Reliance Industries Ltd’s (RIL) Jamnagar Refinery on 15 October 2012 won the British Safety Council's Globe of Honor Award for excellence in Environmental management. The award would be presented on 23 November 2012 at Mansion House in London.
RIL's Jamnagar SEZ Refinery is the only Indian organisation which had made it to the list and it is for the first time that a Reliance Industries' manufacturing site has grabbed this very well known award.
In all, there were 13 applicants and 9 received the Globe of Honour. The eligibility of a organization for the award which is a five-star environment audit is that the applicant organisations should demonstrate a culture of best practice for health and safety throughout the business - from the boardroom to the shop floor.
All applications for the Globe of honour were marked by an independent adjudicator and SEZ Refinery received 68 marks out of 72.
About British Safety Council
The British Safety Council is a global health, safety and environmental charity which was founded in 1957. For over 50 years, the British Safety Council has been a champion of workplace health and safety. The British Safety Council over years has progressed to become one of the largest independent occupational health, safety and environmental organizations in the world.
Reliance Industry Limited's Jamnagar refinery bagged British Safety Council Award
The Government notified Fresh Guidelines on Tiger Conservation
The Union Ministry of Environment and Forests on 15 October 2012 notified fresh guidelines on tiger conservation allowing regulated low impact tourism in the core and critical tiger habitat. Since, tourism has been happening in core and critical tiger habitats, regulated low impact tourism visitation would be allowed in such areas subject to site-specific carrying capacity.
The guidelines, however, say no new tourism infrastructure should be permitted in such core and critical tiger habitats.
Recently, the Supreme Court of India had allowed the government to notify within a week its fresh guidelines on tiger conservation and indicated that it may modify its 24July 2012 order staying all tourism activities in the reserved areas across the country.
Former King of Cambodia, Norodom Sihanouk Died in China
Former Cambodian king Norodom Sihanouk died on 15 October 2012 in Beijing. He was 89 Years old. Norodom Sihanouk was receiving medical treatment for many years in Beijing for cancer and other ailments.
Norodom had dominated politics in Cambodia for nearly 60 years. He was the King of Cambodia from 1941 to 1955 and again from 1993 until 2004. He was the effective ruler of Cambodia from 1953 until 1970. After his second abdication in 2004, he was known as The King-Father of Cambodia a position in which he retained many of his former responsibilities as constitutional monarch.
Sihanouk held so many positions since 1941 that the he was identifies as the politician who has served the world's greatest variety of political offices. These included two terms as king, two as sovereign prince, one as president, two as prime minister, as well as numerous positions as leader of various governments-in-exile.
He was succeeded in 2004 by his son, King Norodom Sihamon
SC: All States and UTs to conduct Fresh Surveys to identify Bonded Labour Problems
The Supreme Court of India on 15 October 2012 directed all states and Union Territories to conduct fresh surveys to identify bonded labour problems in the country and regretted that a large number of children continue to work as domestic help even after the enactment of the Right to Education Act (RTE act).
A bench of justices K S Radhakrishnan and Dipak Misra ruled in a judgment that it shall be the duty of the local bodies and panchayats to identify such children and ensure that they get proper education. Referring to bonded labour practice, the apex court noted that after the perusal of the NHRC (National Human Rights Commission) and other reports it is clear that the practice is rampant. The court passed the directions while dealing with a 1985 PIL filed by Public Union For Civil Liberties, highlighting bonded labour practice in the country.
World Food Day Celebrated worldwide on 16 October 2012
World food day 2012 is celebrated with a theme Agricultural cooperatives – key to feeding the world
World Food Day is celebrated every year across the globe on 16 October in honour of the date of the founding of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations in 1945.
The aim of this World Food Day is to raise awareness on global food problems and to create a sense of solidarity in the fight against poverty, hunger and malnutrition.
The theme was chosen by United nation to highlight the role of cooperatives -- or voluntary associations of people who work together for their common benefit -- in improving food security and contributing to the eradication of hunger.
The United Nation’s latest hunger report, released in October 2012, warns that nearly 870 million people around the world, or one in eight people on the planet, suffered from chronic undernourishment in 2010-12.
The report also asserted that the vast majority of the hungry, 852 million, live in developing countries, while 16 million people are undernourished in developed countries.
In India, on the eve of world food day, a group of dalit women farmers in Medak district in Andhra Pradesh highlighted the measure for preserving traditional farming practices, an effort which will help India tackle the serious malnutrition challenge it faces.
The women are using biodiversity as a weapon against hunger, malnutrition, erratic monsoon and climate change. Their effort will earn these villages the status of being declared an agri-biodiversity heritage site.
Along with cultivation, the women are also encouraging their children to take up agriculture.
Libya’s National Congress elected Ali Zidan as the New Prime Minister
Libya's 200-member General National Congress on 14 October 2012 elected Ali Zidan as the new Prime Minister. Ali Zidan, an independent, won 93 votes, a majority among those present. He beat a candidate favoured by the Justice and Construction party which is linked to the Muslim Brotherhood. Announcing his victory, President of the National Assembly asked Mr Zidan to propose a cabinet within two weeks. Ali Zidan is a human rights lawyer.
The previous Prime Minister, Mustafa Abu Shagur, was dismissed a week ago after failing to form a government.
