July 1843) followed the Bank of Bengal. These three banks remained at the apex of modern banking in India till their amalgamation as the Imperial Bank of India on 27 January 1921. In 1951, when the First Five Year Plan was launched, the development of rural India was given the highest priority. The commercial banks of the country including the Imperial Bank of India had till then confined their operations to the urban sector and were not equipped to respond to the emergent needs of economic regeneration of the rural areas. In order, therefore, to serve the economy in general and the rural sector in particular, the All India Rural Credit Survey Committee recommended the creation of a state-partnered and state-sponsored bank by taking over the Imperial Bank of India, and integrating with it, the former state-owned or state-associate banks. An act was accordingly passed in Parliament in May 1955 and the State Bank of India was constituted on 1st July 1955. Later, the State Bank of India (Subsidiary Banks) Act was passed in 1959, enabling the State Bank of India to take over former State-associated banks as its subsidiaries (later named Associates). |
11. A British Zoo announced the virgin birth of five Komodo dragons, giving scientists new hope for the captive breeding of the endangered species. In an evolutionary twist, the newborns' 8-year-old mother, Flora, shocked staff at Chester Zoo in northern England when she became pregnant without ever having a male partner or even being exposed to the opposite sex.
12. Fali Nariman (Public Affairs), Khushwant Singh (Literature and Education), P.N. Bhagawati (Public Affairs), N.N. Vohra (Civil Service), Naresh Chandra (Civil Service), Raja Rao (posthumous for Literature and Education), Sudarshan Erinackal Chandy George (Science and Engineering) and V. Krishnamurthy (Civil Service), Balu Sankaran (Medicine) and Raja Jesudoss Chelliah (Public Affairs) are among the 10 eminent persons conferred the Padma Vibhushan award.
Among the 32 eminent persons awarded the Padma Bhushan are Airtel owner Sunil Bharti Mittal, PepsiCo president Indra Nooyi, Chairman of Suzuki Motors Corporation O. Suzuki and social worker Mohini Giri.
The 79 Padma Shri awardees include golfer Jeev Milkha, educationist Mushirul Hassan, chess player Koneru Humpy, writer Vikram Seth and activist Teesta Setalvad.
13. The American military's new weapon is a ray gun that shoots a beam that makes people feel as if they will catch fire. The technology is supposed to be harmless — a non-lethal way to get enemies to drop their weapons.
14. Serena Williams clinched the Australian Open Women's Title by beating Maria Sharapova.
15. Roger Federer of Switzerland clinched the Australian Open Men's Title by beating Fernando Gonzalez of Chile. He became the first man in the Open Era to win three consecutive majors twice in his career.
16. Air Marshal Fali Homi Major has been appointed Chief of the Air Staff. He will take over on March 31 following the retirement of S.P. Tyagi. He will be the first helicopter pilot to head the IAF. Earlier, only fighter pilots held the top post.
17. Tatas punched their way to victory in a dramatic bidding war with Brazil's Companhia Siderurgica Nacional (CSN) to acquire the Anglo-Dutch steel firm Corus for an unexpected £6.7 billion. Tata Steel raised its bid to 608 pence a share — five pence higher than the rival CSN's offer — and clinched the deal. The merger would create the world's fifth biggest steel company.
18. The Supreme Court approved the Centre's proposal to provide 22.5 per cent reservation for Scheduled Caste/Scheduled Tribe candidates under the all-India quota in postgraduate admissions to government medical colleges for 2007-08.
19. The Central Statistical Organisation (CSO) marked up the country's GDP (gross domestic product) growth estimates for 2005-06 to nine per cent from 8.4 per cent predicted earlier. This was mainly on account of a higher-than-anticipated output in agriculture during the fiscal year.
20. Nobel laureate Desmond Tutu. received the Gandhi Peace Prize 2005 from President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam. Archbishop Tutu is the second South African to get this award after Nelson Mandela.
21. Eminent scientist C.N. R. Rao has been awarded the prestigious title of ``Desikottama'' by Visva-Bharati, Santiniketan. Mr. Rao, the honorary president of the Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advance Scientific Research, Bangalore, was honoured for his monumental contributions to science. Desikottama is a unique honour bestowed on persons of distinction by Visva-Bharati.
22. The Centre has banned the export of milk powder till September 30 as a result of its concern at the rising price of milk fuelling inflation. The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, chaired by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, took the decision on a proposal of the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying.
23. Forty per cent of rural women and 50 per cent of their urban counterparts above the age of five are engaged in domestic work in India. Thirty-seven per cent of the rural and 18 per cent of the urban women usually carry out some economic activity in addition to their principal and subsidiary status in a household. This is a major finding of the National Sample Survey report on "Participation of Women in specified activities along with Domestic duties, 2004-05" based on the survey of Employment and Unemployment carried out in the 61st round (July 2004-June 2005) under the Ministry of Statistics and Implementation.
