Cricket World Cup 2015 - 7 High-Tech Technology

1) LED stumps and bails

• Stump cameras are passe. LED stumps are the latest additions to the game. The LED light flashes only when the bail is completely dislodged from the stumps which means the third umpire can get a clear view whether the bails are dislodged completely or not while making a decision.

2) Real-time Snicko

• Commonly known as Snicko, this is used in televised cricket to graphically analyse sound and video as a ball passes a bat. In use in various forms since 2008, it is one of the trusted go to technologies in the Decision Review System (DRS) in world cricket today.

3) Hawkeye ball-tracking

• Six strategically placed cameras around the field track the path of the ball from the time it is released from the bowler's hand till it comes to a standstill. A computer then turns the images of the camera into a 3D image in a virtual cricket pitch, taking into account the speed, the bounce and the swing of the ball.

4) PitchVision

• If you have seen television analysis pinpointing where each delivery landed on the pitch or your favourite batsman's performance on deliveries with different pace, line and length, thank PitchVision. It helps bowlers and batsmen statistically break down their performances.

5) Spider cam

• This is a new toy that cricket broadcasters set up for a bird's eye view of the game.It enables a camera to move both horizontally and vertically over its flying area connected by cables, along the cricket pitch and the ground.

6) Ball Spin RPM

• The Ball Spin RPM ( Revolution Per Minute) demonstrates how fast a ball is spinning after it is released from the hand of a spin bowler.

7) Hot Spot

• Hot Spot is an imaging system used to determine whether the ball has struck the batsman, bat or the pad. It uses two infra-red cameras at the opposite ends of the field through which it catches the image of the ball hitting bat or pad by means of the elevated temperature at the environment.Hot Spot was ruled out from World Cup 2 015 due to the cost and difficulty of getting the required equipment to all venues across the two host countries.

Today CA : 31/01/2015

1. Union Government releases Commemorative Postage Stamps on Swachh Bharat Mission

Union Government has released set of three Commemorative Postage Stamps on Swachh Bharat Mission (Clean India Mission).

This set of 3 stamps was released by Union Ministry for Communications & Information Technology and issued by Department of Posts.

These stamps were released to in order to achieve the vision of Clean and Healthy India.

Department of Posts has selected the design for the stamps through a competition among the children on the theme of Swachh Bharat Mission.

Swachh Bharat Mission

• It was launched by the Prime Minister on the 2nd October, 2014 on the occasion of Birth Anniversary of Father of the Nation- Mahatma Gandhi.

• This mission seeks to achieve Clean India and aims to provide access to toilets to all households in the country.

• It also seeks to provide adequate arrangements for Solid and Liquid Waste Management.

2. Maharashtra government gives nod for GM food trials
Maharashtra government has given nod to confined genetically modified (GM) food trails in state.

In this regard, state government has granted no-objection certificates (NOC) for open field trials of 5 genetically modified (GM) crops. They are rice, chana (chickpeas), maize, brinjal and cotton.

NOC was granted by state government after state-level Committee, headed by Anil Kakodkar had given clearance for field test of these five GM crops.

Based upon the results of these trials, government take further steps.

With this decision, Maharashtra has become the fourth state after Punjab, Delhi and Andhra Pradesh to approve open field trials in GM crops.

Confined trials: It is typically carried out in small plots of one hectare or less. It is primarily meant to collect data on the potential bio-safety impact of the GM crop lines.

Why state governments NOC are required for GM food trails?

• Earlier, Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC) under the previous UPA Environment Ministry had permitted field trials of GM food in India.

• But GEAC had inserted mandatory condition of separate NOCs from states for such trials.

• So, states like Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan have banned such research activities.

3. RBI constitutes high level panel on urban cooperative banks (UCB)
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has constituted a high-powered panel on urban cooperative banks (UCB).

It will be headed by RBI Deputy Governor R Gandhi and comprise of eight member who will be experienced bankers. They will submit its report within three months from the date of its first meeting.

This high-powered panel will re-examine and recommend appropriate set of businesses, size, conversion and licensing terms for the UCB sector.

The Terms of Reference of the high level panel are:

• Businesses: Examine the line of businesses that UCBs may be permitted to undertake and their benchmark in terms of size of business, capital requirement, regulatory regime etc.

• Size of UCB: Suggest the appropriate size up to which a UCB may be able to grow without undue risk to the system.

• Conversion Criteria & licensing terms : Suggest the criteria for allowing voluntary conversion by a UCB and examine whether the time is opportune to give license to new UCBs.

