what is Google Glass?

Google Glass

• A wearable computer with a head-mounted display (HMD)
• Developed under the Project Glassresearch and development project.
• Developed by Google X Lab

Objective: 

• Producing a mass-market ubiquitous computer.
• Displays information in a smartphone-like hands-free format, that can interact with the Internet via natural language voice commands.
• While the frames do not currently have lenses fitted to them, Google is considering partnering with sunglass retailers and may also open retail stores to allow customers to try on the device.
• The Explorer Edition cannot be used by people who wear prescription glasses, but Glass will finally work with frames and lenses that match the wearer’s prescription; the glasses will be modular and thus perhaps attachable to normal prescription glasses.
• An embedded screen in the upper-right-hand corner of the right-hand lens provides resolution which is equivalent of a 25in HD (High Definition) screen from 8 feet away.

CURRENT AFFAIRS PACKAGE-4

• Aruna Bahuguna, Senior IPS Officer (1979-batch Andhra Pradesh cadre officer) appointed Special Director General of CRPF, India’s largest paramilitary force.She became the first women officer to be appointed to the top position.
• India’s first and ONLY Women Chief Election Commissioner Ms. V.S. Ramadevi passed away
• World Heritage Day: April 18
• North Eastern Electric Power Corporation (Neepco) granted ‘Miniratna – Category I’ status
• Uhuru Kenyatta sworn in as Kenya’s new President
• he International Council of Pacific Area Travel Writers Association (PATWA) has awarded Gujarat as the “Best Destination for Cultural Festivals” at a recently held annual ITB Convention in Berlin.
• NTPC (National Thermal Power Corporation Ltd.), India’s largest power utility has been awarded the status of “The Most Efficient Maharatna”– in Manufacturing for the year 2012 at the 4th Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) Awards 2012 by the Dalal Street Investment Journal (DSIJ).
• The International Monetary Fund (IMF) recognized Somalia’s new government after a 22 year break in relations with the once disorderly nation.

CURRENT AFFAIRS PACKAGE-3

1. पश्चिम घाट संरक्षणाकरिता केंद्र सरकारने स्थापन केलेल्या माधव गाडगीळ समितीची सदस्य संख्या=13
2. पश्चिम घाट संरक्षणाकरिता केंद्र सरकारने स्थापन केलेल्या माधव गाडगीळ समितीने पश्चिम घाटाची वर्गवारी 3 प्रकारात केली 
3. परिस्थिती विज्ञानाच्या दृष्टीने संवेदनशील भाग I, II आणि III अशी वर्गवारी केली गेली.
4. पश्चिम घाटासंदर्भात जयराम रमेश मंत्र्याच्या अध्यक्षतेखाली मंत्रीगट स्थापन केला गेला होता 
5. संयुक्त राष्ट्रांनी 'जैवविविधता दशक' म्हणून जाहीर केलेला कालावधी = 2011-2020
6. 'बुक ऑफ इंडियन बर्डस' हे पक्षीनिरीक्षणावरील ख्यातनाम पुस्तकसलीम अली पक्षीतज्ञाने लिहिले
7. राष्ट्रीय नदी संरक्षण योजनेंतर्गत देशातील 34 नद्यांचा समावेश करण्यात आला आहे
8. हरित न्यायाधिकरणा(Green Tribunal)ची स्थापना भारत सरकारने 18 ऑक्टोबर 2010 रोजी केली. असे करणारा भारत हा जगातील पहिला देश आहे 
9. पर्यावरण संदर्भातील 'रोल मॉडेल' ठरलेले गाव = मेंढा-लेखा'
10. मुंबई शेअर बाजाराने नोव्हेंबर 2012 मध्ये कार्बोनेक्स नवा निर्देशांक जाहीर केला
11. 2013 ची 'महापौर परिषद' सांगली शहरात आयोजित केली होती
12. 2013 ची '16 वी राष्ट्रीय ई-गव्हर्नन्स परिषद' जयपूर (राजस्थान) शहरात आयोजित केली गेली

The National Policy for Children, 2012

The National Policy for Children, 2012
Acknowledged every person below the age of 18 years as a child and that childhood is an integral part of life with a value of its own, and a long term, sustainable, multi-sectoral, integrated and inclusive approach is essential for the pleasant development and protection of children.

Key guiding principles of the National Policy for Children, 2012:

• Right of every child to life, survival, development, education, protection and participation
• Equal rights for all children without discrimination
• Best interest of the child as a principal concern in all actions and decisions affecting children
• Family environment is the most contributing for all-round growth of children.

Key priority areas the National Policy for Children, 2012:
The policy has identified the following as the undeniable rights of every child, and has also declared these as key priority areas:

• Survival
• Health
• Nutrition
• Education
• Development
• Protection
• Participation

Operation and Supervision of the Policy

• National Coordination and Action Group (NCAG) be established in order to supervise the performance of National Policy for Children.
• A National Plan of Action will be formulated to give effect to the policy.
• Alike plans and coordination and action groups will be established at the state and district levels.
• The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights and State Commissions for Protection of Child Rights are to ascertain that the principles of the policy are valued in all sectors at all levels. There is a condition for reassessment of the policy every 5 years.
• The Ministry of Women and Child Development will be the nodal ministry for supervising and coordinating the effectuation of the policy and will lead the review process for the policy.

CURRENT AFFAIRS PACKAGE-2

CURRENT AFFAIRS PACKAGE-2

1. Indian Railways has reduced Advance Reservation Period (ARP) booking period of rail tickets from from existing 120 days to 60 days (excluding the date of journey) from May 1, 2013.
2. The Abu Dhabi-based carrier Etihad Airways took a 24 % minority stake in Jet Airways for USD 379 million. This investment by Etihad Airways is the first in an Indian airline after the govt relaxed restrictions on overseas carriers buying into its aviation industry in 2012 i.e. since the change in FDI policy.
3. “Nirbhay”:

• First cruise missile of India
• Long-range (1,000-2,000 km) strikes targets more than 700 km away carrying nuclear warheads
• Subsonic (below the speed of sound, 1,236 kmph) cruise missile.
• can fly at tree-top level making it very difficult to detect on radar
• Unlike other ballistic missiles like the Agni, Nirbhay has a wing and pronounced tail fins. It launches like a missile and in early flight the small wings get deployed. It then flies like an aeroplane and can even hover near the target, striking at will from any direction.
• The missile has a fire-and-forget system that cannot be jammed and can be launched from a mobile launcher.

4. Ahmedabad became the First city in South Asia to create a comprehensive early warning system and plan to prepare for extreme heat events fuelled by climate change

5. Ajay Devgn (Bollywood actor), Runa Laila (Bangladeshi singer) and Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy ( Oscar-winning Pakistani filmmaker) have been named as SAARC Goodwill Ambassadors for HIV/AIDS ‘ for advocacy and awareness on HIV/AIDS in SAARC member states.

• January 2009: The SAARC goodwill ambassador for HIV/ AIDS programme commenced.
• Bollywood actress Shabana Azmi was the first mascot for the SAARC goodwill ambassador for HIV/ AIDS programme.

