Stay Hungry, Stay Foolish .............................................................................................. 65

CONTENTS
1. ThE uNfOldiNg Rethinking Disaster Management ...................................................................................... 3 2. NATiONAl BullETiN Telangana Turmoil ............................................................................................................. 12 National News.................................................................................................................... 15 3. iNTERNATiONAl BullETiN 66th Session of the United Nations General Assembly .................................................... 19 International News............................................................................................................ 24 4. BilATERAl BullETiN India in Afghanistan: U.S Withdrawal and Pakistans Fear of Encirclement................... India-Myanmar Relations: New Beginnings ................................................................... India, Vietnam signed slew of pacts, brushing aside the Chinese objection.................... Bilateral News.................................................................................................................. 5. ECONOMY@ iP Poverty Line: Playing with numbers, and lives............................................................... Economy News................................................................................................................ 6. SCiENCE SPECTRuM Noble Prize-2011 ............................................................................................................ Megha-Tropiques: Unravelling the Tropics ................................................................... Science News................................................................................................................... 28 31 34 37 40 43 1 47 50 55
7. PERSPECTiVES Regional Trade Agreements: a cause of concern or a boost to multilateralism................ 60 8. iNSPiRATiONS Stay Hungry, Stay Foolish .............................................................................................. 9. ThiNKERS ARENA Women and Climate Change: The Gender Perspective, UN Study, Green Governance and India ....................................................................... 10. MOSAiC Gayaki Indian vocal music ..................................................................................... 11. KNOW iT All............................................................................................................ 12. QuESTiONS@ iP Current affairs questions............................................................................................... CSAT Model Paper........................................................................................................ 65
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IndIa PrePares
Volume 1 Issue 2 November 2011 Title Code : DELENG18052
Owner, Printer and Publisher: Atul Kumar Garg Editor: Sonal Vats Editorial Team : Sudhanshu Gupta Neelam Nandan Raghunath Panigrahi Niraj Kumar Surendra Pandey designing and graphics
EDITORS NOTE
Dear readers, The team of India Prepares was overwhelmed by your response for our first issue. Thanks to all our readers. Many aspirants mailed us their valuable suggestions and we promise to work along the lines. Our help mail was inundated with your queries and I hope our expert advisors answered all your problems to your satisfaction. We were also happy to see the immense response for our sections Perspectives and Thinkers Arena. Many readers asked us to increase the number of such essays. We hope the subsequent issues will have your concerns sorted. We, at India Prepares, try to bring diverse and informed perspectives on the most seminal issues which emerge from the immediate context of public discourse, flux of events and developments, and wanderings in the unending realms of ideas factoring in that nothing relevant should miss our eyes and ears. Many students also asked for the subscription offer. It will be there from the next issue. Your feedback is highly appreciated. Enjoy reading
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SONAL VATS Editor
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Vol.1 Issue 2 November 2011
ThE UNfolDINg...
Rethinking Disaster Management

In the realm of crisis management, announcing a policy or promulgating a law or creating an institution is a relatively easy task; the challenge lies in implementing policies to achieve the desired outcomes. What is needed is ushering in a new paradigm in the quality and efficacy of our institutional capacity and delivery mechanisms while ensuring, at the same time, that they are embedded in both the structures of authority and the mechanisms of accountability. Also while dealing with disasters, we need to be particularly responsive to the emotional and social problems that people experience due to a disaster. Almost 10 per cent of the people affected by the tsunami potentially half a million people had mental health problems so severe that they required professional treatment. Psychosocial care deals with a broad range of emotional and social problems and helps in restoring social cohesion as well as the independence and dignity of individuals and groups. acts of terrorism). Depending on its intensity and area of impact, a crisis situation may be labeled as local, sub-district, district, state or national level. State Governments and their agencies, district officials and local governments have important roles to play along with communities in crisis management. The scale of crisis determines the nature and level of response. The Union Government has to step in for major disasters by way of providing financial, material and human resources support. It is also necessary to recognize that often a crisis does not emerge suddenly; it has a life cycle, which may take days, months or even decades to develop depending on its causative factors. A crisis, therefore, needs to be examined in terms of its management cycle that would enable us to anticipate the crisis, prevent and mitigate it to the extent possible and deal with the crisis situation as it emerges. This life cycle of crisis management may be divided broadly in three phases - pre-crisis, during crisis and post crisis.
When an earthquake measuring 6.8 on the Richter scale hit Sikkim and affected Bihar, north Paschimbanga, Nepal and Tibet on 18 September, it unleashed a trail of devastation that is yet to be properly assessed. The horror of tsunami that struck on December 26th, 2004 and wreaked havoc of immense proportionsat least 200,000 people were killed in 13 countries and the Bhuj earthquake that ravaged through the state of Gujarat, or the 1999s super- cyclone of Odisha that mercilessly broke the backbone of Orissas economy and killed thousands and devastated millions, still haunts our memories. Why is it that after repeated warnings and lessons, we are still unprepared to deal with earthquakes or any other natural or man-made disaster? Disasters are as old as human history but the dramatic increase and the damage caused by them in the recent past have become a cause of national and international concern. Over the past two decades, the number of natural and manmade disasters has climbed inexorably. Japan is still grappling to control the earthquake, tsunami and disaster that followed in Fukushima nuclear power plant. Fukushima disaster is being seen as the worst nuclear disaster even worse than Chernobyl disaster of Ukraine. This crisis situation has forced different countries in the world to review their preparedness in event of a nuclear disaster or any other disaster, natural or manmade. True, we cannot prevent natural hazards, which are endemic to our geology, geography, climate, social and cultural settings, but we can certainly strive to manage crisis more efficiently so that hazards do not degenerate into disasters. With a coherent and meaningful crisis/disaster management strategy in place, it is quite possible to visualize our country despite its manifold hazards as a place that will eventually be free of all disasters.
What is a disaster?
Disaster may be taken as: a sudden accident or natural event that causes great damage or loss of life - Oxford Dictionary. Any disaster is preceded by a crisis which is an emergency situation arising out of natural or human activity which poses a threat to human life and property or leads to large scale disruption of normal life. This emergency situation may arise suddenly or it may be an outcome of a simmering problem or issue, which was not nipped in the bud. A crisis may degenerate into a disaster if it is not properly managed resulting in avoidable loss of human life and property on a large scale. Crises or disaster include various events, which require immediate attention because of the threat they pose to human life and property. Crisis could be caused by natural events (earthquakes, flood, Tsunamis) or they could be man-made (industrial accidents,
Phases of crisis/disaster management:

Pre-Crisis: Preparedness i.e. assessment of potential hazards and vulnerabilities, attempts to prevent and mitigate the crisis and also be ready for occurrence of actual crisis. It includes measures which either reduce or modify the scale and intensity of the threat or improve the durability and capacity of the elements at risk, e.g. better enforcement of building codes and zoning regulations, better awareness and public education etc. During Crisis - Emergency Response i.e. when a crisis actually occurs. Those affected by it require a speedy response to alleviate and minimize suffering and losses. It includes some
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primary activities such as evacuation, search and rescue, followed by provision of basic needs such as food, clothing, shelter, medicines and other necessities Post-Crisis Recovery i.e. efforts to achieve early recovery, reduce vulnerability and future risks. It comprises of activities that encompass two overlapping phases of rehabilitation and reconstruction. Rehabilitation Includes provision of temporary public utilities and housing as interim measures to assist long term recovery, whereas reconstruction Includes construction of damaged infrastructure and habitats and thus enabling sustainable livelihoods. India is very vulnerable to natural hazards because of its unique geo-climatic conditions. Disasters occur in India with grim regularity causing enormous loss of life and property. Almost 85% of the country is vulnerable to single or multiple disasters and about 57% of its area lies in high seismic zones. Approximately 40 million hectares of the countrys land area is prone to flood, about 8% of the total land mass is vulnerable to cyclone and 68% of the area is susceptible to drought. Of the 35 states and union territories, 27 are prone to one or more of these events. To this, it must be added that some areas
are also vulnerable to industrial, chemical and biological disasters. The magnitude of loss of human lives and livelihood in our country due to such disasters is excessive by any modern standard. There is no reason why 13,805 deaths, 11,67,000 injuries, 2,22,035 houses destroyed, and 917,158 houses damaged should have been the result of an earthquake measuring 6.9 on the Richter scale in Gujarat whereas earthquakes of similar measurements in USA or Japan have had relatively little impact. Tragedies like the Bhopal gas leakage (the gas was Methyl Iso-Cynate) and regular outbreaks of floods and droughts in different parts of the country every year indicate that much more needs to be done to achieve holistic disaster management in the country. Although the broad principles of crisis management are applicable to different types of disasters, each disaster category has its peculiar features, which need to be factored in crisis management efforts. Some of the major crises/disasters, which India faces, are:
on its west and east, have resulted in very severe earthquakes in several parts of the Himalayan and surrounding regions. This makes the entire region covering fourteen states (located in western and central Himalayas, northeast, and parts of Indo-Gangetic basin) highly prone to earthquakes. The hilly regions are also prone to earthquake-induced landslides. The other seismically active regions of the country include the Gulf of Khambhat and Rann of Kutch in Western Gujarat, parts of peninsular India, the islands of Lakshadweep and Andaman and Nicobar Islands. In our present state of knowledge, earthquakes can neither be prevented nor predicted in terms of their magnitude, or place and time of occurrence. Therefore, the most effective measures of risk reduction are pre-disaster mitigation, preparedness and preventive measures for reducing the vulnerability of the built environment combined with expeditious and effective rescue and relief actions immediately after the occurrence of the earthquake.
Earthquakes
The Himalayas - The youngest among the mountain ranges - are still evolving and adjusting to tectonic movements; existence of two major fault lines located
Cyclones
More than 8000 km of coastline in the east and the west face the hazards of tropical cyclones, and associated storm surges and heavy rainfall, before and after the monsoon. Post monsoon cyclones are usually more intense both in numbers and intensity. It has been estimated that over 58 per cent of the cyclonic storms that develop in the Bay of Bengal approach or cross the east coast in October and November. Only 25 per cent of the storms that develop over the Arabian Sea hit the west coast. In the pre-monsoon season, corresponding figures are 25 per cent over the Arabian Sea and 30 per cent over the Bay of Bengal. The super cyclone that hit the coastal areas of Orissa on October 29, 1999 had wind speeds of 270-300 km per hour accompanied by torrential rains for the next three days. Sea waves that hit the coast were 7 m high. The super cyclone caused extensive damage killing about 10,000 people and lakh of livestock population.
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Over 2 million houses were damaged. The economy, infrastructure and environment were devastated. An effective cyclone disaster prevention and mitigation plan requires: (i) efficient cyclone forecast - and warning services; (ii) rapid dissemination of warnings to the government agencies, particularly marine interests like ports, fisheries and shipping and to the general public and (iii) construction of cyclone shelters in vulnerable areas, a ready machinery for evacuation of people to safer areas and community preparedness at all levels to meet the exigencies.
devastating and crippling the coastal economy as never before. The confirmed death toll in India was 12,405 while 5,640 people are still unaccounted for. Seventy five per cent of the fatalities were women and children. The total estimated value of damages was Rs.11, 300 crores.
floods
Floods occur regularly in India affecting about 10% of area. The term flood is generally used when the water-flows in rivers, streams and other water bodies cannot be contained within natural or artificial banks. According to the estimates of the National Flood Commission (1980), commonly known as the Rashtriya Barh Ayog, Assam and Bihar are the States worst affected by floods followed by U.P. and West Bengal. However, during monsoon months, all states are prone to floods, including even Rajasthan! The severity of flooding at any location is a function of factors such as intensity and extent of rainfall and antecedent conditions of catchment area, physical characteristics of the river, topography etc. In many cases, the natural process of flooding is aggravated by man-made hindrances to free out-flow/ absorption of floodwater both in agricultural areas and particularly in urban areas with unplanned or unauthorized construction activities; sudden large releases from upstream reservoirs, which often is more than the carrying capacity of the basin results in massive destruction of river embankments and downstream flooding. Increasing pace of urbanization, population growth and development have all led to pressures on the flood plains magnifying the damage caused by floods. The incidence of floods in recent times in urban areas such as Mumbai, Surat, Vadodara and other places is symptomatic of this trend and is the direct result of unauthorized construction activities in flood plains and river beds, poor urban planning and implementation, lack of investment in storm water drainage and sewerage for several decades as well as inadequate planning and response mechanisms. Freak weather conditions, possibly the result of global warming,
have been reflected recently in incessant rains in August 2006, resulting in floods in the deserts of Rajasthan, leading to loss of about 300 lives, immense damage to housing and infrastructure and widespread devastation in an area where people are not used to floods and have few mechanisms to cope with the crisis. The country has to shift towards efficient management of flood plains, disaster preparedness, response planning, flood forecasting and warning.
landslides and Avalanches

Landslides are mass movements of rocks, debris or earth, down mountain slopes or riverbanks. Such movements may occur gradually, but sudden sliding can also occur without warning. They often take place in conjunction with earthquakes, floods and volcanic eruptions. At times, prolonged rainfall causing heavy landslides block the flow of rivers for quite some time, which on bursting can cause havoc to human settlements downstream. The hilly terrains of India, particularly in the Himalayas and the Western Ghats, are most vulnerable to landslides. The Himalayan mountain belt comprises of tectonically unstable younger geological formations and often the slides are huge, and in most cases, the overburden along with the underlying lithology is displaced during sliding, such as in the Malpa landslide of 1998 when an entire village was buried by a huge landslide. In contrast, the Western Ghats and Nilgiri Hills are geologically stable but have uplifted plateau margins influenced by neotectonic activity and the slides are usually confined to the over burden without affecting the bedrock beneath. The slides are generally in the nature of debris flows occurring mainly during monsoons, but the effects are felt more acutely due to higher density of population in the region. Measures to control landslides include micro zonation so as to regulate settlements in hazard prone areas, non interference with the natural water channels, construction of retaining walls against steep slopes
Tsunamis
Tsunamis are large waves generated by sudden movements of the ocean floor that displace a large volume of water. Although usually associated with earthquakes, tsunamis can also be triggered by other phenomena like submarine or terrestrial landslides, volcanic eruptions, explosions or even bolide (e.g, asteroid, meteor, comet) impacts. Tsunamis have the potential to strip beaches, uproot plantations, and inundate large inland tracts and extensively damage life and property in coastal areas. The Indian coastal belt had not recorded many tsunamis in the past although the earthquakes of 1881 and 1941 over the Bay of Bengal had caused some damage in the Andamans region. The earthquakes of 1819 and 1845 near the Rann of Kutch also created rapid movements of water in the Arabian Sea. The 1945 Makran earthquake (Magnitude 8.1) generated a tsunami of 12 to 15 meters height causing some damage in the Gulf of Cambay and Mumbai. The phenomenon of tsunami that usually occurs near seismically active spots in the Pacific Ocean was uncommon in India till it hit the east and west coast in December 2004. The waves that struck our mainland were 3-10 m high and penetrated 300 metres to 3000 metres inland causing severe damage to life and property in the coastal areas of Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Pondicherry, Kerala and Andaman and Nicobar Islands,
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and strengthening of weak areas with grouting. In India, landslide studies are conducted by a number of institutions, research and academic. However, there is a need for better coordination among these institutions and also the user agencies. The sliding down of snow cover on mountain slope causes avalanches. Avalanches may occur due to a combination of factors such as the slope of the mountain, depth of snow cover, wind velocity and atmospheric temperature, vibrations caused by gunfire and strength of resisting forces like vegetation cover of trees and shrubs. When the balance between the gravitational force of snow cover and the resisting force of the slope and the anchoring effect of shrubs are lost, avalanches are caused. Avalanches create various crisis situations for the local administration; road traffic may be blocked and communication links to vital areas may be disrupted and winter sports may be disturbed stranding tourists in places with scant facilities. Small rivers may be blocked creating danger of down stream flooding. Avalanches may sometimes hit or bury human settlements down the slopes, as in the Kashmir avalanche of 2005, which killed 278 persons, mostly living in temporary winter hutments.
In the pre-Bhopal Gas Tragedy era, industrial safety was governed by legislations like the Factories Act, 1948 and the Explosives Act, 1884. These laws proved to be inadequate to provide safety to workers as well as to the people living in the surrounding areas. After the Bhopal Gas Tragedy, a new chapter was inserted in the Factories Act, 1948 dealing with hazardous processes. The Environment Protection Act, 1986 was enacted. More importantly, several Rules were promulgated under the Act. Important among them are: 1. The Environment (Protection) Rules, 1986. 2. Hazardous Waste (Management and Handling) Rules, 1989. 3. The Manufacture, Storage and Import of Hazardous Substances Rules, 1989/ 2000 (MSIHS). 4. The Public Liability Insurance Act and Rules and Amendment, 1992. 5. The Chemical Accidents (Emergency Planning, Preparedness, and Response) Rules, 1996. 6. The Environment (Siting for Industrial Projects) Rules, 1999. 7. The Municipal Solid Wastes (Management and Handling) Rules, 2000. 8. The Ozone Depleting Substances (Regulation and Control) Rules, 2000. About 1633 major industrial hazard units are located in 245 districts in 19 States/UTs. Stringent environmental protection laws have prevented major industrial disasters after Bhopal, but minor disasters do take place on and off site and also during transportation of hazardous materials, which claim a number of lives each year besides creating environmental problems. Industrial disasters are a major concern today because of increase in the pace of industrialization. It is reported that more than 1140 workers lost their lives and 48,000 workers suffered injuries in factories in 2005. The figure would be more if one includes the civilians who have lost their lives due to accidents in
manufacturing processes, storage and transportation of hazardous material. With rapid industrialization, the threat of industrial disasters has increased. However, in spite of the existence of a large number of laws, their enforcement has left much to be desired.
Nuclear hazards
With increased emphasis on power generation through nuclear technology, the threat of nuclear hazards has also increased. The Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) has been identified as the nodal agency in the country in respect of man made radiological emergencies in the public domain. Nuclear facilities in India have adopted internationally accepted guidelines for ensuring safety to the public and environment. A crisis management system is also in place to take care of any nuclear hazard. In addition to the other types of emergency response plans in place within the facility to handle local emergencies, response plans have also been drawn up for handling such emergencies in the public domain, which are called as off site Emergencies. These plans - drawn up separately in detail for each site - which are under the jurisdiction of the local district administration, cover an area of about 16 km radius around the plant or the off site Emergency Planning Zone.
Industrial Disasters
Among the man made disasters, probably the most devastating (after wars) are industrial disasters. These disasters may be caused by chemical, mechanical, civil, electrical or other process failures in an industrial plant due to accident or negligence, which may cause widespread damage within and/or outside the plant. The worst example globally was the Methyl Iso-cynate gas leak in 1984 from the Union Carbide Factory in Bhopal (hereinafter referred to as the Bhopal Gas Tragedy) which has so far claimed more than 20,000 lives and injured several lakh persons16 besides stunting the growth of a generation born from the affected population. This disaster triggered a completely new legal regime and practices for preventing such disasters.
Droughts
Droughts refer to a serious shortfall in availability of water, mainly, but not exclusively, due to deficiency of rains, affecting agriculture, drinking water supply and industry. Droughts occur in several parts of the world and can bring untold misery to populations particularly those depending on agriculture and living on generally degraded land. The causative factors are both natural and man made. The impact of droughts on societies varies depending on coping capabilities and the general health of the national economies concerned. Droughts in India have their own peculiarities requiring appreciation of some basic facts. These are:
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India has an average annual rainfall The traditional water harvesting of around 1150 mm; no other country systems have been largely has such a high annual average, abandoned. however, there is considerable annual The above factors demonstrate variation. the complexity of Indian droughts and More than 80% of rainfall is received in the constraints which rule out perfect less than 100 days during the South- solutions. Further, the causes for west monsoon and the geographic droughts are increasingly attributable spread is uneven. to the mismatch between supply and 21% area receives less than 700 mm demand, particularly the demand for nonrains annually making such areas the agricultural purposes. In other words, it is not as if a simple pre-existing problem hot spots of drought. is awaiting better remedies, the problem Inadequacy of rains coupled with itself is becoming more complex. adverse land-man ratio compels the farmers to practice rain-fed agriculture It also needs to be appreciated in large parts of the country. that, like anywhere else in the world, Irrigation, using groundwater aggravates the situation in the long agriculture in India is affected by run as ground-water withdrawal weather in all its phases - from tillage exceeds replenishment; in the and sowing to post-harvest disposal. peninsular region availability of Thus, while adequate availability of water surface water itself becomes scarce in is crucial to agriculture, it continues to be affected by other variables such as years of rainfall insufficiency. temperature, humidity, solar radiation Per capita water availability in the and wind patterns. Soil degradation, country is steadily declining. desertification, sea erosion, epidemics, As against total annual availability climate changes are also potential crises 1953 km3, approximately 690 km3 of which if not properly managed can lead surface water and 396 km3 of from to disaster. ground water resources can be put to In the traditional disaster use. So far, a quantum of about 600 management approach, the focus was km3 has been put to use. on emergency relief and immediate
Salient features of The Disaster Management Act, 2005
rehabilitation however modern Welfare State entails wider responsibilities meaning thereby that in addition to the traditional responsibilities of relief and immediate rehabilitation, governments in conjunction with the local bodies, the civil society, voluntary organizations and corporate bodies, address the factors leading to the crisis, in a manner that ideally prevents their occurrence, or at any rate, significantly reduces their ill effects. Prior to the National Disaster Management Act, 2005, disaster management structure is depicted in figure 2. Following the Gujarat earthquake, the Government of India took important policy decisions/measures for revamping the disaster management system in the country. However, it was the all powerful and devastating tsunami that made the Union Government formulate a comprehensive disaster management legislation, providing for a legal and institutional framework of crisis management at all levels in the country The Disaster Management Bill was introduced in Parliament in May 2005 and finally enacted in December 2005
Preamble: An Act to provide for the effective management of disasters and for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto. 1. The Act defines disaster as a catastrophe, mishap, calamity or grave occurrence in any area, arising from natural or man made causes, or by accident or negligence which results in substancial loss of life or human suffering or damage to, and destruction of, property, or damage to, or degradation of, environment, and is of such a nature or magnitude as to be beyond the coping capacity of the community of the affected area. 2. The Act provides for establishment of a National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) with Prime Minister as the ex-officio Chairperson and other Members, not exceeding nine in number, one of them being Vice Chairperson. The NDMA shall be responsible to a) lay down policies on disaster management; b) approve the National Plan; c) approve plans prepared by the Ministries or Departments of the Government of India in accordance with the National Plan; d) lay down guidelines to be followed by the State Authorities in drawing up the State Plan; e) lay down guidelines to be followed by the different Ministries or Departments of the Government of India for the purpose of integrating the measures for prevention of disaster or the mitigation of its effects in their development plans and projects; f) coordinate the enforcement and implementation of the policy and plan for disaster management;
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g) recommend provision of funds for the purpose of mitigation; h) provide such support to other countries affected by major disasters as may be determined by the Central Government; i) take such other measures for the prevention of disaster, or the mitigation, or for preparedness and capacity building for dealing with threatening disaster situation or disaster as it may consider necessary; j) lay down broad policies and guidelines for the functioning of the National Institute of Disaster Management. 3. The Act further provides for the consititution of a National Executive Committee (NEC). NEC shall be responsible for the following: a) act as the coordinating and monitoring body for disaster management; b) prepare the National Plan; c) coordinate and monitor the implementation of the National Policy; d) lay down guidelines for preparing disaster management plans; e) provide necessary technical assistance to the State Governments and the State Authorities for preparing their plans; f) monitor the implementation of the National Plan and the plans prepared by the Ministries or Departments of the Government of India; h) monitor, coordinate and give directions regarding the mitigation and preparedness measures; i) evaluate the preparedness at all governmental levels for the purpose of responding to any threatening disaster situation or disaster and give directions, where necessary, for enhancing such preparedness; j) plan and coordinate specialized training programme for disaster management for different levels of officers, employees and voluntary rescue workers; k) coordinate response in the event of any threatening disaster situation or disaster; l) lay down guidelines for, or give directions to, the concerned Ministries or Departments of the Government of India, the State Governments and the State Authorities regarding measures to be taken by them in response to any threatening disaster situation or disaster; m) require any department or agency of the Government to make available to the National Authority or State Authorities such men or material resources as are available with it for the purpose of emergency response, rescue and relief; n) advise, assist and coordinate the activities of the Ministries or Departments of the Government of India, State Authorities, statutory bodies, other governmental or non-governmental organizations and others engaged in disaster management; o) provide necessary technical assistance or give advice to the State Authorities and District Authorities for carrying out their functions under this Act; p) promote general education and awareness in relation to disaster management; and q) perform such other functions as the National Authority may require it to perform.
4. At the State level a State Disaster Management Authority with the Chief Minister as ex officio Chairperson and other Members (not exceeding nine and inclusive of Chairperson of the State Executive Committee as ex officio Member) shall be responsible for the following to lay down and coordinate the State disaster management policy; 5. A State Executive Committee with Chief Secretary as the ex officio chairperson shall act as the coordinating and monitoring body for disaster management in the state. This body will provide necessary technical assistance or give advice to District Authorities and local authorities for carrying out their functions effectively; 6. At the district level a District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA), with Collector/District Magistrate/Deputy Commissioner, as the case may be, as ex officio Chairperson, shall act as the district planning, coordinating and implementing body for disaster management and take all measures for the purposes of disaster management in the district in accordance with the guidelines laid down by the National Authority and State Authority. 7. The Act has defined as many as thirty-nine specific powers and functions of District Authority 8. The Act provides for the preparation of a hierarchy of Plans at National, State and District levels. All these Plans shall be reviewed and updated annually. The National Disaster Plan shall be prepared by the NEC with regard to the national policy and in consultation with the State Governments and expert bodies and organizations and shall be approved by the NDMA. All Ministries and Departments of Government of India shall draw up their own disaster management plans in accordance with the National Plan. The National Plan shall include: a) measures to be taken for the prevention of disasters, or the mitigation of their effects; b) measures to be taken for integration of mitigation measures in the development plans; c) measures to be taken for preparedness and capacity building to effectively respond to any threatening disaster situation or disaster; d) roles and responsibilities of different Ministries or Department of the Government of India in respect of measures specified above. 9. The Act further provides for the constitution of the National Institute of Disaster Management (NIDM). The Institute shall have a Governing Body which shall excercise such powers and discharge such functions as may be prescribed byregulations. Subject to the provisions of the Act, NIDM shall function within the broad policies and guidelines laid down by the National Authority and be responsible for planning and promoting training and research in the area of disaster management, documentation and development of a national level information base. 10. It provides for the setting up of National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) for the purpose of specialist response to disaster or
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threatening disaster. The general superintendence, direction and control of the Force shall vest in the NDMA. 11. The Act has also provided for the constitution of National Disaster Response Fund which shall be made available to the NEC and National Disaster Mitigation Fund which shall be applied by the NDMA. 12. The Act also provides for the following: i. The Central Government can issue direction in writing to Ministries or Departments of the Government of India, NEC, State Government etc. to assist in disaster management. ii. Any officer or authority of the Union or a State shall have to make available such manpower as requested by NEC, SEC or District Authority in connection with rescue, relief or other disaster related works. iii. If it appears to the NEC, SEC or District Authority that provisions of any rule regulation etc. need to be made or amended for purposes of prevention and mitigation of disasters, it may require to do so and the appropriate authority will take action accordingly. iv. NEC, SEC or District Authority may requisition any resources, premises or vehicle from any authority or person for rescue operations etc58 and in case of requisition of premises, shall pay compensation to the interested party. v. The National Authority, the State Authority or a District Authority may recommend to the Government to give direction to any person in control of any media or means of communication to carry out any warnings or advisories regarding disasters. vi. The National Authority shall prepare an annual report to the Central Government which shall cause it to be laid before both Houses of Parliament. The State Authority shall forward its annual report to the State Government which shall place it before the State Legislature. vii. A bar on jurisdiction of court (except the Supreme Court or a High Court). viii. No suit or prosecution shall in any court against the Central Government or the National Authority or the State Government/ Authority etc. for work done in good faith. Officers and employees of these authorities will also be immune from legal processes in regard to any warning in respect of any disaster disseminated by them.
figure 2: Disaster Management before NDMA2005
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2nd ARC Recommendations
The commission also suggested with regard to aspects like role of local selfThe commission pointed towards an government, crisis management set up for urgent need to move from fatalism to cities, legal and institutional framework prevention, from response to preparation, for inter-state rivers, powers of relief and from mobilizing resources after the commissioners or disaster management fact to reducing risk before the fact. authorities, institutional support from The Commission is of the view that sci/tech institutes, professionalization Systematic preparedness, early crisis management is not a separate of disaster management, risk-hazard warning, quick response and discipline but an approach to solving assessment and vulnerability analysis, sustainable recovery have been the problems involving all the sectors in a making disaster management plans part cornerstones of the Commissions manner to ensure collective response. of development plans, construction of approach to crisis management. The In that context, crisis reduction disaster resistant structures, warning Commission is of the view that to becomes the responsibility of all systems etc. reduce vulnerability, a strategy that stakeholders who may be potentially Rethinking of Strategy emphasises all four is better than one affected by the crisis. Working in That the north-eastern region of India of mere response. that perspective, the Commission has has been included in the severe seismic Managing a crisis is primarily the attempted to delineate a road map Zone V of the Bureau of Indian Standards responsibility of the government. involving all stakeholders, agencies (BIS) code is all too familiar. Coupled with But the community, local bodies and and organizations at all levels during the fact that much of it is also remote voluntary organizations also play a all phases of a crisis.
vital role. It is for the administration to coordinate the efforts of all stakeholders such that the synergy generated reinforces and multiplies the resources available and results in a comprehensive and timely response.
According to the 2nd ARC report, The Disaster Management Act, 2005 (Central Act) needs to be amended to bring in the following features:
a. Disaster/Crisis Management should continue to be the primary responsibility of the State Governments and the Union Government should play a supportive role.
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b. The Act should provide categorization of disasters (say, local, district, state or national level). This categorization along with intensity of each type of disaster will help in determining the level of authority primarily responsible for dealing with the disaster as well as the scale of response and relief - detailed guidelines may be stipulated by the NDMA on this subject. c. The functions of the National Disaster Management Authority should be: to recommend policies, to lay down guidelines for preparation of different disaster management plans and standard operating procedures; to promote and organize vulnerability studies, research and evaluation; to advise on parameters of categorization and on declaration of national and state level disasters; to develop expertise and knowledge in the field of crisis/disaster management and disseminate to the field, to develop and organize training and capacity building programmes, to coordinate the early warning systems; to deploy specialized manpower and machinery in support of local/State Governments, where required; to advise on constitution and use of the Disaster Management Funds and; to give recommendations on all matters relating to crisis/ disaster management to the government. d. The task of implementation of mitigation/prevention and response measures may be left to the State Governments and the district and local authorities with the line ministries/departments of Government of India, playing a supportive role. e. The law should cast a duty on every public functionary, to promptly inform the concerned authority about any crisis, if he/ she feels that such authority does not have such information. f. The law should create a uniform structure at the apex level to handle all crises. Such a structure may be headed by the Prime Minister at the national level and the Chief Minister at the state level. At the administrative level the structure is appropriately headed by the Cabinet Secretary and the Chief Secretary respectively. g. The law should make provisions for stringent punishment for misutilization of funds meant for crisis/disaster management. h. The role of the local governments should be brought to the forefront for crisis/disaster management. i. The NEC as stipulated under the Disaster Management Act need not be constituted, and the NCMC should continue to be the apex coordination body. At the state level, the existing coordination mechanism under the Chief Secretary should continue. j. Since all sections of the Act have not been notified, it is suggested that the above amendments be carried out without further delay. Meanwhile, except for those sections for which amendments are suggested, the others can be notified straightway so that the law can be brought into effect.
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The Unfolding
and inaccessible, an earthquake of this magnitude(6.8) spells human and material loss that is almost unquantifiable. The Shillong earthquake of 1897 and the Assam earthquake of 1950 wreaked terrible havoc, measuring, as both did, 8.7 on the Richter scale. In between there were at least 10 other quakes. Legislations alone cannot work. Therefore, we must rethink our strategy. Our communication system and other physical connectivities are also in a state of infancy despite so much of plans and projects. Also, the entire development dynamics in the mountain areas need to be reconsidered and reoriented in view of the fact that the casualties and destruction could be unprecedented and unmanageable if such calamities occur. The scientific studies and research on issues like seismology, hydrology, geomorphology and the very nature and dimensions of natural disasters and their impact on the hills and mountain areas need to be strengthened and disseminated to the people at the grass roots. This has to blended with traditional wisdom and belief about the impending disasters so that communities are involved in disaster forewarning and management. According to Prof. Mahendra P. Lama, the founding vice-chancellor of Sikkim University, We are not only ill-prepared but also myopic in our thought process. One accident or a small landslip could dislocate the entire national highway for hours and sometimes days together. Disasters only shake us and do not wake us up. The NDMA has made it mandatory for all new buildings to be earthquake resistant. The Centre for Natural Disaster Management at the Assam Administrative Staff College had pointed out in its exhaustive study that high-rise buildings in all the northeastern states have mostly ignored the BIS building codes which are national standards for construction in seismically vulnerable areas. Almost everywhere, including in Sikkim, the earthquakeresistant building features have been ignored. While dealing efficiently with a disaster after it has occurred is much to be desired, it is the preparedness to deal with it in order to lessen its impact that must be emphasised. Indias nuclear energy program came under dark clouds in the aftermath of Fukushima disaster. The Fukushima events
have evidently led the countries to take the risks involved in nuclear power more seriously. Recently Tamil Nadu witnessed mass agitation to shut down Kudankulam Nuclear power plant. S.K. Jain, Chairman and Managing Director, Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL) is confident that we will be in a position to convince the people about the safety of Indian nuclear power plants. There is no cause for worry, be it about the indigenous nuclear power programme or the reactors to be imported, he said. He said a Japan-type situation would not arise in India. He pointed out that the east coast was 1,300 km away from the Sunda Arc (tectonic plate boundary) and the west coast was 900 km away from the Makaran fault. When a powerful earthquake struck Bhuj in Gujarat on January 26, 2001, the reactors at Kakrapara in Surat district continued to operate safely. During the 2004 tsunami, the two reactors at Kalpakkam shut down safely and were brought back on line in four days. The mean sea level (MSL) at Kalpakkam is 6.096 metres and the high tide level is 6.705 m. The tsunami water level in 2004 was 10.496 m. The finished floor level of the nuclear island buildings of the PFBR site is 15.700 m, that is, they were 5.024 m clear of the tsunami water level in 2004. This means we have a high safety margin, said Prabhat Kumar, Project Director, PFBR. At Kudankulam, too, tsunami protection has been factored in. We have a shore protection bund at an elevation of 7.5 metres above the MSL, said M. Kasinath Balaji, Site Director, Kudankulam Nuclear Power Project. The zero level (that is, the grade level) of all our buildings starts from 7.5 m above the MSL. We have a separate building called the safety building, which is floodproof and has four diesel generator sets to provide alternative power supply [in case of a station blackout], he said. The kind of decisions we have taken and the amount of money we have spent to safeguard our nuclear power plants is unparalleled, said Baldev Raj, Director, Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research, Kalpakkam, which is the home of Indias FBR programme. India cannot ignore nuclear power in the era of global warming. Its civilian nuclear programme is an ongoing venture
that has enjoyed public support over the decades. In principle, there is no reason why the Kudankulam project should not enter operation. But this will not happen of its own accord. The practical question is how to address public concerns over nuclear safety. Here a clear distinction needs to be made between the fundamentalists who are philosophically and absolutely opposed to nuclear power and those who have real and legitimate fears about nuclear safety. Nothing the government or, for that matter, anyone can do is likely to persuade the former group but plenty can be done to engage democratically and transparently with the latter. Unfortunately, the credibility of the Manmohan Singh government and the nuclear establishment took a beating when it turned out that the draft legislation for a supposedly independent nuclear safety authority provided it with little genuine autonomy. The Bill makes the new authority subordinate to a Council of Nuclear Safety dominated by the government that may even supersede the authority if it so pleases. The government continues to be oblivious of the need for a credible process of postFukushima certification for the VVER1000 installations at Kudankulam as well as other operational nuclear reactors. Fresh verification by independent experts is required to assure us that the passive safety systems of the VVER-1000 reactors are adequate or can be suitably augmented to prevent the dangers of meltdown from residual heat as a consequence of coolant circulation failure in the background of a catastrophic natural event. The challenge to Kudankulam can be converted into an opportunity to set a new course on nuclear safety in India. While we cannot do way with natural hazards, we can eliminate those we cause, minimize those we exacerbate, and reduce our vulnerability to most. Doing this requires healthy and resilient communities and ecosystems. Viewed in this light, disaster mitigation is clearly part of a broader strategy of sustainable development making communities and nations socially, economically and ecologically sustainable. (Extracted from - Living with Risk, A global review of disaster reduction initiatives, ISDR 2004)
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NATIONAL BULLETIN...
TELANGANA TURMOIL
UPA government tried to solve half a decade old problem in half a day on Dec 9, 2009, when Home minister P.Chidambaram announced that the process of forming a separate state of Telangana would be initiated by introducing a resolution in the Andhra Pradesh Assembly. That short sighted and poorly thought-out announcement from Congress central leadership led to a near constitutional crisis in the state with more than 40 percent of the MLAs resigning to express their stand for a united Andhra Pradesh. The social and political turmoil that followed forced a clarification by the PM himself that the real intent of the statement was to consider the demand for Telangana seriously and not to plunge into a bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh in hurry and that any decision would be taken only after process of consultations and consensus. Nearly two years have passed (some kind of political solution looked imminent then) and this issue still awaits a mature, rational resolution. Telangana is in the throes of turmoil once again. The state government employees of the Telangana region went on an indefinite general strike - Sakala Janula Samme from September 13, 2011 to press the demand for a separate Telangana state. Most of the political parties of the Telangana region are showing solidarity with the general strike. The Strike is the brainchild of the Telangana Political Joint Action Committee. Later, teachers, workers in Singareni coal mines and Road Transport Corporation (RTC) joined Government employees to press the central government to initiate the formation of a separate Telangana state. As an overwhelming majority of about 70,000 employees in state-owned Singareni Collieries continue the strike, the coal production in 50 mines spread over four districts remains crippled. The company is producing only 36,000 tonnes of coal against its normal daily production of 150,000 tonnes. The power crisis may deepen further as the thermal power stations run out of coal stocks. With a daily deficit of 56 million units of power, the state authorities have already imposed four hour power cut in cities and six to 10 hours in semi-urban and rural areas. A two-day power holiday in a week is in force for industries, in addition to daily four hour peak time blackout. Farmers were also hit as they were supplied power for six hours against the normal seven hours a day. The strike by government employees has already paralyzed the administration in the region. The government is losing revenues of over Rs.200 crore every day due to the strike in all key departments. The demand for the formation of a Telangana state has been voiced for more than fifty years now. Soon after the creation of Andhra Pradesh in 1956 as the first linguistic State in postI nde p e nde nc e India, Telangana, a major region within the State, began to witness the demand for political autonomy and cultural identity within the broader parameters of federal polity and political economy of development. Fifty- five years is a long time. Why has the Union Government, over the years not been able to resolve this issue? Why does the Government look this side only when this movement for the separate state, takes the form of a violent agitation? For how much long can we afford to procrastinate on this issue further?
Merger of Telangana and Andhra

In December 1953, the States Reorganization Commission was appointed to prepare for the creation of states on linguistic lines. The commission, due to public demand, recommended disintegration of Hyderabad state and to merge Marathi speaking region with Bombay state and Kannada speaking region with Mysore state. The States Reorganisation Commission (SRC) was not in favour of an immediate merger of Telugu speaking Telangana region with Andhra state, despite their common language.
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Paragraph 382 of the States Reorganisation Commission Report (SRC) said opinion in Andhra is overwhelmingly in favour of the larger unit; public opinion in Telangana has still to crystallize itself. Important leaders of public opinion in Andhra themselves seem to appreciate that the unification of Telangana with Andhra, though desirable, should be based on a voluntary and willing association of the people and that it is primarily for the people of Telangana to take a decision about their future. The people of Telangana had several concerns. The SRC Report, further stated: One of the principle causes of opposition to Vishalandhra also seems due to the apprehensions felt by the educationally backward people of Telangana that they may be swamped and exploited by the more advanced people of the coastal area. The real fear of the people of Telangana is that if they join Andhra, they will be unequally placed in relation to the people of Andhra and, in this partnership, the major partner will derive all the advantages immediately while Telangana itself may be converted into a colony by the enterprising Andhras. The region had a less-developed economy than Andhra, but with a larger revenue base (mostly because it taxed rather than prohibited alcoholic beverages), which people of Telangana feared might be diverted for use in Andhra. They feared that planned irrigation projects on the Krishna and Godavari rivers would not benefit Telangana proportionately, even though people of Telangana controlled the headwaters of the rivers. It was feared that the people of Andhra, who had access to higher standards of education under the British rule, would have an unfair advantage in seeking government and educational jobs. The commission proposed that the Telangana region be constituted as a separate state with a provision for unification with Andhra state, after the 1961 general elections, if a resolution could be passed in the Telangana state assembly with a two-thirds majority.
However, a Gentlemens agreement was subsequently signed between the leaders of the two regions and this led to a merger. The agreement provided for some safeguards for Telangana for instance, a Regional Council for all-round development of Telangana, the cabinet will consist of members in proportion of 60:40 percent for Andhra and Telangana respectively, out of 40 % of Telangana ministers, if the Chief Minister is from one region the other region should be given Deputy Chief Ministership. Thus, a unified Andhra Pradesh was created in 1956. Over the years, the agreement was observed more in breach than the other way round. This is cited as one of the reasons behind demands for a separate state.
The share of education funding for Telangana ranges from 9.86% in government-aided primary schools to 37.85% in government degree colleges. The above numbers include the expenditure in Hyderabad. Budget allocations to Telangana are generally less than 1/3 of the total Andhra Pradesh budget. There are allegations that in most years, funds allocated to Telangana were never spent. In the years that followed creation of Andhra Pradesh, Telangana continued to see on-and-off protests. Major instances of unrest were recorded in 1969 and in the 2000s. In Febuary 2010, the Union Government established a five-member committee headed by retired Supreme Court Justice B K Sri Krishna to look into the issue of Bifurcation of the state, and asked it to submit its report by December 31, 2010. The Committee interacted with a cross section of society and held deliberations with academics, politicians and representatives of the civil society. It submitted its report in two volumes to the Home Ministry on December 30, 2010.
Statehood for Telangana

Telangana is the largest of the three regions of Andhra Pradesh state, covering 41.47% of its total area. It is inhabited by 40.54% of the states population and contributes about 76% of the states revenues, excluding the contribution of the central government. When the central governments contribution to revenue is included, Andhra Pradeshs revenue sources come from Telangana: 61.47% (including 37.17% from Hyderabad); from the central government: 19.86%; from Andhra: 14.71%; and from Rayalaseema: 3.90%. Proponents of a separate Telangana state cite perceived injustices in the distribution of water, budget allocations, and jobs. Within the state of Andhra Pradesh, 68.5% of the catchment area of the Krishna River and 69% of the catchment area of the Godavari River are in the Telangana region. Telangana supporters state that the benefits of irrigation through the canal system under major irrigation projects is accruing substantially, 74.25%, to the Coastal Andhra region, while the share to Telangana is 18.20%. The remaining 7.55% goes to the Rayalaseema region. The states expenditure on Telanganas major irrigation projects is 18.20% of the total expenditure.
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The Sri Krishna committee report