• Determine the modalities of implementing the suggestion of the Malegam Committee. Especially, whether the 50 per cent in value of deposits should be held by voting members. Thus, propose a feasible structure that puts majority voting in the hands of contributors of funds in UCB.

4. Serena Williams wins Australian Open 2015 Women’s Singles title
Serena Williams of United States has won Australian Open 2015 Women’s Singles title.

In the finals she defeated Russia’s Maria Sharapova by score of 6-3, 7-6, 7-5.

With this win Serena Williams has won 6th Australian Open title and 19th Grand Slam title.

Serena Williams

• Currently she is ranked No. 1 in women’s singles tennis.

• She also has won 4 Olympic gold medals, 1 in women’s singles and 3 in women’s doubles.

Her 19 singles title includes:

• 6 Australian Open Titles -2003, 2005, 2007, 2009, 2010, 2015.
• 2 French Open Titles- 2002, 2013.
• 5 Wimbledon Titles- 2002, 2003, 2009, 2010, 2012.
• 6 US Open Titles- 1999, 2002, 2008, 2012, 2013, 2014.

5. First Canister-based Agni-V missile successfully test-fired

For the first time, a canisterised version of Agni-V missile was successfully test-fired on 31 January 2015 from Wheeler Island off Odisha coast.


This was the third successful flight test of the Inter-Continental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) and the first canister trial.

Test: The missile was launched from sealed canister, mounted on a TATRA truck. It was carrying dummy payload. Test showed that dummy payload withstand temperatures more than 3,0000 C and hit the target at pre-designated point in the Indian Ocean.

Implication: A canister-launch system of Agni-V missile will give the forces the requisite operational flexibility. With this system, ballistic missile can be transported and can launched from any place.

Agni-V missile

• Agni-V ICBM is indigenously designed and developed by Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).

• It is Part of the Agni series of missiles, one of the missile systems under the original Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme.

• Range: 5,500–5,800 km. It will allow India to strike targets across Asia and into Europe
• It is a 3 stage solid fuelled missile with composite motor casing in the second and third stage.

• It carries Multiple Independently Targetable Re-entry Vehicles (MIRV) payloads. A single MIRV equipped missile, that can deliver multiple warheads at different targets.

• Incorporate advanced technologies involving ring laser gyroscope and accelerometer for navigation and guidance.

First successfully test-fired by DRDO from Wheeler Island off the coast of Orissa on April 19, 2012. With this, India joined an “elite nuclear club” that also included China, Russia, France, the US, the UK and possibly Israel.

6. Scientist V K Saraswat joins as full-time member of NITI Aayog
Former DRDO chief Vijay Kumar Saraswat has taken charge as full time-member of National Institution for Transforming India (NITI) Aayog.

V K Saraswat

• He had played a very significant role in the development of the country’s first Liquid Propulsion Engine, DEVIL.

• He was Project Director of Prithvi and had steered the design, development, production and induction of the first indigenous Surface-to-Surface missile system into the armed forces.

• He was Secretary of Defence (Research & Development) and Director General of Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO).

• Awards: He was conferred the Padma Shri (1998) and Padma Bhusan (2013).

Background

• Earlier on 1 January 2015, Union Government had announced the replacement of 6 decade year old Planning Commission with new age NITI Aayog to function as both a think-tank and a policy forum for government.

• On 5 January 2015, Prime Minister Narendra Modi as Chairman of NITI Aayog had appointed V K Saraswat along with eminent economist Bibek Debroy as its full time members and Arvind Panagariya as its first Vice-Chairman.

7. Senior IPS officer Krishna Chaudhary appointed as new ITBP DG
Senior IPS officer Krishna Chaudhary has been appointed the new Director General (DG) of the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP).

His name was announced by the Appointments Committee of Cabinet (ACC) headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and will be in office till June 2017.

Krishna Chaudhary is 1979-batch Bihar cadre officer. Before this appointment he was working as the Director General of the Railway Protection Force.

Background

• The post of ITBP DG has been vacant since 1 January 2015 after the retirement of Subhas Goswami on 31 December 2014.

• Till the vacant time, CRPF DG Prakash Mishra was holding the additional charge of the ITBP chief.

Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP)

• It is one of the eight statutory Central Armed Police Forces of India and was established on 24 October 1962, under the CRPF Act, in the wake of India- China War of 1962.

• Later Parliament enacted the Indo-Tibetan Border Police Force Act, 1992 to provide full autonomy to ITBP.

