Tuesday, June 16, 2015
सफलता का श्रेय ?
सफलता का श्रेय ?
===============
एक बार यात्रियों से भरी बस कहीं जा रही थी। अचानक मौसम बदला और धूलभरी
आंधी के बाद बारिश की बूंदें गिरने लगीं। जल्द ही बारिश तेज तूफान में
बदल गयी। घनघोर अंधेरा छा गया था, भयंकर बिजली चमक रही थी। बिजली कड़क कर
बस की तरफ आती और वापस चली जाती। ऐसा कई बार हुआ और जब भी ऐसा होता सबकी
सांसें ऊपर की ऊपर और नीचे की नीचे हो जातीं।
ड्राइवर ने आखिरकार बस को एक बड़े से पेड़ से करीब 50 कदम की दूरी पर
खड़ा कर दिया। यात्रियों से कहा कि इस बस में कोई ऐसा यात्री बैठा है,
जिसकी मौत आज निश्चित है। उसके साथ कहीं हमें भी अपनी जिंदगी से हाथ न
धोना पड़े। इसलिए सभी यात्री एक-एक करके जाओ और उस पेड़ को हाथ लगाकर आओ।
जो भी बदकिस्मत होगा, उस पर बिजली गिरेगी और बाकी सब बच जाएंगे। सबसे
पहले जिसकी बारी थी, उसको दो-तीन यात्रियों ने जबर्दस्ती
बस से उतारा। वह धीरे-धीरे पेड़ तक गया, हाथ लगाया और भागकर आकर बस में
बैठ गया। ऐसे ही एक-एक करके सब जाते और भागकर आकर बस में चैन की सांस
लेते।
अंत में केवल एक आदमी बच गया। उसने सोचा, तेरी मौत तो आज निश्चित है। सब
उसे अपराधी की तरह देख रहे थे। उसे भी जबर्दस्ती उतारा गया। वह भारी मन
से पेड़ के पास पहुंचा और जैसे ही पेड़ पर हाथ लगाया। तेज आवाज से बिजली
कड़की और बस पर गिर गयी। बस जल गयी। सब यात्री मर गए, सिर्फ एक को
छोड़कर, जिसे सब बदकिस्मत मान रहे थे। वो नहीं जानते थे कि उसकी वजह से
ही सबकी जान बची हुई थी।
सीख- जीवन में भी सफलता हासिल करने के लिए हरेक क्षण यह सोचने की जरूरत
होती है कि क्या हम ही उसके जिम्मेदार हैं या फिर दूसरों के सहयोग से ऐसा
हो पाया। विचार करना जरुरी है की सफलता का श्रेय किसको देते हैं?
Coaching for IAS In Indore: PS ACADEMY
===============
एक बार यात्रियों से भरी बस कहीं जा रही थी। अचानक मौसम बदला और धूलभरी
आंधी के बाद बारिश की बूंदें गिरने लगीं। जल्द ही बारिश तेज तूफान में
बदल गयी। घनघोर अंधेरा छा गया था, भयंकर बिजली चमक रही थी। बिजली कड़क कर
बस की तरफ आती और वापस चली जाती। ऐसा कई बार हुआ और जब भी ऐसा होता सबकी
सांसें ऊपर की ऊपर और नीचे की नीचे हो जातीं।
ड्राइवर ने आखिरकार बस को एक बड़े से पेड़ से करीब 50 कदम की दूरी पर
खड़ा कर दिया। यात्रियों से कहा कि इस बस में कोई ऐसा यात्री बैठा है,
जिसकी मौत आज निश्चित है। उसके साथ कहीं हमें भी अपनी जिंदगी से हाथ न
धोना पड़े। इसलिए सभी यात्री एक-एक करके जाओ और उस पेड़ को हाथ लगाकर आओ।
जो भी बदकिस्मत होगा, उस पर बिजली गिरेगी और बाकी सब बच जाएंगे। सबसे
पहले जिसकी बारी थी, उसको दो-तीन यात्रियों ने जबर्दस्ती
बस से उतारा। वह धीरे-धीरे पेड़ तक गया, हाथ लगाया और भागकर आकर बस में
बैठ गया। ऐसे ही एक-एक करके सब जाते और भागकर आकर बस में चैन की सांस
लेते।
अंत में केवल एक आदमी बच गया। उसने सोचा, तेरी मौत तो आज निश्चित है। सब
उसे अपराधी की तरह देख रहे थे। उसे भी जबर्दस्ती उतारा गया। वह भारी मन
से पेड़ के पास पहुंचा और जैसे ही पेड़ पर हाथ लगाया। तेज आवाज से बिजली
कड़की और बस पर गिर गयी। बस जल गयी। सब यात्री मर गए, सिर्फ एक को
छोड़कर, जिसे सब बदकिस्मत मान रहे थे। वो नहीं जानते थे कि उसकी वजह से
ही सबकी जान बची हुई थी।
सीख- जीवन में भी सफलता हासिल करने के लिए हरेक क्षण यह सोचने की जरूरत
होती है कि क्या हम ही उसके जिम्मेदार हैं या फिर दूसरों के सहयोग से ऐसा
हो पाया। विचार करना जरुरी है की सफलता का श्रेय किसको देते हैं?
Coaching for IAS In Indore: PS ACADEMY
इतिहास के पन्नों में 16 जून
=====================
देश और दुनिया के इतिहास में 16 जून के दिन कई महत्वपूर्ण घटनाएं हुईं.
जिसमें रूसी महिला लेफ्टिनेंट वलेंटीना तेरेशकोवा का अंतरिक्ष के लिए
उड़ान भरने वाली दुनिया की पहली महिला होने का रिकॉर्ड शामिल है.
1779 में स्पेन ने ब्रिटेन के खिलाफ जंग का आगाज कर दिया.
1911 में IBM कंपनी की स्थापना न्यूयॉर्क में हुई. पहले इसका नाम
Computing-Tabulating-Recording Company था.
1950 में बॉलीवुड के डिस्को डांसर कहे जाने वाले मिथुन दा का जन्म हुआ था.
1963 आज ही के दिन 26 वर्षीय रूसी महिला लेफ्टिनेंट वलेंटीना तेरेशकोवा
अंतरिक्ष के लिए उड़ान भरने वाली वो दुनिया की पहली महिला थीं. वैलेनटीना
ने रूस की राजधानी मोस्को से अंतरिक्ष यान - वोस्टोक 6 में अपना सफर शुरू
किया था.
1992 में 'डायना - ए ट्रू स्टोरी' के नाम से प्रकाशित किताब को प्रकाशित
किया गया. इस किताब में बताया गया कि डायना ने पिछले दस साल में कई बार
आत्महत्या करने की कोशिश की.
2012 चीन ने स्पेसक्राफ्ट Shenzhou 9 को लांच किया.
2012 यूनाइटेट स्टेट एयरफोर्स रोबोटिक बोइंग X-37B spaceplane अपने
मिश्ान पूरा कर पृथ्वी पर वापस लौटा.
Coaching for IAS In Indore: PS ACADEMY
yoga
He said he tried "asana" first time during his visit to India and it
brought a sense of satisfaction.
Coaching for IAS In Indore: PS ACADEMY
Current Affairs
Current Affairs
Q1. Name the spacecraft that woke up after seven months in hibernation
on the surface of Comet 67P?
A. Philae
B. Rosetta
C. Rosemary
D. PlusCraft
ANSWER: A. Philae
Q2. Name the former governor of Himachal Pradesh who passed away on
14th June 2015?
A. Mahabir Prasad
B. Sheila Kaul
C. Sudhakarrao Naik
D. V S Ramadevi
ANSWER: B. Sheila Kaul
Q3. What is the objective of launching a digital Employment Exchange
for Industries (EEX) portal eex.dcmsme.gov.in, by the Union Government
on 15th June'15?
A. Connect industries globally
B. Connect employers and job seekers
C. Connect government and industries together
D. All of these
ANSWER: B. Connect employers and job seekers
Q4. Which country has signed motor vehicles pact with Bhutan,
Bangladesh and Nepal on 15th June'15?
A. China
B. United States
C. India
D. Pakistan
ANSWER: C. India
Q5. As announced on 15th June'15, name the country that will test
reusable launch vehicle next month as this technology can
significantly bring down the cost of launching satellites?
A. Canada
B. China
C. Japan
D. India
ANSWER: D. India
Q6. Name the mobile app launched on 15th June'15 for android devices
(developed by ISRO) that will provide live view of a physical, real
world environment?
A. Saakar
B. Antariksh
C. Spacedroid
D. SpaceApp
ANSWER: A. Saakar
Q7. By what percent FDI inflows into the services sector grew in 2014-15?
A. 81%
B. 65%
C. 30%
D. 46%
ANSWER: D. 46%
Q8. Name the types of trains that will be run with dynamic fares by
Railway Ministry from July to address the rush during peak travel
seasons?
A. Tatkal Trains
B. Suvidha Trains
C. JanManas Trains
D. Peak Trains
ANSWER: B. Suvidha Trains
Q9. Name the Indian bowler has reached a landmark climbing to ninth in
the all-time highest Test wicket-takers?
A. Bhomesh Kumar
B. R Ashwin
C. Harbhajan Singh
D. Mohammad Sami
ANSWER: C. Harbhajan Singh
Q10. What is the present ranking of India in test ranking after draw
against Bangladesh?
A. First
B. Second
C. Third
D. Fourth
ANSWER: D. Fourth
Q11. What edition of anniversary of the Magna Carta was observed on
15th June'15?
A. 1000
B. 500
C. 800
D. 750
ANSWER: C. 800
Q12. Name the Indian company that bagged the multi-year
aero-components manufacture and supply contract with European
consortium Airbus at the ongoing Paris Air Show on 15th June'15?
A. TATA
B. L & T
C. Mahindra
D. Ashoka Leyland
ANSWER: C. Mahindra
Q13. Name the competitive exam that will be re-conducted as per the
order by Supreme Court on 15th June'15?
A. All India Pre-Medical Test 2015
B. UP-PCS 2015
C. IIT-JEE 2015
D. CAT 2014
ANSWER: A. All India Pre-Medical Test 2015
Q14. What is the percentage of gross non-performing assets (gross NPA)
for public-sector banks as on 31st Mar'15?
A. 3%
B. 5.17%
C. 8%
D. 9.3%
ANSWER: B. 5.17%
Q15. Name the Joint-Military Exercise that started between the armies
of India and UK at Salisbury Plains Training Area, UK on 13th June'15?
A. Maitri 2015
B. Yudhabhyas 2015
C. Parigaami 2015
D. Ajeya Warrior 2015
ANSWER: D. Ajeya Warrior 2015
Q16. Name the bird nominated as United Kingdom's first-ever national
bird in a poll conducted in the country that concluded during June
2015?
A. Sparrow
B. Robin
C. Barn Owl
D. Blackbird
ANSWER: B. Robin
Q17. Which company has announced its decision to buy the stake of
minority shareholders in Cairn India on 13th June'15?
A. Vedanta
B. Singreni Mines
C. L&T
D. Ingersoll Rand
ANSWER: A. Vedanta
Q18. Name the editor of the book 'Education of Muslims: An Islamic
Perspective of Knowledge and Education – Indian Context'?
A. Sirajuddin Qureshi
B. J S Rajput
C. B S Chopra
D. Manpreet Tomar
ANSWER: B. J S Rajput
Q19. Who has taken over as Secretary, Department of Public Enterprises
in the M/o Heavy Industries & Public Enterprises on 15th June'15?
A. Sanjay Prasad
B. Rahul Bhatnagar
C. Ameising Luikham
D. Kapil Dev Tripathi
ANSWER: C. Ameising Luikham
Coaching for IAS In Indore: PS ACADEMY
Q1. Name the spacecraft that woke up after seven months in hibernation
on the surface of Comet 67P?
A. Philae
B. Rosetta
C. Rosemary
D. PlusCraft
ANSWER: A. Philae
Q2. Name the former governor of Himachal Pradesh who passed away on
14th June 2015?
A. Mahabir Prasad
B. Sheila Kaul
C. Sudhakarrao Naik
D. V S Ramadevi
ANSWER: B. Sheila Kaul
Q3. What is the objective of launching a digital Employment Exchange
for Industries (EEX) portal eex.dcmsme.gov.in, by the Union Government
on 15th June'15?
A. Connect industries globally
B. Connect employers and job seekers
C. Connect government and industries together
D. All of these
ANSWER: B. Connect employers and job seekers
Q4. Which country has signed motor vehicles pact with Bhutan,
Bangladesh and Nepal on 15th June'15?
A. China
B. United States
C. India
D. Pakistan
ANSWER: C. India
Q5. As announced on 15th June'15, name the country that will test
reusable launch vehicle next month as this technology can
significantly bring down the cost of launching satellites?
