Useful Resources

Friday, October 31, 2008

Insurance Bill 2008, General Insurance Act 1972, IRD Act 1999 in Cabinet

Govt approves insurance bill; to hike FDI cap to 49 %- Insurance news-Insurance-Personal Finance-The Economic Times

The above bills will allow FDI to increase from 26 to 49. It may begin debate. It will increase the hold of the foreign insurance companies on Indian companies which are mainly joint ventures and secondly it will bring in more money to the capital market. There is proposal to use the pension funds and PF funds for capital market. In light of recent developments in brouses, the decision will definitely start a debate and become the issue of questions in 2009 mains.

Ban Ki-moon Maiden Visit to India as Gen Sect of UN

The Hindu : National : Ban’s Indian connections

Ban Ki-moon is on his maiden visit to India as the general Secretary of United Nations.






Kindly remember that UN General Secretary, his background, his plans and his visits as given on the website of UN has remained area of interest for the Prelims for a long time by now. In 2006, there were some terms virtually having similarity with the text given on UN website when Kofi Annan was the General Secretary.




Along with UN site, remember to explore the site of Nobel Organization. Exclude the constroversial essays like Why Gandhi was not given the Nobel Prize and Nehru was nominated for 11 times.





Rediff link has some added information on the visit of the General Secretary of UN at http://www.rediff.com/news/2008/oct/31moon.htm


Protection and Utilisation of Public Funded Intellectual Property Bill 2008

Cabinet nod for bill giving scientists share in IPRs-India-The Times of India:

"Protection and Utilisation of Public Funded Intellectual Property Bill 2008"


The Bill envisage to grant the IPR to the scientists invovled in the research carried out with the public fund. It is being done to encourage the research in India.

The above bill definitely begin a debate on IPR and Propriety over research being carried out by public fund. Hence, it may form the part of the general debate, viva question, 2009 main question and the bill in itself even if it is passed by the next Lok Sabha, may form the part of the Prelims 2009.

Bhutan's fifth king, Jigme Khesar Namgyal Wangchuk

Indian spectacle at Bhutan king's coronation






Thursday, October 30, 2008

President Nasheed (Anni - a popular name) replaces President Gayoom in Maldives

Maldives' president defeated after 30-year rule






BBC News Profile is at http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/7697283.stm
The next one is equally good. They may be required to develop a short note on the international personality in October 2009.


A Profile of President Nasheed is available at http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/3280791/Profile-Mohamed-Nasheed.html
Added October 31, 2008


Added Link to substantiate the notes:
dated Oct 30, 2008
http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/ebe28798-a622-11dd-9d26-000077b07658.html?nclick_check=1

Anand is world champion in Chess for the third time

Anand is world champion again






Friday, October 24, 2008

The Companies Bill 2008

New Companies Bill introduced; to overhaul regulations

Kindly give attention to Highlights in the report mentioned above.




Consider the following link also: http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/Opinion/Companies_Bill_a_win-win_for_all/articleshow/3649691.cms
There is nothing much significant in the report. However, it can be helpful in elaboration of the issue as the Bill may be passed only by the next government and by that time, it will be Mains of 2009. The contents of the Bill are quite important and desired by present corporate world both Indian managements as well as the MNC.
(added: October 29, 2008)


















Thursday, October 23, 2008

Ashok Chawla, Alternate Governor World Bank

The Hindu News Update Service

Read the following link also at http://generalstudiesupsc.blogspot.com/2008/10/pulok-chatterjee-secretary-in-pmo-gets.html in which Pulok Chatterjee appointment as Executive Director to World Bank.

Ashok Chawla is appointed for five years.



From the above mentioned report:
"The World Bank's member countries are represented by a Board of Governors. Each member country appoints one Governor and one Alternate Governor, in accordance with the Bank's Articles of Agreement. "








Indian PM 2008 Japan China Visit

Singh concludes visit to Japan on upbeat mood, flies to China

Here are some related links and news reports picked with South East political alliances.



http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2008-10/23/content_10241157.htm


http://www.hindu.com/2008/10/21/stories/2008102155411000.htm


http://www.hindu.com/2008/10/19/stories/2008101953041100.htm


http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/holnus/000200810211121.htm


http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/holnus/000200810220923.htm


A compedium of links on the same topic: http://news.google.com/news?ned=in&ncl=1259627967&hl=en&topic=n


Any further article will be published as a separate post.


Important for 2008 Viva as well as Notes 2009.