• At present ITBP has about 50,000 personnel strong force, to secure the 3,488 km border with China along Tibet Autonomous Region and operates under Ministry of Home Affairs.

• ITBP force also render in a variety of internal security tasks in the country including civil Medical Camp, disaster management, nuclear, biological and chemical disasters and UN peacekeeping missions around the world.

8. CIL sale garners Rs. 22k cr., retail investors lukewarm
The Centre has raised Rs. 22,557.63 crore from the sale of its 10 per cent shareholding in Coal India Ltd. (CIL). It is the largest ever disinvestment.

The issue was however, under-subscribed in the retail investors segment; government-owned insurance companies bought a huge proportion of the shares.

The major highlights of the issue are as under:

• The CIL disinvestment has attracted the largest FII participation in a Government Offer for Sale (OFS).

• Out of the total shares offered for sale, 20% were allocated for Retail Investors i.e. those investors who placed bids for shares of total value of not more than Rs. 2.00 lakh. Rs 1852.55 have been received from the retail investors, the largest in any OFS so far.

• Government of India offered 5% discount to Retail investors on price bid to attract more Retail Investors.

• Government fixed Rs. 358/- floor price for the auction of shares which was 4.5% less than the closing price on 29.2.2015.

• With this divestment, the Government of India’s share in CIL would come down to 79.65%.

• The total receipts accruing to the Government from the CIL disinvestment are Rs 22557.63/-

Disinvestments in India:

• Disinvestment of minority shares in Central Public Sector Enterprises (CPSEs) has become an important source of raising resource for the Government. The policy of ‘disinvestment’ in CPSEs has evolved over the years. Disinvestment of government equity in CPSEs began in 1991-92 following the Industrial Policy Statement of 1991, which stated that the Government would divest part of its holdings (minority share-holding) in select CPSEs.

• Objective: The main objective of disinvestment is to put national resources and assets to optimal use and in particular to unleash the productive potential inherent in our public sector enterprises.

Current Policy on Disinvestment:

• The current Government policy on disinvestment envisages people’s ownership of CPSEs while ensuring that the Government equity does not fall below 51% and Government retains management control. Keeping this objective in view of disinvestment policy, the Government has adopted the following approach to disinvestment:

• Already listed profitable CPSEs (not meeting mandatory shareholding of 10%) are to be made compliant by ‘Offer for Sale’ (OFS) by Government or by the CPSEs through issue of fresh shares or a combination of both.

• Unlisted CPSEs with no accumulated losses and having earned net profit in three preceding consecutive years are to be listed.

• Follow-on public offers (FPO) would be considered in respect of profitable CPSEs having 10 percent or higher public ownership, taking into consideration the needs for capital investment of CPSE, on a case by case basis and Government could simultaneously or independently offer a portion of its equity shareholding in conjunction.

• Since each CPSE has different equity structure; financial strength; fund requirement; sector of operation etc., factors that do not permit a uniform pattern of disinvestment, disinvestment will be considered on merits and on a case-by-case basis.

• CPSEs are permitted to use their surplus cash to buy-back their shares; one CPSE may buy the shares of other CPSEs from the Government.

• The Department of Disinvestment was set up on December 10, 1999, with the responsibility to deal with all matters relating to disinvestment of Central Government equity in Central Public Sector Undertakings.

• This department now works under the Ministry of Finance.

National Investment Fund:

• The proceeds from disinvestments of Government’s equity in Central Public Sector Enterprises would be channelised into the National Investment Fund (NIF).

• The corpus of NIF will be of a permanent nature.

• NIF would be professionally managed to provide sustainable returns to the Government, without depleting the corpus.

• Selected Public Sector Mutual Funds are to be entrusted with the management of the corpus of NIF.

• 75% of the annual income of NIF will be used to finance selected social sector schemes, which promote education, health and employment. The residual 25% of the annual income of NIF will be used to meet the capital investment requirements of profitable and revivable CPSEs that yield adequate returns, in order to enlarge their capital base to finance expansion/diversification.

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.

Syed Modi Grand Prix Gold badminton tournament 2015 : Saina Nehwal & Parupalli Kashyap wins

1) Indian ace shuttler Saina Nehwal has clinched the Syed Modi International India Grand Prix Gold badminton title 2015 in the women’s singles category.

In the final match she defeated world champion Carolina Marin (Spain) by score of 19-21, 25-23, 21-16 held at Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh.

With this win she has retained this title which she had won in 2014.