“Lucknow Zardozi” gets GI (Geographical Indication) registration

“Lucknow Zardozi” gets GI (Geographical Indication) registration

• The Geographical Indication Registry (GIR) has accorded theGeographical Indication (GI) registration to the Lucknow Zardozi – the world renowned textile embroidery.
• Registered under the brand of‘Lucknow Zardozi’, the registration has been secured by Kalatmak Handicrafts Self Help Group Foundation, Lucknow.
• The Zardozi products manufactured in areas in Lucknow and six surrounding districts of Barabanki, Unnao, Sitapur, Rae Bareli, Hardoi and Amethi have now become a BRAND and will carry a registered logo to confirm their authenticity. 
• Lucknow now has the distinction of 3 GI brands viz. “Chikankari“, “Zardozi” and “Dussehri mango“.

Geographical Indications Registry

• Geographical Indications Registry is responsible for the administration of laws relating to Geographical Indication of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act, 1999.
• Geographical Indications of Goods are defined as that aspect of industrial property which refer to the geographical indication referring to a country or to a place situated therein as being the country or place of origin of that product. Typically, such a name conveys an assurance of quality and distinctiveness which is essentially attributable to the fact of its origin in that defined geographical locality, region or country.
• Under Articles 1 (2) and 10 of the Paris Convention for the Protection of Industrial Property, geographical indications are covered as an element of IPRs.
• They are also covered under Articles 22 to 24 of the Trade Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) Agreement, which was part of the Agreements concluding the Uruguay Round of GATT negotiations.
• India, as a member of the World Trade Organization (WTO), enacted the Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration & Protection)Act, 1999 has come into force with effect from 15th September 2003.

What is a Geographical Indication?

• It is an indication
• It originates from a definite geographical territory.
• It is used to identify agricultural, natural or manufactured goods
• The manufactured goods should be produced or processed or prepared in that territory.
• It should have a special quality or reputation or other characteristics

Jurisdiction:
A Geographical Indications Registry with all India jurisdiction operates in Chennai, as per the Geographical Indication of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act 1999.

Benefits of Geographical Indication

• It confers legal protection to Geographical Indications in India
• Prevents unauthorised use of a Registered Geographical Indication by others
• It provides legal protection to Indian Geographical Indications which in turn boost exports.
• It promotes economic prosperity of producers of goods produced in a geographical territory.

Who can apply
Any association of persons, producers, organisation or authority established by or under the law can apply:
The applicant must represent the interest of the producers
The application should be in writing in the prescribed form
The application should be addressed to the Registrar of Geographical Indications alongwith prescribed fee.

Registered proprietor
Any association of persons, producers, organisation or authority established by or under the law can be a registered proprietor.
Their name should be entered in the Register of Geographical Indication as registered proprietor for the Geographical Indication applied for.

Authorised user
A producer of goods can apply for registration as an authorised user
It must be in respect of a registered geographical indication
He should apply in writing in the prescribed form along with prescribed fee
An authorised user has the exclusive rights to the use of geographical indication in relation to goods in respect of which it is registered

How long the registration of Geographical Indication is valid?

• The registration of a geographical indication is valid for a period of 10 years
• It can be renewed from time to time for further period of 10 years each.
• If a registered geographical indication is not renewed it is liable to be removed from the register.

Infringement of the registered Geographical IndicationIn following conditions, the GI is deemed to be infringed:
When an unauthorised user uses a geographical indication that indicates or suggests that such goods originate in a geographical area other than the true place of origin of such goods in a manner which mislead the public as to the geographical origin of such goods.
When the use of geographical indication result in an unfair competition including passing off in respect of registered geographical indication.
When the use of another geographical indication results in false representation to the public that goods originate in a territory in respect of which a registered geographical indication relates.

How a geographical indication is different from a trade mark?
A trade mark is a sign which is used in the course of trade and it distinguishes goods or services of one enterprise from those of other enterprises. Whereas a geographical indication is an indication used to identify goods having special characteristics originating from a definite geographical territory.

Some products with GI Tag (List includes products from 2003-2008)

Tea:
Darjeeling Tea (Name and Logo).
Kangra Tea – Himachal Pradesh
Assam Tea (Application of Assam Tea under process (November 2009)

Agricultural Products:
Navara Rice:Kerala
Palakkadan Matta Rice:Kerala
Malabar Pepper :Kerala
Alleppey Green Cardamom:Kerala
Coorg Green Cardamom:Karnataka
Allahabad Surkha – Uttar Pradesh (Guava)

Coffee:
Monsooned Malabar Arabica Coffee:Karnataka
Monsooned Malabar Robusta Coffee:Karnataka

Coir Products:
Alleppy Coir : Kerala

Leather :
E I Leather : Tamilnadu

Embroidary:
Kasuti Embroidery : Karnataka

Essential Oils:
Mysore Sandalwood Oil : Karnataka

Handicrafts:
Aranmula Kannadi : Kerala
Bidriware : Karnataka
Channapatna Toys & Dolls : Karnataka
Mysore Rosewood Inlay : Karnataka
Kondapalli Bommallu : Andhra Pradesh
Silver Filigree of Karimnagar : Andhra Pradesh
Temple Jewellery of Nagercoil : Tamil Nadu
Thanjavur Art Plate : Tamil Nadu
Applique – Khatwa Patch Work of Bihar : Bihar
Sujini Embroidery Work of Bihar : Bihar
Sikki Grass Work of Bihar : Bihar
Ganjifa cards of Mysore (Karnataka) : Karnataka
Karnataka Bronze Ware : Karnataka

Horticulture:
Mysore Jasmine : Karnataka
Udupi Jasmine : Karnataka
Hadagali Jasmine : Karnataka
Coorg Orange : Karnataka
Mysore Betel leaf : Karnataka
Nanjanagud Banana : Karnataka

Incense Sticks:
Mysore Agarbathi

Paintings:
Mysore Traditional Paintings : Karnataka
Madhubani Paintings : Bihar
Thanjavur Paintings : Tamil Nadu

Soap :
Mysore Sandal Soap – Karnataka

Textiles & Textile Goods:
Pochampalli Ikat : Andhra Pradesh
Salem Fabric : Tamil Nadu
Chanderi Fabric : Madhya Pradesh
Solapur Chaddar : Maharashtra
Solapur Terry Towel : Maharashtra
Kotpad Handloom fabric : Orrissa
Mysore Silk : Karnataka
Kota Doria : Rajasthan
Kancheepuram Silk : Tamil Nadu
Kullu Shawl : Himachal Pradesh
Madurai Sungudi : Tamil Nadu
Orissa Ikat : Orissa
Srikalahasthi Kalamkari : Andhra Pradesh
Muga Silk : Assam
Ilkal Sarees : Karnataka
Nakshi Kantha : New Delhi
Navalgund Durries : Karnataka
Molakalmuru Sarees : Karnataka
Salem Silk : Tamil Nadu
Kovai Cora Cotton : Tamil Nadu
Arani Silk : Tamil Nadu
Bhavani Jamakkalam (carpet ) : Tamil Nadu

