Useful Resources

Sunday, November 02, 2008

hepatitis C can be treated by telaprevir

Impressive Vertex hepatitis C drug data unveiled Health Reuters


Hepatitis C is a blood-borne liver disease that can lead to chronic liver disease, liver cancer, cirrhosis and death.

Telaprevir is a drug developed by Vertex drug, a US company.



E.coli Bacteria

E.coli Could Target Meat-eaters, Research Shows




E.coli cause bloody diarrhoea and haemolytic uraemic syndrome (HUS).

In HUS, toxin-induced damage to the delicate cells lining the blood vessels causes clots, damage to red blood cells and kidney failure.




Vijaya Mehta to receive Pu La award-Pune-Cities-The Times of India

Vijaya Mehta to receive Pu La award-Pune-Cities-The Times of India



Vijaya Mehta is a theater personality of a repute.



Strongly recommended: Include this name in Indian personality section.



14th Kolkata film festival from November 10

The Hindu : National : 14th Kolkata film festival from November 10






Another Title for Sania Nehwal the Badminton Player

Zee News - Sensational Saina wins junior world title






Issues Related to Article 371

The Hindu : Front Page : Fight for Article 371 amendment will continue, says Yeddyurappa



There is need to understand the article 371 only.





Manji Yamada/Surrogacy in India and Law

TIMESNOW.tv - Latest Breaking News, Big News Stories, News Videos -


It is an issue of debate. A probable issue which may find place in examination. But do not stress much on it at present as there are numerous such issues which the law department faces in world changing continously with the advancement in technologies.






Saturday, November 01, 2008

Six Classic Languages of India.

Telugu gets classical status-Hyderabad-Cities-The Times of India


There are six classic languages in India. They are Sanskrit, Palli, Prakrit, Tamil, Kannada and Telugu.

Tamil was declared classic language in 2004.

In order to qualify as a classic language, a language must have a recorded history of at least 1,500-2000 years and its literary tradition must be original and not borrowed from any speech community and must have a large and rich body of ancient literature.




Right to free education gets a leg up-India-The Times of India

Right to free education gets a leg up-India-The Times of India



86 constitutional amendment has made the education a fundamental right.

The proposed bill will give the Right to Education the status of fundamental right.

Even if the present government is not able to convert it into an Act, it has definitely brought Amendment 86, Right to Information a Fundamental Right, the role of Centre and State in ensuring compulsory education to year 6 to year 14 children, the directive principles for State for compulsory education.


Following link of TOI again is equally useful for substantiate the contents of the topic: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Mumbai/Edu_Bill_A_few_more_hurdles_to_overcome/articleshow/3666168.cms

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










    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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