NTERNATIONAL
Victory for Suu Kyi
The opposition leader of National League for
Democracy (NLD) Aung San Suu Kyi had won the election held in Myanmar on 1
April 2012 for 45 parliament seats and NLD won 43 seats.
US Grants $ 12 million Aid to
Syria
The US Government announced an additional $12
.2million humanitarian aid for Syria as the second meeting of ‘ Friends of
Syria’ held in Turkey’s largest city Istanbul. The US State department said
that the new aid, consisting of medical supplies and other humanitarian relief
for displaced and vulnerable Syrian communities. The US aid will be used to
support the work of international organisation, including World Food Programme.
Mali Tuareg Rebels Declared
Independence In Azawad
The Northern part of Mali was captured by a mix of
separatist Tuareg rebels and Islamist fighters recently on 6 April 2012 and
security of the nation was in danger, The insurgent group is called National
Movement for Liberation of Azawad and they declared an independence state of
Azawad.
USA & Afghanistan Signed MoU
On Night Raids
United States of America & Afghanistan on 8
April 2012 signed (MoU) Memorandum of Understanding on the controversial issue
of conduct of night raids on Afghan homes. It empowered the Afghan security
forces oversight over the raids led by the US troops. The agreement leads its a
more comprehensive long term strategic partnership agreement between the two
nations after the departure of all foreign troops from Afghanistan in 2014. The
issue of night raids was a big hurdle in the way of the strategic partnership
agreement
Mitt Romney Won Republic Party
Crown
Mitt Romney on April 2012 effectively won the
Republican Party crown to challenge President Barack Obama in November
elections as the chief rival Rick Santorum dropped from the election
Qatar is Obesity Capital Of The
World
The world’s wealthiest country ranked by Forbes
with highest per capita in the world Qatar is the obesity capital of the world.
Over half of its population are overweight according to a report an unhealthy
combination of low levels of exercise and growing population of fast food
outlets has led to this problem. It was very serious problem facing by Qatar.
US-Afghanistan Signed Strategic
Pact
US and Afghanistan signed a long awaited strategic
pact on 22 April 2012. The pact aims at setting forth guidelines for US
involvement in Afghanistan as forces are withdrawn from the trouble torn
nation. The pact provides a strong foundation for the security of Afghanistan,
the region and the world. Both the countries took almost one year to reach on
the mutual agreements.
EU Suspended its Sanctions
Against Myanmar
The European Union suspended its sanctions against
Myanmar on 23 April 2012 for a year .The EU move came in the back drop of a
string of political reforms in the South Eastern Asian Nations. The group
however maintained that it will hold on to restrictions on arms.
INDIA & WORLD
India & Britain
Economic Financial Meeting
India & Britain , held the fifth ministerial
level India- UK economic financial dialogue in New Delhi on 2 April 2012. Both
nations discussed ways to strengthen their mutual cooperation and further boost
trade and investment between them. Both nations agreed, while the global
economy has stabilized in recent months growth will remain subbed and at risk,
aim of increasing the role of institutional investors in infrastructure
financing. Foreign capital can play an important part in this process . Both
nations supported the progress on the Reserve Bank of India ‘s (RBI) road maps
for foreign banks in India.
IAERB Became The 11th Member Of
MEDP
India’s Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (IAERB) was
admitted as the 11th member of MDEP ( Multinational Design Evaluation
Programme) on 4 April 2012. The other members of this body are China, Finland,
Japan, Korea, South Africa, USA, UK Canada, France & Russia, MDEP is
a multinational initiative taken by national safety authorities to develop
innovative regulatory authorities who are currently or will be tasked with the
review of new reactor power plant designs. the international Atomic Energy
Agency participate in many of MDEP activities, including the harmonization efforts
India & UAE Signed Agreement
To Ease Indian Contract Workers
India & UAE signed an agreement on 4 April 2012
to ease the entry of Indian Contract workers in the Emirates. The agreement was
signed in Abu Dhabi, UAE. It provides for an electronic contract registration
and validation system to safeguard and protect the interests of migrant Indian
workers. The electronic contract registration and validation system for this
purpose was launched in Abu Dhabi on 4 April 2012. The move would ensure a
transparent, legal and less cumber some migration of Indian workers to the
Emirates.
India, China To Lead Urban
Population Growth Over Next 40 Years
India & China will witness unprecedented
increase in their urban population in the next four decades, posing new challenges
of providing jobs, energy, housing & infrastructure to their people. The
UN’s ’2011 Revision of the World Urbanisation Projects’ said Africa and Asia
will lead the global urban population growth in the next four decades with the
largest increase expected in India , China Nigeria US & Indonesia . India
will add another 479million to its urban population between 2010 to 2050, while
China 341million, Nigeria 200million. US 103million and Indonesia 92milliom
people moving to urban cities.