A. Canada
B. China
C. Japan
D. India
ANSWER: D. India
Q6. Name the mobile app launched on 15th June'15 for android devices
(developed by ISRO) that will provide live view of a physical, real
world environment?
A. Saakar
B. Antariksh
C. Spacedroid
D. SpaceApp
ANSWER: A. Saakar
Q7. By what percent FDI inflows into the services sector grew in 2014-15?
A. 81%
B. 65%
C. 30%
D. 46%
ANSWER: D. 46%
Q8. Name the types of trains that will be run with dynamic fares by
Railway Ministry from July to address the rush during peak travel
seasons?
A. Tatkal Trains
B. Suvidha Trains
C. JanManas Trains
D. Peak Trains
ANSWER: B. Suvidha Trains
Q9. Name the Indian bowler has reached a landmark climbing to ninth in
the all-time highest Test wicket-takers?
A. Bhomesh Kumar
B. R Ashwin
C. Harbhajan Singh
D. Mohammad Sami
ANSWER: C. Harbhajan Singh
Q10. What is the present ranking of India in test ranking after draw
against Bangladesh?
A. First
B. Second
C. Third
D. Fourth
ANSWER: D. Fourth
Q11. What edition of anniversary of the Magna Carta was observed on
15th June'15?
A. 1000
B. 500
C. 800
D. 750
ANSWER: C. 800
Q12. Name the Indian company that bagged the multi-year
aero-components manufacture and supply contract with European
consortium Airbus at the ongoing Paris Air Show on 15th June'15?
A. TATA
B. L & T
C. Mahindra
D. Ashoka Leyland
ANSWER: C. Mahindra
Q13. Name the competitive exam that will be re-conducted as per the
order by Supreme Court on 15th June'15?
A. All India Pre-Medical Test 2015
B. UP-PCS 2015
C. IIT-JEE 2015
D. CAT 2014
ANSWER: A. All India Pre-Medical Test 2015
Q14. What is the percentage of gross non-performing assets (gross NPA)
for public-sector banks as on 31st Mar'15?
A. 3%
B. 5.17%
C. 8%
D. 9.3%
ANSWER: B. 5.17%
Q15. Name the Joint-Military Exercise that started between the armies
of India and UK at Salisbury Plains Training Area, UK on 13th June'15?
A. Maitri 2015
B. Yudhabhyas 2015
C. Parigaami 2015
D. Ajeya Warrior 2015
ANSWER: D. Ajeya Warrior 2015
Q16. Name the bird nominated as United Kingdom's first-ever national
bird in a poll conducted in the country that concluded during June
2015?
A. Sparrow
B. Robin
C. Barn Owl
D. Blackbird
ANSWER: B. Robin
Q17. Which company has announced its decision to buy the stake of
minority shareholders in Cairn India on 13th June'15?
A. Vedanta
B. Singreni Mines
C. L&T
D. Ingersoll Rand
ANSWER: A. Vedanta
Q18. Name the editor of the book 'Education of Muslims: An Islamic
Perspective of Knowledge and Education – Indian Context'?
A. Sirajuddin Qureshi
B. J S Rajput
C. B S Chopra
D. Manpreet Tomar
ANSWER: B. J S Rajput
Q19. Who has taken over as Secretary, Department of Public Enterprises
in the M/o Heavy Industries & Public Enterprises on 15th June'15?
A. Sanjay Prasad
B. Rahul Bhatnagar
C. Ameising Luikham
D. Kapil Dev Tripathi
ANSWER: C. Ameising Luikham
Coaching for IAS In Indore: PS ACADEMY
Monday, June 15, 2015
RECENT ARTICES
1. Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) inflows into the services sector
grew by over 46 per cent to 3.25 billion dollars in 2014-15 fiscal. It
was revealed by the Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion
(DIPP).
The FDI in this sector has increased after government had taken series
of steps to improve ease of doing business and attracting domestic as
well as foreign investments. The services sector includes banking,
outsourcing, insurance, Research & Development (R&D), courier and
technology testing. Earlier in 2013-14, FDI in this sector was worth
2.22 billion dollar.
However, the total foreign inflow in 2014-15 in the services sector
was low as compared to 2012-13 when it was 4.83 billion dollars. Apart
from services sector, overall foreign inflows in the country too have
rose by 27 per cent to 30.93 billion dollars during 2014-15 fiscal. In
2013-14, the foreign inflow was 24.29 billion dollars.
It should be noted that services contribute about 60% to India's GDP.
The other sectors where FDI inflows have recorded growth are
telecommunications ($2.89 billion), automobiles ($2.57 billion) and
computer software and hardware ($2.20 billion).
Increase in foreign investments will help to improve country's balance
of payments (BoP) situation and strengthen the rupee.
2.
Domestic e-commerce giant Snapdeal has acquired Gurgaon based mobility
solutions company Letsgomo Labs. With this acquisition Letsgomo team
will become part of Snapdeal. It will help to strengthen Snapdeal
position in the m-commerce domain by further strengthen it mobile
technology capabilities.
It should be noted that 75% of the orders on Snapdeal already come via
mobile-based transactions. This takeover comes in lines of Snapdeal's
acquisitions of Martmobi and Freecharge to further strengthening its
mobile platform. Letsgomo Labs was founded by Manav Kamboj and Vikas
Banga. Presently it has 76 members team that work across various
mobile technologies including design strategy and consults in
businesses right from building mobile strategies. It also helps in
conceptualization of applications and mobile sites to implementation
and hosting.
3.
As per recently published Stockholm International Peace Research
Institute (SIPRI) Yearbook 2015, the number of nuclear weapons in the
world decreased in 2015. The overall stockpile of nuclear weapons has
declined to 15,850 in early 2015 from 16,350 in early 2014. Key facts
from SIPRI yearbook Main countries possessing nuclear warheads are
modernizing their arsenal. Reason behind the decrease in the number of
nuclear warheads is because of reduction of them from two main nuclear
powers United States and Russia.
Currently Russia has 7,500 number of nuclear warheads compared to
8,000 in 2014. While, US had 7,260 nuclear warheads compared to 7,300
in 2014. Till date nine countries possesses approximately around 15,
850 nuclear weapons. They are United States, Russia, United Kingdom,
France, China, India, Pakistan, Israel and North Korea. Of these all
nuclear weapons around 1800 weapons are kept in a state of high
operational alert.
4.
State owned telecommunications giant Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited
(BSNL) has launched free pan India roaming scheme. This scheme will
allow company's mobile customers across the country to receive
incoming calls at no additional free of cost.
It will benefit around 7.72 crore of its existing subscriber base as
well as new subscribers. BSNL has announced this scheme with the
consent of Union Minister of Communications & IT Ravi Shankar Prasad
who had earlier announced this scheme in order to achieve dream of
'One Nation One Number'. BSNL is also planning to install 5,000 Base
Transceiver Station (BTS) towers across the country in order to
provide better services to its customers. Out of the 5,000 towers,
1,250 will be established in Bihar to improve the communications
network in the state, especially in the interior areas.
5.
India's tennis player Rohan Bopanna along with his Romanian partner
Florin Mergea has won the ATP's Stuttgart Open final doubles trophy in
Germany. The Indo-Romanian pair defeated Austrian-Brazilian pair of
Alexander Peya and Bruno Soares by score of 5-7, 6-2 and 10-7 to lift
the title.
It is Bopanna's fourth title of 2015. It should be noted that it was
Bopanna- Mergea pair's second ATP World Tour team title in this
season. Earlier they had won the Mutua Madrid Open crown in May 2015.
They also had finished runners up at the Grand Prix Hassan II in
Casablanca. Rafael Nadal clinches Stuttgart grass-clay Men's single
title Ace Spanish tennis player Rafael Nadal has Stuttgart grass-clay
Men's single title. In the final match he defeated Serbia's Viktor
Troick in straight sets of 7-6, 6-3. It was Rafael Nadal's third
Stuttgart Men's single title. With this victory he also became first
tennis player to win titles at the event on both clay and grass
surface
6.
Metal and mining giant Vedanta Ltd and its subsidiary oil explorer
Cairn India have announced to merge. The merger will create India's
largest diversified natural resources company. It will also help Cairn
spread its risk from volatile oil business to other metals and
commodities. Decision in this regard was taken by Independent
directors of both the companies owned by billionaire Anil Agarwal.
The merger will be in an all share swap deal which will give the
Vedanta Ltd access to Cairn India's 2.7 billion dollars (Rs 16,867
crore) cash pile. Vedanta will use this cash lying with Cairn to pay
off part of its 77,752 crore rupees debt For the merger each minority
shareholders of Cairn India will receive one equity share of Vedanta.
They will also receive one redeemable preference share of Rs 10 face
value with 7.5% annual dividend. Previously Vedanta was known as Sesa
Sterlite Ltd. In 2013 it had consolidated its iron ore mining business
by merging Sesa Goa Ltd with Sterlite Industries (India) Ltd.
7.
Supreme Court has cancelled the All India Pre-Medical Test (AIMPT)
2015 and directed the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) to
re-conduct the test within one month. This verdict was given by a SC
bench of Justice RK Agarwal and Justice Amitava Roy on a complaint
filed by candidates. In the complaint students had alleged large-scale
irregularities in AIMPT 2015, including leakage of answer keys.
Earlier on 8 June 2015, SC bench had extended the stay on the
declaration of results which were to be declared on June
The examination was taken by over six lakh students. Large-scale
irregularities had come to the light earlier including leakage of
answer keys. The investigators also had informed the court that the
answer keys of 123 questions were transmitted through 75 mobile phones
in states like Jharkhand, Rajasthan, Bihar and Haryana.
8.
World Bank and World Health Organisation (WHO) in their latest report
have reported that around 400-million people worldwide lack access to
essential health services.
It was revealed in a report by the World Bank and WHO on tracking
universal health care (UHC) coverage. It is the first report to
measure health service coverage and financial protection and to assess
countries' progress towards UHC. Key facts from report It defines UHC
in terms of measurable essential services and to be able to assess how
governments and communities are performing. Apart from lack access to
essential health services, the cost of health care is forcing many
into poverty.
More than 80 percent of world population has access to key health
services. Universal health care should reach everyone regardless of
socio-economic level. This UHC should be provided in family planning,
TB treatment, antenatal care, HIV anti-retroviral therapy along with
improved water sources and improved sanitary facilities.
Coaching for IAS In Indore: PS ACADEMY
grew by over 46 per cent to 3.25 billion dollars in 2014-15 fiscal. It
was revealed by the Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion
(DIPP).
The FDI in this sector has increased after government had taken series
of steps to improve ease of doing business and attracting domestic as
well as foreign investments. The services sector includes banking,
outsourcing, insurance, Research & Development (R&D), courier and
technology testing. Earlier in 2013-14, FDI in this sector was worth
2.22 billion dollar.
However, the total foreign inflow in 2014-15 in the services sector
was low as compared to 2012-13 when it was 4.83 billion dollars. Apart
from services sector, overall foreign inflows in the country too have
rose by 27 per cent to 30.93 billion dollars during 2014-15 fiscal. In
2013-14, the foreign inflow was 24.29 billion dollars.
It should be noted that services contribute about 60% to India's GDP.
The other sectors where FDI inflows have recorded growth are
telecommunications ($2.89 billion), automobiles ($2.57 billion) and
computer software and hardware ($2.20 billion).
Increase in foreign investments will help to improve country's balance
of payments (BoP) situation and strengthen the rupee.
2.
Domestic e-commerce giant Snapdeal has acquired Gurgaon based mobility
solutions company Letsgomo Labs. With this acquisition Letsgomo team
will become part of Snapdeal. It will help to strengthen Snapdeal
position in the m-commerce domain by further strengthen it mobile
technology capabilities.
It should be noted that 75% of the orders on Snapdeal already come via
mobile-based transactions. This takeover comes in lines of Snapdeal's
acquisitions of Martmobi and Freecharge to further strengthening its
mobile platform. Letsgomo Labs was founded by Manav Kamboj and Vikas
Banga. Presently it has 76 members team that work across various
mobile technologies including design strategy and consults in
businesses right from building mobile strategies. It also helps in
conceptualization of applications and mobile sites to implementation
and hosting.
3.
As per recently published Stockholm International Peace Research
Institute (SIPRI) Yearbook 2015, the number of nuclear weapons in the
world decreased in 2015. The overall stockpile of nuclear weapons has
declined to 15,850 in early 2015 from 16,350 in early 2014. Key facts
from SIPRI yearbook Main countries possessing nuclear warheads are
modernizing their arsenal. Reason behind the decrease in the number of
nuclear warheads is because of reduction of them from two main nuclear
powers United States and Russia.
