[Intrview with Manohar Parikh -Defence Ministrey] 'I am the Defence Minister, and my concern is India's defence'

Says current arrangement is inadequate, and integration of forces is needed.

India’s current defence arrangement is inadequate and needs an individual or body like the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) to look at the integration of forces, Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar said here on Monday.

“I will take a call on it maybe in July or so. But to be frank, it is not my decision. The decision has to be of the Cabinet Committee on Security… ” he told The Hindu when asked about the Modi government’s view.

“So I will put up my proposal… Let it be discussed by various people concerned and then we will come to a conclusion. I believe that there should be a body, which will see the integration of forces,” he said at his South Block office.

Pointing out that the situation on the Line of Actual Control with China was better than earlier, Mr. Parrikar said he viewed China as a “healthy competitor” in the economic field, whose success in manufacturing he would like to replicate in India.

On the boundary question, the Defence Minister felt that slowly, over a period of time, issues with China would cool down and get resolved but if someone “expects overnight resolution, that might not be possible”.

Here is the full interview:

Mr. Parrikar, your comments on using terrorists to kill terrorists have created a controversy…

• I think you have a website video — I think courtesy Aaj Tak — that shows the full five-minute clip. I don’t have to say anything on the issue.

The Pakistani Defence Minister has reacted to your comments, and his claim is that these show India is fomenting terror in Pakistan. How do you react to that?

• You listen to what I have said and in what context. If you see the context, the question was on 39 terror camps in Pakistan. So I don’t have to answer any further on the issue. I am the Defence Minister of India, and my concern is about the defence of India. So beyond that, I don’t think it deserves any further clarification or information.

We see all other countries engaging with the Pakistani Army Chief directly. The previous regime had invited him here. Do you think that India needs to engage directly with the Pakistani Army?

• Exactly what I am trying to point out. You are getting me into the field of [External Affairs Minister] Sushmaji [Swaraj]. You should go to Sushmaji with this question. My job is to create an environment where my security forces are prepared all the time, and you will find them prepared. When an emergency requirement was there, we managed to help our neighbours, we got water to Male, we got our ships in Yemen from where not only Indian nationals but also other nationals, including Pakistanis, were rescued by us. We didn’t say that they are Pakistanis because it was a humanitarian issue. But we were the only country which could do that. We went to Nepal quickly [after the earthquake]. So wherever we are on call, we have reacted immediately.

• Today, the Defence Ministry’s role is not used for diplomatic or soft targets. Soft methodology is normally used in political or diplomatic channels. The Defence Ministry is the hard way. So we have to strengthen our forces. Strengthen it to a level that anyone should think twice before considering any misadventure.

So you are quite confident in your preparation…

• My preparation I am confident of what we are doing. We are building up our strength. Again I am very clear. My strength is based on my national interests and it is [a] defensive posture. But even in [a] defensive posture, if your strength is adequate and that adequate strength is expressed, I don’t see any reason there should be any talk about threat.

The Kargil review committee had recommended the appointment of a Chief of Defence Staff (CDS). What is the government’s current thinking?

• I will take a call on it, maybe in July or so. But to be frank, it is not my decision. The decision has to be of the Cabinet Committee on Security, and the call has to be taken by a security committee. So I will put up my proposal, maybe in July, for consultation, let it be discussed by various people who are concerned and then we will come to a conclusion. I believe that there should be a body which will see the integration of forces. The current arrangement is inadequate, according to me.

So in your view, a CDS could be required?

• The name itself doesn’t have much meaning. What is important is whether the person has the appropriate authority to integrate the forces and to whom his responsibility lies and to what extent. I will give a very simple example. For any Army to proceed, you require cover by the Air Force or sometimes, even the Navy. So when the Kargil war was being fought, the Air Force was giving cover to the Army. This has to be synchronised. Now this synchrony includes acquisition of capital assets. Unnecessary duplication of assets should not be there. All these aspects the CDS can take care.

Are you happy with the way the Rafale deal has turned out for India?

• That is the only solution. In fact, only [Prime Minister Narendra] Modi could have taken this kind of decision. [When it comes to] Prime Ministers in the past many years, probably Atalji [Bihari Vajpayee] showed some decision-making ability. However, I would like to add that the decision is not complete. The decision is only to acquire 36 [aircraft] at better terms. I was watching the Congress press conference, I was surprised they are not aware of exactly what had happened. They probably didn’t even take the required trouble of getting more information. Actually, [Congress leader and former Defence Ministry A.K.] Antony should have got it because he knows so many in the Defence Ministry. The decision is a joint statement at this moment. The rest is being discussed.

Is there an element of technology transfer involved in the government-to-government Rafale deal agreed to by the Modi government?

• I will not talk about it until all talks are complete. Then we will come very clear, transparently. You don’t discuss issues when they are under negotiation and consideration. It will be foolish. It’s just like you don’t discuss publically what is in the court if you a party. Third person can always do it. I can’t do it because I am a party to it, my ministry is a party to it. Let them have the talks, let them come out with some conclusion… It can assure you it will be so transparent you will not have to ask again.

Are you satisfied with the situation on the Line of Actual Control with China?

• The day I am satisfied, you will not ask me this question. And how would you describe the situation? Do you think with Prime Minister’s visit to China have things improved? I can say it was better than it was earlier. Prime Minister’s visit abroad has improved things a lot in defence. It has actually strengthened India’s position in defence to a level where I think what could not have been achieved over many years has been achieved in one year.

Do you see China as a competitor, rival or enemy?

• I will always consider it a healthy competitor for growth in economic activity, and I would like to repeat China’s success story in manufacturing.