Wet Grinder:
Coimbatore Wet Grinder

CURRENT AFFAIRS PACKAGE-1

1. सिंधुदुर्ग जिल्हा प्रशासनाने ई-ऑफिसपाठोपाठ मोबाइल ऑफिस प्रणाली कार्यान्वित करून सिंधुदुर्ग जिल्ह्य़ाला भारतातील पहिला मान मिळवून दिला आहे.
2. गुजरातच्या पर्यटनाचे मुख्य आकर्षण असणाऱ्या गीर राष्ट्रीय वनोद्यानातील सिंह मध्य प्रदेशात पाठविण्याचा सर्वोच्च न्यायालयाने नुकताच आदेश दिला आहे.
3. आईच्या दुधाइतकीच प्रतिकारशक्ती खोबरेल तेलामध्येही असते, असे संशोधनात आढळले असल्याचा दावा "हिल फाऊंडेशन'ने नुकत्याच घेतलेल्या कार्यशाळेत केला. या कार्यशाळेत मोनोलॉरीन नावाच्या जैविकरीत्या सक्रिय रेणूत रूपांतरित होणाऱ्या लॉरिक आम्ल नावाच्या 12 कार्बन मध्यम साखळीच्या मेदाम्लाचा शोध लावण्यात आला. तो रोगांस कारणीभूत असलेल्या जीवाणू, विषाणू आणि बुरशीचा प्रभावीपणे नायनाट करतो, असे या संशोधनात सिद्ध झाले आहे. आईच्या दुधानंतर ते खोबरेल तेलात मोठ्या प्रमाणात आढळते, असे "हिल'चे संशोधन सांगते.
4. ज्येष्ठ पार्श्वगायिका शमशाद बेगम (वय 94) यांचे आज (बुधवार) सकाळी वृद्धापकाळाने त्यांच्या निवासस्थानी निधन झाले. त्या गेल्या अनेक महिन्यांपासून आजारी होत्या. 
5. महात्मा गांधी तंटामुक्त गाव मोहिमेच्या पाचव्या वर्षांत उत्तर महाराष्ट्रातील जळगावमधील पाचोरा पोलीस ठाण्यानेशांतता पुरस्कार पटकाविला
6. बॉलिवूड अभिनेत्री विद्या बालन हिचा कान्स चित्रपट महोत्सवासाठी ज्युरी सदस्यांत समावेश करण्यात आला आहे.
7. गोव्यात बीचवर मद्याचे सेवन करण्यास बंदी-समुद्रकिनारी बसून मद्याचे सेवन केल्यानंतर अनेकजण जखमी होत असल्याच्या तक्रारी आल्यामुळे हा निर्णय घेण्यात आल्याचे अधिकाऱ्यांनी सांगितले.
8. रिलायन्स इंडस्ट्रीज लिमिटेडचे चेअरमन मुकेश अंबानी यांनाही अतिमहत्त्वाच्या व्यक्तींना देण्यात येणारी 'झेड' दर्जाची सुरक्षा व्यवस्था पुरविण्यात येणार आहे. केंद्रीय गृह मंत्रालयाने नुकतेच त्यांना 'झेड' दर्जाची सुरक्षा पुरविण्याचा प्रस्ताव मंजूर केला आहे.
9. सामान्यांना सहज वाचता न येणाऱ्या "डॉक्‍टर लिपी'तून "प्रिस्क्रिप्शन' लिहिण्याची पद्धत बंद करण्यासाठी "आयएमए'च्या मुंबई शाखेने पहिले पाऊल उचलले आहे. सुवाच्य अक्षरात "कॅपिटल लेटर'मध्ये किंवा छापील स्वरूपात "प्रिस्क्रिप्शन' लिहिण्याची सूचना इंडियन मेडिकल असोसिएशनने (आयएमए) दिली आहे.
10. नारळीच्या झाडावर चढून नारळ काढणाऱ्या पाडकरी-माडकरींना आता केंद्रीय नारळ बोर्डाने 'नारळमित्र' या नावाने संबोधण्याचे स्पष्ट केले आहे.

सी. रंगराजन कमिटी 

• साखर उद्योग नियंत्रणमुक्त करण्यासाठी केंद्र शासनाने सी. रंगराजन कमिटी स्थापन केली होती.
• रंगराजन कमिटीने साखर उद्योग व त्याच्यापुढील समस्या व त्यावर उपाय इत्यादी बाबींचा सखोल अभ्यास करून, साखर कारखान्याशी, संबंधित संस्थांशी, घटकांशी, तज्ज्ञांशी सविस्तर चर्चा करून त्यावर आपला अहवाल केंद्र शासनास सादर केला होता.
•  त्या अहवालात संपूर्ण साखर उद्योगच नियंत्रणमुक्त करण्यासाठी अनेक सूचना व उपाय सुचविले होते. 
• त्यात दोन कारखान्यांमधील अंतराची अट रद्द करणे,
•  लेव्ही साखर बंद करणे,
•  साखर विक्रीवरील केंद्र शासनाची बंधने काढून टाकणे,
• रिलीज कोटा पद्धत  रद्द करणे,
•  साखरेचे व उसाचे दर कसे ठरविणे अशा अनेक बाबींवर सी. रंगराजन कमिटीने सखोल अहवाल केंद्र शासनास सादर केला होता.
• रिलीज कोटा पद्धत व लेव्ही साखरेची अट रद्द करण्याची रंगराजन समितीची प्रमुख शिफारस अर्थविषयक समितीने पहिल्या टप्प्यात मान्य करून साखर विक्रीचे संपूर्ण अधिकार हे ज्या त्या साखर कारखान्यांना देण्यात आले आहेत आणि
•  प्रत्येक गाळप हंगामात उत्पादित होणाऱ्या साखरेपैकी १० टक्के साखरेचा लेव्ही कोटा जो केंद्र शासनास मार्केटपेक्षा कमी किमतीत द्यावा लागत होता, तो कोटा आता रद्द झाला आहे. तो आता साखर कारखान्यांना द्यावा लागणार नाही व साखर केव्हा विकायची याचा निर्णयही साखर कारखान्यांनीच घ्यावयाचा, त्यावरचेही र्निबध उठवण्यात आले आहेत.
• केंद्र शासन साखर कारखान्यांकडून एकूण उत्पादनाच्या १० टक्के साखर रुपये १८९५ प्रति पोते (१०० किलो) अशी खरेदी करत होते व तीच साखर रेशनकार्डावर व जरुरी ठिकाणी रु. १३/५० प्रति किलो या दराने वितरित करत आहे. केंद्र शासनाने लेव्ही साखरेचा ठरविलेला दर हा खुल्या बाजारातील साखरेच्या दरापेक्षा एक हजार रुपयांनी कमी असायचा.
•  लेव्ही साखर रद्द केल्यामुळे साखर कारखानदार शेतकऱ्यांना प्रत्येक टनामागे अंदाजे १०० ते १२० रुपये ज्यादा दर देऊ शकतील. 
• त्याचा साखर कारखाने, ऊस उत्पादित शेतकरी, ग्राहक या सर्वानाच लाभ मिळणार आहे
• साखर विक्रीचे संपूर्ण अधिकार साखर कारखान्यांच्या आधिपत्यात राहणार आहेत. 
• त्यामुळे पैशाची गरज आहे म्हणून बाजारात जरुरीपेक्षा जास्त साखरेचा कोटा विक्री केला तर साखरेचे जास्त दर पडण्याबरोबर ते अजूनही अडचणीत येण्याची शक्यता आहे. 
• साखरेच्या विक्रीवर योग्य प्रकारे नियोजन न झाल्यास अनेक कारखाने अडचणीस येऊन त्यांना स्पर्धेत टिकून राहता येणार नाही. 
• असे कारखाने बंद होऊन ते विक्रीस निघतील; प्रचालित विकत घेणारेही त्याची वाट पाहात आहेत.
• भारतातील साखर उद्योगात महाराष्ट्राचा वाटा जवळजवळ 30 टक्के आहे. या उद्योगातून राज्य सरकारला दर वर्षी 2000 कोटींपेक्षा जास्त महसूल मिळतो.
•  राज्यातील सहकारी साखर कारखाने साखरेच्या उत्पादनाबरोबरच वीजनिर्मिती, मोलॅसिस, अल्कोहोल, इथेनॉल, कागदनिर्मिती, बायोगॅस इ.चे उत्पादन करतात. यामुळे प्रत्यक्ष आणि अप्रत्यक्ष रोजगारनिर्मितीसोबतच या कारखान्यांच्या परिसरात मूलभूत सोयीसुविधांचा झपाट्याने विकास होतो. 
• यासाठीच  महाराष्ट्रा सहकारी साखर कारखान्याचे "कॉस्ट ऑडिट' करून घेणे सरकारने अनिवार्य केले आहे. त्याप्रमाणे संबंधित कारखान्यांनी "एनर्जी ऑडिट'ही करणे अनिवार्य केले आहे. 
• जेणेकरून सहकारी साखर कारखान्यांचा उत्पादन खर्च कमी होऊन आर्थिक स्थैर्य मिळविणे त्यांना शक्‍य होईल. याची सुरवात 2012-13 मधील गाळप हंगामापासून झाली आहे. 
• अभ्यासानुसार, 2030 वर्षामध्ये साखरेची जागतिक पातळीवरील एकूण मागणी सध्याच्या एकूण मागणीच्या जवळजवळ 65 टक्‍क्‍यांनी वाढणार आहे. या मागणीचा पुरवठा करण्यामध्ये सध्या ब्राझीलचा प्रथम क्रमांक असला तरी भारताला यामध्ये मोठी संधी आहे.