Currently Russia has 7,500 number of nuclear warheads compared to
8,000 in 2014. While, US had 7,260 nuclear warheads compared to 7,300
in 2014. Till date nine countries possesses approximately around 15,
850 nuclear weapons. They are United States, Russia, United Kingdom,
France, China, India, Pakistan, Israel and North Korea. Of these all
nuclear weapons around 1800 weapons are kept in a state of high
operational alert.
4.
State owned telecommunications giant Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited
(BSNL) has launched free pan India roaming scheme. This scheme will
allow company's mobile customers across the country to receive
incoming calls at no additional free of cost.
It will benefit around 7.72 crore of its existing subscriber base as
well as new subscribers. BSNL has announced this scheme with the
consent of Union Minister of Communications & IT Ravi Shankar Prasad
who had earlier announced this scheme in order to achieve dream of
'One Nation One Number'. BSNL is also planning to install 5,000 Base
Transceiver Station (BTS) towers across the country in order to
provide better services to its customers. Out of the 5,000 towers,
1,250 will be established in Bihar to improve the communications
network in the state, especially in the interior areas.
5.
India's tennis player Rohan Bopanna along with his Romanian partner
Florin Mergea has won the ATP's Stuttgart Open final doubles trophy in
Germany. The Indo-Romanian pair defeated Austrian-Brazilian pair of
Alexander Peya and Bruno Soares by score of 5-7, 6-2 and 10-7 to lift
the title.
It is Bopanna's fourth title of 2015. It should be noted that it was
Bopanna- Mergea pair's second ATP World Tour team title in this
season. Earlier they had won the Mutua Madrid Open crown in May 2015.
They also had finished runners up at the Grand Prix Hassan II in
Casablanca. Rafael Nadal clinches Stuttgart grass-clay Men's single
title Ace Spanish tennis player Rafael Nadal has Stuttgart grass-clay
Men's single title. In the final match he defeated Serbia's Viktor
Troick in straight sets of 7-6, 6-3. It was Rafael Nadal's third
Stuttgart Men's single title. With this victory he also became first
tennis player to win titles at the event on both clay and grass
surface
6.
Metal and mining giant Vedanta Ltd and its subsidiary oil explorer
Cairn India have announced to merge. The merger will create India's
largest diversified natural resources company. It will also help Cairn
spread its risk from volatile oil business to other metals and
commodities. Decision in this regard was taken by Independent
directors of both the companies owned by billionaire Anil Agarwal.
The merger will be in an all share swap deal which will give the
Vedanta Ltd access to Cairn India's 2.7 billion dollars (Rs 16,867
crore) cash pile. Vedanta will use this cash lying with Cairn to pay
off part of its 77,752 crore rupees debt For the merger each minority
shareholders of Cairn India will receive one equity share of Vedanta.
They will also receive one redeemable preference share of Rs 10 face
value with 7.5% annual dividend. Previously Vedanta was known as Sesa
Sterlite Ltd. In 2013 it had consolidated its iron ore mining business
by merging Sesa Goa Ltd with Sterlite Industries (India) Ltd.
7.
Supreme Court has cancelled the All India Pre-Medical Test (AIMPT)
2015 and directed the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) to
re-conduct the test within one month. This verdict was given by a SC
bench of Justice RK Agarwal and Justice Amitava Roy on a complaint
filed by candidates. In the complaint students had alleged large-scale
irregularities in AIMPT 2015, including leakage of answer keys.
Earlier on 8 June 2015, SC bench had extended the stay on the
declaration of results which were to be declared on June
The examination was taken by over six lakh students. Large-scale
irregularities had come to the light earlier including leakage of
answer keys. The investigators also had informed the court that the
answer keys of 123 questions were transmitted through 75 mobile phones
in states like Jharkhand, Rajasthan, Bihar and Haryana.
8.
World Bank and World Health Organisation (WHO) in their latest report
have reported that around 400-million people worldwide lack access to
essential health services.
It was revealed in a report by the World Bank and WHO on tracking
universal health care (UHC) coverage. It is the first report to
measure health service coverage and financial protection and to assess
countries' progress towards UHC. Key facts from report It defines UHC
in terms of measurable essential services and to be able to assess how
governments and communities are performing. Apart from lack access to
essential health services, the cost of health care is forcing many
into poverty.
More than 80 percent of world population has access to key health
services. Universal health care should reach everyone regardless of
socio-economic level. This UHC should be provided in family planning,
TB treatment, antenatal care, HIV anti-retroviral therapy along with
improved water sources and improved sanitary facilities.
Coaching for IAS In Indore: PS ACADEMY
World-Famous Buddhas of Bamiyan Resurrect in Afghanistan
Fourteen years after the Taliban dynamited the world-famous Buddhas of
Bamiyan, the giant statues were resurrected with 3D light projection
technology in the empty cavities where they once stood in Afghanistan.
The project was undertaken by a Chinese couple who used 3D laser light
projection technology to fill the empty cavities in the cliff in the
Bamiyan Valley in Hazarajat with Buddha's virtual images, 230 km
northwest of Kabul.
The couple - Janson Yu and Liyan Hu - were saddened by the destruction
of the two statues which were carved during the 6th century and
decided to undertake the project.
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They took permission both from the Afghan government and UNESCO to
bring the statues back for one night only in the empty cavities in the
cliff.
The event on June 7 saw projectors displaying huge holographic statues
of the exact size of the precious cultural monuments that were lost,
accompanied by music.
"The projections were not widely publicised, but over 150 people came
to see the spectacle. Crowds remained well into the night and some
people played music while others looked on," a journalist, who
witnessed the show, was quoted as saying by The Atlanic.
Both Standing Buddhas - 115 ft and 174 ft tall - were carved out of
sandstone cliffs and stood at one point painted and gilded. They
managed to survive for more than 1500 years.
But the Taliban dynamited and destroyed them in March 2001 as part of
a campaign to remove all non-Islamic art from Afghanistan.
The statues were among the most famous cultural landmarks of the
region, and the site was listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site
along with the surrounding cultural landscape and archaeological
remains of the Bamiyan Valley.
Japan and Switzerland, among others, have pledged support for the
rebuilding of the statues.
Coaching for IAS In Indore: PS ACADEMY
World Blood Donor Day
raise the public awareness about the need for safe blood donation.
The theme of this year's campaign is Thank you for saving my life.
This year's campaign encourages donors all over the world to donate
blood voluntarily and regularly with the slogan Give freely, give
often. Blood donation matters.
Objective
**To spread awareness about the need for safe and secure blood supplies.
**Provide an opportunity to draw public attention to the importance of
blood donation for saving lives.
World Health Organisation (WHO), a nodal agency of UN for
international public health has called for increased regular blood
donations from voluntary, unpaid donors in order to save millions of
lives globally each year.
It should be noted that World Blood Donor Day is one of eight official
global public health campaigns marked by the WHO. The event was
established in 2004. It was established in order to raise awareness of
the need for safe blood and blood products and to thank blood donors
for their voluntary donations.
Bibek Debroy Committee
submitted its final report to the Union Ministry of Railways.
The committee has suggested measures for restructuring the Railway
Board and its departments so that policy making is separated from
day-to-day operations.
Recommendations of Bibek Debroy committee
Establishment of an independent regulator Railway Regulatory Authority
of India (RRAI) with a separate budget and to be independent of the
Ministry.
RRAI will decide on tariffs to revamp the cash-strapped railways.
Railway Budget should be phased out with gross budgetary support to
Indian Railways.
There is need to improve the internal resource generation and explore
varied methods of financing but also to improve utilisation of
available resources.
No privatisation of Indian Railway but allowed participation of
private sector in the railway projects.
Separation of activities like running of hospitals, schools, real
estate development, catering, manufacturing of locomotives, coaches
and wagons from the core business of running trains.
State governments should be asked to entirely fund the Government
Railway Police (GRP).
General Managers should have the freedom to choose between private
security guards and RPF for security on trains.
The recommended changes should be implemented only by Union Railways
ministry in the first five years including the resolution of the
social cost issue.
Background
Union government had constituted the high-level committee in September
2014 to restructure the Railways and suggest ways for resource
mobilisation.
It was seven-member panel headed by eminent economist and NITI Aayog
member Bibek Debroy.
The other 6 members are former cabinet secretary
**K M Chandrasekhar
**Gusharan Das
**Ravi Narain,
**Partha Mukhopadhyay
**Rajendra Kashyap
**Ajay Tyagi
**Ajay Narayan Jha.
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Indian Nuclear Insurance Pool (INIP)
of 1,500 crore rupees as per the mandatory provision under the Civil
Liability for Nuclear Damage Act (CLND), 2010. It was announced by
Minister of State (MoS) in the Department of Atomic Energy Jitendra
Singh in New Delhi.
With this launch, INIP became 27th nuclear insurance pool in the world
that managing nuclear liabilities and India has joined an exclusive
list of countries having nuclear pools.
The pool will address third party liability insurance in a bid to
offset financial burden of foreign nuclear suppliers under the CLNDA,
2010.
The pool is set up by General Insurance Corporation (GIC) of India and
11 other non-life insurers. They are New India, Oriental Insurance,
National Insurance and United India Insurance from the public sector
apart from private insurance companies.
Why the INIP is formed?
**A clause in the CLND Act empowers the operator the Right to Recourse
and allows it to sue the suppliers in case of any accident. This was
seen as a major hindrance to the growth of the nuclear industry. These
concerns led to the formation of the nuclear insurance pool.
Implications of INIP
**To deal with management of cover to both operators and suppliers on
behalf of all direct insurance companies participating in the pool.
**INIP will offer policies on the nuclear operators liability
insurance policy and a nuclear suppliers' special contingency (against
right to recourse) insurance policy.
**Address third-party liability insurance and later expand into
property and other hot zone i.e. inside reactor areas risk. It should
be noted that at present it only covers cold zones (outside reactor
areas).
**Provide the risk transfer mechanism to the operators and suppliers
to meet their obligations under the CLND Act.
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Coaching for IPS In Indore: PS ACADEMY
Philae comet lander
(Churyumov-Gerasimenko) from seven-month hibernation.
It was announced by European Space Agency (ESA) after the comet lander
managed to communicate with Earth for more than a minute.
In November 2014, Philae comet lander had created space history by
becoming first to probe landed on a comet. The historic feat was
achieved after it was dropped on to the surface of Comet 67P by its
mothership Rosetta.
After successfully landing on the comet it had worked for 60 hours and
had conducted experiments and transmitted that data to Earth before
going into hibernation after its solar-powered battery ran flat.
Probe resumed its communication on 14 June 2015 by sending about 300
packages of data to Earth via its mother ship Rosetta which is still
orbiting the comet.
Timeline of Philae's journey
1. March 2004: ESA's unmanned probe Rosetta was successfully launched
from Kourou, French Guiana.
2. February 2007: The probe carries out a close flyby of Mars.
3. September 2008: Probe successfully passes close to an asteroid 2867
located 400 million km from Earth.
4. July 2010: The probe transmits first pictures from the largest
asteroid ever visited by a satellite Lutetia in between Mars and
Jupiter.
5. August 2014: It swings alongside comet 67P situated in between the
orbits of Mars and Jupiter.
6. November 2014: Philae lander successfully lands on comet after it
is released from Rosetta.
inflation
मई के महीने में पिछले वर्ष की इसी अवधि के मुकाबले घटकर शून्य से 2.36%
कम हो गई। लेकिन मई के महीने में अप्रैल के मुकाबले मुद्रास्फीति मासिक
आधार पर एक प्रतिशत बढ़ी।
The annual rate of inflation, based on monthly Wholesale Price Index ,
stood at minus 2.36% for the month of May, 2015 , over May, 2014.
However inflation inched up on month on month basis by one percent in
May compared to the previous month.