2) India’s Parupalli Kashyap has won $120,000 Syed Modi India Grand Prix Gold badminton title 2015.

In the final match he defeated Kidambi Srikanth to win the men’s singles title held at the Babu Banarasi Das Indoor Stadium, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh.

Kashyap won the final match by score of 23-21, 23-21.

About Syed Modi International India Open Grand Prix championship:

• It is named after a famous Indian badminton player Syed Modi, an eight-time National Badminton champion.

• After his death, a badminton tournament was constituted in his memory, Syed Modi Memorial and All India Syed Modi badminton championship hosted each year at Lucknow.

South African cricketer AB de Villiers hits fastest century in ODIs

South African cricketer AB de Villiers has hit the fastest century and half-century in one-day internationals (ODI).

He achieved the feat in second match as part of the 5-match ODI series against West Indies. Overall in this match, AB de Villiers made 149 off 44 balls.

Fastest century: 

• He made the century in just 31 balls and broke earlier record of New Zealand’s Corey Anderson who had hit the century in 36 balls in 2013-14.

Fastest half-century: 

• He also made fastest half-century, off 16 balls breaking Sri Lankan cricketer Sanath Jayasuriya’s previous record who had made half-century in 17 balls.

Most sixes in an innings: 

• His innings included 16 sixes. It equalled the previous record set by India’s Rohit Sharma against Australia in Bangalore in 2013/14.

Second Highest innings totals: 

• In this match, South Africa scored 439, which is the second highest total in one-day internationals. They surpassed their previous record of second highest score of 438 which they had made in a record run chase against Australia in 2005/06.

• It should be noted that, Sri Lanka holds the world record of highest innings. They had made this record by scoring 443 runs against the Netherlands in 2006.

Sania Mirza, Bethanie Mattek-Sands wins Sydney doubles title

India’s Sania Mirza along with her American partner Bethanie Mattek-Sands has won doubles title at the Sydney International Tennis Tournament 2015.

Indo-American in the finals defeated top-seeded Americans Abigail Spears and Raquel Kops-Jones by score of 6-3, 6-3.

It should be noted that it was fifth WTA title won by Sania and Bethanie together as partner. While, this win is Sania’s first title of the season and 23rd of her career.

Sydney International Tennis Tournament:

• It is one of the oldest professional tennis tournaments in the world, dating to 1885.

• It is currently noted as an ATP 250 point event on the men’s tour and a WTA Premier event on the women’s tour.

• It is played annually at the Sydney Olympic Park Tennis Centre in Homebush, New South Wales, Australia.

India’s Open water swimmer Bhakti Sharma sets world record in Antarctic Ocean

India’s open water swimmer Bhakti Sharma has set a new world record by swimming 1.4 miles in 52 minutes in one degree temperature in the Antarctic Ocean.

She has bettered the earlier record of British open water swimmer Lewis Pugh and American swimmer Lynne Cox. She is also the first Asian girl and youngest in the world to achieve this feat.

Hindustan Zinc had sponsored her to achieve this feat and pursue swimming career.

About Bhakti Sharma:

• She has been pursuing open water swimming for the last 10 years.

• She holds the distinction of being the youngest female swimmer in the world to swim in 5 oceans (Indian, Atlantic, Pacific, Antarctic and Arctic) and 7 seas.

Awards:

• She is recipient of the Tenzing Norgay National Adventure Award-2010.

Cristiano Ronaldo wins FIFA Ballon d’Or award for the third time

Cristiano Ronaldo has won the FIFA Ballon d’Or award for year 2014.
He has earned this title of world’s best football player for a third time. Earlier he was conferred with award in 2008 and 2013.

He has retained this highest individual honour in football after scoring 61 goals for Real Madrid and Portugal in 2014. He also had played important role, by making record tally of 17 goals in a Champions League season that helped his club to win an unprecedented 10th European Cup title.

While in women’s section, Germany’s midfielder Nadine Kessler has been awarded FIFA Women’s World Player of the Year title.

FIFA Ballon d’Or Award:

• It is an annual football association award given by FIFA to the male player who has performed the best in the previous calendar year.

• This award was instituted in 2010 after France Football’s Ballon d’Or and the men’s FIFA World Player of the Year award were merged.

• It is awarded to the male player, based upon highest votes secured by him from national team coaches and captains, as well as journalists from around the world.

• Inaugural 2010 FIFA Ballon d’Or was awarded to Lionel Messi. Later he won this award for consecutive two years i.e. 2011 and 2012.