In terms of our defence issues with the Chinese, how would you rate that issue?

• Slowly, over time, I think issues will cool down and get resolved. But if someone expects overnight resolution, that may not possible. What is simmering for the past 66-67 years cannot be expected to be solved overnight.

Now there is a strong government in Delhi, and after 30 years, you have one with a full majority. Do you think this is the time for the two governments to take bold decisions to resolve the boundary issue?

• Many bold initiatives are being taken. In fact, the very progressive nation-building steps which Modi is taking have the opponents worried. Their attitude to stop the government is not because they are convinced about irrationality or illogical steps being taken. But the steps being taken by the government is going to actually make the nation grow. They are worried on that.

• Because if that happens, they are history. Otherwise, the Congress can’t speak on the issue of land acquisition. The biggest scams between 2009 and 2012 are by the Congress in land acquisition for special economic zones.

But your party has supported the Land Bill when the UPA government brought it…

• Yes, I agree with you. You bring it in an election year and ask for support. See here, a lot of political natak [drama] happens. The best thing I like about this Prime Minister is his clear thinking, he has long-term thinking and guts to take decisions. Let someone come [from the Congress and debate] with me on these issues. Poora khatam kar doonga [will finish them in the debate] because I know what all they have done. This is their common strategy. Once they go out of power, they feel suffocated and they try all these chota mota [small things] so that their misdeeds are not exposed. The government is kept busy fighting them.

Do you think you should have done more to expose the “misdeeds” of the Congress in the past one year?

• It will happen.

Source: The Hindu

[History] 200 Years of Gorkha Brigade/Anglo–Nepalese War

[Issue in News: 200 Years+Location:Nepal this year for Earthquake]

Date: 1814–1816

Location: Kingdom of Nepal
Between: Kingdom of Nepal & British East India Company

During The Governorshp in India: Lord Moira

During Prime Minister Nepal: Bhimsen Thapa

Result: East India Company victory [The war ended with the signing of the Treaty of Sugauli in 1816, which ceded around a third of Nepal's territory to the British.]

They are one of the most feared soldiers in the world and have won the respects of even their enemies. The Gorkhas were integrated with the Indian Forces on April 24, 1815. Over time they have served in all theatres of war and won many military decorations. Here are some facts about the most respected regiment of the Indian Army.

The Gorkha Rifles, who have made a name for themselves across the globe with their exemplary courage and bravery, have completed 200 years of soldiering.

Brief history:

• It was raised in 1815.

• During the early 18th century, the Gorkhas from Nepal had extended their empire into Kumaon, Garhwal and Kangra Hills. This led to a confrontation with the British East India Company, resulting in the Gorkha War of 1815.

• Impressed by the fighting qualities of the Gorkhas, the East India Company offered to raise a Gorkha Regiment from the remnants of General Amar Singh Thapa’s army after the treaty of Sigauli.

• Thus, the First Nusseree (meaning friendly or loyal) Battalion came into being on April 24, 1815 at Subathu in Shimla Hills, the present home of the 14 Gorkha Training Centre.

• Since its raising, the Regiment has undergone a number of changes in its titles, the present being Third Gorkha Rifles.

• The war cry of the Battalion is “Aayo Gorkhali”.

• There are roughly around 30,000 Nepalese Gorkhas currently serving in the Indian Army’s seven Gorkha Rifles or regiments (Ist, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 8th, 9th, and 11th), each of which has five to six battalions (around 600 fighting soldiers each). The 200 years of service of the Gorkhas is also being marked by the British Army.

Facts About The Gorkha Regiment That Completes 200 Years In The Indian Army:

1. So impressed were the British by the fighting skills and valour of the Gorkha soldiers in the Anglo Nepal War of 1814-16, that they were quick to integrate them in the British Indian Army.
2. They weren’t raised as the Gorkha Regiment however. Instead it was called the Nasiri Regiment. The regiment was later renamed 1st King George’s Own Gurkha Rifles.
3. After India’s Independence, six regiments, the 1 GR, 3 GR, 4 GR, 5 GR, 8 GR and 9 GR were retained in the Indian Army, while 2nd, 6th, 7th and 10th joined the Brigade of Gurkhas in the British Army.
4. Another regiment was raised by the Indian Army, the 11 GR, to accommodate the soldiers who refused to be transferred to the British Army.
5. The Gorkha units are some of the most decorated in the Army. They have played an important role in all the wars and have won Battle Honours in Uri sector in 1947-48, Ladakh in 1962, Jammu and Kashmir in 1965 and 1971. They were also a part of the Indian Peace Keeping Force in Sri Lanka.
6. The Gorkha Regiments have been awarded 3 Param Vir Chakras, 33 Maha Vir Chakras, and 84 Vir Chakras during operations.
7. The Regimental Insignia of all the Gorkha Rifles Regiments consists of a pair of crossed khukris. The khukri is a curved Nepalese knife which all Gorkha Rifles soldiers carry as a personal weapon.
8. The Gorkha Regiment also has a tradition of sacrificing a male buffalo on the festival of Dusshera. The head of the buffalo has to be severed in one clean sweep of the khukri. Usually the youngest member of the unit gets the privilege.
9. Field Marshal Manekshaw, who’s parent unit was 12th Frontier Force Regiment that moved to the Pakistani Army, became a part of the 8 GR. He would later become the Colonel of the regiment of the unit. He once famously said “If a man says he is not afraid of dying, he is either lying or is a Gorkha.”
10. The war cry of the Gorkha Regiments is ‘Jai Maha Kali, Ayo Gorkhali’ which translates to Hail Goddess Kali, The Gorkhas Are Here.
11. Officers in the Gorkha Regiments of the Indian Army have to learn the Gorkhali language to be able to interact with their men in their native tongue.
12. The current Chief of Army Staff, General Dalbir Singh Suhag is also from the Gorkha Rifles. He was commissioned in 4/5 GR in 1974. And according to the 5 GR tradition, he wears his head gear with the strap below the lower lip. Other GR units wear the chin strap below the jaw.