Coaching for IAS In Indore PS ACADEMY
मिशन इंद्रधनुष
भारत सरकार के स्वास्थ्य एवं परिवार कल्याण मंत्रालय ने 25 दिसंबर, 2014
को मिशन इंद्रधनुष का शुभारंभ किया था। यह मिशन 2020 तक सबको टीकाकरण
कार्यक्रम के तहत टीके से वंचित और आंशिक रूप से टीकाकरण में शामिल किए
जा चुके सभी बच्चों को टीके लगाने की विशेष राष्ट्रव्यापी पहल के रूप में
आरंभ किया गया है।
मिशन के तहत भारत में 2013 में 65 प्रतिशत बच्चों के पूर्ण टीकाकरण का
विस्तार कर अगले पांच साल में कम से कम 90 प्रतिशत बच्चों को टीके लगाने
पर ध्यान
केंद्रित किया गया है। इस कार्यक्रम के तहत देशभर में सात खतरनाक
बीमारियों से सुरक्षा के लिए टीके लगाने पर ध्यान दिया जाना है।
यह बीमारियां हैं:गलघोंटू, जोर की खांसी, टिटनस, पोलियो, टीबी, खसरा और
हेपेटाइटिस बी। इसके अतिरिक्त, चुने हुए जिलों/राज्यों में हेमोफिलस
इन्फ्लुएंजा टाइप बी और जापानी इनसेफलाइटिस से बचाव के टीके भी लगाए जा
रहे हैं।
यह कार्यक्रम हर साल 5 प्रतिशत या उससे अधिक बच्चों के पूर्ण टीकाकरण में
तेजी से वृद्धि के लिए विशेष अभियानों के जरिए चलाया जाएगा।
मिशन इंद्रधनुष के तहत, स्वास्थ्य मंत्रालय ने देश भर में 201 जिलों की
पहचान की है जहां सबसे अधिक ध्यान दिया जाएगा। इन जिलों में आंशिक
टीकाकरण वाले या बिना टीकाकरण वाले सबसे अधिक बच्चे हैं। सभी टीकाकरण
वंचित या आंशिक टीकाकरण वाले बच्चों में से लगभग 50 प्रतिशत इन 201 जिलों
में हैं। 201 जिलों में से 82 जिले चार राज्यों उत्तर प्रदेश, बिहार,
मध्य प्रदेश और राजस्थान में हैं। भारत में टीकों से वंचित या आंशिक
टीकाकरण वाले करीब 25 प्रतिशत बच्चे इन चार राज्यों के 82 जिलों में हैं।
देश में नियमित टीकाकरण कवरेज में सुधार के लिए इन जिलों में गहन प्रयास
किए जाएंगे। इस कार्यक्रम का अंतिम लक्ष्य भारत में सभी बच्चों और
गर्भवती महिलाओं को ऐसी बीमारियों से सुरक्षित करना है जिनसे बचाव संभव
है।
विशेष ध्यान दिए जाने वाले क्षेत्र
मिशन इंद्रधनुष के तहत पहले चरण में 201 जिलों को सर्वोच्च प्राथमिकता
देने का लक्ष्य तय किया है तथा 2015 में दूसरे चरण में 297 जिलों को
लक्ष्य बनाया गया है। मिशन के पहले चरण का कार्यान्वयन 201 उच्च
प्राथमिकता वाले जिलों में 7 अप्रैल, 2015 विश्व स्वास्थ्य दिवस के दिन
से आरंभ होगा।
इन जिलों में इस मिशन के तहत पोलियो उन्मूलन कार्यक्रम के जरिए पहचानी गई
4,00,000 उच्च जोखिम वाली बस्तियों पर ध्यान दिया जाएगा। इन क्षेत्रों
में भौगोलिक, जनांकिकीय, जातीय और संचालन संबंधी अन्य चुनौतियों के कारण
कम टीके लगाए जा सके हैं। प्रमाणों से पता चलता है कि अधिकतर टीकाकरण से
वंचित और आंशिक टीकाकृत बच्चे इन्हीं क्षेत्रों में हैं।
विशेष टीकाकरण अभियानों के जरिए निम्नलिखित क्षेत्रों को लक्ष्य बनाया जाएगा:
· पोलियो उन्मूलन कार्यक्रम के जरिए उच्च जोखिम वाले क्षेत्रों की पहचान
की गई। इन क्षेत्रों में ऐसी आबादी रहती है-
o प्रवासियों की शहरी झुग्गी बस्तियां
o घुमंतू प्रजातियां
o भट्टा मजदूर
o निर्माण स्थल
o अन्य प्रवासी ( मछुआरों के गांव, दूसरी जगह रहने वाली आबादी के नदी
तटीय क्षेत्र इत्यादि) तथा
o अल्प सेवा पहुंच वाले और दूर दराज के क्षेत्र ( वन क्षेत्र में रहने
वाली और आदिवासी आबादी इत्यादि)
Coaching for IAS In Indore: PS ACADEMY
Saturday, June 13, 2015
ICICI Bank Launches Voice Authentication For Transactions
ICICI bank has launched a new service that allows customers to
authenticate phone banking transactions with their voice, as opposed
to entering a hard-to-remember PIN or password, offering a hands-free
solution to customers.
The bank's voice recognition service authenticates customers based on
their speech patterns which will be routed through its call centres.
The tech behind the feature works on voice prints which are made up of
over 100 characteristics such as modulation, speed, accent and
pronunciation, which are almost impossible to replicate.
Over 33 million savings bank and credit card holders will be able to
avail the voice authentication service, which is aimed at improving
the convenience of banking while staying secure.
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China has launched a freight train service
city of Harbin and Europe. The 9,820-km-long distance rail route will
open new trade options for Chinese goods in the European Market.
It was launched by HAO Logistics Co. Ltd which is a joint venture
company that runs the freight service.
The train carrying 49 containers of domestic goods such as electronic
products and auto parts worth US 3 million dollars started its journey
from Harbin capital of Heilongjiang province.
The freight train will run once a week. Each single trip will take 15
days and it will transport goods from China, South Korea and Japan as
well as goods from European countries such as Poland, Germany, Spain,
France and Italy. This train will pass through countries like Russia
and Poland to reach its final destination in Hamburg, Germany.
Several other Chinese cities like Changsha, Chengdu, Chongqing, Yiwu,
Hefei and Suzhou have launched similar freight train services to
Europe.
Coaching for IAS In Indore: PS ACADEMY
US becomes world’s largest oil producer, surpasses Saudi Arabia: BP Report
As per recently released report by British Petroleum (BP) Energy
Company, United States (US) became the world's largest oil producer in
2014 surpassing Saudi Arabia. It was reveled in BP Energy Company
report tilled Statistical Review of World Energy.
Key facts from Report
Oil production: US had produced 11.6 million barrels of oil per day
(bpd) i.e. 15.9% more oil in 2014.
While, Saudi Arabia was placed second position as it had produced 11.5
million bpd in 2014.
Russia was placed at third position with 10.8 million bpd oil production.
Natural gas: US also has surpassed Russia as the world's largest
producer of natural gas. In 2014, US had produced 1,250.4 million tons
of oil equivalent natural gas.
Russia had produced 1,062 million tons of oil equivalent natural gas in 2014.
Consumption side: Primary energy consumption had slowed markedly with
growth of just 0.9% in 2014. It was a lower rate than at any time
since the late 1990s.
Growth in consumption of China has slowed to its lowest level since
1998. The main reason for is due to its economy rebalances which are
away from energy intensive sectors. But China had remained the world's
largest growth market for energy in 2014.
China had consumed 2972.1 million tons of oil equivalent energy. US
had consumed 2298.7 million tons. Japan had consumed 456.1 million
tons oil equivalent energy. Russia had consumed 681.9 million tons oil
equivalent energy.
****Facts related to India: India's oil production gad declined by
1.3% at 895,000 bpd, while the consumption had increased by 3% to 3.8
million bpd.
**India has shown 7.1% rise in energy consumption. It is the fastest
consumption among major economies. It had consumed 637.8 million tons
of oil and oil equivalent natural gas, coal, nuclear energy,
hydroelectricity and renewable energy.
**Refining: India is self-sufficient and fourth largest in refining
capacity with 4.3 million bpd. Top three nations are US (17.79 million
bpd), China (14.09 million bpd) and Russia (6.3 million bpd).
Coaching for IAS In Indore: PS ACADEMY
Singhey Khababs Sindhu festival
Three day long tourism promotional Ladakh Singhey Khababs Sindhu (also
known as Sindhu Darshan) Festival has begun in Jammu and Kashmir's
Ladakh region.
It was inaugurated by Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed to promote
the tourism potentials of Ladakh. The inaugural function of the
festival was organised this morning on the bank of the Indus River
near Shey village in Ladakh.
In this edition of festival, local traditions and cultures like folk's
songs and dances will be presented along with customs, traditional
archery and polo games and local handicrafts. Singhey Khababs Sindhu
festival was started in 2001 by Union government to promote Lakakh as
tourists' destination in the country. Since then it is organised
annually.
It is celebrated to endorse the Indus River (Sindhu River) as a symbol
of the communal harmony and unity of India. It also promotes cultural
values and tourism in the region.
The Festival starts with a colourful ceremony on the bank of the Indus
River. Since it establishment it has helped Ladakh region to become
most preferred tourist's destination and also as a popular spot for
shootings films.
Coaching for IAS In Indore: PS ACADEMY
Sangeet Natak Akademi has announced the names of recipients of Sangeet Natak Akademi fellowships
Sangeet Natak Akademi has announced the names of recipients of Sangeet
Natak Akademi fellowships (Akademi Ratna) 2014 and Sangeet Natak
Akademi Awards (Akademi Puraskar) 2014.
The names of the recipients were finalized in the meeting of General
Council of the Sangeet Natak Akademi which is also known as the
National Academy of Music, Dance and Drama.
Akademi Fellowships which carries cash prize of 3 lakh rupees were conferred on
1.R. Janakiraman- Musicologist.
2.S. Sathyu– film-maker.
3.Vijay Kichlu– Classical singer
4.Tulsidas Borkar– Musician
With this the total strength of Sangeet Natak Akademi Fellows has gone
up to 40. Recipients of Sangeet Natak Akademi Awards (Akademi
Puraskar) for the year 2014 are
In the field of music
1.For Hindustani vocal: Ashwini Bhide Deshpande Nath Narelkar and
Ustad Iqbal Ahmed Khan.
2.Hindustani instrumental music: Pandit Nayan Ghosh (tabla) and Ronu
Majumdar (flute).
3.Carnatic instrumental music: Neyveli Santhanagopalan (Carnatic
vocal), T.A. Kaliyamurthy (Thavil), Sukanya Ramgopal (Ghatam) and
Dwaram Durga Prasad Rao (violin).
In the field of dance
Nine persons have been selected in this category. They are
1.Adayar Janardanan (Bharatanatyam), Amusana Devi (Manipuri), Uma
Dogra (Kathak), Sudhakar Sahoo (Odissi), Vedantam Radhesyam
(Kuchipudi).
2.Jagru Mahto (Chhau), Anita Sharma (Sattriya), Varanasi Vishnu
Namboothiri (Kathakali) and Navtej Singh Johar (contemporary dance).
In the field of drama/ theatre
Eight theatre persons have been chosen in this category. They are
1.Asgar Wajahat, Surya Mohan Kulshreshtha, Chidambar Rao Jambe,
Debshankar Haldar, Ramdas Kamath, Amod Bhatt, Manjunath Bhagwat
Hostota and Amardas Manikpuri.
In the field of Traditional/tribal music/folk/theatre/dance and puppetry
In this category eight artistes have been selected. They are
**Puran Shah Koti, KKalamandalam Ram Mohan, . Kesavasamy, Abdul Rashid
Hafiz, Reba Kanta Mohanta, Ramdayal Sharma, K. Shanathoiba Sharma and
Thanga Darlong.
About Sangeet Natak Akademi
**Established: in 1953
**Function: Responsible for preservation and promotion of the
performing arts of the country.
**It also recognizes the contribution of outstanding musicians,
dancers and theatre artists by bestowing them its Fellowships and
Awards.
**Its aim is to create benchmarks in the practice of the performing arts.
Coaching for IAS In Indore: PS ACADEMY
Natak Akademi fellowships (Akademi Ratna) 2014 and Sangeet Natak
Akademi Awards (Akademi Puraskar) 2014.
The names of the recipients were finalized in the meeting of General
Council of the Sangeet Natak Akademi which is also known as the
National Academy of Music, Dance and Drama.
Akademi Fellowships which carries cash prize of 3 lakh rupees were conferred on
1.R. Janakiraman- Musicologist.
2.S. Sathyu– film-maker.
3.Vijay Kichlu– Classical singer
4.Tulsidas Borkar– Musician
With this the total strength of Sangeet Natak Akademi Fellows has gone
up to 40. Recipients of Sangeet Natak Akademi Awards (Akademi
Puraskar) for the year 2014 are
In the field of music
1.For Hindustani vocal: Ashwini Bhide Deshpande Nath Narelkar and
Ustad Iqbal Ahmed Khan.
2.Hindustani instrumental music: Pandit Nayan Ghosh (tabla) and Ronu
Majumdar (flute).
3.Carnatic instrumental music: Neyveli Santhanagopalan (Carnatic
vocal), T.A. Kaliyamurthy (Thavil), Sukanya Ramgopal (Ghatam) and
Dwaram Durga Prasad Rao (violin).
In the field of dance
Nine persons have been selected in this category. They are
1.Adayar Janardanan (Bharatanatyam), Amusana Devi (Manipuri), Uma
Dogra (Kathak), Sudhakar Sahoo (Odissi), Vedantam Radhesyam
(Kuchipudi).
2.Jagru Mahto (Chhau), Anita Sharma (Sattriya), Varanasi Vishnu
Namboothiri (Kathakali) and Navtej Singh Johar (contemporary dance).