24. The Taj Mahal is set to figure among the new seven wonders of the world. Votes polled across the world till 31st Jan., placed it among the top seven candidates for the title. According to New7 Wonders.com, the Taj is among the top seven monuments, and the other would-be new wonders are the Colosseum, the Great Wall of China, Machu Picchu, Petra, the Pyramids of Giza and the statues of Eastern Island.
25. India has emerged as the world's second largest producer of farmed fish (aquaculture). China holds the number-one position. Marine Products Export Development Authority (MPEDA) sources said that the country's share in global aquaculture output is 4.2 per cent in volume and value. The share of China, on the other hand, is 69.6 per cent in production and 51.2 per cent in value. The State of the World Aquaculture Report, compiled by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), says nine of the world's 10 largest aquaculture producing countries are in Asia.
26. Supersonic cruise missile BrahMos, with an advanced capability of sharp manoeuvring, was successfully test-fired from the Integrated Test Range at Chandipur-on-sea in Orissa. For the first time it was manoeuvred in the form of an "S" curve at a supersonic speed of 2.8 mach. This is the 13th flight of the missile, which is jointly developed by India and Russia, and the fourth for the Army.
27. The Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal gave its final award setting out the share of waters of the Cauvery among the riparian States of Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Kerala, and the Union Territory of Puducherry. The proceedings over the politically sensitive issue went on for more than 16 years. The Tribunal, comprising Chairman Justice N.P. Singh and members N.S. Rao and Sudhir Narain, in a unanimous award determined the total availability of water in the Cauvery basin at 740 thousand million cubic feet (tmcft) at the Lower Coleroon Anicut site on the basis of 50 per cent dependability. And, in a balancing act it apportioned the total as follows: For Tamil Nadu, 419 tmcft (as against the demand of 562 tmcft); Karnataka 270 tmcft (as against its demand of 465 tmcft); Kerala 30 tmcft and Puducherry 7 tmcft. The quantum reserved for environmental protection is 10 tmcft, and that determined for inevitable "escapages" into the sea is 4 tmcft. The Tribunal was constituted on June 2, 1990.
28. Indian-American corporate leader Indra Nooyi, known as one of the most powerful women in the U.S., has been elected Chairwoman of PepsiCo.
29. U.S. astronaut Sunita Williams, of Indian-American origin, has now spent more time walking in space than any other woman. Ms. Williams broke the previous women's spacewalking record of more than 21 hours when she and Michael Lopez-Alegria completed the second of three spacewalks in nine days. The new record of 22 hours and 27 minutes includes her two most recent walks, as well as a spacewalk in December.
30. Medak in Andhra Pradesh now has an SA 8000 certification, for Social Accountability. It is granted by a New York based non-governmental agency, Social Accountability International, after examining social and human aspects of administration and management.
31. The Jawaharlal Nehru Award for International Understanding for 2005 and 2006 will be given to human rights and pro-democracy activist Wangari M. Maathai of Kenya and Brazil President Luiz Nacio Lula da Silva respectively.
The Government of India instituted the Jawaharlal Nehru Award for International Understanding in 1965 as a tribute to the memory of independent India's first Prime Minister, and his lifelong dedication to the cause of world peace and international understanding. The Award is given to persons for their outstanding contribution to the promotion of international understanding, goodwill and friendship among peoples of the world. The Council acts as the Secretariat for this award which carries a Trophy, Citation and cash prize of Rs. 2.5 million. The Award is presented by Hon'ble President of India at a special function at Rashtrapati Bhavan in the presence of Vice-President of India and Prime Minister of India. |
32. Kondapalli Toy has emerged as the first hand-made toy from Andhra Pradesh to be granted a GI (Geographical Indication). The Confederation of Indian Industry's Andhra Pradesh Technology Development Centre (APTDC) in collaboration with the Lanco Institute of General Humanitarian Trust has facilitated the filing of application for GI of Kondapalli Toy.
33. Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) has been certified with AS 9100: Rev B for design and development of airframe structures. This is the first Indian company to gain this certification.
34. Iran's President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said that his country would not suspend its nuclear fuel operations or compromise its right to peaceful nuclear energy. He also insisted that Iran had no intention of conducting any nuclear activities outside the rules of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) or the Nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty. Under the terms of the UNSC resolution 1737, adopted last December, Iran must suspend all nuclear fuel cycle activities by February 21 or face the prospect of tough sanctions.
35. Birla group buys Novelis for $5.9 billion. Aditya Birla Group's flagship Hindalco Industries has announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire the Canadian aluminium maker, Novelis, in an all-cash transaction valued at 5.95 billion dollars. Hindalco is India's largest non-ferrous metals company and Novelis is the world's leading producer of aluminium rolled products and the transaction is the largest by an Indian company in North America.