Nobel Prize 2012
Serge Haroche and David J. Wineland "for ground-breaking experimental methods that enable measuring and manipulation of individual quantum systems"
Robert J. Lefkowitz and Brian K. Kobilka "for studies of G-protein-coupled receptors"
Sir John B. Gurdon and Shinya Yamanaka "for the discovery that mature cells can be reprogrammed to become pluripotent"
Mo Yan "who with hallucinatory realism merges folk tales, history and the contemporary"
European Union (EU) "for over six decades contributed to the advancement of peace and reconciliation, democracy and human rights in Europe"
Alvin E. Roth and Lloyd S. Shapley "for the theory of stable allocations and the practice of market design"
RBI Expanded the Lending Norms on Priority Sectors
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) on 18 October 2012 extended the lending’s on the Priority sectors like housing, agriculture, small and medium enterprises, and expanded the scope of bank loans for these sectors up to 2 crore Rupees. These ammendments would be in effect from 20 July 2012.
The decision came after discussions were held with the CMDs/CEOs of selected banks as well as the heads of Priority Sectors of selected banks and based on the same the new guidelines and amendments were made.
The banks were permitted by the central bank to offer loans up to an aggregate limit of 2 crore Rupees, to corporate that includes farmers’ producer companies, co-operatives and partnership firms of famers indulged in agricultural and allied activities including animal husbandry, bee-keeping, dairy, fishery and sericulture. The Priority loan would also be made available for pre-harvest and post-harvest activities like weeding, spraying, grading, harvesting and sorting. Export Credit loans for exporting one’s own farm produce would also be made available. The lending scheme fulfills the criterion mentioned under the MSMED Act-2006.
Bank loans to Micro and Small Enterprises (MSEs) those are engaged in providing services would be eligible for the direct finance of up to 2 crore Rupees per borrower per unit under priority sector. In case the loan amount per borrower increases the limit of 2 crore rupees, than it can be considered as the indirect finance for agriculture.
Loans under priority sector would also include loans provided to Government agencies for development of dwelling units or slum clearance and rehabilitation up to 10 lakh rupees. This provision also spreads for low income group and the economically weaker sections of the society in form of housing finance, construction and re-construction, purchase and more up to ceiling.
The Central Bank also guided the banks to keep a check on the loans, which are offered for the approved purposes. Thus the banks engaged in issuing loans would have to put forward a fine and channeled internal system and control in this regard. The apex court decision came to ensure that credit needs of people who don’t have access to institutional finance.
New Earth Sized Planet Discovered in Neighboring Solar System
Astronomers have discovered a new earth sized planet in October 2012 which is closest to but outside our solar system. The planet is said to be astronomical stone’s throw away at four light years.
The discovery of planet was announced in Science Journal, Nature by Stephane Urdy and Xavier Dumusque at Geneva Observatory.
The planet is very close to its sun that it is difficult to support life there. The planet is of very low mass and have a surface temperature of about 1200 degree Celsius (2192 Farenheit).The Planet orbits one of the suns in Alpha Centauri, roughly 25 trillion miles away.
Also according to the previous study by different scientist if one planet is discovered orbiting a sun there is usually other planet in the same solar system.
Almost 800 exoplanets are discovered in the recent past that is outside our solar system since early 1990’s. But this Planet is very close to earth.
It was also asserted that getting to the planet is nearly impossible because it would take about 40000 years to travel to new planet even with current Propulsion Technology
Uttar Pradesh Government Approved IT Policy 2012
The state cabinet of Uttar Pradesh Government in Cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav on 17 October 2012 approved the IT Policy 2012.
With the approval of IT Policy 2012, the IT and Electronics Department got 150 acres of land from the Animal Husbandry Department free of cost to develop IT city.
Also taking an another Step, the Uttar Pradesh Government approved the second phase of Ghaziabad metro rail from Dilshad Garden, New Delhi, to the bus stand in Ghaziabad.
The UP State Cabinet also came up with approval to the proposal of doubling the prize money for Yash Bharti Award which is given to singers, Filmstars, Sportpersons, and Journalists etc. The award is now made to 11 lakh Rupees from earlier 5 lakh rupees.
The Cabinet in its meeting had also approved 'Janeshwar Misra handloom Award Scheme' with the prize money of 25000 Rupees. The scheme is aimed to promote handloom weavers and acknowledge their works
The IT policy 2012 basically meant for developing Lucknow and Agra as IT hub, and to establish both IT park and IT city.
As per the policy, all the IT companies establishing their units in the state would be given 100 per cent exemption from stamp duty and at the same time be provided 5 per cent interest subsidy for the period of five years which will not excced 100 Crore of Rupees.
Ravi Narain Elected Chairman of Working Committee of World Federation Exchanges
National Stock Exchange’s (NSE) chief and Managing Director Ravi Narain on 17 October 2012 was elected as chairman of the working committee of the World Federation of Exchanges (WFE).
The appointment of Ravi Narain came in the annual meeting of World Federation Exchange which also elected elected Deutsche Borse AG's Deputy Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Andreas Preuss as its chairman, while Thomas A Kloet, CEO of TMX Group, as the vice-chairman of the working committee.