In the field of drama/ theatre
Eight theatre persons have been chosen in this category. They are
1.Asgar Wajahat, Surya Mohan Kulshreshtha, Chidambar Rao Jambe,
Debshankar Haldar, Ramdas Kamath, Amod Bhatt, Manjunath Bhagwat
Hostota and Amardas Manikpuri.
In the field of Traditional/tribal music/folk/theatre/dance and puppetry
In this category eight artistes have been selected. They are
**Puran Shah Koti, KKalamandalam Ram Mohan, . Kesavasamy, Abdul Rashid
Hafiz, Reba Kanta Mohanta, Ramdayal Sharma, K. Shanathoiba Sharma and
Thanga Darlong.
About Sangeet Natak Akademi
**Established: in 1953
**Function: Responsible for preservation and promotion of the
performing arts of the country.
**It also recognizes the contribution of outstanding musicians,
dancers and theatre artists by bestowing them its Fellowships and
Awards.
**Its aim is to create benchmarks in the practice of the performing arts.
Coaching for IAS In Indore: PS ACADEMY
Dick Costolo has resigned as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Twitter Inc
Twitter Inc after leading the company for five years.
He will demit the office of CEO on 1 July 2015. Till his replacement
is found Jack Dorsey, Twitter co-founder and Square Inc's CEO will
take over as the Interim CEO.
Under the technological leadership of Costolo, Twitter had evolved
from a startup to a public company. He was also had pioneered for
introducing Twitter's famous 140 character messaging service which had
gained cultural prominence and had become a powerful tool for
worldwide celebrities, activists and citizen journalists to propagate
their views.
Dick Costolo had joined the company in 2009 as its Chief Operating
Officer (CTO) and later in 2010 was appointed as its CEO. In 2013, he
had helped the company to go public and also had struggled to attract
new users to the service.
Twitter was founded in 2006. Presently has 302 million active users
and has a market value around 25 billion US dollars.
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US opens probe against Indian IT giants TCS, Infosys for H1B visa violations
United States (US) government has opened an investigation against two
of the biggest Indian Information Technology (IT) outsourcing
companies for possible violations of H1-B visa rules. The two IT
giants are Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) and Infosys.
The investigation is being carried by US Department of Labour for
against both companies for possible violations of rules for visas for
foreign technology workers under contracts they held with an electric
utility Southern California Edison.
US Department of Labour investigation move comes after the power
company had recently had laid off more than 500 technology workers
from US. These laid off workers were made to train their replacements
who were immigrants on the temporary work visas brought in by the
Indian firms.
Prior to this, around 250 employees at entertainment giant Walt Disney
were laid off and replaced with Indians holding H1B visas.
Coaching for IAS In Indore: PS ACADEMY
Friday, June 12, 2015
Nek Chand Saini, creator of Chandigarh’s iconic Rock Garden
away on 11 June 2015 in Chandigarh. He was 90.
He was born in Berian Kalan village in Shakargarh region (now in
Pakistan). He was as a self-taught Indian artist. He had emigrated to
India with his family during the partition in 1947 and had settled in
Chandigarh in 1950.
In 1951, Nek Chand had started working as a road inspector of the
Chandigarh's Public Works Department (PWD). During this time
Chandigarhwas redesigned as a modern utopia by the Swiss/French
architect Le Corbusier and became first planned city in India. Awards:
Nek Chand was awarded the Padma Shri in 1984.
About Rock Garden
**Initally, Nek Chand Saini had built Chandigarh's iconic Rock Garden
secretly from waste and other unused household materials in a forest
near Sukhna Lake which is spread over an area of 40-acres.
**His secret environmental marvel was later discovered in 1972 by the
municipal authorities. Later he was provided with a team of labourers
and financial support to enable him to continue his work.
**The site famously came to be known as the Rock Garden. It was
officially recognised in 1976 and became a key tourist attraction of
Chandigarh.
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Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS)
As per recently published study, camels aged less than four years
might be a major source of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS).
The study was published in the journal Emerging Infectious Diseases
The research study was undertaken by international team who had looked
for evidence of current or past infection in more than 800 dromedary
camels (also called Arabian camels).
In this study researchers have found out that
**More than 90 per cent of camels were infected by MERS virus the age
of two and virus shedding was more common in calves than in adults.
**Changes in animal husbandry may reduce the occurrence of human MERs
infections.
**Dromedary camels that are living in the Middle East have antibodies
that recognised MERS virus protein which is a strong sign of past
infection.
**However the spread of MERS virus in humans is still unknown but it
might spread due direct contact with body fluids from infected camels.
**Alternatively, it might have spread by drinking unpasteurised camel
milk and possibly by transfer through the contaminated virus present
in the saliva of an infected calf to their mothers.
Facts about Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS)
**MERS belongs to the family of coronaviruses which includes large
family of viruses such as common cold and Severe acute respiratory
syndrome (SARS).
**It was discovered in 2012 and was mostly centred in Saudi Arabia.
But cases might have occurred before.
**Source: MERS is a betacoronavirus derived from bats. Camels have
shown to have antibodies to MERS, but the exact source of infection in
camels has not been identified.
**Transmission: It can be transmitted from infected person to others
after close contact via a respiratory route. It spread's in droplets
when an infected person coughs or sneezes.
**Symptoms: fever, breathing problems, pneumonia and kidney failure.
**Treatment: Till date there is no vaccine available to prevent it.
However intensive medical care can help patient to breath.
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might be a major source of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS).
The study was published in the journal Emerging Infectious Diseases
The research study was undertaken by international team who had looked
for evidence of current or past infection in more than 800 dromedary
camels (also called Arabian camels).
In this study researchers have found out that
**More than 90 per cent of camels were infected by MERS virus the age
of two and virus shedding was more common in calves than in adults.
**Changes in animal husbandry may reduce the occurrence of human MERs
infections.
**Dromedary camels that are living in the Middle East have antibodies
that recognised MERS virus protein which is a strong sign of past
infection.
**However the spread of MERS virus in humans is still unknown but it
might spread due direct contact with body fluids from infected camels.
**Alternatively, it might have spread by drinking unpasteurised camel
milk and possibly by transfer through the contaminated virus present
in the saliva of an infected calf to their mothers.
Facts about Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS)
**MERS belongs to the family of coronaviruses which includes large
family of viruses such as common cold and Severe acute respiratory
syndrome (SARS).
**It was discovered in 2012 and was mostly centred in Saudi Arabia.
But cases might have occurred before.
**Source: MERS is a betacoronavirus derived from bats. Camels have
shown to have antibodies to MERS, but the exact source of infection in
camels has not been identified.
**Transmission: It can be transmitted from infected person to others
after close contact via a respiratory route. It spread's in droplets
when an infected person coughs or sneezes.
**Symptoms: fever, breathing problems, pneumonia and kidney failure.
**Treatment: Till date there is no vaccine available to prevent it.
However intensive medical care can help patient to breath.
www.psacademy.co.in
International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA)
in past one decade renewable energy targets have quadruple globally.
It was mentioned IRENA Renewable Energy Target Setting report which
was released by IRENA Director-General Adnan Z. Amin on the side lines
of IRENA's 9th Council meeting in Dubai.
As per report, 164 countries have adopted at least one type of
renewable energy target compared to 43 countries in 2005. All nations
are adopting renewable energy targets to meet multiple objectives
including energy security, environmental sustainability and
socio-economic benefits.
Developing and emerging economies are leading nations to adopt of
renewable energy targets, accounting for 131 out of the 164 countries.
The majority of 150 countries have focused committed renewable energy
targets on the electricity sector
The numbers of countries setting renewable targets for the heating and
cooling sector have increased to 47 from 2 countries in 2005.
Similarly, renewable transport targets have also has doubled to 59
countries from 27 countries in 2005.
About International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA)
**IRENA is an intergovernmental organization to promote adoption and
sustainable use of renewable energy.
**It is a global hub for renewable energy cooperation and information
exchange within its member nations.
**Founded: in 2009 and its statute entered into force on 8 July 2010.
**Headquarters: Abu Dhabi.
**Two governing structure: IRENA Assembly which takes decisions at
macro level and gives policy guidance. IRENA Council is main governing
body and is responsible for implementing various decisions of
assembly.
**Members: In total it has 140 Members. India is one of the 33
Permanent and founder members of IRENA.
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border haat
The second border haat (rural market) was opened for common people at
Kamalasagar in Sipahijala district of Tripura bordering Brahmanbaria
district of Bangladesh.
The haat was jointly inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and
his Bangladesh counterpart Sheikh Hasina by video-conferencing from
Dhaka on June 6, 2015.
This market is set up at the zero line of the international border
with one part on the Indian side and the other in Bangladesh.
Initially it will facilitate bilateral trade of 16 shortlisted locally
produced goods.
These goods include agricultural and horticultural crops, spices,
minor forest products excluding timber, fish and dry fish, dairy and
poultry products, cottage industry items, wooden furniture, handloom
and handicraft items.
People residing within a distance of 5 km from along the border are
entitled to do business at the haat which will take place once in a
week initially. No local taxes would be levied on the goods sold in
the haats and currencies of both the countries would prevail.
It is anticipated that the haat will provide basic livelihood
opportunities to more than thousands of marginal income families and
small traders along this border areas of both the countries.
First border haat was inaugurated on Srinagar- Purba border area in
January 2015 by Union Commerce and Industries Minister Nirmala along
with her Bangladeshi counterpart Tofail ahmed.
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Reserve Bank of India
Reserve Bank of Indian has allowed non-resident Indians (NRIs) to
invest in chit fund to encourage flow of capital into the country.
Decision in this regard was taken after RBI had revised the extant
guidelines for subscription to the chit funds in consultation with the
government.
Henceforth, NRIs on non-repatriation basis will be allowed to invest
in chit fund without any ceiling. However, the subscription to the
chit funds by NRIs will be mandatorily brought in through normal
banking channel, including through an account maintained with a bank
in India.
The state government may permit any chit fund to accept subscription
from NRIs on non-repatriation basis. It will be permitted by the
registrar of chits or an officer authorized by the state government in
accordance with the provisions of the Chit Fund Act, 1982.
Earlier in May 2000, RBI had barred NRIs from investing in a company
or firms engaged in the business of chit fund.
Apart from this decision, RBI also extended the scheme allowing
airline companies to raise external commercial borrowings (ECB) for
working capital as a permissible end-use under the approval route.
Now, the ECB scheme will continue till March 31, 2016.
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English actor, singer and writer Sir Christopher Lee passed away
away in London, United Kingdom. He was 93.
The veteran actor was famously known as the master of horror for his
famous villainy acting roles in numerous movies such as Dracula, The
Wicker Man, James Bond, Lord of the Rings trilogy etc.
About Sir Christopher Lee Christopher Lee was born in London in 1922
Film career: His on screen acting career began in 1947 after he had
the Rank Organisation where he was trained as an actor. His career
spanned more than 7 decades.
His famous acting roles include Francisco Scaramanga in The Man with
the Golden Gun (1974), Saruman in The Lord of the Rings film trilogy
(2001–2003), The Hobbit film trilogy (2012–2014), Count Dooku Star
Wars trilogy (2002 and 2005) and Star Wars: The Clone Wars (2008).
He also is known for his best performance portraying of Pakistan's
founder Muhammad Ali Jinnah in the biopic Jinnah (1998).
Music career: Lee was also known for his singing ability. He had
recorded various opera and musical pieces between 1986 and 1998.
He also had recorded symphonic metal album Charlemagne: By the Sword
and the Cross in 2010 after he had worked with several metal bands
since 2005.
Awards and Honours: He was knighted in 2009 for services to drama and
charity and was awarded the Bafta fellowship in 2011 and Spirit of
Metal award (2010).
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Union Government has scrapped customs import duties for drugs and test
kits used to treat Human immunodeficiency virus infection and acquired
immune deficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS).
In this regard Central Board of Excise and Customs (CBEC) has issued a
notice that will remain in effect till March 2016. This decision will
help to cut prices of AIDS drugs across the country and thus help
directly in Government's national program to fight the disease.
It will also make import raw materials that are used to make
antiretrovirals under the national program cheaper.
This tax exemption will be applicable to certain first-line and
second-line antiretroviral drugs which are used to treat adults and
children.
Apart from drugs certain diagnostic kits and equipment are also
exempted from tax.
In India more than 2.1 million HIV/AIDS patients are provided with
daily antiretrovirals for free from state-run distribution centres
which are operated by National AIDS Control Organisation (NACO).
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kits used to treat Human immunodeficiency virus infection and acquired
immune deficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS).
In this regard Central Board of Excise and Customs (CBEC) has issued a
notice that will remain in effect till March 2016. This decision will
help to cut prices of AIDS drugs across the country and thus help
directly in Government's national program to fight the disease.
It will also make import raw materials that are used to make
antiretrovirals under the national program cheaper.