36. U.K. telecom giant Vodafone acquired India's fourth largest mobile venture, Hutchison Essar, for an estimated enterprise value of $19-20 billion Vodafone is headed by India-born Arun Sarin.
37. Concerned over the high Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR) in the country — 301 per 100,000 live births — the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) has launched a new scheme to conduct maternal death inquiry. The Maternal and Perinatal Death Inquiry (MAPEDI) or the social audit — also known as verbal autopsy — is aimed at providing an understanding of the contributing factors that can be used by decision-makers and stakeholders to address obstacles to quality obstetric care and to identify ways to prevent avoidable deaths.
Over one lakh women in India, die of pregnancy related causes every year. The major causes of these deaths have been identified as hemorrhage ( both ante and post-partum), toxaemia (hypertension during pregnancy), anemia, obstructed labour, puerperal sepsis ( infections after delivery) and unsafe abortion. The Maternal Health Programme which is a component of the Reproductive and Child Health Programme aims at reducing maternal mortality to less than 100 by 2010 through a number of interventions. They are essential obstetric care which intends to provide the basic maternity services to all pregnant women by ensuring early registration of pregnant women, at least three ante-natal checkups for taking preventive and promotive steps and to detect complications early for prompt action and at least three post-natal check ups to monitor the post-natal recovery. The provision of emergency obstetric care is through establishment of First Referral Units, Institutional delivery is by providing round-the clock delivery services in PHCs/CHCs. The other interventions include provision of safe abortion services, prevention and management of RTI/STI, holding of RCH Camps in remote areas and training of Dais for clean and safe delivery. |
38. The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) achieved the distinction of becoming the first metro train service provider in the country to get a berth in the elite Nova Benchmarking Group (NBG). NBG is the exclusive consortium of medium-sized Metro systems from around the world. The DMRC became the 15th member of the NBG. The other 14 members of the NBG are: Barcelona, Buenos Aires, Glasgow, Hong Kong, Lisbon, Milan, Montreal, Naples, Newcastle, Rio de Janeiro, Santiago de Chile, Singapore, Taipei and Toronto.
39. India claimed a "moral victory" in its dispute with Pakistan over the Baglihar dam, on the Chenab in Jammu and Kashmir. The World Bank-appointed neutral expert, Mr. Raymond Lafitte held that India had not violated the Indus Waters Treaty, 1960.
40. The second Administrative Reforms Commission (ARC) has recommended that the Lok Pal be given a constitutional status and renamed the "Rashtriya Lokayukta." The Rashtriya Lokayukta should be headed by a retired Supreme Court judge, have an eminent jurist as member and the Central Vigilance Commissioner as the ex-officio member. It, however, wanted the Prime Minister kept out of the ombudsman's jurisdiction. In its fourth report on "Ethics in Governance," the Commission recommended steps to bring about greater transparency and accountability in governance at all levels and root out corruption.
The Commission, headed by Veerappa Moily, recommended the abolition of schemes such as the MPLADS (Member of Parliament Local Area Development Scheme) and the MLALADS (Member of the Legislative Assembly Local Area Development Scheme). The 263-page report laid down a code of ethics for civil servants and recommended the setting up of a judicial council for judges' appointment. It was presented to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Minister of State for Personnel and Public Grievances Suresh Pachauri.
41. Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank (ADCB) has won the prestigious Euromoney Project Finance 2006 `Transport: Deal of the Year' Award.
42. After two years of negotiations, Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) announced the inauguration of its joint venture in China. The joint venture (JV), a partnership between TCS and three Chinese partners, is being billed by the company as a "role model for the Chinese IT industry.''
43. ING Vysya Life announced its conversion from a `private' to a `public' company. The Ministry of Company Affairs, through the Registrar of Companies, Karnataka, has approved the change with effect from February 2, 2007, by issuing a fresh Certificate of Incorporation. The name of the company now is `ING Vysya Life Insurance Company Limited".
44. The International Independent Group of Eminent Persons headed by Justice P.N. Bhagwati, constituted by Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa has commenced the investigation into the cases of human rights violations. Amid growing international concern over allegations of abductions, disappearances and extra-judicial killings, Mr. Rajapaksa in September last announced the constitution of the group in addition to the appointment of a Commission of Enquiry.
45. HDFC Bank and Banca Monte dei Paschi di Siena of Italy, the world's oldest bank signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to offer banking services to each other's corporate customers engaged in business activities in the respective countries. The two banks will assist their respective customers, particularly with regard to commercial and financial transactions between Italy and India.
The information presented above has been collected from a variety of sources. Brain Tree exercises due care and caution in collecting the data before publication. Inspite of this, if any omission, inaccuracy or printing errors occur with regard to the data, Brain Tree will not be held responsible or liable. |
TEST BATCH FOR PRELIMINARY IN PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION &
GENERAL STUDIES IN APRIL, 2007.
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