Ravi Narain is also the chairman of the National Securities Clearing Corporation and a board member of the National Commodity and Derivatives Exchange.
The World Federation of Exchanges (WFE) is an international organization for securities and derivative markets such as stock exchanges. It comprises of Group of more than 50 Bourses or Stock Exchanges.
Antiplatelet Drug Brilinta launched by Astrazeneca Pharma
Astrazeneca Pharma India Ltd launched an antiplatelet drug Brilinta (Ticagrelor) on 18 October 2012 in India. Brilinta that is an oral antiplatelet treatment of adult patients is used for treating acute coronary syndromes.
The drug has a property of preventing formation of new clots in the blood and eases its flow within the body. This helps in reducing the risks of cardiovascular attack like cardiovascular death and heart attacks. The drug got its approval for marketing the tablets by the name of Brilinta (Ticagrelor) by the Drug Controller General of India following the recommendations made by New Drug Advisory Committee in May 2012.
India and Pakistan Discussed TAPI Gas Project
Pakistan’s Minister of Petroleum and Natural Resources Asim Hussain met Cabinet Minister of Petroleum and Natural gas of India, Jaipal Reddy in New Delhi on 17 October 2012 in an event PETROTECH 2012 and discussed avenues for energy cooperation, including the trans-regional project TAPI.
Asim Hussain in his talk underlined the need of hastening work on the TAPI and the importance of demonstrating political will. He also stressed for setting up the economic modality by establishing a Special Purpose Vehicle or consortium duly empowered to take all necessary decisions.
About TAPI Gas Project
The TAPI is the Trans-Afghanistan Pipeline project which is also known as Turkmenistan–Afghanistan–Pakistan–India Pipeline, TAP or TAPI. It is basically a proposed natural gas pipeline that is developed by the Asian Development Bank.
The project was started on 15 March 1995 by signing a memorandum of understanding between the governments of Turkmenistan and Pakistan for a pipeline project.
Under the Proposed plan, the pipeline will transport Caspian Sea natural gas from Turkmenistan through Afghanistan into Pakistan and finally to India.
MiniFlame Virus, a New Cyber Espionage Tool is Infecting Computers in Middle East
The Security Researchers from Kaspersky Lab on 15 October 2012 announced that a new cyber espionage tool miniFlame related to Flame virus was infecting the computers in countries like Lebanon, Iran and others.
The virus named as miniFlame was developed in July 2012 is a small but a malicious flexible program designed to steal data and control the infected systems during targeted spying operations. The smaller version miniFlame Virus is developed on the same platforms on which Flame Virus was developed by the company. The miniFlame is able to operate independently and can create screenshots and easily spy the programs instant message as well as software and browsers like Adobe Acrobat, Microsoft Office, Mozilla and Internet Explorer.
IOC signed MoU with Korea Gas Corporation to Jointly explore and produce Gas
State-owned Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) on 17 October 2012 signed an MoU with Korea Gas Corporation, Kogas, to jointly explore and produce oil and gas at the global level. The MoU also provides for developing natural gas infrastructure projects and liquified natural gas or LNG sourcing. It was signed at the Petrotech 2012 conference in New Delhi.
The need was emphasized to carry the MoU forward and make progress on areas identified for co-operation in a time bound manner.
Centre of Science and Environment and HSBC Bank came Together to Impart Environment Training
Centre of Science and Environment (CSE) on 17 October 2012 announced Partnership with Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corpoartion Ltd (HSBC) to set up modern Environment Training Institute in Alwar district of Rajasthan.
The Institute that will set up will be offering short and long term courses on Environmental governance for regulators and decision makers.
Both the organization will be improving environmental governance in India by building capacity of environment regulators, non-government organizations and industry.
The institute will cover the multiple research disciplines such as air pollution, water and waste water management, climate change, sustainable industrialisation and urbanisation, renewable energy, public transport and mobility and environment impact assessment.
The Institute is going to be developed as an incubation, development and demonstration centre for green technologies.
About Centre of Science and Environment (CSE)
The Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) is a public interest research and advocacy organisation based in New Delhi. It was founded in 1980. CSE researches into, lobbies for and communicates the urgency of development that is both sustainable and equitable.
Centre of Science and Environment uses knowledge-based activism to create awareness about environment related problems and helps in proposing sustainable solution.
A Humanoid Robot called Baxter designed in USA
A humanoid robot with common sense, designed to work safely alongside its human co-workers on factory production lines, was unveiled in the US.
Baxter could apply common sense, adapt to its environment and be trained in less than 30 minutes to complete specific tasks. It is capable of superhuman speed and precision.
To teach Baxter a new job, a human guides its arms to simulate the desired task, and presses a button to program in the pattern, the report said. The robot responds with a confused expression, if it does not understand.
First Ever India Biodiversity Award Presented in Hyderabad
The Government of India in collaboration with United Nation Development Programme (UNDP) announced Biodiversity award 2012 in Hyderabad on 17 October 2012.
The winners of the awards were: Pir Jahania Jungle Suraksha Samiti from Odisha in the community stewardship category, Shankarpur Village Gram Panchayat from Maharashtra in the category of decentralised management, Van Utthan Sansthan from Rajasthan in the category of co-management and Periyar Tiger Reserve in the protected areas category.
