Today CA : 28/01/2015

1. Gujarat Technological University launches e-Raksha centre to fight cybercrime

Gujarat Technological University (GTU) has launched e-Raksha Research Centre to curb rising menace of cybercrimes.

This research Center will provide solution for issues related to cyber security by encouraging research and enhance capability in this field.

Key facts e-Raksha Research Centre:

• This centre is established by GTU in collaboration with Cyber Peace Foundation (CPF).

• Its goal is to establish a peaceful and harmonious cyber space through research in this area.

• Various activities like research on latest techniques of cybercrime and capacity building on this issue to the faculties, students and government officers will be undertaken by this centre.

• It will also support Union government’s Make in India campaign by manufacturing routers, switches, firewalls, UTMs (Unified Threat Management) and other network appliances.

• This centre will also train students in areas of cyber security and enhance their capability to provide solution for issues related to it.

• It will support government in protecting critical infrastructure and mission critical services including research on malwares such as botnet by setting up malware analysis test bed.

Gujarat Technological University (GTU) : It is headed by the state government and came into existence on the 16th of May, 2007.

2.Ancient star with five Earth size planets discovered by astronomers

Astronomers have discovered a star that is 11.2 billion years old and has at least five Earth-size planets.

It was discovered by team of astronomer’s after analyzing data from NASA’s planet-hunting Kepler spacecraft for over four years.

Key findings:

• This star is named as Kepler-444. It is 25 percent smaller than our Sun and is 117 light years from Earth.

• It belongs to the first generation of stars and considered as part of one of the oldest systems in the galaxy.

• This star has five known planets which have sizes that fall between Mercury and Venus.

• These 5 planets are so close to their star that they complete their orbits in fewer than 10 days.

• This discovery is going to help astronomers learn more about the history of our solar system- Milky Way.

3. India challenges WTO panel’s ruling in US poultry case to DSB
India has challenged a World Trade Organisation (WTO) panel’s ruling that challenges country’s ban on United States (US) poultry product imports.

In this regard, India has appealed to the Dispute Settlement Board (DSB) of the WTO.

Background:

• In 2007, India had banned imports of various agriculture products including poultry meat and eggs from the US. They were banned as a precautionary measure to prevent outbreaks of Avian Influenza.

• In March 2012, US had dragged India to the WTO for banning these products.

• WTO ruling: WTO panel’s ruling in October 2014 in this regard had said that India’s measures are arbitrarily and unjustifiably discrimination on international trade and constitutes a disguised restriction on it.

• US Stance: US also had contended that India’s Avian Influenza measures amounted to an import prohibition was not based on the relevant international standard or on a scientific risk assessment.

• India’s Stance: While, India has claimed that the panel ruling is committed with several legal errors in its interpretation and application of numerous articles of the Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures (SPS) agreement.

Why US is focusing on India’s poultry business?

• US is one of the world’s largest exporters of chicken meat. It is looking India as one of its potential markets poultry exports.

• While, in past few years India’s broiler meat consumption has increased and has touched to 3.72 million tonnes in 2014 from 3.45 million tonnes in 2013.

4. Australian cricketer Sean Abbott wins Bradman young cricketer of the year award
Australian cricketer Sean Abbott has won Bradman young cricketer of the year award 2015.

While, Steve Smith was awarded the Allan Border Medal and being named both Test and one day player of the year.

Sean Abbott is the bowler, who was unwittingly at the centre of the tragic death of Phillip Hughes. In November 2014, he had delivered bouncer to Hughes that hit him in head during a Sheffield Shield match at the SCG against South Australia.

Bradman young cricketer of the year award: It was instituted in 1990. It is bestowed annually by Cricket Australia to best player under the age of 24. The recipient is presented with a bat personally signed by Sir Donald Bradman (He had signed 100 bats in 1989 for this award)

5. Kalyan Singh sworn in as Himachal Pradesh Governor
Rajasthan Governor Kalyan Singh has sworn in as the 26th Governor of Himachal Pradesh.

He was administered oath of office by Himachal Pradesh High Court Chief Justice Mansoor Ahmed Mir at oath taking ceremony held at Raj Bhawan in Shimla.

He was given an additional charge of Himachal Pradesh after then governor Urmila Singh, completed the full five year term on January 24.

About Kalyan Singh:

• Kalyan Singh was born on 5 January 1932 in Aligarh district of Uttar Pradesh.

• He was elected as member of Uttar Pradesh legislative Assembly for six times consecutively from 1967.