Source: wiki, IE, Indiatimes, InsightsOnIndia

President of India inaugurates Golden Jubilee Celebrations of India’s first historic climb of Mt. Everest in 1965

The President of India, Shri Pranab Mukherjee inaugurated the Golden Jubilee Celebrations of India’s first historic climb of Mt. Everest in 1965 organized by The Indian Mountaineering Foundation today (May 20, 2015) at Rashtrapati Bhavan.

Speaking on the occasion, the President said that over the years Indian mountaineers have distinguished themselves not only by scaling the highest peaks but also as brave soldiers of the gallant armed forces which have included the ITBP. Many of them have served with great distinction during the Kargil conflict and continue to defend our highest frontiers with courage and with fortitude. Along with these great achievements, the first Indian conquest of Everest and the conquest by first Indian woman, Bachendri Pal, has found its place in many text books and has inspired several generations over the years.

The President said that the Indian Mountaineering Foundation that sponsored the Expedition in 1965 has come a long way since then and has grown to become an Institution that all adventure lovers look up to for guidance. It has always taken a broad and holistic approach in its mandate. In recent years the Indian Mountaineering Foundation has also been involved in environment protection works in the Himalayas. There is no greater service that it can do to this cause than by working for the preservation of the Himalayan ecology and the environment of the Himalayas. He expressed happiness over the fact that from very early on the mountaineering fraternity has encouraged women to take up this sport.

The President extended his greetings and felicitations to all surviving members of the historic expedition and paid homage to the memory of many courageous mountaineers of that expedition who are no longer with us today. He also paid homage to all those mountaineers who have lost their lives in their valiant attempts to climb Mt. Everest over the years. He wished members of the 1965 Everest Expedition, the Indian Mountaineering Foundation and the entire mountaineering community many years of productive contributions in the service of the nation. He stated that they have an important role to play in instilling in our youth the values and the character that make a good mountaineer and thereby a good citizen of our republic.
Source: pib.nic.in

Referance Books Compilation [Work in Progress for more Compilation]

Spectrum's Modern History of India (By Bipin Chandra) Link: Click Here
TMH Indian Economy (By Ramesh Singh 5th Edition) Link: Click Here

Other Compilation are work in progress so for updation visit here...
Keep Calm & Download :)

Special Thanks to Rajesh & Teamwork

[Economy] The building of the BRICS bank

India named veteran banker K.V. Kamath to be the first President of the New Development Bank, popular as the BRICS bank. The focus of this bank will be to invest in infrastructure. Mr. Kamath, 67, is a veteran banker, who was credited with developing ICICI Bank into India’s second-largest lender. He headed the bank for 13 years until 2009 and is now its Non-Executive Chairman. He is also Non-Executive Chairman of India’s second-biggest software services exporter Infosys.

What is BRICS?

• In 2001, the then Goldman Sachs Group economist Jim O’Neill coined the term BRIC to describe the growing prominence of Brazil, Russia, India and China in the global economy. Not yet considered developed countries, the four were grouped together for being at the same stage of economic development.

• BRIC country leaders started meeting as a bloc in 2009. South Africa joined them later, though there was some scepticism that as a country of less than 50 million people it is too small to join the group. So, BRIC is now BRICS.

What is BRICS bank?

• It is how the New Development Bank is better known as. Last July, the BRICS countries agreed to set up a development bank, whose purpose, according to its articles, is to “mobilise resources for infrastructure and sustainable development projects” not just in BRICS countries but also in other emerging economies. It seeks to do so by supporting public and private projects through loans, guarantees and equity.

But doesn’t the world already have enough institutions to do that — the IMF/World Bank, for instance?

• True. It’s clear their presence hasn’t been ignored in the creation of the New Development Bank. The articles of the bank do say that its creation is to complement “the existing efforts or multilateral and regional financial institutions.” But, in a sense, the BRICS bank was born because the countries that represent this have long realised they need an alternative system to IMF/World Bank, one in which they have greater say.

How will the New Development Bank be different?

• So, BRICS account for about 40 per cent of the world’s population and a combined economy of about $16 trillion. Although they account for over one-fifth of the global economy, together they garner only 11 per cent of votes at IMF. On the other hand, developed countries such as the U.S., Japan, Germany, the U.K. and France hold 40 per cent of the voting power. In the BRICS bank, the founding members have equal voting rights.

Is there more to its founding?

• Definitely! Hongying Wang, senior fellow at global think-tank Centre for International Governance Innovation, reckons dissatisfaction toward traditional multilateral financial institutions to be just one of the three reasons.

• One of the other reasons is that the creation of a joint development bank is a milestone in the evolution of the BRICS. That is, it turns the informal co-operation among those countries into a concrete institution. Finally, the bank seeks to fill the enormous hole that exists in infrastructure financing in many developing countries.

• The last point assumes significance because the traditional development banks have reduced funding for infrastructure in recent decades while private investors have been reluctant to take on long-term projects of this kind. The infrastructure financing deficit in developing countries is estimated to be $1 trillion annually. BRICS countries, especially China, have accumulated financial resources that enable them to fill the gap to some degree.

