Current Affairs

Shri Ghulam Nabi Azad Chairs the Launch of the “Global Commission on Ageing in Developing Countries”at Beijing, China [ 10/24/2013]
The Union Health and Family Welfare Minister, ShriGhulamNabi Azad chaired the session for launching of the “Global Commission on Ageing in Developing Countries” at Beijing, China.Shri Azad said that the goal of the Commission is to enable gender, equity and rights based policies and programming that will improve the quality of life of the ageing population in developing countries including the 25 member countries of Partners in Population and Development (PPD). India is presently the Chair of PPD.
Indian Institute of Corporate Affairs Signs Five Memoranda of Understanding with Country’s Five Leading Research, Academic and Business Institutions [ 10/24/2013]
The Indian Institute of Corporate Affairs (IICA), an autonomous institute functioning under the aegis of the Ministry of Corporate Affairs, today signed 5 memoranda of understanding with country’s five leading research, academic and business institutions, namely: Indian School of Business (ISB); Institute of Public Enterprise (IPE); Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS); The Energy and Research Institute (TERI) and YES Bank Limited. Shri Sachin Pilot, Minister of Corporate Affairs, was present on the occasion.
IICA provides opportunities for research, education, and advocacy and also serves as a knowledge-centre for policy makers, regulators and other stakeholders related to the domain of corporate affairs. The Institute supports the growth of the corporate sector in India through an integrated and multi-disciplinary approach. IICA is also an academy for the Indian Corporate Law Service (ICLS) officers. The Minister had an intense interaction with the probationers of the ICLS, discussing their training needs and how IICA’s course modules could be enhanced to cater to everyday practical requirements. Shri Pilot emphasized the importance of gauging and assessing the specific needs of industry and business and stressed on the fact that all the courses should add value to the participants’ potential and ability thereby creating a demand in the Corporate Sector for employees to undergo training/development at IICA.
Visit of Vice-President to Peru, Cuba & UK from October 25 - November 2, 2013 [ 10/24/2013]
Vice-President of India Shri M. Hamid Ansari will pay an official visit to Peru, Cuba and the United Kingdom from 25 October to November 2, 2013. This is the first ever visit at the level of Vice President to Peru and Cuba. He will be accompanied by the Minister of State for Human Resource Development Shri Jitin Prasada, four Members of Parliament, senior officials and media.
Vice-President will be in Peru from October 26-29, 2013. During his visit he will hold a comprehensive dialogue with his counterpart H. E Ms. Marisol Espinoza Cruz, First Vice-President of Peru and meet with Foreign Minister and Minister for Foreign Trade & Tourism. He will also call on President H.E Mr Ollanta Humala. Vice-President`s visit coincides with the celebrations of the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between India and Peru. He will inaugurate the Cultural Festival of India in Lima to commemorate this historic event. India and Peru enjoy warm and friendly ties which are characterised by exchange of regular visits at all levels and underpinned by economic interests. The bilateral trade between India and Peru in 2012 was US$ 1.68 billion and evenly balanced.
In Cuba, Vice-President will hold comprehensive bilateral talks with his counterpart H.E Mr. Miguel Diaz-Canel Bermudez, First Vice President of Cuba and call on President of Cuba H. E. Mr Raul Castro on October 30, 2013. He will also inaugurate a Cultural Festival of India in Havana during the visit. India and Cuba enjoy historical and cordial relations as founding members of NAM. They maintain close contacts in the multilateral fora on issues of common interest. Bilateral relations are characterised by active cooperation in the field of Energy, Biotechnology and Sports. OVL has an active presence in the Cuban EEZ.
In the last leg of his tour, Vice President will be visiting the United Kingdom to deliver a public lecture at the Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies on November 1, 2013 on the theme "Identity and Citizenship”.
President of India condoles the passing away of Manna Dey [ 10/24/2013]
The President of India Shri Pranab Mukherjee has condoled the passing away of Shri Manna Dey, one of the finest playback singers of our times, whose captivating voice and melodious songs entertained people across generations. In his condolence message, he has said that we have lost an outstanding singer whose versatility and creative performances will be remembered for a very long time to come. With his departure, an era has ended and the music world finds itself poorer today.
Smt. Krishna Tirath Inaugurates the 2nd High Level Meeting on South-South Cooperation for Child Rights in Asia and The Pacific [ 10/24/2013]
Smt. Krishna Tirath, Minister of State (Independent Charge), Ministry of Women and Child Development inaugurated the Second High Level Meeting (HLM) on South-South Cooperation for Child Rights in Asia and the Pacific where she welcomed 200 delegates from 33 countries consisting of 21 Ministers and senior government officers from the Asia and Pacific Region, here on 23 Oct. 2013.