• He has served two terms as the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh. First term from 24 Jun 1991 to 6 Dec 1992. Second term from 21 Sep 1997 to 12 Nov 1999.

• In 1977, he was Health Minister of Uttar Pradesh. He was also Member of Parliament from 2004 to 2014.

• He is 20th Governor of Rajasthan and was appointed on 26 August 2014.

Article 153: It says that there shall be Governor for each state. But 7th Constitutional Amendment Act, 1956 facilitated the appointment of the same person as a governor for two or more states.

6. Veteran Malayalam actor Mala Aravindan passes away
Veteran Malayalam actor Mala Aravindan has passed away in Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu. He was 76.

He was best known for his work as a comedian, character artist in Malayalam films and was also noted theatre personality. He was also the president of the Association of Malayalam Movie Artists (AMMA).

About Mala Aravindan:

• He was born in 1941 at Vadavucode in Ernakulam, Kerala.

• Career: He had started his career as a tabla artist with the vibrant travelling professional theatre groups.

• He began his acting career in the plays of National Theatres, Kottayam, and later associated with theatre groups such as Natakasala and Suryasoma.

• His made debut as actor in 1968 by acting in film Sindhooram, directed by Balakrishnan. Since then he has acted in over 400 films.

• Awards: He has won the Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Akademi’s award for the best actor for his role in Sooryasoma’s play Nidhi.

7. Maharashtra to observe Industries Day on September 17
Maharashtra government has announced that, September 17 (on Vishwakarma Jayanti) will be observed as Industries Day in each district.

Significance of Day:

• It will be observed as part of State government’s effort to provide balanced growth to existing small, medium and large scale enterprises.

• It will also render assistance to state government for setting up new industries to boost the state’s financial health.

• On this day, all districts in state will exhibit their growth potential and opportunities received for their development in the year.

• It will provide state government single platform to ensure that its policies benefit people at the grass-root level with regards to industrial growth as well as provide employment opportunities.

• In each district of state, a committee will be set up under district collectors for holding the Industries Day celebrations.

• On this day, awards to industries at the district level will be given for their exemplary performance.

Today CA : 27/01/2015

1. Barack Obama becomes first US President to be Chief Guest at Republic-Day

US President Barack Obama has become the first American President to be Chief Guest on Republic Day celebrations.

He is also the first American President to visit India twice (earlier he had visited India in November 2010).

Key highlights of 66th Republic Day celebrations

• In this Parade, US President witnessed India’s military might and cultural diversity. This year’s parade was more based on cultural diversity rather than showing on military might.

• For the parade, Barack Obama arrived in his own vehicle named cadillac one (The Beast) and not with President Pranab Mukherjee. Thus, breaking the traditional practice, as the Chief Guest usually comes to the venue with the President, the Head of the State.

• Several States displayed tableaux depicting their local flavor and traditions.

• While, some Union government departments displayed tableaux related to government initiatives like Make in India and ‘save the girl child.

• For first time in history, all women contingents of the three services Army, Navy and Air Force marched in the parade.

• Some of India’s latest military arsenal was displayed in this year’s parade. However, Nuclear-capable Agni missiles- a highlight for the past several years was not displayed this year.

2. DP Sinha appointed as secretary (security) in the cabinet secretariatAppointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) has appointed Divya Prakash Sinhaas secretary (security) in the cabinet secretariat.

Since November 2013, this post was lying vacant after Yashovardhan Azad who was holding the post then, was appointed information commissioner.

Divya Prakash Sinha:

• He is IPS officer, belonging to 1979 batch of the Manipur-Tripura cadre.

• Before this appointment he was special director with Intelligence Bureau (IB).

• He is associated with IB for several years handling operations in key regions such as the northeast and even Delhi.

• He known to be instrumental in neutralization of banned terrorist outfit Indian Mujahideen (IM) and various extremists groups in North east India.

3. RBI signs an information sharing agreement with Brazil’s Central Bank

Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Supervisory Cooperation and Exchange of Supervisory Information with Brazil’s Central Bank- Banco Central do Brasil (BCB).

This MoU was signed by Anthero de Moraes Meirelles, Deputy Governor for Supervision, BCB and S.S. Mundra, Deputy Governor, Reserve Bank of India.

RBI by signing such MoU with supervisors of other countries is seeking to promote greater co-operation and share supervisory information among the authorities.

In this regard, RBI in total has signed 23 such MoUs, one Letter for Supervisory Co-operation and one Statement of Co-operation (SoC), with different Central Banks of other countries and overseas regulators/supervisors.