The programme was hosted by the Ministry of Environment and Forests.The award recognizes the outstanding models of biodiversity governance across the country. The award was actually presented at ministerial reception of Eleventh Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity.
With the presentation of Award, the Minister of Environment and Forests Jayanthi Natarajan announced that the India Biodiversity Awards will now be given annualy, to mark International Biodiversity Day on 22 May each year.
The winners of the India Biodiversity Awards represent innovative approaches that combine the basic needs of livelihoods, wellbeing and dignity while respecting biodiversity conservation and the earth’s limits.
The India Biodiversity Awards was declared after short listing people from 150 received nominations from across the country. A six-member jury for the awards was made which was headed by eminent agriculture scientist M S Swaminathan.
Five New Non-Permanent Member Countries Elected to UN Security Council
The UN General Assembly on 18 October 2012 elected five new non-permanent members to the Security Council. The New Members are South Korea, Luxembourg, Argentina, Australia and Rwanda.
The newly elected member countries are going to serve a two-year term in the powerful UN body that will begin on 1 January 2013.
The country of Republic of Korea and Luxembourg were elected to a two-year term in the UN Security Council in the second round of voting. Whereas, Argentina, Australia and Rwanda were elected earlier, to serve as new non-permanent members of the powerful UN body.
The five new members are going to replace Colombia, Germany, India, Portugal and South Africa, whose term ends on 31 December 2012.
Under the UN Charter, the 15-member Security Council has the primary responsibility for the maintenance of international peace and security.
To be elected to the UN Security Council, a country must win support from two thirds of the General Assembly members, or 129 votes.
India and New Zealand signed Five MoUs to cooperate in Education
India and New Zealand on 19 October 2012 signed five Memorandum of Understanding, MoU in the different fields of education. The MoUs were signed in New Delhi during the first meeting of India-New Zealand Education Council.
The education institutions of New Zealand specially higher education maintain global standards. India and New Zealand share strong people to people links through increasing migration, tourism, education and sporting ties. The education can play a vital role in strengthening links between the two countries.
India-Australia Announced Nuclear Deal Negotiation
India and Australia on 17 October 2012 announced the launch of nuclear negotiations for a civil nuclear deal that will enable the sale of uranium from Australian Capital city Canberra to New Delhi.
The deal was announced by Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard on her visit to India. The deal is going to provide stretch in India's civilian nuclear ambitions and will also strengthen bilateral ties between both the Countries.
Earlier in 2011, the Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard, Australian Labour Party refused to sell uranium to India by specifying that India had not signed the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty.
The actual Supply of uranium is going to take couple of years as negotiations for the safeguards agreement are complex and lengthy.
Both the Countries also signed four memorandum, the most important of which is agreement on Student mobility and welfare in which they agreed to hold annual meetings at the summit level either bilaterally or during multilateral events.
The other memorandums are:
• Memorandum on Military and Security Initiative committed to enhance maritime cooperation
• Memorandum to develop a comprehensive economic cooperation agreement
India and Australia also agreed to launch a Ministerial-level Dialogue on Energy Security, establish a Water Technology Partnership and start negotiations for an Agreement on Transfer of Sentenced Persons.
Israeli Authorities released Red Line Report for Gaza Strip
The Israeli Authority on 18 October 2012 released documents describing the red line for minimum food needs of people at Gaza Strip to avoid, the issue of Malnutrition.
Referring to the defence ministry documents dated 2008 obtained under Freedom of Information, an Israeli NGO, Gisha that campaigns for the cause of Palestinian Freedom of Movement and Trade stated that 2279 calorie per person per day was sufficient to avoid malnutrition on the Gaza strip.
A blockade was imposed by Israel in June 2006 after a militant snatched one of its soldiers and tightened it in September 2007 after seizure of the Islamists Hamas Movement and the soldiers of the Western Backed President Mahmud Abbas were sent on exile.
Gisha report also cleared that this was an official goal of this barrier lied behind the economic warfare policy of creating a paralysis in Gaza’s economy to create pressure on the Hamas Government. It was officially cleared by the COGAT defence ministry department spokesperson that the report entitling- Food Consumption in the Gaza Strip -- Red Lines was never implemented to set the levels of food that was allowed to people in Gaza as it was just a draft.
By 2010 restrictions in Gaza was eased followed by the international outcry of killing of nine Turkish nationals by Israel during a navy raid on a ship in a trial to break the blockage.
The Red Lines file was made available to Gisha after fighting and three-and-a-half year legal battle and the documents of the file mentioned in its recommendations that a minimum of 106 food trucks per working day was to be sent in the Gaza strip, whereas sending of 67 trucks on an average remained in practice
Union Cabinet approved Proposals to procure Brahmos and Invar Missiles
The Cabinet Committee on security on 18 October 2012 approved proposals worth over 8000 crore rupees for procuring around 10000 Invar missiles from Russia for the Army's T-90 tanks and over 200 air-launched versions of the BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles for the Indian Air Force. Also, the Union Cabinet approved the waiver of the outstanding loan along with interest for the 370 tsunami affected fishermen and to reimburse the same to concerned banks.
The Union Cabinet also approved setting up of a National Automotive Board, NAB a body which would act as a facilitator between the government and the industry and promote Research and Development activities in the sector.