Climate change accelerating far beyond the IPCC forecast, WWF says - Telegraph

Climate change accelerating far beyond the IPCC forecast, WWF says - Telegraph






Wednesday, October 22, 2008

BBC NEWS | India launches first Moon mission

BBC NEWS Science & Environment India launches first Moon mission


Rediff News Report: Brief, includes basic dimensions of the vehicle PSLV
The New York Times Report: (Just a side talk. It is interesting to compare the contents of New York times and BBC. No doubt, NASA gadgets are also being carried aboard PSLV, but China remains paramount on the minds of the reporters in America. I will here rate BBC report higher over and above New York Times. )











Monday, October 20, 2008

Pulok Chatterjee, Secretary in PMO gets Executive Director World Bank posting

Secretary in PMO gets World Bank posting












Kyunki Sas Bhi Kabhi Bhau Ti ends

The Hindu News Update Service







The news has to be kept under observation before making any final note.





Veteran filmmaker Sridhar passes away-Chennai-Cities-The Times of India

Veteran filmmaker Sridhar passes away-Chennai-Cities-The Times of India










What is WiMax

What is WiMax?

According to WiMax forum, it is World Wide Interoperability for Microwave Access which is called WiMax in short.


In practical terms it is a telecommunications technology that provides for wireless transmission of data using a variety of transmission modes, from point-to-point links to full mobile cellular type access.


On WiMax connectivity, one can achieve 70 Mb/sec symmetric broadband speed without the need for cables.


Presently Pakistan has the largest fully functional WiMax network in the world.



In technical terms, WiMax technology is called 802.16e-2005.



The bandwidth and range of WiMax provide following benefits.

  • Connecting Wi-Fi hotspots to internet.

  • Providing Wireless alternative to cable and DSL for last mile broadband access.

  • Providing data and telecommunications services.

  • Providing a source of Internet connectivity as part of a business continuity plan.

  • Providing portable connectivity.




  • WiMax technology had shown its technology prowess and edge during the Tsunami of Indonesia in December 2004 where the communications were maintained through this technology in inaccessible areas. Similarly, it was also used during the calamity caused by Katrina.


    This technology can exchange data over the distance of 50 KM. Secondly, it can utilize the bandwidth more efficiently accommodating more users. Thirdly, the devices required to access it not costly and provided by many manufacturers. Fourthly, it can be used in combinations of other telecommunication technologies like 3G, 4G, GSM, CDMA and cable network. Further, the cost can be further reduced if the mobile phones, Digital Television, PCs and laptops which will be receiving points, already come fitted with required chips.





    Request:
    It is only a suggestive write up. Kindly point out any deficiency in it using comment section below or email me by accessing it through My Profile shown under my photograph on the side bar to your left.



    Sources:
    Wikipedia at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/WiMax


    UN moots proposal to rank world monuments-India-The Times of India

    UN moots proposal to rank world monuments-India-The Times of India

    To be read along with:
    India foils attempt to rank tourist destinations (A link by The Hindu)













    Tercentenary of Guru Granth Sahib coronation-India-The Times of India

    Tercentenary of Guru Granth Sahib coronation-India-The Times of India










    Thursday, October 16, 2008

    MV Stolt Valor

    It is a ship owned by Japan based ship company. The pirates had hijacked the ship in September 2008 and took it near to Somalia shores. There were 18 sailors from India who were made captive. The pirates had asked for ransom of 2.5 million dollars with a dead line of October 16, 2008.


    It is pertinent to mention here that in September 2008 another ship 'MV Iran Deyanat' was also hijacked offshore Somalia. The transitional government of Somalia is not able to stop such hijackings which are being undertaken in the Gulf of Adens.




    Sources:
    http://www.ibnlive.com/news/hijackers-demand-25-mn-for-lives-of-stolt-valor-crew/75957-3.html

    http://www.timesnow.tv/Newsdtls.aspx?NewsID=18104

    http://www.ndtv.com/convergence/ndtv/story.aspx?id=NEWEN20080068991









    Third Summit of IBSA Dialogue Forum ends in New Delhi on October 16, 2008

    The Hindu : Front Page : IBSA to collaborate on tackling global crisis


    IBSA: India, Brazil and South Africa

    It is a forum of three of the world's leading developing countries.








    The Exile of Sarna

    <i>The Exile</i> is a novel based on history

    Navtej S Sarna, is a foreign ministry officer who had been foreign ministry spokesman.