The purpose of this second High Level Meeting, Smt. Tirath pointed out is to assess the progress made in realisation of child rights since the first meeting, support each other in the promotion of child rights and encourage coordination for knowledge sharing and peer learning across the region which will help to build a better future for the children.
Joint Statement- A vision for future development of India-China strategic and cooperative partnership [ 10/24/2013]
At the invitation of H.E. Mr. Li Keqiang, Premier of the State Council of the People’s Republic of China, the Prime Minister of the Republic of India, Dr. Manmohan Singh paid an official visit to China from 22-24 October 2013. Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh called on H.E. Mr. Xi Jinping, President of the People’s Republic of China and held talks with Premier Mr. Li Keqiang. He also met with H.E. Mr. Zhang Dejiang, Chairman of the National People’s Congress.
The two leaders discussed political and economic issues of regional and global significance, including those with a potential to affect the growth and development prospects of their respective nations. They agreed to further strengthen coordination and cooperation in multilateral forums including Russia-India-China, BRICS, and G-20 to jointly tackle global issues such as climate change, international terrorism, food and energy security, and to establish a fair and equitable international political and economic system. They encouraged the various mechanisms and dialogues covering relevant issues to meet regularly to ensure a proper appreciation of each other’s concerns and interests.
Shri Gireesh B. Pradhan as Chairperson, Central Electricity Regulatory Commission (CERC) [ 10/24/2013]
Union Minister of State for Power (I/C) Shri Jyotiraditya M. Scindia administered the oath of office and secrecy to Shri Gireesh B. Pradhan as Chairperson, Central Electricity Regulatory Commission (CERC) in Delhi on 22 Oct. 2013. Previously, Shri Pradhan worked as Secretary in the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy. He has also served as Joint Secretary, Additional Secretary, and Special Secretary in the Ministry of Power.
Established by the Government of India under the provisions of the Electricity Regulatory Commissions Act, 1998, CERC regulates the tariff of generating companies owned or controlled by the Central Government. It also regulates the inter-State transmission of electricity and determines tariff for such transmission of electricity. CERC also advises the Central Government on formulation of National Electricity policy and Tariff Policy, promotion of investment in electricity industry and any other matter referred to the Central Commission by the Government.
Additional Judges Appointed to the High Court of Karnataka [ 10/24/2013]
In exercise of the powers conferred by clause (1) of Article 224 of the Constitution of India, the President has appointed (i) Shri Arakalagudu Venkataramaiah Chandrashekara, (ii) Smt. Rathnakala, (iii) Shri Budhihal Rudrappa Bhimappa, (iv) Shri Pradeep Dattatraya Waingankar, and (v) Shri Koratagere Narasimha Murthy Phaneendra as Additional Judges of the High Court of Karnataka, in that order of seniority, for a period of two years with effect from the date they assume charge of their office.
IAF Focusses on ‘Maintenence and Training’ as IAF’s Commanders’ Conference Gets Underway [ 10/23/2013]
The second bi annual Air Force Commanders’ Conference for the year 2013 began at Air Headquarters, Vayu Bhawan, New Delhi on 22 Oct. 2013. The four day Conference was inaugurated by Air Chief Marshal NAK Browne, Chairman Chiefs of Staff Committee(COSC) and Chief of the Air Staff.
IAF chose- ‘Aircraft and Systems Maintenance and Operational and Training Issues’ as its theme for the current Commanders’ Conference, in the backdrop of IAF’s ongoing modernisation drive, challenges of maintaining legacy systems along with new inductions and optimisation of resources.
Complimenting the Commanders’ for an outstanding effort in the last one year, Air Chief Marshal NAK Browne said, “ While Exercise Iron Fist and Exercise Live Wire clearly illustrated our professional competence and team work, Op Rahat reconfirmed the nation’s faith in IAF’s capability and resolve of our men and women. These enhanced our collective confidence in employing new capabilities in conformity with our concept of operations. Now, it is all the more important for us to carry forward the lessons learnt from them and continue to refine our methods.”
The four day conference (22 Oct – 25 Oct 2013 ) would be attended by the Vice Chief of the Air Staff(VCAS),commanders of the seven IAF Commands as well as the Principal Staff Officers at Air Headquarters.
Shri Sharad Pawar will Inaugurates National Conference on Krishi Vigyan Kendra – 2013 [ 10/23/2013]
Shri Sharad Pawar, Minister of Agriculture and Food Processing Industries will inaugurate the 8th National Conference on Krishi Vigyan Kendra-2013 at University of Agricultural Sciences, Bangalore, tomorrow, the 23rd October, 2013.