How will the bank be structured and run?

• The bank will begin with a subscribed capital of $50 billion, divided equally between its five founders, with an initial total of $10 billion put in cash over the next seven years and $40 billion in guarantees.

• The group has also agreed to a $100 billion currency exchange reserve, which member-countries can tap during balance of payment problems. China, the biggest foreign exchange reserve-holder amongst them, will contribute the major portion of the currency pool. Brazil, India and Russia will contribute $18 billion each while South Africa will chip in with $5 billion.

• In a crisis, China will be eligible to ask for half its contribution, South Africa for double its contribution while the others can get back what they put in.

• The bank will be based in Shanghai. After a five-year term at the helm by an Indian, the President’s post would by turn go to a Brazilian and then to a Russian.

• The bank can add more members. Media reports suggest Russia has invited Greece, which has a huge economic battle on its hands, to be a member. Even if more members are added, the capital share of BRICS can’t drop below 55 per cent.

How does the bank’s creation play out for each of its member-countries?

• Hongying Wang says, for China, this is an opportunity to export its infrastructure over-capacity. China can reduce its mammoth reserves and improve financial returns on its external assets while at the same time learn to play a leading role among the developing countries. For India and South Africa, this promises to be a welcome source of much-needed infrastructure financing. For Russia, the benefit at the moment is largely seen to be political, given that the country has been isolated in the international arena over the Ukraine issue. For Brazil, the new development bank could bring financing for its oil exploration projects.

What would be the challenges?

• Raj M. Desai, Non-resident Senior Fellow, Global Economy and Development, Brookings, says the main challenges will be in setting up and operating a bank in which shares are equally divided among countries that do not have much in common, apart from their distrust of the current global governance system.

• Hongying Wang has a similar view. The differences are many, as amplified by their political systems (example: China and Russia v. India, Brazil and South Africa), economic interests (example: commodity exporters v. importers), and enormous power discrepancies (China’s economy, trade, and foreign reserves being much larger than the rest combined).

• Dr. Pallavi Roy, who teaches at the University of London, points out that one of the threats could, interestingly, be another development bank incubated by China. The Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), backed by China, has more capital and members than the BRICS Bank.

Can the BRICS bank take on IMF, World Bank?

• Brookings’ Desai points out that the capital base of the World Bank and the ADB combined is about $400 billion, so it would take the participation of several other middle-income countries for the BRICS bank to be able to compete with those institutions.

• But the contingency reserve account also proposed as part of the BRICS effort may provide an alternative source of stabilisation support. In this, it could potentially compete with the IMF, which has had very few takers from BRICS economies on this front in recent years.

By: Sanjay Vijayakumar

Source: The Hindu

WiFi offered free in public places poses a major security risk

A researcher armed with a mere $100 (aboutRs 6,400) device recently walked into the Bengaluru airport and confirmed fears of security risk associated with offering free Wi­Fi at public places.

He easily hacked into the computers of hundreds of users who had connected to the airport's complimentary WiFi. And while he was at it, he also accessed the users' WhatsApp conversations, credit card numbers and encrypted user names and passwords for good measure.

This casts a dark shadow over the government's plan to offer free WiFi in 2,500 cities and towns across the country.

Among other users, thousands of senior level executives including CEOs of companies may be sharing confidential information such as business plans without being aware of it. Some of them may even be the target of corporate espionage, cyber security experts said.

According to Shubho Halder, chief scientist at mobile security firm Appknox, who conducted the exercise at Bengaluru airport, most airports and free WiFi hotspots in India are a hacker's paradise owing to lack of proactive security.

Halder, who said he had also found security holes in products from Apple, Microsoft and Google, added that he found users accessing their corporate emails and banking applications at the free WiFi zones and he managed to get all such details in a jiffy.

"While these airports use a lot of security tools, they usually do not track what the users are doing with the WiFi connection which lets hackers use fake WiFi hotspots to gather tons of information from unsuspecting victims," Halder told ET.

Halder used WiFi Pineapple, a portable device which acts as a router and creates fake WiFi hotspots that appear to be authentic — such as Free_airport_WiFi, Free_cafe_WiFi, etc.

Once the user connects to this network, he or she is able to access the internet as usual without realising that somebody else is accessing all the information.
WiFi Pineapple can be carried by hackers around offices of large companies, coffee shops, malls, etc and create massive repositories of usernames, passwords, WhatsApp conversations, and credit card and banking data.

"Hackers are not just randomly collecting data at airports and cafes. We've seen cases where hackers are going after specific targets to steal business plans as part of corporate espionage and then sell it to competitors, which could be in India or overseas," said Jayaraman Kesavardhanan, founder and CEO of K7 Computing. According to American networking equipment maker Cisco Systems, which is working with the government on many public WiFi projects, the company has the tools to identify such fake Wi­Fi hotspots and even locate the user who is trying to do this but smart hackers can get their way around it.

"If a hacker uses a 3G or 4G router to offer a fake WiFi hotspot, there is no way to detect or stop it. The only thing that can be done is to tell users not to use any WiFi hotspot that doesn't ask for SMS verification," said Pravin Srinivasan, lead-security architecture sales, Cisco India & Saarc.

In many cases, while the public hotspot providers have tools to prevent such misuse they often don't activate it, Srinivasan said, adding, "The tools can only tell you what's happening. It is ultimately up to the security teams of the public WiFi providers to monitor and take action."

While there are ways to fix security bugs, there is no way for users to tell if they are the target of snooping.

"We should consider public Wi­Fi as raw internet," said Sajan Paul, director­systems engineering, India & SAARC at Juniper Networks.