    He has written three books namely The Exile, The Book of Nanak and We Weren't Lovers Like That.

    It is good selection for Prelims 2009 notes.

    Retire lazy, corrupt judges, CJI tells HCs-India-The Times of India

    Retire lazy, corrupt judges, CJI tells HCs-India-The Times of India

    The following issues have been in limelight for sometime.

  • Corruption in Judiciary
  • Appointment of Judges
  • Conflict among the Judges
  • Pending cases
  • Judgements contents
  • Activism of Judiciary




  • The controversial issues never become the part of the questions papers. However, Judiciary an important arm of the government, is definitely a topic which the aspirants must prepare. The recent issues concerning the judiciary definitely become the topic for consideration. It will be useful if small essays are prepared for prelims, mains and even interview on the topics mentioned above. The news report identified here is from TOI which contains further links on related issues identified above.



    US N-carrier joins Malabar exercise-India-The Times of India

    US N-carrier joins Malabar exercise-India-The Times of India

    The military exercises had taken place in Arabian Sea this time.

    The earlier chapter of such exercises took place in Bay of Bengal in which other countries had also participated along with US.

    This time, Nuclear ship was also part of the exercises.











    Wednesday, October 15, 2008

    Knowledge Commission Headed By Sam Pitroda Gets Three Month Extension

    The Statesman

    External Links:
    http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Mumbai/Knowledge_panel_joins_hands_with_merchants_body/articleshow/3591863.cmsy








    Chicken Missing out 1000 bowls

    Moneycontrol >> News >> Business >> Jet Air dismisses 1000 staff, Kingfisher may follow suit























    The Title has reference to the statement of President Roosevelt during New Deal Period in America which was an attempt to overcome the unemployment due to 1929 Recession. However, here, it is not being compared to 1929 period as such. Kindly do not take it like that.

    Indian Government Believes in Pumping in Money

    Govt may provide Air India Rs 2,500 cr to see through crisis- Airlines / Aviation-Transportation-News By Industry-News-The Economic Times

    BBC NEWS | South Asia | Millions mark UN hand-washing day

    BBC NEWS | South Asia | Millions mark UN hand-washing day












    The White Tiger of Aravind Adiga(32) wins Man Booker Prize 2008

    Indian author Aravind Adiga wins Man Booker Prize 2008-India-The Times of India


    The New York Times: http://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/15/world/europe/15booker.html?_r=1&ref=world&oref=slogin

    BBC: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/7670417.stm
    The Gurdian UK:http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2008/oct/15/booker-prize-india
    The Independent: http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/books/news/debut-author-wins-booker-with-searing-portrait-of-indian-poverty-961390.html

    Addition Notes:
    Before Aarvind Adiga, four Booker Prize winners had been writers of India origin. They were
  • V S Naipaul

  • Salman Rushdie

  • Arundhati Roy

  • Kiran Desai


  • Now after Aarvind Adiga, the score is five Bookers to India Originated writers.

    However, After Arundhati Roy, he is the second writer to get Bookers on his début novel.

    Secondly, along with him another Indian, Amitav Ghosh with his Sea of Poppies was also nominated.


    Thirdly, the people who were finally shortlisted were Steve Toltz, Philip Hensher, Sebastian Barry, Amitav Ghosh, Linda Grant and Aarving Adiga.






    Source Material:
    http://www.ibnlive.com/news/ftn-cant-write-off-books-even-in-the-age-of-tv/75927-19-single.html
    Tehelka, Vol 5, Issue 38, September 27, 2008.

    Tuesday, October 14, 2008

    India Post releases stamps to mark Dussehra and Diwali - Yahoo! India News

    India Post releases stamps to mark Dussehra and Diwali - Yahoo! India News

    Indian Postal Department will release three sets of stamps to on Diwali and Dushera.

    Assembly Elections in 2008 in five states

    BBC NEWS | South Asia | India state elections announced

    The elections to Assembly are to be held in following states:

  • Rajasthan
  • Delhi
  • Chattisgarh
  • Mizoram
  • Madhya Pardesh


  • The decision in case of Jammu Kashmir is pending.

    The elections will be held in between November 14 and December 8.

    The year 2009 is to be the year of Parliamentary Election.

    Ankush Bharadwaj | Shooting | Commonwealth Youth Games | Pistol Event

    Ankush Bharadwaj | Shooting | Commonwealth Youth Games | Pistol Event


    Ankush Bhardwaj of Haryana, claimed gold medal in 50 m pistol shooting in Commonwealth Youth Games being held at Pune. It is the first gold earned by India in which 71 countries are participating.