4. K Durga Prasad appointed as Special DG of CRPFAppointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) has appointed K Durga Prasad as the special director general (DG) of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF).

He will be in office for next three years or till further orders, whichever is earlier.
K Durga Prasad

• He is IPS officer of 1981 batch from Andhra Pradesh cadre.

• Before this appointed, he was director of the Special Protection Group (SPG), but was removed from this post in November 2014.

• It should be noted that SPG provides security to the prime minister, former prime ministers and their family members.

About Central Reserve Police Force (CRFP)

• CRPF is the largest Central Armed Police Forces in India. It operates under the aegis of Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA).

• It was established in 1939, under Crown Representative’s Police but after independence it was made statutory Central Reserve Police Force after the enactment of the CRPF Act, 1949.

• At present CRPF is the world’s largest paramilitary force with 228 battalions and over three lakh personnel.

• Function: Its primary role is to assist States/Union Territories in police operations to maintain law and order and contain insurgency.

5. Famous Greek singer Demis Roussos passes awayFamous Greek singer Demis Roussos passed away in Athens, Greek. He was 68.

He was best known for his hit operatic pop ballads in the 1970s and 1980s and for his high-pitched voice and melodies inspired by Greek folklore which sold about 60 million records worldwide.

About Demis Roussos

• He was born as Artemios Ventouris Roussos in Alexandria, Egypt in 1946.

• He had started his music career at age of 17, when he joined band called The Idols.

• He was best known for his solo hits in the 1970s and 80s, including Forever and Ever, Goodbye and Quand je t’aime.

• He was also a member of progressive rock group Aphrodite’s Child.

6. Libby Lane, first female bishop of England consecrated

Church of England has consecrated Reverend Libby Lane as its first female bishop in a ceremony held at York Minster (a Gothic cathedral) in northern England.

With this consecration, Church of England ended its 500 year old male dominated tradition and considered as a historic move towards widening female participation in the Church.

Background

• Earlier in December 2014, she was appointed Bishop after Church formally had adopted legislation to allow women bishops.

• In this regard General Synod- the law-making body of the Church of England had given nod to this legislation in November 2014 which was passed by UK Parliament in October 2014.

Reverend Libby Lane

• Since April 2007, she was Vicar of St Peter’s Hale and St Elizabeth’s Ashley, in Greater Manchester, England.

• In 1993, she was ordained as deacon and later in 1994, as priest.

• In January 2010, she was appointed as Dean of Women in Ministry for the Diocese of Chester.

7. In R-Day message, China tells India don't fall into ‘trap’ laid by U.S.

• China has offered to lift its strategic partnership with India to a “higher level,” and prompted New Delhi to avoid a “zero-sum trap” that was being set up by Washington and its allies.

• In a message, on the occasion of 65th Republic Day, to President Pranab Mukherjee, his Chinese counterpart, Xi Jinping expressed China’s willingness “to make concerted efforts with India to lift their strategic cooperative partnership oriented to peace and prosperity to a higher level”.

• The felicitations coincided with the New Delhi visit of U.S. President Barack Obama.

• An article on Monday that appeared in the Global Times and People’s Daily, cautioned India, not to fall into the “trap” that was being laid, to pit New Delhi against Beijing, by Washington, as part of its “pivot to Asia” doctrine.

• The commentary noted that "the second visit by a sitting U.S. President to India, the first time on record, has undoubtedly drawn wide attention from the international community”.

• It added that many Western media reports “have pointed out that the U.S., regardless of historical complications, is putting more efforts into soliciting India to act as a partner, even an ally, to support Washington's "pivot to Asia" strategy, which is mainly devised to counter China's rise.

• In a further elaboration, the daily pointed to the West’s “ulterior motives’’ to frame the "Chinese dragon" and the "Indian elephant" as natural rivals. “The West is egging India on to be fully prepared for "threats" posed by its large neighbour.

• Considering the fact that both sides still have territorial disputes and will probably have wider engagement at many levels, this so-called rivalry between India and China will not stop making headlines in Western media.”

• However, it cautioned India that it was facing a carefully positioned “trap”. “Although craftily set, it will be revealed eventually.”

• The daily advised both countries to put aside their “debates over specific issues,” and ensure that “their relations cannot take a life-or-death struggle as a foothold.”

• “The common interests they share are way larger than any differences. As both are emerging powers, which have the huge potential of being important forces in the international community, China and India should see more space for cooperation instead of contention. This agreement is fundamental to bilateral relations.