Following deliberations, the Committee put forth six options to choose from. Tending to favour a united Andhra Pradesh with specific provisions for Telangana, the Committee presented six options, four of which, it itself found untenable. 1. Maintaining Status Quo: The Committee is of the unanimous view that it would not be a practical approach to simply maintain the status quo in respect of the situation. Some intervention is definitely required and though maintaining the existing status quo is an option, it is favoured the least; 2. Bifurcation of the State into Seemandhra and Telangana with Hyderabad as a Union Territory and the two States developing their own capitals in due course; 3. Bifurcation of State into- Rayala-
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Telangana and coastal Andhra regions with Hyderabad being an integral part of Rayala-Telangana; 4. Bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh into Seemandhra and Telangana with enlarged Hyderabad Metropolis as a separate Union Territory; 5. Bifurcation of the State into Telangana and Seernandhra as per existing boundaries with Hyderabad as the capital of Telangana and Seemandhra to have a new capital; 6. Keeping the State united by simultaneously providing certain definite Constitutional/Statutory measures for socio-economic development and political empowerment of Telangana region creation of a statutorily empowered Telangana Regional Council. Many argue that instead of providing clear recommendations for action, the committee just hemmed and hawed and while favouring a united state, recommended that Telanganas concerns be addressed through a Regional Council an experiment that has already failed elsewhere (the demand for a Gorkha State in spite of a Darjeeling Hill Council having been in existence for a long while now). Economist and former Planning Commission member C.H. Hanumantha Rao said that the Srikrishna Committees recommendations were at variance with its own analysis. He said the committee did not study the reasons for the failures of earlier protections, and how future protections will do justice to Telangana. He also added that even while the committees own analysis and data support the formation of an independent Telangana, it only recommended this as the second-best option.
of regional cultural renaissance. The process also resulted in the recreation of linguistic-cultural minorities in all large States demanding recognition of their language and cultural identity, such as the Bodos in Assam, the Coorgis in Karnataka and the Nepalese in West Bengal. A number of ethnic, state autonomy, subnational and sons of the soil movements emerged in different States and regions in the following decades. For these reasons Telangana becomes a more complex issue, something that needs to be looked at, also from outside the political geography of Andhra Pradesh. The demand for a separate Telangana state is closely related to numerous other demands like Gorkhaland, Bodoland and Vidarbha and the renewal of the debate whether smaller states by themselves facilitate improved socio-economic development of neglected and backward regions. The creation of the States like Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh and Uttarakhand was perceived by many as the beginning of a process of reconfiguring political space, which was bound to transform the entire federal polity of India. The argument was that the creation of these States as well as the demands for new states on the basis of development marked the evolution of the idea of federalism as it existed in the Indian context. However, nine years later, the expectations with which these States were formed lies in a shambles. Enhancing socio-economic development was the primary objective behind the formation of all these States, but the records of the States are nothing to write home about. In the case of Jharkhand, the past nine years have only produced one corrupt government after another, leading to total disregard for the economic and development concerns of the people. The successive governments also failed to curb the Maoist menace in the State. Chhattisgarhs track record too is no different, with Maoist attacks and counter-attacks by the State throwing peoples lives out of gear. Uttarakhand has fared comparatively better, but here,
too, there have been no spectacular gains. Some argue that larger States would be better governed with the mechanism of Central planning by the strong interventionist state that would ensure a proper balance between developed and underdeveloped regions through an equitable flow of capital and labour in such States. On the other hand, those favoring smaller states feel worried about the excessive control over resources by larger states, resulting in the deepening of regional economic inequalities and hierarchies of power.
Removing disparities
The experience of the last 50 years shows that the pace of economic development has not been achieved uniformly across regions and has instead increased regional disparities and inequalities. Furthermore, these disparities have increased during the post-reform period between and within these States. Liberalisation facilitated the processes in the formation of an all-India market and increasing competition among States for private investment both domestic and foreign putting the backward States at a distinct disadvantage. Therefore, greater attention needs to be paid to the specific needs of the backward regions and States to allocate adequate and more equitable investment of scarce resources. Factors such as political instability during coalition governments, consolidation of votebank politics within and across States, the growing significance of regional political parties in capturing power in the States, the impact of globalisation on the national spaces of economy and labour, and the increasing assertion of lower class/caste communities in the democratic functioning of the Indian state have acquired significance and given way to administrative and political reasons behind the idea of the territorial redrawing of the existing States. The political initiatives of renaming of the States, redrawing their territorial boundaries and creating newer states
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More claims for statehood

Within a decade of reorganisation, it became obvious that language alone could not be a satisfactory basis for the division of States. Linguistic reorganization of the states ushered in the phenomenon
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and districts from within the existing ones have to be carefully planned and executed, keeping in mind the historical processes of contestations over the categories of regions and states in the identity politics of modern India. Any decision regarding the demands for carving out newer and smaller states such as Bhojpur (Uttar Pradesh and Bihar), Bodoland (Assam), Bundelkhand (Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh),
Coorg (Karnataka), Gorkhaland (West Bengal), Harit Pradesh (Uttar Pradesh), Marathwada (Maharashtra), Mahakaushal (Orissa), Mithilanchal (Bihar), Muru Pradesh (Rajasthan), Poorvanchal (Uttar Pradesh), Saurashtra (Gujarat), Telangana (Andhra Pradesh) and Vidarbha (Maharashtra) has to take into account the complex relationship between regional autonomy and political viability of these regions, and their cultural
and political consolidation within a more democratic, plural, secular and participative developmental politics in contemporary India. Only then, will it be possible to ensure better and equitable economic distribution of resources within and between States, better protection of the most marginalised sections of the population, more decentralised governance, political accountability to some extent, and the restraints on bureaucratised, centralised oppressive Indian state apparatus.
NATIONAL NEWS
Legislature Alone Can Abolish Death Penalty: Supreme Court
The Supreme Court has said that only the legislature can abolish the death penalty and not the courts. As long as the death penalty exists in the statute book, it has to be imposed in some cases, the Court clarified this while confirming the death sentence on an accused for burning to death his wife and three children. A Bench of Justices Markandey Katju and C.K. Prasad said: It is not for the judiciary to repeal or amend the law, as that is in the domain of the legislature. According to Amnesty International, 96 countries have legally abolished the death penalty, 34 countries have not used it for a considerable period of time while 58 countries have still retained it. Most Asian and Arab countries permit death penalty. As regards the United States of America, some States permit it while others do not. The U.N. General Assembly in 2007-08 passed a nonbinding resolution calling for a global moratorium of execution with a view to eventual abolition. However, 65 per cent of the world population lives in countries like China, India, Indonesia and the U.S. which continue to apply death penalty, although both India and Indonesia only use it rarely. Each of these four nations voted against the U.N. General Assembly resolution. China, Iran, North Korea, Yemen and United States are top 5 countries to apply death penalty. statutory enactments pertaining to the case. The powers under Article 142 are not meant to be exercised when their exercise may come directly in conflict with what has been expressly provided for in statute dealing expressly with the subject. In the instant case, appellant A.B. Bhaskara Rao, a railway employee, was convicted by a trial court in Andhra Pradesh to undergo six-month rigorous imprisonment for receiving Rs. 200 as bribe in November 1997. The High Court did not interfere with this order and the appeal is directed against this ruling. The Supreme Court also dismissed the appeal and upheld the verdict of the trial judge.
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Ensure Zero Starvation Death: Supreme Court to All States

The Supreme Court has directed the Chief Secretaries of all the States to specify how much additional foodgrains were required for them under the Public Distribution System to ensure that there was no starvation death. A Bench of Justices Dalveer Bhandari and Deepak Verma granted two weeks for the States for file their response. If they failed to do so, it would be deemed that no additional foodgrains were required for them from the Centre, the Bench said. The bench passed the orders on a petition filed by the Peoples Union for Civil Liberties on streamlining of the PDS. The bench also asked the Centre to computerise the PDS to stop pilferage and corruption. Earlier, the Justice Wadhwa Committee, in its report, had told the court that pilferage and corruption occurred at every stage of the PDS and the situation could be salvaged to a large extent by computerisation. A public portal with complete information related to the PDS might be made. It should also have information on the date and the quantity of foodgrains supplied to fair price shops every month.
Corruption Cases: Supreme Court Lays Down Guidelines for Courts

The Supreme Court has held that acceptance of a meagre amount as bribe or a long delay in disposal of appeal could not be a ground for reduction of sentence in a corruption case, particularly, when the statute prescribes minimum sentence. The Bench said that acting under Article 142 of the Constitution this Court cannot pass an order or grant relief which is totally inconsistent or goes against the substantive or
NACs Recommendations to Strengthen MGNREGS

The Sonia Gandhi-led National Advisory Council (NAC) has
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despatched its recommendations on strengthening the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS) to the government; it wants the scheme to move from its relief work mode to one that will blend natural resources and labour to build productive assets. The suggestions came in the wake of criticism from many quarters including within the government that MGNREGS has been a drain on the exchequer, with vast sums of money being spent on unproductive works. In the runup to finalising its recommendations, the NAC had set up a working group under Deep Joshi to suggest ways and means of strengthening the capacity of panchayats to implement the scheme more effectively. The key recommendations, approved by the NAC, are the need to create a mission structure for intensive support and facilitation; decentralise planning and the creation of technical capacity at various levels to the village level; design a training and support mechanism with earmarked funds to train village resource persons, provide implementation support; insist on two thirds investment on natural resources management (NRM); and set up mechanisms for convergence with schemes for utilisation of productive assets. The fundamental principles recommended included that at least two-thirds of all works in financial terms at the block/ mandal level should focus on the development of land and water resources to result in sustainable increase in productivity of such resources and incomes to the poor; that no other works should be taken up in a gram panchayat under the MGNREGA until the NRM works proposed by the gram panchayat, based on hamlet-level plans, are implemented; that overriding priority will be given to developing the assets of the poor, especially of BPL, SC and ST households and land allotted under the Forest Rights Act; that works shall be taken up on the basis of multiyear plans drawn at the level of a natural village or hamlet through a participative process. The plans should have built-in provision for convergence of other schemes such as the Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY) /the Rainfed Areas Development Programme (RADP), the National Horticulture Mission (NHM) etc. to enhance productivity and incomes. New Delhi Call for Action on Combating NCDs in India As many as 26 mini interventions will make up the worlds largest programme to combat non-communicable diseases (NCDs) that will be launched by India soon. The New Delhi Call for Action on combating NCDs in India initiative will be against specific diseases, and some will exclusively address major risk factors like obesity, junk food and tobacco consumption. The World Health Organization (WHO) only recognizes cardiovascular, cancer, diabetes and chronic lung ailments as NCDs. Diseases that will be addressed through the 26 interventions include neurological disorders like epilepsy, autism and dementia, genetic and geriatric disorders, oral and dental diseases, chronic kidney disorder, occupational and environmental diseases,
physical disabilities including blindness and deafness, muscular skeletal problems like bone and joint disorders, hereditary disorders like hemophilia, thalassemia and sickle cell anemia and nutritional disorders. Programmes against social violence, trauma due to natural calamities, nuclear disasters, tobacco control and obesity will also be part of the exhaustive drive.
Expert Group Report on Universal Health Coverage (UHC)

A report by an expert group on Universal Health Coverage (UHC) set up by the Planning Commission has suggested wide-ranging institutional reforms to regulate the public and private sectors to ensure assured quality and rational pricing of healthcare services. The expert group, headed by Srinath Reddy, was asked to develop a blueprint and investment plan for meeting the human resource requirements to achieve health for all by 2020 and rework the physical and financial norms needed to ensure quality, universal reach and access to health care services. Calling for a structured regulatory framework to monitor and enforce essential healthcare regulations to control entry, quality, quantity and prices of drugs, the report suggests the establishment of a National Health Regulatory and Development Authority that would regulate and monitor public and private healthcare providers, with powers of enforcement and redressal. Pitching for the creation of an Indian Public Health Service cadre, the group feels that there is an immediate need to establish public health training institutions. It also endorses the establishment of health science universities, which will give degrees in various courses and ensure uniformity in admissions, curricula, training and accreditation for all degrees in medical, nursing, pharmacy, public health and allied health professional fields. Another proposed body, the National Health and Medical Facilities Accreditation Authority will define standards for healthcare facilities and help them adopt and use management technologies. The health system evaluation unit will be an autonomous body that will independently evaluate the performance of both the public and private health services at all levels. The National Health promotion and Protection Trusts will play a catalytic role in facilitating the promotion of better health culture among people, health providers and policy makers. Endorsing the setting up of the proposed National Council for Human Resources in Health to prescribe, monitor and promote standards of health professional education, the group has backed the introduction of a three-year Bachelor of Rural Health care (BRHC) degree that will produce a cadre of rural healthcare practitioners for recruitment and placement at the sub-centre that will help in overcoming the shortage of healthcare workers. The expert group also suggested removing of conditionalities from all programmes like two-child norm for maternity or other benefits, as they have little or no control over reproductive rights of women. Rather it advocated the empowerment of girls and women to enable them to realize their health rights.
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The report has called for improving womens access to health services, focussed on strengthening their role in health care provision and building up the health system capacity to recognise, measure, monitor and address gender concerns. The Report said access to health services should go beyond maternal and child health. Greater financial and human resources should be allocated to address nutritional anaemia, sexual and reproductive health, domestic and gender-based violence and critical mental health services especially depression. Importantly, it has said, the contribution of households and women to the health sector has to be accounted for under the proposed National Health Accounts. This is to arrive at a realistic estimate of their contribution, which goes unpaid at the household level.
establishments. The other members of the committee were N. Vedachalam of the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre, Sanjay Dhande, director, IIT- Kanpur and G.P. Srivastava, Director E&I Group, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre.
CBDT to Set up Unit to Monitor Political Donations

The Election Commission (EC) has welcomed the decision of the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) to set up a special investigation unit to regulate the funding and donations made to political parties. The decision came a few months after EC sent a communication to Income Tax department and wanted to know the status of the income-tax returns filed by recognised political parties. Such information on parties financial activity would help EC keep a special watch on their expenditure and that of their candidates during the polls. Anxious that money power may play a role in the polls, the EC has set up an exclusive Expenditure Monitoring Cell in its headquarters. It is headed by an official in the Chief Commissioner of Income Tax and assisted by Income Tax department officials. Though the Indrajit Gupta Committee on State Funding of Elections (1998) backed, on principle, the idea of State funding to curb money power, it is still only at the discussion stage. The committee had recommended such funding with the riders that such funds should not be given to independent candidates, but only to recognised national or State parties; and such funding should be made only by kind in the form of certain facilities. But the EC was not in favour of its implementation. It felt that it would not be possible to prohibit or check candidates own expenditure or expenditure by others over and above that which was provided by the State.
India Accounts for 58% of People Practicing Open Defecation Globally: UNICEF
In its finding for the year 2008, UNICEF has estimated that as many as 63.8 crore people, that is, 54 percent of the countrys population, practice open defecation due to inadequate sanitation. Thus, India accounts for 58 percent of those who practice open defecation across the globe. On this ignominious list, Indonesia is a distant second with 5.7 crore people lacking toilet facilities, and it accounts for 5 percent of the hapless population which still are denied sanitation, with China following where 5.6 crore people have no other option. Pakistan, Nepal, Bangladesh, Afghanistan and Sri Lanka follow suit; but the fact remains they are still are better off than India in providing sanitation to their population. According to another report, the economic impact of inadequate sanitation costs India about 6.4 per of its gross domestic product. Diarrhoea alone claims four lakh lives annually, of which 90 percent are children. But tragically enough, the annual central budget is just Rs. 2000 crore which is just about two percent of the entire budget for Rural Development which is close to Rs.1 lakh crore. Only five states in India - Kerala, Sikkim, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh and Maharashtra - are doing well in sanitation; others have a long way to go. Uttar Pradesh alone accounts for 10 percent of population that suffers on account of inadequate sanitation.
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UN Clean Development Mechanisms Certificate for Delhi Metro

The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation has been certified by the United Nations Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) as the first metro rail and rail-based system in the world to get carbon credits for reducing green house gas emissions and helping in reducing pollution levels in the city by 6.3 lakh tonne every year. With this certification, the Delhi Metro has earned carbon credits worth about Rs.47 crore annually for the next seven years and with the increase in number of passengers, this figure will only increase. About 18 lakh people travel by the metro rail which is completely non-polluting and environment-friendly. But for the metro, these people would have travelled by cars, buses, two or three-wheelers which would have resulted in emission of green house gases. Thus, the DMRC has helped in reduction in emission of harmful gases into the atmosphere and the UN-body administering the CDM under the Kyoto Protocol has certified that DMRC has reduced emissions.
Railways Safety Review Committee

The Railways Ministry has set up a high-level safety review committee, headed by the former Chairman of Atomic Energy Commission, Anil Kakodkar, to give views and suggestions on the functioning of the existing systems and protocols. The five-member committee, with Delhi Metro MD E. Sreedharan as its Advisor, would go into the signalling systems, rolling stock, fixed structures (tracks, bridges and overhead equipment), human resource development, with emphasis on training, education and research, the need for a third party audit, and organisational and structural changes in the rail research
Punjab-Haryana Dispute over Ghaggar River Bundh

The Supreme Court has declined to entertain Punjabs application to restrain Haryana from strengthening the Ghaggar river bundh. Punjab filed this application in its main suit opposing construction of the Hansi-Butana canal. A Bench of Justice
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National Bulletin
J. M. Panchal and Justice H. L. Gokhale in its order said the apprehensions expressed by Punjab were based on hypothesis and could not be entertained. The bench said from various data, it is difficult to accept that the flooding in the areas to the north of Mirapur Drain was caused due to the flooding in the Ghaggar. However, same data clearly says that the damage in the villages in Haryana which are on the southern side of the Ghagger is clearly attributable to the overflowing waters of the Ghagger, the Court added. Therefore, the relief claimed in the interlocutory application cannot be granted on the basis of a hypothesis, that the strengthening of the bundh will cause flooding in 70 villages.
Jankaari initiative has been moderately successful and has managed to simplify the process of applying.
J&K to Become First State to Launch My Stamp

Jammu and Kashmir will become the first State to formally launch the My Stamp concept on September 26 at a four-daylong Philatelic Exhibition. The Department of Posts is coming up with some novel ideas to re-establish connection with the people, which has suffered during the 21 years of turmoil. The concept My Stamp was unveiled in Delhi last year. It is a novel method to emotionally connect with people, as the customers picture will appear on the stamp he chooses to buy. The Postal Department is setting up seven cameras and customers will pick up the stamps and by evening they will get them along with their pictures. The concept had been working well in Singapore, United Kingdom and other countries.
J & K Speaker Rejects Bill Challenging States Accession to India

Speaker of the Jammu & Kashmir Legislative Assembly Mohammad Akbar Lone has rejected a private-member Bill, seeking an amendment to the Jammu and Kashmir Constitution, which paves the way for removing Section 3 that makes the State an integral part of India. An MLA from the Opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Nizamuddin Bhat has moved the Bill. However, Speaker informed that the Bill could not be admitted in the current session of the Assembly. Mr. Bhat said his intention was only to remove the restriction on amendment as envisaged in Section 147 of the Jammu and Kashmir Constitution. He clarified that he did not bring an amendment to remove Section 3 or Section 5. The latter deals with the extent of legislative and executive powers of the State. Mr. Bhat said the Speaker told him that due to Section 3, the legislature is restrained from making changes in the present constitutional arrangement, which is in direct conflict with the political utterances on Kashmirs future status and the space needed for dialogue to reshape the relation of State with the Union of India for any future settlement, Mr. Bhat said. Clause (b) of Section 147 of the State Constitution provides the procedure for amending Section 3 and Section 5. That means Section 147 governs these sections, he said.
Haryana First State to Introduce Crime Tracking System

Haryana has become one of the first States in the country to take up implementation of Crime and Criminal Tracking Network and Systems (CCTNS), a mission mode project of the Union Home Ministry, to create a platform for sharing intelligence and information about crime and criminals across the country.
MGNREGS Wages Through AADHAR-Linked Bank Accounts

Rural Development Ministery has taken the initiative to link AADHAR with payment of wages under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme in the five States where the ministry has been appointed registrar for issuance of UID cards. Under a Memorandum of Understanding the UIDAI signed with the States, the ministry has been appointed registrar for collection of data in Assam, Bihar, Jharkhand, Tripura and West Bengal. Other Central government departments such as Food and Civil Supplies and Information and Technology have been assigned the role in other States. The MGNREGS wages will be paid in these States through AADHAR-linked bank accounts.
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RTI Call Center in Karnataka

Karnataka Government has decided to set up a business process outsourcing centre to handle all applications, enquiries regarding Right to Information (RTI) Act. Streamlining the entire process through a website and a call centre, this project, which is pending Cabinet approval, will simplify the current application process where people are required to visit individual departments to procure information. The contract for the project, which will be executed through a public-private partnership, has been awarded to CMC Ltd., an IT solutions firm, which is a subsidiary of Tata Consultancy Services. Karnataka will be the second State to implement such an initiative, following Bihar which introduced Jankaari in 2007. The project, in 2008-09, won the national e-governance award for outstanding performance in citizen service delivery. The
Telugu becomes Full Member of Unicode Consortium

Telugu has become an official full member of the US-based Unicode Consortium, paving the way for standardised, userfriendly fonts and scripts for the language on computers. Telugu is the first Indian language to join the consortium as a full permanent member although two other Indian languages Hindi and Tamil - are already institutional members. Andhra Pradesh government has joined Unicode as its tenth member, along with world leaders in IT such as Adobe Systems, Apple Inc, Microsoft Corporation, Oracle America, Google Inc, IBM Corporation and SAP AG. Unicode develops Unicode Standard Unicode Locales (CLDR) and other standards and these specifications form the foundation for software internationalisation in all major operating systems, search engines and applications.
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International Bulletin
International Bulletin...
66th Session of the United Nations General Assembly

Ravi R. Chokkalingam (Rising IAS Academy)
The sixty-sixth session of the United Nations General Assembly opened on 13 September 2011 and was presided over by former Qatari permanent representative to the UN Nassir Abdulaziz Al-Nasser. The meeting this year was taking place at a time when the world is faced with multiple challenges. The global economy is in the midst of an economic slowdown coupled with all its attendant problems, including inflationary pressures. The West Asia, North Africa and Gulf regions have seen major upheavals and there is uncertainty about the shape of things to come in this crucial part of the world in the period ahead. The Palestine question remains unresolved. Terrorism and non-traditional threats to international security, such as piracy, are threatening states and the international political and social order. More than ever before, it was imperative for all countries to act in concert to address these challenges. This was the time for United Nations to resume its global leadership role. India has been a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council since January this year, after a gap of 19 years. The Assembly meets in regular session in New York, USA intensively from September to December each year, and thereafter as required. Nassir Abdul aziz Al-Nasser of Qatar was elected President of the sixty-sixth session of the United Nations General Assembly on 22 June 2011. The Theme of the 66th session was The role of mediation in the settlement of disputes by peaceful means. 196 speakers took the floor during the General Debate of the 66th session of the General Assembly including many Heads of State and Government. The broader preliminary agenda for the session was, The promotion of sustained economic growth and development in accord with the relevant resolutions from the General Assembly as well as other newer United Nations conferences. The general maintenance international peace and security. Development in Africa. The promotion of human rights. Coordination for effective humanitarian assistance efforts. The general promotion of justice and international law. The continuation of disarmament initiatives. The continuation of drug control efforts, crime prevention and the fight against international terrorism in all its forms and manifestations. Other United Nations organisational, administrative and related matters of
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UN a brief introduction
The United Nations is an international organization founded in 1945 after the Second World War by 51 countries committed to maintaining international peace and security, developing friendly relations among nations and promoting social progress, better living standards and human rights. It was a successor to the League of Nations which came into being after the end of First World War but could not prevent the Second World War The UN has 4 main purposes To keep peace throughout the world; To develop friendly relations among nations; To help nations work together to improve the lives of poor people, to conquer hunger, disease and illiteracy, and to encourage respect for each others rights and freedoms; To be a centre for harmonizing the actions of nations to achieve these goals. The six principal organs of the United Nations are 1.General Assembly, 2. Security Council, 3.Economic and Social Council, 4.Trusteeship Council, 5. International Court of Justice, and 6.Secretariat. The United Nations family, however, is much larger, encompassing 15 agencies and several programmes and bodies. Due to its unique international character, and the powers vested in its founding Charter, the Organization can take action on a wide range of issues, and provide a forum for its 193 Member States to express their views, through the General Assembly, the Security Council, the Economic and Social Council and other bodies Over 500 multinational treaties on human rights, terrorism, international crime, refugees, disarmament, commodities and the oceans have been enacted through the efforts of the United Nations
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UN General Assembly
The General Assembly is the main deliberative, policymaking and representative organ of the United Nations. Comprising all 193 Members of the United Nations, it provides a unique forum for multilateral discussion of the full spectrum of international issues covered by the Charter. All members of the United Nations are represented in the General Assembly. Each nation, rich or poor, large or small, has one vote Because of the great number of questions it is called upon to consider, the Assembly allocates items relevant to its work among its six Main Committees, which discuss them, seeking where possible to harmonize the various approaches of States, and then present to a plenary meeting of the Assembly draft resolutions and decisions for consideration. This is akin to the Parliamentary Standing Committee System in India. Six Main Committees: First Committee (Disarmament and International Security Committee) is concerned with disarmament and related international security questions; Second Committee (Economic and Financial Committee) is concerned with economic questions; Third Committee (Social, Humanitarian and Cultural Committee) deals with social and humanitarian issues; Fourth Committee (Special Political and Decolonization Committee) deals with a variety of political subjects not dealt with by the First Committee, as well as with decolonization; Fifth Committee (Administrative and Budgetary Committee) deals with the administration and budget of the United Nations; and Sixth Committee (Legal Committee) deals with international legal matters.
Palestinian Statehood 20
over the issue. US seems to be isolated But the issue which caught the attention and is the only country among the P-5 of the whole world was the Palestinian threatening to veto. Membership, which Statehood which was brought before requires nine votes from the 15-member the Security Council by the Palestinian Security Council then a simple majority Authority President Mahmood Abbas. in the General Assembly, is not possible In 1993, in the Oslo Accords, Israel if any of the P-5 countries oppose it in acknowledged the PLO negotiating team the UNSC. as representing the Palestinian people, 127 of the 193 member states of in return for the PLO recognizing Israels the United Nations including India have right to exist in peace. But the final recognised the State of Palestine. Many peace has eluded since mainly due to the of the countries that do not recognise hardening of Israeli position and their the State of Palestine nevertheless insistence on continuing the Settlements recognise the PLO as the representative in West Bank particularly the Arab of the Palestinian people. Since 1974, the Majority East Jerusalem. Palestinians Palestinians have held the status of an believe that Israel was racing against observer entity within the world body. In time to redraw borders, impose a fait a 1998 resolution, the General Assembly accompli that changed the reality on the outlined in eight points the rights of the ground and undermined the potential for Palestinian Authority. Mainly, it has the a Palestinian State. right to participate in the general debate The proposed Palestine state was of the General Assembly, including on envisioned to be based on the 1967 topics other than Middle East issues. It Green Line as an international border also has the right to co-sponsor draft with Israel and East Jerusalem as its resolutions and decisions on Palestinian capital. The plan was reported to have and Middle East issues which can then support from Arab states, Russia and be put to a vote. However, it does not the UN Secretary General, Ban Ki-moon. have voting rights. The European countries are divided France proposed that Palestine
should become Observer State at UN as an intermediate step. The only nonmember state with observer status at the United Nations is the Vatican. Its powers, detailed in a 2004 resolution, are not much different from what Palestine currently has as an observer entity, although it has greater facilities in participating in the work of the General Assembly. One key difference is that the Vatican can directly circulate any communications relating to a specific meeting to member states or other parties as official documents. This status would also allow the Palestinian Authority to become a full member of UN agencies such as the World Health Organisation, the child welfare agency UNICEF and the UNESCO world heritage body. But it would not have the right to vote. The United Nations Security Council took its first official step toward considering the Palestinian application for full U.N. membership, passing it to a special committee that will review it and make recommendations. The standing committee on new members is tasked with deciding whether
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the territory known as Palestine meets the criteria for statehood, including possession of a defined territory and a recognized government. Under the U.N. Charter, a new member must also be peace-loving. A decision is not likely for weeks and it gives breather time for the Quartet comprising U.S, Russia, E.U and U.N to try for a face saving formula.
of $10 million from Saudi Arabia.
The recent terrorist attack in New Delhi has once again served as a reminder of the constant threat posed by terrorism to the security of democratic societies and wellbeing of its citizens. India is currently chairing the Security Councils Committee on Counter-Terrorism, established by Resolution 1373 adopted in the wake of the September 2001 Racism attacks. The Committee organized a On 22 September, 2011 United Nations special meeting on the 28th September General Assembly held a one day 2011, which is the tenth anniversary high-level meeting in New York to of that resolution. India reiterated the commemorate the 10th anniversary of need for strong international cooperation the adoption of the Durban Declaration and collective action against terrorism. and Programme of Action. This document, India also pushed for an early adoption which is the international communitys of the Comprehensive Convention on blueprint for action to fight racism, was International Terrorism (CCIT) that will adopted by consensus at the 2001 UN provide a global normative framework World Conference against Racism, Racial against terrorism. Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Indian PM expressed our concerns on Intolerance held in Durban, South Africa. terrorism and clandestine proliferation, It is an innovative and action oriented agenda to combat all forms of racism and and emphasized the immediacy of effective measures to deny terrorists, racial discrimination. possible access to WMD material. India This 10th anniversary was a chance actively participated in the UN high level to strengthen political commitment in event on Nuclear Safety and Security held fighting racism and racial discrimination. on the 22nd of September. A political declaration proclaiming strong determination to make the fight SriLankan ethnic and humaniagainst racism, racial discrimination, tarian crisis xenophobia and related intolerance, and the protection of the victims was adopted Of additional significance to the South Asian Affairs is that on13 September by member countries. 2011 Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has sent the report of his panel of experts Terrorism on accountability issues during the final On September 19, 2011, UN Secretary stages of the civil war in Sri Lanka to General Ban Ki-moon kicked off the the United Nations human rights chief Symposium on International Counterand the President of the Human Rights terrorism Cooperation at the UN 66th Council. General Assembly. The report of the three-member Alluding to the limits of fighting panel, which was released in April, terrorism individually, the Secretary found there were credible reports that General stated Effective counterboth Government forces and the rebel terrorism requires a combination of Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) social, educational, economic and had committed war crimes in the political tools that target those factors months leading up to May 2009, when that make the terrorist option appear Government forces declared victory over attractive. Furthermore, the Secretary the separatists. General announced the creation of a UN The panel found credible allegations Centre for Counter Terrorism, which will be based in New York with the contribution of serious violations committed by the
Government, including killing of civilians through widespread shelling and the denial of humanitarian assistance. The panel chaired by Marzuki Darusman of Indonesia and comprising Yasmin Sooka of South Africa and Steven Ratner of the United States recommended that the Government respond to the allegations by initiating an effective accountability process beginning with genuine investigations. It had also recommended a review of the UNs actions regarding the implementation of its humanitarian and protection mandates during the war in Sri Lanka particularly in the last stages and its aftermath. In response to that recommendation, the Secretary-General has asked Thoraya Obaid, former Executive Director of the UN Population Fund (UNFPA), to conduct the review, which should begin soon.
Health Issues
U.N. General Assembly devoted a special session to the pressing global issue of chronic, non-communicable diseases 21 (NCDs), including cancer, diabetes, heart disease and respiratory illness. These ailments claim some 36 million lives each year (some 63 percent of deaths overall)and over the next two decades will run up a spending of some $47 trillion. Once largely diseases of the wealthy, diabetes, heart disease and other conditions linked to overweight and obese lifestyles are increasingly common among the disadvantagedboth people and countries. These NCDs hit the poor and vulnerable particularly hard and drive them deeper into poverty, U.N. Secretary-General Ban Kai-moon said at the meeting. The General Assembly last held a special high-level session on health issues 10 years ago, when member states met to discuss HIV and AIDS, a gathering that paved the way for UNAIDS (the Joint United Program on HIV and AIDS). And many public health officials are hopeful that in addition to drawing attention to the cause, it might result in a real reduction of illness and deaths in this field.
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This years health meeting closed with a unified intention to reduce the burden of these non-communicable diseases. Many have criticized it already for lacking specificity and deadlines. The General Assembly has tasked the World Health Organization with putting together more specific voluntary global targets and monitoring recommendations by the end of next year. Nassir Abdulaziz Al-Nasser, president of the General Assembly, noted that governments, companies and individuals must work together to prevent the deep cuts from these non-communicable diseases from increasing. NCDs are altering demographics, he said. They are stunting development. And they are impacting economic growth. This issue has become very important to countries like India and China because the Biotech drugs used in developed countries in the treatment of NCDs are nearing the end of their patent period and Indian pharma companies are mastering the complex technologies needed to manufacture Biotech drugs. As always, the member countries utilized the UN session to have useful bilateral and multilateral talks. India is no exception to this general rule. Indian PM accompanied by a large delegation indulged in wide ranging discussion with a cross-section of the International Community.
The Prime Minister made a categorical reference again to our support for Palestine. He also referred to the current transition which is taking place in many countries across the world, the tensions and turmoil. He said that societies cannot be reordered from outside. He commented, Societies cannot be reordered from outside through military force. People in all countries have a right to choose their own destiny and decide their own future. In addition he referred to the need for the United Nations Security Council reform and Said, The reform and expansion of the Security Council are essential if it is to reflect contemporary reality. Such an outcome will enhance the Councils credibility and effectiveness in dealing with global issues. Early reform of the Security Council must be pursued with renewed vigour and urgently enacted.
in West Asia and North Africa. They also agreed to review the Non-Aligned Movement which will be chaired next by Tehran. On Afghanistan, both the countries felt that the dispensation in Afghanistan should be Afghan-led.
Sri Lanka
The Prime Minister also met Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa and discussed bilateral relations and issues of mutual interest. Mr. Rajapaksa briefed him on proposals for devolution of power and the discussions between Tamil National Alliance and Sri Lankan Government. The President also told Dr. Singh that parallel discussions were on in the Parliament Select Committee on the issue. The leaders also discussed the resettlement of displaced persons and the fishing issue. A Joint Working Group on fisheries was also discussed. In a veiled reference to China. India stressed that the successful conclusion of the problems of the Tamil people preclude the need for outside intervention in Sri Lanka
Bilateral meets
Even though high profile meets with US President and other Big powers did not materialize, Indian Prime Minister utilized this occasion to have wide ranging talks with neighbors like Nepal, Srilanka, Iran and our strategic partner Japan and the newest country in the world South Sudan.
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Japan
Dr. Singh also met the newly elected Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda and congratulated him on his election. The two Prime Ministers noted that there has been an intensification of the relationship with Japan in the last few years. The Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement, regional affairs in the context of the upcoming East Asia Summit and global partnership between India and Japan also came up in the meeting. The two agreed to continue discussion on nuclear cooperation, noting that all countries were reviewing safety aspects. Japan suffered a severe nuclear accident when it was hit by a tsunami earlier this year. It was agreed at the meeting that the G-4 cooperation should continue on the UN Security Council reforms.
Iran
With Iran, India has been able to break the frostiness which has set in the last one year in the bilateral relations. Dr. Singh accepted in principle the invitation of Iranian President to visit Iran. The dates for the visit will be decided by the two sides after diplomatic consultations. This was the first meeting between the two leaders after a long time and they reviewed bilateral relations. If Dr. Singh visits Iran, it will be the first Prime Ministerial visit after 10 years when Atal Bihari Vajpayee made a trip to Tehran in 2001. The meeting also decided the Joint Economic Commission between the two sides will be meeting soon to be co-chaired by the Foreign Minister of Iran. The two leaders reviewed situation in Afghanistan and discussed developments
PMs Speech in UN
Indian PM Manmohan Singh attended the UN General Assembly session for the first time after 2008. Prime Minister in his address spelt out his analysis of the international situation as it is today and his vision on the kinds of areas in which global cooperation is called for. Prime Minister referred to the fact that there is still need for intensive cooperation among all countries in the world to tackle the economic crisis. In this context he has also mentioned the continued feeling that the Bretton Woods institutions as they are, do require examination as together they are suitable for dealing with the current international realities.
Nepal
Prime Minister met Prime Minister Bhattarai of Nepal. This is the first
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meeting between the two Prime Ministers after Mr. Bhattarai assumed office. There was an exchange of views on bilateral relations and both emphasised that the ties between the two nations were very close and based on centuries old civilisational links. They referred to the tradition of friendship and cooperation and it was felt that steps should be taken to advance particularly the economic cooperation and other elements in our bilateral agenda. The Nepalese Prime Minister explained the current developments in Nepal and the priorities of his Government, particularly to complete the peace process and the formation of the Constitution. An invitation was extended to Nepal PM to visit India and accepting that he has already visited India in October 2011.
development of oil resources, hydrocarbon resources of South Sudan. It was then felt that the discussion should be followed up through an exchange of visits to assess the scope for Indian expertise participating in the development of South Sudan, particularly in fields like medicine, agriculture, railways, infrastructure and then to draw up a plan of action. The two Foreign Ministers have been charged with taking this forward. PM invited President Kiir to visit India, and the President said he would be happy take up the invitation as soon as the immediate priority of setting up the political institutions of the new country was completed.
with all the necessary steps to achieve a concrete outcome in the current session of the UN General Assembly..
BRIC meet
Mr. Krishna also attended a meeting of the BRIC (Brazil, Russia, India and China) as Chair of the grouping which will have its next summit in MarchApril in 2012. The BRIC foreign ministers discussed the situation in Libya, Syria and Palestine, early accession of Russia to WTO and climate change.
Critical Evaluation of 66th session of UN General Assembly

As expected, the UN session has not produced any major breakthroughs mainly due to the Global governance deficit in the aftermath of the global economic crisis since 2008.This increasing Global power vacuum got a mention even in our PMs address. But the session highlighted the growing isolation of US and that country being out of tune with the rest of the world including their allies in Western 23 Europe. The decline in the power of US to convince the world was glaring. This moral decline has coincided with the decline in political and economic prowess of US. Barack Obama, the US President in his speech at the 65th session of UN in 2010 has promised to bring an independent Palestine within a year. But his closest ally Israel did not heed his advice to halt the illegal constructions in West Bank effectively ruled out any chance of resumption of talks. Obamas speech in UN session of this year, threatening to veto the Palestine proposal contradicted his own speech of last year. During his long speech he did not even once mention the illegal settlements. Some commentators said that his address was not like a Statesman but more like a politician looking for Israeli- American votes and money during the next years difficult US Presidential election. The same Global power deficit ensured that there is no meaningful forward movement on issues like Terrorism and global nuclear disarmament. This
Multilateral Meets
Apart from the bilateral meetings, many multilateral groupings also utilize this opportunity to exchange their views on many important International happenings. Some of the groupings in which India is a part also met on the sidelines of UN session.
South Sudan
PM later met President Salva Kiir of South Sudan. PM began by again conveying his congratulations to the leader of the new State and the manner in which it had handled its emergence on to the world stage. The President conveyed his thanks to PM and recalled with particular pleasure Indias presence at the celebrations of South Sudans Independence where, India was represented by our Vice-President. President Kiir referred to the priorities and the needs of South Sudan which he described as being very great. But he drew particular attention to the need for assistance in areas such as medical facilities, agriculture, irrigation, education, infrastructure and energy. He suggested that India could provide assistance in this regard. And PM responded with the assurance that India would extend all assistance possible, particularly for capacity-building and human resource development in these areas. President Kiir also referred to the scope for development of new railway lines to link South Sudan with the rest of the railway network in Africa and also access to the sea. He also spoke of the importance of Indian participation in the
G-4 meet
External Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna attended a meeting of the Foreign Ministers of the G-4 countries involving India, Brazil, Japan and Germany. The G4 countries reiterated their common vision of an enlarged Security Council for the 21st century, expanded in both the permanent and non-permanent categories of membership, taking into consideration the contributions made by countries to the maintenance of international peace and security, as well as the need for increased representation of developing countries in both categories, in order to better reflect todays geopolitical realities. The Ministers also welcomed the decision by the General Assembly to immediately continue the process of intergovernmental negotiations in the informal plenary of the 66th Session. They reaffirmed their full support to the negotiations and expressed their determination to work in close cooperation with other Member States in a spirit of flexibility and press ahead
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reinforced the growing feeling that the annual UN sessions have become mere talking shop with some experts even questioning the relevance of the present UN system in the post-economic crisis era which is slowly unfolding. The only way to the present global power imbalance is urgent reforms in the UN Security council. But the lukewarm response of the P-5 to the UN reforms does not bode well for the
global security and peace. From the Indian viewpoint, one disappointment was the inability to fix a one-to-one meet of our PM with any of the powerhouses. PMs unexpectedly harsh words on western armed intervention in Libya and other countries have baffled strategic experts. Some even argued that this speech would have been a great one in the pre-1991 era to score
debating points but not in the present circumstances when India wants strategic relations with the West. Even the sudden bonhomie showed by India towards Iran has sent confusing signals and India may have overcorrected itself in its effort to balance its ties with Iran and the West. All said and done, the 66th session of UN was a great disappointment and the World deserves a better governing body.
INTERNATIONAL NEwS
The New Silk Road Project
India has backed a multinational initiative to build a multibillion dollar network of roads, railways and gas pipelines linking the resource-rich Central Asia with the continents fastgrowing economies. Advocates of the project describe it as a New Silk Road, a modern version of the fabled trade routes. construction of the pipeline is dogged by security concerns. For its part, China has already made substantial investments in Central Asia particularly in energy infrastructure in Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan. In December, 2010, a 1,833 kilometre pipeline carrying gas from the Saman-Depe gasfields of eastern Turkmenistan to Chinas Xinjiang region went online.
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To discuss about the project a meeting of representatives from India, Afghanistan, US, France, China, Japan, Canada, Sweden, Norway, UAE, Iran, Pakistan, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan was held on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly Meet in New York. All participants hoped that the project would develop Afghanistan as a hub linking Central and South Asia through pipelines, trade and transit routes for the common good of the people of this region and the world. The highways and rail links, the New Silk Route projects envisage, will also give Europe a level of direct access to Central Asia, it has not enjoyed since at least the sixteenth century, when the caravans that ferried goods across the region were rendered redundant by the new oceanic trade.
U.S. Declares Indian Mujahideen Foreign Terrorist

The United States has declared Indian Mujahideen (IM) as a Foreign Terrorist Organisation and a Specially Designated Global Terrorist. The Secretary of States designation noted that the IM had significant links to Pakistan and its stated goal was to carry out terror actions against non-Muslims in furtherance of its ultimate objective an Islamic Caliphate across South Asia. India noted that the designation recognised that the IM had links with Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba, Jaish-e-Mohammed and the Harkat ul-Jihad-I-Islami (HuJI) and the IM was responsible for dozens of bomb attacks throughout India since 2005, including playing a facilitative role in the 2008 Mumbai attack carried out by the LeT, causing the deaths of hundreds of innocent civilians.
The talks also have paved the way for high-level meetings in Istanbul on November 2 and in Bonn on December 5, where the building blocks of the New Silk Road will be discussed US Bill to Slash American Aid to Pakistan among them roads, railways, mining projects and gas A resolution to cut most of the United States funding to pipelines. Pakistan has been tabled in the U.S. House of Representatives. Indian firms are already bidding for the development Congressman Ted Poe, Republican of Texas, tabled H.R. 3013, of the Hajigak iron ore mines in Afghanistan, while Chinese also known as the Pakistan Accountability Act, a piece of corporations have begun work on a $3 billion investment to legislation which, if passed by Congress, will freeze all U.S. aid tap the countrys copper. New Delhi has also signed on to an to Pakistan with the exception of funds that are designated to $7.6 billion project to build a 2,000-kilometre pipeline that help secure nuclear weapons. will bring some 70 billion cubic metres of gas each year from The wobble in bilateral ties began after scathing remarks Turkmenistans Daulatabad fields (worlds fourth largest gas by Admiral Mike Mullen, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, reserves) to India, via Afghanistan and Pakistan. However, the who openly spoke of the links between the ISI and the Haqqani
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network terror outfit. A series of harsh exchanges between U.S. and Pakistan followed. Most recently Pakistans Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar said in New York City the Haqqani network was the CIA blue-eyed boy.
Russia Opposes USs Missile Shield Plan in Europe