The theme for this year’s National Conference is ‘Sustainable Intensification of Smallholder Farms’. The Conference has eight technical sessions on various topics, namely, technological intensification for higher yields and improved nutrition, resilience to pests diseases and climate for sustainable productivity of small farms, ecological intensification for sustainable cropping/ farming systems, conservation agriculture, farmers rights and bio-diversification of small farms, farmers centric approaches, small agri-business models and development of social and human capital, innovative experiences of KVKs and farmers and integration of livestock and fisheries for sustainability of small farms.
Dr. Hans Raj Bhardwaj, Governor of Karnataka, will be the chief guest. Ministers of State for Agriculture and Food Processing Industries Dr. Charan Das Mahant and Shri Tariq Anwar will also be present on this occasion.
Shri Rajendra Kashyap Appointed as Financial Commissioner (Railways) [ 10/22/2013]
Shri Rajendra Kashyap, IRAS, has been appointed as the Financial Commissioner (Railways) and ex-officio Secretary to the Government of India. Shri Kashyap took charge of his assignment from 21st October, 2013. Prior to this, Shri Rajendra Kashyap was holding the additional charge of Financial Commissioner(Railways) with effect from 1st July, 2013 in addition to his own duties as Additional Member(Budget), Railway Board.
Shri Rajendra Kashyap, belongs to 1976 exam batch of Indian Railway Accounts Service (IRAS). He joined IRAS in 1977 and has worked in various capacities on the Zonal Railways and in Ministry of Railways and Deptt. of Personnel and Training, Government of India. He completed his MBA from University of Strathclyde, U.K. He held the posts of Director Finance and Managing Director, Indian Railway Finance Corporation (IRFC) during February 2002 to August, 2011.
Ministry of Women and Child Development to Host High Level Meeting on South-South Cooperation for Child Rights in Asia and the Pacific [ 10/21/2013]
The Ministry of Women and Child Development, Government of India is hosting the Second High Level Meeting (HLM) on South-South Cooperation for Child Rights in Asia and the Pacific from 23rd to 25th October, in New Delhi. The First HLM was held in Beijing, China in 2010.
The three-day meeting will be inaugurated by Smt. Krishna Tirath, Minister of State (Independent Charge), Ministry of Women and Child Development. The meeting will bring together over 150 high-level delegates from 33 countries in Asia Pacific region, regional organizations and UNICEF. Many of these delegations are being led at the Ministerial level.
President of India to visit Assam and Meghalaya from October 21 to 22 [ 10/21/2013]
The President of India, Shri Pranab Mukherjee will visit Assam and Meghalaya from October 21 to 22, 2013.
In Meghalaya, the President will address the Members of Meghalaya Legislative Assembly on October 21, 2013. He will also inaugurate the innovation club and attend annual convocation of North-Eastern Hill University on October 22, 2013 at Shillong.
In Assam, the President will inaugurate the National Seminar on ‘Continuing Legal Education’ and ‘Children and Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012’ on October 22, 2013 at Guwahati. The seminar is organized by Bar Council of Assam, Nagaland, Mizoram, Arunachal Pradesh and Sikkim on the occasion of closing of its Golden Jubilee Celebrations.
International Tourism Mart Inaugarated in Tawang [ 10/21/2013]
The 2nd International Tourism Mart (ITM) was inaugurated in Tawang, Arunachal Pradesh today by Mr. Nabam Tuki, Chief Minister of Arunachal Pradesh. Mr. Tuki termed North East as a “Paradise Unexplored” which has a huge tourism potential that is yet to be tapped of its true potential. Referring to the top priority to promotion of the tourism sector for having potential to generate massive self employment avenues while enriching the state exchequer, Mr.Nabam Tuki said that this Himalayan state is a treasure trove of natural beauty inhabited by over 150 major and minor hospitable tribes with their rich cultural mosaic, art and crafts, tribal cuisines which offer huge scope for the growth of tourism.
Police Commemoration Day [ 10/21/2013]
Police Commemoration Day will be observed on October 21, 2013 at the Police Memorial, Chanakyapuri, New Delhi. The Union Home Minister, Shri Sushilkumar Shinde would be participating on the solemn occasion of paying tribute to martyred Police personnel alongwith Ministers, Cabinet Secretary, Home Secretary and senior Police officers.
Police Commemoration Day is observed on October 21 every year to mark the martyrdom of Policemen killed in Ladakh in 1959 and to pay tribute to all other Police personnel killed on duty during the year.