India & America Navy
Training” Malabar 2012″
The India & US Navies began their 16th annual ”
Malabar 12″ exercise on 7 April 2012 in Chennai, that border of the Bay of
Bengal. The 10 days joint exercise which was concluded on 16 April, consists of
both ashore and at sea training. and was supported to feature seminars on
everything from air defense and integrated antisubmarine welfare operations, to
carrier aviation’s and counter privacy operations.
India, Qatar Sign Oil & Gas
Pact
India & energy rich Qatar, home to half a
million Indian’s on 8 April signed six agreements in diverse areas, including a
pact on cooperation in oil and gas exploration. P.M.Manmohan Singh held talks
with Qatar’s Emir Sheik Hamad Bin Khalifa Al-Thani on a range of issues,
including boosting trade and investment as well as energy ties between the two
countries. Issues relating to the welfare of India workers in Gulf country were
also discussed. Both the countries signed a pact on establishing a cooperative
framework to enhance bilateral cooperation in oil & gas.
India, US to Boost Health
Cooperation
India and the US has strengthen cooperation in the
area of public health by sharing information and best practices, identify and
address policy concerns and establish new technologies. The agreement to ensure
smooth implementation of issues for bilateral cooperation was reached during a
meeting on 9 April 2012 in Washington between India & US.
India To Allow Pakistan FDI
India on 12 April 2012 said that it will allow
Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) from Pakistan companies, which will make the
way for industrial from the neighbouring country to set up business and tap the
growing Indian markets . India had taken an in-principle decision as part of
the trade non-malisation process to allow Foreign Direct Investment from
Pakistan. India – Pakistan business council to be formed soon.
India, US Joint USD 125mn Fund
For Research In Clean Energy
India & the United States had announced a joint
USD 125 million fund to carry out combined research in the field of clean
energy. As such there institutions each from India and the US have been
selected for the US-India Joint Clean Energy Research & Development Center
(JCERDC), which is part of the US-India partnership to Advance Clean Energy.
While national Renewable Energy Laboratory, University of Florida &
Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory have been selected from US, three Indian
Institutions are the Indian Institute of Science- Bangalore, The India
Institute of Chemical Technology Hyderabad, and CEPT University Ahmedabad.
35 Indian Companies Attending
‘Canton Fair’ in China
Thirty five Indian Companies are participating in
the China’s biggest trade show ‘Canton Fair’, hoping for a major opening into
Chinese markets as Beijing Plans to permit more foreign goods to boost to its
domestic consumptions
US Puts India, China &
Pakistan On IPR List
The US Government has put India, China &
Pakistan along with 10 other countries on the intellectual property watch list
for failing to present the theft of copy righted property. Other nations on the
watch list are Canada, Argentina, Algeria, Chile, Indonesia, Israel, Russia,
Thailand, Ukraine and Venezuela. These countries will be the subject of particularly
intense bilateral engagement during the coming years.
NATIONAL
NPCIL Sets A Record In Production
Nuclear Power Corporation of India (NPCIL) produced
a 32,455 million units of power in the financial year 2011-12, marking an
increase of 23% from 26,473 million units generated in 2010-11. Its 19
operating reactors, with a total installed capacity of 4,680MW generated the
32,455 million units.
World’s First Women Paramilitary
Band
The World’s first all women paramilitary pipe band
on 9 April 2012, marched to its maiden tune after it got its ceremonial colours
under the CRPF at an event, during the Valour Day celebrations in New Delhi.
Minister Of State for Home Jitendra Singh presented the ceremonial “ pipe
mace ” to the band commander, called Major of pipes’, sub inspector Darshana
Kumari. In 1986 the first women CRPF battalion was established.
New Naval UAV Squadorn Inducted
The Eastern Naval Command gt a fill up with the
commissioning of a new naval air squadorn an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV)
Squadorn at INS Parundu, the naval air station at Ramnathapuram in Tamil Nadu.
It is the third of its kind in the Indian Navy and the first on the Eastern
Coast. INAS344 was commissioned on 11 April 2012 by Flag Officer Commanding
in-chief of Eastern Naval Command Vice Admiral Anil Chopra. The aircraft with
long endurance and stealth capabilities are suited for search and detection.
Efftronics Instruments Get RDSO
Nod
A city based Efftronics Systems Pvt Ltd has
developed the country’s first ever solid state block instrument that is a micro
computer supported electronic equipment approved for the use in railway
signalling. The Luknow based Research Designs & Standards Organisaton of
the Indian Railways ( RDSO) approved the product. It helps in running more
number of trains on the same track, it gives stress-free operational
environment with smooth push buttons.