France officially recognised the killings of 1961 Paris Massacre
France on 17 October 2012 for the first time officially acknowledged the killings of hundreds of unarmed Algerians in the 1961 Paris Massacre. In a communiqué (communication) that was published by the Elysee Palace, a statement by the President Francois Hollande stated about the killing of the Algerians protestors, protesting for their Independence on 17 October 2012 in a bloody repression. He also paid homage to the victims after 51 years of the incident.
Algeria, the North African Country, won its independence in 1962, after fighting 8 years long brutal war in which about a million people died. The official declaration in relation to the acknowledgement of the killings came a week before Mr. Hollande’s visit to Algeria.
About the Incident:
Maurice Papon, the French Nazi sympathizer and the then Prefect of Paris imposed a curfew on Algerians living in France. The Leaders of Algeria tried to challenge the curfew with a protest that was to be done in a peaceful manner. The Protestors on 17 October 1961 were rounded up in Paris on tne order of Papon and tortured and beaten up brutally. Many of them were thrown alive in River Seine with their hands tied at their back.
The 1961 Massacre of Paris can be compared to Jalianwala Bagh Masscare in which General Dyer ordered killing of unarmed civilians protesting against colonial presence in the India.
Name of Books that won 11th Economist Crossword Book Award Declared
The Folded Earth was successful in securing its position in the English Indian Fiction Category, whereas, A Free Man by Aman Sethi was successful in the category of Indian Non-Fiction books.
A Bengali short-story collection Bengali written by Anita Agnihotri named 17 and translated in English by Arunava Sinha and a Malyalam Novel, The Araya Woman that was written by Narayan and translated in English by Catherine Thankamma were declared as the winners of the award for Indian Language Translation jointly. Ravi Subramanian’s creation The Incredible Banker fetched the Popular Award by its name.
The Crossword Book Award is presented to writers in different categories with a certain prize amount and these includes Non-Fiction, Fiction, Translation and Children’s Writing carrying an amount of 3 lakh rupees and a citation and a trophy. The Popular Award winner author gets a cash prize of 1 lakh rupees and a certificate.
Union Cabinet Approved setting up of National Automotive Board
The Union Cabinet on 18 October 2012 gave its nod for setting up of the National Automotive Board (NAB). The body will be responsible for promoting the research and development activities of the industry and act as a facilitator in between the industry and the government.
NAB would also be responsible as a specialized body to promote sustainable development of the Nation’s Auto Sector along with skill development for the automobile sector.
Election Commission Banned Broadcast of Opinion Polls during Assembly Election in Gujarat and HP
The election commission has prohibited the publication or publishing of the polls or any election matter by means of electronic medium, print or any other medium from 8 am on 4 November 2012 in Himachal Pradesh and the ban would continue up to 5:30 pm on 17 December 2012 the last day of poll in Gujarat.
The Election Commission also ordered a ban on display of any matter related to elections on any of the electronic broadcast platforms within fixed 48 hours before the conclusions of the elections following the above mentioned election results.
The Representation of the People Act, 1951 under Section 126 regulates prohibition on display or broadcast of any matter related to elections by any means like television or something similar to it, within 48 hours and till the time of conclusion of the polls in the provided constituency.
The Election matter means any material that can influence, calculate or intend to influence the results of election and violation of the ban as mentioned under Section 126 of the Representation of People Act, 1951 is a punishable offence and the person behind this would be liable to a fine penalty or a two years imprisonment or both.
Tata Starbuck Opened its First Store in India
Tata Starbucks, a joint venture between Tata Global Beverages (TGBL) and Starbucks Coffee Company, on 19 October 2012 opened its first store in India which is located in Horniman Circle of South Mumbai.
The company is going to open two more stores next week in Mumbai — one at Oberoi Mall in suburban Mumbai and another at the Taj Mahal Palace hotel in South Mumbai. Also in Early 2013 the company will open its first store in Delhi.
It was earlier in January 2012 that the company announced its joint venture with Tata Global Beverages Ltd. Starbucks Company runs 18,000 stores in 60 countries worldwide running over 700 outlets in China, 1000 outlets in Japan and 8000 outlets in the U.S
The Tata Starbucks joint venture aiming on sourcing products from India and sells them in Starbucks stores globally.
It is first time ever in 40-year history where the US coffee chain major Starbucks enters into India and is sourcing and roasting its coffee locally.
The organized food market which includes fine dining, quick service restaurants, and cafe chains is a perishable market and spreading very rapidly in India. There are around dozen coffee shop brands, with 1,700 cafes in India and at least another 10 coffee retail firms looking at setting up here in coming future. This high growth and ever growing demand is attracting many firms from the US, Australia, Thailand and Hong Kong.
SC Ordered States to have a Check on Sexual Exploitation of Women at Workplaces
The three Judge Bench of Supreme Court that included Justices, R.M. Lodha, Anil R. Dave and Ranjan Gogoi explained that the implementation of the guidelines issued in Vishaka Case was not only to be followed in a form but was also a matter of substantiating the same with an spirit to make sure that a safe and secured space and environment in all aspects was made available to the woman at her workplace, which enables them to work with decency, dignity and respect as a whole. The bench also pointed out towards the lack of a legislation and proper mechanism to address the complaints of sexual harassment of women at their work place.