'टॅक्स हेवन्स'

• या भूतलावर असे काही भूभाग आहेत की जे जगभरातील धनदांडग्यांना त्यांची धनसंपत्ती दडवून ठेवण्यासाठीची सुवर्णसंधी उपलब्ध करून देतात. अशा भूभागांना 'टॅक्स हेवन्स' असे संबोधले जाते.
• प्राप्तिकर व तत्सम अनेक कर चुकवून आपला पसा सुरक्षित कसा ठेवता येईल, या विंवचनेत असलेल्यांसाठी या जगाच्या पाठीवर असे काही खास भूभाग आहेत की ज्या ठिकाणी गुंतवणूक केल्यास काहीही कर वगरे भरावा लागत नाही आणि पदरचा पसा सुरक्षितही राहू शकतो; 
• ब्रिटिश व्हर्जनि आयलँड्स (बीव्हीआय), द कूक आयलँड्स, सामोआ, सिंगापूर व अन्य असे दहा भूभाग भूतलावर आहेत. त्यांनाच ऑफशोअर टॅक्स हेवन्स असं म्हणतात
• अशा या 'स्वर्गा'त आपली संपत्ती दडवून ठेवणाऱ्या महाभागांची यादी नुकतीच 'आयसीआयजे' या संस्थेने जाहीर केली आहे.
• उत्तर ध्रुवापासून ते दक्षिण ध्रुवापर्यंत उभ्या-आडव्या पसरलेल्या या भूतलावरील १७० देशांमधील हजारो करबुडव्यांच्या या यादीत तब्बल ६१२ भारतीय आहेत

पुणे जिल्ह्याची "फूड हब'साठी निवड
दळणवळणाची उत्तम व्यवस्था, पोषक वातावरण आणि आधुनिक तंत्रज्ञानाच्या वापरामुळे केंद्र सरकारच्या नॅशनल हॉर्टिकल्चर बोर्डाने राज्यातील एकमेव पुणे जिल्ह्याची "फूड हब'साठी निवड केली आहे. त्यामुळे पुणे जिल्ह्यात फळे व भाजीपाल्यावर प्रक्रिया करणाऱ्या उद्योगांना कर्ज उपलब्ध करून देण्याबरोबर व्याजात मोठ्या प्रमाणावर सवलतींचा लाभ मिळणार आहे. परिणामी, यातून रोजगारनिर्मितीलाही चालना मिळणार आहे. 

फळे व भाजीपाला उत्पादन क्षेत्रात जगात भारताचा दुसरा क्रमांक लागतो; परंतु त्यावरील प्रक्रियेमधील मूल्यवर्धनामध्ये भारताचे प्रमाण तीन टक्केही नाही. हे प्रमाण पाच ते सात टक्‍क्‍यांपर्यंत नेण्याचे उद्दिष्ट केंद्राने ठेवले आहे. त्यासाठी बाराव्या पंचवार्षिक योजनेत अन्न प्रक्रिया उद्योगांना प्राधान्य देण्याचा निर्णय सरकारने घेतला आहे. त्यासाठी भारतीय लघुविकास बॅंकेच्या माध्यमातून देशभरात "फूड हब' तयार करून त्यांना चालना देण्याची योजना आखली आहे. त्यासाठी कर्ज उपलब्ध करून देणे व त्यातून रोजगाराची निर्मिती करणे, असा दुहेरी उद्देश सरकारने ठेवला आहे. 

केंद्र सरकारच्या भारतीय लघुविकास बॅंक आणि "फूड प्रोसेसिंग' विभागाच्या वतीने यासाठी सर्वेक्षण करण्यात आले होते. त्यात पुणे जिल्ह्यामध्ये अन्नप्रक्रिया उद्योगाला चालना देण्यासाठीचे पोषक वातावरण असल्याचे दिसून आले. त्यामुळे "फूड हब' म्हणून या जिल्ह्याची निवड करण्यात आली आहे. या योजनेचा लाभ घेणाऱ्यांसाठी "मिटकॉन'च्या वतीने फळे व भाजीपाला प्रक्रिया प्रशिक्षण कार्यक्रम हाती घेण्यात आला आहे. 

What is JPC

Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC)

• it is one type of ad hoc Parliamentary committee.   (ad hoc = it is for temporary purpose for short time committee or It generally signifies a solution designed for a specific problem or task, non-generalizable, and not intended to be able to be adapted to other purposes)
• constituted by the Indian parliament.

JPC FORMATION
Joint Parliamentary Committee is formed by two way

1)when motion is adopted by one house and it is supported or agreed by the other house.

2)Another way to form a Joint Parliamentary committee is that two presiding chiefs of both houses can write to each other, communicate with each other and form the joint parliamentary committee.

Members

• The strength of a JPC may be different each time.
• members are from both ruling and opposition parties.
• The Lok Sabha members are double compared to Rajya Sabha.