Union Cabinet Approved Extension
of Funding For Swavalamban Scheme
The Union Cabinet on 12 April 2012 approved the
extension of funding support for implementing the Swavalamban scheme under the
new pension system (NSP) from three years to five years for all subcribers
enrolled during 2010-11,2011-12 and 2012-13. The cabinet decide to
provide an additional funding support of Rs. 2065crore to the scheme till
2016-17. The cabinet decision will benefit 70 lakh workers in the unorganised
sector.
Union Cabinet Approved A Proposal
To Set Up SPV For GSTN
The Union Cabinet on 12 April 2012 approved a
proposal to set up a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) for Goods and Service Tax
Network (GSTN) to help facilitate the smooth introduction of the New Indirect
Tax regime. GSTN SPV is to be incorporated as section 25 not for profit private
limited company in which strategic control would be held by the centre. It will
provide IT infrastructure& services to various Stakeholders including the
centre & states.
Union Cabinet Approved,
Amendment In the Registration of Births & Deaths Act, 1969
The Union Cabinet on 12 April 2012 gave its approval
to the introduction of a bill seeking amendment in the Registration of Births
& Deaths Act 1969 to include registration of marriages as well, so that the
existing administrative mechanism of marriage in accordance with the
specified procedures and be able to maintain necessary records and
statistics for registration of marriages also. The proposal Bill is set to
benefit the women from unnecessary harassment in matrimonial & maintenance
cases. It also seeks to provide evidentiary value in the matters of custody of
children.
World’s Most Influential Mamata
Banerjee On Time List
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has been
named by Time magazine as one of the 100 most influential people of the world
released on 18 April 2012.
270 Million Indians Are
Illiterate
According to the report by the International Youth
Foundation (IYF), there are an estimated 270 million Indians aged 15 and older
who are illiterate, while young women aged 15 to 24 are twice as likely as
young men their age to be illiterate. people remain illiterate in India despite
the country making major progress in cutting down illiterate , by
opening number of schools.
Asia’s First & Largest Solar
Power Park In India, Dedicated
A 600MW solar power park, and the Asia’s first
& largest was dedicated to the nation by the Gujarat Chief Minister
Narendra Modi on 19 April 2012. The park is situated in the state’s Patan
district has a power generation capacity of 600MW, covering 3,000 acres of the
waste land bordering of the Rann of Kutch and generating two- third of
India’s total 900Mw of solar power production
TRAI Made Mandatory for Second
Billing Option To Customers
The Indian Telecoms Regulatory TRAI issued a
directive to all mobile phone operators in India on 20 April 2012 making it
mandatory for the operators to offer a per second billing option to customers.
The new directive allowed telecoms carriers to charge premium services that
mostly include phone calls and text messages sent to participate in TV
and Radio programmes.
Union Government decided on 1
million cap on ECB For Aviation Sector
The Union Government on 20 April 2012 permitted
companies engaged in the aviation sector to raise working capital resources
through the External Commercial Borrowings (ECBs) route to the tune
of $ 1 million. The limit for individual airline companies was set at $
300 million. This limit can be availed themselves of either in a lumpsum or in
tranches, depending on the utilisation of the limit during the one year, when
the facility is available. So far airlines were allowed to raise foreign
capital only for import of capital equipment such as aircraft.
India Second Most Economically
Confident Country
Indian’s continue to be among the world’s most
confident people about their economy on account of moderating inflationary
presence and the easing of tight money policy stance of the Reserve Bank,
Said a report. According to global research firm Ipsos India had emerged as the
second most ergonomically confident nation for the second consecutive time with
75% and Saudi Arabia with 89% stood top most and China with 71% in third most .
India has overtaken Japan to become the second largest economy in terms of
purchasing power parity and is heading for accelerated growth.
Rajya sabha Passed The Right Of
Children To Free & Compulsory Education Bill 2010.
The Rajya Sabha , the upper house of Indian
parliament on 24 April 2012, passed the Right of Children to Free and
Compulsory Education ( Amendment) bill 2010. The amendment seeks to provide the
right to receive home-based education to children with severe disabilities. The
amended bill gives school management committees and advisory role in minority
schools, both aided and unaided , and keeps madrases and vedic schools and
other institutions providing primarily religious instructions out of the
perview of the Act.