Russia has denounced moves by the United States to build a missile shield in Europe as unacceptable and hinted at walking out of talks with Washington. In a sharp reaction to the proposed deployment of U.S. anti-missile warships on the Spanish coast, Moscow said the U.S. missile defence plans for Europe could undermine strategic stability on both sides of the Atlantic Ocean. Under a new agreement unveiled recently, U.S. anti-missile warships will be based at Rota on the Spanish coast by 2018 to back up ground missile interceptors that would be deployed in Romania, Poland and Turkey. The Russian Foreign Ministry said it saw no sign the U.S. was prepared to address its concerns and provide binding guarantees that the anti-missile system would not threaten Russia strategic arsenals. Moscow warned that it could break off ongoing talks with the U.S. and NATO on missile defence cooperation.
Russia - China Energy Partnership

Russia and China have agreed to increase bilateral trade to $200 billion by 2020 and vowed to build strategic ties in energy sector. Both sides decided to form long-term strategic energy partnership in oil, gas, nuclear, coal, electricity and renewable energy. A joint statement, signed by Presidents Dmitry Medvedev and Hu Jintao to commemorate the 10th anniversary of a friendship treaty between the two countries, said the two countries would strive to boost two-way trade to $100 billion by 2015 and to $200 billion by 2020. The Chinese leader paid a two-day visit to Russia after attending a summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation in Kazakhstan. China is already Russias biggest trading partner, with bilateral trade soaring by 50 per cent last year, to $59 billion. By comparison, Indias trade with Russia stood at $8.5 billion in 2010 and is projected to grow to $20 billion by 2015.
Palestine Seeks United Nations Membership
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas presented a formal letter to the United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, asking However, the two countries failed to sign, as expected, a him to grant Palestine the full membership of the U.N. In his mega-deal for the supply of Russian gas to China. After two letter Mr. Abbas urged Ban Ki-moon to present the Palestinian years of hard-nosed bargaining the sides still cannot agree on request before the Security Council. This decision came against the price, with Russia insisting on a market price, close to the backdrop of failed peace talks and mounting international 25 what Russia charges its customers in Europe, $352 per 1,000 criticism of Israels aggressive expansion of settlements. cubic metres of gas whereas China is not prepared to pay In his address to the U.N. General Assembly Mr. Abbas said more than $235. that after decades of displacement and colonial occupation and Under a 2009 agreement Russia is to build two pipelines ceaseless suffering, the time has come for Palestinian people to China to supply a total of 68 billion cubic metres of Siberian to live like other people of the earth, free in a sovereign and gas a year from 2015 to 2030. Earlier this year Russia started independent homeland. The Palestinian President was greeted pumping oil along a newly built pipeline to China under a with a standing ovation and enthusiastic whistles a sign of contract to supply 300 million tonnes of crude through 2030. the overwhelming support, the membership request has in the U.N. General Assembly. India has already said that India would Russia Revives Defence Ties with North Korea support the Palestinian bid, when it is considered in Security Russia has announced plans to revive defence ties with North Council. Korea and to write off Pyongyangs multi-billion dollar debt. Palestinians believe full U.N. membership will put pressure According to the plan Russia and North Korean military will hold on Israel to return to peace talks aimed at creating two separate their first joint drill next year which would involve search and States, compelling it to negotiate on terms of parity one rescue of ships in distress and humanitarian aid to populations State with another. The proposal has been bitterly resisted by hit by natural calamities. North Korea was a close ally of the Israel and the United States, which has threatened to veto the former Soviet Union but defence ties were frozen after the Palestinian bid when it is presented in the Security Council. latters disintegration 20 years ago. Diplomatic sources said the Security Council was likely to The planned joint defence drill is part of Russias recent delay consideration of the Palestinian request to give the United efforts to re-engage North Korea in order to stabilize the States, Russia, the European Union and the United Nations time situation on the Korean Peninsula. Russia has also reportedly to persuade both sides to resume negotiations. agreed to write off North Koreas Soviet-era debt. Under this However, the fact is that the U.N. has long recognised agreement Moscow would scrap 90 percent of the $11-billion Palestines right to a State. The U.N. had first resolved to create debt, while the remaining 10 percent would be used to finance joint projects in North Korea. Russia is keen to undertake several a Palestinian State alongside Israel in 1947, partitioning the trans-Korean projects, including a gas pipeline, a railroad and region. In 1974 the U.N. recognised the Palestinian right to national independence and sovereignty. The Palestine Liberation an electricity export line.
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Organisation was granted observer status at the U.N. in 1974 aims to present a united opposition front and overthrow Mr. and in next year Security Council agreed that it could join in Assads regime. its debates. In 1998, five years after Israel and the Palestinians accepted a road map for peace leading to a two-State solution, Pirate Party won First Seat in German State Parliament the PLO was awarded a permanent mission to the U.N.
Israel Accepts Plan for Peace Talks with Palestine

Israel has announced that the government had accepted a plan by the quartet of Middle East mediators -- the United States, European Union, United Nations and Russia -- for renewing stalled Israeli-Palestinian negotiations. The Palestinians expressed support for the quartet approach on September 29. The quartet issued its proposal on September 23, setting the end of 2012 as a deadline. The quartet calls for relaunching negotiations within a month, and on both sides to make significant progress on the two issues of borders and security first, before addressing other highly sensitive differences such as Jerusalem and the fate of Palestinian refugees. While the quartet accepts the Palestinian demand for a clear timetable, it backs Israels rejection of preconditions for talks. The Palestine Liberation Organization executive committee insisted that it would resume talks only if Israel stopped settlement activity and accepted the 1967 lines as the basis for talks. Israel captured the West Bank from Jordan and the Gaza Strip from Egypt in the Six-Day War of 1967.
Pirate Party, which had promised free wireless internet and public transport and voting rights for over-14s has won its first seats in a German state Parliament. The party clinched around nine per cent of the vote in a regional poll in Berlin, which was won by the Social Democrats and their popular Mayor Klaus Wowereit. The Pirates, a youth movement with origins in Scandinavia and active in 20 countries, has been in Germany for five years. Its supporters and leaders are young and welleducated most of those who voted for the party were under 30. Campaigning mainly via the Internet, the Pirates spent less than a quarter of the 1.7 million ($2.3 millions) shelled out by the victorious SPD party.
Saudi Arabian women Gets Voting Right

Saudi King Abdullah has announced that the nations women would gain the right to vote and run as candidates in local elections to be held in 2015. This is a major advancement for the rights of women in the deeply conservative Muslim kingdom. In an annual speech before his advisory assembly, or Shura Council, the Saudi monarch said he ordered the step after consulting the nations top religious clerics, whose advice carries great weight in the kingdom. King Abdullah said the changes announced would also allow women to be appointed to the Shura Council, the advisory body selected by the King that is currently all-male. The right to vote is by far the biggest change introduced by King Abdullah, considered a reformer, since he became the de facto ruler in 1995 during the illness of King Fahd. King Abdullah formally ascended to the throne upon Fahds death in August 2005.
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Libyas National Transitional Council Gets UN seat

The United Nations have voted overwhelmingly to hand over Libyas U.N. seat to the rebel National Transitional Council. The UN also eased out economic and military sanctions and paved way for the strife-torn nation to begin its economic recovery and restore political order. The 193 member U.N. General Assembly, in a 114-17 vote, approved the credentials of the NTC which toppled Muammar Qadhafi giving it Libyas seat at the U.N. Later, the Security Council unanimously adopted a resolution 2009, which mandates a new, three-month U.N. mission to assist Libyan efforts to restore security, protect human rights and undertake an inclusive political dialogue towards establishing a democratic government. India voted in favour of the resolutions to set up the new U.N. mission as well as the Assembly resolution, accepting the credentials of the new Libyan authorities
Myanmar Grants Amnesty to 6,300 Prisoners

Myanmar government has announced that the countrys president has granted amnesty to more than 6,300 prisoners in what appears to be the biggest step so far in a series of reform actions undertaken by the new elected government. The release of at least some of the countrys estimated 2,000 political prisoners has been hotly anticipated as a crucial step in liberalising measures implemented by the military-backed but elected government that took power in March. Most prominent political prisoners are held in facilities far from the countrys main city of Yangon, a policy implemented under the previous military regime apparently to limit their ability to communicate through visiting family members and lawyers. Myanmars long-ruling military government handed power in March to an elected administration, which is seen as remaining closely aligned with the military but which has
Syrian National Council Launched

Syrian dissidents meeting in Istanbul, Turkey have formally announced the creation of Syrian National Council (SNC) designed to overthrow President Bashar Assads regime. A group of Syrian opposition activists had announced the creation of the Syrian National Council last month. The structure and aims of this council were announced in the recent conference in Turkey. Signed by major Syrian opposition figures, the council
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declared its intention to liberalize the countrys hard-line policies.
The Report says, 2011 GHI score fell by 18 percent in SubSaharan Africa compared with the 1990 score, by 25 percent in South Asia, and by 39 percent in the Near East and North Africa. Global Hunger Index Report, 2011 Although South Asia reduced its score by more than 6 points The United States-based, International Food Policy Research between 1990 and 1996-mainly through a large reduction Institute (IFPRI) has released the Global Hunger Index (GHI), in underweight in children-this fast progress could not be 2011. As per the Report, India has not even updated data maintained. Since 2001 South Asia has lowered its GHI score by on under-nutrition and hunger in the last six years. This has only 1 point despite strong economic growth. The proportion prevented IFPRI from assessing the improvement, or lack of it, of undernourished has even risen by 2 percentage points since 1995-97. Social inequality and the low nutritional, educational, in India in terms of the Global Hunger Index. The report virtually makes no mention of India for want of and social status of women, which are major causes of child updated information. The only uncomplimentary observation in under-nutrition in this region, have impeded improvements in the fact-sheet on South Asia - which has the highest GHI Score the GHI score. Only one country in Sub-Saharan Africa-Ghana is among the - is that Bangladesh, India and Timor-Leste have the highest prevalence - more than 40 per cent - of underweight children 10 best performers in improving their GHI scores since 1990. The second-best performer, Turkey, reduced hunger by cutting under the age of five. India, the rising economy, has fallen behind countries like the prevalence of child underweight by almost two-thirds and Bangladesh and Pakistan in updating data on hunger and mal- child mortality by more than three-quarters, while keeping nutrition. Bangladesh does nutrition surveys every three years levels of undernourishment low. and Pakistan recently released data on this aspect whereas India, with a growing population of over 1. 06 billion people, is resting on the outdated information from the National Family Health Survey released six years ago. According to the Repot, the 2011 GHI fell by 26 percent from the 1990 GHI, from a score of 19.7 to 14.6 . This progress was driven mainly by reductions in the proportion of children younger than the age of five who are underweight. The 2011 GHI scores for South Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa remain alarming, whereas scores are low for Latin America and the Caribbean, the Near East and North Africa, and Eastern Europe and the Commonwealth of Independent States. Among the six countries in which the hunger situation worsened, the Democratic Republic of Congo stands out. There, the GHI score rose by about 63 percent from the 1990 GHI to the 2011 GHI. Conflict and political instability have increased hunger in the country, as well as in Burundi, the Comoros, and Cte dIvoire. IFPRI is supported by the Consultative Group of International Agricultural Research, an alliance of 64 governments and agencies in preparing the report.
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Bilateral/Multilateral Bulletin
BIlAtERAl/MUltIlAtERAl BUllEtIN...
India in Afghanistan: U.S Withdrawal and Pakistans Fear of Encirclement

Afghan President Hamid Karzais visit to India came at a particularly fraught moment in his countrys quest for stability. There has been a sharp increase in the provocativeness of targets picked in Afghanistan by the Taliban the attack on the US embassy, and the assassination of the former president and Karzais chief interlocutor with the Taliban, Burhanuddin Rabbani by a suicide bomber in Kabul in the last week of September. Rabbani, was heading the Afghan High Peace Council which was trying to bring the Taliban to the negotiating table. The killing of Rabbani had triggered a war of words between Kabul and Islamabad. The Afghan government has said that the murder plan was hatched in Pakistan and the suicide bombing was carried out by a Pakistani national. However, soon after departing from New Delhi, Karzai took the gloves off and accused Islamabad of being complicit in the recent terror attacks. On the overall policy of Pakistan towards Afghanistan and towards the Taliban definitely, the Taliban will not be able to move a finger without Pakistans support, Karzai told the BBC. Much of this scaling up of violence is traced back to the Pakistan-based Haqqani network1, now accused by Americas top military officer of being a veritable arm of the ISI. As Karzai confirmed in a public lecture in October 2011, his governments talks with the Taliban to negotiate a peaceful settlement are off. It is amidst this edginess in the region that India and Afghanistan have iterated a framework for a strategic partnership that has so far not dared breathe its name. An Indo-Afghan bilateral strategic pact had been in the works for a while. During the visit of Dr Singh to Kabul in May, the two sides had declared their intent to elevate their multifaceted ties to the level of a strategic partnership. Apart from the strategic pact, two MOUs were also signed during the recent visit (in box). Bilateral relations between Afghanistan and India have been traditionally strong and friendly. While India was the only South Asian country to recognise the Soviet-backed Afghanistan in the 1980s, its relations were diminished during the 1990s Afghan civil war and the Taliban government. India aided the overthrow of the Taliban and became the largest regional provider of humanitarian and reconstruction aid to Afghanistan. In the aftermath of the 2008 Indian embassy bombing in Kabul, the Afghan Foreign Ministry quoted India as a brother country and the relationship between the two as one which no enemy can hamper.
Summary of the text of Agreement on Strategic Partnership between India and Afghanistan is as follows:
Appreciating the significant expansion of bilateral ties between the two countries and, in this context, the sincere and generous assistance that India has provided to the Afghanistan over the past ten years and Seeking to impart a long term commitment to their multifaceted bilateral relations and to actively develop them in political, development, economic, trade, scientific, technological, cultural and other fields in the years ahead; Both countries proclaim the establishment of relations of Strategic Partnership, as laid out in the following paragraphs: General Principles: The Strategic Partnership between the Sides is based upon the principles of sovereignty, equality and territorial integrity of States, non-interference in their internal affairs, mutual respect and mutual benefit. It not directed against any other State or group of States.
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However, President Karzai, during his two-day trip to India, carefully avoided making statements that directly implicated Islamabad in the recent spate of terror attacks. This was his second trip to the Indian capital this year. He said that after the assassination of Rabbani his government would rather talk to the Pakistani government directly rather than trying to talk to the Taliban. The peace process will now be focussed on bilateral relations, he said on October 5. Karzai added that he hoped the proposed talks with Islamabad would focus on the need to end the menace of terrorism and could help in clarifying certain dark areas in the bilateral ties between the two countries. Karzai conceded that in recent years Pakistan had suffered more casualties from terror attacks than Afghanistan. He emphasised that ending terror attacks, especially suicide bombing, was a priority so that future generations in the region could live in peace.
1. Haqqani Network: is an insurgent group originating from Afghanistan during the mid-1970s that is allied today with the Taliban and affiliated with al-Qaeda. aulvi Jalaluddin Haqqani along with his son Sirajuddin Haqqani lead the group, which is believed to be based in the Waziristan tribal frontier of Pakistan although it operates on both sides of the Afghanistan-Pakistan border. According to US military commanders it is the most resilient enemy network, and one of the biggest threats to the US-led NATO forces and the Afghan government in the current war in Afghanistan.
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Political & Security Cooperation: The Sides agree to engage in close political cooperation and, in this respect, establish a mechanism for regular bilateral political and Foreign Office Consultations. Political consultations will be led by Foreign Ministries of both countries and include summit level consultations convened at least once a year. Cooperation at the UN and multilateral fora which will include joint initiatives on key regional and international issues and support for the reform and expansion of the United Nations Security Council, including a permanent seat for India in the Council. Security cooperation between the Sides is intended to help enhance their respective and mutual efforts in the fight against international terrorism, organized crime, illegal trafficking in narcotics, money laundering and so on. India agrees to assist, as mutually determined, in the training, equipping and capacity building programmes for Afghan National Security Forces. trade & Economic Cooperation: both Sides commit to deepening and diversifying cooperation in sectors such as agriculture, rural development, mining, industry, energy, information technology, communications, transport, including civil aviation, and any other areas that the Sides may agree on. Recognizing that regional economic cooperation is vital to the future economic prosperity of individual nations, the Sides agree
to cooperate, both bilaterally and through regional organizations in promoting regional economic cooperation. Capacity Development and Education: In the interest of Afghanistans longterm, sustainable development, and building on the existing generous aid programme offered by India to Afghanistan, India commits to continue its assistance to the development and capacity building efforts in Afghanistan.
As part of its highly successful annual scholarship programme, and the broader strategy of support to higher education for Afghanistan, India will continue to expand education and training opportunities in India through the ICCR and ITEC scholarships, and multilateral- Implementation Mechanism: This Strategic Partnership would be funded programmes. implemented under the framework As part of its capacity building of a Partnership Council, which will support for the Afghan government, be headed by the Foreign Ministers India will continue and expand of both countries. The Council technical, training and other will convene annual meetings. 29 capacity building support to the The existing dialogue mechanisms various departments in the three between the two sides will become branches of government, including part of the Council. the Executive, Judiciary and the The Islamic Republic of Afghanistan Parliament. and the Republic of India go forward In response to Afghanistans need in this partnership, re-asserting the to strengthen its administration fundamental and lasting spirit of and governance at national and the Treaty of Friendship between sub-national levels, India offers its the Government of India and the experience of governance at the Royal Government of Afghanistan national, state, district and local of 04 January 1950, which states: body levels, and technical assistance There shall be everlasting peace in setting up a permanent, careerand friendship between the two based civil service suitable for Governments who will further strive Afghan realities. to maintain and strengthen the Social, Cultural, Civil Society & cordial relations existing between the people of their respective countries.
People-to-People Relations: In pursuit of further expanding the existing people-to-people bonds that exist between the two countries, the Sides envisage greater exchanges between parliament, media, women, youth, sports, academic, cultural, intellectual and religious figures and bodies. To encourage and expand interaction and legitimate movement of people between the two countries, the Sides agree to simplifying rules and procedures for travel by citizens of both countries. To promote relations between civil societies and, in particular, enable intellectual exchanges, the Sides intend to establish India-Afghanistan Round Table consisting of eminent persons representing different fields.
MOUS SIGNED DURING tHE VISIt

Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation in the Field of Development of Hydrocarbons
The bilateral MoU signed between the Indian Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas and Afghan Ministry of Mines, establishes a cooperative institutional framework to facilitate and enhance, bilateral cooperation in the hydrocarbon sector, including oil and gas. It envisages cooperation in the areas of exploration, production, infrastructure, research & training and promotion of private and public sector investment in development of hydrocarbons including oil and natural gas.
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Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation in the Field of Mineral Resources Development

The bilateral MoU signed between the Indian and Afghan Ministry of Mines aims at promotion of private and public sector investment in mining and mining-related activities; mineral exploration & exploitation and capacity building in the field of geosciences and mining in Afghanistan.
Presence of Pakistan and U.S. in Afghanistan and its Complexity

India has already disbursed more than $2 billion in aid to the war-ravaged country. The agreements signed during Karzais visit also talks of India providing military training and arms to the Afghan security forces, which will number more than 3,00,000 when the Americans leave the country. The signing of the strategic agreement with India is not directed against any country, the Afghan President emphasised. All the same, this is the first strategic agreement that Afghanistan has inked with any country. Though the military component in the agreement may be minimal, Pakistan continues to be suspicious of the deepening of bilateral relations between Kabul and New Delhi, especially in the context of the projected withdrawal of all American troops from Afghanistan by 2014. Pakistani officials and strategic thinkers have said that while they have no objection to India providing developmental aid to Afghanistan, they are against any tie-up between the two governments if the cooperation extends to the military domain and intelligence sharing. The threat of strategic encirclement by Pakistans traditional enemy is a fear that continues to haunt the corridors of power in Islamabad. Pakistani officials claim that the Afghan army is under the influence of the former leaders of the non-Pashtun Northern Alliance. The group supported by an assortment of powers that included Russia, India and Iran, had waged a war against the Pakistanisupported Taliban government that was in power in Kabul in the mid-1990s. The Pakistan government may be under severe pressure from Washington for its alleged sympathies with the Afghan Taliban, but those in charge of policy in Islamabad may have calculated
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that time is on their side. And they may not be far off the mark. Reports coming in from the Afghan battlefield all tell the same story. Ten years after the American invasion of Afghanistan, the Taliban is far from being defeated. It seems to have reasserted its influence over many towns in half of the countrys provinces though it is not physically holding much territory. The Taliban has been avoiding frontal conflicts with the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) forces and is instead focussing on dramatic assaults such as the September 13 attack on the U.S. Embassy in Kabul. A recent report in The New York Times has highlighted its resilience. On the Talibans orders, cellphone services are discontinued every day at 8 p.m. in many cities and towns. A Taliban spokesman said that this was being done to prevent NATO forces from intercepting calls and finding the locations of Taliban fighters.
the tribal areas of Pakistan. According to reports, the American intention to hold on to the military bases has won the approval of the Karzai government. Not that Karzai had much of a choice in the matter, though he claimed while in New Delhi that Afghanistan would be entirely responsible for its own security after 2014. An American withdrawal on the scheduled date would leave the gates of Kabul open for the Taliban to march in. The Indian government also seems to be tacitly supporting the American move to stay on, hoping that it will forestall the installation of a pro-Pakistan government in Kabul.
The continuing U.S. military presence in Afghanistan also has got more to do with the securing of the oil and gas pipeline routes from Central Asia and surrounding Iran and China with bases than with fighting terror. Al Qaeda had Ten years after the George W. Bush ceased to be a serious threat, with its administration launched its Operation numbers reduced to double digits within Enduring Freedom to show the Afghanistan. Both Washington and New oppressed people of Afghanistan the Delhi are still betting heavily on the generosity of America, the country still Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistanbears all the hallmarks of a failed state. India (TAPI) gas pipeline. There are The United Nations has said that more credible reports of huge oil and gas than 10,000 civilians were killed in the deposits in northern Afghanistan. The past five years alone. More than 2,500 Karzai government has privatised the soldiers, most of them Americans, have hydrocarbon sector and has called for also perished in Afghanistan in the past tenders from foreign companies to exploit 10 years. The U.S. is estimated to have the untapped resources. spent more than $500 billion so far on its war effort in Afghanistan. Every day, Conclusion Washington spends $2 billion for the Ambitious in possibility, the Indoupkeep of its soldiers in Afghanistan at Afghan strategic partnership agreement a time when the American public has got puts down a formal framework for what deeply disillusioned about the war. is already being done for the training President Karzai himself has admitted that 10 years after the Taliban government was overthrown, his government together with NATO have failed to provide security to the Afghan people. In an interview to the BBC, he blamed the NATO forces for allowing the Taliban to find sanctuary in and capacity-building of Afghan security personnel. It increases the scope for deepening this cooperation, but at the moment its great import is the public nature of the agreement. That brings into clearer view the chessboard as it is being rearranged, and the challenge for India
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and Afghanistan is to use this clarity to engage with Pakistan in order to obtain, by 2014, greater political stability in Kabul than seems visible at the moment. For all the shared objectives that India and Afghanistan affirm, they cannot be in denial about geography and the crucial role it gives Pakistan in determining the viability of a political arrangement in Afghanistan. Karzai took great care to stress that cooperation with India cannot be configured in rivalry with Pakistan. Pakistan is a twin brother, he said. India is a great friend. The agreement that we signed with our friend will not affect our brother. India too needs to be less reticent on reassuring Pakistan. Its contribution to Afghanistans
development works and security capacitybuilding causes much anxiety, howsoever misplaced, in Pakistan domestic politics and geopolitical policy-making that anxiety serves India no good, and it gains to lead the initiative to engage with all players to transform the region. It is in this context that there needs to be greater recognition of two other agreements signed during the visit to assist Afghanistan in developing hydrocarbons and mineral resources. Shared prosperity and stability are the only ways in which the region will overcome the destabilising elements that currently appear to be on the upswing. Nearly 2,500 km of open border between Pakistan and Afghanistan and
the large Pashtun population, numbering more than 40 million and straddling the Durand Line, are geographic facts that cant ever be forgotten by Delhi and Kabul. As they consolidate the IndoAfghan strategic partnership, Delhi and Kabul must also signal their willingness to accommodate the genuine interests of the Pakistani nation for security within legitimate borders on its east and west. Nevertheless, it is only by offering to accommodate the legitimate interests of Islamabad that Delhi and Kabul can counter Rawalpindis unreasonable behaviour towards Afghanistan and India.
India-Myanmar Relations: New Beginnings

Sixty years ago, in July 1951, India and Myanmar signed a treaty proclaiming the desire to build Everlasting Friendship, between the worldss newest democracies. All these years, the treaty remained a mere piece of paper. The two countries have perhaps got another opportunity to renew and meaningfully rework on that friendship. President Thein Sein of Myanmar was on a three-day official visit to India from 12 15 October. Since assuming office, the Thein Sein government has tried to win domestic and international legitimacy through a series of political initiatives. These include the release of Aung San Suu Kyi from house arrest, the initiation of regular conciliatory dialogue with her, a commitment to release political prisoners languishing in jail and a pledge to be more responsive to public sentiment and opinion. of isolating and sanctioning Myanmar. India, therefore, has some additional leverage in pursuing its interests in Myanmar that include the elimination of the remaining sanctuaries of North-east insurgent groups across the border. On the economic side, much more can be done to establish mutually beneficial long-term economic ties. Myanmar still possesses large unexploited oil and gas reserves whose development would contribute to our energy security. It has vast tracts of vacant arable land, which could produce both cereals well as pulses for Indias growing market as also to contribute to regional food security. And Myanmar could become the most convenient transit for Indias rapidly growing trade and investment relations with both South-east Asia and southern China.
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This is Seins third visit to India. He first visited India in 2004 during the For Sein, the worlds largest state visit of Sr. General Than Shwe as democracy playing host will strengthen Secretary-1 as he was called then. He his credentials as a leader committed next visited in November 2008 as the to reform. India could play a role in Prime Minister of Myanmar to participate encouraging the US and Europe to begin in the BIMSTEC Summit in New Delhi. dismantling their long-standing policy Given our geographical proximity,
India and Myanmar have enjoyed a longstanding relationship underpinned by ethnic, cultural and linguistic proximities, affinities. A large section of the Myanmar population is Buddhist and naturally sees India as their spiritual home. By various counts, something like a million people in Myanmar are of Indian origin. Four of Indias Northeastern States Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Manipur and Mizoram share a land border with
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Myanmar which is more than 1600 kms. In fact, Myanmar is the only Southeast Asian State with which we have a land boundary, and as such it is a bridge between South Asia and Southeast Asia, and also a gateway to the ASEAN region. Naturally, connectivity through Myanmar can play a valuable role in spurring economic development in our northeastern region.
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sizeable presence in Myanmar, providing quality pharmaceutical products at very competitive prices. To boost trade and commercial ties it has been decided to have an Enterprise India show at Yangon between the 10th and the 13th of November this year. Myanmar is also emerging as an important partner in Indias quest for energy security. Indian companies like ONGC Videsh Limited, Myanmar is also an integral part in GAIL, the Essar Group already have a our Look East Policy. India and Myanmar presence in the country. are members of a number of regional The Prime Minister of India fora including BIMSTEC, the East Asia congratulated the President of Myanmar Summit, ASEAN plus Six, as well as other on the transition towards democratic international fora. In 2008, Myanmar Government and offered all necessary became an Observer at the SAARC. assistance in further strengthening this Our relations with Myanmar democratic transition in an inclusive and encompass a number of important areas broad based manner. He welcomed the like security, trade and investments, ongoing efforts at political, economic energy, capacity-building, health and and social reform in Myanmar. He education, science and technology, as also welcomed the convening of the Pyidaungsu Hluttaw, Pyithu Hluttaw and well as infrastructure development. Amyotha Hluttaw (National Parliament of With respect to security we have Myanmar) and the elected assemblies in ongoing cooperation with Myanmar. all the States and Regions in Myanmar and India has also received assurances that expressed readiness to share Indias own Myanmar territory will not be allowed to experiences in evolving parliamentary be used for insurgent activities against rules, procedures and practices. India. Both sides have remained in close The Prime Minister of India and the and regular contact in this regard. President of Myanmar reiterated their Enhanced connectivity between the shared commitment to strengthening and two countries is of mutual interest. It is broadening the multifaceted relationship important to note that work is under way based on shared history, civilizational in establishing the Kaladan Multi Modal ties and close religious, linguistic and Transport Corridor which would connect cultural affinities and to take it to a our eastern ports to Mizoram through new level. While acknowledging the fact the Sittwe Port in Myanmar and from that both sides have a responsibility to Sittwe Port the corridor moves North via promote peace, security and stability the reverine and the road segments. A in the region, they emphasized the number of other initiatives are also in need to intensify economic, social and the pipeline. developmental engagement in order India and Myanmar in 2010-11 had to bring about overall socio-economic a bilateral trade of 1.28 billion dollars betterment and inclusive growth. which is much below the potential. Both sides reaffirmed their There was a Joint Trade Committee unequivocal and uncompromising meeting recently in Delhi on the 27th position against terrorism in all its of September, which was chaired by the forms and manifestations. They agreed Commerce Ministers on both sides. They on enhancing effective cooperation have established a target of three billion and coordination between the security dollars in trade by 2015. India is the forces of the two countries in tackling biggest importer of pulses from Myanmar. the deadly menace of insurgency and Indian pharmaceutical companies have a terrorism, which has caused countless
loss of innocent lives. The two sides reviewed the infrastructure development and cooperation projects that are being undertaken in Myanmar with technical and financial assistance from Government of India, including in the field of roads, waterways, power, health, education and industrial training, telecommunications, and others.
During the visit, the following documents were signed:

1. Memorandum of Understanding for the Upgradation of the Yangon Childrens Hospital and Sittwe General Hospital; and 2. Programme of Cooperation in Science & Technology for the period of 20122015. The Prime Minister of India announced the extension of a new concessional facility of US$500 million Line of Credit to Myanmar for specific projects, including irrigation projects, each of which will be duly processed and approved in accordance with the modalities applicable for LDCs for such lines of credit. The two leaders welcomed the progress made towards enhancing connectivity between the two countries to mutual benefit of the peoples of the two countries. They expressed satisfaction at the implementation of the Kaladan Multi-modal Transit Transport Project, especially the port development and Inland waterways. It was decided that the road component of the project be started at the earliest, a study be undertaken on the commercial usages of the Kaladan project and necessary agreements to operationalise the route finalised. It was also decided to open an additional Land Customs Station / border trade point on the India-Myanmar border to allow for the smooth flow of goods generated by the Kaladan Project. Both sides reiterated their commitment for an early implementation of the Rhi-Tiddim Road Development Project with grant assistance from India. Reviewing the progress in establishing trilateral connectivity from Moreh in India to Mae Sot in Thailand via Myanmar, it
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was noted that substantial progress had been achieved in the preparation of a DPR for roads and causeways in Myanmar. The two leaders also expressed their commitment to enhance cooperation in the area of Science & Technology. They noted that following the renewal of Science & Technology Agreement in 2010, the Programme of Cooperation in Science & Technology for the period of 2012-15 was signed during the current visit. The two sides also expressed their commitment to enhance cooperation in the area of agriculture. The Prime Minister of India announced that India would extend technical and financial support for following new projects:
Both sides agreed to support joint research projects and exchanges of a historical, archaeological, cultural and educational nature. In this context, it was agreed to enter into a comprehensive Cultural Exchange Programme to promote bilateral exchanges with special emphasis on the four Indian states of Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Manipur and Mizoram and cooperation in the fields of art, archaeology, museology, sports, media, etc.
in opposition to China. The main challenge for Delhis Myanmar policy is to focus on the peaceful management of this triangular relationship and developing win-win solutions over the longer term for India, Myanmar and China As Sein alters the internal dynamic in Myanmar towards greater political liberalisation, seeks peace with the warring ethnic minorities in northern Myanmar and an end to the nations international isolation, there is new hope that Myanmar, with some persistence and purposefulness, can re-emerge as one of Asias prosperous and pivotal states. There is much India can do to help Myanmar manage this difficult transformation. Delhi must press the US and Europe to lift all international sanctions against Myanmar, contribute to internal peace-building, assist in the democratic transition, facilitate greater bilateral economic integration and promote greater physical connectivity. This agenda is much broader than the one India had pursued in Myanmar during the last two decades competition with China for natural resources, mega projects and short-term political influence. Dr Singh, instead, must explore with Sein the prospects for codifying the new priorities in a comprehensive strategic partnership agreement modelled after the one that Delhi and Dhaka signed last month. Such a pact will provide the basis for an equal, mutually beneficial and sustainable long-term cooperation between India and Myanmar.
The two sides emphasized the importance of close coordination towards the cause of regional cooperation. The Indian leadership offered its good wishes to Myanmar for a successful term as BIMSTEC Chair, including its proposal to (i) Setting up an Advanced Centre for host the next BIMSTEC Summit meeting. Agricultural Research and Education The Indian side also offered to deepen (ACARE) in Yezin; and its engagement with Myanmar under its (ii)Setting up a Rice Bio Park demonstrating Initiative for ASEAN Integration (IAI) the various techniques in rice programme. Myanmar being a natural biomass utilisation in the Integrated bridge between the ASEAN and India, Demonstration Farm at Nay Pyi Taw. the Indian side reiterated its intention The two sides agreed to promote trade, of building upon the commonalities and investment and economic cooperation in synergies between the two countries to a sustainable manner. In this context, the advance its Look East Policy. two leaders endorsed the understandings Indo-Myanmar-China triangle arrived at the 4th meeting of the With Myanmars Presidents visit to India, bilateral Joint Trade Committee that was analysts at home and abroad found the held in New Delhi recently, and called temptation to view the India-Myanmar for the expeditious implementation of bilateral relationship through the decision taken, including the proposal to distorting China prism very hard to resist. establish a Trade and Investment Forum Dr Singh and Sein are fully conscious at the business level, expand the basket of the real and undeniable triangular of goods under border trade, visit of an dynamic between New Delhi, Naypyidaw Indian banking delegation to Myanmar and Beijing. Both are equally aware of to facilitate better trade and payment the new opportunities to build a bilateral arrangements, etc. relationship on its own merits rather than
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India, Vietnam signed slew of pacts, brushing aside the Chinese objection
Unfazed by Chinese objections, India and Vietnam on 12th of October 2011 inked an agreement to promote oil exploration in South China Sea along with a slew of pacts, including an extradition treaty to deepen trade, security and strategic ties between the two countries. Six agreements were signed after Vietnamese President Truong Tan Sang and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh held comprehensive talks on issues of mutual interest, including situation in the region where they decided to launch a biennial Security Dialogue between their Home Ministries. India and Vietnam are maritime neighbours. We face common security challenges from terrorism, piracy and natural disasters. We believe that it is important to ensure the safety and security of the vital sea lanes of communication. We have agreed to continue and strengthen our exchanges in these fields, Dr. Singh told journalists after the meeting. The pact between the Indian and Vietnamese state-owned oil companies includes new investments and the exploration and supply of oil and gas to the two countries. The Chinese claim on the South China Sea has been rejected by both India and Vietnam, saying as per the U.N., the blocks belong to Vietnam. India has also made it clear that its State-owned firm would continue to explore in the resource-rich South China Sea. In the field of security cooperation, the two countries instituted a mechanism of a biennial dialogue on security issues between Ministry of Home Affairs and its Vietnamese counterpart. The Extradition Treaty signed today will provide a legal and institutional basis for our cooperation, Dr. Singh said. The two sides also decided to increase the trade target to $7 billion by 2015 from the present mark of $2.7 billion apart from agreeing to work towards early finalisation of the IndiaASEAN Free Trade Agreement in Services and Investment. This is the first visit by the Vietnamese President outside the ASEAN region and reflects the importance attached by both sides to the relationship, Dr. Singh said. The Prime Minister said he had conveyed Indias commitment to greater investment flows between the two countries.
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Fact Sheet on MoUs/Treaty/Work Plan signed during the visit of President of Vietnam
1. Extradition Treaty between India and Vietnam. The signing of the Extradition Treaty provides the legal framework for cooperation and marks the intent of both the countries to cooperate in suppression of crime. The Treaty will ensure the availability of fugitive criminals for trial and those who are convicted are available for serving sentence. 2. MoU on the Vietnam India Friendship Year 2012: The year 2012 marks the 40th Anniversary of establishment of full diplomatic ties and 5th anniversary of establishment of the Strategic Partnership between India and Vietnam. The MoU signed today lays down the activities to be undertaken by the two Governments to commemorate the twin anniversaries. The activities include publicity in print and visual media, organization of seminars and cultural activities showcasing the cultural heritage of both the countries. 3. Agreement on Cooperation between Vietnam Oil and Gas Group (Petro Vietnam) and ONGC Videsh Limited (ONGCVL) in oil and gas sector: The agreement seeks to develop long term cooperation in oil and gas industry between the two countries. The scope of cooperation includes exchange of information, working visits, promotion of mutual cooperation along the entire hydrocarbon value chain, new investments and also the setting up of a Joint Coordinating Committee for successful realization of the Agreement. 4. Work Plan for the Years 2011-2013 between the Indian Council of Agricultural of India and Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development of Vietnam in the field of Agricultural and Fishery Research and Education. The Work Plan is in pursuance of the MoU between Ministry of Agriculture of India and the concerned Ministry of Vietnam. The Work Plan contains details of activities agreed to be undertaken by the two countries during the years 2011-2013 in the field of agriculture research, animal husbandry, plant biotechnology and fisheries among others. The activities include scientific and technical cooperation, exchange of information, training, etc.
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5. Cultural Exchange Programme between the Ministry of Culture of India and the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Vietnam for the Years 2011-2014: The Cultural Exchange Programme (CEP) is in pursuance to the Cultural Agreement which was signed by both the countries in 1976. The primary aim of the programme is to strengthen the relations of friendship and mutual understanding between both sides. The CEP contains details of activities to be undertaken, that have been agreed upon by both sides. Some of these activities include exchange of folk traditions, performing arts, participation in film festivals, collaboration between libraries of two countries, exchange of visits and cultural troupes. 6. Protocol on cultural cooperation between the Ministry of Culture of India and the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Vietnam and ICCR of republic of India: The year 2012 has also been declared the Vietnam India Friendship Year. This Protocol expresses the intent of both the sides to jointly commemorate the year 2012, which marks the 40th anniversary of establishment of full diplomatic ties between India and Vietnam. According to the joint statement released by the ministry of external affairs, the leaders of the two countries exchanged views on all aspects of bilateral cooperation as well as on the regional and international issues of mutual interest. They recalled the glorious contributions of Prime Minsiter Jawaharlal Nehru and President Ho Chi Minh for the development of India-Viet Nam Friendship that had been preserved, nutured and further developed by generations of leaders and people of the two countries. The leaders affirmed their desire and determination to work together for peace and stability in the region and the world, and agreed to further strengthen cooperation at regional and international fora, especially the ASEANIndia and Mekong-Ganga fora as well as in EAS, ASEM, ARF, WTO, UN and the Nonaligned Movement. The Vietnamese side reaffirmed its strong support for Indias Look East Policy and the strengthening of ASEANIndia relationship. The Indian side congratulated Vietnam for its success in fulfilling its role as ASEAN Chair in 2010 and thanked Vietnam for its support to Indias candidature for permanent membership in an expanded United Nations Security Council and the G4 short draft resolution on reform of UNSC. and security. The agreement was arrived at during a bilateral Joint Commission meeting between Indias External Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna and his Vietnamese counterpart Pham Binh Minh in Hanoi. India has an investment of $400 million in Vietnamese hydrocarbons sectors, with its ONGC-Videsh (OVL) having investment of $225 million in oil exploration projects in South China Sea, against some of which has been objected to by China. The ministers next co-chaired the 14th India-Vietnam Joint Commission meeting on trade, economic, scientific and technological cooperation at the end of which they signed the agreed minutes, a release from Indian ministry of external affairs in New Delhi said. The two ministers also reviewed implementation of activities from 2007 to 2010 under bilateral cooperation and agreed to a plan of activities from 2011 to 2013. The focus areas for cooperation include political, defence and security, trade and investment, credit and banking, energy including oil and gas exploration, agriculture, animal husbandry and aquaculture, science and technology, information and communications technology, health, civil aviation, education, human resources development, capacity-building and cultural and media exchanges. Kilo-class submarine from the Admiralty Shipyards in St Petersburg and it will begin induction of these vessels beginning 2012. At present, Vietnam operates two Korean-made Yugo-class midget submarines that will be decommissioned soon after the Kilo-class submarines are inducted. India operates 10 Kilo-class submarines since its first induction in 1986 and these vessels have recently gone through an upgrade programme to extend their service life from 25 years to 40 years. Vietnamese navy chief and deputy minister Vice Admiral Nguyen Van Hien had got access to an Indian Navy Kiloclass submarine at Visakhapatnam to learn about its operations when he had visited India in June this year. Krishna had also inaugurated the Vietnam-India Advanced Resource Centre for Information and Communication Technology. This project, the largest so far under bilateral assistance, has been set up under a $2 million grant by India to Vietnam. The hi-tech centre will provide a wide range of training in information and communication technology (ICT), application of e-learning technology in education, infrastructure for web portal creation, service infrastructure for GIS application development, turn key support for e-governance applications and digital library infrastructure for use by libraries, the release said.
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External Affairs minister visited Vietnam for 14th JCM in September 2011
Earlier in September 2011, India and Vietnam agreed to add greater content to their bilateral relations in defence
China warns India on South Vietnam has ordered for six of the China Sea exploration projects
The agreement signed by India with Vietnam to explore oil in the South China
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Sea is a reckless attempt to confront China, said a state-run Chinese daily, warning that Beijing may have to take actions to show its stance. It noted that India is willing to fish in the troubled waters of the South China Sea so as to accumulate bargaining chips on other issues with China. Hanoi has inked the agreement with New Delhi just one day after it signed a deal in Beijing on ground rules to resolve maritime disputes, the paper observed. It is hard to tell if this shows a double-dealing mentality from Hanoi, or a disagreement among Vietnams top decision-makers. India probably has deeper considerations in its regional strategy than simply getting barrels of oil and gas, it said. China has to dish out firm retaliatory measures. India has its ambitions in the region, although its national strength does not provide solid support for such ambitions yet. Furthermore, this is not Indias urgent task in building itself into a great power, the paper observed. India is just poking its nose where it does not belong. However, it also noted that a rising China inevitably needs to have some degree of tolerance.
perimeter to the east of Malacca, to include the South China Sea and the Western Pacific. As Indias interests in the Pacific expand, Vietnam is emerging as the main anchor of New Delhis strategy to protect them. However, Vietnams new importance to India has been misrepresented by the media at home and abroad by viewing it though the distorting prism of China. The territorial disputes in the South China Sea are complex and involve Beijing and a number of Southeast Asian countries. India does not take sides in these disputes. Delhi has welcomed the multilateral process underway between China and the Association of the Southeast Asian nations to resolve the disputes in the South China Sea littoral. India can never be the decisive player in the South China Sea, which has emerged as one of the worlds major flashpoints in the 21st century. Geography both political and strategic reminds us that Indias contributions to order and stability in the South China Sea must necessarily be modest for the foreseeable future. An assessment of Indias genuine and growing interests in the South China Sea has been further complicated by those who force a comparison between the Indo-Vietnamese relationship and the China-Pakistan partnership. To define the deepening cooperation between Delhi and Hanoi as a tit-for-tat response to the Sino-Pak alliance does grave injustice to the history and the current context of Indo-Vietnamese ties. The bonds between the two countries date back to the exchange of goods, ideas and pilgrims two millennia ago. The Champa Kingdom, that reached its peak during the 9th to 10th centuries, underlines the depth of the civilisational
contact between India and Vietnam. While the notion of Indias rise has received much attention, the transformation of Vietnam over the last decade has not got adequate attention in Delhi. With a population of nearly 90 million, the 13th largest in the world and an economy growing at a fast clip, Vietnam has become a powerhouse in the ASEAN. All projections suggest Vietnam will be a major contributor to global growth in the coming decades and a priority economic partner for India, without any reference to other political considerations, including China. Delhi and Hanoi seek a multipolar Asia that is not dominated by any one power. Both countries support an open and inclusive architecture for regional security in Asia. As trading nations that are increasingly dependent on the seas, both India and Vietnam have a common interest in the protection of freedom of navigation in Asian waters. Neither Delhi nor Hanoi has any interest in defining their relationship in opposition to China, a neighbour to both. While India and Vietnam have had difficult relations with Beijing, both have high stakes in a productive engagement with China. Progress in India-Vietnams relations has been incremental and slow. Delhi must demonstrate its commitment to the strategic partnership with Hanoi by accelerating the proposed bilateral cooperation in peaceful uses of nuclear energy and space technology, intensifying support for the modernisation of Vietnamese armed forces, and deepening the naval partnership so crucial for Indias future presence in the Pacific.
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Conclusion
India has traditionally defined its security perimeter as stretching from Aden to Malacca. It was a framework that was first articulated during the British Raj, when the undivided subcontinent provided security across the Indian Ocean. In recent years, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has reclaimed that tradition by invoking the strategic metaphor Aden to Malacca. The visit of Vietnamese President Truong Tan Sang to Delhi has offered the prospect of extending Indias security
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Bilateral/Multilateral News
India Wants LNG Deals with East Asian Countries
India has shifted the focus of oil diplomacy to ``Look East Policy and has sought to strike deals with Brunei, Indonesia, Australia and Malaysia for long term supply of liquefied natural gas (LNG) with the aim to double the LNG re-gasification capacity by 2016. In the recently concluded East Asia Summit Energy Ministers meeting (EAS EMM) in Brunei, Minister of State for Petroleum and Natural Gas R.P.N. Singh held crucial talks with Energy Ministers of Brunei, Indonesia, Australia and Malaysia in order to seek diversification of Indias sources of supply of LNG. Natural gas presently accounts for about 10 per cent of Indias primary energy basket as compared to the world average of 24 per cent. To popularize this versatile and environmentally benign fuel, the Government is doubling its present RLNG (regasified liquefied natural gas) capacity of 13.6 million tonnes to 26 million tonnes annually by 2016. The country is also building about 8,000 lm of gas pipeline to transport gas. The demand for gas was expected to grow at 14 per cent during the next five years. This coupled with an overall economic growth rate of around 8 per cent make India an attractive market for any LNG supplier. India currently imports 7.5 million tonnes a year of LNG from Qatar under long-term contracts and buys spot cargoes from across the world. The two-day event saw ten countries of ASEAN come together with Australia, Japan, South Korea, New Zealand, China, India, Russia and the U.S. to discuss the opportunities and challenges faced by this region in the energy sector. The themes discussed were energy security, energy conservation and efficiency, nonconventional energy sources and climate change.
India recognizes Libyan Transitional National Council