    FT.com / Home UK / UK - ICICI demands police probe into share attack

    FT.com / Home UK / UK - ICICI demands police probe into share attack

    The ICICI Bank is preturbed by the share hammering of its bank. It is a crime which comes under share price manipulation. The media has called it a Share Attack equating it with heart attack or something like that.

    Such an issue is going to rule the capital market for a long time in times of global melt down.





    Kingfisher Red to offer more services to regain top slot- Airlines / Aviation-Transportation-News By Industry-News-The Economic Times

    Kingfisher Red to offer more services to regain top slot- Airlines / Aviation-Transportation-News By Industry-News-The Economic Times

    An example of synchronization and cooperation among the corporate identities in their operational activities for cost cutting, a case which can begin a debate in corporate world and may question the activities of public sector and other government departments.






    India's Ashok Khosla of Development Alternativesis IUCN's new president- ET Cetera-News By Industry-News-The Economic Times

    India's Ashok Khosla is IUCN's new president- ET Cetera-News By Industry-News-The Economic Times

    Ashok Khosla is the president of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN.

    Sunday, October 12, 2008

    Zee News - Wen-Chong wins Hero Honda Indian Open

    Zee News - Wen-Chong wins Indian Open

    Liang Wen-Chong has won the Hero Honda India Open Golf Tournament.

    The Indian hopeful, Jeev Milkha Singh remained fourth in the tournament.

    The defending Champions was Jyoti Randhawa who ended 57th.




    External Links:
    http://www.telegraphindia.com/1081013/jsp/sports/story_9960617.jsp


    http://www.hindu.com/2008/10/13/stories/2008101353712000.htm


    Accessed on October 13, 2008 at 5.45 am.

    Space Tourist Richard Garriott sets off on Soyuz spacecraft of Russia

    Richard Garriott, a millionaire from America, and a computer game expert is the latest tourist to space.

    He has left for space on Soyuz TMA 13 capsule carrying one more American and a Russian cosmonaut Yuri Lonchakov. The other American is an astronaut Michael Fincke.

    The earlier American tourist was a billionaire Charles Simonyi, a software engineer.



    Source:
    http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5gVmXiJGB7S--M-E06nd_2DUW5sqQD93OTL7O0




    Evaluation of Three Years of RTI and Gujarat

    RTI Act turns three today-Ahmedabad-Cities-The Times of India

    October 12, 2005, was the date when Right to Information Act came into force. Those who have sought information under this act remember it while heading their applications wherein they write the information sought under RTI Act 2005.

    Gujarat has earned the status of being the most proactive state in seeking information by the individuals and the activist. Following links of TOI and Indian Express can be kept in record for making a small note on RTI for Mains 2009 and some points for Prelims 2009. It can be good for developing points for interviews.

    http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Ahmedabad/RTI_Act_turns_three_today/articleshow/3585622.cms

    http://www.indianexpress.com/news/Right-to-Information-kindles-lamp-of-empowerment/372297

    http://www.indianexpress.com/news/Giving-a-voice-to-the-common-man/372300

    A bit of funny criticism at
    http://www.indianexpress.com/news/for-some-rti-means-right-to-get-illogical/372303/

    Three Golds in Boxing in Asian Women's Boxing Championship

    Indian boxers clinch three gold, two silver - Boxing - Other Sports - The Times of India Sports

    Kalpana Choudhury clinched the first gold for the country defeating Ngo Thi Phuong of Vietnam by 10-2 in the 48 kg Light fly category


    gold in the 50 kg Fly weight category with Sarita Devi defeating Ren Cancan of China

    Nagisetty Usha won the third gold for the country when she defeated Imanbayeva Zhulduzay of Kazakhsthan by 17-1 in a one-sided match in the 57 kg feather weight category.


    The Championship was held in Guwahati with main centre at Nabin Chandra Bordoloi Indoor stadium.



    National Games 2008

    Opening his second innings in IOC, Kalmadi set to bag 2020 Olympics - Express India

    The National Games 2008 will be held in Ranchi and Jamshedpur in Jharkhanda.

    The year 2009 national games will be held in Kerela.

    Suresh Kalmadi, President of IOA for the second time.