India Accounted For 47% of
Measles Deaths in 2010
As per a recent World Health Organisation ( WHO)
study, published in the British Medical Journal, The Lancet, on 23 April 2012
India accounted for about 47% of Measles deaths in 2010, while Africa recorded
36% of deaths due to the same disease. The study revealed that the death rates
from measles went down by 74% between 2000 & 2010, but it missed the WHO
target of 90%. Africa & India two key regions of the World where a large
number of cases related to measles came into light significantly under
performed which led the WHO to miss its target
Sachin Tendulkar, nominated to
Rajya Sabha
Indian cricket star Sachin Tendulkar, who
celebrated his 39th birthday recently will enter the Rajya Sabha along with
Bollywood actress Rekha and industrialist Anu Aga. The nomination of the three
personalities was approved on 25 April 2012by the president Pratibha Patil
under the article 80 of the constitution.
Information & Broadcasting
Ministry Notified Cable Television Networks Rules, 2012
The information and Broadcasting ( I&B)
ministry of India on 28 April 2012 notified the much awaited cable television
networks rules, 2012 which paves the way for digitalisation of all the sectors.
The I& B ministry had set 30 June 2012 as the date for digitalisation
of the cable sector in the four metros and these cables rules would provide the
framework on which the digitalised cable network would provide services. As per
the new rules, cable operators and multi sector operators will now have to
ensure that they have the capability to carry minimum numbers of channels as
specified by the Telecoms Regulatory Authority of India. (TRAI)
Health Of Urban Poor Worse Than
Rural Poor, Parliamentary Panel
Health indication of the urban poor are worse than
their rural counterparts, a parliamentary panel has said slaming the Government
failure to launch a key programme for the health of nine crore people who live
in slums in big towns and cities with an increasing number of urban poor and
few Government policies for them, the report has slammed the ministry of Health
& family welfare for not launching the much talked about National Urban
Health Mission (NUHM).
STATES
Financial City In Bangalore
Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee on 8 April 2012,
laid the foundation stone for the country’s first financial city, being built
by the state run IFCI Infrastructure Development Ltd ( IIDL) at the Hardware
park near the International airport a Bagalur, about 30 km from Bangalore.
India’s Largest Solar Power Plant
In Rajasthan
L&T Commissions India’s largest solar power
plant (40 MWP) owned by Reliance power Limited at Dhursar village in Jaisalmer
district of Rajasthan. The company officials said L&T Construction, as the
largest (EPC) Engineering, Procurement & Construction player in solar
power, executed the plant from concept, including detailed design to
commissioning in 129 days.
4G Services Launched In Kolkata
Union Telecommunications Minister Kapil Sibal had
Launched the country’s first ever fourth Generation Mobile services from Bharti
Airtel in Kolkata on 10 April 2012.
Adarsh Judicial Commission Its
Interim Report to Maharashtra Govt
The two member Adarsh Judicial Commission set up by
the Maharashtra Government to probe into the scan-tained Adarsh Housing Society
submitted its interim report to the state Government on 13 April 2012. The
commission was formed under N.N.Kumbahar. It included the commissions findings
on two issues – ownership of the land in Mumbai where the 31 storey Adarsh
building stands and whether the land was reserved for Kargil war widows and
their relatives.The commission refuses to rely on property card submitted by
state as evidence. The army was not dispossessed of Khukari park by either the
state or the Adarsh society.
Uttar Pradesh Government Scrapped
The Post of Cabinet Secretary
The Uttar Pradesh Government on 27 April 2012
decided to scrap the post of cabinet secretary of the state. The cabinet also
decided to withdraw a proposed amendment bill meant to give immunity to
panchayat heads from no- confidence motion for two years. The decision to
withdrew Kshetra Panchayat and district panchayat amendment bill 2011 proposed
by previous Mayawati Government was taken in a cabinet.
State Owned Oil Companies Reduced
Jet Fuel, Prices
State owned oil companies for the second time in the month of April reduced jet
fuel prices by a marginal Rs. 312 per kilolitre on 30 April 20121. The price of
aviation turbine fuel (ATF) jet fuel, in the reduction was announced in the
wake of Rs. 169.3 per KL cut inrates effected from 16 April 2012.
CONFERENCES
Two Day 20th ASEAN Summit
The two days 2th Association of Southeast Asian
Nations (ASEAN) Summit was chaired by the Hunsen, the Cambodian Prime Minister
on 3 April 2012 in Cambodia. The summit themed (ASEAN) one community one
destiny was gathered by the heads of states or Government from 10 ASEAN
members. The summit is expected to discuss a wide range of issues including the
implementation of the roadmap for an (ASEAN ) Community Building and for (ASEAN
) integration work plan.