India has decided to extend support to the Libyan rebels Transitional National Council (TNC) led by Mustafa Abdel Jalil. India had been in contact with the TNC in Benghazi and Cairo but was sceptical about the situation in Libya. With the Gaddafi regime withered away and most countries with economic interests in Libya preferring to cast their lot with the new leaders of Tripoli, India also declared its willingness to extend assistance to Libya in its political transition, rebuilding and reconstruction. India has already given humanitarian assistance of $1 million through the U.N. to Libya while the assistance of another $2 million is being processed.
First India- China Strategic and Economic Dialogue

India and China has agreed to boost economic cooperation, open up their markets and improve the investment environment for each others companies during the first-ever Strategic and Economic Dialogue (SED), which was held in Beijing on 26th September. The dialogue featured three specific working groups, on the railways, water, and energy efficiency and the environment. A particularly promising outcome of the first SED was agreement to have closer cooperation between the two countries railway networks, which could subsequently pave the way for the involvement of Chinese companies in proposed plans to build six high-speed rail corridors in India. China has built the worlds biggest high-speed rail network in recent years. India is also keen to learn from Chinas development of its freight network, which was, two decades ago, in a similar position to Indias. The two countries also agreed to learn from each others development experiences to face common challenges, such as improving energy efficiency, tackling water scarcity and combating climate change. The two countries agreed to initiate the SED dialogue during Chinese Premier Wen Jiabaos visit to India in December. The next round will be held in New Delhi in April 2012. The SED was set up with the objective of increasing coordination on macro-economic policies and to provide a platform for both countries to leverage common interests and shared developmental experiences. A separate Joint Economic Group dialogue, between both Commerce Ministers, has been set up to tackle trade issues, including the widening imbalance in Chinas favour.
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India to Postpone Decision on Buying EPR Reactors from France

India will postpone its final decision on the purchase of EPR type nuclear reactors from France until after the current post-Fukushima nuclear safety tests have been satisfactorily completed. Srikumar Banerjee, Chairman of Indias Atomic Energy Commission, has conveyed this message to French Industry Minister Eric Besson when the two met during the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) consultations which opened in Vienna. Several nuclear contracts around the world have been either frozen, delayed or cancelled as a result of the March 2011 Fukushima nuclear disaster, the worst nuclear accident to hit the planet after the Chernobyl explosion of 1986, putting into doubt the much-vaunted nuclear renaissance. Germany has chosen to forgo the nuclear option altogether and in France there is talk of reducing the countrys dependence on nuclear energy to 50 per cent from the current 75 per cent, by 2025.
India, Pakistan Agrees to Double Trade to $6 billion by 2014

India and Pakistan have agreed to jointly work towards doubling
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the bilateral trade to $6 billion annually from the current level of $2.7 billion by 2014. They also decided to put in place a liberalised visa regime from November 2011 for business communities of both nations. The new business visa regime is expected to allow multiple-entry and could be for a period up to one year. The joint statement was released after the official level bilateral talks between Union Commerce Minister Anand Sharma and the visiting Pakistan Commerce and Trade Minister Makhdoom Mohammad Amin Fahim in New Delhi. Both the countries also inked a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between the India Trade Promotion Organisation and the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan to promote trade and investment. The MoU shall foster better trade promotional activities for the benefit of business communities of both countries. Both agreed their countries would cooperate for a high ambition of preferential trade relations under the framework of the South Asia Free Trade Agreement (SAFTA). They agreed that all mutual obligations contracted under SAFTA would be implemented with full sincerity. Earlier, Islamabad had agreed to implement all mutual obligations contracted under SAFTA. It is being seen as Pakistans commitment to finally grant mostfavoured nation (MFN) status to India and move to a system of negative list - the norm under multilateral agreements such as SAFTA - instead of the existing positive list policy that only allows export of a limited number of items.
billion against imports of $10 billion.
India-Iran Payment Mechanism for Trade

Achieving a breakthrough in resolving the India-Iran payment crisis for import of oil as well as exports, both countries have agreed to set up a payment mechanism to facilitate bilateral trade. Both sides agreed on the mechanism to be put in place for the purpose, including for the payment to Indian exporters and project exporters. This also includes payments made by India for buying Iranian crude oil. The issue of payment for oil had been hanging in fire for the last nine months with the Indian side grappling for a solution on the issue. The problem over payment to Iran arose after the Reserve Bank of India on December 23 last year scrapped the Asian Clearing Union (ACU), winning appreciation from the U.S., which is using sanctions to force Tehran to halt its nuclear programme. Although Iran has continued to supply crude oil to India, it had threatened to stop supplies if a mechanism to pay for imports is not found quickly. Iran is second only to Saudi Arabia as an oil supplier to India, while India is Irans second-biggest crude buyer after China, accounting for about 20 per cent of its exports. Iran supplies 12 per cent of total oil needs of India. The Indian exports as well as the oil marketing companies had been struggling to pay Tehran because of international sanctions imposed over Iran. The sanctions include banking restrictions. An interim solution was found wherein Indian companies were to make payments through Turkey. The Indian companies were to route euro payments to state-owned Turkiye Halk Bankasi (Halkbank) in Istanbul. The bank then transferred the money to the account of the National Iranian Oil Company.
38 India-Indonesia Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement
India and Indonesia have begun talks for a Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (CECA) with an aim to take forward the economic cooperation to a new level by achieving a bilateral trade target of $25 billion by 2015. The CECA with Indonesia will be over and above the trade liberalisation already achieved through the IndiaASEAN agreement. The proposed CECA will break tariff walls on merchandise trade and enable professionals from the two countries to take up short-term business assignments in each others markets. The scope would also cover easing of bilateral investment regime. Trade and investment between India and Indonesia had seen a massive rise in the last few years with investment by Indian companies having touched $3.50 billion and another $25-billion worth of investments in the pipeline. Although both countries in 2005 had set a target of $10 billion bilateral trade by 2010 but they surpassed the target by 40 per cent reaching the $14-billion level. Already during the January-July period this year, trade between the two countries had touched $13 billion. Bilateral trade between India and Indonesia stood at $13.2 billion in 2010 but it is highly skewed in favour of the South East Asian country. Indias exports to Indonesia were $3.3
India -Czech Republic Agree to Liberalize Business Visa Regime

With an objective to enhance their economic cooperation, India and Czech Republic has agreed to liberalise the business visa regime and set a $2 billion target for bilateral trade by 2012. This was decided at a bilateral meeting between the Commerce and Industry Minister, Anand Sharma and Czech Republic Minister of Trade and Industry, Martin Kocourek, who led a 50-member high-level business delegation to India. Both the Ministers agreed that in order to enhance trade and investment between the two nations, it was imperative that liberal business visa regime is put in place.
India - South Africa to Strengthen Ties in MSME Sector

India and South Africa have agreed to strengthen cooperation in the medium, small and medium enterprises (MSME) sector through joint ventures, technology collaborations and marketing tie-ups. Both countries arrived at this agreement during the state visit of Indian Minister of State for Commerce and Industry Jyotiradiya Scindia. At present, South Africa is Indias second
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largest trading partner. Trade between the two countries was $10.6 billion in 2010-11.
India Pledges $8 mn Aid to Horn of Africa

India has provided humanitarian assistance of US$ 8 million to the countries afflicted with severe famine and drought in the Horn of Africa i.e. Somalia, Kenya and Djibouti. The assistance was provided through the World Food Programme. Millions of people in the Horn of Africa reeling under a crippling regional drought and tens of thousands have died during the famine. This has driven thousands of the hungry to refugee camps in Somalia, Kenya, and Ethiopia. The UN Under Secretary General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator has said the world bodys humanitarian effort in the Horn of Africa still needs nearly $1 billion, out of a total of $2 billion, to meet immediate needs. Ministry of External Affairs said that India plans to help Somalia in countering piracy, which has become a regional problem and also has threatened Indias interests. India is also considering extending technical assistance to Somalia in developing a counter-piracy policy and strategy. India will cooperate with Somalia in capacity building in areas such as fisheries, IT and agriculture. India has already contributed $1.5 million to the African Union Trust Fund on Somalia and $0.5 million to the UN Trust Fund. This was announced by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh for augmenting the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) at the second India-Africa Forum Summit-in Addis Ababa (Ethiopia) in May this year.
Secretary Clinton remarked that the Singh-Obama Knowledge Initiative provides $10 million for increased university partnership and junior faculty development. However she cautioned that in the wake of the Tri-Valley University scam, in which many Indian students were left in limbo following visa fraud allegations against that university, the U.S. was taking steps to block such fraudulent universities from reaching Indian students.
India signs DTAA with Estonia, to collaborate on ICT, education

India has signed a double taxation avoidance agreement (DTAA) with Estonia and has also forged a pact to work with the European nation in the fields of information, communications and technology (ICT). Communications and Information Technology Minister Kapil Sibal signed the pact during his visit to Estonia on September 19, during which he also met Estonian Prime Minister Andrus Ansip, an official statement said. During the visit, India and Estonia also reached an agreement to work together in the fields of information, communication and technology, education and e-governance, the statement added. Further, India will establish a Chair on Cyber Security in Tallinn University and a Chair on Indian languages, literature and history in another of Estonias universities.
India-U.S. Higher Education Summit kicks off

India-United States Higher Education Summit was inaugurated in October 2011 by Kapil Sibal, Union Minister for Human Resource Development, and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton at Georgetown University in Washington Among the top issues that they considered during a discussions is the prospect of U.S. universities entering into partnership agreements with Indian higher education institutions under the aegis of Indias Foreign Educational Institutions (Regulation of Entry and Operations) Bill. Addressing the summit delegates, Mr. Sibal outlined the case for ramping up the supply of higher education in India in the years ahead. Arguing that Indias Gross Enrolment Ratio was around 15 per cent, he said increasing that proportion to 30 per cent by 2020 would require India to provide for opportunities in higher education for an additional thirty million children. To do that, we will need to build an additional 1000 universities and 50,000 colleges. To serve these institutions, we will require quality faculty of over a million assisted by quality support structures, he said.
India can continue all but permanent works on Kishenganga: ICA

India can continue with all works related to the Kishenganga hydro-electric project in Jammu and Kashmir except any permanent work on the riverbed that may inhibit restoration of the rivers full flow, the International Court of Arbitration has said. In an interim ruling issued in September 2011, the court in The Hague, which was approached by Pakistan, said it was necessary to lay down certain interim measures in order to avoid prejudice to the final solution of the dispute as provided under the Indus Waters Treaty of 1960. It said the two countries should submit by December 19 a joint report setting forth the areas of agreement and any points of disagreement that may arise regarding the implementation of its order. Pakistan had informed the court in July that India could not divert the route of the Kishenganga-Neelum River under the Indus Waters Treaty. Pakistan has claimed that the project would rob it of 15 per cent of its share of river waters. It also accused India of trying to divert the river in order to harm Pakistans Neelum-Jhelum hydro-electric project.
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Poverty Line: Playing with numbers, and lives

The debate on the extent of poverty in India has been a matter of interest among the policy makers in the recent years. The primary reason for this interest in the debate is that the levels of poverty in India have come to exert significant influence in determining the policies and programmes in India. There has been growing contestation around poverty estimates, particularly in the period of economic reforms. First, there are persistent disagreements among economists on whether the rate of poverty decline after economic reforms was slower than in the preceding period. Secondly, the shift to targeted, rather than universal, welfare schemes has witnessed the use of poverty estimates to decide on the number of households eligible to access these schemes. The affidavit of the Planning Commission filed in the Supreme Court concerning who constitutes poor based on the Tendulkar Committee report is the latest input to the Great Indian Poverty Debate. (around Rs.32 per day) and Rs.781 per capita per month (around Rs.26 per day), respectively. The affidavit submitted also added that the BPL population covered by the public distribution services (PDS) was 35.98 crore. It said, If the Tendulkar (committee) poverty ratio for 2004/05 is applied to the projected population of the Registrar General of India as on March 1, 2005, the total BPL population would be 40.74 crore. These paltry sums, however, are supposed to cover not only food but all non-food essentials, including clothing and footwear, cooking fuel, lighting, transport, education, medical costs and house rent. The total is divided into Rs.18 and Rs.14 for food and non-food items in towns, and into Rs.16 and Rs.10 in the rural areas, and includes the value of food that farmers produce and consume themselves. In fact the official poverty lines do not measure poverty anymore; they measure destitution. developed countries?
The big mistake

Members of the Planning Commission and the Tendulkar Committee are experts, so how have such laughable figures of minimum cost of living emerged from their statistical labours? The fact is that over 30 years ago the Planning Commission made a mistake of method, and the present Commission stubbornly clings to that mistake despite the fact having been repeatedly pointed out by many people. The mistake was to change the definition of the poverty line and delink it from nutrition standards. The original definition of poverty line was a sensible one, based on an expert committee recommendation in 1979: using National Sample Survey (NSS) data on consumption spending, that in particular observed that the level of total monthly spending per person is to be called the poverty line. The food spending part of the figure allowed a person to obtain 2,400 kilocalories of energy a day in the rural areas and 2,100 kilocalories a day in the urban areas. Later the rural figure was scaled down to 2,200 calories. The Commission accepted the expert committees nutrition-based definition but applied it only once, to the 1973-74 data, to obtain the correct monthly rural and urban poverty lines of Rs.49 or Rs.56 at which 2,200 or 2,100 calories were accessible, and found that 56 per cent of the rural population and 49 per cent of the urban population spent less than this, and so were poor. Then the Commission, for reasons unknown, changed the definition in practice, and never again directly looked at the total monthly spending which permitted nutrition norms to be maintained. This despite the fact that every five years the required information on this for every spending level was available the physical quantities of
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The controversy
In its affidavit, the Planning Commission has claimed that those spending more than Rs. 965 per month in urban India and Rs. 781 per month in rural India will not be considered poor. The Commission said that people spending more than Rs. 32 a day in urban areas and Rs.26 a day in villages will not be eligible to get the benefits of government schemes meant for those living below the BPL. The Commission further stated that these were provisional figures based on the Tendulkar committee report based on the Consumer Price Index for industrial and agricultural workers. The Commission has found that the number of people falling below the BPL is 40.74 crore. It also revealed in its affidavit to the apex court that the poverty line for the urban and rural areas could be provisionally placed at Rs.965 per capita per month
Why the outcry?

The outcry against calling these destitution lines poverty lines, is justified; for true poverty lines are much higher than these, and show 75 per cent of all persons in India to be poor. Per head energy and protein intake has been falling for the last two decades as the majority of the population is unable to afford enough food. With 60 million tonnes of public food stocks, far in excess of the buffer norms, remaining piled up by mid-2011, the sensible policy is to do away with targeting and revert to a universal distribution system, combining it with an urban employment guarantee scheme. Unfortunately, the policymakers today ask the wrong question: How can we reduce the food subsidy? and not the right question: How can we lift the masses of India from the current level of the lowest food consumption in the world, even lower than the least
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food intake, and the corresponding daily average energy, protein and fat. The definition that the Commission actually adopted was that the 1973-74 poverty lines were to be adjusted for inflation using a price-index, regardless of whether the lines so obtained still allowed nutritional standards to be met. Price index adjustment is being followed for the last 30 years, producing the present absurdity of Rs.26 or Rs.32 as the rural or urban daily poverty lines.
food distribution system, but that will not be enough. The purchasing power of the poor has to be raised at the same time through employment generation schemes. Ironically, there has been a rise in unemployment rates according to the latest surveys.
How poverty is estimated at present?

In India, poverty is presently estimated by fixing a poverty line based on a differentiated calorie-norm. A task force of the Planning Commission in 1979 defined the poverty line as that per capita expenditure at which the average per capita per day calorie intake was 2400 calories in rural areas and 2100 calories in urban areas. Average per capita expenditures incurred by that population group in each State which consumed these quantities of calories, as per the 1973-74 survey of NSSO, were used as the poverty lines. Based on the observed consumer behaviour in 1973-74, the poverty lines arrived at were Rs. 49.09 per capita per month in rural areas and Rs. 56.64 per capita per month in urban areas. These poverty lines were updated for the following years by simply accounting for changes in consumer price indices. Thus, the all-India poverty lines updated for 2004-05 were Rs. 356.30 in rural areas and Rs. 538.60 in urban areas, per capita per month. The shares of population below these poverty lines (the head count ratios; HCR) were estimated to be 28.7 per cent in rural areas and 25.9 per cent in urban areas.
Secondly, the NSSO estimates were at great variance with the estimates of nutritional outcomes that other surveys like the National Family Health Survey (NFHS) provided. For instance, according to the NFHS-3, the share of underweight children (under 3 years) in rural India was 44 per cent in 2005-06. Thirdly, there were major methodological problems in the choice of consumer price indices, continuously re-weighted keeping the 1973-74 consumption basket unchanged, to update the poverty lines over time. One striking absurdity that resulted was that in some States, urban poverty rates were estimated to be higher than the rural poverty rates.
The hollow claim

The claim that poverty has declined is not true because the method of indexation that is actually used has not kept constant the nutritional standard against which poverty is measured, but has lowered it continuously. One wonders if we will ever see honest estimates from official sources anywhere, since, by now, hundreds of economists are closely imprecated within a vast global povertyestimating structure with the World Bank at its apex, producing increasingly misleading estimates every year in glossy reports. The World Banks global poverty line is an equally large underestimate, for it is derived using purchasing power parity conversion from local currencies to the U.S. dollar, of these very same absurdly low local-currency official rural poverty lines of developing countries. What are the realistic poverty lines today based on officially accepted nutritional norms? The current poverty lines allowing nutrition norms of 2,200 or 2,100 calories in the rural or urban areas to be met, are at least Rs.1,085 a month (Rs.36 a day) and Rs.1,800 a month (Rs.60 a day) respectively. Since each full-time worker needs to support nearly two dependants, these correspond to a minimum daily wage of Rs.108 and Rs.180 respectively. But this is inadequate: no margin exists for medical emergencies, life cycle ceremonies, or old age. From the 2009-10 NSS data at least 75 per cent of the total population is in poverty on this basis. This high level of deprivation is the rationale for going back to a non-targeted, universal
The Tendulkar committee

The Tendulkar Committee has reviewed the present methodology for measuring poverty and suggested drastic changes for the future. It has recommended the abandoning of the calorie-norm for estimating the poverty line. Instead, the committee has recommended a new method where the present all-India urban poverty line is taken as the basis for estimating every other poverty line in the country. With the urban poverty line as the basis, the parity levels at the State-level for rural and urban areas are to be separately estimated using a typical purchasing power parity (PPP) method. Thus, the new State-level rural and urban poverty lines are to be at those levels at which the average national urban consumption levels can be attained. The suggestion to use the all-India urban poverty line is justified on the basis of two independent validating reasons. First, the urban population that corresponded in 2004-05 to the poverty line expenditure consumed 1776 calories per capita per day, which was close to the calorie norm of 1800 calories per capita per day suggested for India by the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO). Secondly, the actual levels of urban per capita expenditure in 2004-05 were also sufficient to meet a defined normative level of expenditure on education and
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Estimates of poverty and controversies

These estimates of poverty threw up a number of controversies. First, it was argued that the poverty lines were extremely low in levels. An amount of Rs. 356.30 per month per person amounted to just Rs. 11.90 per day in rural areas, which was at best a destitute income. The fact that about one-fourth of Indias population did not incur even this level of expenditure was in itself instructive.
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health services. It is thus postulated that the new poverty lines, fortuitously, meet not just food requirements, but also those of education and health that are important basic needs. Using the above method, the new poverty lines for 2004-05 have been reestimated by the committee as Rs. 446.68 for rural areas and Rs. 578.80 for urban areas (per capita per month). Further, the new HCRs for 2004-05 are estimated as 41.8 per cent in rural areas and 25.7 per cent in urban areas. These new estimates represent a significant upward revision of poverty in the rural areas, and a small downward revision of poverty in the urban areas. As per the new method, the total number of poor people in India has risen from about 403 million in 1993-94 to about 407 million in 2004-05. Indeed, the new poverty estimates appear more realistic than the existing estimates. It is certain that the Tendulkar report would reopen the debate on the impact of reforms on poverty. At the same time, the new estimates would also help States expand their BPL coverage in the public distribution system (PDS) using food grains from the Central quota itself. On that count, the report is likely to be welcomed by State governments. However, the report is unlikely to stem the deep dissatisfaction around the use of poverty estimates to fix eligibility in the access to welfare schemes. In important programmes like the PDS,
the system of targeting remains firmly in place. As a result, large sections that require welfare assistance are likely to remain excluded from these programmes even if the new poverty estimates are considered. Take an illustration: in per capita daily terms, the rural poverty line has been raised from Rs. 12 to Rs. 15 a meagre upward revision. In the urban areas, the increase is from Rs 18 to Rs 19 per day. It is most revealing that even such a small upward revision of the poverty line could net in more than 100 million new persons as poor. In other words, poverty estimates are extremely sensitive to even minor changes in the poverty line. Juxtapose this with the fact that 77 per cent of Indias population lived at an average monthly per capita consumption expenditure (MPCE) of Rs. 16 per day in 2004-05. If the average expenditure of 77 per cent of the population was Rs. 16 per day, there is likely to be a sizeable section of the population above the new poverty line of Rs. 15 per day in rural areas and Rs. 19 per day in urban areas. In a targeted system of welfare provision, these vulnerable sections of the population would remain excluded. Errors of wrong exclusion in targeted programmes in India are due to the separation of the processes of (a) the estimation of the number of poor and (b) the identification of the poor.
It is for the absence of a reliable and feasible method of combining estimation and identification that political and social movements have been demanding the universalisation of welfare schemes like the PDS. It is, thus, essential that sample-based poverty estimates from the NSS are not mechanically linked to the eligibility to access welfare programmes. In a country with such mass poverty as India, universalisation remains the most efficient tool for ensuring livelihood security. A final issue with the report, of much long-term consequence, relates to the wisdom of abandoning the calorie norm. It is indeed true that the levels of calorie intakes are not well correlated with nutritional outcomes. However, abandoning the calorie norm altogether and taking solace from the fortuitous fact that calorie intakes appear adequate at the new poverty lines is an arbitrary proposition. It is unclear whether there is any basis, theoretical or empirical, for this relationship to hold true across time. In sum, Planning Commission affidavit based on the Tendulkar Committee report has pitched for a policy position that is stranded between the harsh realities of poverty in India and the fiscal conservativeness of a neo-liberal framework. The real challenge lies in preserving the positives from the report, and strongly persisting with the demand for a universal social security system.
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Economy News...
Centre Allows Companies to Raise $1 billion of ECBs in Yuan
In a significant policy shift, the Central Government has decided to allow corporates to raise external commercial borrowings (ECBs) in yuan (Renminbi) equivalent to $1 billion basically for infrastructure and capital goods. It is expected that this move will help Indian companies trading with China. Although the committee did not raise the overall ceiling of ECB, which is now at $30 billion, it did decide to relax the norms and raise the borrowing limits for various sectors to help companies obtain funds from overseas markets at competitive rates. Out of the total limit of $30 billion, ECBs amounting to $15.93 billion have been raised by companies until August, 2011. The decision to relax ECB norms follows the suggestions made by top industry leaders at a meeting they had with Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee to boost the economy. The limit of external borrowings with tenure of five years or more under the automatic route had been increased from $500 million to $750 million. For the services sector, the ECB limit under the automatic route had been doubled to $200 million and for NGOs from $5 million to $10 million. under the automatic route for Greenfield investments. In the case of brownfield investment, it will be allowed through the Foreign Investment Promotion Board (FIPB) for six months, following which such acquisitions will be routed through the Competition Commission of India. The decisions were based on the recommendations of Arun Maira Committee, constituted by the Planning Commission to review the governments policy of allowing 100 per cent FDI in pharmaceutical sector. Worried that the trend of multinational companies taking over Indian pharmaceutical firms will undermine the governments efforts at making the generic version of drugs available at affordable prices, the Health and the Commerce Ministries have been seeking safeguards to be built into the FDI process. Between 2006 and 2010, six major Indian companies have been taken over by MNCs, including Matrix Lab by Mylan, Dabur Pharma by Fresenius Kabi, Ranbaxy Labs by Daiichi Sankyo, Shanta Biotech (Sanofi Aventis), Orchid Chemicals (Hospira) and Piramal Healthcare (Abbott). Since 2001, when 100 per cent FDI was allowed in the sector, only 10 per cent of foreign investment has gone to green-field ventures.
RBI Relaxes Forex Norms for Individuals

The Reserve Bank of India has further liberalised the foreign exchange facilities for individuals under the Foreign Exchange Management Act, (FEMA), 1999. These permissions are given based on the recommendations of a committee, set up under the Chairmanship of K. J. Udeshi to review the facilities for individuals under the Foreign Exchange Management Act, 1999, which submitted its report in early August. Individual residents in India are now permitted to include non-resident close relatives as joint holders in their resident bank accounts, namely, savings (SB), Exporter Earners Foreign Currency (EEFC) and Residents Foreign Currency (RFC) accounts, on former or survivor basis. However, such joint holders will not be eligible to operate the account during the lifetime of the Indian resident account holder.
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Government Withdraws DEPB Scheme from Sept 30

Indicating a virtual withdrawal of popular Duty Entitlement Pass Book (DEPB) scheme, the Central Government has announced that shipments of 1,100 items will be entitled to lower tax refunds under a new transitory scheme from October 1. According to sources on export of these items, the tax refunds would be reduced by 1-3 per cent. Experts termed the new development as withdrawal of the stimulus package given in 2008-09 after the global financial crisis. The DEPB rates were revised upward as part of the stimulus at that time. Since tax incentives for these goods will now be available under the Duty Drawback Scheme (DDS), the total number of items under the DDS would increase to about 4,000 from 2,835. While different avenues are available to exporters for refund of the duties, the DEPB is the most preferred route for its flexibility and attractive rates which average about 8 per cent. The government had spent Rs. 8,700 crore last year on DEPB refunds and engineering, chemical, pharmaceutical, textile and marine products have been the major beneficiaries.
RBI Issues Norms for Banks, NBFCs to Set up Infrastructure Debt Funds
The Reserve Bank of India has issued guidelines for permitting banks and non-banking financial companies (NBFCs) to set up Infrastructure Debt Funds (IDFs), to help meet long-term financing for the sector. According to the new guidelines IDFs would be set up either as mutual funds (MFs) or NBFCs. Banks and NBFCs would be eligible to sponsor IDFs as mutual funds with prior approval of the RBI.
Pharma Acquisitions to be Routed through Competition Commission

A high-level Cabinet meeting convened by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has decided to continue allowing Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in the drugs and pharmaceutical sector
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An NBFC sponsoring IDF-MF should have a minimum net owned fund (NOF) of Rs.300 crore and capital adequacy ratio of 15 per cent. Besides, its net NPAs should be less than 3 per cent of net advances and the NBFCs should have been in existence for at least five years and earning profits for the last three years. Banks acting as sponsors to IDF-MFs would be subject to existing prudential limits including limits on investments in financial services companies and limits on capital market exposure. As for the setting up of IDF-NBFC by banks and nonbanking finance institutions, sponsors of NBFC-IDFs will have to contribute a minimum equity of 30 per cent and a maximum equity of 49 per cent of the IDF-NBFC. Post-investment in the IDF, the sponsor must maintain minimum CRAR and NOF prescribed for IFCs. The IDF should be assigned a minimum credit rating A or equivalent of CRISIL, FITCH, CARE, ICRA or equivalent rating by any other accredited rating agencies. Tier II capital cannot exceed Tier I.
states and private investors. The Policy will also ensure that a value-for-money rationale is adopted with optimal risk allocation in project structuring with life cycle approach. At the same time, it will develop governance structures to facilitate competitiveness, fairness and transparency in procurement and attaining appropriate public oversight and monitoring of PPP projects. The government has asked stakeholders to give comments on the draft National PPP Policy by October 15. The move of the government is also in sync with Prime Minister Manmohan Singhs wish to bring more transparency in the PPP projects which are mainly undertaken to provide public service by private players.
New Draft National Policy on Electronics

Center has unveiled the Draft National Policy on Electronics, 2011, aimed at achieving a turnover of $400 billion for the sector by 2020, which involved investment of about $100 billion. It also aims to create employment for 2.8 crore people. The final policy is likely to come by December this year. The draft National Policy on Electronics-2011 envisions creating a globally competitive electronics systems design and manufacturing (ESDM) industry, including nano-electronics, to meet the countrys needs and serve the international market. This is a quantum jump from production level of about $20 billion in 2009. This inter alia, includes achieving a turnover of $55 billion of chip design and embedded software industry, and $80 billion of exports. The policy also aims at making India the hub of electronic manufacturing. The policy proposes setting up of over 200 electronic manufacturing clusters (EMCs) and providing assistance for setting up of Greenfield EMCs and upgradation of Brownfield EMCs. Another important objective of the policy was to augment post-graduate education and produce about 2,500 PhDs annually by 2020.
RBI Liberalises ECB Norms for Infrastructure Companies

The Reserve Bank of India has decided to further liberalise the External Commercial Borrowings (ECBs) policy in respect of the infrastructure sector. To achieve this, RBI has relaxed norms for infrastructure companies with direct foreign equity up to 25 per cent to raise fund overseas without government permission. Direct foreign equity holder, holding minimum 25 per cent of the paid-up capital and indirect foreign equity holder holding at least 51 per cent of the paid-up capital, will be permitted to provide credit enhancement for the domestic debt raised by Indian companies engaged exclusively in the development of infrastructure through the issue of capital market instruments. It includes infrastructure finance companies (IFCs) and no prior approval will be required from the Reserve Bank for providing such credit enhancements.
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Revised Consolidated FDI Policy of 2011

Moving further with liberalisation of the FDI regime, the government has allowed overseas investment in bee-keeping, share-pledging for raising external debt and notified the revised FDI limit on FM radio at 26 per cent against the earlier 20 per cent. Similarly, conditions for FDI in respect of construction of old-age homes and educational institutions have been eased. These will not be subject to minimum and built-up area, capitalisation and lock-in period norms as applicable for the construction activities. The hike in FDI cap in FM radio from 20 to 26 per cent, as approved by the Cabinet in July, has been notified. For giving a boost to bio-technology, pharmaceutical and life sciences, research and development in these sectors would be covered under the industrial parks scheme, where 100 per cent FDI is permitted under the automatic route. Widening options for raising overseas resources, the policy has been amended to provide for pledge of shares of an Indian
Draft National Public Private Partnership Policy

The Central Government has come out with a Draft National Public Private Partnership (PPP) Policy with a view to improve transparency and promote infrastructure sector projects. In pursuance of governments commitment to improve the level and quality of economic and social infrastructure service, the Policy proposes to expand the scope of the PPP scheme. The development follows the announcement made by the Finance Minister, Pranab Mukherjee, in the budget. The 26-page draft policy seeks to put in place the broad principles for pursuing a project on PPP basis. Besides, it will also provide a framework for identifying, structuring, awarding and managing PPP projects. It also seeks to address the issues concerning definition of various terms and also processes so that a clear and consistent position can be adopted by stake holders, including centre,
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company which has raised ECBs. The policy provides for opening and maintaining, without RBI approval, non-interest bearing rupee escrow accounts by non-residents towards payment of share purchase consideration. Procedure for conversion of imported capital goods and machinery and pre-operative expenses into equity has also been made easier. To attract foreign investment in the agriculture sector, the government has allowed 100 per cent FDI under the automatic route in beekeeping, also known as apiculture. This will bring in international best practices to upgrade the product. The measure will help food firms, engaged in honey-processing. It has already permitted 100 per cent FDI in agricultural areas such as plantation, horticulture, seeds and cultivation of vegetables and mushrooms.
India would be to dampen the rise of inflation, which is currently running close to double digits and has become generalised. The WEO noted that despite policy tightening, real interest rates in India were still much lower than pre-crisis averages, and credit growth was still strong. Commenting on its macro assessment of the ongoing global recovery the IMF suggested that some elements of this bounce had been anticipated while others had not. For example, it said that while the strong cyclical rebound in global industrial production and trade in 2010 was never expected to persist, in crisis-hit advanced economies, especially the U.S., the handover from public to private demand was taking longer than anticipated. Further, sovereign debt and banking sector problems in the Euro area were much more tenacious than anticipated and similarly the disruptions resulting from the East Japan earthquake and tsunami, as well as the spreading unrest in the Middle East and North Africa region and the related surge in oil prices, were major surprises. Possibly hinting at the market turmoil linked to the unresolved debt-limit negotiations between the White House and the U.S. Congress, the Fund cautioned that policy indecision has exacerbated uncertainty and added to financial strains, feeding back into the real economy.
Mines and Mineral Development and Regulation (MMDR) Bill, 2011

The Union Cabinet has approved the Mines and Mineral Development and Regulation (MMDR) Bill, 2011 that provides for mining companies to keep aside 26 per cent of their net profits for a Mineral Development Fund to be used for development and rehabilitation of project-affected people in the tribal areas of the country. For the non-coal companies, the amount will be equivalent to the royalty they pay to the State government. The Cabinet also approved measures to tackle illegal mining and appointed a regulatory body for overseeing the functioning of the mining sector. The Bill is likely to be introduced in the winter session of Parliament. The regulatory body, proposed to be set up under the new mining law, will have powers to investigate and prosecute the offenders. The authority would also be empowered to look into the cases of organised illegal mining. The MMDR Bill will replace a 54-year-old legislation governing the sector. The Bill seeks a complete and holistic reform in the mining sector with provisions to address issues relating to sustainable mining and local area development, especially families impacted by mining operations.
United Nations Industrial Development Organiza45 tion (UNIDO) Report

The latest UNIDO report has said that continued tampering with the interest rates to tame inflationary pressures has dampened the business confidence in India and led to slowdown in the countrys manufacturing growth. Battling above 9 per cent growth, the Reserve Bank of India has hiked key interest rates 11 times since March, 2010. According to the Report on trends in global manufacturing, growth in Brazil, India and Mexico slowed in the second quarter of calendar year 2011, and remained below 5 per cent. As per the UNIDO report, the world manufacturing output grew by 5.2 per cent in the second quarter of 2011, compared to 7.5 per cent in the first quarter. Tightening of fiscal policies amidst sovereign risks in some European countries led to financial market instability and rising inflation. In industrialised countries, manufacturing output rose by a mere 2.7 per cent in the second quarter compared to 5.7 per cent in the first quarter mainly because consumer spending did not offset the winding down of stimulus packages, fiscal consolidation and high commodity prices. Manufacturing growth markedly slowed in the U.S. from 6.5 per cent to 4.4 per cent mainly due to meagre growth in home building, low consumer durables and car purchases, rising input costs and poor employment generation that could not be compensated by a moderate pick-up in business investment. Led by China, developing countries posted a growth rate of
IMF World Economic Outlook Report

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has released its semiannual World Economic Outlook (WEO) report and said that India would have a year-on-year projected growth rate of 7.8 per cent in 2011 and 7.5 per cent in 2012. In the Report the IMF also warned of overall slowing global activity, renewed financial instability and an uneven post-recession expansion. IMF said that in India, growth was forecast to average 7.5-7.75 per cent during 2011-12 and while economic activity driving this growth would be led by private consumption, Investment is expected to remain sluggish, reflecting, in part recent corporate sector governance issues and a drag from the renewed global uncertainty and less favourable external financing environment. The IMF argued that a top challenge for policymakers in
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11.2 per cent in the second quarter of 2011 compared to the same period of the previous year, even as India saw slowdown. Among developing countries Chinas manufacturing sector remained the fastest growing with an annualised rate of 14.3 per cent.
mean that the tax would be restricted to the eurozone rather than being rolled out across the EU.
Moodys Downgrades Standalone Rating of SBI

Global ratings firm Moodys Investors Service has downgraded the State Bank of Indias bank financial strength rating (BFSR), or standalone rating by one notch to D+ from C on account of the lenders low Tier-I capital ratio and deteriorating asset quality. Moodys cited a likely rise in the banks nonperforming assets in the near future as one of the reasons for the downgrade. As per Moodys, a D rating suggest modest intrinsic financial strength, potentially requiring some outside support at times, while a C rating denotes adequate intrinsic financial strength. The standalone rating for SBIs private sector competitors, like ICICI Bank, HDFC Bank and Axis Bank, stands at C SBI had reported a Tier-I capital ratio of 7.60 per cent as of June 30, 2011, as against the suggested level of 8 per cent termed as desirable by the government for public sector banks. Moodys said such a low Tier-I capital ratio provides an insufficient cushion to support growth and to absorb potentially higher credit costs arising from deteriorating asset quality.
GAILs First Overseas Acquisition in U.S

GAIL (India) has announced its decision to buy 20 per cent stake in a shale gas area operated by Carrizo Oil and Gas Inc in the U.S. for $95 million. Under the deal, GAIL will pay $63.7 million in cash to Carrizo and bear $31.3 million of the Houstonbased firms future costs to develop the area in the Eagle Ford deposits in Texas. The gas utility, through its wholly-owned U.S. subsidiary GAIL Global (USA) Inc, will invest $300 million over the next five years in the lucrative Eagle Ford shale assets. The joint venture will have 20,200 gross acres, out of which the GAIL subsidiary will have 4,040 net acres spread over four counties in Texas. The agreement includes a 20 per cent share in eight wells that produce about 2,350 barrels of oil-equivalent a day.
Cairn India Discovers Natural Gas in Sri Lankas Mannar Basin

Cairn India has discovered natural gas reserves in the very first well it has drilled in the offshore Mannar basin of Sri Lanka. Cairn had spud the well in early August. The Mannar basin in Sri Lanka is a frontier petroleum province that is yet to be explored. The block, SL 2007-01-001, was awarded to Cairn in the 2008 Sri Lanka bid round. Cairn Lanka (Private) Limited is a wholly owned subsidiary of Cairn India and holds a 100 per cent participating interest in the Mannar block. Cairn Lanka acquired 1,750 sq. km of 3D seismic data in the Mannar basin of Sri Lanka between December 2009 and January 2010. Based on the 3D seismic interpretation, several prospects and leads have been identified.
S&P Downgrades Italy Debt Rating

Standard & Poors has downgraded Italys sovereign debt rating, citing economic, fiscal and political weaknesses. The rating agency said it had downgraded Italian debt to A/A-1 from a A+/A-1+ grade because of Italys weakening economic growth prospects. It added that Italys weak governing coalition would limit the governments ability to respond decisively to events.
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Fitch, S&P Downgrade New Zealands Credit Rating

New Zealands credit rating has been downgraded by Fitch and Standard & Poors from an AA+ rating to AA. Fitch said New Zealands high level of external debt is an outlier among comparable developed nations, a situation which is likely to continue given that the current account deficit is projected to increase. Standard & Poors cited increased spending by the government following Februarys earthquake that killed 181 people and devastated the centre of Christchurch, New Zealands second biggest city. In the past, New Zealand has enjoyed strong sovereign credit ratings due to relatively low levels of government borrowing that offset worries about the countrys high private debt. But the ratings agencies have become less sanguine after an earthquake and weak economic growth strained the governments finances. New Zealand remains rated AAA by the third major rating agency, Moodys.
U.K. to oppose EUs proposed Tobin Tax