"At an average end­user level, it is very difficult to detect such scenarios. However, one must understand that anything that goes into the Internet is subject to snooping and other forms of attacks. The user should be vigilant while accessing and sending sensitive data over such mediums."

According to Symantec Corporation, deployment of security tools is not enough to deal with the menace of snooping in free WiFi zones. "Individual security products cannot help companies handle such a situation," said Tarun Kaura, director­technology sales, India at Symantec.

Source: ET

[OPINION / ANALYSIS] India, Mongolia: Spiritually Connected Powers of Asia

On May 16 Prime Minister Narendra Modi would twit: ‘First Indian Prime Minister is visiting Mongolia after 60 years of our diplomatic relation’. If China is repositioning itself in the Silk Route (ancient India was a major link too) through larger economic thrust, India has to travel in the same breadth and length with the teachings and philosophy of Buddhism in North and East Asia, as Buddhism flourished prior to the Silk Route era. At last, the 21st Century Parivarjaka (wanderer) has arrived in the majestic land of Chinggiz (Genghis) Khan with a Bodhi tree sapling in his hand and a promise that ‘Asia, being the land of Buddha, has the responsibility to ensure that this is a century free from war’.

On February 19, 2015, Modi already broke the ice by wishing TsagaanSar (Lunar New Year) greetings to citizens of Mongolia. Most strikingly, he sent his wishes through twitter and in Mongolian language to reach out in particular to the tech savvy young generation of Mongolia. He is targeting 70 per cent of the 2.9 million populations below the age of 30 in Mongolia through social media. The country is also celebrating its 25 years of democratic rule. As the large section of Mongolians look towards India as a ‘spiritual nucleus’ with vibrant democracy and robust peoples power in terms of thriving civil societies, the Mongolian Premier Chimed Saikhanbileg is opening the Parliament (Great Khural) on Sunday for the legislators to listen to the Indian Prime Minister.

Mongolia, the landlocked rugged terrain engulfed by Gobi Desert in south and Steppe with abundant minerals and vastly nomadic population yet spiritual, should not be looked at only through narrow prism of China’s periphery. A general Indian perception of Mongolia ends with Genghis Khan and to some extent with his grandson, Kublai Khan. The Indian establishment usually boasts that India and Mongolia have interacted through Buddhism over a period of 2600 years. But overall bilateral relation potential is limited to mere exchanges of high level delegations, mostly from Mongolian side. The trade between the two countries has fallen below $16 million in 2014 compared with $60 million in 2012. The two countries have shared economic ties since 1996 when the Trade and Economic Cooperation agreement was signed, which provides Most Favored Nation (MFN) status to each other.

While security and foreign policy experts in India have put the geo-strategic position of Mongolia to the backburner for the last two decades, this sudden one-day visit will transform the strategic location in North East Asia. Modi’s stopover in Ulaan Bator after China visit is a good indication in both accounts. Engaging with China’s neighbor independent of it will put more leverage in India’s basket while dealing with China. Also, the visit symbolizes the substance that three nation trip is a responsible regional approach for Act East Asia foreign policy. But in practical term, as the Prime Minister argues that it is cost effective to add nations which are important for India’s aspiration of global power in one leg of the tour to maximize outcome.

Last year in December, a Mongolian delegation from General Authority of Border Protection (GABP) met with Home Ministry and Indian Border Security Force (BSF) in Delhi. India is expecting to conduct a joint exercise as both border forces have common aim of securing border with China.

On the other hand, India has featured importantly in Mongolia’s ‘third neighbor’ policy, which includes US, South Korea and Japan. There is also mutual trust and reciprocity visible at all international forums between the two countries, which can be categorized as warm and complimentary. India proposed Mongolia's candidacy for membership of the United Nations in 1961 despite opposition from Taiwan and China and also in Non-Aligned Movement (NAM). Similarly, Mongolia has been supporting India’s inclusion as a permanent member in the UN Security Council.

Another potential aspect of Modi’s visit is prospects of mines and minerals, including uranium and coal. Mining is a necessary evil for resource rich Mongolia. The contradiction of mining in the country is that even with nearly 32 per cent population living below the poverty line and lacking access to basic infrastructure facilities and social protections, the country posted 15-17 % annual economic growth rate two years back due to largely mining activities in gold and copper. In 2012, the Steel Authority of India (SAIL) inked a joint venture with the Mongolian government to set up iron ore and coal mines in the country. This has yet to be implemented on ground. At present, India-Mongolia has a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on civil nuclear cooperation (2009), according to which Mongolia can supply uninterrupted uranium for growing nuclear energy appetite of India. The domestic law in Mongolia for mining is yet to operationalise this MoU. The Indian Prime Minister’s visit will ensure possible progress in both these aspects.

With mining, there comes environmental degradation. Both countries are facing similar situation of irresponsible and unsustainable mining. The largest OyuTolgoi gold and copper mining in Gobi Desert being developed by notorious Rio Tinto has been tremendously affecting environmental and social fabric in Mongolia. Both countries could learn from their experiences in mining and India can extend a helping hand to establish robust legal framework on mining prospects in Mongolia. India can also extend its knowledge on building institutional capacities on environmental protection. It is right to point out that India has encouraged prospect of renewable energy by establishing solar electrification in Dadal Soum. With its successful achievements domestically in wind energy, India should tap the potential created by 2007 Renewable Energy Policy of Mongolia.