India -Russia Seventh Joint
Working Meeting
The seventh meeting of the India-Russia Joint
Working Group was held in New Delhi on 11 April 2012. India & Russia held
comprehensive discussion on combating international terrorism and reaffirmed
their commitment to consolidate bilateral interaction in the fight against
this menace. The two countries emphasised that cooperation in countering new
challenges and threats is an integrate part of the India- Russian special and
privileged Strategic partnership
RIC Meeting In Moscow
The Russia, India and China (RIC) trilateral
conference was held in Mascow on 13 April 2012. Where came up with discussions
over the South China sea and discussed on a range of international issues,
including North Korea, Iran Afghanistan terrorism and regional security in Asia
and over the issue of new sanctions on North Korea.
6th Summit Of The Americas
The 6th Summit of the Americas was held At
Cartagena, Colombia on 14 and 15 April 2012. Delegates from 34 heads of states
and government addressed the summit , only Cuba not attended the
summit due to restrictions from US and other countries. The central theme of
the summit is ‘ Connecting the Americas’ The main agenda were the lucrative and
destructive drug trade and how the countries of the entire regions could meet
while excluding one country, Cuba.
World Agriculture Congress-2013 in Hyderabad
The World Agricultural Forum, which organised the
biannual event last time in Belgium, for2013 year World Agriculture Congress
mega event will be hosted by the Hyderabad city for the first time in the country.
The state Government had given assurance for all help and support to the World
Agriculture Congress.
AWARDS & HONOURS
National Award For NTPC
Ramagundam
NTPC’s Ramagundam super Thermal Power Station
Situated in Karimnagar district of Andhra Pradesh has been awarded with Nation
Award on 2 April 2012 for its Meritorious performance
Bhagwan Mahavir Award For Aung
San Suu Kyi
Myanmar’s democratic leader Aung San Suu Kyi has
been chosen for the first international Bhagwan Mahavir World Peace Award on 3
April 2012 for her devotion to Promote non-violence and peace for the welfare
of the people.
BSES Yamuna Power Ltd (BYPL) Won
British Safety Award
BSES Yamuna Power limited (BYPL) won the
prestigious 54th British International Safety Award. BYPL has been selected for
this award given the steps taken by it for the safety of its over 11 lakh
consumers and safety & health of its employees. The list of awards winner
was announced in London in the last week of March 2012. The award will be
presented in May 2012. BYPL is the first Indian discom to be selected for this
award.
Amitabh To Be Honoured For Polio
Campaign
Actor Amitabh Bachchan who has been the Goodwill
Ambassador for polio UNICEF Campaign from 2005, will be honoured for his
contribution to the cause. In feb, the World Health Organisation had taken
India off the list of polio endemic countries.
Pandit Govind Ballabh Pant Award
for SCR
Governor N.D.Tiwari presented the Pandit Govind
Ballabh Pant Award to South Central Railway’s ( SCR) on 53rd Railway Week
Celebrations at Rail Kalarang in Secunderabad on 8 April 2012, which was
presented in recognition of its overall excellence among the 16 zones in the
Indian Railways
New York Times Won Two Pulitzer
Prizes for 2012
The 2012 Pulitzer Prize was announced on 16 April
2012. The New York Times won two Pulitzer prize, for explanatory and
international reporting. The Associated press won a Pulitzer prize for
investigative reporting for documenting the New York Police Department’s spying
on Muslims.The Pulitzer prize are given annually by Columbia University on th
recommendation of a board of Journalists. Each awards carries a $10,000 prize
except for the public service award, which is a gold medal.
Gallantry Award For Lt. Gen
Bikram Singh
President Pratibha Patil on 17 April 2012 presented
Gallantry Award to Lt.Gen Bikram Singh and other 16 persons during the Defense
Investiture Ceremony held at New Delhi . This award has been presented for
showing bravery and service during war time.
Sikkim Won The Best State Award
Sikkim, on 24 April 2012 won the best state award
for strengthening its Panchayathi Raj institutions. The North-Easatern state
bagged the five pretigious national awards worth of 1.36 crore rupees, at a
Panchayat Raj Day functon held at Vigyan Bhavan in New Delhi.
New Record By 10 Years Old,
Aadhil
A 10 years old boy named Aadhil from Beypore,
Kerala created a new record by swimming 4.63 km with his hands and legs tied in
a World record bid, Aadhil swam across from a point in the Arabian sea to the
Chaliyar river and break the current record of two miles set by a Chinese girl.
And recorded in the Giunness Bokk of Records.
Yudhvir Award For Shanta Sinha
Chairperson of National Commission for Protection
of Child Rights (NCPCR) Shanta Sinha has been honoured with this year 2012
Yudhvir Memorial Foundation Award on 30 April 2012. She had been given the
award for pioneering and innovative role in protecting and promoting child
rights.