Britain and the European Union have been headed for a confrontation after European Union President Jose Manuel Barroso proposed an EU-wide financial transaction tax as part of a broader strategy to overcome the deepening economic crisis. But the British government, led by the Eurosceptic Conservative Party, promptly shot down the proposal. Britain was not opposed to the tax in principle but insisted that it must be introduced globally. The tax, dubbed the Tobin tax after the American economist James Tobin, who first proposed it in the 1970s, would raise about 57 billion 50 billion a year, and come into effect in 2014. Under the proposals, a financial tax would be levied at a rate of 0.1% on all transactions between institutions if at least one party is based in the EU. A veto by Britain would
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Noble Prize-2011
Alfred Nobel, the inventor of dynamite, had written several wills during his lifetime, but the last one was dated November 27, 1895 - a little over a year before he died. Nobels last will left approximately 94 percent of his worth to the establishment of five prizes (physics, chemistry, physiology or medicine, literature, and peace) to those who, during the preceding year, shall have conferred the greatest benefit on mankind. Because of skepticism surrounding the will, it was not until 26 April 1897 that it was approved by the Storting (Parliament of Norway). The executors of Nobels will, Ragnar Sohlman and Rudolf Lilljequist, formed the Nobel Foundation to take care of Nobels fortune and organise the award of prizes. The Nobel Foundation was founded as a private organisation on 29 June 1900, to manage the finances and administration of the Nobel Prizes. Each recipient, or laureate, receives a gold medal, a diploma, and a sum of money which depends on the Nobel Foundations income that year. In 2011, each prize was worth US$ 1.45 million. Each award is decided by separate institutions which form assemblies to select the actual prize recipients. Some prizes (e.g. medicine) require Nobel assembly members to remain active in their fields, while others (e.g. literature) appoint members for life. The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences awards the Nobel Prize in Physics, the Nobel Prize in Chemistry, and the Nobel Memorial Prize in Economic Sciences. The Nobel Assembly at Karolinska Institutet awards the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine. The Swedish Academy grants the Nobel Prize in Literature. The Nobel Peace Prize is not awarded by a Swedish organisation but by the Norwegian Nobel Committee (five members of the Norwegian parliament). The prize is not awarded posthumously; however, if a person is awarded a prize and dies before receiving it, the prize may still be presented. A prize may not be shared among more than three people. The winner is decided by a simple majority vote. On the fifth anniversary of Alfred Nobels death, December 10, 1901, the first set of Nobel Prizes were awarded. Since then, Apart from the Peace Prize, the Nobel Prizes are presented in Stockholm, Sweden, at the annual Prize Award Ceremony every year on 10 December. Even though Sweden was officially neutral during World War II, the prizes were awarded irregularly. In 1939, the Peace Prize was not awarded. No prize was awarded in any category from 1940 42, due to the occupation of Norway by Germany. In the subsequent year, all prizes were awarded except those for literature and peace. In 1944 again, nominations were submitted for the Peace Prize. In 1968, Sveriges Riksbank celebrated its 300th anniversary by donating a large sum of money to the Nobel Foundation to be used to set up a prize in honor of Nobel. The following year, the Nobel Memorial Prize in Economic Sciences was awarded for the first time. The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences became responsible for selecting laureates for this section. Although it is not an official Nobel Prize, its announcements and presentations are made along with the other prizes. a cold expanse of isolated galaxies, until the temperature reaches absolute zero. According to the Nobel jury, the universe will end in ice, if we are to believe this years Nobel Laureates in Physics. That increasing acceleration has been blamed on dark energy, an enigmatic presence in the universe that remains a mystery to physicists. The European Space Agency plans to find out more about this mystery stuff in a space telescope, to be launched in 2019. 2. CHEMISTRY: The 2011 Nobel Prize in Chemistry has been awarded to Dan Shechtman for the discovery of quasicrystals. Back in 1982, Shechtman popped a crystal under an electron microscope and peered deep into the materials structure. There he found atoms packed tightly in patterns that never repeated themselves. Before this, atoms were believed to be packed inside crystals in symmetrical patterns that were repeated periodically over and over again. Shechtmans quasicrystals have been seen in mineral samples from a Russian river and a certain form of steel, where the crystals reinforce the material like armour. Quasicrystals are currently being investigated for use in products like frying pans and diesel engines. 3. PHYSIOLOGY OR MEDICINE: The 2011 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine was divided, one half jointly to Bruce A. Beutler and Jules A. Hoffmann for their discoveries concerning the activation of innate immunity and the other half to Ralph M. Steinman for his discovery of the dendritic cell and its role in adaptive immunity However, within a few hours of the announcement by the Nobel Prize Committee that Canadian scientist
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2011 NOBEL LAUREATES

1. PHYSICS: The 2011 Nobel Prize in Physics has been awarded for the discovery of the accelerating expansion of the Universe through observations of distant supernovae with one half to Saul Perlmutter and the other half jointly to Brian P. Schmidt and Adam G. Riess. They discovered that the universe is expanding at an ever-accelerating rate. If the expansion continues to speed up, the cosmological bodies will drift away from each other into
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Ralph Steinman would share the prize in Physiology / Medicine with Bruce A Beutler and Jules Hoffmann, it became known that Mr. Steinman had passed away three days ago. His demise has put the Nobel Committee in a fix because the prize cannot be awarded posthumously, unless death has occurred after the announcement of the prize. Officials on the Nobel Committee said that it was a unique situation, because he died hours before the decision was made. Now the panel would review what to do with the prize money. However, it was made clear that the committee would not name a substitute winner. The discoveries of the three Nobel Laureates have revealed how the innate and adaptive phases of the immune response are activated and thereby provided novel insights into disease mechanisms. Their work has opened up new avenues for the development of prevention and therapy against infections, cancer, and inflammatory diseases. Beutler and Hoffmann showed that mammals and fruit flies use similar molecules to activate innate immunity when encountering pathogenic microorganisms. Ralph Steinman discovered, in 1973, a new cell type that he called the dendritic cell. He speculated that it could be important in the immune system and went on to test whether dendritic cells could activate T cells, a cell type that has a key role in adaptive immunity and develops an immunologic memory against many different substances. In cell culture experiments, he showed that the presence of dendritic cells
resulted in vivid responses of T cells to such substances. 4. PEACE: The 2011 Nobel Peace Prize was awarded to Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, Liberian peace activist Leymah Gbowee and Tawakkul Karman of Yemen for their non-violent struggle for the safety of women and for womens rights to full participation in peace-building work. Ellen Johnson Sirleaf is Africas first democratically elected female president. Since her inauguration in 2006, she has contributed to securing peace in Liberia, to promoting economic and social development, and to strengthening the position of women. Leymah Gbowee mobilized and organized women across ethnic and religious dividing lines to bring an end to the long war in Liberia, and to ensure womens participation in elections. She has since worked to enhance the influence of women in West Africa during and after war. In the most trying circumstances, both before and during the Arab spring, Tawakkul Karman has played a leading part in the struggle for womens rights and for democracy and peace in Yemen. 5. ECONOMIC SCIENCES: The 2011 Sveriges Riksbank Prize in Economic Sciences has been awarded jointly to two Americans, Thomas J. Sargent and Christopher A. Sims for their empirical research on cause and effect in the macroeconomy. Thomas Sargent has shown how structural macroeconometrics can be used to analyze permanent changes in economic policy. This method can be applied to study macroeconomic relationships when households
and firms adjust their expectations concurrently with economic developments. Christopher Sims has developed a method based on so-called vector autoregression to analyze how the economy is affected by temporary changes in economic policy and other factors. Sims and other researchers have applied this method to examine, for instance, the effects of an increase in the interest rate set by a central bank. 6. LITERATURE: The 2011 Nobel Prize in literature was awarded to Tomas Transtromer, a Swedish poet whose surrealistic works about the mysteries of the human mind won him acclaim as one of the most important Scandinavian writers since World War II. The academy said it awarded the 80-year-old poet because, through his condensed, translucent images, he gives us fresh access to reality. His works have been translated into more than 50 languages and influenced poets around the globe, particularly in North America. After publishing poems in a number of journals, Transtrmer published in 1954 17 dikter (17 poems) one of the most acclaimed literary debuts of the decade. With the following collections Secrets along the way (1958); Den halvfrdiga himlen (1962); The HalfFinished Heaven, (2001) and Windows & Stones: Selected Poems, (1972) he consolidated his standing among critics and other readers as one of the leading poets of his generation. Baltics, (1975); The Sorrow Gondola, (1997) and The Great Enigma, (2006), are some of his other works. A collection, entitled Tolkningar (Interpretations), was published in 1999.
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NOBEL LAUREATES OF INDIA

Ten Indian citizens or People of Indian origin have been honoured to date, but only five of these are or were Indian citizens.
Citizens of India and Indian Origin

Rabindranath Tagore (18611941) was a poet, philosopher, educationist, artist and social activist. In time, Tagores works, written originally in Bengali, were translated into English; the Geetanjali (Tribute in verse), a compendium of
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verses, named Song Offerings in English was widely acclaimed for its literary genius. In 1913, he was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature. He was the first person of non-Western heritage to be awarded a Nobel Prize. Sir Chandrashekhar Venkata Raman was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics for the year 1930. He had been knighted only the year before and worked extensively on acoustics and light. He was also deeply interested in the physiology of the human eye. A traditionally-dressed man, he headed an institute that is today named after him: the Raman Research Institute, Bangalore. His nephew, Subramanyan Chandrasekhar, the astrophysicist, won the Nobel Prize for Physics in 1983 as a United States citizen. Amartya Sen (born 1933) was the first Indian to receive the Nobel Memorial Prize in Economics, awarded to him in 1998 for his work on Welfare Economics. He has made several key contributions to research in this field, such as to the axiomatic theory of social choice; the definitions of welfare and poverty indexes; and the empirical studies of famine. All are linked by his interest in distributional issues and particularly in those most impoverished. Whereas Kenneth Arrows impossibility theorem suggested that it was not possible to aggregate individual choices into a satisfactory choice for society as a whole, Sen showed that societies could find ways to alleviate such a poor outcome.
Foreign citizens born in India

Ronald Ross, born in Almora, India, in 1857 was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1902 for his work on malaria. He received many honours in addition to the Nobel Prize, and was given Honorary Membership of learned societies of most countries of Europe, and of many other continents. Rudyard Kipling, born in Mumbai, 1865 (then Bombay in British India), was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1907. He remains the youngest ever recipient of the Literature Nobel Prize and the first English-language writer to receive the Prize. His literary career began with Departmental Ditties (1886). His works include Plain Tales from the Hills (1888); Soldiers Three (1888); Barrack Room Ballads (1892); Kim (1901); The Second Jungle Book (1895); The Seven Seas (1896); Captains Courageous (1897); The Days Work (1898); Stalky and Co. (1899); Just So Stories (1902); Trafficks and Discoveries (1904); Puck of Pooks Hill (1906); Actions and Reactions (1909); Debits and Credits (1926); Thy Servant a Dog (1930); Limits and Renewals (1932); and Better be Better than Worst (1933).
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Foreign born Indian Citizens

Mother Teresa (19101997) was born in Skopje, then a city in Ottoman Empire. She is of Albanian origin. She won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1979. Toiling for years in the slums of Kolkata (Calcutta), her work centered on caring for the poor and sufferers, among whom she herself died.
Indian born Foreign Citizens

Hargobind Khorana (born 1922), a person of Indian origin, shared the 1968 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for his work on genes. He had left India in 1945 and became a naturalised United States citizen in the 1970s. He continues to head a laboratory at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in the United States. Subrahmanyan Chandrasekhar was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1983 for his studies on the physical processes important to the structure and evolution of stars. Chandrasekhar accepted this honor, but was upset that the citation mentioned only his earliest work, seeing it as a denigration of a lifetimes achievement. He shared it with William A. Fowler. Venkatraman Ramakrishnan from Chidambaram, Tamil Nadu, shared the 2009 Nobel Prize in Chemistry. He is now a US Citizen. He shared the prize with Thomas Steitz and Israeli Ada Yonath for mapping ribosome, the protein-producing factory within cells, at the atomic level.
Foreign Citizens of Indian Origin

V.S. Naipaul received the Nobel Prize in Literature for 2001. His most famous works include The Mystic Masseur, 1957; Miguel Street, 1959; A House for Mr. Biswas, 1961; A Flag on the Island, 1967; The Loss of El Dorado, 1969; In a Free State, 1971; India : a Wounded Civilization, 1977; A Bend in the River, 1979; The Enigma of Arrival, 1987; Beyond Belief, 1998; Half a Life, 2001; Magic Seeds, 2004; and The Masque of Africa: Glimpses of African Belief, 2010.
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Megha-Tropiques: Unravelling the Tropics

After a difficult and, at times, uncertain gestation lasting over a decade, the IndoFrench atmospheric research satellite, Megha-Tropiques, was successfully placed in orbit at an altitude of 867 km with an inclination of 20 degrees with respect to the equator on 12th October 2011. Indias Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV-C18) demonstrated its reliability once again by putting successfully two nano satellites (weighing between 1-10 kgs), one Micro satellite (10-100 kgs) and Megha-Tropiques in the orbit. Three other satellites are SRM Sat, Jugnu, and Vesselsat. This was the 19th consecutively successful mission of the PSLV out of 20 launches from 1993 (first development flight of PSLV-D1 launched in September 1993 from Sriharikota carrying IRS-1E failed due to a software error causing the vehicle to crash in the Bay of Bengal after take off). PSLV-C18 was the seventh flight of the core alone version of PSLV. Megha-Tropiques( MT) carries three payloads -- two by French space agency CNES (Centre National dEtudes Spatiales) and one jointly by ISRO and CNES -- and a complementary scientific instrument. ISRO has built the satellite at a cost of Rs 80 crore with equal contribution from CNES. The ISRO Satellite Centre, Bangalore, integrated the entire satellite. The 1,000-kg Megha-Tropiques would have a life-span of five years. The same PSLV, with an extended version of strap-on motors, PSOM-XL had successfully launched Chandrayaan-1 spacecraft in October 2008. However, its mission life ended after ten months of successful exploration of the Lunar surface. ISRO Chief K Radhakrishnan, who took the mantle from his illustrious predecessor Dr G Madhavan Nair in November 2009, tasted his third consecutive success this year, notwithstanding the two failed GSLV Missions last year. India has become the second nation after the US to launch such a mission after the Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) in November 1997 by NASA. TRMM was a joint space mission between the US-based NASA and the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) designed to monitor and tropical rainfall.
History of the project

Prior to India and France joining hands in this effort, scientists in both countries, along with their respective space agencies, had been independently considering similar sorts of missions. In the late 1980s and the early 1990s, the French were examining the possibilities for a Tropiques satellite. The Indians, for their part, were thinking of a Climatsat satellite around the mid-1990s. The idea of merging these efforts came about as a result of contacts between scientists in the two countries. In 1998, the space agencies, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and the Centre National dtudes Spatiales (CNES), decided to carry out a feasibility study. The following year, they signed a Statement of Intent. They would, in the words of a press release issued on the occasion, pursue cooperation on a mission aimed at enhancing the understanding of tropical weather and climate. The name chosen for the satellite, Megha-Tropiques, reflected the missions goals. Megha, the Sanskrit word for clouds, underscoring a key focus of the satellite, and the French word Tropiques denoting its concentration on the tropical region. Subsequently, the ISRO and the CNES signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in 2001 to undertake a detailed design of the satellite. But then, amid heavy cuts in the French space agencys budget, the satellites fate became decidedly uncertain. Finally, in late 2004, the agencies signed a second MoU that gave the green signal to proceed with development of the satellite.
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Use of satellites in climatology

The use of satellites to watch over the weather and collect related data began with the American TIROS-1 that was launched in April 1960. Over 300 satellites followed, carrying weather cameras and a variety of other sensors to measure various parameters of the oceans and the atmosphere. With their capacity for global coverage, satellites made it possible to monitor and follow events over the oceans. Satellite imagery showed, for instance, that the heavy rains of the Indian monsoon were brought by a vast band of clouds that arose near the equator and then steadily moved northward over the subcontinent. The information sent back has helped unravel the complex ways in which the ocean and the atmosphere influence each other to produce the worlds climate and weather.
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The U.S.-Japanese Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM), in particular, which was launched in 1997, has contributed greatly to studying rainfall patterns in the tropics, including the powerful storms that sweep these parts of the world. Although the satellite was expected to function for only three to five years, it still continues to be in service. In many ways, the Megha-Tropiques will be following in the footsteps of this ageing satellite whose days are numbered. The famous American meteorologist Jule Charney showed many years ago that the tropics have inherently more predictability in them, remarked Roddam Narasimha, a distinguished scientist and a member of the Space Commission that oversees the Indian space programme. He is also chairman from the Indian side of the joint scientific working group for the Megha Tropiques. But we are not able to cash in on that predictability. One reason was that a sufficiently deep analysis of basic scientific problems had not been done. As a result, models from all over the world dont have the same skill over the tropics, particularly on the monsoons, which they have at higher latitudes, he pointed out. In an orbit inclined more closely to the equator than the TRMM, the MeghaTropiques will enjoy much greater coverage of the tropics. The satellite can have up to six passes a day over places that are within about 20 of the equator. Such frequent coverage is essential to study how, say, a cloud system in the Bay of Bengal evolves, observed J. Srinivasan, chairman of the Divecha Centre for Climate Change at the Indian Institute of Science in Bangalore, who is the principal investigator for the mission from the Indian side. Such a system typically goes from birth, through growth, to death in 12 hours or less. The satellite could capture data about the cloud several times during that period. The equatorial region gets more energy from the sun than places closer to the poles. The surplus energy from the tropics is moved to other parts of the
globe by ocean currents and atmospheric circulation. As water vapour condenses to form clouds and then falls as rain, it releases the heat that went into its evaporation. Such release of latent heat provides a large part of the energy that drives global atmospheric circulation. The sensors on the Megha-Tropiques have been designed to provide information about the energy and water cycles that drive cloud systems in the tropics.
Scientific payloads
The satellite has four scientific payloads. 1. Microwave Analysis and Detection of Rain and Atmospheric Structures (MADRAS): Megha-Tropiques lacks the active radar that the TRMM possesses, which gives a more accurate estimate of the amount of rainfall occurring. But, like the latter, a passive sensor on the Megha-Tropiques, MADRAS, will be able to see into clouds by picking up faint microwave signals given off by the earth and the atmosphere. This instrument will gather data on winds, water vapour and rain as well as about liquid water and ice in clouds. The main aim of the mission being the study of cloud systems, a frequency has been added (150 GHz) in order to study the high level ice clouds associated with the convective systems, and to serve as a window channel relative to the sounding instrument at 183 GHz. 2. Sounder for Probing Vertical Profiles of Humidity (SAPHIR) is a sounding instrument with 6 channels near the absorption band of water vapour at 183 GHz. Megha-Tropiques scores over the TRMM in its ability to map the vertical profile of water vapour. It does so with two sensors. One of these instruments is SAPHIR (other being ScaRaB), which will measure water vapour at six vertical levels from the ground to a height of about 12 km. This instrument will have a horizontal resolution of 10 km. SAPHIR will also investigate the humidity present in the tropical atmosphere. The CNES has built the SCARAB and the SAPHIR
The vertical distribution of water vapour is crucial in triggering the formation of deep clouds that produce a great deal of rain, pointed out Dr. Srinivasan. At present, we dont know how much water vapour has to be present at what heights in the atmosphere in order for deep clouds to develop. Figuring this out could hold the key to accurately predicting heavy rainfall events, such as the deluge that swamped Mumbai in 2005, a problem that is occurring time and again during the monsoon. 3. Scanner for Radiation Budget (ScaRaB) is a scanning radiative budget instrument, which has already been launched twice on Russian satellites. SCARAB will study the radiation received by the earth and reflected by it. The instrument will use the bending of radio signals broadcast by GPS navigation satellites to measure water vapour at some 100 vertical levels but with poor horizontal resolution. It will also measure sunlight reflected back into space by clouds as well as the radiation emitted by the heating up of the earth and the atmosphere. A cloud system needs to retain enough energy to keep it going. But when clouds become very deep and highly reflective, so much radiation is lost to space that the system slowly dies, observed Dr. Srinivasan. 4. Radio Occultation Sensor for Vertical Profiling of Temperature and Humidity (ROSA) has been procured from Italy for vertical profiling of temperature and humidity. Also known as GPS-ROS (Global Positioning System- Radio Occultation System), this instrument will study the temperature and humidity at different altitudes.
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Benefits and significance

Megha-Tropiques, with four scientific instruments, will help in predicting the Indian monsoons, floods, cyclones and droughts, besides estimating the weather in the short-term and climate in the
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long-term in the tropical countries of the world. Unlike conventional remotesensing satellites, the four payloads in the MT have been built to provide very specific data, which will cover the entire convective cycle, besides simultaneously giving data on rainfall, temperature and humidity profiles on a real time basis on the tropical regions for the first time. Hence, it is as unique if not more than the US-Japans Tropical Rainfall Measurement Mission. Megha-Tropiques is only the second satellite of its kind in the world, with the data from the satellite receivable in many centres of the world. These data could be put into atmospheric science models to better predictions. Thus MT will be a big advance. The data provided by the satellite will help scientists better understand not just the vagaries of the Indian monsoon but also of rainfall in other tropical regions of the world. There are scientists from 11 countries in Asia, Africa, Europe and the Americas on the 21 international science teams that have been formed for the Megha-Tropiques mission, according
to Rmy Roca of the Laboratoire de Mtorologie Dynamique in Paris, who is the principal investigator for the mission on the French side. After the satellite was launched, its sensors would be carefully calibrated over the subsequent three months. Then, for the next six months, data from the satellite would be supplied to members of the international science teams. After that, the data would be made freely accessible to all scientists. In the meantime, another Indo-French satellite, SARAL, which will study the oceans, is being prepared for launch next year. The benefits from the MeghaTropiques will be enhanced by its data being used in conjunction with those from other satellites. The Indo-French satellite is part of the Global Precipitation Measurement (GPM) mission based on an international network of satellites. The GPM Core Observatory, which will carry an active radar, is currently expected to be launched in mid-2013. This GPM satellite was in effect a follow-on of the TRMM mission but would orbit at higher latitudes, noted Robert A. Houze, Jr., an atmospheric scientist at
the University of Washington, in Seattle, U.S. Its active radar would be able to measure precipitation and show vertical structures in the atmosphere more precisely than the Megha-Tropiques. The GPM satellite could provide a kind of calibration for the latter. So the two together will make a very nice programme, said Dr. Houze, who heads one of the Megha-Tropiques science teams. India and France, through this partnership, will thus be contributing knowledge and information to the Global Precipitation Measurement Mission and enable the global community engage in understanding climate change, said ISRO Chairman, K Radhakrishnan. The Megha-Tropiques will be an incredible opportunity to advance process and predictive understanding of the monsoons, remarked Raghu Murtugudde, a climate scientist at the University of Maryland in the U.S., in an email. Doing the water content, water vapour profiles and radiation is like having the complete recipe for a megha-dish! It will be delicious.
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Payloads of PSLV-18
1. Megha-Tropiques:
Discussed in main article
2. SRM Sat:
SRMSAT, a 10 kg satellite built by students of the SRM University, near Chennai marks the beginning of a new era in space sciences in the country. In recent years small satellites have proven great potential in scientific, communication and military applications. Opportunities space is the word for small satellite systems. Small satellite systems strive to indentify future technological advancement to make successful programs. The 10-kg SRM Sat will help in understanding global warming and pollution by studying carbon-dioxide and carbonmonoxide present in the atmosphere. The objective of SRMSAT is to monitor green house gases in Near Infrared region 900nm - 1700nm. A grating spectrometer is employed for the monitoring of Earth-based sources and sinks of anthropogenic and natural sources of greenhouse gases.
3. JUGNU
Jugnu, a 3-kilogram spacecraft is an Indian technology demonstration and remote sensing satellite which will be operated by the Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur. The satellite designed by a group of students and teachers from the institute in collaboration with scientists from the ISRO scientists is one of the smallest satellites built till date.
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It will be used to provide data for agriculture and disaster monitoring. Its development programme cost around 25 million rupee. It has a design life of one year. Jugnus primary instrument is the Micro Imaging System, a near infrared camera which will be used to observe vegetation. This camera will take pictures of the earth to monitor, vegetation, reservoirs, lakes, and ponds. It also carries a GPS receiver to aid tracking, and is intended to demonstrate a micro-electro-mechanical inertial measurement unit.
4. VesselSat
VesselSat1 is an Automatic Identification Service (AIS) enabled satellite which will help in locating the ships in the sealanes of the world. For imaging the Earth, the VesselSat-1, developed and built by LuxSpace of Luxembourg, carries AIS receivers to detect signals automatically transmitted by Vessels at sea in the region covered by the satellite footprint. VesselSat1 will expand the satellite AIS service in the equatorial region, where there is significant shipping activity and critical need for maritime surveillance. ORBCOMM (leading global satellite data communications company, focused on Machine-to-Machine (M2M) communications) is the exclusive licensee for the AIS data collected by VesselSat1.
Pslv-18
The Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle, commonly known by its abbreviation PSLV, is an expendable launch system developed and operated by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). It was developed to allow India to launch its Indian Remote Sensing (IRS) satellites into sun synchronous orbits, a service that was, until the advent of the PSLV, commercially viable only from Russia. PSLV can also launch small size satellites into geostationary transfer orbit (GTO). The PSLV has launched 41 satellites (19 Indian and 22 from other countries) into a variety of orbits to date.
Development
PSLV has been designed and developed at Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC), Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala. The inertial systems are developed by ISRO Inertial Systems Unit (IISU) at Thiruvananthapuram. The liquid propulsion stages for the second and fourth stages of PSLV as well as the reaction control systems are developed by the Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre (LPSC), also at Thiruvananthapuram. The solid propellant motors are processed at Satish Dhawan Space Centre SHAR, which also carries out launch operations.
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Vehicle description
The PSLV has four stages using solid and liquid propulsion systems alternately. The first stage is one of the largest solid-fuel rocket boosters in the world. Six strap-on motors, four of which are ignited on the ground, augment the first stage thrust. The second stage employs the Vikas engine and carries 41.5 tonnes (40 tonnes till C-5 mission) of liquid propellant Unsymmetrical Di-Methyl Hydrazine (UDMH) as fuel and Nitrogen tetroxide (N2O4) as oxidizer. The third stage uses 7 tonnes of HTPB-based solid propellant and The fourth and the terminal stage of PSLV has a twin engine configuration using liquid propellant.
Variants
ISRO has envisaged a number of variants of PSLV to cater to different mission requirements. There are currently three opernational versions of the PSLV the standard (PSLV), the core-alone (PSLV-CA) without the six strap-on booster motors, and the (PSLVXL) version, which carries more solid fuel in its strap-on motors than the standard version. All the three versions have proved to be unalloyed successes. These configurations provide wide variations in payload capabilities ranging from 600 kg in LEO to 1900 kg in sun synchronous orbit.
PSLV (Operational)
The standard version of the PSLV has four stages using solid and liquid propulsion systems alternately and six strap-on boosters. It currently has capability to launch 1,678 kg to 622 km into sun synchronous orbit.
PSLV-CA (Operational)
The PSLV-CA, CA meaning Core Alone, model premiered on April 23, 2007. The CA model does not include the six strap-on boosters used by the PSLV standard variant. It currently has capability to launch 1,100 kg to 622 km sun synchronous orbit.
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PSLV-XL (Operational)
PSLV-XL is the uprated version of Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle in its standard configuration boosted by more powerful, stretched strap-on boosters. Weighing 320 tonnes at lift-off, the vehicle uses larger strap-on motors (PSOM-XL) to achieve higher payload capability. The first version of PSLV-XL was the launch of Chandrayaan-1 by PSLV-C11. The payload capability for this variant is 1800 kg compared to 1600 kg for the other variants. Future launches include the RISAT Radar Imaging Satellite.
PSLV-HP (Under development / Proposed)

As reported on the website of The New Indian Express newspaper (April 26, 2007), PSLV project director N Narayanamoorthy spoke of another version being planned called the PSLV-HP, standing for high performance. It will have improved strap-on motors, and the payload capability will be raised to 2000 kg.
PSLV-3S (Under development / Proposed)

ISRO is also considering the development of a three-stage version of the rocket without six strap-on boosters (with the second stage of the four-stage version removed) which will be capable of placing 500 kg to LEO.
OTHER LAUNCHES IN 2011

C16 PSLV 20 April 2011 Sriharikota Resource Sat2 X-Sat YouthSat 1206 kg 106 kg 92 kg Success In the current flight, the standard version, with six solid strap-on booster motors strung around the first stage, was used.
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C17 PSLV-XL 15 July 2011 Sriharikota GSAT-12 1410 kg Success Indigenously developed flight computer Vikram used for the first time.
Planned launches
C19 C20 PSLV PSLV Jan 2012 April 2012 Sriharikota Sriharikota RISAT-1 Astrosat Planned Planned
SEE BACK COVER
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Science News...
India- Sri Lanka Joint Naval Exercises SLINEX II
India and Sri Lanka navies have conducted a six-day joint exercise off Trincomalee in eastern Sri Lanka. Codenamed SLINEX II, the exercise is aimed at enhancing interoperability of the two navies and learning from each others experience. The Indian Navy gained from the Sri Lankan experience with low intensity conflict, while the Sri Lankan Navy learnt to operate more effectively in a multi-force environment. The decision to increase mutual defence cooperation and to hold joint naval exercises was taken during the visit of Defence Secretary Pradeep Kumar to Sri Lanka in December 2010. The first exercises were held about six years ago. But since the Eelam War IV (name given to the fourth phase of armed conflict between the Sri Lankan military and the separatist Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam) intensified since 2006, the exercises, which were to be held annually, were put off.
Nuclear Capable Agni-II Missile Test Fired

The nuclear capable Agni-II missile has been launched from the Wheeler Island on the Orissa coast by the Strategic Forces Command (SFC) of the armed forces, which handles Indias nuclear-weapons delivery systems. Agni-II is a two-staged, surface-to-surface missile, which can carry a one-tonne nuclear warhead. The missile weighs 17 tonnes and is 20 metres long. The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) designed and developed Agni-II. It calls the missile the pride of Indias strategic arsenal. This was the third successful missile launch for the DRDO in recent months.
Draft New Telecom Policy 2011

The Union Government has unveiled the Draft New Telecom Policy (NTP)-2011, with the primary objective of maximising public good by making available affordable, reliable and secure telecommunication and broadband services across the entire country. The draft NTP-2011 has called for providing by the year 2015, the Broadband on Demand services, which would enable affordable, across-the-country, round-the-clock and highspeed Internet connectivity to the users. The draft NTP has gone to the extent of likening the broadband connectivity to basic necessities like health and education and proposes to work towards a Right to Broadband for every citizen. The draft Policy aims to achieve 175 million broadband connections by the year 2017 and 600 million by the year 2020. It also aims to converge mobile telephony, multimedia and broadcast services, to offer superior experience to customers. The draft NTP contains provisions for inter-circle Mobile Number Portability (MNP), which involves changing an operator while retaining the same phone number in different telecom circles. So telecom users will be able to avail free roaming and keep their phone numbers even if they switch service providers anywhere in the country. According to the draft, the Telecom Ministry is mulling a one nation-one license approach on spectrum for telecom services, with a view to increase availability of spectrum and permit sharing of networks by operators. Hence, the distinction between local and STD calls will vanish and telecom operators would not require separate licenses for operations in various parts of the country and a single license would suffice. The draft policy calls for delinking spectrum in respect of all future licenses and for spectrum to be made available at a price determined through market-related processes. On the exit policy, the draft NTP proposes to frame appropriate guidelines, different from norms for surrender of licenses, to permit the easy exit of unwilling service providers. With a major thrust on the investment climate, the draft
India Test-Fires Nuclear Capable Shourya Missile

Indias hypersonic missile, Shourya, has been successfully test-fired from the Integrated Test Range (ITR) at Chandipur on the Orissa coast. The surface-to-surface missile, Shourya, is the land-variant of Indias K-15 missile which is launched under the water and is being fitted into the Navys nuclearpowered submarine, Arihant. The missile is ten metres long, 74 cm in diameter and weighs 6.2 tonnes. Its two stages use solid propellants. It can travel at a maximum speed of 7.5 Mach, that is, 7.5 times the speed of sound. This is the third flight of Shourya, all of which have been successful and this flight paves the way for its production and induction into the Services. It was designed and developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). It can carry both nuclear and conventional warheads. The missile can be used by both the Navy and the Army because it could perform various roles.
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Prithvi-II Missile Test Fired Successfully

Prithvi-II ballistic missile has been successfully test fired to its full range of 350 km from Launch Complex-III of the ITR, Balasore in Chandipur by personnel of the Strategic Force Command (SFC) as part of a regular training exercise. Prithvi-II is a surface-to-surface, single-staged, liquidpropelled missile equipped with an advanced inertial navigation, control and guidance system and can carry a payload of 5001,000 kg to a distance of 350 km. Prithvi-II, first indigenously developed strategic missile by the DRDO, was inducted into the armed forces. It was flight-tested a number of times as part of regular user trials.
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NTP-2011 proposes to recognise telecom as an infrastructure sector - which would entail tax concessions, so that more investment flows in. Policy also proposes to create a special purpose vehicle - Telecom Finance Corporation- to mobilize and channelize financing for telecom projects in order to facilitate investment in the sector. It also intends to include telecom sector projects within the ambit of financing from existing entities such as India Infrastructure Finance Corporation Limited (IIFCL) and also to rationalise taxes and levies affecting the sector to stimulate investment and make services more affordable.
New Text-to-Speech (TTS) Software for Visually Challenged

Union Minister of State for Communications and IT Sachin Pilot has released a new Text-to-Speech (TTS) software for six Indian languages that will help convert text into human voice. Available in Hindi, Bengali, Marathi, Tamil, Malayalam, and Telugu, the software, to be available free of cost, will help people with visual impairments or reading disabilities to listen to written works on a computer or a mobile device. The TTS system, that is compatible with both Linux and Windows-based systems when integrated with a screen reader, will enable visually-challenged users to interpret and perform computer operations with audio interface. He also released a web version of Optical Character Recognition (OCR) in Devnagari and Gurumukhi. The OCR systems convert paper documents to electronic form so that printed books and records can be accessed and processed using computer-based techniques. The OCR for Indian scripts can make this literature web accessible. Further, one can use OCR electronic data to generate Braille version of printed books, while the OCR will also enable TTS systems deliver Indian language books through the audio medium.
Draft National Policy on Information Technology, 2011

The Union Government has unveiled the draft National Policy on Information Technology 2011 that envisages taking the overall revenue of the sector from $89 billion as of today to $300 billion by 2020, besides creating additional one-crore jobs. Aimed at further consolidating the position of the Indian IT and IT-enabled services (ITeS) sector in the global arena, the draft IT policy has set the target of achieving $200 billion exports target by 2020 against the current level of $59 billion. At present, 80 per cent of the IT sector revenue comes from exports, mainly from North America and Europe. The focus of the Policy is on deployment of ICT in all sectors of the economy and providing IT solutions to the world. It also aims to strengthen and enhance Indias position as the global IT hub and to use IT as an engine for rapid, inclusive and sustainable growth in the national economy. Draft Policy also focuses on gaining a significant global market share in cloud-based technologies and services, and mobile-based value added services. The draft policy will also look into formulating fiscal and other incentives to attract investment in this sector in Tier II and Tier III cities, besides promoting innovation and research and design in cutting-edge technologies and in strategic sectors such as defence, space and atomic energy. Further, the draft policy calls for setting up centres of excellence in institutions of higher learning so as to produce at least 3,000 PhDs in the information and communication technology sector in specialised areas by 2020.
Worlds Cheapest Tablet PC Aakash

Union Human Resources Development Minister Kapil Sibal has unveiled the worlds cheapest tablet PC, Aakash, priced at around Rs 1,200. The tablet PC will be available to students in the country as part of the governments programme to expand education through information technology. Aakash will cost the government Rs 2,276. It will be given to students after subsidising the price by up to 50 per cent. It will cost around Rs 1,100- Rs 1,200 to institutes. An initially order of 1 lakh devices has been placed with device maker Datawind. The tablet has been manufactured by U.K. based Datawind (Hyderabad unit) in collaboration with IIT-Jodhpur. Despite being a leader in software and IT services, India trails fellow BRIC nations Brazil, Russia and China in the drive to get the masses connected to the Internet and mobile phones, a report by risk analysis firm Maplecroft said this year. The number of Internet users grew 15-fold between 2000 and 2010 in India, according to another recent report. Still, just 8 percent of Indians have access. That compares with nearly 40 percent in China. The Aakash is aimed at university students for digital learning via a government platform that distributes electronic books and courses. After first giving them out for free, the government aims to sell them to students for $35 next year. A retail version will be sold in Indian shops for about $60. The device uses resistive LCD displays rather than a full touch screen and connects via wireless broadband. DataWind CEO Suneet Singh said future versions would include a mobile phone connection, making it more useful in rural areas.
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National Frequency Allocation Plan- 2011 (NAFP)

Union Communications and IT Minister Kapil Sibal has unveiled the National Frequency Allocation Plan-2011 (NAFP) that will help in better management of spectrum, besides development and promotion of indigenous manufacturing and technologies in the information and communication technology (ICT) sector. It comes into effect from October 1. The NFAP-2011 contains spectrum allocation for various radio communication services and applications in different frequency bands. It will provide the basis for development, manufacturing and spectrum utilization activities, both for the government and private sectors.
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The launch last week of Amazons Kindle Fire shook up the global tablet market, with its $199 price tag and slick browser a serious threat to Apples iPad. Like the Kindle Fire, the Aakash uses the Google Android operating system. Some 19 million people subscribe to mobile phones every month, making India the worlds fastest growing market, but most are from the wealthier segment of the population in towns.
Tiangong-1, a key first step in its objective of becoming only the third country, after Russia and the United States, to assemble its own space station by 2020. Both the U.S. and Russia launched their space stations more than three decades ago. The unmanned module, launched from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Centre in north-western China, will dock with a spacecraft, Shenzhou-8, after orbiting the earth for about a month. The module was carried by a Long March-2FT1 rocket, a modified version of a rocket that earlier had a failed launch. The 8.5-tonne Tiangong-1, or Heavenly Palace, laboratory module has a 15 cubic metre space where two or three astronauts can work and live. Tiangong-1 would be used to take hyperspectral images of Chinas farmlands to detect heavy metal pollution, residue of pesticides and plant diseases. The launch of the module is a milestone for Chinas rapidly growing home-grown space industry. China has, in recent years, offered its Long March rockets to launch more than 20 satellites for a number of countries. Most recently, China launched Pakistans first communications satellite PAKSAT-1R, last month, seen as marking a deepening in technological ties between the two countries. China has also joined an elite group of nations in launching its own global navigation system, called Compass or Beidou, which will function similar to the American Global Positioning System (GPS), and will be used by both the Chinese military and to develop the telecommunications industry.
NASA Unveils Plan for Launcher Beyond LowEarth Orbit

NASA has unveiled plans for a massive new launcher capable of powering manned space flights well beyond low-Earth orbit and ultimately to Mars. NASA chief Charles Bolden has announced the design for the Space Launch System (SLS). According to the space agency, SLS is considered as the most powerful rocket since the Saturn V rocket put U.S. astronauts on the Moon. It would be more powerful, capable of carrying much larger payloads eventually to Mars. Manufacturing of the launcher will be completed in 2017 with an estimated cost of $35 billion and will fill a gap in U.S. manned flight programme created by the retirement of the last U.S. space shuttle in July after 30 years of service. The new launcher borrows heavily from the earlier space shuttle, as the first stage of the new launcher will use the shuttles cryogenic engine fuelled with a mix of hydrogen and oxygen kept at very low temperatures. The system will be topped with a capsule initially capable of carrying into space payloads of 70 to 100 metric tonnes, and expanded over time to carry up to 130 metric tonnes. The SLS will carry human crews beyond low-Earth orbit in a capsule named the Orion Multi-Purpose Crew Vehicle. The first test launch is scheduled for 2017 followed by manned flights in 2021. NASA could use it for a mission to an asteroid in 2025. NASA has indicated that it expects to send astronauts around Mars before eventually landing on the red planet by 2030.
Astronomers Find Hypergiant Star IRAS 171633907

Astronomers have found a yellow hypergiant star to date IRAS 17163-3907, at a distance of about 13,000 light-years from Earth. According to astronomers the giant star has a diameter about a thousand times bigger than our Sun. It also shines some 500,000 times more brightly than the Sun. The outer shell has a radius of 10,000 times the distance from the Earth to the Sun. The observations of the star and the discovery of its surrounding spherical shells were made using the VISIR infrared camera on the VLT (Very Large Telescope). Eric Lagadec of European Southern Observatory led the team that produced the new images. Yellow hypergiants are in an extremely active phase of their evolution, undergoing a series of explosive events - this star has ejected four times the mass of the Sun in just a few hundred years. The material flung out during these bursts has formed the extensive double shell of the nebula, which is made of dust rich in silicates and mixed with gas. This activity also shows that the star is likely to soon die an explosive death - it will be one of the next supernova explosions in our galaxy.
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NASAs Dead UARS Crashes over the Pacific

The National Aeronautics and Space Administrations (NASA) dead Upper Atmosphere Research Satellite (UARS) fell to the Earth on 24th September, somewhere over the vast Pacific Ocean. The United States Air Forces Joint Space Operations Centre and NASA say that the bus-sized, six-tonne satellite first penetrated the Earths atmosphere somewhere over the Pacific Ocean. That doesnt necessarily mean it all fell into the sea. NASAs calculations had predicted that the former climate research satellite would fall over a 500-mile (800 km) area. The UARS is the biggest NASA spacecraft to crash back to Earth, uncontrolled, since the Skylab space station and the Pegasus 2 satellite, both in 1979. Russias 135-tonne Mir space station slammed through the atmosphere in 2001, but it was a controlled dive into the Pacific.
Worlds Highest Webcam near Mt. Everest in Himalayans

The worlds highest webcam has been installed in the Nepalese Himalayas, beaming live images of Mount Everest to scientists studying the effects of climate change on the planets tallest
Chinas First Space Lab Module Tiangong-1

China has successfully launched its first space laboratory module
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peak. The solar-powered camera - set at 18,618 feet on Kala Patthar, a smaller mountain facing the Everest - will withstand temperatures as low as minus 30 degrees Celsius and operates during the day. The device, developed by German surveillance firm Mobotix, is placed at an altitude more than a kilometer higher than the previous record for a high-altitude webcam set by a 4,389metre-altitude camera at the base camp of Mount Aconcagua in Argentina. Kohl of Ev-K2-CNR, the mountain research group, has installed the camera. The image is updated every five minutes, allowing climatologists to track the movement of the clouds around the mountains summit. The camera, which went live in September, uses a wireless connection to transmit images to the Ev-K2-CNR Pyramid Laboratory, located at an altitude of 5,050 metres. The footage is then analysed by scientists in Italy, who hope to learn more about climate change and global warming using the images in conjunction with the meteorological data gathered from Everest.
second slightly faster than the speed of light along a 730-km trajectory between the European Centre for Nuclear Research (CERN) in Switzerland and a laboratory in Italy. Thats something that according to Einsteins 1905 special theory of relativity the famous E=mc2 equation just doesnt happen. If verified, the results would dismantle a key plank of Einsteins theory of relativity and deeply unsettle our understanding of the physical world. Even researchers who conducted the tests seemed leery of their own findings. Scientists at CERN and the Gran Sasso Laboratory in Italy scrutinized their results for nearly six months before making the announcement. Experts says now there will be an independent verification of these findings. That will happen in two steps. The first will be to evaluate the results and all the supporting data. The next step will be to duplicate the neutrino experiment in another laboratory. But, there are only two facilities currently operational in the world, which are capable of carrying out such tests. One is at the national Fermilab outside Chicago, where the 2007 effort part of a project called MINOS hinted at fasterthan-light speeds but fell within the margin of error. The other site is in Japan, where an international team of physicists last year detected neutrinos that had travelled the width of Honshu Island to the giant Super-Kamiokande underground detector.
New Planet Kepler 16b Discovered