    Opening his second innings in IOC, Kalmadi set to bag 2020 Olympics - Express India

    Suresh Kalmadi from Andhra Pardesh has been elected as the President of Indian Olympic Association for the second time. The IOA consists of 33 federations and 27 state representatives.



    Source
    http://www.expressindia.com/latest-news/opening-his-second-innings-in-ioc-kalmadi-set-to-bag-2020-olympics/372351/

    Commonwealth Youth Games Held in Pune

    The Commonwealth Youth Games were inaugurated in Pune.

    The games were inaugurated at Shiv Chhatrapati Sports Complex at Balewadi on October 12, 2008 on Sunday.

    71 countries had participated in the game. 1300 players had participated in it.



    Sources:
    http://sports.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/We_have_good_medal_prospects_in_CYG/articleshow/3584498.cms (retrieved at 2.13 pm on October 12, 2008)


    http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Cities/Pune/Cwealth_Youth_Games_Day-long_wait_for_Indian_athletes_to_get_passes/articleshow/3582661.cms
    (retrieved at 2.15 pm on October 12, 2008)

    PM flags off Kashmir's first train

    PM flags off Kashmir's first train

    The Prime Minister of India, Dr. Manmohan Singh flagged off the beautifully decorated first train in Kashmir at the Nowgam railway station in Srinagar this morning ie. Saturday, October 11, 2008.

    (TOI): The first Kashmir train connects Srinagar to Rajwanshar in south Kashmir's Anantnag district.

    The track is 66 km (to be extended in future when the 117km rail link will connect Baramulla in the north with Qazigund in the south and, eventually, should be integrated into India's massive national rail network.) and the train has 8 coaches.

    The History: (TOI)
    Kashmir was promised a rail link by Maharaja Pratap Singh, the region's Dogra ruler in 1892. The British assured to materialize that dream but nothing ever was done.

    There were then different type of problems posed by nature herself and by man himself. Strife and terrorism came in the way and the challenge of boring through weak mountains and bridging huge crevasses stalled the project several times.















    External Links:

    100 years on, Kashmir gets its first rail link: TOI

    Saturday, October 11, 2008

    Coin in Honour of Saint Alphonsa

    The Hindu News Update Service








    First Asia-Pacific Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD)

    The Hindu : International / India & World : India-China growth paradigm hailed






    God’s own saints

    God’s own saints


    Sister Alphonsa will be declared first woman Chatholic saint from Indian by Pope Benedict XVII. She has expired 60 years back.




    Chronology of the Indo-US nuclear deal-USA-World-The Times of India

    Chronology of the Indo-US nuclear deal-USA-World-The Times of India

    A Good Historic account, better than suggested earlier.





    India, US sign landmark 123 Agreement-India-The Times of India

    India, US sign landmark 123 Agreement-India-The Times of India




    Former Finn President gets Nobel Peace Prize

    Former Finn President gets Nobel Peace Prize

    The founder of the Crisis Management Initiative Martti Ahtisaari was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for 2008 to for his efforts, on several continents and over more than three decades, to resolve international conflicts.






    Thursday, October 09, 2008

    Different Dimensions of US-India Civil Nuclear Cooperation

    Bloomberg.com: India & Pakistan




    From the above report, following extract has been derived.


    President Bush has signed the US-India Civil Nuclear Cooperation Agreement on October 8, 2008.

    The general electric co. now can sell nuclear fuel and technology to India which has tremendous demand for energy.

    The law passed is US-India Civil Nuclear Cooperation Agreement. The Senate passed the legislation allowing the India nuclear accord on Oct. 1 by a vote of 86-13. The House approved the measure by a vote of 298-117 on Sept. 27.


    India needs energy in great amount in order to sustain its 8% economic growth annually. For that, it is estimated that there is scope of 175 billion dollar business with India.

    However, even when the legislation has been passed and now becomes an act, there is still opposition against the cooperation with India.

    The agreement signed by President Bush is governed by U.S. Atomic Energy Act.

    The opponents to the agreement in US feel that India will abuse the cooperation extended by US to India in order to develop her energy producing nuclear facilities. The main susceptible group is Arms Control Association and Centre of Arms Control and Non-Proliferation.

    Before the agreement, India was benefited when India got waiver from the NSG and allowed to buy nuclear fuel and technology. India has yet to sign the Non-Proliferation Treaty.

    The agreement will also be beneficial to the U.S. It will create nearly 2.5 lakh jobs in U. S.

    The U. S. companies which may trade with India in field of nuclear technologies and goods are General Electric co, Areva SA, Westinghouse Electric co and Rosatom Corp.