Indian American’s Wins White
House Journalism Award
Indian American Journalist Manu Raju was among the
White House Correspondent Journalism Award winner for 2012 honoured at the
Association’s traditional annual dinner with President Barck Obama.
SPORTS
Maimi Masters Title to Novack
Djokovic
World’s No-1 Novak Djokovic won the Maimi masters
title on 1 April 2012 by defeating fourth seeded Andy Murrey in the final held
in Florida.
World Championship For China
World’s no-2 Zhang Jike of China won the Men’s
Single World’s Table Tennis Championship held in Durtmund, Germany on 1April
2012 by defeating Timo Boll
Women’s Single World Championship
China’s Ning Ding won the Women’s Single World
Table Tennis Championship held in Durtmund, Germany on 1 April 2012 by
defeating Feng Tianwei
Geeta Kumari, First Indian Woman
Wrestler to Olympics
Geeta Kumari, the woman wrestler, won a gold in
55kg category at the ongoing Asia qualifying tournament in Astana,
Kazakhastan. Geeta with this victory also made a history as she became
the first Indian woman wrestler to have ever qualified for the Olympics
Indian Boxer Vijendra Singh
Qualified For London Olympics
In boxing, India’s Vijendra singh on 8 April 2012
qualified for the London Olympics in the 75 kg category, He is the first Indian
boxer to qualify for the Olympics for the third time in succession.
Pankaj Advani Win 11th Asian
Billiards Championship
Six times world Champion Pankaj Advani on 8 April
2012 clinched the 11th ONGC Asian Billiard’s Championship title after defeating
Thowaat Sujaritthurakara of Thailand in the Final in Panaji
Sarena Wins First Title Of 2012
Fifth seeded Sarena Williams captured her 40th
career Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) title by defeating ninth seeded
Czech Lucie Safarova on 8 April 2012 in Charleston.
Bubba Won Augusta Masters Title
Bubba Watson of US, a third left hand player won
the Augusta Masters Golf Tournament on 8 April 2012 in Augusta by defeating
Louis Oosthuizen of British.
Indian Squash Player Saurav
Ghosal Won The EL Gouna International Open
Top Indian Squash player Saurav Ghosal won a 3-2
victory over Rabbie Temple of England at the $120,000 EL Gouna International
open in EL Gouna on 9 April 2012
Double Honour For Sangakkara
Sri Lanka’s Kumar Sangakkara has been chosen one of
the five Cricketers of the Year and leading Cricketer in the World for 2011,
which was announced in 2012 edition of Wisden Cricketers Almanack on 11 April
2012.
Smriti Named ‘Player Of The Year’
Smriti Mehra, the most successful Golfer on the
Hero Women’s Professional Golf Tour in 2011-12 was named the ‘Player of the
Year at the Hero- WGAI Awards function on 11 April 2012 held in New Delhi.
Shiva Thapa Became The Youngest
Indian Boxer For Olympics
The 18 years old Shiva Thapa (56 kg category) on 11
April 2012 became the youngest Indian boxer to qualify for the Olympics by
beating Japan’s Satoshi Shimize 31-11 to enter the final of the Asian
Qualifiers in Astana, Kazakhstan.
Vikas Gowda Sets Nation Award
Discus thrower Vikas Gowda, the 28 years old Indian
hurled the discus to 66.28 meters at Norman Oklahana in US on 12 April 2012, to
break his National record of 64.96 meters en route to winning the gold in the
event, laying down an early marker in the Olympic year. His previous record was
made at Salinas, California in 2007.
Mercedes AMG Driver Nico Rosberg Won Chinese Grand
Prix
Mercedes AMG driver Nico Rosberg won the Chinese
Grand Prix on 15 April 2012, first in his career at Shanghai International
Circuit by defeating Jenson Button of Britain
Under 19 Quadrangular
Cricket Tournament Winner India
India recorded a convincing seven wicket win over
Australia to clinch the under 19 quadrangular cricket championship on 15 April
2012 in Townsville, Australia. The man of the match was given to Unmukt Chand
for his unbeaten 112 runs in the match. where four countries Australia, South
Africa, India and England participated.
Lanka Ravi Titled By FIDE
Lecturer
Former Asian Rapid Chess Champion Lanka Ravi has
been conferred a FIDE Lecturer title by the World Chess Body (FIDE) on 15 April
2012. Ravi, who was the first International Master from Andhra Pradesh is the
only one from Asia to get this privilege in the list of 24 FIDE Lectures
nominated across the world.