Astronomers using NASAs Kepler planet-hunting spacecraft has announced the discovery of the new planet Kepler 16b. The planet informally referred as Tatooine is orbiting two suns at once. Astronomers say, it is the first planet, that has been definitely shown to be orbiting two stars at once, circling the pair which themselves orbit each other tightly at a distance of some 65 million miles.
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U.S. Closes Major Atom Smasher Tevatron After 25 Years

The Tevatron, a 25-year-old atom smasher in Batavia, Illinois, run by the Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory, was shut down for the last time on 30th September. Tevatrons closure, which marks the end of a quarter-century of U.S. dominance in highenergy particle physics, was attributed to the U.S. Department of Energys decision not to spend the 35 million dollars needed to extend the Tevatrons operation through 2014. Helen Edwards, the lead scientist for the construction of the Tevatron in the 1980s, terminated the final store in the Tevatron, which uses magnets cooled to minus 450 degrees Fahrenheit to push the particles at nearly the speed of light. It has made major contributions to physics, including the discovery of three of the 17 particles thought fundamental to the universe. And in 1995, it achieved its biggest success, finding a subatomic particle called the top quark, the last of six fundamental building blocks of matter to be discovered.
BARC Develops Fuel Automation System for NPlants

Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) has designed and developed the first of its kind advanced automation system for transfer of spent fuel bundles of Pressurised Heavy Water Reactors for nuclear reprocessing plants. Introduction of this automation system for reprocessing plant is aimed at transferring the fuel bundles directly from fuel handling area (FHA) of storage pool to the dissolver cell in an automated way. This contributes in eliminating dependency on skilled man-power and thus reduction of man-rem (radiation dose) consumption by workers. The first automated system for spent fuel nuclear reprocessing plant will be set at Tarapur in Maharashtra soon. The spent fuel bundles from nuclear power reactors (in this case PHWRs) are stored under water at reactor site. After allowing it to cool down for given period, spent fuel bundles from reactor site are transferred to underwater storage facility at the nuclear fuel reprocessing plant site.
Indo-German Max Planck-NCBS Centre for Research on Lipids

Indo-German cooperation in basic sciences reached another milestone with the inauguration of the second Indo-German Max-Planck Centre in India. The Max Planck-NCBS Centre for Research on Lipids will be located at the National Centre for Biological Sciences (NCBS) of the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR) in Bangalore. The centre is a collaborative venture of the Department of
European Scientists Find Particles Travelling Faster than Light

Physicists around the world have expressed astonishment and scepticism in equal measure after European scientists reported particles apparently travelling faster than light. Tiny specks called neutrinos were clocked at 300,006 km per
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Biotechnology (DBT) and the Max-Planck Society and an outcome of the long-standing fruitful collaborative research between the scientists of the NCBS and the Max-Planck Institute of Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics (MPI-CBG), Dresden. At a meeting held in Bangalore on September 22, a formal Memorandum of Understanding, setting out the details of the functioning of the centre, was signed. The Indo-German Max-Planck Centre for Computer Sciences (IMPECS) was established by the Department of Science and technology (DST) and the Max-Planck Society at the IIT-Delhi in February 2010. It was a product of collaborative research between the IIT-Delhi and the Max-Planck Institute for Informatics (MPI-INF), Saarbrucken. Lipids are a broad group of molecules occurring in all living organisms, and about 20,000 per organism have so far been identified. They include fats, waxes, fat-soluble vitamins and fatty acids and their derivatives, including mono-, di-, and tri-glycerides. Lipids constitute one of the main structural components of cell membranes. They also act as important signaling molecules and have a significant role in energy storage. However, the detailed mechanisms of their synthesis and biological functions are still largely unexplored.
enabling factor for encephalitis is poor sanitation in the area, open defecation and the fact that utensils are washed close by, shoddy drainage systems.
India keen to develop exa-computers

India is keen to join the ambitious race to develop new generation of powerful supercomputers and is mulling allocating Rs 6,000 crore for the purpose in the 12th Plan. This is over and above the Rs 5,000 crore allocations proposed in the 12th Plan for development of supercomputers, Minister of State for Science and Technology Ashwani Kumar said. The fastest supercomputer with a computing speed of 2.7 petaflops is said to be in China. A petaflop is 1,000 trillion sustained floating-point operations per second. One exaflop is 1,000 times faster than a petaflop performing 1 million trillion calculations per second.
In a first, Indian scientists sequence neem tree genome

For The first time ever, researchers in India have sequenced the entire genome of neem tree (Azadirachta Indica) in its entirety. A team of ten researchers at Ganit Labs an integrated genomics lab in Bangalore set up earlier this year under a public-private partnership between Institute of Bioinformatics and Applied Biotechnology and Strand Life Sciences, a bioinformatics company has successfully sequenced the genome of the plant known for its medicinal properties. Researchers in the US and elsewhere have sequenced genomes of several complex organisms but neem plant is not one of them. We have traditionally known the medicinal properties of neem, Panda said. Understanding its genetic complexity will help in developing agriculturally important compounds and pharmaceuticals. For instance, pesticidal compound Azadirachtin is found in neem seeds in wildly varying concentrations. With genetic understanding and engineering, Azadirachtin content in neem could potentially be increased and normalised. Translational genomics aside, the study has also thrown up scientifically significant findings. For instance, some of the genetic data suggests similarities with citrus family, which is unexpected given that neem is a woody tree, Panda said, adding that scientists were yet to understand the evolutionary context of neem tree.
Bompu New Species of Frog Found in Arunachal

A new frog species with blue eyes has been discovered in the Eagle Nest Wildlife Sanctuary at Sessa in West Kameng district of Arunachal Pradesh. Dehra Dun-based naturalist Sanjay Sondhi, during a survey conducted as part of the Eagle Nest Biodiversity Project with the support of the State Forest Department discovered the amphibian species early this year. The frog, named Bompu after the locality in the sanctuary where it was found, is native to the forest streams at an altitude of 2,000 metres and lives under leaf litter and rotting logs.
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Acute Encephalitis Syndrome

In parts of eastern Uttar Pradesh, encephalitis is a dreaded serial killer, one that shows up every autumn and takes away hundreds of lives, and stunts others for ever. What was once Gorakhpurs annual affliction also affects areas in Bihar, and now even Delhi. The disease, which causes brain inflammation, is usually labelled acute encephalitis syndrome, for lack of a clear diagnosis in each case. After 2,500 children were killed in 2005 from what was then diagnosed as Japanese encephalitis, a vaccination programme was started. However, the disease continues to visit every year this year, it has killed more than 300 people so far. While Japanese encephalitis is known to spread through mosquitoes it has a clear line of treatment and can be combated with larvicidal sprays and fogs acute encephalitis syndrome is a more diffuse phenomenon. Most cases of encephalitis are caused by viruses, and the transmission channel could vary. Doctors need to pinpoint whether the infection travelled via mosquitoes, human contact or what medical terminology calls the faecal-oral route. Either way, the single
Indias first robotic liver transplant performed

In a first of its kind surgery in India, doctors have performed a robotic liver transplant surgery to save the life of a four-year-old child. The surgery was conducted at Medanta Medicity Hospital in Gurgaon, the capitals suburb in Haryana, last month, doctors said on Thursday. The Da-Vinci robot was used by the doctors on Rahmatullah, 36, who donated 20 per cent of his liver to his nephew Ziad. According to doctors, it is only the third robotic live donor surgery in the world.
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PERSPECTIvES...
Regional Trade Agreements: A Cause of Concern or a Boost to Multilateralism

Recent report on world trade published by WTO has once again brought to the light the Regional Trade Agreements. In past also there have been comprehensive reviews by the WTO, World Bank and OECD. These reports suggest there are now a number of agreed stylized facts on the recent proliferation of regional trade agreements (RTAs). The increase in the number of RTAs has been a cause of concern for the economists which mainly include trade diversion and logistics friction. However, whether such agreements are in general good or bad for economic development or multilateral liberalization is essentially inconclusive. That is perhaps a good thing, since it seems unlikely that much can be done about them. Rapid growth: There has indeed been a very rapid proliferation of RTAs. As per the latest annual report of the WTO Committee on Regional Trade Agreements counts a total of 474 FTAs/RTAs have been notified to the GATT/WTO as on 31st July 2010. Periodic deaths: Regional agreements are not immortal. They do occasionally lapse, especially when countries that formerly had bilateral RTAs with one another enter into a plurilateral RTA. For instance, on 1 May 2004 fully 65 RTAs became defunct as 10 new members joined the European Union. It is therefore important not to judge the scale of the phenomenon simply by counting the number of agreements entered into in the past. Free trade areas mainly: The bulk of regional agreements are free trade areas (FTAs) rather than customs unions or other types of agreements. This appears to be true both on average and at the margin: Of 131 notified agreements in force in February 2005, 109 were intended to be FTAs, while only 11 were or had the goal of becoming customs unions. FTAs presumably are easier to negotiate than customs unions. No agreement on common external tariffs is required, though rules of origin must usually be established. Most agreements are bilateral: More than 75 per cent of all RTAs that had been notified to the WTO and were in force in February 2005 were bilateral agreements, as well as almost 90 per cent of agreements then under negotiation. That there is only one partner presumably makes bilateral agreements easier to negotiate than plurilateral agreements. Though small countries may sometimes prefer safety in numbers bilateral FTAs are, on balance, the path of least resistance. The WTO is implicated: It has been argued that establishment of WTO is the major reason for the growth in RTAs at least in two ways: first, the continuing tariff reductions negotiated in the Uruguay Round will have helped lower the economic costs of preferential trading arrangements. Second, the perceived negotiating logjam coming out of the Uruguay Round may have persuaded many countries to seek alternative means of liberalization. Agreements are not always implemented: Or are implemented more slowly than planned. As a result, many RTAs have more life on paper than in reality. Is non implementation good or bad? If the rapidly growing number of agreements is a concern, concern may need to be downgraded, while if such agreements are thought to be a spur to multilateral liberalization, the spur may in fact be duller than supposed. During the Cold War friendly countries negotiated defence agreements with one another. In the age of globalization it seems only polite to negotiate free-trade agreements. RTAs are not evenly distributed geographically: Only one WTO member, Mongolia, was not party to an RTA. But the agreements are not uniformly distributed around the world. The European Union has many bilateral agreements, as does the United States. There are also concentrations of agreements in Southeast Asia and Africa. The image of a spaghetti bowl has been the dominant metaphor in discussion
60 I. Introduction
There has been proliferation of regional trading arrangements (RTAs) in last few years. For instance, from the 1950s onward, the number of PTAs increased more or less continuously to about 70 in 1990. Thereafter the number of PTAs activity accelerated noticeably. The number of PTAs in force in 2010 was close to 300. All WTO members (with the exception of Mongolia) belong to at least one PTA. This has raise concerns among the economist. The two most obvious are why it is happening and whether it is welfare-improvingthat is, a good thing or not in terms of its effects, via trade and investment, on people lives.
II. Stylized facts

Several very useful examinations of the rapid growth of preferential trade agreements have recently been published by agencies with the wherewithal for a comprehensive approach. As a result of these investigations, several stylized facts have emerged.
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within-area trade increased from 30 per cent to almost 45 per cent of total RTAs exist for many different trade while external trade increased from reasons: The European Union, the seven to 14 per cent of regional GDP. In granddaddy of RTAs, came into being fact, the successful expansion of trade largely as a non-aggression device. among the members of a regional trade Many of the RTAs Europe itself has agreement tends to be associated both since negotiated have helped new with increasing extra-regional imports as a countries prepare for membership, share of GDP and with the growth of world while others have recognized trade. As Crawford and Laird concluded in longstanding historical and/or 2001, the overall numbers do not point to clear evidence of diversion away from colonial ties. imports from nonmembers of RTAs.
of RTAs since Jagdish Bhagwati first introduced it.
exception. Second, when trade diversion is observed, its magnitude is normally relatively small.
Trade Creation vS Trade Diversion

Why is there such a dominance of trade creation? It seems that governments are choosing their partners well. For example, variables that suggest greater gains from a bilateral deal (such as proximity between the members, a similarity in their GDPs and a large difference in their factor endowments) are also sharp predictors of whether the two countries actually have a common RTA. Moreover, when countries form an RTA, their governments not only lower tariffs vis--vis their RTA partners; they also tend to reduce tariffs on imports from countries outside the bloc. Governments liberalise externally because they choose to there is no reciprocity from the non-members. Such external trade liberalisation following an RTA appears especially important in developing countries. The lower external tariffs provide a double blessing. They imply that RTAs are responsible for more trade liberalisation than they mandate amplifying trade creation and for less trade discrimination than might be expected limiting trade diversion.
III Trends in trade data
The simplest measure of the degree of integration within a free trade region is the trend in the share of imports from regional partners in the total imports of a region. In fact, intra- trade in major RTAs shows a substantial increase over the last 20 years. For example, the share of intra-NAFTA imports rose from less than 35 per cent of the three member countries total imports in the late 1980s to almost 50 per cent in 1999. Over the same period, the volume of trade among MERCOSUR members doubled from 10 to 20 per cent. In Africa, intra-trade is not as common but from the 1980s to 2000 the share of internal trade in the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the Southern African Development Community (SADC) grew approximately fourfold, from 2.5 to 11 percent. This suggests at least the possibility of substantial trade diversion. On the other hand, in many cases intraregional trade shares were growing strongly even before the agreements were effective, so the RTA may not be at fault, while in others there have been declines in intra-regional trade. And, in general, rising intra-trade has not crowded out trade with non-members. With the exception of MERCOSUR, all regions that have experienced an increasing share of intra-regional trade in total trade have also seen the ratio of their extra-regional trade to GDP increase. The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) provides an interesting example. From the establishment of the ASEAN Free Trade Area (AFTA) in 1992 through 2000,
Iv Assessing the impact of RTAs

Regional trade agreements imply both trade liberalisation and trade discrimination. While there is a nearconsensus among economists that trade liberalisation is desirable, the same cannot be said of trade discrimination. Such discriminatory trade liberalisation is beneficial when it promotes a shift of resources from inefficient domestic suppliers to more efficient producers within the region, i.e. when there is so-called trade creation. In contrast, a trading bloc is likely to be harmful if it generates a shift of resources from efficient external producers to inefficient producers within the region, i.e. when there is so-called trade diversion. There are theoretical arguments that support the primacy of trade creation and trade diversion under similar circumstances. Thus, which effect dominates is an empirical matter. Unfortunately, estimating trade creation and trade diversion is no easy task it requires knowledge of the counterfactual, i.e. what would have happened to trade if there were no trade agreement. As this is unknown, assumptions must be made. A variety of approaches have been employed. While results inevitably vary depending on the methodology, the time period, the trading bloc in question and the level of aggregation in the data, two general messages arise from the large set of studies investigating trade creation and trade diversion in RTAs around the world: First, trade creation tends to be the norm in RTAs and trade diversion is the
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Why voluntarily lower tariffs?

Given the political pressures, it may seem counterintuitive that governments would voluntarily lower their external tariffs. But it makes sense. Suppose for political reasons the government sets relatively high tariffs, which benefit the domestic import-competing industry. If subsequently the country enters in an RTA, export-oriented firms benefit because of the better access to foreign markets, whereas purely domestic firms suffer from the tougher competition from the RTA partners. This weakens the import-competing firms stance on protection against non-members. The reason is that the free access to the domestic market enjoyed by the partners exporters lowers the market share of the
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domestic industry. As a result, the RTA makes any price increase generated by a higher external tariff less valuable for the domestic industry. Now whenever the government attempts to help domestic producers through higher external tariffs, the partners producers absorb part of that surplus. In other words, the RTA creates leakage in the trade-policy redistributive channel. External protection also becomes more costly, because of the costly trade diversion that accompanies the RTA. As a result, external tariffs tend to fall after the formation of an RTA, both because the economic marginal cost of external protection rises and because the political-economy marginal gain from external protection falls. Empirical research supports this rationale for developing countries. But results for the US and the EU indicate that they are less likely to reduce external tariffs on goods where preferences are offered. But since the tariffs of both the US and the EU are very low to start with, and cannot be raised because of their WTO commitments, there is little room for change anyway.
the rent-holders who lose with RTAs were the ones slowing down multilateral talks, then RTAs can actually provide a boost to multilateral negotiations. As Baldwin (1994) puts it, liberalisation (regional or multilateral) begets more liberalisation. When faced with opposing theoretical results, the solution is typically to scrutinise the divergent predictions empirically. The problem here is that the nature of the question whether regionalism helps or hinders multilateralism does not lend itself easily to testing. Simply put, at any point in time we observe a single realisation of WTO negotiations. Would they have been any faster, or easier, had there been fewer (or more) RTAs? This is a very difficult question. As a result, to date empirical scrutiny has not been able to help us distinguish good (that is, empirically relevant) from bad (empirically inconsequential) theories. What do the Economic models say? A summary results by region. The North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) came into effect in 1994. Leading up to it, several studies examined its likely effects. Although quantitative economic analysis of the potential effects of NAFTA was carried out in different ways and at various levels of aggregation, ranging from industry and sectoral studies to a number of studies using single and multicountry computable general-equilibrium models, there was a remarkable degree of consensus across studies that the effects of NAFTA would be net trade-creating and would benefit all three member countries, with the largest relative gains for Mexico. On the other hand, a number of ex-post studies on NAFTA conclude that, despite larger gross trade flows, implementation of the agreement may not have led to a substantial increase in trade. One reason is that the member countries had already achieved substantial trade liberalization before 1994. In particular, the United States and Canada had concluded their own free trade agreement in 1989, while the U.S. had previously granted Mexico important trade preferences under the Generalized System of Preferences (GSP).
A recent study disputes this conclusion, however. Using a modified version of the gravity model, Tang finds that, after controlling for GDP, per capita income, distance, and exchange rate volatility, coefficients measuring the effects of NAFTA on bilateral trade flows change from negative in 1989-1992 to positive in 1993-2000. As previous studies focused primarily on the early and mid-1990s, it may be that the full effects of NAFTA are only now being felt. A number of recent studies examine whether the implementation of the ASEAN Free Trade Area (AFTA) has contributed to any increase in trade among member countries. Although early results suggested little or no effect a more recent study by Thornton and Goglio concludes that AFTA did facilitate trade, especially during the late 1990s. Employing a modified version of the gravity model, Tang also found that the implementation of AFTA has contributed to the gradual but significant growth of trade among the member countries. The coefficient reflecting the effect of AFTA implementation on the regions intratrade increased strongly from 1.284 in 1989-1992 to 1.826 in 1997-2000. It is interesting to note that the East Asian financial crisis apparently did not result in any appreciable decline in trade among ASEAN countries. Trade among the ASEAN countries may be expected to continue to grow as more of the AFTA provisions become effective. A detailed simulation of the Southern Common Market (MERCOSUR), founded in 1991 by Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay and Paraguay, indicated that it would raise member countries welfare by stimulating their investment, production, and consumption. Although external trade opportunities were to increase, intraregional trade was to grow much faster than the total trade of member countries. Moreover, lowering MERCOSURs common external tariff would allow member countries to benefit substantially more from their trade agreement and would also, not surprisingly, benefit third countries. Ex-post studies are divided,
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v. Are regional trade agreements welcome?

The benign view that trade creation dominates trade diversion does not imply that regional trade agreements are necessarily welcome. Some commentators argue that the reason multilateral negotiations at the WTO are stuck is because RTAs are spreading. One concern is that if officials are busy negotiating bilateral agreements, they will be unable to focus on more evolving multilateral negotiations. Another concern is that RTAs may create interest groups that block further liberalisation initiatives. There are also arguments indicating that the opposite may be true. A simple argument is that negotiating RTAs helps officials develop the expertise to implement international trade agreements, which could be useful at subsequent WTO negotiations. Moreover, RTAs also destroy rents in parts of the economy. If
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however. Soloago and Winters conclude that Latin American countries do trade with each other disproportionately but when gravity variables are taken into account the formation of Latin American RTAs, including MERCOSUR, does not seem to have been accompanied by a larger than expected increase in intra-bloc trade. In a 2001 paper, Cernat concludes that South-South RTAs are not in general more trade-diverting than other RTAs. He does find, however, that trade among MERCOSUR member countries more than doubled between 1994 and 1998, while extra-regional imports fell by more than a third, which suggests an overall trade-diverting effect. Carrillo and Lis gravity-model analysis of bilateral trade flows found that MERCOSURs effect on intra-industrial trade was relatively small compared to the effect of other important variables. Moreover, it has only affected a subset of product classifications. Indeed, after controlling for size and distance effects, the only remaining positive effect is in one capital-intensive sub-category. In sum, the consensus seems to favour a positive, but small impact of MERCOSUR on intra-regional trade. A recent meta-analysis by the World Bank looked at the impact of 19 different RTAs as illuminated by 17 separate research studies that had all used gravitymodel techniques. The average impact on total trade was negative while the average impact on intra-regional trade was positive, which suggests a net tradediverting effect. On the other hand, For both parameters there is a high degree of variance about the mean values. For example, although the average effect on overall trade was negative the effect was actually positive in 44 per cent of cases where results were statistically significant. Similarly, although the average effect on intra-regional trade was positive, in 18 per cent of statistically significant cases it was negative. Results were not entirely random, however. In general, members of regional agreements that have been relatively open to imports have shown higher propensities to export to the global market than would otherwise be expected.
In sum, although results are mixed, the proliferation of RTAs does not yet seem to have created a world trading system dominated by trade diversion. In most agreements intra-regional trade does seem to have grown. On the other hand, it was often growing before preferential agreements were struck. And extra-regional trade has also grown, albeit possibly not as much as it would have without the proliferation of preferential deals.
vI. Why are there so many RTAs?

The answer to this are abound but the problem is to find ways to decide among them. The reasons vary from the failure of the WTO to reach a conclusive agreement on Doha Development Round to the desire of each country to have a greater market share in the world trade (a very important determinant of a countrys influence in international sphere). Besides there are other reasons such as the desire to reduce costs, greater market integration, geo-political reasons among others. For instance, the Canadian case. Though it may or may not be the generalization yet it give some insight into the problem. First, although there are probably many reasons why Canada sought, negotiated and entered the Canada-U.S. Free Trade Agreement (CUSFTA), including reasons having to do with particularities of the politics of the 1980s, a primary goal was anticipated economic efficiency gains from access to the larger U.S. market. Canada sought the deal in the 1980s rather than the 1940s or 1950s because by then multilateral trade liberalization had reduced tariffs to a low enough level that although the gains from free trade were smaller so were the costs of adjustment. By contrast, Canada entered the North American Free Trade Agreement largely for defensive reasons: it did not wish to become a spoke in a hub-andspoke system centred on the United States. Its current serial negotiation of free trade areas is also largely a defensive reaction to the United States decision to negotiate such deals. (Of the nine bilateral deals Canada has negotiated
since 1991, six are with countries that also have agreements with the United States.) It certainly is true that having secured preferential access to what is by far its largest trading partner, Canadas enthusiasm for multilateral negotiations seems to have dimmed. Influential commentators can be found who argue that further multilateral liberalization, though desirable, is not urgent. That probably was not true in the 1950s and 1960s, when liberalization with the U.S. was often secured through the GATT. The lack of enthusiasm for the WTO negotiations is not wholly a result of preferential arrangements with the U.S., however. Nor does it on its own explain the delays in the Doha Round. Problems in the WTO may be as much a cause as a consequence of regionalization. Although slow-moving negotiations do sometimes produce surprising and impressive resultswitness the end of the Uruguay Round and the unexpected emergence of the WTO itselfthey are also a spur to free-lancing. Quite apart from the growth of RTAs, there are perfectly understandable reasons why the WTO may no longer be the principal locus of liberalization. An organization with 80 contracting parties in 1986 had 149 members at the end of 2005. Moreover, these members are very disparate; those with established preferences come with a built-in resistance to liberalization; and their growing numbers have encouraged more assertive participation on their part. It is hardly surprising that an increasingly inclusive institution is an increasingly unwieldy institution. But then neither should it be surprising that the momentum for multilateral free trade should have stalled. Pushing back the extensive margin so dramatically may have calcified the intensive margin.
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vII. Regional trading agreements: Good or bad for India?

In the above given context, it is difficult to arrive at a clear conclusion on Indias stance on RTAs. To do so requires careful consideration of Indias place in the global economy, and the impact of
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Perspectives
potential trade diversion on its domestic industries. Traditionally, India has been a supporter of the multilateral system, but given the slow pace of negotiations and the developmental needs of its economy, it too has recently joined the RTA bandwagon. Outside the South Asian region, Indias interest in trade liberalisation with the economies of East and Southeast Asia has grown. India signed a framework agreement on comprehensive economic co-operation with ASEAN in 2009 and several bilateral trade agreements with East Asian countries, including Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (CECA) with Singapore in 2005 and a free trade agreement with Thailand in 2003. The most recent initiative is the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) with South Korea in 2009, comprehensive economic partnership Agreement with Japan in 2011 and India-Malaysia (CECA), also in 2011. Undoubtedly, these agreements will give a major boost to Indias trade and exports sector. But it is only later that the costly trade diverting effects of these agreements, if any, will come to the fore. Indias increased involvement in RTAs comes despite concerns over the impact of participation on the domestic economy. The latest Economic Survey (2010-11) expressed concern about the trade diverting effects of RTAs on Indias trade. It says that though these FTAs benefit Indias exports, in some cases the benefits of the partner countries are much greater, with net gains of incremental exports from India being small or negative.
Domestic industry in India may also suffer from the inverted duty structure, which makes local products less competitive against imported products. Since import duties are higher in India, its partners stand to gain more from FTAs, which generally aim at leveling or removal of tariffs. The burdens of adjustment might be higher. The mushrooming of RTAs means it is important for India to analyse the extent of trade diversion and its impact on exports in order to develop a position on each initiative. This does not change the fact that India has clearly been a net beneficiary of some of the FTAs that it has signed, such as the India-Sri Lanka FTA and the South Asian Free Trade Agreement (SAFTA). The question of whether India should follow the regional path or the multilateral route also depends on its position in the global economy. Currently, India is a marginal player in the global trade. Its share in global exports is less than 2 per cent. India is also not part of any RTA that has substantial influence on world trade. Most of its RTAs are with emerging countries or the newly industrialised economies of East and Southeast Asia. Since India is not a member of any RTA that has strong influence on world trade, such as NAFTA or EU, it is possible that India will stand to lose from the trade diverting effects of RTAs and new arrangements where it is not involved. The Indian textile sector for instance, has been affected, as the US gives preferential treatment and duty free access to textile products from Mexico under NAFTA. Given the changing international trade environment, India needs to strike the right balance between regionalism and multilateralism. The WTO rules for
RTAs seek to ensure that the rights of third parties are not compromised. But more often than not, it is believed that RTAs create trade diversion against nonmember states. India, as a developing country, is not free from this adverse impact. If negotiated properly, each trade agreement could be a progressive step toward integrating Indias market with the global markets. But the evidence on this remains open.
Conclusion
To the extent that we can measure it, the increasing wave of regionalism has been largely beneficial to the world trading system. Most empirical analyses indicate that trade creation, not trade diversion, is the norm, both because governments choose well when forming RTAs and because they adjust other trade policies to moderate the distortions from discrimination. Although it is possible that regionalism could endanger multilateralism, at the moment we just do not know. Since regionalism has become, and will probably remain, the preferred form of reciprocal liberalisation for most countries no matter what we economists say we should therefore focus on ways to integrate regionalism with multilateralism more effectively.
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References
1. WTO Report 2011 2. Geetanjali Natrajan RTAs: Good or Bad for India in East Asia Forum 3. Caroline Freund and Emanuel Ornelas Regional trade agreements: Blessing or burden?
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Inspirations@IP
INSPIRAtIoNS@IP...
Being the richest man in the cemetery doesnt matter to me Going to bed at night saying weve done something wonderful thats what matters to me. Steve Jobs
Stay Hungry, Stay Foolish
Whole is more than the sum of its parts. Steve Jobs death triggered an immediate outpouring of sympathy, condolences and tributes to the legend. Internet, social networking sites, and the news channels alike-all were flooded with people offering homage and expressing their admiration and respect for the man who revolutionized the technological world with his vision. Many people shared their experiences of working with Jobs, of having known him, of how he influenced their lives etc. I read on one of the social networking sites, a fan had written - All these messages for Jobs perhaps say it all about the Icon (sic). I dont really agree with this fan. Steve was an innovator, an artist, a programmer, a designer, a mentor, a visionary, a leader and much more, much much more. A college dropout and a Buddhist, Jobs started Apple Computer with friend Steve Wozniak in 1976 in his garage. The company soon introduced the Apple 1 computer. Wozniak designed the original Apple I computer simply to show it off to his friends at the Homebrew. It was Jobs who had the inspiration that it could be a commercial product. Apples first year in business consisted of assembling the boards in Steves garage and driving to local computer stores to try and sell them. Meanwhile, Wozniak worked on a new, much improved computer, the Apple II, which he basically finished in 1977. Both Wozniak and Steve knew the Apple II was a breakthrough computer, much more advanced than anything the market had ever seen. The Apple II soon became the symbol of the personal computing revolution worldwide. It crushed all competition both because of its breakthrough hardware features (including its color
graphics) and its very large supply of compatible software. The key to Apple IIs success was actually VisiCalc, the first spreadsheet program ever brought to market. Thousands of people bought Apple II just to use it. As a result, the company grew at a very fast rate, and went public after just four years of existence, in December 1980. Steve Jobs net worth passed the $200 million mark on that day he was only 25. By 1982 however, his company sales sagged in the face of competition from IBMs new PC. Jobs and Wozniak unveiled their new creation, Lisa to increase the companys bottom line, only to be another expensive failure after Apple III.
Steve Jobs life story has many themes of the mythical hero, complete with the fall from grace and a second coming. Occasionally, he was guilty of stunning hubris, but he was not a static tragic figure but one who learned and grew. Thats what makes his story so compelling. At 30, Jobs honeymoon came to an abrupt end. He was fired from the company he co-founded with Steve Wozniak. He left the company after losing a bitter battle over control with Apples CEO John Sculley (whom Jobs had recruited from Pepsi Cola). Jobs later claimed that being fired from Apple was the best thing that could have happened to him; The heaviness of being successful was replaced by the lightness of being a beginner again, less sure about everything. It freed me to enter one of the most creative periods of my life. His commencement address at the Stanford University gave a rare peep into the tech Czars mindRemembering that Ill be dead soon is the most important tool Ive ever encountered to help me make the big choices in life, Because almost everything all external expectations, all pride, all fear of embarrassment or failure these things just fall away in the face of death, leaving only what is truly important. Remembering that you are going to die is the best way I know to avoid the trap of thinking you have something to lose. You are already naked. There is no reason not to follow your heart. After Apple, he launched NeXT computers, which was never successful selling its expensive computers, and he bought a computer animation company from George Lucas, Pixar. Both
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However it was Macintosh that proved to be the defining moment for Apple. Mac surpassed the success of Apple II. It was the first successful PC built around graphic user interface. Mac used icons and a mouse to allow users to point-and-click programs. The GUI was later adopted by Microsoft in its rival Windows. Mac became a fashion statement among graphic artists and students.
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Inspirations@IP
floundered, but after Pixar released Toy Story, the studio never looked back. Jobs decided Pixar would go public the week after the release of Toy Story, cashing in on the media hype surrounding the first computer-generated animation movie of all time. It worked wonders: Toy Storys box-office success was only surpassed by the Pixar stocks success on Wall Street. Steve Jobs, who owned 80% of the company, saw his net worth raise to over $1.5 billion five times the money he had ever made at Apple in the 1980s! In terms of an inspirational leader, Steve Jobs is really the best I have ever met, said former Microsoft Chairman and Chief Architect, Bill Gates in January 1998 when asked to name the CEO he most admired. Hes got a belief in excellence of products. Hes able to communicate that, said Gates. Speaking of Apple, the fruit company was in the midst of his worst year ever. In 1996, Apple bought NeXT, and the second coming of Steve Jobs began. When Steve Jobs rejoined the company in 1997, it was a shadow of its former self and a takeover target. Within eight months of the acquisition, Amelio, CEO of the company was out and Steve Jobs became Apples interim CEO. Steve Jobs quickly gave confidence back to the Apple community. The company launched a revolutionary marketing campaign around a new slogan: Think Different, spreading the idea that people who used Macs were dreamers who could change the world. As the Apple brand grew stronger, the company launched a couple of new successful products, the Power Mac G3 and the PowerBook. Six months after he had come back, Steve Jobs had led the company to profitability. Yet Apples resurgence really came a little later, when Steve introduced a new, amazing consumer desktop computer: iMac. However the greatest momentum for Apple came in 2001 from an unexpected source: the iPod. iPods breakthrough features its beautiful design, its brilliant user interface and click wheel, its
fast FireWire connectivity and its ability to sync with iTunes seamlessly made it a hot seller from the start. In 2007, came Apple iPhone and 2010 saw the launch of Apple iPad. Both products continue to rule in their respective categories. iPhone was arguably the ultimate Apple product. Its beautiful hardware ran no less than Apples full operating system, OS X. Its multi-touch technology, Web surfing and iPod capabilities, easy-to-use interface, and more, made it a smartphone lightyears ahead of its competition, as Steve Jobs said. It shook the phone industry to its core. It comes from saying no to 1,000 things to make sure we dont get on the wrong track or try to do too much.- Steve Jobs. Coming on the scene just as computing began to move beyond the walls of research laboratories and corporations in the 1970s, Mr. Jobs saw that computing was becoming personal that it could do more than crunch numbers and solve scientific and business problems and that it could even be a force for social and economic change. As New York Times wrote- He was offering not just products but a digital lifestyle. Regis McKenna, a Silicon Valley marketing executive to whom Mr. Jobs turned in the 1970s to help shape the Apple brand, said Mr. Jobs genius lay in his ability to simplify complex, highly engineered products, to strip away the excess layers of business, design and innovation until only the simple, elegant reality remained. Steve Jobs was undeniably an extraordinary man by any standard. He
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Steve Jobs
1995 - 2011 Apple has lost a visionary and creative genius, and tghe world has lost an amazine human being. Those of us who have been fortunate enough to know and work with Steve have lost a dear friend and an inspiring mentor. Steve leaves behind a company that only he could have built and his spirit will forever be the foundation of Apple.
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Inspirations@IP
has left his mark on no less than four industries: personal computers with Apple II and Macintosh, music with iPod and iTunes, phone with iPhone, and animation with Pixar. This middle-class, college drop-out who built a computer empire and became a multi-millionaire in a few years, was fired from his own company before coming back a decade later to save it and turn it into one of
the worlds most influential corporations, with millions of fans around the world. It would not be stretching the imagination too far to conclude that it was Jobs himself who took the first bite from his own fruit of technological pleasures, for it has often been said that he built gadgets that he himself wanted to use. Steves life journey, perhaps say it loud enough that when you do something for
your own self, for your own happiness, you come out winner no matter what. Steves brilliance, passion and energy were the source of countless innovations that enrich and improve all of our lives. The world is immeasurably better because of Steve.
Story of Grace
The only survivor of a shipwreck was washed up on a small, uninhabited island. He prayed feverishly for god to rescue him, and everyday he scanned the horizon for help, but none seemed forthcoming. Exhausted, he eventually managed to build a little hut out of driftwood to protect himself from the elements, and to store his few possessions. One day, when he returned after hunting for food, he found his little hut in flames, the smoke rolling up to the sky. The worst had happened. Everything was lost. He was stunned. Filled with grief and anger he shouted: God, how could you do this to me? Early the next day, he woke up to the sound of a ship that was approaching the island. It had come to rescue him. How did you know I was here? asked the weary but grateful man of his rescuers. We saw your smoke signal. they replied. Its easy to get discouraged when things appear to be going badly, but we shouldnt lose heart, because God is at work in our lives, even in the midst of all the pain and suffering. Remember, the next time your little hut is up in flames, it could just be the smoke signal that summons the grace of God. For all the negative things we have to say to ourselves, God has a positive answer for it. Thus all below is strength, and all above is GRACE.
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Women and Climate Change: The Gender Perspective, UN Study, Green Governance and India
The challenge of climate change is unlikely to be gender-neutral, as it increases the risk to the most vulnerable and less empowered social groups. In the formulation of global and national approaches, as well as in the strategic responses to specific sectors, gender awareness, substantive analysis and inclusive engagement will be necessary. (Report of the UN Secretary General titled Overview of United Nation in relation to ClimateChange) There has been a gradual recognition of women as stakeholders in the climate change discourse and their decisive role in any policy framework for green governance. The gender perspective has become important in the analysis of the repercussions of the climate change and it is evident in the studies done by United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women ( also known as UN Women). Some scholars, like the noted Indian economist Bina Agarwal, have also provided insights into the significance of gender in addressing the seminal concerns of sustainable development- deforestation, conservation, etc.1 At a time when polycentric approach (popularised by Elinor Ostrom, 2009 Nobel Laureate in Economics) to the solution of vexed issues is gaining acceptance, it is relevant to take into account the emerging perspectives on how women are bearing the brunt of climate change and how women can find an important place in the response to climate change. Some of the important strands of the gender narrative in the climate change discourse can be identified in: (1) United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) observations and United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) report (2) United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (also known as UN Women) study (3) some recent observations on women and climate change in India 1. Women and Climate Change: United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) observation and United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) report The UNDP has taken serious note of the impact of climate change on women and gender inequality, and it has also advocated the need for incorporating the insights that women can offer on ways of mitigating the effects of climate change. in form of a book Facing a Changing World : Women, Population and Climate.2 The report observed : (a) International climate change agreements and national policies are more likely to succeed in the long run if they take into account population dynamics, family planning, gender relations, reproductive health care, womens well-being and access to services and opportunities as these elements could influence the future course of climate change and affect how humanity adapts to rising seas, worsening storms and severe droughts. (b) Women have the power to mobilize against climate change, but this potential can only be realized through policies empowering women. It also shows the required support that would allow women to fully contribute to the adaptation and mitigation as well as build resilience to climate change. 2. United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (also known as UN Women) It has systematically studied the implications of climate change for women and the ways in which women can play an important role in the efforts to mitigate climate change. A. Implications of Climate Change for Women (a) Women, agriculture, food security and climate change Climate change has serious ramifications in four dimensions of food security: food availability, food accessibility, food utilization and food systems stability. Women farmers currently account for 45-80 per cent of all food production in developing countries depending on the region. About two-thirds of the female labour
Some of its observations are:

(a) Climate change threatens to erode human freedoms and limit choice, and gender inequality intersects with climate risks and vulnerabilities. Women in developing countries have limited access to resources; restricted rights, limited mobility and a muted voice in shaping decisions make them highly vulnerable to climate change. (b) The nature of that vulnerability varies widely, but climate change will magnify existing patterns of inequality, including gender inequality. (c) Women play an important role in supporting households and communities to mitigate and adapt to climate change. Across the developing world, womens leadership in natural resource management is well recognized. For centuries, women have passed on their skills in water management, forest management and the management of biodiversity, among others. Through these experiences, women have acquired valuable knowledge that will allow them to contribute positively to the identification of appropriate adaptation and mitigation techniques, if only they are given the opportunity. In 2009, UNFPA published a report on the issue of women and climate change
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Thinkers Arena
Climate change has significant impacts on fresh water sources, affecting the availability of water used for domestic and productive tasks. The consequences of the increased Related increases in food prices frequency in floods and droughts are make food more inaccessible to poor far reaching, particularly for vulnerable people, in particular to women and groups, including women who are girls whose health has been found responsible for water management to decline more than male health in at the household level. All over the times of food shortages. Furthermore, developing world, women and girls women are often excluded from bear the burden of fetching water for decision-making on access to and the their families and spend significant While climate defines the geographical use of land and resources critical to distribution of infectious diseases, amounts of time daily hauling water their livelihoods. For these reasons, it weather influences the timing and from distant sources. The water from is important that the rights of rural severity of epidemics. Diseases distant sources is rarely enough to women are ensured in regards to food transmitted by mosquitoes, for example, meet the needs of the household security, non-discriminatory access to are particularly sensitive to variations and is often contaminated, such that resources, and equitable participation in climate. Warmth accelerates the women and girls also pay the heaviest in decision-making processes. biting rate of mosquitoes and speeds price for poor sanitation. up the maturation process of the (b) Women, gender equality, biodiversity Arsenic exposure also manifests itself parasites they carry. Sub-Saharan and Climate Change in the form of skin lesions that usually Africa is already home to the most In the rural areas of Africa and Asia, have negative social repercussions efficient mosquito species and to the 69 women and men are highly dependent for arsenic-poisoning (arsenicosis) most severe forms of malaria. Rising on biomass, such as wood, agricultural victimsthe situation is particularly temperatures are likely to accelerate crops, wastes and forest resources for worse for women who can be shunned, the lifecycle of the malaria parasite their energy and livelihoods.However, in excluded, and stigmatised, based and to spread malaria to new areas. the face of climate change, the ability on physical appearance this also Furthermore, floodsincreasing of women and men to obtain these impacts the ability of single women consistently with climate changemay indispensable resources is reduced. to get married, and in many cases also increase the prevalence of waterunmarried women are more vulnerable In poor communities in most related diseases, especially water and to poverty and social exclusion. developing countries, women and vector-borne diseases, which affect girls are responsible for collecting Given the changing climate, millions of poor people each year. In traditional fuels, a physically draining inadequate access to water and poor addition, an increase in prevalence of task that can take from 2 to 20 or water quality does not only affect diseases will likely aggravate womens more hours per week. As a result, women, their responsibilities as care-giving of family and community women have less time to fulfil their primary givers, and the health of their members who are ill. These diseases domestic responsibilities, earn money, families, it also impacts agricultural include malaria, onchocerciasis, engage in politics or other public production and the care of livestock; schistosomiasis and diarrheoa. activities, learn to read or acquire and increases the overall amount of (e) Women, gender equality and changes other skills, or simply rest. Girls are labour that is expended to collect, in human settlements and migration sometimes kept home from school to store, protect and distribute water. patterns due to environmental help gather fuel, perpetuating the degradation cycle of disempowerment. Moreover, (d) Women, gender equality, health and climate change when environmental degradation Climate change adds a new complexity forces them to search farther afield for In terms of health, some potential to the areas of human mobility resources, women and girls become climate change scenarios include: and settlement by exacerbating more vulnerable to injuries from increased morbidity and mortality due environmental degradation. The carrying heavy loads long distances, to heat waves, floods, storms, fires gradual process of environmental and also face increased risk of sexual and droughts. The risk of contracting deterioration is likely to increase
force in developing countries, and more than 90 percent in many African countries, are engaged in agricultural work. In the context of climate change, traditional food sources become more unpredictable and scarce.Women face loss of income as well as harvestsoften their sole sources of food and income.
harassment and assault. (c) Women, gender equality, water resources and climate change
serious illnesses is aggravated by environmental hazards caused by climate change. In addition to the reference provided above of climate impacting womens health through water scarcity and water contamination, an abundance of evidence links the evolution and distribution of infectious diseases to climate and weather. This entails a greater incidence of infectious diseases such as cholera, malaria, and dengue fever, due to the extension of risk seasons and wider geographic distribution of disease vectors.
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the flows of both internal and crossborder human migration over the next decades. Increased human migration entails that a greater number of people are being displaced due to severe coastal weather events, the erosion of shorelines, coastal flooding, droughts and agricultural disruption. For example, Cyclone Nargis that struck the Irrawaddy Delta region in Myanmar in May 2008 severely affected 2.4 million people and led to the displacement of 800,000 people. Desertification distressing the dryland regions of Mexico leads 600,000 to 700,000 people to migrate from these areas annually. The migratory consequences of environmental factors result in higher death rates for women in least developed countries, as a direct link to their socioeconomic status, to behavioural restrictions and poor access to information. While migration is a survival response to climate change, frequent human resettlement further exacerbates the loss of biodiversity and ecosystems. This is the case given that migration entails vast changes in land-use, the physical modification of rivers or water withdrawal from rivers, the loss of coral reefs, and damage to sea flows, among other things. B. Identifying the Role of Women in Mitigation of the effects of Climate Change (a) Women, gender equality, energy and climate change Energy is a particularly critical area and renewable energy is often cited as a key climate change mitigation technology.In many developing countries, especially in the poorest areas, most energy currently comes from traditional biomass fuels such as wood, charcoal and agricultural wastes and collecting and managing these fuels is strictly the business of women. It follows that the lack of recognition of the role of women in the energy sector, leads to genderblind (this is to say that gender is not taken into consideration) energy policies that fail to address some of the most pressing factors affecting the capacity of developing countries to adapt and mitigate climate change.
Linkages between energy supplies, gender roles and climate change are strongest in countries with low availability of basic electricity and modern fuels, as well as high dependence on biomass fuels for cooking, heating and lighting and close to two billion people in the developing world use traditional biomass fuels as their primary source of energy. In these countries, cultural traditions make women responsible for gathering fuel and providing food, even when this involves long hours performing heavy physical labour or Women should be given greater involvement so that energy supplies can be managed more effectively and productively in the face of climate change, but also so that the dependence on biomass fuels can be quelled, raising communities out of extreme poverty. (b) Women, gender equality and technology in adaptation responses to climate change Technology is never gender-neutral and when coupled with the negative effects of the changing climate, it is even less gender-sensitive. In many developing countries, the access of girls and women to information and communication technology is constrained by: social and cultural bias, inadequate technological infrastructure in rural areas, womens lower educations levels (especially in the fields of science and technology) and the fear of or lack of interest in technology, and womens lack of disposable income to purchase technology services. Since the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) positioned clean technologies at the centre of global responses to climate change, technology has become increasingly relevant in adapting to and mitigating climate change. At the same time, a number of UN mechanisms and frameworks have started to address climate change and technology. Furthermore, the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) which emerged from the Kyoto Protocol enables
industrialised countries to invest in projects that reduce emissions in developing countries as an alternative to more expensive emission reductions in their own countries. The problem however, is that to date, gender equality is given minimal attention and the degree of difference in the impact of climate change on women and men has been overlooked. It is important to point out that equal inclusion of women and men in all aspects of climate change projects, including technology, pays off; this is especially true in the case of technologies aimed at tasks most frequently performed by women. In order to be effective, adaptation and mitigation technologies need to reach those who are most in need the poor and vulnerable. This means that targeted efforts must ensure firstly that it is understood that the situation of women may differ from that of men, secondly that technologies are designed in such a way as to be relevant to their circumstances and thirdly to ensure that they are given full access to knowledge, information and technologies related to adaptation (c)Women, gender equality and financing of mitigation, adaptation and technology in relation to climate change Dealing successfully with the challenge of risk management, disaster preparedness and climate change-induced-weather challenges require resources beyond those that are available to meet the day-to-day needs of individuals and households. Empowering and investing in women are key to combating the effects of desertification and paving the way for poverty alleviation in the worlds least developed countries. Under the current climate change finance regime, women do not have sufficient access to funds aimed at covering weather-related losses, nor do they have funds to service adaptation and mitigation technologies. (d) Women, gender equality emergency measures during natural disasters
INDIA PREPARES
Thinkers Arena
At the most basic level, mortality rates for women and men are often different in natural disasters. A 2006 study of 141 natural disasters by the London School of Economics found that when economic and social rights are fulfilled for both sexes, the same number of women and men die in disasters. At the same time, when women do not enjoy economic and social rights equal to men, more women than men die in disasters. This gender discrepancy has come to light in a range of major disasters, including the Asian Tsunami; Hurricane Mitch, Hurricane Katrina, and other storms in the Americas; European heat waves; and cyclones in South Asia, etc. In some cases, such as in Central America, more men than women have died in natural disasters as they placed themselves at risk while helping their families.The vulnerability of women to disasters is increased for a number of reasons. Post-disaster, women are usually at higher risk of being placed in unsafe, overcrowded shelters, due to lack of assets, such as savings, property or land. In the context of cyclones, floods, and other disasters that require mobility, cultural constraints on womens movements may hinder their timely escape, access to shelter or access to health care. Exacerbating this effect, women often avoid using shelters out of fear of domestic and sexual violence, and become even less mobile as primary family care-givers. Poor women and those in countries of higher gender inequality appear to beat the highest risk: a direct correlation has been observed between womens status in society and their likelihood of receiving adequate health care in times of disaster and environmental stress. The UN has identified environmental degradation as a key threat to human security. All post-conflict countries face serious environmental issues that could undermine the peace building processes, if left unaddressed, and specifically affect women who are faced by a combination of hardships. It is thus important to identify
gender-sensitive strategies for responding to human security needs and environmental and humanitarian crises caused by climate change. These efforts should focus on: reducing womens vulnerability, in tandem with mens susceptibilities; promoting gender sensitive emergency responses; and enlisting women as key environmental actors in natural disaster management decision-making processes, alongside men, tapping on womens skills, resourcefulness and in leadership and adaptation efforts. (e) Biodiversity, Indigenous Women and Climate Change Biodiversity also comes in the form of the wealth of knowledge on the environment that indigenous people and communities possess. Indigenous knowledge comprises: an understanding of wild ancestors of food, medicinal plants and domestic animals; symbiotic relations with ecosystems; an awareness of the structure of ecosystems and the functionality of specific species; as well as the geographic ranges of said species. In order to further preserve biodiversity and limit its degradation, indigenous people can and should play a leading role in the global response to climate change. This should be particularly emphasised with regards to indigenous women who play a vital role as stewards of natural resources. A greater inclusion of indigenous communities and indigenous women further validates the significance of their knowledge. 3. Some recent observations on Women and Climate Change in India The gender perspective of climate change in India has generally been viewed in the larger context of the impact of climate change on women in the third world countries. However, some scholars have analysed the issue with reference to India. Bina Agarwal, the economist who has studied gender and green governance ( particularly community forestry in India and Nepal ), observes: (a) Climate change is likely to adversely affect the poor in many ways, including threatening their livelihoods, food security, water supplies, and health. Women in poor households are especially vulnerable on all these counts,
with few resources for adaptation. Here womens livelihoods could be markedly threatened, since they are much more dependent on agriculture than men, who have shifted in larger proportions to nonfarm jobs.(b)In India, women often eat last and least, and their nutrition and that of breast-fed children could be affected severely under food scarcity. Such concerns about a large section of Indian women being the first and most severely hit, in possible cases of climate change induced food scarcity, are rooted in the grim situation of female nutrition in poor households of India. Harsh Mander, Special Commissioner appointed by the Supreme Court of India to advise it in the Right to Food case on hunger and state responsibility, has remarked in his report on malnutrition: (a) Women of every age have disproportionately higher rates of malnutrition than men. In India, 2 out of 3 women are anaemic. (b) Economists acknowledge a phenomenon of what is described as feminisation of poverty, i.e., poverty among women is rising faster than poverty among men. Emphasising the importance of gender for green governance in India, Bina 71 Agarwal argues: Given their differential dependence on ecosystems, men and women often have divergent interests and preferences in a resource and bring different skills and knowledge to green governance. Hence, when economists assess the costs of environmental degradation or climate change, or peoples willingness to pay for conservation, or design policies for reviving biodiversity, they are likely to get quite different results depending on whether they focus on men or women.3 References: 1. Bina Agarwal, Gender and Green Governance: The Political Economy of Womens Presence Within and Beyond Community Forestry, Oxford University Press, US, 2010 2. United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), State of World Population 2009 :Facing a Changing World: Women, Population and Climate, UNFPA, 2009 3. Tania Barnes and Katie Bakers interview with Bina Agrawal, Newsweek, International edition, 20 December , 2010
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Mosaic
GAYAKI INDIAN VOCAL MUSIC

VOCAL MUSIC
The music of India is said to be one of the oldest unbroken musical traditions in the world. The origins of Indian classical music can be found in the Vedas, which are the oldest scriptures in the Hindu tradition. Indian classical music has also been significantly influenced by, or syncretised with, Indian folk music and Persian music. The Samaveda, one of the four Vedas, describes music at length. The Samaveda was derived from the Rigveda so that its hymns could be sung as Samagana; this style evolved into jatis and eventually into ragas. Bharats Natyashastra was the first treatise laying down fundamental principles of dance, music, and drama. Indian classical music is both elaborate and expressive. Like Western classical music, it divides the octave into 12 semitones of which the 7 basic notes are, in ascending tonal order, Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Dha Ni Sa for Hindustani music and Sa Ri Ga Ma Pa Dha Ni Sa for Carnatic music, similar to Western musics Do Re Mi Fa Sol La Ti Do. However, unlike western classical music, that is deterministic, Indian classical music allows for a much greater degree of personalization of the performance, almost to the level of jazz-like improvisation. Thus, each performance of a raga is different. The goal of the raga is to create a trance state, to broadcast a mood of ecstasy. The main difference with western classical music is that the Indian ragas are not composed by a composer, but were created via a lengthy evolutionary process over the centuries. Thus they do not represent mind of the composer but a universal idea of the world. They transmit not personal but impersonal emotion. Indian classical music is monophonic in nature and based around a single melody line, which is played over a fixed drone. The performance is based melodically on particular ragas and rhythmically on talas. The basis for Indian music is sangeet. Sangeet is a combination of three art forms: vocal music, instrumental music and dance. Although these three art forms were originally derived from the single field of stagecraft, today these three forms have differentiated into complex and highly refined individual arts. The present system of Indian music is based upon two important pillars: rag and tal. Rag is the melodic form while tal is the rhythmic. Rag may be roughly equated with the Western term mode or scale. There is a system of seven notes which are arranged in a means not unlike Western scales. However when we look closely we see that it is quite different what we are familiar with. The tal (rhythmic forms) are also very complex. Many common rhythmic patterns exist. They revolve around repeating patterns of beats. The interpretation of the rag and the tal is not the same all over India. Today there are two major traditions of classical music. There is the north Indian and the south Indian tradition. The North Indian tradition is known as Hindustani sangeet and the South Indian is called Carnatic sangeet. Both systems are fundamentally similar but differ in nomenclature and performance practice. Many musical instruments are peculiar to India. The most famous are the sitar and tabla. However there are many more that the average person may not be familiar with. All of this makes up the complex and exciting field of Indian classical music. Its understanding easily consumes an entire lifetime. Many musical instruments are peculiar to India. The most famous are the sitar and tabla. However there are many more that the average person may not be familiar with. All of this makes up the complex and exciting field of Indian classical music. Its understanding easily consumes an entire lifetime. The rag is the most important concept that any student of Indian music should understand. The Hindi/Urdu word rag is derived from the Sanskrit raga which means colour, or passion. It is linked to the Sanskrit word ranj which means to colour. Therefore rag may be thought of as an acoustic method of colouring the mind of the listener with an emotion. This is fine as a general concept but what is it musically? It is not a tune, melody, scale, mode, or any concept for which an English word exists. It is instead a combination of different characteristics. It is these characteristics which define the rag.
Hindustani classical music

Hindustani music is mainly found in North India. Khyal and dhrupad are its two main forms, but there are several other classical and semi-classical forms. There is a significant amount of Persian influence in Hindustani music in terms of the instruments, style of presentation, and ragas such as Hijaz Bhairav, Bhairavi, Bahar, and Yaman. Also, as is the case with Carnatic music, Hindustani music has assimilated various folk tunes. For example, ragas such as Kafi and Jaijaiwanti, are based on folk tunes. Players of the tabla, a type of drum, usually keep the rhythm, an indicator of time in Hindustani music. Another common instrument is the stringed tanpura, which is played at a steady tone (a drone) throughout the performance of the raga. Emotions are the prime themes of the different ragas in Hindustani classical music. Most of the classical songs of north India are devotional in nature, but there are a few genre which are especially oriented toward religion. Most notable is the bhajan, dhun or kirtan for Hindus, the kawali (qawali) for Muslims, and the shabad for Sikhs.
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Not all the music is serious, for there are also many popular genres. The gazal is one style which is known for it rich poetic, and romantic content. the Hindi geet is basically just a song. Undoubtedly, the most popular is the film song. There are also a few genres which are oriented specifically toward musical education. The most notable example is the lakshan geet. In this style the words of the song actually describe the rag which is being performed. Another genre which is used for pedagogic purposes is the swarmalika. This style uses the sargam of the piece instead of words.
Nauca Charitam, and of Muthuswami Dikshitar, who died in 1835 after composing the Kamalamba Navavarnams and the Navagraha krithis.
Wali are notable in their patronage and contributions. Northern India began to embrace Urdu as a poetic language only in about the 19th century. The process of converting this poetic form into a musical form was a slow one. In the 18th and 19th centuries, the ghazal became associated the courtesan. The courtesans, known as tawaif, were considered the mavens of art, literature, dance, music, etiquette, and in short, all of the high culture. They were widely acclaimed for their musical abilities and did not hesitate to demonstrate these abilities when they performed the ghazal. The decline in the feudal society at the end of the 19th and early 20th century brought with it a decline in the tawaif tradition. This change in culture also saw a change in the performance of ghazal. It continued to build upon its musical component, and began to be heard more and more in the concert hall. The musical form of the ghazal is variable. The older more traditional ghazals were very similar to other Hindustani light classical forms such as the dadra or, thumri. One often finds forms that are similar to qawwali. They are typically in a variety of light classical rags. However today, the ghazal usually has a form which is not too dissimilar to many film songs. Such forms are usually decried by the purists because they usually display a bastardisation of the lyrics and a careless disregard of the forms. The rhythmic forms (tal) of the modern ghazal are invariably of the lighter forms. One typically find srupak (7 beats), dadra (6 beats) and kaherava 8 beats being used to the near exclusion of everything else.
GHAZAL Popular vocal music

It is said that we must turn to Arabia to find the origins of the ghazal. The word ghazal is an Arabic word that literally means a discourse or more correctly a talk to women. There was an Arabic form of poetry called qasida which came to Iran in about the 10th century. It dealt with the themes of the greatness of kings. The qasida was at times unmanageably long. It was often 100 couplets or more. Therefore, a portion of the qasida, known as the tashib was detached and this became the ghazal. The ghazal soon became the most popular form of poetry in Iran. Ghazals introduction into India from the 12th century, was part of an ongoing revolution in North Indian society. Persian culture became a great inspiration for India. The ghazal, along with many other cultural desiderata, were imported into India from the 12th to the 18th centuries. These forms were given a local colour by many Indian artists such as Amir Khusru, and continued to enjoy widespread popularity among Indian Muslims for many centuries. Although the ghazal was introduced first in the north, the south is responsible for its Urdu character. The North Indian principalities were very much oriented toward Persian, but it was in the south that Urdu was beginning to be used for literary purposes. It was in the courts of Golkonda, and Bijapur that this revolution occurred. Such leaders as, Nusrati, Wajhi, Hashmi, Mohammad Quli Qutab Shah, and
Ghazal Maestro Jagjit Singh
Carnatic Music
Carnatic music, from South India, tends to be significantly more structured than Hindustani music. Examples of this are the logical classification of ragas into melakarthas, and the use of fixed compositions similar to Western classical music. Carnatic raga elaborations are generally much faster in tempo and shorter than their equivalents in Hindustani music. Carnatic music is mostly vocal and devotional in nature, and played with different instruments than Hindustani music (such as the mridangam drum, the ghatam clay pot, the vina sitar as opposed to sitar, sarod, tambura and tabla). The fundamental format of Carnatic songs is the kriti, which are usually set in the style of a raga (the raga serves as the melodic foundation). The golden age of Carnatic music was the age of Syama Sastri, who died in 1827, of Tyagaraja, who died in 1847 and who composed the Pancharatna Krithis as well as two operas, Prahalada Bhakti Vijayam and
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Credited with popularising the ghazal genre and making it accessible to the masses, renowned ghazal singer Jagjit Singh died in Mumbai in the early hours of 10th October. He was a singer, composer, music director, activist and entrepreneur. Known as The Ghazal King, he gained acclaim together with his wife, another renowned Indian Ghazal singer Chitra Singh in 1970s and 80s as the first successful husband-wife duo act in the history of recorded Indian music. Together, they are considered to be the pioneers of modern Ghazal singing and regarded as most successful recording artistes outside the realm of Indian film music. Singh is credited for the revival and popularity of ghazal, an Indian classical art form, by simplifying the complex form of ghazals into a simpler form of ghazals by amalgamating ghazal and geet. His music became popular in mass media through films such as Prem Geet (1981),Arth and Saath Saath (1982), and TV serials Mirza Ghalib (1988) and Kahkashan (1991).
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Together with sitar legend Ravi Shankar and other leading figures of Indian classical music and literature, Singh voiced his concerns over politicisation of arts and culture in India and lack of support experienced by the practitioners of Indias traditional art forms, particularly folk artists and musicians. He also lent active support to several philanthropic endeavors such as the library at St. Marys School, Mumbai, Bombay Hospital, CRY, Save the Children and ALMA His association with music goes back to his childhood. He learnt music under Pandit Shaganlal Sharma, for two years in Ganganagar, and later devoted six years to learning Khayal, Thumri and Dhrupad forms of Indian Classical Music from Ustad Jamaal Khan of the SainiaGharana school , a distant relative of Mehndi Hasan. During 1970s, the art of ghazal singing was dominated by well-established names like Noor Jehan, Malika Pukhraj, Begum Akhtar, Talat Mahmood and Mehdi Hassan. However, Singh was able to make his mark and carve out a niche for himself. In 1976, his album The Unforgetables (On HMV LP Records) hit music stores. Essentially a ghazal album, its emphasis on melody and Jagjits fresh voice was a departure from the prevalent style of ghazal rendition, which was heavily based on classical and semi-classical Indian music. Besides ghazals, Jagjit Singh has also sung bhajans and Gurbani (Hindu and Sikh devotional hymns respectively). Albums such as Maa, Hare Krishna, Hey Ram...Hey Ram, Ichhabal and also Man Jeetai Jagjeet in Punjabi, put him in the league of Bhajan singers such as Mukesh, Hari Om Sharan, Yesudas, Anup Jalota. Jagjit Singhs contribution in promulgating punjabi language and its poetry through singing its traditional folks, such as tappe and countryside songs, was extremely important and these songs were made extremely popular in both East and West Punjab.
Experts advice on interview The Kothari Committee of the UPSC, has listed the qualities that should be rated in the interview as, clarity of expression, grasp of narrative and argument, reasoning ability, appreciation of different points of view, awareness and concern for socio-economic problems, ranges and depth of interests and personal attributes relevant to interaction with people. The Interview for the civil services examination also known as the Personality Test is exactly that. It is aimed at assessing the candidates personality, whether he is suitable to be a competent administrator or not. The candidate is tested not only for his/her intelligence but also for his/her overall personality development, his/her attentiveness, balance of judgement and qualities of honesty, integrity and leadership. Therefore preparation for the Interview requires proper planning.
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Preparation for the Interview is a continuous process. This involves a wide reading of books, journals, magazines and at least two newspapers. One should try to improve his/her conversational skills with the right pronunciation. The candidate should be prepared to answer questions on his background, hobbies and extracurricular activities. It is a good idea to discuss current affairs and recent issues with friends. One good way of rehearsing possible questions would be to have mock interviews and discussion groups. The candidate should make a self analysis of his strengths and weaknesses and make a conscious effort to play on his strengths. Some useful tips for a successful interview at UPSC are: To have a positive body language To have a good personal turnout and ensuring the right posture To answer questions clearly and confidently Try to remain calm and composed even when faced with provocative questions Try not getting into long winded explanations and answer to the point. Things To Be Avoided at the UPSC Interview Avoid the expression, I am sorry. Avoid conversational cliches, like: as you know, thats correct, of course, indeed, obviously, etc. Avoid technical jargon. However, if a member continues to probe you in any technical field, you can use technical expressions. Maintain a cheerful disposition. Now and then you can appear serious; but most of the time keep smiling or look cheerful and composed. One caution here: if the board laughs, you should only smile. It is only when you maintain some amount of distance that the board begins to wonder about the depth of your personality. Do not give long introductions. Come straight to the heart of the matter. Show human concern whenever possible in your answers. You should be logically consistent and analyse things rationally while talking. You are supposed to defend what you say, but with due respect to the views of the board. Stop trying to defend an answer if it becomes difficult to do so logically and fairly. Do not make hasty or sweeping generalisations.
INDIA PREPARES
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SPORTS
CRICKET
Mansur Ali Khan Pataudi: Mansur Ali Khan Pataudi, one of Indias greatest cricket captains ever, has passed away after battling a lung infection for the last few months. He was 70. He was known as Tiger in the cricket fraternity. Pataudi was given leadership of the Test team in his fourth Test, when he was only 21, in Barbados in 1962, because the captain Nari Contractor was in hospital after getting hit on the head by Charlie Griffith. He was the youngest Test captain, a record that stood until 2004. He led India in 40 Tests. Under Pataudis captaincy, India won nine Tests. India achieved its first overseas Test victory under him, against New Zealand in Dunedin in 1968. India then went on to record its first overseas series win by beating New Zealand 31. He scored 2,793 runs in 46 Tests at an average of just under 35 and made six centuries, the biggest of which was an unbeaten 203 against England in Delhi in 1964. Pataudi retired in 1975 after West Indies tour of India. After retirement, Pataudi served as a match referee between 1993 and 1996, officiating in two Tests and ten ODIs. Since 2007, bilateral Test series between India and England have been contested for the Pataudi Trophy, named after his family for their contribution to Anglo-Indian cricket. Narayanaswami Srinivasan: Narayanaswami Srinivasan has been appointed as the new President of the BCCI. He took over from Shashank Manohar. Srinivasan is the ManagingDirector of the India Cements Limited and owner of the Chennai Super Kings IPL cricket team. He was the treasurer of the Board under Sharad Pawars presidentship. Geoff Marsh: Sri Lanka has appointed former Australian batsman Geoff Marsh as its national cricket team coach. Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) said in a statement that Marsh had been offered a twoyear contract starting from September 27. The 52-year-old has played 50 Tests and 119 ODIs for Australia and coached the Australian and Zimbabwe teams. He has also been a selector for Australia. Sri Lanka has been without a permanent coach since the World Cup when Trevor Bayliss quit. Rahul Dravid: Rahul Sharad Dravid has retired from ODI and T20 format of the game. Dravid Played his last ODI innings against England at Sophia Gardens, Cardiff on 16 Semptember 2011. He scored 69 runs from 79 balls before eventually being bowled by Graeme Swann. It was his 344th ODI match in 15-year-old career, who debuted his ODI career in 1996 against Sri Lanka in the Singer Cup in Singapore. The 38-year-old cricketer nicknamed The Wall had announced his retirement from ODI and T20 on August 7, 2011 after getting a surprise call to play in ODI series against England. In his ODI career he scored 10,889 runs in 344 matches with 12 hundreds and 82 fifties. In addition he has taken 196 catches and made 14 stumpings. He is seventh highest ODI scorer overall and the third Indian (after Sachin Tendulkar and Sourav Ganguly), to score 10,000 runs in ODI cricket in cricketing history. He had the distinction of playing his last international match on his debut match in a T20. In the only international T20I match he had played, he scored 31(off 21 balls) vs England at Old Trafford on 31 Aug 2011. Tim Nielsen: The Australian cricket team national coach Tim Nielsen has decided to step down rather than reapply for his job. He announced his decision, soon after the team posted a 1-0 Test series win over Sri Lanka in Colombo. Nielsen, 43, who held the job for four years, would have had to re-apply for the expanded role of head coach. Decision Review System not Mandatory: ICC: The International Cricket Council (ICC) has reversed its earlier decision of making the Decision Review System (DRS) mandatory by leaving its use subject to bilateral agreements between the participating boards. The ICC decision, reached at its Executive Board meeting, was a reversal from the agreement reached between the world body and its member Boards at the annual conference in Hong Kong, when Hot Spot was made mandatory subject to its availability, though the use of ball-tracking was left to the playing boards to decide. The ICC said that it will revert to its previous pre-June position to allow the participating nations to decide bilaterally whether they wished to use the DRS or not. It is a major boost for the BCCI which was opposed to DRS, as it felt the technology was not reliable enough. The Executive Board, however, confirmed that DRS would be used in all ICC global events.
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HOCKEY
Mukesh Kumar: Three-time Olympian and Padma Shri Mukesh Kumar has been appointed by Hockey India as coach of the senior mens hockey team. He will work under chief coach Michael Nobbs of Australia. Mukesh, 41, created a controversy earlier this month when
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he left the national camp in Sports Authority of India, Bangalore a few hours after his arrival in protest after being denied the chief coach post of the junior team. Mukesh represented India in three consecutive Olympics starting from 1992 Barcelona Games, where it finished seventh. He made 307 international appearances for India and scored 80 goals. Bharat Chetri: Hockey player Bharat Chetri has been named captain of the 22-member Indian Hockey team which will play in a four-nation international super series followed by a three nation-tournament involving Australia and Pakistan. This is the first time that 27-year-old Chetri, with 114 International caps will lead the country. Bans Lifted on Sandeep, Sardara: Hockey India has revoked the twoyear ban it had imposed on Sandeep Singh and Sardara Singh for their act of indiscipline. The two had walked out of the Indian team on the eve of its departure for China to participate in the Asian Champions Trophy, which India eventually won. The two had left the camp without the permission of chief coach Michael Nobbs. Hockey India had announced the decision to ban them on August 28. However, the Appeals Committee decided to grant a reprieve to the players who had tendered an unconditional apology in writing on the grounds that they were not completely at fault in the episode. The committee kept in consideration the age, previous performances at the top level and the potential of the two players.
Dilip Bose lifetime achievement award by the All India Tennis Association. With 32 years experience in the field of tennis coaching, Kawaljeet had helped numerous players realise their potential, during his stints in Assam, Delhi and Chandigarh. Dilip Bose award was instituted by AITA in 2002. Akhtar Ali, Nandan Bal, Krishna Bhupathi, T. Chandrasekaran, Enrico Piperno and Aditya Sachdeva, were the awardees. Challenger Tennis Tournament: The unseeded Karan Rastogi and Divij Sharan have defeated Jan Hernych of the Czech Republic and Jurgen Zopp of Estonia 3-6, 7-6(3), 13-11 in the doubles final of the $35,000 Challenger Tennis Tournament in Ningbo, China. ITF mens Futures Tennis Tournament: Sanam Singh, partnering Alexandre Lacroix of France, has defeated Vladimir Obradovic of Serbia and P.C. Vignesh of India 6-3, 6-1 in the doubles final of the $10,000 ITF mens Futures tennis tournament at Claremont, California. The doubles title was a consolation victory for her as she had lost in the single prequarterfinals. India-Japan Davis Cup World Group play-off: India has been relegated to the Davis Cup Asia-Oceania Zone Group I after losing the World Group play-off tie 1-4 to Japan. Japan was thus promoted to the elite 16-nation World Group after a gap of 26 years. India had triumphed 18 times in the 21 previous ties against Japan. India came to the play-off stage after losing the World Group first round to reigning champion Serbia and will now yet again strive in the Asia-Oceania Group I in the 2012 season. The only win for India came as Mahesh Bhupathi and Rohan Bopanna won the doubles. Earlier, Somdev Devvarman and Rohan Bopanna had lost both the singles. Davis Cup debutant Vishnu Vardhan also failed to win. The Davis Cup is the premier
international team event in mens tennis. It is run by the International Tennis Federation (ITF) and is contested between teams of players from competing countries in a knockout format. The competition began in 1900 as a challenge between Britain and the United States. By 2007, 137 nations entered teams into the competition. Malaysian Open: Serbian Janko Tipsarevic has won his first career final with a 6-4, 7-5 defeat of Marcos Baghdatis to win the Malaysian Open. The third seed Tipsarevic had lost in his four previous finals and was the only player in the ranking top 20 without a title. The Cypriot, Baghdatis took the early lead but was unable to make it stick as Tipsarevic reclaimed it while fighting his way to the prize. Japan Open: Andy Murray of Britain has beaten Rafael Nadal 3-6, 6-2, 6-0 to win the Japan Open. Murray overcame losing the first set to win his second straight ATP tour victory after his victory in Bangkok this month. The title was Murrays fourth of the season after triumphs at Queens Club, Cincinnati and in Thailand.
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FOOTBALL
Mohamed bin Hammam: Ousted Asian football chief Mohamed bin Hammam has lost his appeal against a lifetime ban from football World governing body FIFA. The Qatari was slapped with the ban in July after he was found guilty of trying to buy votes in the FIFA presidential race by offering Caribbean football officials $40,000 each. The FIFA Appeal Committee has confirmed the decisions taken by the FIFA Ethics Committee on July 23, 2011, regarding the ban on FIFA Executive Committee member bin Hammam for a breach of the FIFA Code of Ethics. Liverpool-SCB initiativeGo Forward: Liverpool Football Club (LFC) has launched of an initiative, named Go Forward in association with main club sponsor, Standard Chartered Bank
TENNIS
Serena Williams: Tennis superstar Serena Williams has been appointed UNICEFs newest international Goodwill Ambassador. Dilip Bose Award: Coach Kawaljeet Singh who had trained the 16-year-old Sunil Kumar to win the National mens tennis title in 1999 was presented the
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(SCB). The pilot project will start in Mumbai, featuring 2000 students attached to 80 schools run by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) and spread to other cities. Former Liverpool FC captain, Phil Thompson, was present for the launch. Thompson said that coaches from LFC would be involved in talent scouting and coaching once the 2000 students are reduced to the final list of 32. He also expressed the feasibility of best four footballers going to Liverpool for further training. Federation Cup: Salgaocar SC has beaten East Bengal 3-1 to regain the Federation Cup at the Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata. Salgaocar SC had last won the title 14 years ago in 1997 beating the same opponent. East Bengal, which was looking for a hat-trick of triumphs, was halted by Salgaocars better organisation and efficiency. Karim Bencherifa, Salgaocars Moroccan coach, became the first foreign coach to win the I-League and the Federation Cup in a single calendar year. This was Salgaocars fourth Federation Cup title.
in the same race in 2008. Makau led home a Kenyan 1-2-3 with Stephen Kwelio Chemlany took second while Edwin Kimaiyo finished third. Makau is a two-time half marathon World silver medallist. Kenyas Florence Kiplagat won the womens race in only her second race over the distance. Kiplagat came home ahead of Germanys Irina Mikitenko, while Paula Radcliffe of England took the third-place. Kuldev Singh, Rinku Sangwan Suspended for Two Years: Intermediate hurdler Kuldev Singh and woman discus thrower Rinku Sangwan have been suspended for two years for anti-doping rule violation charges. Both tested positive for methylhexaneamine at the last National Games in Ranchi and were heard by the National Anti Doping Disciplinary panel headed by Dinesh Dayal. Kuldev, 30, of Punjab, won the 400m hurdles title in Ranchi last February, upsetting Asian Games champion Joseph Abraham. Sangwan, 21, representing Haryana, took the silver behind Harwant Kaur at the National Games.
Grand Prix and stand one point away from becoming Formula Ones youngest double World champion. Vettel, the 24-year-old German, crossed the line 1.7 seconds ahead of Button with Red Bull team mate Mark Webber a further 27.5 seconds back in third. Ferraris Fernando Alonso finished a distant fourth. It was Vettels ninth win this season and the 19th of his career. Japanese Grand Prix: McLarens Jenson Button has won the Japanese Grand Prix at Suzuka, Japan finishing just 1.160 seconds ahead of Ferraris Fernando Alonso. Germanys Sebastian Vettel finished third in the race. However, Vettel, the 24-year-old Red Bull driver clinched the Formula One championship for a second successive year. Sahara Groups Stake in Mallyas Force India F1 Team: Sahara Group has bought 42.5 percent stake, worth USD 100 million, in the Vijay Mallya owned Force India F1 team, which has been re-christened as Sahara Force India. Sahara Group, headed by Subroto Roy, inked an agreement with Mallyas UB Group, which will also have 42.5 percent stake in the team. The remaining 15 percent will be with the Mol family. Mallya will continue to be the Team Principal. Liqour baron Mallya had bought the Spyker Ferrari F1 Team in 2007, reportedly for about for 90 million euros. He then renamed the team as Force India for the 2008 season. The Force India team is at the sixth position in the constructors championships with 48 points in the current season. India has host its first Formula 1 Grand Prix on October 30, 2011 on a 5.14 km track, in Greater Noida built by Jaypee Sports International (JPSI).
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ATHELETICS
Usain Bolt: Jamaican athletics superstar Usain Bolt has ran a track record 9.85sec in the 100m at the athletics meeting in Zagreb, smashing longstanding American rival Tyson Gays mark of 9.92 set last year. The 25-year-old Olympic titleholder - who lost his world crown last month after being disqualified for false starting eased away to win in what was for him also a seasons best time, though, a fair bit off his world record of 9.58sec. St Kitts and Neviss 35-year-old Kim Collins, 2003 world champion and bronze medalist last month, finished second while Trinidad and Tobagos Richard Thompson was third. Berlin Marathon Event: Kenyas Patrick Makau has set a new World record in the Berlin Marathon in an official time of 2hr 03min 38sec. The 26-year-old defending champion smashed the old mark of 2hr 03:59 set by Ethiopian legend Haile Gebrselassie
CAR RACING
Armaan Ebrahim: Armaan Ebrahim has become the first Indian racer to secure a seat in the Indy Lights Series after being selected by the Bryn Herta Autosport (BHA) team for the 2012 season. Bryan Herta Autosport team has signed the young Indian after being impressed by his performance at Indianapolis testing. After winding up his Formula 2 campaign in Austria, the 22-year old Ebrahim participated in an intense testing at Indianapolis with the BHA team, the reigning champions of the Indy 500 series. Ebrahim drove over 500 laps, clocking top speeds exceeding 270 kmph at the Putnam Park Road Course. Singapore Grand Prix: Red Bulls Sebastian Vettel has defeated Jenson Button of McLaren to win the Singapore
CHESS
41st National Junior Chess Championship:18th-seeded Aravindh Chithambaram of Tamil Nadu has emerged champion of the 41st National junior chess championship
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at Margao. Tamil Nadus 10th-seeded Pon N. Krithika won the girls title. World Cup Chess Championship: Peter Svidler drew easily against fellow Russian Alexander Grishuk in the fourth game to win the World Cup chess championship at Khanty Mansiysk, Russia, on 19th September. Svidlers maiden title came after the Sicilian Defence game ended in 38 moves. Svidlers victory in the opener of the four-game final proved decisive and gave him a 2.5-1.5 triumph. Vassily Ivanchuk took the third spot by completing a 2.5-1.5 victory over his Ukrainian compatriot Ruslan Ponomariov.
12-15. The Asian Games goldmedallist in the light weight (60kg) division, jumped to welter weight (69kg) just two months before the World Championships. It was his first tournament after jumping to welter weight category. During the event, he along with L Devendro Singh (49kg), Jai Bhagwan (60kg) and Manoj Kumar (64kg), also qualified for next years London Olympics by reaching the quarterfinals, making it the most successful World Championships for India. The country had managed a bronze in the previous edition two years ago as well through Olympian Vijender - at that time a first for Indian boxing.
the shoot-off for the gold 2-1, after the two tied at 187. The former world champion and World Cup Finals gold medallist Vitaly Fokeev of Russia was reduced to the bronze medal, two points behind at 185. It was the fifth successive appearance in the World Cup Finals for Ronjan and second successive gold for him following the one won in Izrmir, Turkey, last year. However, it was the sixth silver in the World Cup Finals for Hu Binyuan who had never won gold in the competition.
MISCELLANEOUS
Paralympic body pleads for recognition: Paralympic Committee of India (PCI) has made an appeal to the government for reviving the recognition, stating that it had not only answered the show cause notice but had also conducted the elections last July as per the government guidelines. Following complaints, the Sports Ministry had suspended PCI in March last and the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) had followed suit in June. It meant that no Indian para athlete would be able to compete in any international competition. The international body had made it clear that the suspension would not be revoked unless the national paralympic committee resolved the matter with the Union Sports Ministry. The PCI had gained the governments recognition only in October 2005. National Institute of Sports Sciences at Nehru Stadium: Union Sports Minister Ajay Maken has announced the setting up a National Institute of Sports Sciences at the Nehru Stadium on November 1. The institute would be first set up as a society before being converted into an Institute of national importance by an Act of Parliament. The project is expected to cost Rs.200 crore and another Rs. 100 crore is scheduled to be spent on various regional centres and linking them up with the national institute.
WRESTLING
Harishchandra Birajdar: Former Commonwealth Games wrestling champion Harishchandra Birajdar has died after a prolonged illness at the age of 61. Birajdar won a gold medal in the 1970 Commonwealth Games. He defeated well-known wrestler Satpal in a 1977 bout that brought him into limelight and then went on to win Rustom-a Hind and Hind-Kesari titles. Birajdar was also a recipient of Maharashtra governments Shiv Chhatrapati award. World Wrestling Championships: Indian wrestlers disappointed in the World wrestling championships in Istanbul, Turkey, as none of its wrestlers being able to earn either a medal or an Olympic qualification berth. The biggest shock for the country was the failure of Olympic medallist Sushil Kumar. The Indian wrestlers will get another chance to make the Olympics in the qualifying event in Uzbekistan in March next year.
BADMINTON
Japan Open: Chen Long claimed his second title in two weeks when he shocked World No. 1 Lee Chong Wei to win the mens singles badminton title at the Japan Open. The Chinese fourth seed, fresh from glory at the China Masters last weekend, dashed the Malaysians defence of the title with a 21-8, 10-21, 21-19 victory. In the womens singles final, Chinese World champion and No. 1 Wang Yihan whipped the eighth-seeded Juliane Schenk of Germany 21-16, 21-14 to regain the title she won in 2008 and 2009.
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BASKETBALL
Asian Mens Basketball Championship: Indonesia has defeated India 84-75 after leading 44-37 at half-time in the match for the 13th place in the 26th Asian mens basketball championship in Hongshan, China.
BOXING
World Boxing Championships: Teen Indian boxer Vikas Krishan has won a bronze medal at the World Boxing Championships in Baku, Azerbaijan. Vikas, who was playing his maiden senior World Championships, lost to Ukraines European Championship bronze-medallist Taras Shelestyuk
SHOOTING
Ronjan Sodhi: Asian Games gold medallist Ronjan Sodhi has defended the double trap gold medal in the World Cup Finals in Al Ain, United Arab Emirates. Going into the final two points behind the Beijing Olympic bronze medallist, Hu Binyuan of China, the 31-year-old Indian won
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The hockey institute would be set up at the Dhyanchand National Stadium by the Sports Authority of India with emphasis on research and development, apart from archives for material related to the game. The establishment of the hockey institute is expected to cost about Rs.20 crore and the minister said that the money would be provided from the National Sports Development Fund (NSDF).
APPOINTED/ELECTED/SELECTED
Helle Thorning Schmidt: Helle Thorning-Schmidt has been appointed Denmarks first woman Prime Minister. Ending a decade of centre-right rule, Social Democrat Thorning-Schmidt formed a threeparty coalition government including the Socialist Peoples Party and Social Liberals. Her Red bloc won 89 seats against 86 for outgoing Prime Minister L. L. Rasmussens centerright government. Dipak Misra, Jasti Chelameswar: President Pratibha Patil has appointed the Chief Justice of the Delhi High Court, Dipak Misra, and the Chief Justice of the Kerala High Court, Jasti Chelameswar, as Supreme Court judges. Mr. Justice Misra, who will complete 58 years of age this month, represents Orissa. He was appointed the Chief Justice of the Patna High Court in December 2009 and transferred to the Delhi High Court as Chief Justice in May 2010. He will have tenure of about seven years, and an opportunity to become the Chief Justice of India (CJI). In that event, he will be the third judge from Orissa to adorn the highest judicial office, after Rangnath Misra and G.B. Patnaik. Justice Chelameswar, 58, representing Andhra Pradesh, will fill the place of Justice B. Sudershan Reddy, who retired in July. He was appointed the Chief Justice of the Gauhati High Court in May 2007 and then shifted as the Chief Justice of the Kerala High Court in March 2010. He will also have a tenure of about seven years in the Supreme Court.
Pulok Chatterjee: Senior IAS officer Pulok Chatterjee has taken charge as Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister. A 1974 Uttar Pradesh cadre officer, Mr. Chatterjee replaces T.K.A. Nair, who has been associated with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh since 2004. Mr. Nair, a retired IAS officer of the 1963 batch, will hold the office of Adviser with the rank and status of Minister of State in the Prime Ministers Office. Sam Pitroda: Sam Pitroda has been appointed as the chairman of a newly constituted committee on modernisation of railway safety systems. After the high-level committee on safety, the Railways constituted the expert committee to recommend ways to modernise tracks, signalling, rolling stock and stations. CAG appointed External Auditor of IAEA and WIPO: The Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) has been appointed as external auditor of two major UN organisations, the Vienna-based International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and the Geneva-based World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO). It is for the first time that a supreme audit institution from outside Europe has been appointed to these prestigious positions in these two organisations. These appointments were made in the face of competition from other developed countries like the U.K., Spain and Norway. The tenure of these audits could extend up to six years. The CAG is on the panel of external auditors of the UN and its agencies and also on the Governing Board of the Asian Organisation of Supreme Audit Institutions and is poised to take over as its Chairman for three years from March, 2012. The recognition of the capabilities of the CAG of India has in the past manifested in his appointment on the Board of Auditors of the United Nations and as external auditor to a number of other major UN agencies like Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO),
World Health Organisation (WHO), International Maritime Organisation (IMO) and Organisation for Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW. Dinesh K. Sarraf: Dinesh K. Sarraf has taken over as the CEO and Managing Director of ONGC Videsh Ltd. (OVL), the overseas investment arm of state oil and gas explorer Oil and Natural Gas Corporation. The post of OVL Managing Director fell vacant when R. S. Butola took over as the Chairman of Indian Oil Corporation earlier this year. Mr. Sarraf was selected for the job by government head-hunters Public Enterprise Selection Board (PESB). Sudhir Vasudeva: Union Government has cleared the appointment of Sudhir Vasudeva as the Chairman and Managing Director of Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC). Mr. Vasudeva, 57, is now Director (Offshore) in ONGC. Born on February 26, 1954, Vasudeva will head the nations highest profit making firm till his retirement on January 31, 2014. The countrys most profitable state entity has been without a full-time head since January 31 after R S Sharmas superannuation.
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RESIGNED/RETIRES/SUSPENDED
Shivaraj Patil: Karnataka Lokayukta Justice Shivaraj V. Patil has resigned barely a month after he was appointed in the ombudsman of Karnataka. His letter of resignation is accepted by the Governor of the state, H.R. Bhardwaj. Justice Patil had replaced Justice Santosh Hegde as the Lokayukta. Justice Patils resignation has reportedly been prompted by reports that his wife and he own three plots of land in Bangalore in violation of city laws. The Lokayuktas office is required to investigate land scams - some of which involve high-profile politicians. Markandey Katju: Justice Markandey Katju has retired as judge of the Supreme Court on his attaining the age of superannuation. Justice Katju was appointed Supreme Court
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judge in April 2006 and during his tenure spanning a little over 5 years, he has rendered several landmark judgments. Justice Katju was a judge of the Allahabad High Court, the Chief Justice of the Madras and Delhi High Courts, before being elevated to the Supreme Court. Justice J.M. Panchal, hailing from Gujarat, has retired on October 5. Justice R.V. Raveendran, who hails from Karnataka also has retired on October 14. Mamata Banerjee: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has resigned as a member of the Lok Sabha from South Kolkata constituency following her maiden entry to the Assembly in a recent bye-election. Ms. Banerjee entered the State Assembly after winning the prestigious Bhowanipore seat in Kolkata by 54,213 votes humbling CPI(M)s candidate Nandini Mukhopadhyay. Ms. Mukhopadhyay is a professor in the Department of Computer Science and Engineering at the Jadavpur University, polled 19,422 votes.
The assassination of Prof. Rabbani who fought as a mujahideen against Soviet occupation and was president of Afghanistan for two short stints - is seen as a big blow to the reconciliation process as he was someone who could rally the disparate Afghan groups. Sa Parante: The Brazilian scientist, Sa Parante, credited with inventing biodiesel has died at the age of 70 of an intestinal condition. Brazil is the second largest producer of biodiesel in the world. Ralph Steinman: Canadian-born Ralph Steinman, who shared this year Nobel Prize in medicine, has died on September 30 of pancreatic cancer just three days before the prize was announced, according to Rockefeller University. The Nobel committee had been unaware of Ralph Steinmans death and it was unclear whether the prize would be rescinded because Nobel statutes dont allow posthumous awards. Wangari Maathai: Wangari Muta Maathai, the Kenyan environmentalist who started out by paying women a few shillings to plant trees and went on to become the first African woman to win a Nobel Peace Prize, has died after battling cancer. She was 71. Ms Maathai, one of the most famous and widely respected women on the continent, wore many hats environmentalist, feminist, politician, anti-corruption campaigner, human rights advocate, protester and head of the Green Belt Movement she founded. She served as a parliamentarian and assistant Minister for several years. Ms Maathai was born in 1940 in Nyeri, Kenya, a town in the foothills of Mount Kenya. She obtained a doctorate in veterinary anatomy, becoming the first woman in East or Central Africa to hold such a degree. She formed the Green Belt Movement in 1977 which planted trees across Kenya to fight erosion and to create fuel and jobs for women. In 2004, she won the Nobel Peace Prize, with the Nobel committee
citing her contribution to sustainable development, democracy and peace. She was also recipient of Frances Legion dHonneur and Japans Grand Cordon of the Order of the Rising Sun. T.K. Govinda Rao: Veteran Carnatic musician, musicologist and revered guru T.K. Govinda Rao has passed away after a brief illness. He was 82. Mr. Govinda Rao made valuable contributions to the field of music as a performing artist, teacher, musicologist and author. He was a recipient of prestigious awards, including the Sangeet Natak Akademi award and the Sangita Kalanidhi presented by The Music Academy. Gopal Krishna Bhatt: Gopal Krishna Bhatt, the famous performer of Tamasha, a folk art form, has died after a prolonged illness. Bhatt was 84. He was famous for his Tamasha performance.
PERSON IN NEWS
Neelima Mishra: The American Consulate in Mumbai has cleared the U.S. visa for Magsaysay award winner Neelima Mishra after rejecting her application a few days ago. The Consulate had on September 30th rejected the application of Ms. Mishra, stating that her unsatisfactory social and economic status did not permit clearance of visa for her to travel to the U.S. Ms. Mishra is the winner of the 2011 Magsaysay award for her rural development work in North Maharashtra. The activist credited with exceptional work in forming womens self help groups and developing a micro-credit network in rural areas of Jalgaon district in Maharashtra, will be going to Chicago to deliver a key note address at the 9th International Conference organised by India Development Coalition of America on her concept of model self sustaining village. Shanti Tigga: Shanti Tigga has broken a barrier, as she became the first woman jawan in the Army. Outperforming her male counterparts in the physical tests, 35-year-old Sapper Shanti Tigga joined the
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Ms. Banerjee, who became the first woman Chief Minister of the State in May, had consistently been elected to the Lok Sabha since 1984, except in 1989. She gave up her Railway portfolio on becoming the Chief Minister and contested the by-polls. After giving up Railway Ministry, Ms. Banerjee was required to contest the polls within six months of taking charge.
DIED/KILLED
Burhanuddin Rabbani: Burhanuddin Rabbani, former President of Afghanistan and Chairman of the High Peace Council - leading the year-old Afghan effort to negotiate with the Taliban - has been killed in a bomb blast at his residence in the centre of Kabuls high-security diplomatic district. He was meeting two members of the Taliban at the time of the blast as part of the ongoing efforts at reconciliation. One of them is understood to have detonated the bomb while the other survived the blast with injuries.
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969 Railway Engineer Regiment of Territorial Army (TA). Women are allowed to join the armed forces only as officers in the noncombat units. But Tigga has earned the unique distinction of being the first lady jawan in the 1.3 million strong defence forces. Employed with the Railways as a points-man and posted at Chalsa station in West Bengals Jalpaiguri district, Tigga volunteered for the TA last year. R K Sharma: The Delhi High Court has acquitted former senior IPS officer Ravi Kant Sharma and two others in the sensational killing of journalist Shivani Bhatnagar in 1999. The court, however, upheld the conviction and life sentence of the fourth accused, Pradeep Sharma, who had killed the scribe, then working with the Indian Express.
including the Sahitya Akademi Award and the Vyas Sammaan. In 2008, he was awarded the Padma Bhushan for his contribution to Indian literature and culture. Akshaya Mohanty Samman: Playback singer Asha Bhosle has been selected for the prestigious Akshaya Mohanty Samman for 2011 in recognition of her outstanding contribution in the field of music. The award, comprising a cash prize of Rs. 1 lakh and a letter of appreciation, was presented at a function in Bhubaneswar on October 12, the birth anniversary of legendary Oriya singer and musician Akshaya Mohanty. Earlier recipients of the honour included Manna Dey, Gulzar and Ilayaraja. Born on September 8, 1933, Asha is one of the bestknown and most highly-regarded Hindi playback singers in India. Apart from Hindi, she has sung in over 18 vernacular and foreign languages. Pedro Verona Pires: A $5-million Prize for Good African Governance has been awarded to the former President of Cape Verde Pedro Verona Pires. Pires was awarded for turning his small island nation into a model of democracy, stability and prosperity. In an announcement, the Mo Ibrahim prize committee said during his 10 years in power, Pires helped lead the nation of 200,000 out of poverty and won recognition for his human rights record. The prize committee included Nobel peace laureate Mohamed ElBaradei of Egypt and former Ibrahim prize winner Festus Mogae of Botswana. At the end of his second term, Pires dismissed suggestions that the constitution be changed to allow him to run again. Mr. Pires (77) had retired from political life last month. Indira Gandhi Award for National Integration:Environmentalist, lawyer and former Union Minister, Mohan Dharia, has been selected as the winner of the 26th Indira Gandhi Award for National Integration.The 86year-old Padma Vibhushan awardee, who currently runs the Vanrai NGO in
Pune, was selected for the 2010 award, which carries a citation and cash prize of Rs. 5 lakh. It will be presented on October 31, the anniversary of Indira Gandhis death. Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Prize: A monk is among the 11 scientists who have been selected for the Council of Scientific and Industrial Researchs (CSIR) prestigious Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Prize for 2011. Mahan Maharaj gets the award for his outstanding contribution in the area of mathematical sciences. An expert in the highly specialized field of geometric topology, he heads the School of Mathematical Sciences at the Ramakrishna Missions Vivekananda University located at the famous Belur Math near Kolkata. The other winners are Palash Sarkar of the Indian Statistical Institute; Shiraz Minwalla of the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research; K.N. Balaji and U. Ramamurthy of the Indian Institute of Science; Shirshendu De of IIT-Kharagpur; A.P. Sharma of the International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology; R. Shankaranarayan of the Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology; G.N. Sastry of the Indian Institute of Chemical Technology and B. Sundaram of the Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research. The prize is named after the founderDirector of CSIR and carries a cash component of Rs. 5 lakh. It is given annually to young scientists below the age of 45 who have made outstanding contributions in any field of science and technology. USs National Medal of Technology and Innovation: Three IndianAmericans scientists - Srinivasa Varadhan of New York University scooped up National Medal of Science, Rakesh Agrawal of Purdue University and Jayant Baliga of North Carolina State University have been awarded the National Medal of Technology and Innovation by President Barack
AWARDS
Jnanpith Awards: Eminent Hindi authors Amar Kant and Shrilal Sukla have been chosen for Indias highest literary honour Jnanpith Awards for the year, 2009 while renowned Kanada literateur Chandrashekar Kambar has won it for the year 2010. 86-year-old Kant is a leading author whose famous novel Inhin Hathiyaron Se earned him the Sahitya Akademi Award in 2007. His short stories like Hatiyare, Dopahar ka Bhojan and Diptee Kalaktari have found place in the syllabi of several Indian universities. His other noted works are Sukha Patta, Kale-Ujale, Bich Ki Diwar and Desh Ke Log. Born in 1925 in Uttar Pradesh, Shukla is an eminent novelist and a satirist, whose works threw light on the falling moral values of the Indian society in the post-Independence era. His noted works include Raag Darbari, Makaan, Sooni Ghaati Ka Sooraj, Pehla Padaav, Agyatvas, and Bisrampur Ka San. Shuklas Raag Darbari, one of the best selling Hindi novels, had also been adapted for a TV serial. Shukla is the winner of several awards,
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Obama. These three are among 12 winners of medals awarded in this field science and technology.
BOOKS & AUTHORS