    The India first reactor was build with the technology of General Electric Co. in 1961.

    However, the opponent of the agreement feel that India would again indulge in nuclear arms prolification. They emphasis that as per the US Atomic Energy Act, in such an eventuality, if India again indulge in nuclear arm prolification, then she will invite ban again. This has been imposed in 1974 and it is nearly after 34, that it has been raised now.

    P N Vinayachandran , SS Bhatnagar Prize 2008 for Earth, Atmosphere, Ocean and Planetary Sciences


    P. N. Vinayachandran is an Associate Professor in Centre for Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences, Indian Institute of Science ( IISc) Bangalore


    He did his M. Sc. (Engg.) from IISc, Bangalore, M. Sc. Cochin University of Science and Technology and Ph.D. from IISc. Bangalore.

    He has been awarded Shanti Swaroop Bhatnagar Award (Earth, Atmosphere, Ocean and Planetary Sciences), Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, Department of Science and Technology, Government of India, 2008.



    Source:
    Ocean Expert Directory: http://www.oceanexpert.net/viewMemberRecord.php?&memberID=8248
    As accessed on October 4, 2008.

    Vinayachandran Home Page at IISc. Bangalore at http://caos.iisc.ernet.in/hpg/academic/vinay.html
    As accessed on October 4, 2008.

    Photo source: Images.google.com. (A link to IISc. Bangalore, which however, I was not able to access after my previous access as the access was denied to me.)


    J Radhakrishnan, SS Bhatnagar Prize 2008 for Mathematical Sciences


    J. Radhakrishnan is an Associate Professor and Dean, School of Technology and Computer Science in Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR), Mumbai.

    He did his B. Tech from IIT Kharagpur in Computer Science and Electronics. He obtained his doctorate from Rutgers University in 1991.

    He has been awarded Shanti Swaroop Bhatnagar Award (Mathematical Sciences), Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, Department of Science and Technology, Government of India, 2008.



    Source:
    Home page of J Radhrishnan: http://www.tcs.tifr.res.in/~jaikumar/mypage.html
    As re-accessed on October 9, 2008.

    Tata Institute of Fundamental Research: http://www.tifr.res.in/
    As accessed on October 9, 2008

    Photo source: From TIFR site.


    Prof Ranjan K. Mallik, SS Bhatnagar Prize 2008 for Engineering Sciences


    Ranjan K. Mallik is a professor in Department of Electrical Engineering, IIT Delhi.

    He has done Ph. D. from the University of Southern California. He did his B. Tech. in Electrical Engineering in 1987 from IIT, Kanpur. He completed his M. S. in Electrical Engineering from University of Southern California.

    He has been awarded Shanti Swaroop Bhatnagar Award (Engineering Sciences), Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, Department of Science and Technology, Government of India, 2008.










    Sources:
    Home Page of Prof. Ranjan K. Mallik: http://rkmallik.tripod.com/~rkmallik/

    As accessed on October 4, and then October 9, 2008.

    IIT. Delhi: http://www.iitd.ac.in/deptt/ee/
    As accessed on October 4, and then October 9, 2008.







    Sivojit Paul the youngest recipient of liver transplant in India.

    The Liver transplant was carried on seven month Sivojit Paul in Kolkota at Apollo Indraprastha Hospital, which is to be the youngest recipient of liver transplant in India. Secondly, his operation is a case wherein social security was provided by community contribution to pay the expenses of the operation.
    The operating surgeon was Subash Gupta. The child suffered from a condition called biliary atresia, a condition in which a duct linking the liver to the small intestine is missing. In case of the child, a surgery was carried out earlier wherein the link between the liver and small intestine was created. However, even then the liver was gradually destroyed. As a result, his bilirubin level continued to rise impairing the health of the child. Therefore, he required a liver transplant.
    The transplant among children suffering from conditions like biliary atresia is generally carried out at the age of one year.
    The donor in his case is Indrajit Paul. His mother is Munmun Paul.
    The operation is important from another angle as the expenses of the operation was borne by community cooperation of Kolkotta. The Tabla Player Bickram Ghosh and Vocalist Lopmudra Mitra performed in Kolkata for raising funds for the operation of Sivojit Ghosh.
    The youngest child to be operated upon for Liver Transplant condition was 19 days old but that operation was performed outside India.



    Suggestive notes:
    What is Biliary Atresia?
    What is Bilirubin?