• The article counselled Beijing and New Delhi to “come to terms with a bottom line of interactions, making sure the big picture remains intact, although both sides still have disagreements on some specific matters,” and steer clear of a zero-sum game, that India, under Western influence was “sliding into”.

• Diplomatic sources told The Hindu that India’s diplomacy is pursuing a “multi-vectored approach” that is geared to promote New Delhi’s core interests, through simultaneous engagement, in carefully defined areas, with several countries, which may have problems with each other.

Today CA : 26/01/2015 गणतंत्र दिवस की शुभकामना

1. Major Mukund Varadarajan and Naik Neeraj Kumar Singh awarded Ashok Chakra posthumously

Two army personnel, Major Mukund Varadarajan and NaikNeeraj Kumar Singh were awarded the highest peacetime military honour, the Ashok Chakra posthumously by President Pranab Mukherjee.

The awards were received by their wives at the 66th Republic Day celebrations.

Both the army men had laid down their lives while battling groups of militants in separate operations in Shopian and Kupwara districts of Kashmir.

In April 2014, Major Mukund Varadarajan who was an officer in the Rajput Regiment of the Indian Army had killed three terrorists in an encounter in Shopian district of Jammu and Kashmir.

While in August 2014, Naik Neeraj Singh was leading a search operation in general area Gurdaji of Kupwara district, he died after heavy fire from terrorists.
About Ashok Chakra:

• It is India’s highest peacetime military decoration awarded for valor, courageous action or self-sacrifice away from the battlefield

• It is the peace time equivalent of the Param Vir Chakra, and is awarded for the most conspicuous bravery or some daring or pre-eminent valour or self-sacrifice other than in the face of the enemy.

2. Eminent cartoonist RK Laxman passes awayEminent cartoonist, illustrator and humorist Rasipuram Laxman passed away in Pune. He was 94.
About Rasipuram Laxman

Rasipuram Laxman (famously known as RK Laxman) was born on 24 October 1921 in Mysore, Karnataka. Famous novelist R. K. Narayan was his older brother.

His creation:

• He is best known for creation of iconic character The Common Man, for his daily cartoon strip, You Said It in The Times of India(TOI). It was started in 1951. This character held a mirror to the society and targeted politicians for more than five decades.

• In 1988, commemorative postage stamp of The Common Man was released by the Indian Postal Service on the 150th anniversary TOI.

• He also created a popular mascot for the Asian Paints group called Gattu in 1954.

Other Works:

• His cartoons have appeared in Hindi films such as Mr. & Mrs. in 1955 and a Tamil film Kamaraj.

• His creations also include the sketches drawn for the television adaptation of Malgudi Days (written by his elder brother R K Narayan and directed by Shankar Nag).

• Awards: He is recipient of Padma Vibhushan (2005) and Ramon Magsaysay Award for Journalism, Literature and Creative Communication Arts (1984).

• His Autobiography: The Tunnel of Time: An Autobiography.

• Books: He had published numerous short stories, essays, and travel articles, some of which were collected in The Distorted Mirror (2003). His novels include The Hotel Riviera, The Messenger and the short story collection Servants of India.

3. Colombia’s Paulina Vega crowned Miss Universe 2015
Colombia’s Paulina Vega was crowned 63rd Miss Universe after beating out contenders from the United States, Ukraine, Jamaica and Netherlands.

Miss USA Nia Sanchez from Las Vegas was named a runner-up, along with Miss Ukraine Diana Harkusha.

Paulina Vega- She is granddaughter of celebrated Colombian singer Gastón Vega. Currently, she is a student of business from the northern Colombia city of Barranquilla.

Miss Universe

• It is an annual international beauty pageant that is run by the Miss Universe Organization.

• Along with the Miss World and Miss Earth contests, Miss Universe is one of the three largest beauty pageants in the world and one of the most anticipated beauty pageants worldwide.

• It was founded in 1952 by the California clothing company Pacific Mills.

4. Anti-austerity Syriza party wins Greece’s general elections
In Greece, anti-austerity Syriza party has won general election.

In this election Syriza party has won about half the seats in Parliament.

While the earlier ruling government led by outgoing Prime Minister Antonis Samaras of centre-right New Democracy party has been placed second.

Syriza party:

• It was formed in 2004 as an umbrella group. Syriza- an acronym means the Radical Coalition of the Left.

• It is led by Alexis Tsipras and first came to prominence following the 2008 Greek riots.

• In this general election, Syriza Party has promised to end Greece’s painful austerity measures and wants to renegotiate its debt.

Padma Awards 2015 (Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan, Padma Shri)

President Pranab Mukherjee has announced the names of Recipients of this year’s Padma awards. He approved conferment of 104 Padma Awards.