The Bench also explained the position of women representation to be only 10 to 11 percent of the total seats in Legislative Assemblies and Parliament, when it comes to gender parity. It also pointed out the 129th position of India on the list of United Nations Gender Equality Index out of the 147 countries covered in it, which is lower than all the South Asian Countries except Afghanistan.
The Bench explaining the provisions of the Indian Constitution, also cleared that in case there exists an issue of revising the old acts and bring in new laws to protect women from the indecency, disrespect and indignity they suffer from at their workplaces, homes and other places. Providing new initiatives to educate and advance the girls and women in all spheres and to protect violence in all forms (like sexual assault, domestic violence, sexual harassment at the workplace) against them new laws may be enacted by the Parliament and the State Legislatures. As the hollow statements, lip services and inadequate laws with a careless approach may not be enough to bring in gender parity and offer the genuine respect to the most precious population- the women.
Prime Minister Launched Aadhar Based Transfer System
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on 20 October 2012 launched Aadhaar Enabled Service Delivery in Dudu district of Rajasthan to mark the 2nd anniversary of Aadhaar.
Also marking the second anniversary, the 21st crore Aadhaar number was given to a local resident of Kurawar, district of Udaipur.
With this launch of delivery system the government is going to start out Aadhaar Enabled Service Delivery initiatives in 51 districts across the country
Now, the services will be linked to various government schemes such as MNREGA wage payments, PDS distribution, payment of social security benefits such as old-age payments, distribution of LPG cylinders, etc.
A number of state governments are coming ahead to roll out for these initiatives. Currently 23 crore residents have enrolled for an Aadhaar number, of which 21 crore Aadhaar numbers have already issued.
Aadhaar, is a 12-digit number, which serves as a proof of identity and address anywhere in the country. It is an online identity platform that can be accessed in real-time for authenticating beneficiaries and can be adapted by various user agencies.
TEC recommended a 10-Year Moratorium on all Field Trials of GM Food Crops
TEC (Technical Expert Committee), in its interim report recommended a 10-year moratorium on all field trials of Genetically Modified (GM) food crops, including Bt Cotton. In its interim report, it suggested that the present regulatory system and protocol for conducting the field trials were unsatisfactory and inadequate, requiring major changes, restructuring and strengthening.
TEC Committee’s recommendation is based on the current overall status of food safety evaluation of Bt transgenic including the data on Bt Cotton and Bt Brinjal examined by the TEC and in accordance with the precautionary principle.
TEC’s suggestion for a moratorium on field trial was welcomed by environmentalists. In fact, the moratorium is necessitated by the potential harm of GM crops to human health, that of livestock and biodiversity and the possibility of field trials to contaminate regular crops and food supply. Five-member TEC was appointed by the Supreme Court of India.
The King of Romance and the Famous Filmmaker, Yash Chopra Died
The Indian Filmmaker Yash Chopra died on 21 October 2012, nine days after being diagnosed with Dengue. He passed away at the age of 80 at Lilavati Hospital at Bandra due to dengue and multiple organ failure. Also termed as the King of Romance, Yash Chopra had by his name Six National Film Awards, Eleven Filmfare Awards out of which four was Filmfare Award for Best Director.
Yash Chopra, in his last interview with Shah Rukh Khan on television stated about his latest upcoming film named Jab Tak Hai Jaan and his retirement along with the plans of spending his time with family members.
The Titan of Indian Cinema, Yash Chopra was born on 27 September 1932 Yash Chopra by profession was an Indian Film Director, Screenwriter and Film Producer in Indian Cinema, Bollywood. Working as an assistant director to I.S. Johar and B.R. Chopra his elder brother, he started his career and made his debut as a director with Dhool ka Phool in the year 1959 proceeded by films like Dharmputra in 1961. He turned up to set his stage as one of the most successful director with the commercial and critically successful drama Waqt in 1965, the film that set the stage for multi-starrers in the industry.
Yash Raj Films, yash chopra’s own production company stated with the launch of DAAG: A poem of love in 1973. Few of his most acclaimed films, were Deewar in 1975 that set the angry young man image of Amitabh Bachchan, Kabhi Kabhi (a romantic drama) in 1976, Trishul, Silsila in 1981, Mashaal in 1984 and Vijay in 1988 and Chandni in 1989.
Some more movies of Yash Chopra were Lamhe in 1991, Darr in 1993 the debut movie of Shah Rukh Khan, Dil To Pagal Hai in 1997, Veer-Zaara in 2004. His latest movie Jab Tak Hai Jaan is scheduled to be launched during the week of Diwali in 2012 about a month after his death.