This tax exemption will be applicable to certain first-line and
second-line antiretroviral drugs which are used to treat adults and
children.
Apart from drugs certain diagnostic kits and equipment are also
exempted from tax.
In India more than 2.1 million HIV/AIDS patients are provided with
daily antiretrovirals for free from state-run distribution centres
which are operated by National AIDS Control Organisation (NACO).
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mode of Google search engine for India and Brazil on 2 Generation (2G)
network.
This lite mode has been developed by keeping the 2G network speed in
mind. Before launching this feature in India, Google had tested it in
Indonesia, where the network speed is similar to India.
The new lite mode of Google search engine loads pages four times
faster than the traditional webpages and consume 80% less data and
penetrate 50% faster connection compared to before. This feature is
currently limited to Android smartphones.
Around 200 million people in India have access Internet through their
smartphones and a majority of them still prefer 2G network due to
affordable tariffs. It should be noted that in 2G network, a consumer
gets 10KB/s speed in good network conditions, while it goes down to
2-3KB/s in poor network coverage.
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Wu-14 hypersonic strike vehicle
hypersonic strike vehicle which is capable of delivering nuclear
weapons.
The test was conducted on 7 June 2015 and the vehicle launched atop a
ballistic missile fired from a test facility in western China.
The vehicle has ability to executed extreme maneuvers that may be able
to render US anti-missile defense systems obsolete.
This test was the fourth test in past 18 months. Previous tests were
conducted in year 2014 in the months of January, August and December.
The Wu-14 is capable to travel in high altitude in the atmosphere on
the edge of space. It can carry nuclear or conventional warheads. The
high-tech vehicle can travel at speeds of up to 10 times the speed of
sound i.e. around 7,680 miles per hour.
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349 new species of flora and fauna
Scientists and taxonomists in India have discovered 349 new species of
flora and fauna in the past one year. Of these discovered flora and
fauna 173 species are genera of plants and 176 species of animals.
The list of new discovered species was published by the Botanical
Survey of India (BSI) and the Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) both
headquartered in Kolkata, West Bengal.
Key facts
Biodiversity hotspots: Most of discoveries were from India's two
Biodiversity hotspots viz Western Ghats and Eastern Himalayas. Western
Ghats accounted for 22 per cent of the new discoveries.
While, the Eastern Himalayas accounted for 15 per cent discovered
species. 25 species of seed plants were alone discovered in Arunachal
Pradesh.
Animal species: Of the 176 new animal species discovered 93 species
are of insects, 7 species are of collembolans, 12 species of
arachnidan, 12 species crustacean and 1 species of mollusca.
Reptiles: 2 species of reptiles for the first time have been found in
India. One was discovered in Tamil Nadu and another in Madhya Pradesh.
Fish: 23 new fish species were discovered. Majority of fish species
were discovered in north-east India.
Amphibians: 24 new amphibian species were discovered. Most of the new
species of amphibians were discovered in the Western Ghats.
New records: Apart from the discovered new species, the BSI has also
added 105 new records species and ZSI 61 new records species.
It should be noted that new records means animals and plants that have
been spotted in India for the first time and those are found elsewhere
in the world.
In year 2014, 614 new species of plants and animals were discovered
which included 366 plants and 248 animal species. With this, 96,891
species of animals and 47,791 species of plants have been recorded so
far in India.
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flora and fauna in the past one year. Of these discovered flora and
fauna 173 species are genera of plants and 176 species of animals.
The list of new discovered species was published by the Botanical
Survey of India (BSI) and the Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) both
headquartered in Kolkata, West Bengal.
Key facts
Biodiversity hotspots: Most of discoveries were from India's two
Biodiversity hotspots viz Western Ghats and Eastern Himalayas. Western
Ghats accounted for 22 per cent of the new discoveries.
While, the Eastern Himalayas accounted for 15 per cent discovered
species. 25 species of seed plants were alone discovered in Arunachal
Pradesh.
Animal species: Of the 176 new animal species discovered 93 species
are of insects, 7 species are of collembolans, 12 species of
arachnidan, 12 species crustacean and 1 species of mollusca.
Reptiles: 2 species of reptiles for the first time have been found in
India. One was discovered in Tamil Nadu and another in Madhya Pradesh.
Fish: 23 new fish species were discovered. Majority of fish species
were discovered in north-east India.
Amphibians: 24 new amphibian species were discovered. Most of the new
species of amphibians were discovered in the Western Ghats.
New records: Apart from the discovered new species, the BSI has also
added 105 new records species and ZSI 61 new records species.
It should be noted that new records means animals and plants that have
been spotted in India for the first time and those are found elsewhere
in the world.
In year 2014, 614 new species of plants and animals were discovered
which included 366 plants and 248 animal species. With this, 96,891
species of animals and 47,791 species of plants have been recorded so
far in India.
www.psacademy.co.in
Tripartite Free Trade Area (TFTA)
African countries have signed a historic The Tripartite Free Trade
Area (TFTA) that facilitates creation of Africa's largest free-trade
zone.
This free-trade zone will cover 26 countries in an area from
southernmost tip of African continent i.e. Cape Town (South Africa) to
Cairo (Egypt) in the north.
The pact was signed in Egypt will intent to ease the movement of goods
across 26 member countries which represent more than half the
continent's GDP.
TFTA pact combines existing three trade blocs among the African nations viz
**Southern African Development Community (SADC).
**East African Community (EAC).
**Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA).
It will remove trade barriers on most goods, making them cheaper and
stimulating $ 1 trillion worth of economic activity across the region
of more than 600 million people. Thus bolster intra-regional trade by
creating a wider market that will increase investment flow and enhance
regional infrastructure development.
The pact will then be officially unveiled at the upcoming 25th summit
of the African Union in South Africa. After adopting it will need
parliamentary ratification from all member-nations.
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Area (TFTA) that facilitates creation of Africa's largest free-trade
zone.
This free-trade zone will cover 26 countries in an area from
southernmost tip of African continent i.e. Cape Town (South Africa) to
Cairo (Egypt) in the north.
The pact was signed in Egypt will intent to ease the movement of goods
across 26 member countries which represent more than half the
continent's GDP.
TFTA pact combines existing three trade blocs among the African nations viz
**Southern African Development Community (SADC).
**East African Community (EAC).
**Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA).
It will remove trade barriers on most goods, making them cheaper and
stimulating $ 1 trillion worth of economic activity across the region
of more than 600 million people. Thus bolster intra-regional trade by
creating a wider market that will increase investment flow and enhance
regional infrastructure development.
The pact will then be officially unveiled at the upcoming 25th summit
of the African Union in South Africa. After adopting it will need
parliamentary ratification from all member-nations.
www.psacademy.co.in
INS Vikrant
India's first indigenously-built largest aircraft carrier INS Vikrant
was successfully undocked at Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL) in Cochin
district of Kerala.
The ship will undergo a series of fitment and trial processes along
with series of static and dynamic trials before inducting it into the
Indian Navy in end-2018.
With successful completion of construction of INS Vikrant India joins
elite group of four nations in the world viz United States, Russia,
United Kingdom and France that are capable of designing and
constructing aircraft carriers.
The carrier was officially launched in August 2013 after its first
phase of construction was completed. It was first left its dry dock in
December 2011.
Facts about INS Vikrant It name
**Vikrant, means "courageous" in Sanskrit or "bold" in Hindi,
**The carrier has a length of over 260 metres and breadth of 60
metres. It weighs around 40,000 tonne.
**It has two take-off runways and a landing strip with three arrester
wires having short-take off but arrested recovery (STOBAR) system.
**On completion it will carry up to 36 fixed-wing jets, including
MiG-29 K and indigenous Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas.
**It will additionally carry ten helicopters such as Kamov Ka-31s,
Westland Sea Kings, or indigenously-built Dhruvs.
**The basic design of the carrier is done by Indian Navy's Directorate
of Naval Design and was developed into detailed design by the design
team of CSL.
**After induction into Indian Navy its primary role will only be to
defend the naval fleet and will be positioned in the Indian Ocean
region where the world's commercial and economic interests conflate.
www.psacademy.co.in
was successfully undocked at Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL) in Cochin
district of Kerala.
The ship will undergo a series of fitment and trial processes along
with series of static and dynamic trials before inducting it into the
Indian Navy in end-2018.
With successful completion of construction of INS Vikrant India joins
elite group of four nations in the world viz United States, Russia,
United Kingdom and France that are capable of designing and
constructing aircraft carriers.
The carrier was officially launched in August 2013 after its first
phase of construction was completed. It was first left its dry dock in
December 2011.
Facts about INS Vikrant It name
**Vikrant, means "courageous" in Sanskrit or "bold" in Hindi,
**The carrier has a length of over 260 metres and breadth of 60
metres. It weighs around 40,000 tonne.
**It has two take-off runways and a landing strip with three arrester
wires having short-take off but arrested recovery (STOBAR) system.
**On completion it will carry up to 36 fixed-wing jets, including
MiG-29 K and indigenous Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas.
**It will additionally carry ten helicopters such as Kamov Ka-31s,
Westland Sea Kings, or indigenously-built Dhruvs.
**The basic design of the carrier is done by Indian Navy's Directorate
of Naval Design and was developed into detailed design by the design
team of CSL.
**After induction into Indian Navy its primary role will only be to
defend the naval fleet and will be positioned in the Indian Ocean
region where the world's commercial and economic interests conflate.
www.psacademy.co.in
Bangladesh, Bhutan, India and Nepal (BBIN) Motor Vehicle Agreement
Union Cabinet meet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has
approved the signing of Bangladesh, Bhutan, India and Nepal (BBIN)
Motor Vehicle Agreement.
The agreement which is similar to the SAARC Motor Vehicle Agreement
(MVA) seeks to regulate the vehicular traffic of passenger, personal
and cargo amongst BBIN countries.
The agreement will be signed on 15th June 2015 at the Transport
Minister's meeting in Thimpu, Bhutan.
Key Facts
**BBIN agreement aims to promote safe, environmentally sound and
economical efficient road transport in the sub-region of BBIN.
**It also seeks to help each member country to create an institutional
mechanism for regional integration.
**BBIN agreement will benefit member nations for mutual cross border
movement of passenger and goods for overall economic development of
the region.
**For implementation of this agreement each signatory member will bear
its own costs.
Background
**During the 18th SAARC Summit held in Kathmandu, Nepal SAARC MVA was
not able to signed due to reservations of Pakistan.
**However, the SAARC declaration at the 18th Summit had encouraged
Member States to initiate regional and sub-regional measures to
enhance connectivity.
**In line with this declaration, BBIN Motor Vehicle Agreement was
pursued among four SAARC members.
**Draft of this agreement was finalized in February 2015 in the
meeting of Secretaries of Transport of the BBIN countries which was
organized by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highway (MoRTH).
www.psacademy.co.in
approved the signing of Bangladesh, Bhutan, India and Nepal (BBIN)
Motor Vehicle Agreement.
The agreement which is similar to the SAARC Motor Vehicle Agreement
(MVA) seeks to regulate the vehicular traffic of passenger, personal
and cargo amongst BBIN countries.
The agreement will be signed on 15th June 2015 at the Transport
Minister's meeting in Thimpu, Bhutan.
Key Facts
**BBIN agreement aims to promote safe, environmentally sound and
economical efficient road transport in the sub-region of BBIN.
**It also seeks to help each member country to create an institutional
mechanism for regional integration.
**BBIN agreement will benefit member nations for mutual cross border
movement of passenger and goods for overall economic development of
the region.
**For implementation of this agreement each signatory member will bear
its own costs.
Background
**During the 18th SAARC Summit held in Kathmandu, Nepal SAARC MVA was
not able to signed due to reservations of Pakistan.
**However, the SAARC declaration at the 18th Summit had encouraged
Member States to initiate regional and sub-regional measures to
enhance connectivity.
**In line with this declaration, BBIN Motor Vehicle Agreement was
pursued among four SAARC members.
**Draft of this agreement was finalized in February 2015 in the
meeting of Secretaries of Transport of the BBIN countries which was
organized by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highway (MoRTH).
www.psacademy.co.in
Thursday, June 11, 2015
भारतीय मूल के अमेरिकी सर्जन जनरल विवेक मूर्ति
हिंदू समर्थक समूह की ओर से 'प्राइड आफ कम्युनिटी अवार्ड' से सम्मानित
किया गया है।
Indian-origin US Surgeon General Vivek Murthy has been presented with
the Pride of the community Award by a prominent Hindu advocacy group.
www.psacademy.co.in
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
Q.1. Expand SDR Scheme launched by RBI recently.
Ans: Strategic Debt Restructuring Scheme
Q.2. Recently who has been appointed as Executive Director of the
United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR)?
Ans: Nikhil Seth
Q.3. Who has been appointed as India's new Chief Information Commissioner (CIC)?
Ans: Vijay Sharma
Q.4. Who has been appointed as the new chief of National Security Guard (NSG)?