Modi would most likely speak on his favorite topic of skill development while delivering a speech in Parliament of Mongolia. India’s role would be more vital in developing tourism infrastructure in that country although there is minimal people-to-people contact between the two countries. It is also important for Modi to observe the constructive role played by Mongolian Civil society Organizations (CSOs) in governing the country. Since 2011, President of Mongolia has approved of and provided the Citizen Hall at the President’s Palace for annual tripartite dialogue amongst government, CSOs and donor agencies on important economic policies of the government.

It won’t be surprising to see Modi exchanging few Hindi words with the chief monk of Gandantegchinlen Monastery (Great Place of Complete Joy) in Ullan Bator. The mesmerizing chanting by young students at the Monastery who wouldn’t hesitate to take a selfie with the Indian Premier as they look at India as their spiritual home. The echo of largest and biggest bell gifted by India near the UNESCO heritage site at Karakorum in Gobi Desert reminds all of us the spiritual bond between the two countries. As Buddhist teaching points towards living with nature as against fast paced consumerism in terms of Gross National Happiness (GNH), India and Mongolia will be looking towards to achieve this sustainable development goal in 21st Century.

Written By: AVILASH ROUL

Source: sspconline.org

[Part 2] Useful Image Collection of 2015

Part 1 Link: Click Here

15. Black Money Bill

16. India and China

17. In India Tourism Friendly?

18. Outcomes of Recent Budget Session

19. Child Labour Law

20. India and China the states of play

21. One 'Great Quake' in year, and it hasn't Come yet

22. PM visit China

23. Eye on China

24. RBI plans retail push in T-Bill

25. Creativity is an integral part of everone's life

26. Asia Voice will be stronger in India and China speak in ONE voice

27. Who vs who in Yemen

28. In the Name of Ganga

29. Meaning oney Bill

30. Constitution Amendment

Source: Wiki, Indian Express, The Hindu,BT & Our Teamwork

PM Modi on Three Day Visit to China: In Detail

Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited China this week to build friendship between the two Asian giants despite a long history of disputes and rivalries, along with some areas of cooperation, especially in the economic sphere.

PM Narendra Modi "believes" that his three-day visit to China will deepen bilateral ties and create a milestone for the relations between developing countries in Asia and around the world.

DAY 1

PM Modi’s first leg of his high-octane China visit in Xian promised a rich harvest of positive optics as Chinese President Xi Jinping went on record as saying that Modi was the first foreign leader whom he had received in his home province Xian. Mr. Modi has been given a traditional welcoming ceremony. It came as a reciprocation of sorts since Xi himself had begun his maiden India trip eight months ago in Ahmedabad, in Modi’s native state Gujarat.

"You received me very warmly in your hometown. I am very glad to receive you in my hometown," Xi told Modi in Chinese. Modi, in Hindi, responded, "This is an honour to 125 crore Indians whom I am representing as Prime Minister."

After their meeting, Xi Jinping accompanied Modi to several ancient sites in Xi'an. He also hosted a banquet for him in a building on the ancient city wall.

DAY 2

On the Day 2 of Modi's visit, India and China signed a record 24 agreements in key sectors, including in railways and education.

Protocol for setting up Consulates-General at Chengdu and Chennai besides an MoU on consultative mechanism for cooperation in trade negotiations were among the 24 agreements signed in the presence of Modi and his Chinese counterpart Li Keqiang. An action plan between the Indian Railways and China National Railways on enhancing cooperation in the railway sector was also signed.

Here's the complete list:

• Protocols between India and China on the establishment of consulates-general at Chengdu and Chennai and the extension of the consular district of the consulate general of India in Guanzhou to include Jiangxi province.

• MoU between the ministry of skill development and entrepreneurship of India and the ministry of human resources and social security of China on cooperation in the field of vocational education and skill development.

• Action plan on cooperation in setting up of the Mahatma Gandhi National Institute for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship in Ahmedabad/Gandhinagar in Gujarat.

• MoU between India and China on consultative mechanism for cooperation in trade negotiations.

• MoU on cooperation between the ministry of external affairs of India and international department of the central committee of the Communist Party of China.

• Action plan between the National Railway Administration of China and the ministry of railways of India on enhancing cooperation in the railway sector. (2015-16).

• MoU on education exchange programme.

• MoU between the ministry of mines of India and the ministry of land and resources of China on the cooperation in the mining and minerals sector.

• Space Cooperation Outline (2015-2020).

• Protocol on health and safety regulations on importing Indian rapeseed meal between the export inspection council, ministry of commerce and industry of India and the general administration of quality supervision, inspection and quarantine.

• MoU between Doordarshan and China Central Television on cooperation in the field of broadcasting.

• Agreement between the ministry of tourism of India and the national tourism administration of China on cooperation in the field of tourism.

• MoU on establishing India-China think-tanks forum.

• MoU between India's Niti Aayog and the Development Research Centre, State Council of China.

• MoU between India's ministry of earth sciences and the China Earthquake Administration concerning cooperation in the field of earthquake science and earthquake engineering.

• MoU between India's ministry of earth sciences and the State Oceanic Administration of China on cooperation in the field of ocean science, ocean technology, climate change, polar science and cryosphere.

• MoU on scientific cooperation between Geological Survey of India, ministry of mines of India and the China Geological Survey, ministry of land and resources of China in geoscience.

• MoU between the ministry of external affairs of India and ministry of foreign affairs of China on establishment of states/provincial leaders' forum.

• Agreement on the establishment of sister-state/province relations between state government of Karnataka and provincial government of Sichuan of China.

• Agreement on establishment of sister-city relations between Chennai and Chongqing of China.

• Agreement on establishment of sister-city relations between Hyderabad and Qingdao of China.