Awards and honours attached to his name were:
• He received Legion of Honour, France's highest civilian honour
• Remained a Vice President for 10 years with Film Producers’ Guild of India
• Received Padma Bhushan in 2005
• Asian Filmmaker of the Year, 2009 at Pusan International Film Festival
• On behalf of Swiss Government he received a Special Award by Ursula Andress and was honoured for rediscovering Switzerland
• He received the BBC Asia Awards two times in the year 1998 and 2001 for the kind of contribution he made to the films
• In the year 2001 he received Dr. Dadabhai Naoroji Millennium Lifetime Achievement award
• For promoting tourism in UK via his films, he was conferred with a Certificate of Recognition from the British Tourist Authority and British Film Commission
• For his contribution to Indian Cinema he was conferred with Priyadarshini Award
• The Leeds Metropolitan University in Yorkshire awarded him with Honorary Doctorate in Art
• At the 2008 Asia Pacific Screen Awards, for his outstanding achievements to the films he received FIAPF Award
• In the year 2010 he was honoured with the Honorary Doctorate from the School of Oriental and African Studies
• The Government of Madhya Pradesh awarded him with National Kishore Kumar Award
• For his contribution via his films to 'Brand Switzerland' he received Swiss Ambassador's Award 2010
• The Asian Awards in October 2010 he was given the Outstanding Achievement in Cinema award
• The Rotary Club awarded him with Vocational Excellence Award
• In the year 2001 was awarded Dadasaheb Phalke the topmost and the highest honour of Indian Film Industry
• Maharashtra state government’s Raj Kapoor and V. Shantaram’ Awards was given to him for his contributions to Indian Cinema
• In the year 2006 he received 4th Pune International Film Festival Lifetime Achievement Award
Some more associations of his life:
• Before his death he was on the Advisory Board of the Information and Broadcasting Ministry of Government of India
• Founder Trustee of Film Industry Welfare Trust established in the year 1996
• BAFTA gave him a lifetime membership for the his contributions to Indian Cinema, in 59 years history of the academy he was the first Indian to be honoured with the membership
Frightening Level of Mercury Content in the Environment of Sonbhdra District: CSE
Director-General of Centre for Science & Environment (CSE) Sunita Narain on 19 October 2012 released the report of the study that was conducted in Sonbhadra District in the year 2011-12 and revealed the fact that the Sonbhadra that is a part of resource-rich Singrauli Area that acts as a industrial powerhouse for the country presents a tale of sorrow in relation to pollution, non-compliance of environmental norms, poverty, disease and official indifference.
The report released by a Delhi-based Centre for Science & Environment (CSE) declared Sonbhadra district of Uttar Pradesh as the critically-polluted area that is also an environmental disaster, due to the presence of high levels of Mercury in the bodies of the local residents and the environment of the region. Mercury acts as a neurotoxin in the body and affects the central nervous system leading to damages in the renal system.
Sonbhadra that is the largest district of Uttar Pradesh after Lakhimpur Kheri, is critically connected to the states like Chhatishgarh, Bihar, Jharkhand and Madhya Pradesh, and acts as a co-terminus to these states.
To conduct the study, CSE as an agency collected nineteen samples of blood, nail and hair of people suffering from different ailments and twenty-three different samples of water that includes groundwater, three samples of fish from Govind Vallabh Pant Sagar Reservoir, five samples of cereals, and seven samples of soil. After conducting the laboratory tests on these samples, frightening levels of mercury poisoning was found and the results were much critical. Mercury in blood samples available was 84 percent, which is six times of the level that it should be in the body and 58 percent concentration of mercury was found in the hair. The study also revealed that the groundwater in Sonbhadra was highly contaminated with the mercury metal. The fish from the reservoir were contaminated with methyl mercury and the water of the reservoir is also contaminated with the metal.
The SCE following the conclusions of the study has demanded setting up of the mercury standards of the coal mines, thermal power plants and coal washeries. It also demanded shutting down of the industries that didn’t complied with the norms of pollution control.
In the last study conducted in the year 1998 by a Lucknow based body Indian Institute for Toxicology Research (IITR) in Singrauli region about mercury pollution in environment, out of 1200 person examined 66 percent accounted to a be affected with more than 5 part per billion of mercury content in their body. Being a NTPC funded study, it was not made public.
As per the report, there exists a conspiracy of silence and denial on the pollution of mercury that needs to win concern of the authorities. On the order of Supreme Court of India Central Board of Pollution Control also conducted a test on air and water of Singrauli area and found critical level of mercury content in environment.
Singrauli’s coal reserves amount to across one billion tone and coal mining in Sonbhadra District amounts to 17 million tonnes per year. The thermal power plant of the area has an installed capacity of 9940 mega watt.
Saina Nehwal won Denmark Open Badminton Title
The World No. 4 badminton player Saina Nehwal on 21 October 2012 won the Denmark Open Super Series Premier tournament by defeating the German badminton player Juliane Schenk by 21-17 21-8.
She was competing in the women's single final category badminton match in Odense, Denmark and was Playing without the chief national coach and her mentor Pullela Gopi Chand,
This title is counted to be her sixth Super Series title and the first title outside Asia. Her previous titles came in Indonesia (2009, 2010, 2012), Singapore (2010) and Hong Kong (2010).
Saina Nehwal, was competing in her first tournament after the London Games, which fetched her $30000 prize money.
The victory is another milestone in career history of the Indian shuttle Saina Nehwal who had successfully defended her Swiss Open title by defeating world number two Wang Shixian of China in March 2012.
In June 2012, Saina had won the Thailand Open Grand Prix Gold title thereafter she had also won the Indonesia Open Super Series Premier by defeating world number three Li Xuerui of China.