Powers

• A JPC can obtain evidence of experts, public bodies, associations, individuals or interested parties suo motu or on requests made by them.
• The JPC can take oral and written evidence or call for documents in connection with a matter under its consideration.
• Ministers are not generally called by the committees to give evidence. However, in case of the Irregularities in Securities and Banking Transactions probe again, an exception was made, with the JPC, with the permission of the Speaker, seeking information on certain point from ministers.
• The government may withhold or decline to produce a document if it is considered prejudicial to the safety or interest of State.
• The Speaker has the final word on any dispute over calling for evidence against a person or production of a document.

JPC's so far
1) Bofors scandal (1987)

• The first JPC was formed in August 1987
•  B. Shankaranand. 
•  report was rejected by the Opposition.

2) Harshad Mehta Stock market scam (1992)

• The second JPC was formed in August 1992. 
• It was headed by former Union minister and senior Congress leader Ram Niwas Mirdha.
• The recommendations of the JPC were neither accepted in full nor implemented.

3) Parekh share market scam (2001)

• The third JPC was formed in April 2001.
• Lt Gen Prakash Mani Tripathi (retd) was named the chairman.

4) Soft drink pesticide issue (2003)

• The fourth JPC was set up in August 2003
• It was headed by Sharad Pawar.

5) 2G spectrum scam (2011)

• The fifth JPC has been constituted in February 2011
• It is headed by P.C. Chacko. 

6) VVIP Chopper scam (2013)

• The Government has moved a motion in the Rajya Sabha on February 27,2013, which was adopted by voice vote-for formation of a JPC "to inquire into the allegations of payment of bribes in the acquisition of VVIP helicopters by the Ministry of Defence from M/s Agusta Westland and the role of alleged middlemen in the transaction." 
• The JPC will have 10 members from the Rajya Sabha and 20 from the Lok Sabha and shall give its report within three months of its first sitting.

criticism on JPC

• it is not time bound so it consumes time
• many times report doesn't accepted
• many times a clash between rulling party and opposition party takes place for the calling of Ministers or Prime Minister before the JPC

पश्चिम घाटात सापडल्या बेडकाच्या दोन नवीन प्रजाती

पश्चिम घाटात सापडल्या बेडकाच्या दोन नवीन प्रजाती

• झाडावर राहणाऱ्या बेडकाच्या दोन नवीन प्रजाती पश्चिम घाटात सापडल्या आहेत.
•  अनिल झछारिया व रॉबिन कुरियन यांच्या नेतृत्वाखालील मोहिमेत त्यांचा शोध लागला आहे. 
• 'झूटॅक्सा' या आंतरराष्ट्रीय नियतकालिकात हे संशोधन प्रसिद्ध झाले आहे.
• यातील एका प्रजातीला कर्नल रिचर्ड हेन्री बेडोम यांच्या नावावरून 'बेडोमिक्सालस' असे नाव दिले आहे. 
• ब्रिटिश काळात मुख्य वनसंवर्धक असताना बेडोम यांनी बरेच मोठे काम केले आहे. 
• दुसऱ्या प्रजातीला 'मरक्युराना' असे नाव दिले आहे. ब्रिटिश रॉक बँडमधील गायक फ्रेडी मक्र्युरी यांच्या स्मृतिप्रीत्यर्थ हे नाव दिले आहे. पश्चिम घाटात झाडावर राहणाऱ्या बेडकांच्या ७ प्रजाती आतापर्यंत सापडल्या आहेत.

source: loksatta.com

Interesting Facts about India

• India never invaded any country in her last 100000 years of history.
• Chess was invented in India.
• Algebra, Trigonometry and Calculus are studies, which originated in India.
• The 'Place Value System' and the 'Decimal System' were developed in India in 100 B.C.
• The World's First Granite Temple is the Brihadeswara Temple at Tanjavur, Tamil Nadu. The shikhara of the temple is made from a single 80-tonne piece of granite. This magnificent temple was built in just five years, (between 1004 AD and 1009 AD) during the reign of Rajaraja Chola.
• The game of Snakes & Ladders was created by the 13th century poet saint Gyandev. 
• The world's highest cricket ground is in Chail, Himachal Pradesh. Built in 1893 after leveling a hilltop, this cricket pitch is 2444 meters above sea level.
• India has the largest number of Post Offices in the world.
• The largest employer in India is the Indian Railways, employing over a million people.
• The world's first university was established in Takshila in 700 BC. More than 10,500 students from all over the world studied more than 60 subjects. 
• Ayurveda is the earliest school of medicine known to mankind. The Father of Medicine, Charaka, consolidated Ayurveda 2500 years ago.
• Bhaskaracharya rightly calculated the time taken by the earth to orbit the Sun hundreds of years before the astronomer Smart. According to his calculation, the time taken by the Earth to orbit the Sun was 365.258756484 days.
• The value of "pi" was first calculated by the Indian Mathematician Budhayana, and he explained the concept of what is known as the Pythagorean Theorem. He discovered this in the 6th century, long before the European mathematicians.
• Algebra, Trigonometry and Calculus also originated in India.Quadratic Equations were used by Sridharacharya in the 11th century. The largest numbers the Greeks and the Romans used were 106 whereas Hindus used numbers as big as 10*53 (i.e. 10 to the power of 53) with specific names as early as 5000 B.C.during the Vedic period.Even today, the largest used number is Terra: 10*12(10 to the power of 12).
• Until 1896, India was the only source of diamonds in the world 
  • (Source: Gemological Institute of America).
• The Baily Bridge is the highest bridge in the world. It is located in the Ladakh valley between the Dras and Suru rivers in the Himalayan mountains. It was built by the Indian Army in August 1982.
• Sushruta is regarded as the Father of Surgery. Over2600 years ago Sushrata & his team conducted complicated surgeries like cataract, artificial limbs, cesareans, fractures, urinary stones, plastic surgery and brain surgeries.
• The four religions born in India - Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, and Sikhism, are followed by 25% of the world's population.
• Jainism and Buddhism were founded in India in 600 B.C. and 500 B.C. respectively.
• Islam is India's and the world's second largest religion.
• There are 300,000 active mosques in India, more than in any other country, including the Muslim world.
• The oldest European church and synagogue in India are in the city of Cochin. They were built in 1503 and 1568 respectively.
• The largest religious building in the world is Angkor Wat, a Hindu Temple in Cambodia built at the end of the 11th century.
• The Vishnu Temple in the city of Tirupathi built in the 10th century, is the world's largest religious pilgrimage destination. Larger than either Rome or Mecca, an average of 30,000 visitors donate $6 million (US) to the temple everyday.
• Sikhism originated in the Holy city of Amritsar in Punjab. Famous for housing the Golden Temple, the city was founded in 1577.
• Varanasi, also known as Benaras, was called "the Ancient City" when Lord Buddha visited it in 500 B.C., and is the oldest, continuously inhabited city in the world today.
• Martial Arts were first created in India, and later spread to Asia by Buddhist missionaries.
• Yoga has its origins in India and has existed for over 5,000 years.