Padma Awards, the country’s highest civilian awards, are conferred in three Categories viz. Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan and Padma Shri.

This years list comprises 9 Padma Vibhushan, 20 Padma Bhushan and 75 Padma Shri Awardees. Among these awardees 17 are women and equal number are in category of foreigners, NRIs, PIOs. While, 4 are posthumous awardees.

The Awards are given in various disciplines- art, social work, public affairs, science and engineering, trade and industry, medicine, literature and education, sports, civil service, etc.

Decending Awards order list : Bharat Ratna > Padma Vibhushan > Padma Bhushan > Padma Shri

2015 Padma Vibhushan Awards:

• It is the second highest civilian award. It is awarded for exceptional and distinguished service.

S. No.	Name of the Awardee	Discipline	State/Domicile
1.	Shri L. K. Advani	Public Affairs	Gujarat
2.	Shri Amitabh Bachchan	Art	Maharashtra
3.	Shri Prakash Singh Badal	Public Affairs	Punjab
4.	Dr. D. Veerendra Heggade	Social Work	Karnataka
5.	Shri Mohammad Yusuf Khan alias Dilip Kumar	Art	Maharashtra
6.	Shri Jagadguru Ramanandacharya Swami Rambhadracharya	Others	Uttar Pradesh
7.	Prof. Malur Ramaswamy Srinivasan	Science and Engineering	Tamil Nadu
8.	Shri Kottayan K. Venugopal	Public Affairs	Delhi
9.	Shri Karim Al Hussaini Aga Khan (Foreigner)	Trade and Industry	France/UK

2015 Padma Bhushan Awards:

• It is the third highest civilian award. It is awarded for distinguished service of high order.

S. No.

Name of the Awardee

Discipline

State/Domicile

1.	Shri Jahnu Barua	Art	Assam
2.	Dr. Vijay Bhatkar	Science and Engineering	Maharashtra
3.	Shri Swapan Dasgupta	Literature and Education	Delhi
4.	Swami Satyamitranand Giri	Others	Uttar Pradesh
5.	Shri N. Gopalaswami	Civil Service	Tamil Nadu
6.	Dr. Subhash C. Kashyap	Public Affairs	Delhi
7.	Dr. (Pandit) Gokulotsavji Maharaj	Art	Madhya Pradesh
8.	Dr. Ambrish  Mithal	Medicine	Delhi
9.	Smt. Sudha Ragunathan	Art	Tamil Nadu
10.	Shri Harish Salve	Public Affairs	Delhi
11.	Dr. Ashok Seth	Medicine	Delhi
12.	Shri Rajat Sharma	Literature and Education	Delhi
13.	Shri Satpal	Sports	Delhi
14.	Shri Shivakumara Swami	Others	Karnataka
15.	Dr. Kharag Singh Valdiya	Science and Engineering	Karnataka
16.	Prof. Manjul Bhargava(NRI/PIO)	Science and Engineering	USA
17.	Shri David Frawley (Vamadeva)(Foreigner)	Others	USA
18.	Shri Bill Gates(Foreigner)	Social Work	USA
19.	Ms. Melinda Gates (Foreigner)	Social Work	USA
20.	Shri Saichiro Misumi(Foreigner)	Others	Japan

2015 Padma Shri Awards

• It is the fourth highest civilian award. It is awarded for distinguished service in any field.