• Agreement on establishment of sister-city relations between Aurangabad and Dunhuang of China.

• MoU between the Indian Council for Cultural Relations and Fudan University on the establishment of a centre for Gandhian and Indian studies.

• MoU between Indian Council for Cultural Relations and Yunnan Minzu University on the establishment of a yoga college.

DAY 3

On the third day of his visit to China, Prime Minister Narendra Modi met CEOs of top Chinese companies in Shanghai. Taking ties to a new level, 21 Memorandum of Understandings were signed between Indian and Chinese companies.

Modi who interacted with CEOs of 22 companies, invited them to participate in his 'Make in India' campaign and listed the 5F formula. He said, "I have come to say to you Make in India. The 5F Formula - From Farm to Fibre to Fabric to Fashion to Foreign! India and China can together give something to the world."

In a major takeaway, Bharti enterprises and IL&FS signed deals worth $2.5 billion and $3 billion respectively.

"In the three days that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been in China, he has announced a slew of bilateral agreements — ranging from finding a political solution to the border issue, to strengthening cultural ties. We hope that this visit to one of the most powerful country in the world will be fruitful in both political and friendly manner."

[The Big Picture] India’s World : Charity and Geo - Politics in Nepal quake relief

Summary:

• Indian relief and rescue opertaions in Nepal began within four hours of series of devastating earthquakes hitting that country. There has been a remarkable mobilisation of Indian Army, Indian Air Force and NDRF to provide rescue and relief in Nepal. Field hospitals have been set up by the Army and medical teams have been sent to relatively remote areas. Indian aircrafts have been helping Nepal in providing supplies and evacuating people. These operations have continued at a relentless pace. Although help has been pouring into Nepal from all over the world, the Indian relief efforts remain incomparable. In the midst of rescue operatioins in Nepal, there have been a series of media commentaries especially in the western press suggesting that Indian and Chinese aid have hidden political agenda in it and the two countries are trying to influence that country. Statements of Nepali leaders, bracketing unprecidented disaster response of India with that of countries, have also not helped.

• Both India and Nepal want to establish a good image in Nepal, and win the hearts of the Nepalese people and extending a hand of help to Nepal at this juncture is important for image-building, and to build their respective influence in the country. Although the current focus is firmly on helping the survivors get medical attention and necessities, eventually India and China are expected to play crucial roles in the long and expensive job of helping reconstruct the country itself. That’s when the geopolitical wrangling over this strategically important nation is likely to intensify.

• For years India’s influence over Nepal has waned, as the Chinese have gained traction. Despite a history of political, economic and social intimacy, and the fact that Nepal’s currency is pegged to the Indian rupee, successive Indian governments failed to engage with their Nepali counterparts. The Chinese downturn in Nepal began in earnest in 2008, after Beijing lost its most reliable partner in the country—the monarchy, which controlled the armed forces. Analysts believe the Chinese have supported the country’s ruling Maoist party after their guerrilla war that deposed the king.

• There has been some discontent over the unsurprising access that Indian media were getting on the relief sorties being run by the Indian air force planes. Some people allege that the air force is more interested in rescuing stranded Indians rather than helping evacuate quake affected people. Some people are also saying that the Indian air force planes have virtually taken control of the airport, thus slowing down other international aid efforts. Some western experts have alleged that the outsized coverage of the Indian effort had put to shade heroic efforts made by the Nepalese army, its armed police and the local officials who have tried their best to work in very difficult circumstances. Meanwhile, Nepal’s health ministry has said it will allow only a few teams of health workers in the country, and others will be asked to return home.

• The earthquake struck Nepal at a time when its political parties were fighting over the provisions of an overdue new constitution to cement the country’s transition from Hindu monarchy to secular democracy. Sovereignty and geopolitics were part of the national debate.

• There are also concerns related to the Western presence in Nepal, especially among supporters of right-wing Hindu parties and the bureaucracy, which is dominated by so-called high-caste Hindus. They see Western nations as having a conversion agenda in Nepal. Nepal may not be able to deal with the aftermath of the earthquake on its own, but it cannot accept assistance at the cost of the nation’s sense of sovereignty and self-respect.

• India, the traditional power in the region, launched Operation Maitri soon after the quake on Saturday. It has sent the most help so far, deploying 13 aircraft and more than 500 rescuers as well as water, food, equipment and medical supplies. China, increasingly making inroads in Nepal through everything from infrastructure investment to increased tourism, also pledged all-out assistance within hours of the disaster. India’s rival, Pakistan, also has sent four cargo planes full of supplies.

• While China’s relief efforts may not rival India’s in Nepal quite yet, its offers of investment in the power industry and other infrastructure could give India some substantial competition. However, India and China have been saying that they have no such intentions behind these rescue and relief operations.

Source: RajyaSabha Tv

NCERT Compilation [Work in Progress for more Compilation]

Economy Compilation Link: Click Here
Environment Compilation Link: Click Here
Geography Compilation Link: Click Here
History Compilation Link: Click Here
World History Compilation Link: Click Here
Polity Compilation Link: Click Here
Science Compilation Link: Click Here
Other Important Compilation Link: Click Here
All In One Link: Click Here

Other Compilation are work in progress so for updation visit here...
Keep Calm & Download :)

Special Thanks to Rajesh & Teamwork

[Q&A] Most of the countries have a shared navigational system, then why is India developing its own when it can collaborate with the US or EU or Russia? Also, since the IRNSS is capable of covering South Asian region only, how much strategic advantage and autonomy will it give to India when compared with navigational systems of the US, EU, Russia and China?