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राज्यसेवा पूर्व परीक्षेच्या नव्या तारखेने उमेदवार आणखी संभ्रमात


महाराष्ट्र लोकसेवा आयोगाच्या राज्यसेवा पूर्वपरीक्षेची तारीख अखेर जाहीर झाली असली, तरी बहुतेक विद्यापीठांची पदव्युत्तर अभ्यासक्रमाची परीक्षाही त्याच दिवशी असल्यामुळे विद्यार्थ्यांसमोर आणि आयोगासमोरही आता नवे प्रश्नचिन्ह उभे राहिले आहे.
महाराष्ट्र लोकसेवा आयोगाच्या राज्यसेवा पूर्व परीक्षेची तारीख आयोगाने जाहीर केली असून आता ही परीक्षा १८ मे ला होणार आहे. मात्र, या नव्याने जाहीर झालेल्या तारखेमुळेही विद्यार्थ्यांचा गोंधळ अधिकच वाढला आहे. १८ मे ला राज्यातील बहुतेक विद्यापीठांच्या पदव्युत्तर अभ्यासक्रमाच्या परीक्षा आहेत. त्यामुळे विद्यार्थ्यांची त्रेधा उडणार आहे. राज्यसेवा पूर्वपरीक्षेसाठी बाहेरगावी केंद्र निवडलेल्या विद्यार्थ्यांना तर कोणत्या तरी एका परीक्षेला मुकावे लागणार आहे. त्यामुळे विद्यार्थी हवालदिल झाले आहेत. राज्यसेवा पूर्वपरीक्षा ही नेहमी रविवारीच होते. मात्र, मे महिन्यातील जवळपास सर्व रविवारी कोणत्या ना कोणत्या परीक्षा असल्यामुळे आयोगाने या वर्षी परीक्षा शनिवारी ठेवली आहे. त्यातच २६ मे ला केंद्रीय लोकसेवा आयोगाची पूर्वपरीक्षा आहे. या दोन परीक्षांमध्येही फक्त ८ दिवसांचा कालावधी असल्यामुळे या दोन्ही परीक्षा देणारे विद्यार्थीही हवालदिल झाले आहेत.
याबाबत महाराष्ट्र लोकसेवा आयोगाचे अध्यक्ष सुधीर ठाकरे यांनी सांगितले, ''परीक्षा घेण्यासाठी नजीकच्या काळात कोणताही रविवार उपलब्ध नाही. सर्व रविवारी आयोगाच्या विविध परीक्षा आहेत. त्यामुळे राज्यसेवा पूर्व परीक्षा शनिवारी जाहीर करावी लागली आहे. परीक्षा १८ मे ला घेण्याशिवाय आयोगापुढे दुसरा कोणताही पर्याय नाही. विद्यापीठांनी त्यांच्या पातळीवर या परिस्थितीमधून तोडगा काढावा.'' प्राध्यापकांनी परीक्षांच्या कामावर टाकलेल्या बहिष्कारामुळे परीक्षा घेताना अनेक अडचणींना तोंड देणाऱ्या विद्यापीठांनी परीक्षा पुढे ढकलणे शक्य नसल्याचे सांगितले आहे. याबाबत पुणे विद्यापीठाचे परीक्षा नियंत्रक डॉ. बाळासाहेब नाईक यांनी सांगितले, ''१८ तारखेला पुणे विद्यापीठाची अभियांत्रिकी पदवी आणि कला, वाणिज्य शाखेच्या पदव्युत्तर अभ्यासक्रमाची परीक्षा आहे. या परीक्षांसाठी लाखो विद्यार्थी बसले आहेत. त्यामुळे या परीक्षांचे पुन्हा नियोजन करणे हे व्यवहार्य ठरणारे नाही.''
महाराष्ट्र लोकसेवा आयोगाच्या संकेतस्थळाला 'व्हायरस' चा फटका बसल्याने राज्यसेवा पूर्व परीक्षेसाठी बसलेल्या सर्व उमेदवारांची माहिती नष्ट झाली होती. उमेदवारांची माहिती आणि त्याचा बॅकअप एकाच हार्डडिस्कवर ठेवण्याचा निष्काळजीपणा आयोगाला भोवला होता. या पाश्र्वभूमीवर परीक्षा देणारे उमेदवार, क्लास चालक, विद्यार्थी संघटना, राजकीय संघटना यांनी आवाज उठवला होता. त्यामुळे राज्यसेवा पूर्वपरीक्षा पुढे ढकलण्याचा निर्णय घेण्यात आला होता. नियोजित वेळापत्रकानुसार ही परीक्षा ७ एप्रिलला होणार होती.
पुणे विद्यापीठातील विद्यार्थ्यांना नव्या तारखेचा अधिक फटका बसणार आहे. पुणे विभागातून सर्वाधिक उमेदवार राज्यसेवा पूर्वपरीक्षा देत आहेत. पुणे विभागातून ५३ हजार ६७५ विद्यार्थी परीक्षा देत आहेत, नाशिक विभाग जो पुणे विद्यापीठाच्या क्षेत्रात येतो, त्यातील २३ हजार २४३ उमेदवार राज्यसेवा पूर्व परीक्षा देत आहेत. मुंबई विभागातून २५ हजार ४८९, नागपूर विभागातून १८ हजार ५९८, औरंगाबाद विभागातून १८ हजार २७४, कोल्हापूर विभागातून १२ हजार ६०२, ठाणे विभागातून १२ हजार ४६४ उमेदवार राज्यसेवा पूर्वपरीक्षा देत आहेत.

National Flag of India

The National Flag of India was designed by Pingali Venkayyaand and

adopted in its present form during the meeting of Constituent Assembly held on the 22 July 1947.

Some of the historical milestones in the evolution of our National Flag involve the following:

Unofficial flag of India
in 1906


The Berlin committee
flag, first raised by
Bhikaiji Cama in 1907


The flag used during the
Home Rule movement
in 1917


The flag unofficially
adopted in 1921


The flag adopted in 1931.
This flag was also the
battle ensign of the
Indian National Army


The present Tricolour
flag of India

The first national flag in India is said to have been hoisted on August 7, 1906, in the Parsee Bagan Square (Green Park) in Calcutta now Kolkata. The flag was composed of three horizontal strips of red, yellow and green.
The second flag was hoisted in Paris by Madame Cama and her band of exiled revolutionaries in 1907 (according to some inl9OS).
The third flag went up in 1917 when our political struggle had taken a definite turn. Dr. Annie Besant and Lokmanya Tilak hoisted it during the Home rule movementThe year 1931 was a landmark in the history of the flag. A resolution was passed adopting a tricolor flag as our national flag.
In the national flag of India the top band is of Saffron colour, indicating the strength and courage of the country. The white middle band indicates peace and truth with Dharma Chakra. The last band is green in colour shows the fertility, growth and auspiciousness of the land.
The Chakra:
This Dharma Chakra depicted the "wheel of the law" in the Sarnath Lion Capital made by the 3rd-century BC Mauryan Emperor Ashoka. The chakra intends to show that there is life in movement and death in stagnation.

Padma Awards
Padma Awards, namely, Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan and Padma Shri are given for exceptional and distinguished service in any field including service rendered by Government servants.

The recommendations for Padma Awards are received from the State Governments/Union Territory Administrations, Central Ministries/Departments, Institutions of Excellence, etc. which are considered by an Awards Committee.

On the basis of the recommendations of the Awards Committee, and after approval of the Home Minister, Prime Minister and President, the Padma Awards are announced on the eve of the Republic Day.