S. No.

Name of the Awardee

Discipline

State/Domicile

1.	Dr. Manjula Anagani	Medicine	Telangana
2.	Shri S. Arunan	Science and Engineering	Karnataka
3.	Ms. Kanyakumari Avasarala	Art	Tamil Nadu
4.	Dr. Bettina Sharada Baumer	Literature and Education	Jammu and Kashmir
5.	Shri Naresh Bedi	Art	Delhi
6.	Shri Ashok Bhagat	Social Work	Jharkhand
7.	Shri Sanjay Leela Bhansali	Art	Maharashtra
8.	Dr. Lakshmi Nandan Bora	Literature and Education	Assam
9.	Dr. Gyan  Chaturvedi	Literature and Education	Madhya Pradesh
10.	Prof. (Dr.) Yogesh Kumar Chawla	Medicine	Chandigarh
11.	Smt. Jayakumari Chikkala	Medicine	Delhi
12.	Shri Bibek Debroy	Literature and Education	Delhi
13.	Dr. Sarungbam Bimola  Kumari Devi	Medicine	Manipur
14.	Dr. Ashok Gulati	Public Affairs	Delhi
15.	Dr.  Randeep  Guleria	Medicine	Delhi
16.	Dr. K. P. Haridas	Medicine	Kerala
17.	Shri Rahul Jain	Art	Delhi
18.	Shri Ravindra Jain	Art	Maharashtra
19.	Dr. Sunil Jogi	Literature and Education	Delhi
20.	Shri Prasoon Joshi	Art	Maharashtra
21.	Dr. Prafulla Kar	Art	Odisha
22.	Ms. Saba Anjum	Sports	Chhattisgarh
23.	Smt. Ushakiran Khan	Literature and Education	Bihar
24.	Dr. Rajesh Kotecha	Medicine	Rajasthan
25.	Prof. Alka Kriplani	Medicine	Delhi
26.	Dr. Harsh Kumar	Medicine	Delhi
27.	Shri Narayana Purushothama Mallaya	Literature and Education	Kerala
28.	Shri Lambert Mascarenhas	Literature and Education	Goa
29.	Dr. (Mrs.) Janak Palta McGilligan	Social Work	Madhya Pradesh
30.	Shri Veerendra Raj Mehta	Social Work	Delhi
31.	Shri Tarak Mehta	Art	Gujarat
32.	Shri Neil Herbert Nongkynrih	Art	Meghalaya
33.	Shri Chewang Norphel	Others	Jammu and Kashmir
34.	Shri T. V. Mohandas Pai	Trade and Industry	Karnataka
35.	Dr.Tejas Patel	Medicine	Gujarat
36.	Shri Jadav Molai Peyang	Others	Assam
37.	Smt. Bimla Poddar	Other	Uttar Pradesh
38.	Dr. N. Prabhakar	Science and Engineering	Delhi
39.	Dr. Prahalada	Science and Engineering	Maharashtra
40.	Dr. Narendra Prasad	Medicine	Bihar
41.	Shri Ram Bahadur Rai	Literature and Education	Delhi
42.	Ms. Mithali Raj	Sports	Telangana
43.	Shri P. V.  Rajaraman	Civil Service	Tamil Nadu
44.	Prof.  J. S. Rajput	Literature and Education	Uttar Pradesh
45.	Shri Kota Srinivasa Rao	Art	Andhra Pradesh
46.	Prof. Bimal Roy	Literature and Education	West Bengal
47.	Shri Shekhar Sen	Art	Maharashtra
48.	Shri Gunvant Shah	Literature and Education	Gujarat
49.	Shri Brahmdev Sharma (Bhaiji)	Literature and Education	Delhi
50.	Shri Manu Sharma	Literature and Education	Uttar Pradesh
51.	Prof. Yog Raj Sharma	Medicine	Delhi
52.	Shri Vasant Shastri	Science and Engineering	Karnataka
53.	Shri S. K. Shivkumar	Science and Engineering	Karnataka
54.	Ms. P. V. Sindhu	Sports	Telangana
55.	Shri Sardara Singh	Sports	Haryana
56.	Ms. Arunima Sinha	Sports	Uttar Pradesh
57.	Shri Mahesh Raj Soni	Art	Rajasthan
58.	Dr.Nikhil Tandon	Medicine	Delhi
59.	Shri H. Thegtse Rinpoche	Social Work	Arunachal Pradesh
60.	Dr.Hargovind Laxmishanker Trivedi	Medicine	Gujarat
61.	Shri Huang Baosheng(Foreigner)	Others	China
62.	Prof. Jacques Blamont(Foreigner)	Science and Engineering	France
63.	Late Shri Syedna Mohammad Burhanuddin(Posthumous)	Others	Maharashtra
64.	Shri Jean-Claude Carriere(Foreigner)	Literature and Education	France
65.	Dr. Nandrajan “Raj” Chetty(NRI/PIO)	Trade and Industry	USA
66.	Shri George L. Hart(Foreigner)	Others	USA
67.	Jagat Guru Amrta Suryananda Maha Raja(NRI/PIO)	Others	Portugal
68.	Late Shri Meetha Lal Mehta (Posthumous)	Social Work	Rajasthan
69.	Ms. Tripti Mukherjee(NRI/PIO)	Art	USA
70.	Dr. Dattatreyudu Nori(NRI/PIO)	Medicine	USA
71.	Dr. Raghu Rama Pillarisetti(NRI/PIO)	Medicine	USA
72.	Dr. Saumitra Rawat(NRI/PIO)	Medicine	UK
73.	Prof. Annette Schmiedchen(Foreigner)	Literature and Education	Germany
74.	Late Shri Pran Kumar Sharma alias Pran(Posthumous)	Art	Delhi
75.	Late Shri R. Vasudevan(Posthumous)	Civil Service	Tamil Nadu

These Padma Awards are conferred by the President of India at a function held at Rashtrapati Bhawan around March/ April every year

India ranks 78th globally in Global Talent Competitiveness Index (GTCI) 2014

India ranked 78th globally in Global Talent Competitiveness Index (GTCI) 2014 list of 93 countries in terms of talent competitiveness of its human capital.