No Champions Trophy After 2013
The ICC Champions Trophy, which will be held in
England in 2013, will be last tournament, as the association plans to have only
one Championship’s for each of the game’s three formats from 2015
Korean City Slated As The Venue
For Shooting World Championship
The shooting world championship of 2018 was awarded
to,Korean city of Changwon on 17 April 2012. The decision regarding the venue
of the championship was made at the general assenbly meeting of international
shooting sport Federation ( ISSF) in London. The last World Championships was
held in Munich, Germany, in 2010 and the next Championship will be held in
Granada, in Spain in 2014.
Rafeal Nadal Won Monte Carlo
Masters
Ace tennis player Rafeal Nadal on 22 April 2012
clinched his eighth consecutive Monte Carlo Masters Title match held at Monaco.
The second seeded Nadal defeated Serbian Novak Djokovic in the final. The Monte
Carlo Title was Nadal’s first since French Open title in 2011 and 47th of his
ATP career.
Vettel Won The Formula One Title
Race
Defending Double world championship Sebastian Vettel
of R ed Bull claimed his first win of the year on 22 April 2012 to take over as
leader of the Fotmula One Tile race in Manama.
China’s Chen Jin Clinch The Asian Badminton
Championship
The third seeded China’s Chen Jin defeated fellow
countryman and fifth seeded Du Pengyu in the Men’s finals of Asian Badminton
Championship in China’s eastern city of Qingdao on 22 April 2012
Umadevi On Top In World Ladies
Billiards
R.Umadevi claimed her maiden World Ladies Billiards
& Snooker Association Title beating world no-13 Eva Palmius by 2-0 in the
senior’s final held at the Cambridge snooker centre, England on 24 April 2012.
Shon Wan Ho Won Indian Open
Badminton
Shon Wan Ho of Korea defeated Chinese
defending champion Lee Chong Wei in the men’s singles final clash and clinch
his maiden super series title of the Indian Open Badminton on 28 April
2012 held in India.
Nadal Won Barcelona Open
Badminton Title
Rafeal Nadal defeated Davis Ferrer of Spain to
clinch the seventh Barcelona Men’s Singles Title on 29 April 2012 held in
Barcelona, and became the first tennis player to win two seperate ATP World
Tour events seven times.
Aditya Mehta Wons Asian Snooker
Title
Aditya Mehta defeated compatriot Pankaj Advani in
the final and won the Asian Snooker Title after eight years on 29 April 2012
held at Qatar
Maria Sharapova Won Porsche Grand
Prix
Russia’s Maria Sharapova won the Porsche Grand Prix
Title after defeating world no-1 Belarus Victoria Azarenka in the final match
held on 30 April 2012 in Stuttgart Germany.
ECONOMY
E-Filling Mandatory For Income
Above 10 Lakh
The Government had made it mandatory for
individuals with income of over Rs. 10lakh to file their tax returns for
2011-12. Electronically E-filling has been made compulsory for the person who
is an individual or a Hindu undivided family, if his or its total income or the
total income in respect of which he is or it is assessable under the Act during
the previous year, exceeds ten lakh rupees for assessment year 2012-13 onwards.
India Spends Least On Healthcare
Data from World Bank confirm that among the
comparable BRICS Nations, which have similar social, political & economic
influence in the globe, India spends the least on public healthcare. Among all
the BRICS nations, India’s share of public expenditure in the total health
expenditure is the lowest in each of the years from 2004 to 2009 at 0.936%
RBI Cuts Repo Rate By 0.50%
After a gap of three years, Reserve Bank of India
on 17 April 2012 cut the repo r ate from 8.5% to 8% And the reverse repo
rate reduced from 7.5 to 7%, As the CRR remains at 4.75%, which would stimulate
growth and softening of inflation, And set the stage for a reduce in interest
rate on home, auto and corporate loans.
Print of MICR & IFSC Code
Mandatory on Passbooks, RBI
The Reserve Bank of India on 21 April 2012
directed all commercial banks to print the MICR( Magnetic Ink Chracter
Recognition) and IFSC (Indian Financial System Code) Code on the passbook and
statement of account of the customer.
World Economic Outlook By IMF
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) in its World
Economic Outlook (WEO), released ahead of the IMF World Bank Spring meetings,
marginally lowered India;s economic growth forecast to 6.9% in 2012, from 7%
projected earlier. The IMF projected world economic growth rate to slump to
3.5% in 2012 from 3.9% in 2011. It pegged India’s growth during the 2013 year
at 7.3%. According to the estimates of India’s Central Statistical Organisaton
( CSO), the growth rate during the financial year 2011-12 slipped to a 3
year low of 6.7%. the Union Government projected a growth rate of 7.6% for
2012-13 fiscal year .