Padma Vibhushan Award:

Padma Bhushan Award:

Padma Shri Award:

Param Vir Chakra (PVC)

Param Vir Chakra (PVC) is the highest gallantry award for officers and other enlisted personnel of all military branches of India for the highest degree of valour in the presence of the enemy.

Introduced on 26th January 1950.

this award may be given posthumously.Literally, Param Vir Chakra means 'Wheel (or Cross) of the Ultimate Brave'.

In Sanskrit, 'Param means Ultimate, 'Vir (Pronounced veer) means Brave and 'Chakra means Wheel.
If any recipient of the PVC shall again perform such and act of bravery as would have made him or her eligible to be recorded by a Bar to be attached to the riband by which the Chakra is suspended, and for every such additional act of bravery, an additional Bar shall be added, and any such Bar or Bars may also be awarded posthumously.

For every Bar awarded a replica of the 'Indra's Vajra' in miniature shall be added to the riband when worn alone.
The PVC is the equivalent award of the Medal of Honour in the United States, and the Victoria Cross in the United Kingdom.
One amongst the luminous recipients of this honour was Flying Officer Nirmal Jiit Singh Sekhon, who was awarded the Param Vir Chakra posthumously in the year 1971.

He is the lone Indian Air Force officer to have been honoured with the Param Vir Chakra till date.

Bharat Ratna Award

• Bharat Ratna is the highest civilian honour given for exceptional service towards advancement of Art, Literature and Science, and in recognition of Public Service of the highest order.
• The original specifications for the award called for a circular gold medal, 35 mm in diameter, with the sun and the Hindi legend "Bharat Ratna" above and a floral wreath below. The reverse was to carry the state emblem and motto. It was to be worn around the neck from a white ribbon. This design was altered after a year.

Bharat Ratna Award

Bharat Ratna Award
(Reverse Side)

• The provision of Bharat Ratna was introduced in 1954.
•  The first ever Indian to receive this award was the famous scientist, Chandrasekhara Venkata Raman.
• There is no written provision that Bharat Ratna should be awarded to Indian citizens only.
• The award has been awarded to a naturalized Indian citizen, Agnes Gonxha Bojaxhiu, better known as Mother Teresa (1980) and to two non-Indians – Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan and Nelson Mandela (1990).
• It is also not mandatory that Bharat Ratna be awarded every year.
• The last time this award was given was in 2008, to Pandit Bhimsen Gururaj Joshi.

Novartis gleevec case


Novartis:

• Novartis International AG is a Swiss multinational pharmaceutical company based in Basel, Switzerland, ranking number two in sales (46.806 billion US$) among the world-wide industry in 2010
• Novartis was created in 1996 from the merger of Ciba-Geigy and Sandoz Laboratories, both Swiss companies

Gleevec:
Gleevec, also known as STI571, is a new drug that was approved by the Food and Drug Administration in 2001 for the treatment of chronic myeloid leukemia (CML), a cancer of white blood cells, and for the treatment of a rare form of stomach cancer called gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) in 2002.

Generic drug:

• a drug product that is comparable to brand/reference listed drug product in dosage form, strength, route of administration, quality and performance characteristics, and intended use.
• any drug marketed under its chemical name without advertising.
• A generic drug must contain the same active ingredients as the original formulation
• Although they may not be associated with a particular company, generic drugs are subject to the regulations of the governments of countries where they are dispensed. 
• Generic drugs are labeled with the name of the manufacturer and the adopted name (nonproprietary name) of the drug.
• Generic drugs are usually sold for significantly lower prices than their branded equivalents. One reason for the relatively low price of generic medicines is that competition increases among producers when drugs no longer are protected by patents.
• Generic manufacturers do not incur the cost of drug discovery.
• When a pharmaceutical company first markets a drug, it is usually under a patent that, until it expires, allows only the pharmaceutical company that developed the drug (or its licensees) to sell it. 
• Generic drugs can be produced without patent infringement for drugs where:                                                                             
  1) the patent has expired,
  2) the generic company certifies the brand company's patents are either invalid, unenforceable or will not be infringed,
  3) for drugs which have never held patents, or
  4) in countries where the drug does not have current patent protection. Patent lifetime differs from country to country; typically an expired patent cannot be renewed.

Challenge to India's patent law:

• In 2006, Novartis launched a court case against India seeking to prohibit the country from developing generic drugs based on patented medicines.
• Novartis had challenged a law that allows India to refuse to recognize a patent for an existing medicine if there is a modified formula resulting in a re-patent of the drug.
• India claimed that "If Novartis wins millions of people living in poverty world wide could be deprived of affordable medicines"
• In a decision on April 1, 2013 the decision of the high court relating to the anti-cancer drug imatinib was upheld.

PROS AND CONS OF CASE:

• had raised the serious question of future investments and research by foreign pharmas in India and may have repercussions on India’s attempts to attract foreign investment.
• it’s likely to make way for home-grown pharma firms to provide affordable drugs to cancer patients
• India need to regulate the country’s $ 26 billion generic drug industry, the generic drug manufacturers should be pinned down to strict quality standards.

Maharatna status:
India granted Maharatna status to two public sector undertakings - BHEL and GAIL, a status that provides them greater financial and functional autonomy

A Maharatna firm can take investment decision of up to Rs. 5,000 crore without going to the government. This limit is Rs. 1,000 crore for Navratna firms.

A company qualifying for the Maharatna status should have a net worth of over Rs. 15,000 crore in the last three years, an average annual turnover of more than Rs. 25,000 crore in the last three years, and net profit of more than Rs. 5,000 crore during the last three years.

Currently, there are 7 Maharatna companies -

1. Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL)

2. Coal India Limited (CIL)

3. GAIL (India) Limited (GAIL)

4. Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOC)

5. NTPC Limited (NTPC)

6. Oil & Natural Gas Corporation Limited (ONGC)

7. Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL)

Currently, there are 14 Navratna companies - 

1. Bharat Electronics Limited 

2. Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited 

3. Hindustan Aeronautics Limited 

4. Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited 

5. Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Limited 

6. National Aluminium Company Limited 

7. NMDC Limited 

8. Neyveli Lignite Corporation Limited 

9. Oil India Limited 

10. Power Finance Corporation Limited 

11. Power Grid Corporation of India Limited 

12. Rashtriya Ispat Nigam Limited 

13. Rural Electrification Corporation Limited 

14. Shipping Corporation of India Limited

Yellow Sea, red herring? HINDU dated 6th April,2013

The rising tension between the Democratic Republic of Korea, or North Korea, and its southern neighbour the Republic of Korea, or South Korea, amounts to the latest among many standoffs over 60 years, but this one involves certain new factors in addition to several older ones. Among the more familiar reasons are the annual United States-South Korean naval exercises, which last two months and this year are to conclude at the end of April; they always cause ill-feeling between Pyongyang and Seoul. Another reason is the DPRK’s wish to be recognised as a nuclear-weapon power, not least because Supreme Leader Kim Jong-un is only following his father and grandfather, the country’s previous two leaders, in seeing nuclear weapons as “the nation’s life,” the phrase the ruling Workers’ Party used in a March 31 resolution. The third familiar factor is that North Korea has never accepted the maritime boundary the South drew in the Yellow Sea at the time of the 1953 armistice which ended the Korean War.