This GTCI list was compiled by INSEAD business school in partnership with Adecco and Human Capital Leadership Institute of Singapore (HCLI).
GTCI measures a nation’s competitiveness based on the quality of talent it can produce, attract and retain.

Key facts of Global Talent Competitiveness Index (GTCI) 2014 list:

• Top twenty scoring countries in the GTCI 2014 are all high-income countries. While, the top rankings were dominated by European countries, with only six non-European countries in the top 20 which included Singapore (2nd), the United States (4th), Canada (5th), Australia (9th), New-Zealand (16th) and Japan (20th).

• Rich countries were able to top in the list, since they tend to have better universities and a greater ability to attract foreign talents through higher quality of life and remuneration, making them more talent competitive.

• Top 10 in GTCI list: Switzerland (1st), Singapore (2nd), Luxembourg (3rd), United States (4th) and Canada (5th), Sweden (6th), United Kingdom (7th), Denmark (8th), Australia (9th) and Ireland (10th).

• India’s lower position indicates acute shortage of skilled workforce. It also ranks at last among BRICS members.

• India’s neighbuors in GTCI list: China (41th), Sri Lanka (76th), Pakistan (89th), Bangladesh (90th).

Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana features into Guinness book of World Records

NDA government’s flagship scheme Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY) has entered into Guinness book of World Records.

Guinness book of World Records has given certificate stating it as most bank accounts opened in one week.

In one week, 18,096,130 bank accounts were opened as part of the financial inclusion campaign from 23rd to 29th August, 2014. It was achieved by the Department of Financial Services (Government of India).

Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY):

• It was launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi with the goal of eradicating financial untouchability of the poor by opening at least one bank account for every family in the country in less than six months.

• It seeks to financially empower the poor by providing them access to formal banking system.

• It also seeks to provide platform for Direct Benefits Transfer (DBT) which will curb leakages in government subsidies and thus saving government exchequer.

• Initially, after its launch the scheme had a target of opening 7.5 crore bank accounts by 26 January, 2015, but later it was revised and raised to 10 crore bank accounts.

• As on 17th January 2015, PMJDY has achieved feat of opening of 11.50 crore bank accounts under it in the short span of 5 months since it was launched against the original target of 7.5 Crore by 26th January, 2015.

Cyberabad CP awarded by ECI for Best Electoral Practices-2014

Cyberabad Police Commissioner (PC) CV Anand has been conferred with the Election Commission of India’s (ECI’s) National Special Category Award for the Best Electoral Practices- 2014.

He has been bestowed this award for the commendable election related measures taken by him in the area of‘Expenditure Monitoring and Tackling Money Power during the General Elections of 2014.

He will receive the award in Vigyan Bhavan, New Delhi on January 25 on the occasion of National Voter’s Day Function.

ECI’s National Special Category Award:

• It was instituted in 2011.

• It recognises the efforts and innovations of the officers and to commend and encourage individual and team accomplishments in diverse fields of election management.

• It carries a cash reward of Rs 50,000 along with a plaque and citation.

• Lok Sabha election 2014 was the first General Election after Institution of the award.

Indian-American Frank Islam presented with Martin Luther King Award

Frank Islam, an eminent Indian-American entrepreneur and philanthropist has been presented with the prestigious Martin Luther King Jr Award.

He was given the award for his contribution to the legacy of the great leader through his efforts in international service and civil engagement.

About Frank Islam:

• He was born in Azamgarh, Uttar Pradesh to a peasant father. He had moved to US when he was only 15 years old.

• He is an entrepreneur, investor and philanthropist.

• In 1993, he had bought a struggling IT company in Maryland. Later in 2007, he sold it to spent rest of his life in philanthropy, both in India and the US.

• Currently, he heads the FI Invest Group a firm that he established after selling his IT Company.

• He is also board member of several think tanks, academic and cultural organisations including pretigious Kennedy Centre for Performing Arts, the Brookings Institute and US Institute of Peace.