Ans: R.C. Tayal
Q.5. Recently India has imposed anti-dumping duty for some
industrial-grade stainless steel imported from China, Malaysia and
__________.
Ans: South Korea
Q.6. Recently who has been appointed as Asian Development Bank's
Vice-President for Private Sector and Co-financing Operations?
Ans: Diwakar Gupta
Q.7. US President Barack Obama nominated Syria envoy Daniel Rubinstein
as the next ambassador to _________.
Ans: Tunisia
Q.8. Recently who has won 2015 Union of European Football Associations
(UEFA) Champions League trophy?
Ans: Barcelona FC
Q.9. Recently ___________and BPDB signed a MoU to set up two
coal-fired plants with a total capacity of 1,600 MW in Bangladesh.
Ans: Adani Power
Q.10. Recently Dr. Mahesh Neelkanth Buch, widely regarded as the
architect of modern Bhopal, passed away. He was a/an ___________.
Ans: Bureaucrat
www.psacademy.co.in
Ans: Strategic Debt Restructuring Scheme
Q.2. Recently who has been appointed as Executive Director of the
United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR)?
Ans: Nikhil Seth
Q.3. Who has been appointed as India's new Chief Information Commissioner (CIC)?
Ans: Vijay Sharma
Q.4. Who has been appointed as the new chief of National Security Guard (NSG)?
Ans: R.C. Tayal
Q.5. Recently India has imposed anti-dumping duty for some
industrial-grade stainless steel imported from China, Malaysia and
__________.
Ans: South Korea
Q.6. Recently who has been appointed as Asian Development Bank's
Vice-President for Private Sector and Co-financing Operations?
Ans: Diwakar Gupta
Q.7. US President Barack Obama nominated Syria envoy Daniel Rubinstein
as the next ambassador to _________.
Ans: Tunisia
Q.8. Recently who has won 2015 Union of European Football Associations
(UEFA) Champions League trophy?
Ans: Barcelona FC
Q.9. Recently ___________and BPDB signed a MoU to set up two
coal-fired plants with a total capacity of 1,600 MW in Bangladesh.
Ans: Adani Power
Q.10. Recently Dr. Mahesh Neelkanth Buch, widely regarded as the
architect of modern Bhopal, passed away. He was a/an ___________.
Ans: Bureaucrat
www.psacademy.co.in
तीस्ता पर विवाद
तीस्ता पर विवाद : क्या है मामला, समझौते पर ममता को क्यों है एतराज?
=================================================
जब मनमोहन सिंह 2011 में बतौर प्रधानमंत्री ढाका गए थे, तब तीस्ता जल
विवाद पर भारत और बांग्लादेश समझौता करने के करीब थे। उस वक्त भी ममता
बनर्जी ढाका जाने वाली थीं लेकिन समझौते पर आपत्ति जताते हुए उन्होंने ऐन
वक्त पर अपना दौरा रद्द कर दिया। ममता की आपत्ति का असर मोदी के इस दौरे
पर भी दिखा। मोदी-हसीना के बीच बातचीत के एजेंडे में तीस्ता को शामिल ही
नहीं किया गया। ममता और मोदी के इस रुख पर कोलकाता में कांग्रेस
उपाध्यक्ष राहुल गांधी ने भी निशाना साधा। जानिए, क्या है तीस्ता से
जुड़ा पूरा मामला?
कहां से गुजरती है तीस्ता?
तीस्ता नदी हिमालय के पाहुनरी ग्लेशियर से निकलती है। यह सिक्किम से
पश्चिम बंगाल होते हुए बांग्लादेश जाती है और बाद में ब्रह्मपुत्र में
मिल जाती है। यह नदी कुल 393 किलोमीटर का रास्ता तय करती है। इस नदी से
बांग्लादेश की 2 करोड़ और भारत की 1 करोड़ की आबादी का जीवन-यापन जुड़ा
है।
कब से चल रहा है विवाद?
1815 में नेपाल के राजा और ईस्ट इंडिया कंपनी के बीच तीस्ता नदी के पानी
को लेकर समझौता हुआ। तब राजा ने नदी के बड़े हिस्से पर नियंत्रण
अंग्रेजों को सौंप दिया। बांग्लादेश के आजाद होने के 12 साल बाद 1983 में
दोनों देशों के बीच समझौता हुआ। पानी का 36% हिस्सा बांग्लादेश और बाकी
भारत के खाते में आया। लेकिन पिछले 18 साल से बांग्लादेश इस पर दोबारा
विचार करने पर अड़ा है।
क्या है समस्या?
दिसंबर से मार्च के बीच इस नदी में पानी का बहाव कम हो जाता है। इस वजह
से बांग्लादेश में मछुआरों और किसानों को कुछ महीनों तक रोजगार के दूसरे
विकल्प तलाशने पड़ते हैं। वहीं, पश्चिम बंगाल सरकार का कहना है कि वह
अपने बैराज से तीस्ता का ज्यादा पानी बांग्लादेश को नहीं दे सकती।
2011 में क्यों नहीं हुुआ समझौता?
2011 में दोनों देश नदी विवाद सुलझाने के करीब थे। तब यह तय हुआ था कि
दिसंबर-मार्च के बीच भी दोनों देश नदी के पानी का 50-50% बंटवारा करेंगे।
हालांकि, पश्चिम बंगाल सरकार के विरोध के कारण यह समझौता नहीं हो पाया।
समझौते के विरोध में ममता ने ऐन वक्त पर बांग्लादेश दौरा रद्द कर दिया।
क्या है पश्चिम बंगाल सरकार की दलील?
बांग्लादेश चाहता है कि उसे अपने लालमोनीहार जिले में डालिया बैराज के
लिए भारत से ज्यादा पानी मिले ताकि वह दिसंबर-मार्च के दौरान नहरों के
जरिए खेतों तक पानी पहुंचा सके। लेकिन ममता बनर्जी का कहना है कि दिसंबर
से मार्च के बीच नदी में इतना पानी नहीं होता कि जलपाईगुड़ी के पास
गाजोलडोबा बैराज से 25% से ज्यादा हिस्सा बांग्लादेश को दे सकें। पश्चिम
बंगाल कोलकाता पोर्ट के लिए इस पानी का इस्तेमाल करता है। समस्या बारिश
के दिनों में भी है। अगर पश्चिम बंगाल सरकार पानी नहीं छोड़े तो उत्तरी
बंगाल के तराई वाले हिस्से बाढ़ की चपेट में आ जाते हैं। अगर पानी छोड़ा
जाए तो बांग्लादेश में जलस्तर बढ़ जाता है। कई गांवों में खेती के लायक
जमीन से मिट्टी कट जाती है। इसी मुद्दे पर नया समझौता अब तक अटका है।
www.psacademy.co.in
=================================================
जब मनमोहन सिंह 2011 में बतौर प्रधानमंत्री ढाका गए थे, तब तीस्ता जल
विवाद पर भारत और बांग्लादेश समझौता करने के करीब थे। उस वक्त भी ममता
बनर्जी ढाका जाने वाली थीं लेकिन समझौते पर आपत्ति जताते हुए उन्होंने ऐन
वक्त पर अपना दौरा रद्द कर दिया। ममता की आपत्ति का असर मोदी के इस दौरे
पर भी दिखा। मोदी-हसीना के बीच बातचीत के एजेंडे में तीस्ता को शामिल ही
नहीं किया गया। ममता और मोदी के इस रुख पर कोलकाता में कांग्रेस
उपाध्यक्ष राहुल गांधी ने भी निशाना साधा। जानिए, क्या है तीस्ता से
जुड़ा पूरा मामला?
कहां से गुजरती है तीस्ता?
तीस्ता नदी हिमालय के पाहुनरी ग्लेशियर से निकलती है। यह सिक्किम से
पश्चिम बंगाल होते हुए बांग्लादेश जाती है और बाद में ब्रह्मपुत्र में
मिल जाती है। यह नदी कुल 393 किलोमीटर का रास्ता तय करती है। इस नदी से
बांग्लादेश की 2 करोड़ और भारत की 1 करोड़ की आबादी का जीवन-यापन जुड़ा
है।
कब से चल रहा है विवाद?
1815 में नेपाल के राजा और ईस्ट इंडिया कंपनी के बीच तीस्ता नदी के पानी
को लेकर समझौता हुआ। तब राजा ने नदी के बड़े हिस्से पर नियंत्रण
अंग्रेजों को सौंप दिया। बांग्लादेश के आजाद होने के 12 साल बाद 1983 में
दोनों देशों के बीच समझौता हुआ। पानी का 36% हिस्सा बांग्लादेश और बाकी
भारत के खाते में आया। लेकिन पिछले 18 साल से बांग्लादेश इस पर दोबारा
विचार करने पर अड़ा है।
क्या है समस्या?
दिसंबर से मार्च के बीच इस नदी में पानी का बहाव कम हो जाता है। इस वजह
से बांग्लादेश में मछुआरों और किसानों को कुछ महीनों तक रोजगार के दूसरे
विकल्प तलाशने पड़ते हैं। वहीं, पश्चिम बंगाल सरकार का कहना है कि वह
अपने बैराज से तीस्ता का ज्यादा पानी बांग्लादेश को नहीं दे सकती।
2011 में क्यों नहीं हुुआ समझौता?
2011 में दोनों देश नदी विवाद सुलझाने के करीब थे। तब यह तय हुआ था कि
दिसंबर-मार्च के बीच भी दोनों देश नदी के पानी का 50-50% बंटवारा करेंगे।
हालांकि, पश्चिम बंगाल सरकार के विरोध के कारण यह समझौता नहीं हो पाया।
समझौते के विरोध में ममता ने ऐन वक्त पर बांग्लादेश दौरा रद्द कर दिया।
क्या है पश्चिम बंगाल सरकार की दलील?
बांग्लादेश चाहता है कि उसे अपने लालमोनीहार जिले में डालिया बैराज के
लिए भारत से ज्यादा पानी मिले ताकि वह दिसंबर-मार्च के दौरान नहरों के
जरिए खेतों तक पानी पहुंचा सके। लेकिन ममता बनर्जी का कहना है कि दिसंबर
से मार्च के बीच नदी में इतना पानी नहीं होता कि जलपाईगुड़ी के पास
गाजोलडोबा बैराज से 25% से ज्यादा हिस्सा बांग्लादेश को दे सकें। पश्चिम
बंगाल कोलकाता पोर्ट के लिए इस पानी का इस्तेमाल करता है। समस्या बारिश
के दिनों में भी है। अगर पश्चिम बंगाल सरकार पानी नहीं छोड़े तो उत्तरी
बंगाल के तराई वाले हिस्से बाढ़ की चपेट में आ जाते हैं। अगर पानी छोड़ा
जाए तो बांग्लादेश में जलस्तर बढ़ जाता है। कई गांवों में खेती के लायक
जमीन से मिट्टी कट जाती है। इसी मुद्दे पर नया समझौता अब तक अटका है।
www.psacademy.co.in
International Finance Corporation (IFC)
financial institution that offers investment, advisory, and asset
management services to encourage private sector development in
developing countries. The IFC is a member of the World Bank Group and
is headquartered in Washington, D.C., United States. It was
established in 1956 as the private sector arm of the World Bank Group
to advance economic development by investing in strictly for-profit
and commercial projects that purport to reduce poverty and promote
development.The IFC's stated aim is to create opportunities for people
to escape poverty and achieve better living standards by mobilizing
financial resources for private enterprise, promoting accessible and
competitive markets, supporting businesses and other private sector
entities, and creating jobs and delivering necessary services to those
who are poverty-stricken or otherwise vulnerable. Since 2009, the IFC
has focused on a set of development goals that its projects are
expected to target. Its goals are to increase sustainable agriculture
opportunities, improve health and education, increase access to
financing for microfinance and business clients, advance
infrastructure, help small businesses grow revenues, and invest in
climate health.
The IFC is owned and governed by its member countries, but has its own
executive leadership and staff that conduct its normal business
operations. It is a corporation whose shareholders are member
governments that provide paid-in capital and which have the right to
vote on its matters. Originally more financially integrated with the
World Bank Group, the IFC was established separately and eventually
became authorized to operate as a financially autonomous entity and
make independent investment decisions. It offers an array of debt and
equity financing services and helps companies face their risk
exposures, while refraining from participating in a management
capacity. The corporation also offers advice to companies on making
decisions, evaluating their impact on the environment and society, and
being responsible. It advises governments on building infrastructure
and partnerships to further support private sector development.
The corporation is assessed by an independent evaluator each year. In
2011, its evaluation report recognized that its investments performed
well and reduced poverty, but recommended that the corporation define
poverty and expected outcomes more explicitly to better-understand its
effectiveness and approach poverty reduction more strategically. The
corporation's total investments in 2011 amounted to $18.66 billion. It
committed $820 million to advisory services for 642 projects in 2011,
and held $24.5 billion worth of liquid assets. The IFC is in good
financial standing and received the highest ratings from two
independent credit rating agencies in 2010 and 2011.