    Source:
    The Telegraph, Calcutta.

    Wednesday, October 08, 2008

    Professor T. Pardeep, SS Bhatnagar Prize 2008 for Chemical Sciences

    T. Pardeep is Professor, Department of Chemistry and Sophisticated Analytical Instrument Facility at Indian InProf. T. Pardeep, sourced through IIT Madras, Chennaistitute of Technology, Madras, Chennai. He heads Department of Science and Technology (DST) unit on Nanoscience in IIT Madras.

    His discoveries in the field of Nanoscience have helped in developing filter for pesticide removal.

    He is M. Sc from Calicut University. He did his doctorate from IISc. Banglore. He was post doctoral fellow with Lawrence Berkeley Laboratory, Berkeley and Purude University, Indiana. He is interested in making teaching aids and writing in Malayalam.

    He has been awarded Shanti Swaroop Bhatnagar Award (Chemical Sciences), Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, Department of Science and Technology, Government of India, 2008.

    The prize consists of Rs. 5 lakhs, a citation and a plaque. It is otherwise a big honour in the field of science within India.


    Source:
    Web site of IIT Madras (Copyright with the Institute which is a government of India funded institute. The above information is derived from the above site and required link is duly given.)
    The Photograph sourced through Pradeep Research Group accessed through IIT Madras site.

    Accessed between September 26, 2008 to October 8, 2008 for this post.

    Tuesday, October 07, 2008

    The Sparrow Man of Nasik: Time Hero of Environment

    The Tribune, Chandigarh, India - Punjab

    Mohammad Dilawer, the sparrow man of Nasik has been declared as the Hero of Environment by the Time Magazine.

    It is pertinent to know that the Time Magazine has declared 30 people as the Heroes of Environment. Out of that list, two of them are from India. The other person to be declared as the Hero of Environment is Sant Balbir Singh of Seechewal of Punjab.



    Further suggestion:

    In order to remember and learn that who is Mohammad Dilawer, kindly read through the following articles.

  • Mohammad, Dilawer, a former lecturer at Two circles net as a news report

  • Outlook India .com article on Enviornmentalist M Dilawer

  • Newstrack India telling about hero Sparrow Man

  • Madhur Singh, A Blogger giving a Pen potrait

  • Indian Express on M Dilawer
  • Schedule of Nobel Prize Announcements: 2008

    Medicine 2008: Announced and goes to Harald zur Hausen, Francoise Barree-Sinoussi and Luc Montagnier for virus linked diseases. (October 6)


    Physics 2008: To Yoichiro Nambu, Makoto Kobayashi and Toshihide Maskawa for discoveries concerning nature’s broken symmetry. (announced on October 7)


    Chemistry 2008: To be announced on October 8.

    Literature 2008: To be announced on October 9

    Peace 2008: To be announced on October 10

    Economics 2008: To be announced on October 13.

    Suggestion: Read the accompanying articles given there on the site about the previous prizes in the same categories. There had been a similar question on Literature previously.


    Source: nobelprize org.



    External Links:

    For Physics prize read Rediffmail News.

    Nobel Prize site.

    Nobel Prize: Have to Prepare

    Nobel Prize is being announced. They will be given on December 8. The Nobel Prize as a topic has remained a highly important topic for Preliminary examination. It has to be prepared for Prelims 2009.

    In support of the above suggestion, kindly check the following link with discerning eyes.

  • http://generalstudiesupsc.blogspot.com/2006/06/page-five-general-studies-preliminary.html

  • http://generalstudiesupsc.blogspot.com/2006/05/page-one-general-studies-preliminary.html

  • http://generalstudiesupsc.blogspot.com/2006/05/page-two-general-studies-preliminary.html

  • http://generalstudiesupsc.blogspot.com/2005/06/general-studies-prelims-2004_08.html

  • http://generalstudiesupsc.blogspot.com/2005/06/general-studies-prelims-2004_08.html


  • The main conclusion is that you must prepare this topic exhaustively. For that you have to explore the whole site of Nobel Prize. Explore every link. However, you must show some caution also. There are some articles like "Why did Gandhi not get Nobel Prize?" You have to avoid such type of topics.

    Similarly, another important site is that of UN. There is bound to a question on UN if we follow the previous papers. In this case also, the best place is the web site of UN. You can learn from reviewing the last years papers that in case of questions on Kofi Annan, there was a question which could be answered if one had read the website. The paper setter had virtually picked some phrases from the site itself. It can be said that he or she might have read the printed version.