• Books: He has written two well-regarded books on the American condition. They are Working the Pivot Points: To Make America Work Again (2013). Renewing the American Dream: A Citizen’s Guide for Restoring Our Competitive Advantage (2010).

Martin Luther King Jr Award:

• It is an annual award started in 1991.

• It honors the legacy of noble peace recipient civil right leader Martin Luther King Jr and the legendary Dorothy I Height and their impacts both at home and abroad.

J&K wins National e-Governance award 2014-15 for best district-level initiative

Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) has been selected for National e-Governance award 2014-15 for its best district level initiative in the country.

J&K state has been selected for this award by Department of Administrative Reforms for its e-Panchayat project.

This award will be presented during 18th National Conference on e-Governance to be held at Gandhinagar, Gujarat on January 30-31, 2015.

Background:

• J&K’s e-Panchayat project was shortlisted among 53 nominees for spot study which was done by PriceWater Coopers Ltd and officers of Department of Administrative Reforms of PMO in November-December 2014.

• Finally it was is selected by the by jury headed by Secretary Administrative Reforms and conferred after approval of Prime Minister who heads Ministry of Personnel, Department of Administrative Reforms.

J&K’s e-Panchayat project:

• It was launched in 2013-14 for strengthening 147 panchayats in the state.

• This project provided platform for a decentralized regime of panchayats in the state by shifting the service delivery from block level to panchayat level.

National e-Governance award:

• It was instituted in 1997. It is given by Department of Administrative Reforms.

Purpose of the award:

• It recognizes the achievements in the area of e-Governance.

• It seeks to disseminate knowledge on effective methods of designing and implementing sustainable e-Governance initiatives.

• Encourage incremental innovations in successful e-Governance solutions.

• Promote and exchange experiences in solving problems, Mitigating risks, resolving issues and planning for success.

It should be noted that J&K state has bagged this award for first time in 18 years since award was instituted.

Eminent Sanskrit scholar Prabhu Nath Dwivedi named for Sahitya Akademi Award 2014

Eminent Sanskrit scholar Prabhu Nath Dwivedi has been conferred with prestigious Sahitya Akademi Award 2014 for Sanskrit language.

He was chosen for his work Kanakalochanaha- a collection of 16 short-stories based upon various social issues eroding the system.

His book was selected by a three-member jury of the Sahitya Akademi.

Mr Diwedi is Sanskrit teacher and has been teaching in various universities for more than three decades.

Backround:

• Earlier in December 2014, Sahitya Akademi had announced names of 22 poets and authors for prestigious Sahitya Akademi Award 2014. But they had not announced the winners of Manipuri and Sanskrit language.

About Sahitya Akademi Award:

• Sahitya Akademi Award (साहित्य अकादमी पुरस्कार) is conferred on writers of outstanding works in one of the twenty-four major Indian languages.

• 24 major Indian languages are- Assamese, Bengali, Bodo, Dogri, English, Gujarati, Hindi, Kannada, Kashmiri, Konkani, Maithili, Malayalam, Manipuri, Marathi, Nepali, Oriya, Punjabi, Rajasthan, Sanskrit, Santhali, Sindhi, Tamil, Telugu, and Urdu.

• The award consists of a casket containing an engraved copper-plaque, a shawl and a cheque of 1 Lakh rupees.

ISRO Mars Orbiter Mission team wins 2015 Space Pioneer Award

The team of ISRO’s Mars Mission has been awarded 2015 Space Pioneer Award in the Science and Engineering category by National Space Society (NSS).

They are being conferred with this award for achieving the rare feat of entering Mars orbit in maiden attempt.

Mars Orbiter Programme Team will receive the award during NSS’ 34th International Space Development Conference which will be held in Toronto.

ISRO’s Mars Orbiter Mission(MOM):

• It was launched on 5 November, 2013. It made history on 24 September 2014 after it entered Mars orbit in maiden attempt.

• It achieved two significant missions. First, entering into orbit around Mars and Secondly, taking full-disk colour imagery of Mars with its onboard high resolution camera.

• It should be noted that, the Mars Orbiter programme team located in Bengaluru, Karnataka. It is headed by eminent ISRO scientist Mylswamy Annadurai.

About Space Pioneer Award:

• It recognizes those individuals and teams whose accomplishments have helped to open the space frontier. It was instituted in 1988.

• This prestigious award is be given by the National Space Society (NSS), an American educational and scientific organization.

• Award memento consists of a silvery pewter Moon globe cast. It is casted by the Baker Art Foundry in Placerville, California. Originally, this sculpture was created by Don Davis, the well-known space and astronomical artist.