The current contretemps, however, contains potentially dangerous new elements. The U.S. has flown B-2 stealth bombers across the Korean Peninsula, and has placed missile interceptors on the Pacific island of Guam, in apparent response to South Korean reports that Pyongyang had placed missiles near the border between the two countries. Secondly, the North has ended the armistice, and its military says it has been authorised to attack the U.S. with nuclear weapons. This might be technically implausible, but one of the greatest risks of destabilisation lies in the DPRK’s withdrawal from a hotline network; there also seem to be no direct links between Pyongyang and Washington, and the DPRK has made no response to U.S. contacts through senior envoys. Yet that is not rejection, because Mr. Kim wants direct contact with President Barack Obama. Although the U.N. Security Council has repeatedly condemned North Korea’s nuclear and missile tests and demanded the immediate revocation of its withdrawal from the Nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty, the utility of such an approach some seven years after the DPRK first went nuclear perhaps needs to be examined. North Korea will not give up its nuclear weapons and will ratchet up its rhetoric and force posture whenever the calls for it to do so are stridently repeated. The country, nevertheless, appears not to want war, and even the ROK’s defence minister Kim Kwan-jin says there is no sign of Northern troop mobilisation. If there is a clear message in the situation, it is that the sooner the U.S. starts talking directly with the DPRK the better the chances will be of lasting détente in the region.

HINDU EDITORIAL dated 10th April,2013

final report of the Financial Sector Legislative Reforms Commission has evoked strong responses

The final report of the Financial Sector Legislative Reforms Commission (FSLRC), which was given a wide mandate to draw a blueprint for new financial regulatory architecture, has evoked strong responses. While some have called it a potential game changer, others find its recommendations out of touch with Indian reality. The FSLRC had to grapple with several dissenting views even among its members. Besides, any radical overhaul of existing regulatory infrastructure will naturally take time. The most discussed proposal is the one to set up a new regulatory entity, the Unified Financial Regulatory Agency (UFRA), to be solely responsible for the oversight of the securities market, insurance, pensions and commodities, in effect taking over the functions of existing regulators including the Securities and Exchange Board of India, the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority and the Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority. That would result in the financial sector having just two main regulators, the Reserve Bank of India and the proposed UFRA. Both are expected to coordinate their activities, preferably through an MOU. If that is not new — after all, regulators have to work in unison for better results — the recommendation that the principal regulators should be board driven and not follow the “top down” approach that they are used to has caused some consternation.

A key recommendation to set up a monetary policy committee which, rather than the RBI Governor, will decide on policy rates is arguably the most controversial proposal. This is seen as a not so subtle attempt to clip the wings of the RBI, also because of the related move to confer powers on the government to appoint members of the committee. However, the RBI Governor will have veto powers on interest rates under certain circumstances and after making out a case in writing. The bias towards government is even more obvious in the recommendation to appoint the Finance Minister as head of the Financial Stability and Development Council. The RBI has for long resisted encroachment on what it rightly considers to be its jurisdiction. There is no denying that the FSLRC would like to vest greater accountability with the government than with regulators. In its opinion, a major overhaul of India’s regulatory system for the financial sector is due and best done on the lines suggested by it. But there is bound to be serious disagreement over the validity of a key assumption the report makes on India’s financial sector. Surely systemic failures are due more to excessive financialisation of markets than to failures of regulation, as assumed by the Commission.

Modifications in Civil Services Examination, 2013

The Government has approved the following modifications in the Civil Services Examination, 2013 notified on 5.3.2013:

1. A candidate is allowed to use any one regional language from the 8th Schedule of the Constitution of India or English as the medium of writing the examination.

2. Conditionality of a minimum of 25 candidates in that medium and the requirement to have that language as the medium of examination at graduation level has been dropped.

3. Furthermore, a candidate is allowed to take up literature as his/her optional subject (to be chosen from a list of 23 literature subjects – 22 of the 8th Schedule languages and English) without the conditionality of having to do his/her graduation in that language’s literature.

4. The English component (of 100 marks) from the Essay Paper has been dropped and 2 qualifying papers of 300 marks each in any Modern Indian Language(MIL) and in English have been restored. The Essay Paper is now of 250 marks to be written in the medium/language of candidate’s choice.

Now, the Civil Services Main Examination 2013 will be as under:

a. The candidates may write the examination in any one medium/language chosen from the languages listed in the 8th Schedule of the Constitution of India or English;

b. Paper I and II will be of qualifying nature only– one in any MIL and another in English – of 300 marks each;

c. Paper III will be the compulsory Essay Paper, with no English Comprehension test, to be written in the medium of candidate’s choice. The English component shall be dropped. Now this paper shall be of 250 marks.

d. There will be 4 compulsory papers of General Studies of 250 marks each, namely, Paper-IV (Indian Heritage & Culture, History and Geography of the World and Society), Paper-V (Governance, Constitution, Polity, Social Justice and International relations), Paper-VI (Technology, Economic Development, Bio Diversity, Environment, Security and Disaster Management) and Paper-VII (Ethics, Integrity and Aptitude).

e. Paper VIII and IX: Candidates will have to take one optional subject with 2 papers of 250 marks each. This optional subject can be selected from a list of 25 core subjects and 23 literatures (literature of 22 languages in 8th Schedule of The Constitution of India and English).

f. The personality test/interview will be of 275 marks.

LIC AAO ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER

Section	No.of Qs	Marks per Qs	Total
Reasoning	30	3	90
Maths	30	3	90
GK	30	2	60
Computers	30	2	60
English	40	2.5	100
Total	160	-	400

 JOB PROFILE OF AAO

(BASED ON OTHERS EXPERIANCES)

• There are two wings in LIC where a Direct Recrutee AAO can work: 1.) Administrative 2.) Marketing
• Initially AAO will be given administrative responsibilities where u will be made HOD of a deptt. Or even more than one department Like New Business, Claims, Policy Servicing, Office services, Aaccounts..in every dept.
• You have to take the responsibility of all the works related to that dept.
• After two years you can get the chance for job rotation and move to marketing side as Asstt. Branch Manager(sales).
• You will get a car worth Rs. 5.50 lakhs.
• The work pressure is immense and those thinking of joining LIC as AAO and prepare for UPSC etc. You must be clear that its not possible at all once u r in LIC.
• Well Initially you have to join as Asst. Admin officer only….after 2 years of confirmed service in the cadre you will become eligible for marketing assignment as Asst.Branch Manager (Sales).
• Its your choice ..but since there are lot of promotee officers who are desirous of becoming ABM(s), the competition becomes tough, though Direct recruit AAOs are given the preference.
• And there is nothing like targets n all for AAOs…these targets are only for ADO…so be cool and prepare hard.
• Yeah the salary is under revision and is due w.e.f from Aug 2012..cant say the exact quantum  of revision but in hand salary will definitely be 35k+
• In addition to this you will be entiteled to Rs. 125/- per day as meal coupon(sodexo) for each working day +600 as entertainment allowance+400 mobile expenses(confirmed AAOs)+ reimbursement for any one financial news paper