COP 11 held in Hyderabad: Emphasised on the Well Being of Biodiversities
Mobilisation of financial resources was the theme for the COP 11 summit. The next round of the conference is scheduled to take place in Korea after 2 years. Finding out the commendable solution by discussions over the issues of the Earth’s bio-diversity is the main agenda of the conference. The conference was attended by more than 5000 delegates from 180 countries. Enrollment of about 14,400 participants in the convention made it the largest biodiversity gathering of its time.
Demands of Developing and Developed Countries:
• African countries like Namibia demanded developed nations to stand by their promise fund allocation for saving the bio-diversity, made in the 2010 protocol
• The developed nations stood by their demand of creating a baseline of the investments made by now and how much more was needed
Discussions on Identified Targets of Nagoya Protocol:
• Discussion over the 20 identified targets at 2010 Nagoya Protocol was also done to find out the problems that it faced for implementation.
India’s Stand:
India also demanded steps to be taken for ecosystem restoration and establishment of a relationship between biodiversity and climate change, identification of ecologically and biologically significant areas in marine ecosystems.
India to Chair the Conference for Next Two Years as its President: India will be Chairing the Conference as its President for next two years. The Union Environment and Forests Minister Jayanthi Natarajan took over the charge of COP-11 as its President for next two years.
• The Union Environment and Forests Minister Jayanthi Natarajan, who took over the charge of COP-11 as its President for next two years emphasised on the issue of resource mobilization that remained an unfinished agenda of COP-10 at Nagoya in Japan
• Manmohan Singh the Prime Minister of India announced a grant of $50 million for strengthening the institutional mechanism of biodiversity conservation in India and other developing countries by the name of Hyderabad Pledge
• The Prime Minister also launched the high level segment of the 11th conference of parties during the UN Convention on Biodiversity meeting at Hyderabad. This conference was the first conference after the launch of Decade of Biodiversity by United Nations in 2011.
The high level meet took place during the United Nations Decade on Biodiversity (UNBD) that was declared by the United Nations General Assembly following its resolution 65/161. This plan was designed to find out the solutions for the objectives like Strategic Plan for Biodiversity and the Aichi Biodiversity Targets. Across the UNBD, a trial to encourage government and representatives of different countries to develop, implement and communicate the results established by their national strategies designed for fine implementation of the strategic plan over biodiversity.
Plan and Programmes Launched during COP11 Conference:
• BirdLife International on 16 October 2012 launched an e-Atlas of Marine-Important Bird Areas during COP11. The e-Atlas would act as an inventory and carry data of around 3000 important bird areas from across the world and can play a major role in conserving the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) target for protection of 10 percent coastal and marine Areas by 2020
• The NTCA (National Tiger Conservation Authority) also declared its plan to create a national database for tigers, the flagship species of India proving a unique identification code and number to each one of these big cats in India. This was declared by the member secretary of NTCA, Rajesh Gopal during an event organized with a theme Have We Turned the Corner in Tiger Conservation
Conclusion
Amid the discussions and concerns, the COP 11 conference failed to reach to a concrete decision of making resource mobilisation and fund arrangements done. Indian Prime Minister allocated a fund of $50 million for strengthening the mechanism for preserving the biodiversity in India and other Developing nations. Although several steps and things were critically discussed and concerns were raised to achieve better results and face the upcoming challenges.
Singham Bravery Award Posthumously given to IAS and Security Personnel
The awards were handed over to the family members of the police officers by reel life 'Singham' Ajay Devgan,who is also the brand ambassador of Maharashtra police ,actor Sunil Shetty and former CRPF Director General K Vijay Kumar.
Besides Narendra Kumar, the award was posthumously presented to Surinder Singh, Narinder Singh Ranjeet Singh, Prakash S Meena, K C Meena, Tanveer Singh and Sanjeev Kumar.
Marking the occasion, Ajay Devgn and Rohit Shetty, were also bestowed with 'Pride of Nation' awards.
The Singham Bravery Award was organised by the All India Anti Terrorist Front (AIATF) and were held on the occasion of National Police Day 2012 to felicitate those who had risked - some had even sacrificed their lives in the line of duty.
Eminent Writer and President of the Sahitya Akademi, Sunil Gangopadhyay Died
About Sunil Gangopadhyay
Born on 2 September 1934, Sunil Gangopadhyay was an acclaimed poet and novelist from India. He provided a platform for the poets of new generations with Krittibas a seminal poetry magazine that he started in 1953 as a founder editor. He was successful as a novelist, short story and travelogue writer as well as for his writings as children fiction.
He as a poet and novelist has more than 200 books by his name and won several awards and honours as credentials to his name. His pen names were Sanatan Pathak, Nil Upadhyay and Nil Lohit.
Awards and Honours
• He received Ananda Puraskar in 1972 and 1989
• He was awarded with Sahitya Akademi Award in 1985
• Gangopadhyay was honoured as Sheriff of Kolkata in 2002 as a prominent citizen of the city
• He was honoured with India’s highest literary award Saraswati Samman in 2004- this award is also listed under Schedule VII of Indian Constitution
• In the year 2011 he won the Hindu Literary Prize, shortlist, The Fakir
• In the year 2012 received Sera Bangali Lifetime Achievement Award by Star Ananda
LinkWithin