Abhijit Singh Replies[Maritime Issues, Littoral Security]: 

• To begin, it is important to point out that a satellite navigational system is an onerous enterprise that takes enormous capital and technological investment - not to mention years of research and experimentation - to fully operationalise. The high investment needed is one reason why countries favour developing navigation systems on a shared basis, so that the labour and costs involved can be distributed among the various partner. 

• In practice, the side that seeks the greatest strategic and security gains develops the navigational system at huge costs and then offers it to other partners as a facility for ‘subscription’. The rest simply sign up, knowing fully well that they benefit from it but still remain at the mercy of the dominant power that retains control over vital components of the navigational system.

• A case in point is China’s indigenous satellite navigation system known as Beidou. To make the project a viable enterprise, Beijing has got many Southeast Asian countries to sign up for it. However, questions are being raised on whether it will be able to attract a large enough clientele to make the system a viable proposition. On the other hand, the act of signing up to the Beidou by regional states is being construed in some quarters as a strategic concession to China. Beijing, meanwhile, is constrained by the fact that despite putting 16 navigation and four experimental satellites into space, the project's coverage is still limited to Southeast Asia. For a global cover, the system needs an additional 40 satellites in orbit and another round of huge capital investment.

• In effect, all sea-going nations have a choice – to either develop their own navigational system or join an existing facility, in which case they remain mere consumers. India could, in theory, develop a navigational system in collaboration with the US or EU or even Russia, but can be almost certain that vital systems will remain under the practical control and authority of the bigger partner (as we have seen in the case of co-development of other technologies in recent years). Unfortunately, if an aspiring state chooses to go alone, it rarely has the investment capability or the technological wherewithal to develop a global facility.

• The Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System (IRNSS) with a constellation of seven satellites and a coverage limited to the Indian subcontinent and South Asia is what India can presently afford, given that New Delhi does not want to be dependent on a foreign power when it comes to military navigation. Apart from the many civil and commercial benefits that accrue from the system, there is no denying the sense of greater autonomy and control over an essential strategic asset.

Source: idsa.in

[Part 1] Useful Image Collection of 2015

1. PBD (9th January 2015):Major Concentrations of Indian Dispora around the World:

2. National Girl Child Day (24 January 2015):

3. Obama's India visit Some of the key demands from each side:

4. Millennium Development Goals:

5. Rail Budget:

6. Economic Survey 2013-2014

7. The National Judicial Appointments Commission in other Countries:

8. Kyasanur Forest Disease:

9. Earthquake: India Map of Seismiczone

Earthquake Scale

10. 304 Section Apply in Salman case:

11. UK Elections:

12. About larks:

13. Siachin Glacier:

14. New 3 Schemes:

Source: The Hindu,Wiki,ET,AIR,Teamwork

ATM पर लिखे नंबरों में छुपी होती हैं कई जानकारियां

ATM पर लिखे नंबरों में छुपी होती हैं कई जानकारियां, बैंक नहीं बताता ये बात
आइए जानते हैं एटीएम कार्ड में दिए गए हर नंबर का क्या होता है मतलब? कैसे कार्ड के नंबर को कोड किया जाता है? साथ ही जानिए कि कैसे इन नंबरों में आपके अकाउंट के साथ-साथ इसे जारी करने वाली कंपनी का भी छुपा होता है राज?

एटीएम कार्ड का पहला नंबर:


यह उस इंडस्ट्री को दर्शाता है, जिसने कार्ड जारी किया है। जैसे बैंक, पेट्रोलियम कंपनी इत्यादि। इसे मेजर इंडस्ट्री आइडेंटिफायर (MII: Major Industry Identifier) कहते हैं। यह अलग-अलग इंडस्ट्री के लिए अलग-अलग होता है।
MII Digit__जारी करने वाली इंडस्ट्री

0________ISO और अन्य इंडस्ट्री
1________एयरलाइन्स
2________एयरलाइन्स और अन्य इंडस्ट्री
3________ट्रैवेल और इंटरटेनमेंट (अमेरिकन एक्सप्रेस या फूड क्लब)
4________बैंकिंग और फाइनेंस (वीजा)
5________बैंकिंग और फाइनेंस (मास्टर कार्ड)
6________बैंकिंग और मर्चेंडाइजिंग
7________पेट्रोलियम
8________टेलिकम्युनिकेशन्स और अन्य इंडस्ट्री
9________नेशनल असाइनमेंट

पहले 6 नंबर

एटीएम, डेबिट कार्ड या क्रेडिट कार्ड के पहले 6 नंबर कार्ड जारी करने वाली कंपनी को दर्शाता है। इसे Issuer Identification Number (IIN) कहते हैं।

जैसे –
कंपनी IIN
अमेरिकन एक्सप्रेस- 34XXXX, 37XXXX
वीजा- 4XXXXX
मास्टर कार्ड- 51XXXX-55XXXX

7वें नंबर से लेकर अंतिम का एक नंबर छोड़ने तक
7वें नंबर से लेकर n-1 (कार्ड के आखिरी नंबर को छोड़कर) तक का नंबर आपके बैंक अकाउंट नंबर से लिंक रहता है। यह हू-ब-हू आपका बैंक अकाउंट नंबर नहीं होता, लेकिन उससे लिंक होता है।

आखिरी नंबर

डेबिट या क्रेडिट कार्ड का आखिरी नंबर चेक डिजिट के नाम से जाता है। इसके माध्यम से यह जाना जाता है कि कार्ड वैलिड है या नहीं?
दोस्तों अगर आपको ये इनफार्मेशन अच्छी लगी हो तो कृपया दुसरो को भी शेयर करे