    A General Message
    I may not be posting regularly but my zotero is full of links which I am going to read and classify whenever I get the time. In October, there are many holidays.

    Sant Balbir Singh Seechewal listed by Time Magazine as Hero of Environment

    Sikh leader in Heroes of Environment list:

    Sant Balbir Singh Seechewal undertook a community service to clean the river Kali Bein in Hoshiarpur District of Punjab.

    Similarly, the help of Sant Seechewal was sought to clean Buddha Nala in Ludhiana District.

    Buddha Nala follows the course which earlier was the path of River Satluj. Similarly Kali Bein has a religious signficance as it is believed that Guru Nanak got enlightenment after taking bath in Kali Bein.

    Thursday, October 02, 2008

    Golden Peacock Award for Hazira Unit of RIL

    The Hindu News Update Service

    The Reliance Industries Limited has won the Golden Peacock Award for Innovation 2008 for its Hazira Manufacturing division at the 9th International Conference on Corporate Governance at London.

    India now free to buy atomic technology from USA

    The news item is available at http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/us_and_americas/article4865564.ece

    Bush version: President Bush said the legislation "will strengthen our global nuclear non-proliferation efforts, protect the environment, create jobs and assist India in meeting its growing energy needs in a responsible manner."
    Opponents Version: critics have condemned Mr Bush's unprecedented willingness to supply India with civilian nuclear technology despite the country's refusal to sign the Nuclear Non Proliferation Treaty or the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty. India tested nuclear weapons as recently as 1998 and has refused to rule out doing so again.


    The above news item is selected merely because of the simplicity and directness of the contents. The related news that is the treaties with France and Russia after NGA approval will be posted under appropriate categories.

    The Right to Livelihood Awards Comes to India



    TN couple wins Alternative Nobel

    The Sarvodya Couple of Krishnammal Sankaralingam and Sankaralingam Jagannathan and their organisation Land for the Tillers Freedom (LAFTI) have won the Right to Livelihood Award. The Right Livelihood Award is equated to the Alternative Nobel Prize.






    Wednesday, October 01, 2008

    L. S. Shashidara: SS Bhatnagar Prize 2008 for Biological Sciences

    Prof L. S. Shashidara
    L S Shashidara obtained B. Sc. and M. Sc. (Genetics and Plants Breeding) in 1987 at the University of Agricultural Sciences, Dharwad. He received his Ph.D. in 1991 from the University of Cambridge, UK. After a period of post-doctoral work at the University of Cambride, he worked in National Centre for Biological Sciences, Banglore, as a visiting fellow. He joined CCMB (Centre of Cellular and Molecular Biology Hyderabad, one of 38 laboratories of ICSR) in 1995. Since August 2007, he is on deputation at IISER Pune as Professor and Coordinator (Biology).

    He remained in the national limelight when in 2001, he along with Poonam Bandari, had reported to have developed genetically engineered fruit flies (Drosophila), which could be used for screening and validating drugs instead of employing mice. (A press report can be accessed here.)

    An article by Prof. Shashidara on Drosophila Genetics & Developmental Biology can be accessed here.

    The transgenic flies at CCMB were specifically bred for evaluating the efficacy of existing and new drugs against certain types of cancer.

    L. S. Shashidhara has won S S Bhatnagar Prize for Science and Technology for 2008 along with G P S Raghava of IMTECH Chandigarh. They have won the prize for Biological Sciences.

    The prize consists of Rs. 5 lakhs, a citation and a plaque. It is otherwise a big honour in the field of science within India.


    Sources Used:
    Article by L. S. Shashidara given on the web site of CCMB Hyderabad.

    Bio date of L. S. Shashidara given on the web site of CCMB Hyderabad.

    Indian Express: Healthcare Management

    What is a Taikonaut?

    Taikonaut is a term used for a Chinese Astronaut.

    Wikipedia: The term taikonaut is used by some English-language news media organizations for professional space travellers from China. it as "a hybrid of the Chinese term taikong (space) and the Greek naut (traveller), or astronaut"; the term became more common in 2003. In 2003, China had sent its first astronaut Yang Liwei aboard Shenzhou 5 spacecraft.

    General Information


    UPSC has taken initiative to display Last Year Question Papers of CS, CDS, NDA, CMS, Engineering Service on its site. Check them out at www.upsc.gov.in. The files are PDF.


    go to www.upsc.gov.in and check what is new.




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