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
Indian Navy Inducted Russian
Origin Submarine
The Indian Navy on 4 April 2012 inducted a Russian
origin nuclear Submarine, INS Chakra into its flotilla. The nuclear submarine
has placed India into the elite group of nations which operate nuclear vessels.
The Akula II class submarine K-152 Nerpa, renamed INS Chakra II is on a 10
years lease from Russia at a cost of nearly 1billion dollar
AWACS Test Flight Sucessful
Achieving a major milestone, India has successfully
carried out the maiden- test flight of its second indigenous Airborne
Warning and Control System (AWACS) aircraft in Brazil on 5 April 2012 the DRDO
said. The successful flight is seen as a major boost as the aircraft are
scheduled to be delivered in June 2012 to the (IAF) Indian Air Force.
World’s First Flying Car
Woburn, mass based Terrafugia said that its
prototype flying car has completed its first flight, bringing the company
closer to its goal of selling the flying car within the next year. The vehicle
dubbed the transition has two seats, four wheels and wings that folds up so it
can be driven like a car. It flew at 1,400 feet for eight minutes, Terrafugia
will be introduced in the New York Auto show and is expected to cost $ 279,000.
Fossilized Bone Of a Foot In
Ethiopia
Scientists in the first week of April 2012,
unearthed fossilized bones of a foot in Ethiopia which they believe could be a
new species of human that roamed the planet some three million years ago and
could offer insight into how man evolved to walk on two feet. The shape of the
bones shows that the creature could walk upright at times. The ability to walk
upright is an important feature that separate humans from other great apes.
New ISRO Centre to Control Spy
Satellite Launch
The Indian rocket that will carry the 1,850 kg
indigenous surveillance Satellite- Radar Imaging Satellite(Risat-1) to the
skies in April month will be controlled by the new mission control centre at
Sriharikota, said by senior officials of Indian space agency ISRO. The second
mission control centre was inaugurated by President Pratibha Patil this
January. The forth coming rocket launch would be controlled and monitored from
the new mission control centre. The new mission control centre is modern and
has layer area to accommodate more space scientist.
Pre-Magalithic Period Discovered
In Tamil Nadu
Pottery & iron age megaliths dated the Pre
-Megalithic/ iron age period in Tamil Nadu 1,800 BC-1,500BC found at Mandapam
village, near Aarpakkam intersection, about 14 km from Kancheepuram in April
2012. The importance of the vast urn- burial site is that it belongs to a
period earlier than the Megalithic age or 1 run age in Tamil Nadu.
Gravity Changes Along Moon’s
Surface
Planetary Scientists claim to have coated a new
gravity map of the Moon which shows that the gravity pull changes from location
to location oves the surface of the Earth’s Natural Satellite. Using detailed
top graph-phase information from NASA’s Lunar Reconnaissance Orbitar Mission an
international term was able to reveal the fine structure of the Moon’s gravity
field in brand new detect.
Agni-V Test Fired Successfully
India on 19 April 2012 emerge as a regional super
power with the successfully test fired of 5000 km-plus Long Range Ballistic
Missile (LRBM) Angi -V from the Integrated Test Range on the Wheeler Island in
Odisha. India entered into the elite club of nations with Inter-Continental
Ballistic Missile (ICBM) Technology by successfully test firing nuclear capable
Angi-V. This missile is 17.5 metre long, can carry 1 to 1.5 tonne conventional
and nuclear warheads. Which can hit targets in large parts of China including
Beijing. And can also target whole of Pakistan and South Asia .
India To Join Project To Build Largest Telescope
In a giant leap for astronomy, India will help to
build the World’s Largest and most advanced telescope. About 20 institutions
like the India Institute of Astrophysics, Aryabhatta Research Institute of
Observational Sciences and many other will join to construction of the Thirty
Metre Telescope (TMT), a Telescope that will have nine times the collecting
areas of the current largest optical /infrared telescope and will provide
unparalleled high sensitivity spatial resolution more than 12 times sharper
than what is achieved by the Hubble Space Telescope,
Six Scientists Of Indian Origin
Elected Fellows Of Royal Society
Bangalore based biologist Krishnaswamy Vijay
Raghavan and Professor Tejinder Singh Virdee of Imperial College, London who
was associated with the design and construction of the large Hadron
Collider,proff Chandrashekhar Bhalchandra Khare, Proff Mathukumalli
Vidhyasagar, Proff Shankar Balasubramanian, Proff Varinder Kumar Aggarwal are
among six internationally renowned scientists of Indian origin elected to the prestigious
fellowship of Roy