The World Bank and International Monetary Fund were designed by
delegates at the Bretton Woods conference in 1944 and the World Bank,
then consisting of only the International Bank for Reconstruction and
Development, became operational in 1946. Robert L. Garner joined the
World Bank in 1947 as a senior executive and expressed his view that
private business could play an important role in international
development. In 1950, Garner and his colleagues proposed establishing
a new institution for the purpose of making private investments in the
developing countries served by the Bank. The U.S. government
encouraged the idea of an international corporation working in tandem
with the World Bank to invest in private enterprises without accepting
guarantees from governments, without managing those enterprises, and
by collaborating with third party investors. When describing the IFC
in 1955, World Bank President Eugene R. Black said that the IFC would
only invest in private firms, rather than make loans to governments,
and it would not manage the projects in which it invests. In 1956 the
International Finance Corporation became operational under the
leadership of Garner. It initially had 12 staff members and $100
million ($844.9 million in 2012 dollars in capital. The corporation
made its inaugural investment in 1957 by making a $2 million ($16.4
million in 2012 dollars loan to a Brazil-based affiliate of Siemens &
Halske (now Siemens AG). In 2007, IFC bought 18% stake in the Indian
Financial firm, Angel Broking.
www.psacademy.co.in
India's first lesbian ad
In one of those quiet touches that together make a roar against
ossified attitudes, India finally has its first advertisement
featuring a same sex couple. Ethnic wear brand Anouk, retailed on
fashion portal Myntra, has released an ad featuring two women
preparing to meet the parents of one to introduce themselves as a
couple.
It is a delightful ad, capturing the everyday lived-in-ness of this
couple elegantly.
In the first scene the woman whose parents are expected, let's call
her Radha, is getting ready. She moves around the room looking for an
earring here, a kaajal pencil there. The other one, Sita, has just
woken up and their interaction has the effortless quality of any two
women living together. They crack a joke about Radha's mother always
dressing her in orange as a child, making her look like a "damn
marigold in all my childhood pictures".
But from here, the tone shifts. Radha asks which earring to wear and
the way the Sita answers, with a little jab of the finger, is so
couple-y that you begin to wonder if something more than friendship
and roommate-ship is up. When Sita returns after a shower, she is
dressed in Radha's orange kurta and explains: "I want your mother to
like me." Radha shoots back: "My mother doesn't like girls in short
hair." "You only asked me to cut my hair," Sita complains and Radha
whispers seductively into her ears: "I like you with short hair."
It is so naturally and beautifully executed. The playful
coquettishness of Radha as she brushes her fingers against Sita's
face; the momentary hurt in Sita's eyes at the prospect of not being
liked by her lover's mother. But that's not where the ad ends. If you
thought this ad was good, it gets comprehensively better. Sita passes
through a moment of hesitation and asks Radha if she is sure about
going ahead with it, that is, meeting the parents and perhaps, thus,
outing themselves for the first time. "I am sure about us and I don't
want to hide it anymore," Radha says, and the duo smile and hug. The
phone rings, announcing the arrival of the parents.
This is a perfect ad. It achieves so much in its three-minute
duration. It shows you how normal same sex couples are and how very
similar really to straight couples (In deference to my more
politically inclined gay brethren who balk at such sinister displays
of domesticity, I humbly submit: Let us win the battle before us
first. We can fight for a gayer world later.). It shows you that in
spite of being in a loving relationship, social pressures continue to
force people to question if they are doing something wrong when all
they are doing is loving. And finally, it offers hope. To anyone
straight wondering what exactly the gays get up to, this ad gets it
right. To anyone gay questioning, this ad tells you it does get
better, so hang in there.
This is not the first time that an Indian ad has tried changing
prevalent attitudes. In 2013, Tanishq came out with an ad featuring a
woman who remarries in the presence of her daughter from the first
marriage. Dove, as part of a global programme, has been running the
"Real Women" campaign in India, showcasing women who are not
professional models and so do not represent an unnecessary beauty
ideal.
To be sure, Indian advertisements can also be dishearteningly
backward. An obvious case in point is the vast market of
skin-lightening products which are endorsed by the likes of Shah Rukh
Khan. While several complaints have been made in this regard with the
Advertising Council of India, and several strictures issued as well,
little has changed due to the strong demand for such products.
It is therefore wonderful to see an ad featuring a lesbian couple that
goes beyond its remit and incorporates other meaningful flourishes.
Radha is dark-skinned, tall and Tamil. Sita is shorter, light-skinned
and north Indian (an assumption since she speaks Hindi). They make for
such a natural couple not just because they share a real chemistry
that comes through even in the short duration they are on the screen,
but also because they are making a subtle political statement about
who they are and what they stand for, and how their height or the
colour of their skin does not matter a damn to them.
www.psacademy.co.in
ossified attitudes, India finally has its first advertisement
featuring a same sex couple. Ethnic wear brand Anouk, retailed on
fashion portal Myntra, has released an ad featuring two women
preparing to meet the parents of one to introduce themselves as a
couple.
It is a delightful ad, capturing the everyday lived-in-ness of this
couple elegantly.
In the first scene the woman whose parents are expected, let's call
her Radha, is getting ready. She moves around the room looking for an
earring here, a kaajal pencil there. The other one, Sita, has just
woken up and their interaction has the effortless quality of any two
women living together. They crack a joke about Radha's mother always
dressing her in orange as a child, making her look like a "damn
marigold in all my childhood pictures".
But from here, the tone shifts. Radha asks which earring to wear and
the way the Sita answers, with a little jab of the finger, is so
couple-y that you begin to wonder if something more than friendship
and roommate-ship is up. When Sita returns after a shower, she is
dressed in Radha's orange kurta and explains: "I want your mother to
like me." Radha shoots back: "My mother doesn't like girls in short
hair." "You only asked me to cut my hair," Sita complains and Radha
whispers seductively into her ears: "I like you with short hair."
It is so naturally and beautifully executed. The playful
coquettishness of Radha as she brushes her fingers against Sita's
face; the momentary hurt in Sita's eyes at the prospect of not being
liked by her lover's mother. But that's not where the ad ends. If you
thought this ad was good, it gets comprehensively better. Sita passes
through a moment of hesitation and asks Radha if she is sure about
going ahead with it, that is, meeting the parents and perhaps, thus,
outing themselves for the first time. "I am sure about us and I don't
want to hide it anymore," Radha says, and the duo smile and hug. The
phone rings, announcing the arrival of the parents.
This is a perfect ad. It achieves so much in its three-minute
duration. It shows you how normal same sex couples are and how very
similar really to straight couples (In deference to my more
politically inclined gay brethren who balk at such sinister displays
of domesticity, I humbly submit: Let us win the battle before us
first. We can fight for a gayer world later.). It shows you that in
spite of being in a loving relationship, social pressures continue to
force people to question if they are doing something wrong when all
they are doing is loving. And finally, it offers hope. To anyone
straight wondering what exactly the gays get up to, this ad gets it
right. To anyone gay questioning, this ad tells you it does get
better, so hang in there.
This is not the first time that an Indian ad has tried changing
prevalent attitudes. In 2013, Tanishq came out with an ad featuring a
woman who remarries in the presence of her daughter from the first
marriage. Dove, as part of a global programme, has been running the
"Real Women" campaign in India, showcasing women who are not
professional models and so do not represent an unnecessary beauty
ideal.
To be sure, Indian advertisements can also be dishearteningly
backward. An obvious case in point is the vast market of
skin-lightening products which are endorsed by the likes of Shah Rukh
Khan. While several complaints have been made in this regard with the
Advertising Council of India, and several strictures issued as well,
little has changed due to the strong demand for such products.
It is therefore wonderful to see an ad featuring a lesbian couple that
goes beyond its remit and incorporates other meaningful flourishes.
Radha is dark-skinned, tall and Tamil. Sita is shorter, light-skinned
and north Indian (an assumption since she speaks Hindi). They make for
such a natural couple not just because they share a real chemistry
that comes through even in the short duration they are on the screen,
but also because they are making a subtle political statement about
who they are and what they stand for, and how their height or the
colour of their skin does not matter a damn to them.
www.psacademy.co.in
Smallest / Biggest in World
Smallest / Biggest in World
=====================
Largest Continent Asia, = 17,212,2000 square miles
Smallest Continent = Australia,312,2000 square miles
Highest Mountain = Mount Everest, Himalayan Mountains, Nepal-
Tibet, 29,035 feet above sea level
Lowest Point on land = The Dead Sea, Israel-Jordan, water
surface 1,349 feet below sea level
Deepest Underwater Trench = Marina Trench, 200 miles
southwest of Guam in the Pacific Ocean, 36,198 feet below the
ocean surface
Largest Sea = The Mediterranean Sea, 1,144,800 square miles
Highest Lake = The Highest navigable lake is Lake Titicaca in Peru,
12,500 feet above sea level
Lowest Lake = The Dead Sea, Israel-Jordan, surface of water 1,349 feet
below sea level
Largest Lake = Caspian Sea, 152,239 square miles
Largest Freshwater Lake = Lake Superior, US-Canada, 31,820
square miles
Deepest Ocean = Pacific Ocean, average depth 13,215 feet
Largest Ocean = Pacific Ocean, 60,060,700 square miles
Smallest Ocean = Arctic Ocean, 5,427,000 square miles
Largest Gulf = Gulf of Mexico, 615,000 square miles
Bay = The Bay of Bengal, 1,300,000 square miles
Largest Island = Greenland, 839,999 square miles
Largest Peninsula = Arabia, 1,250,000 square miles
Largest Archipelago = Indonesia, 3,500-mile stretch of 17,000
islands
Largest Gorge = Grand Canyon, Colorado River, Arizona, US,
217 miles long, 4-18 miles wide, 1 mile deep
Deepest Gorge = Hells Canyon, Snake River, Idaho, 7,900 feet
deep
Longest Mountain Range = The Andes of South America, 5,000
miles
Longesr River = The Nile, Africa, 4,180 miles
Shortest River = The Roe, Montana, US, 200 feet long
Largest River = The Amazon, South America, basin of 2,500,000
square miles
Longesr Estuary = Ob River, Russia, 550 miles long, up to 50 miles
wide
Larget Lagoon = Lagoa dos Patos, Brazil, 150 miles long, 4,500
square miles
Largest Waterfall = Angel Falls, Venezuela, 3,212 feet high
www.psacademy.co.in
=====================
Largest Continent Asia, = 17,212,2000 square miles
Smallest Continent = Australia,312,2000 square miles
Highest Mountain = Mount Everest, Himalayan Mountains, Nepal-
Tibet, 29,035 feet above sea level
Lowest Point on land = The Dead Sea, Israel-Jordan, water
surface 1,349 feet below sea level
Deepest Underwater Trench = Marina Trench, 200 miles
southwest of Guam in the Pacific Ocean, 36,198 feet below the
ocean surface
Largest Sea = The Mediterranean Sea, 1,144,800 square miles
Highest Lake = The Highest navigable lake is Lake Titicaca in Peru,
12,500 feet above sea level
Lowest Lake = The Dead Sea, Israel-Jordan, surface of water 1,349 feet
below sea level
Largest Lake = Caspian Sea, 152,239 square miles
Largest Freshwater Lake = Lake Superior, US-Canada, 31,820
square miles
Deepest Ocean = Pacific Ocean, average depth 13,215 feet
Largest Ocean = Pacific Ocean, 60,060,700 square miles
Smallest Ocean = Arctic Ocean, 5,427,000 square miles
Largest Gulf = Gulf of Mexico, 615,000 square miles
Bay = The Bay of Bengal, 1,300,000 square miles
Largest Island = Greenland, 839,999 square miles
Largest Peninsula = Arabia, 1,250,000 square miles
Largest Archipelago = Indonesia, 3,500-mile stretch of 17,000
islands
Largest Gorge = Grand Canyon, Colorado River, Arizona, US,
217 miles long, 4-18 miles wide, 1 mile deep
Deepest Gorge = Hells Canyon, Snake River, Idaho, 7,900 feet
deep
Longest Mountain Range = The Andes of South America, 5,000
miles
Longesr River = The Nile, Africa, 4,180 miles
Shortest River = The Roe, Montana, US, 200 feet long
Largest River = The Amazon, South America, basin of 2,500,000
square miles
Longesr Estuary = Ob River, Russia, 550 miles long, up to 50 miles
wide
Larget Lagoon = Lagoa dos Patos, Brazil, 150 miles long, 4,500
square miles
Largest Waterfall = Angel Falls, Venezuela, 3,212 feet high
www.psacademy.co.in
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