Bharathipura - U. R. Ananthamurthy The Things About Thugs-Tabish Khair Jimmy the Terrorist - Omair Ahmad A Street in Srinagar - Chandrakanta Home Boy - H. M. Naqvi Pakistan: A Personal History-Imran Khan Bishan, Portrait of a Cricketer,- Suresh Menon Controversially Yours-Shoaib Akhtar India and Beyond: Travel and Photography- William Hodges Portraits of the Princes and People of India - Emily Eden
An independent and bipartisan wing of Congress, the CRS prepares periodic reports on issues of interest to lawmakers. The 94-page report was released by the CRS for U.S. lawmakers on September 1.
PLACES IN NEWS
Krishna district, Andhra Pradesh: A hemispherical Buddhist stupa belonging to the Vajrayana period of Buddhism dating back to 6th and 7th Century A.D. has been unearthed by the Department of Archaeology of Andhra Pradesh. The 10-metre (diametre) main stupa has sculptures that bear a distinct resemblance to the Amaravathi School of sculpting designs. The stupa belonged to the last phase of the Buddhism i.e. Vajrayana Buddhism practised in Tibet and Mongolia.
annum capacity at Malanjkhand in Madhya Pradesh with an investment of Rs.1,856 crore. . The project has 141-million tonne extractable copper reserves, which is more than 70 per cent of the known reserves in the country. Bangalore: Bangalore has seen Indias first academy to generate manpower for aviation and aerospace industries. The Indian Institute of Aerospace Engineering and Management (IIAEM) has started its first academic programme from Septmeber 25. Gujarat: A Bill, seeking a sevenyear jail term for cow slaughter or even transporting the animal for that purpose, has been passed in the Gujarat Assembly. The Opposition Congress also extended its support to the Bill. As per the provisions of the Gujarat Animal Preservation Act (GAPA) 1954, which prohibits cow slaughter, there is no provision to prevent transportation of the animal for slaughter. New Delhi: Germany and India: Infinite Opportunities, the 15-monthlong collaborative celebration marking the 60 years of the Indo-German diplomatic relations, has kicked off in New Delhi. Tauranga Harbour, New Zealand: Oil spills from a Liberia-flagged cargo ship Rena stuck off New Zealands coast has made it the countrys worst-ever maritime environmental disaster. Clumps of heavy oil from Rena have washed up on beaches near Tauranga on New Zealands North Island killing more than 50 birds. The ship foundered since it ran aground Oct. 5 on the Astrolabe Reef, about 22 kilometers from Tauranga Harbour. The Rena was built in 1990 and was carrying 1,351 containers of goods when it ran aground. Los Angeles: Los Angeles has been chosen as host of the 2015 Special Olympics Summer Games, the events organiser announced. The Games are set to see 7, ooo athletes in action.
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Sonia Gandhi: An Extraordinary Life, an Indian Destiny - Rani Singh Samalkot, Andhra Pradesh: Anil Ambani-owned Reliance Power is going REPORT/SURVEY to commission the countrys largest gas-based 2,400 MW power project at The US Congressional Research Samalkot in Andhra Pradesh ahead of Service (CRS) Report on India: The proposed schedule in December this latest report of the U.S. Congressional year. When implemented, the project Research Service (CRS) on India has would be the fastest implemented lauded Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra gas-based combined cycle plant in Modi Modi and has said Gujarat is the the world within a record span of best example of effective governance. only 14 months. The project, after According to the Report, Mr. Modi has complete commissioning, is expected overseen and an annual growth of to contribute 16,000 million units of more than 11 per cent in recent years. green energy each year to the powerGujarat, the CRS said, had attracted starved southern region. The project major international investors such has received long-term project as General Motors and Mitsubishi recourse finance support from the and with only five per cent of the U.S. Exim Bank. countrys population, the State now accounted for more than one-fifth of Banaskantha, Gujarat: Moser Baer Indias exports. Clean Energy (MBCEL) has commissioned a 30-MW solar farm, developed at Gujarats example is followed by Bihar an approximate investment of Rs and its Chief Minister Nitish Kumar. 465 crore, in Banaskantha district According to the Report Nitish Kumar of Gujarat. The solar farm has been has won national attention through his set up using 2, 36,000 Thin Film considerable success in emphasising modules at Gunthawad village of in good governance over caste-based Banaskantha. politics. He is credited with restoring law and order across much of the State, Malanjkhand: The Centre has as well as overseeing infrastructure approved Hindustan Coppers proposal and educational improvements of to develop an underground copper direct benefit to common citizens ore mine of five million tonnes per projects
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QuEStIONS@IP...
CuRRENt AffAIRS QuEStIONS@IP

(c) 1, 2 and 4 (d) All of the above the qualifier match with Tajikistan. (d) Of proved doping charges in the qualifier match. 7. Consider the following statements concerning the political upheaval in Libya. 1. The rebel group launched Operation Mermaid Dawn from the Ben Nabi Mosque in Tripoli. 2. Mermaid is the Libyan nickname for NATO. Which is/are correct? (a) 1 only (c) Both 1 and 2 (b) 2 only (d) Neither 1 nor 2 4. Which of the following are true regarding Indo-Bhutan relations in electoral field? 1. The Chief Election Commissioners of India and Bhutan have signed a MoU to facilitate exchange of knowledge and experience, information, material, expertise and technical knowhow, training of personnel and development of human resources in electoral matters and also for taking up joint initiatives and providing assistance to others. 2. The Memorandum of Understanding is for a period of ten years. 3. The Chief Election Commissioner of India offered to create a SAARC Resource Centre at the India International Institute of Democracy and Election Management. 4. The Chief Election Commissioner of Bhutan is Dasho Kunzang Wangdi . (a) 1, 2 and 3 (b) 2, 3 and 4 (c) 1, 3 and 4 (d) All of the above. 5. Which of the following statements about Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) is/ are true? 1. Since 1995, Transparency International (TI) publishes the Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) annually. 2. The CPI ranks 178 countries on a scale from 0 (very clean) to 10 (highly corrupt). 3. India has fallen three places to 87th in Transparency Internationals Corruption Perceptions Index with a score of 3.3. 4. Denmark, Sweden and Singapore have jointly occupied the number one position. (a) 1 and 2 only (b) 1, 3 and 4 only (c) 2 and 4 only (d) 1,2 and 3 only 6. FIFA has banned Syrian national football team from the 2014, World Cup qualifiers because: (a) Syria fielded an ineligible player. (b) Of grave human rights violation in the country. (c) Syrian Captain abused referee during
1. Consider following statements: 1) In particle physics, a hadron is a composite particle made of quarks held together by a strong force. 2) Hadrons are categorized into two families: baryons (made of three quarks) and mesons (made of one quark and one antiquark). 3) The best-known hadrons are protons and neutrons (both baryons), which are components of atomic nuclei. 4) All hadrons except protons are unstable and undergo particle decayhowever neutrons are stable inside atomic nuclei. Correct statements are: (a) 1,2,3 and 4 (b) 1,2 and 3 (c) 2,3 and 4 (d) 3,4 and 1 2. The Yak-42 Russian plane crashed, in which all Russian ice hockey team players died, immediately after taking off from an airport near thr city of yaroslavl. The city of yaroslavl is located on the bank of: (a) Ural river (b) Ob river (c) Yenisey river (d) Volga river 3. Which of the following statements about Nairobi Convention are true? 1. The Nairobi Convention provides a mechanism for regional cooperation, coordination and collaborative actions in the Eastern and Southern African region to harness resources and expertise towards solving interlinked problems of the coastal and marine environment including critical national and trans-boundary issues. 2. A Wreck, under the Nairobi International Convention is defined as a sunken or stranded ship or any object that is lost at sea from a ship and that is stranded, sunken or adrift at sea. 3. A wreck, as per the Convention, also includes a ship that is about to sink or strand. 4. India has joined the Nairobi International Convention on Removal of Wrecks. (a) Only 1 and 2 (b) 1, 2 and 3
8. Sahara India Power Corp along with south korean entity korea east west power is setting up of a 1320 mw power plant at: (a) jagatsinghpur, odisha. (b) taptapani, odisha. (c) rengali, odisha. (d) titlagarh, odisha. 9. Recently scientists led by an indianorigin researcher have discovered a huge underground river. the researchers have named the river : (a) hamza (c) jugnu (b) valiya (d) sampur
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10. Recently, astronomers have spotted a planet that has been identified as the darkest known exoplanet , reflecting less than 1% of any light that hits it. it is a jupiter-sized planet which is orbiting its star in the draco constellation. the planet is named as: (a) JpES-3b. (b) TrES-2b. (c) AcES-1b. (d) DaES-3b. 11. The Indian navy on 20th august commissioned its new stealth frigate, built indigenously at mazagon dockyard ltd, mumbai under project-17. its name is: (a) Ins Shayadari. (b) Ins Shiwalik. (c) Ins Satpura. (d) None of the above.
INDIA PREPARES
Questions@IP 12. moyar river valley, in the ngumarada and bhavanisagar forest area, in sathyamanglam forest, was in news recently because of flourishing of : (a) White-billed vulture. (c) White-rumped vulture. and long-rumped 2. These agreements assume importance in combating transnational organized crimes, trans-border terrorism, crimes and other serious offences, such as, drug trafficking and money laundering. 3. The treaty also proposed setting up an institute to impart English language skills to soldiers of the two countries. Codes: (a) 1 and 2 (c) 1 and 3 (b) 2 and 3 (d) 1, 2 and 3.
Vol.1 Issue 2 November 2011 Country of impact (A) Gafilo (B) Wilma (C) Linda (D) Inigo Codes: A (a) 3 (b) 3 (c) 2 (d) 2 B 4 4 1 1 C 1 1 4 4 D 2 2 3 3 (1) Cuba (2) Madagascar (3) Indonesia (4) Mexico
(b) White and long tusked elephants. and long-billed
(d) White and short tusked elephants. 13. In the draft lokpal bill, the lok sabha and rajya sabha unanimously resolved to endorse key ideas that social activist anna hazare had insisted to be included in the draft lokpal bill. which among the following ideas are included: (1) citizens charter. (2) lower bureaucracy also to be under lokpal through appropriate mechanism. (3) establishment of a lokayukta in the states. Correct option is: (a) 1 & 2 only (c) 2 & 3 only (b) 1 & 3 only (d) 1, 2 & 3
17. India has signed a comprehensive economic cooperation agreement (CECA) with Malaysia. Which of the following statements regarding this agreement are correct? 1. Under the agreement Indias doctors, accountants, two-wheelers, cotton garments and basmati rice will get greater access to the Malaysian market. 2. India will cut duties on refined palm oil and three other palm products. 3. India will keep less than 1000 items outside the ambit of tariff reduction. 4. Malaysia will keep more than 1000 products in the exclusion list. (a) 1 and 2 (b) 1, 3, and 4 (c) 2, 3 and 4 (d) All of the above. 18. Which of the following regarding India-United Nations Security Council relationship is/are true? 1. India has joined as a new nonpermanent member of UN Security Council 2. Along with India, Germany, South Africa, Columbia and Portugal too took their places at the powerful 15-member body of the United Nations. 3. India took over the Presidency of the UN Security Council (UNSC) from September 1. 4. Presidency of the Security Council is valid for a period of one month only. (a) 1, 2 and 3 (c) 2, 3 and 4 19. Match the following: Name of Hurricane/Cyclone (b) 1, 2 and 4 (d) 1, 2, 3 and 4
20. An Austrian lady became the first woman to conquer all 14, 8000 meter summits without artificial oxygen. name of the lady is: (a) Cho Oyu. (b) Reinhold Messner. (c) Gerlinde Kaltenbrunner. (d) Nafissatou Diallo. 21. Vasant karnad passed away. he was: (1) hindustani critic. vocalist and music
(2) younger brother of b. v. karnad . (3) published a book titled hindustani classical music. (4) elder brother of girish karnad. True statement about him are: (a) 1, & 2 only. (c) 1, 3 & 4 only. (b) 1, & 3 only. (d) 1, 2 & 3 only.
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14. To improve green cover in the state, the concepts of tree credits and village forests will soon be introduced by which government : (a) Bihar government. (b) Maharastra government. (c) Andhra pradesh government. (d) Punjab government. 15. Consider the following statements: 1. India has recently signed Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement with Japan. 2. The CEPA aims to raise the bilateral trade to $25 billion mark by 2014. Which is/are correct? (a) 1 only (b) 2 only (c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2 16. In an effort to curb cross border illegal activities, India and an Asian country have ratified the Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty on criminal matters. Regarding it which of the following statements are true? 1. The treaty, signed by India and Indonesia, is designated to facilitate widest measures of mutual assistance in investigation, prosecution and prevention of crime.
22. Read the following statements and mark the incorrect ones. 1. A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) has been signed between the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) and the Public Service Commission of Australia for cooperation to promote best practices. 2. The MoU will remain effective for a period of ten years. Which is/are correct? (a) 1 only (b) 2 only c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2 23. With more lands around the world facing increasing deterioration and degradation, the United Nations General Assembly declared the United Nations Decade for Deserts and the Fight against Desertification, which will run from: (a) January 2010 to December 2020
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Questions@IP (b) January 2011 to December 2021 (c) January 2012 to December 2022 (d) April 2010 to March 2020 24. Which of the following hills has been notified as the countrys first inter-State biosphere reserve along with the setting up of a bio-diversity corridor there to protect its natural habitat, flora and fauna? (a) Nilgiri Hills (b) Shiwalik Hills (c) Purvachal Hills (d) Satpura Hills 25. Save Our Species (SOS) is a global coalition initiated by 3 founding partners to build the biggest species conservation fund of $ US 10 million, supporting onthe-ground field conservation projects all over the world. Which of the following is not a founding member? (a) International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) (b) Global Environment Facility (GEF) (c) World Bank (d) World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) 26. Which of the following facts about the NDM-1, which stands for New Delhi metallo-beta-lactamase-1 is/are true? 1. If a bacteria strain carries the NDM-1 gene it is resistant to nearly all antibiotics. 2. A bacterium carrying the NDM-1 gene is the most powerful superbug around. The gene was discovered by Prof Timothy Walsh. a) 1 only b) 2 only c) Both 1 and 2 d) Neither 1 nor 2 27. Recently bihar government has decided to use a new tool to expose corrupt and bribe-seekers in welfare scheme. the new tool is: (a) Google (c) Yahoo (b) YouTube (d) CCTVS (a) Brazil Defeating Argentina. (b) Argentina Defeating Portugal. (c) Brazil Defeating Portugal. (d) Argentina Defeating Brazil. 30. Worlds smallest electric motor developed by tufts university measures: (a) 2 nano meter (b) 1 nano meter (c) 200 nano meter (d) 50 nano meter 31. Who among the following is also known as malnad gandhi --(a) D V Sadananda Gowda (b) H G Govinde Gowda (c) D Devraj URS (d) B R Deepak 32. Two women from jharkhand have become the first women mountaineers to climb mt. saser kangri iv in the eastern karakoram range of himalayas in ladakh. the women are (a) Binita Soren And Sheelarani Mahto. (b) Binita Mahto And Sheelarani Soren. (c) Deepa Tanuku And Sabavala Birla. (d) Deepa Birla And Sabavala Tanuku. 33. Read the fol lowing statements and select the correct code. 1. Russia has opened a shortcut northern sea route from Europe to Asia across the Arctic. 2. The 114,564-tonne tanker Baltica is the first super vessel to navigate the northern waterway. 3. The Arctic Sea route is almost 15 per cent cheaper than the Suez Canal route. 4. Only Russia and USA have a fleet of nuclear icebreakers. Which of the above are correct? (a) 1, 2 and 3 (b) 1, 3 and 4 (c) 2, 3 and 4 (d) 1, 2, 3 and 4 34. Consider the following statements: 1. Economic freedom index is a series created by The Heritage Foundation and The Times Magazine. 2. India ranked 87th in economic freedom index. 3. The Global Hunger Index (GHI) is developed by the Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO). 4. India ranked 67th in the Global Hunger Index 2010. Select the INCORRECT ones:
Vol.1 Issue 2 November 2011 (a) 1 and 2 only (c) 2 and 4 only (b) 1 and 3 only (d) 3 and 4 only
35. Consider the following statements: 1. Russia has set up worlds first international atomic fuel bank as part of a global effort to curb the spread of nuclear arms to nations such as North Korea and Iran. 2. The Vladivostok Bank is the first of about a dozen facilities proposed by various nations following the 2003 discovery of covert enrichment activity in Iran. 3. The plant stores 120 tonnes of lowenriched uranium (LEU) that has been enriched to between 2 and 4.95 percent. 4. The weapons-grade uranium to build nuclear weapons must be enriched to at least 90 percent. Select the correct alternatives: (a) 1, 2 and 3 (b) 2, 3 and 4 (c) 1, 3 and 4 (d) All of the above. 36. Bilateral Air Services Agreement (ASA) between India and Brazil was signed to spur greater trade investment, tourism and strengthening the cultural exchange between the two countries besides bringing it in tune with the developments in the international civil aviation scenario. Which of the following statements concerning this agreement are true? 1. As per the new Air Services Agreement both countries would be able to designate any number of airlines for operating flights connecting the two countries. 2. The designated airlines of each side will be able to operate 21 services per week in each direction, but the type of aircraft cannot exceed the capacity of a Boeing 747 aircraft, roughly 450 seats. 3. The designated airlines of each side are entitled to operate to any point in each others territory, via any intermediate point and beyond to any point. 4. Both countries also decided to have open skies for all cargo operation between the two. (a) Only 1 and 2 (b) Only 2 and 4 (c) Only 1 and 4 (d) All of the above
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28. Name of state of orissa changed to odisha, and oriya language changed to odia by a constitutional amendment. the amendment is: (a) 111th constitutional amendment bill (b) 112th constitutional amendment bill (c) 113th constitutional amendment bill (d) 114th constitutional amendment bill 29. Under 20 soccer world cup has been lifted up in colombian capital bogota by:
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Questions@IP 37. The Mo Ibrahim Index of African Governance is an attempt to statistically monitor African governance levels throughout all the countries of Africa. The indicators of the index include: 1. The proportion of parliamentary seats held by women. 2. The costs of importing and exporting goods 3. Incidence of HIV and tuberculosis 4. Freedom of the press Select the correct alternative: (a) 1, 2 and 3 (b) 2, 3 and 4 (c) 1, 3 and 4 (d) All of the above. 38. Consider following statements: (1) National energy efficiency summit2011 was held recently. (2) The centre had suggested to all states to fully imple ment energy conservation measures to bridge the gap between demand and supply to some extent. (3) The union government is contemplating to lay special focus on energy efficiency and conservation in the 12th five-year plan. correct statement/s is / are: (a) 1 & 2 only. (c) 2 & 3 only. (b) 1 & 3 only. (d) 1, 2, & 3. 2) The fund is likely to have a corpus of $ 10 billion. 3) Government is keen to ensure energy security as it strives for double-digit growth. Correct statement/s is /are: (a) 1 & 3 only. (b) 2 & 3 only. (c) 1, 2 & 3. (d) 1 & 2 only. 41. Match the following soccer player with the club they Play for : (1) lionel messi (2) cristiano ronaldo (3) xavi hernandez Choose the correct one: (a) 1- a, 2- c, 3- d. (b) 1- b, 2- a, 3- d. (c) 1- c, 2- b, 3- a. (d) 1- d, 2- c, 3- a. 42. Consider the following statements: 1. Sachin Tendulkar and Zahir Khan has been chosen in ICC test team of the year. 2. Tendulkar made the side for the fouth year in a row. 3. Zahir is the 12th man in the taem. 4. The panel to choose the ICC test team was headed by clive llyod. correct statement/s is /are: (a) 1, 2 , 3 & 4. (b) 1, & 3 only. (c) 1, 3 & 4 only. (d) 1, 2, & 3 only. 43. A joint venture of mangalore refinery and petrochemicals ltd with shell will provide aviation turbine fuelling services to Delhi & Mumbai airports. true statement/s about MRPL is / are: 1. MRPL is a subsidiary of hpcl. 2. MRPL currently supplies atf to the airports in bangluru, hyderabad, ahmedabad, mangluru and kozhikode. Choose the correct one: (a) only 1. (b) only 2. (c) 1 & 2 both (d) none of the above. 44. The reserve bank of india has released the draft guideline for licensing of new banks in private sector. the norms stipulate (a) real madrid (b) barcelona (c) chelsea (d) barcelona.
Vol.1 Issue 2 November 2011 (1) Minimum capital requirement of 500 crore. (2) Limited the new banks shareholding at 51 %. (3) The bank shall get its shares listed on the stock exchanges within the two years of licensing. (4) It shall open atleast 25% of its branches in unbanked rural centres. Considering above norms choose the correct statement : (a) 1, 2, 3 only. (b) 2, 3, 4 only. (c) 1, 3 & 4 only. (d) 1, 2, 3, & 4. 45. According to the UNCTAD report 2011, consider the following statement/s and select the correct option: (1) It warns that fiscal tightening only addresses the symptoms of the problem, leaving the basic causes unchanged. (2) A fiscal policy that supports growth is more likely to reduce fiscal deficit. Choose the correct option: (a) 1 & 2. (c) 2 only. (b) 1 only. (d) none of the above.
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46. Consider the following statement/s : (1) The annual global competitiveness report is published by world economic forum. (2) Switzerland ranks 1 with u.s.a falling to the 5th position. (3) India has fallen 4 positions and ranks 56 out of 142 economies. Correct statement/s is /are : (a) 2 & 3 only. (b) 1 & 3 only. (c) 1, 2 & 3. (d) 1 & 2 only. 47. Consider the following statements: (1) Leading South African batsman Haism Amla has been named as the countrys sports star of the year. (2) Salt Lake stadium in Kolkata had hosted the FIFA international friendly between Argentina and Brazil on september 2, 2011. correct statement/s is / are: (a) 1 only (b) 2 only (c) 1 & 2 both (d) none of the above 48. Consider the following statements 1. Swabhiman Scheme is Launched for financial inclusion in which 5 crore,
39. Russia pumped the first technical gas into a new undersea pipeline to germany. its impact is / are: 1) Increase europes dependence on russian natural gas. 2) It will drastically cut down moscows reliance on transit countries. 3) Nord stream is the first russian export pipeline thatbypasses transit countries. 4) It will greatly reduce russias dependence on poland, which currently carries 80 % of russian gas to europe through soviet-era pipelines. correct statement/s is /are: (a) 1, 3 & 4 only. (b) 2, 3 & 4 only. (c) 1, 2 & 3 only. (d) 1, 2 , 3 , & 4. 40. Consider following statements: 1) Indian government has finally decided to set up a sovereign wealth fund.
INDIA PREPARES
Questions@IP zero balance. Saving bank accounts will be opened. 2. Kolkata Metro became the 17th zone of Indian Railway. (a) Only 1 (b) Only 2 3. Nalanda university was established in early 5th century and it was violently destroyed in an Afghan attack led by Bakhtiyar Khilji in year 1193. Select the correct answer (a) Only 1 (c) Only 3 Column I (Scheme) A. SABLA (Rajiv Gandhi Scheme Empowerment of Adolescent Girls or RESEAG) B. SWADHAR C. JNNURM ( Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission) (b) Only 2 (d) 1, 2 and 3
Vol.1 Issue 2 November 2011 D. Bharat Nirman Column II (Department) 1. Ministry of Women Development 2. Ministry of Development Human and Child
Select the correct answer (c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1, Nor 2 49. Consider the following statements 1. Nalanda, the ancient university in Bihar is planned to be re-established under a joint Asian initiative. Nalanda, Vikramshila and Odantapure are ancient universities which belong to Buddhism.
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3. Ministry of Urban Development 4. Ministry of Rural Development Codes : A (a) 1 (b) 4 (c) 1 (d) 2 B 2 3 4 3 C 3 2 3 1 D 4 1 2 4
50. Match column I with column II
2.
ANSWERS
1. (a) Exp. A quark is an elementary particle and a fundamental constituent of matter. Quarks combine to form composite particles called hadrons, the most stable of which are protons and neutrons, the components of atomic nuclei. 2. (d) Exp. Yaroslavl is located 240 km north-east of moscow on the bank of volga river. 3. (d) 4. (c) Exp: The Memorandum of Understanding is for a period of five years. 5. (b) Exp: The CPI ranks 178 countries on a scale from 0 (highly corrupt) to 10 (very clean). 6. (a) 7. (a) Exp: Mermaid is the long-standing nickname for Tripoli. 8. (d) Exp. Taptapani is famous for having sulphur spring. Rengali has hydel power plant. Jagatsinghpur was in news last year because of illegal ore mining issue of bauxite. 9. (a) Exp. Valiya Hamza Person of Indian origin, team supervisor of researcher led team which discovered the river 13000 feet beneath the amazon. Jugnua name of nano satellite to be launched by isro.Sampurlocated in srilanka, ceylon electricity board and ntpc signed a joint venture to set up a 500 mw coal based power plant. 10. (b) Exp. Tres stands for trans atlantic exoplanet survey. 11. (c) Exp. Ins shiwalik commissioned last year. ins shayadari will become operational by next year. 12. (c) 13. (d) 14. (b) 15. (c) 16. (b) Exp: The treaty has been signed by India and Myanmar. 17. (a) Exp: India will keep 1,225 items outside the ambit of tariff reduction. Malaysia will keep 838 products in the exclusion list. 18. (b) Exp: India took over the Presidency of the UN Security Council (UNSC) from August 1. 19. (c) 20. (c) Exp. Cho Oyu is a peak on the border between nepal and tibet which was conquered by kaltenbrunner in may 1998. Reinhold messner was the first person to scale the worlds 14 highest peaks in 1986. Nafissatou diallo had alleged strauss khan that he forced her to perform a sex act. 21. (c) 22. (a) Exp: The MoU was signed between UPSC and Service Commission of Canada and will remain valid for a period of three years. 23. (a) 24. (b) 25. (d) 26. (b) Exp: It will be resistant to the most powerful Carbapenem antibiotics. 27. (b) 28. (c) Exp. 111th constitutional amendment bill adds a new directive principle of state policy stating that the state shall endeavour to promote voluntary formation, autonomous functioning, democratic control, and professional management of co-operative societies. 112th constitutional amendment bill seeks to amend many clauses of article 243t of the constitution, providing reservation of seats for scheduled classes and scheduled tribes and also for the women in urban local bodies. 114th constitutional amendment bill seeks to amend article 217 & 224, to increase the retirement age for high court judge from 62 to 65. 29. (c) 30. (b) 31. (b) 32. (b) 33. (a) Exp: Russia is the only country to have a fleet of nuclear icebreakers. 34. (b) Exp: Economic freedom index is a series created by The Heritage Foundation and The Wall Street Journal. The Global Hunger Index (GHI) is developed by the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI). 35. (c) Exp: Angarsk Bank is the first atomic fuel bank. 36. (d) 37. (d) 38. (d) 39. (c) Exp. Ukraine carries 80% of russian gas to europe through Soviet-era pipelines. 40. (c) 41. (b) 42. (c) Exp. Tendulkkar made the side for the third year in a row. 43. (b) 44. (c) 45. (a) 46. (d) 47. (a) 48. (c) 49. (d) 50. (a)
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INDIA PREPARES
Questions@IP
CSAt moDEl tESt PAPER

Directions for the following 5 (five) items: Read each of the following passage and answer the items that follow. Your answers to these items should be based on the passages only. (a) 1 only (b) 2 only (c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2 2. Which of the below given statements are false? 1) Group 2B signifies elements that are highly carcinogenic. 2) FCC and ICNIRP do not feel the need to change the SAR limit. 3) Concrete action on IARCs findings will require more evidence and time. (a) 1 and 2 (c) 1 and 3 (b) 2 and 3 (d) 1,2 and 3 Apply the principle to the facts and select the most appropriate answer among the four alternatives given. Principle: Knowledge is power. Fact: The RTI Act 2005 is an effective piece of legislation for bringing knowledge in the form of information to the people. 1. The RTI can be a handful in addressing the problems of implementation 2. The RTI can be a handful only when it is clubbed along with social audit. 3. The RTI can be a handful only when the people have awareness about its existence and they are neither afraid of using the instrument to extract information nor using the information to extract accountability. 4. The RTI can be a handful only when the government machinery responsible for providing information is cooperative. Which of the following codes best describe the situation in which the RTI act can be effective? (a)1, 2 and 3 (c) 1,2 and 4 (b) 2, and 3 (d) All of the above
Passage (Q. 1 -5 )
The World Health Organisations (WHO) International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) classified RF-EMF (radiofrequency electromagnetic fields) as a possible cancercausing agent in the case of humans, under Group 2B of its classification system of carcinogens. Mobile phones emit non-ionising radiation, which, unlike X-rays or gamma rays, does not strip electrons away from molecules(ionize) in cell tissue and thus cannot damage deoxyribonucleic acid(DNA) and other biomolecules. The energy of mobile phone radiation is, in fact, a million times smaller than the energy required to break a chemical bond and cause chemical reactions. However, FR-EMF can cause heating of the material on which it deposits its tiny energy and at high enough levels can damage cell tissue by thermal effect. In the late 1990s, this resulted in the United States Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and the International Commission on Non-ionising Radiation Protection (ICNIRP) in Europe to set limits on the emitting power of mobile phones in terms of what is called specific absorption rate (SAR), a measure of the energy deposited in biological systems. SAR is defined in watts/kg and is the rate of absorption of electromagnetic energy in a unit mass of tissue. The limits set by the FCC and the ICNIRP were 1.6 W/ kg and 2 W/kg respectively. The question is whether these standards are sufficient to protect against health effects owing to long term exposures. Neither the FCC nor the ICNIRP has recommended any changes in their present standards on the basis of the scientific evidence of the adverse effects of EF-EMF available so far. It remains to be seen how these agencies interpret the IARCs conclusions and act on them. 1. Consider the following statements. 1) Mobile phone radiations, X-rays, gamma rays are non-ionising. 2) Mobile phone radiations are nonharmful to cell tissue. Which of the following statements is/are correct?
3. Consider the following statements. 1) A cell phone radiations energy is insufficient to break a chemical compound. 2) Heating caused by RF-EMF can damage cells. Which of the following statements is/are correct? (a) 1 only (b) 2 only c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2 4. Consider the following statements. 1) Group 2A for carcinogenic elements include agents that are probably carcinogenic. 2) Group 2B includes agents that are possibly carcinogenic. Which of the following statements is/are correct? (a) 1 only (b) 2 only (c) Both 1 and 2 (d)Neither 1 nor 2 5. Consider the following statements. 1) Radiations that have enough energy to move atoms in a molecule around or cause them to vibrate, but not enough to remove electrons are called non-ionising radiations. 2) Sound waves and micro waves are not non-ionising. Which of the following statements is/are correct? (a) 1 only (b)2 only (c) Both 1 and 2 (d)Neither 1 nor 2 6. Given below is a statement of legal principle followed by a factual situation.
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7. Question below consists of one Assertion (A) and one Reason (R). Examine them and choose the correct answer using the Code below: Assertion (A): Economic growth should not only be driven by domestic demand but also get export oriented. Reason (R): Most of the bank NPAs are from the funds transferred for priority sector lending in the rural areas. Codes: (a) Both A and R are individually true and R is the correct explanation of A. (b) Both A and R are individually true but R is not the correct explanation of A (c) A is true but R is false (d) A is false but R is ture 8. Increased competition in industry has helped the rural development process to
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Questions@IP a certain extent, because (a) Increased competition has led to increased focus on innovation and technological upgradation to improve efficiencies and hence delivery to the consumers. (b) Increased competition has led to increased focus in the companies to expand their markets and proceed towards harnessing the capacitates of the rural consumers. (c) Increased competition has led to increased realization among the corporate sector to participate in the rural development initiatives through the PPP model, in order to enhance their markets by increasing the purchasing capacities of their rural consumers. (d) Increased competition has lead to more tendencies of mergers of acquisitions and hence more holistic core competencies are available to ensure multipronged delivery of development through the PPP route. 9. A civil officer has called a meeting of field functionaries where issues of law and order, civil supply, revenue issues etc are to be discussed. How will he make the meeting purposeful and effective? (a) Allowing each official to take note of good performance and bad performance and accordingly officers should be praised or reprimanded. (b) The presiding officers should take note of good performance and b ad performance and accordingly officers should be praised or reprimanded. (c) Those whose performance had been satisfactory should be served with better of commendation and those performance had been bad with a letter of explanation in the review meting itself. (d) Advance information and details be tabulated before the start of meeting so that sufficient time is available to cover a large number of agenda items. 10. There is a river embankment which is flooded. There are two groups of people having contrary interest. Whereas one group wants to strengthen the embankment, other group wants to strengthen the embankment; other group want to cut it. A senior irrigation deptt. Engineer will .. (a) Form a committee having representations of two groups and will hold daily meeting to reach to an acceptable solution. (b) Request the local police to take preventive legal actions against leading people of both the sides. (c) Try to make two groups ready for an arbitration to be done by a retired engineer or irrigation department. (d) Contact local MLA and request him to ensure that both groups maintain peace. 11. A, B and C invested a total of Rs. 75,000 of money in a small service firm, At the end of the year, this firm made a profit of Rs 12000. Out of the total profit, A took Rs 1200 and B took away Rs 6000. Find the investment done by C in the initial investment. (a) 10,000 (c) 30,000 (b) 25,000 (d) 4,800
Vol.1 Issue 2 November 2011 the class is 4256. 14. What is the value of x+15? (i) x210x + 16 = 0 (ii) x2 12x + 20 = 0 15. There are 5 couples, 6 single men and 8 single women in a party. All male members shake hands with all females except couples. How many hand shakes will take place? (a) 166 (b) 172 (c) 172 (d) 118 16. There are two solutions of milk and water containing milk and water in the ratio 3:4 and 4:5. If these two mixtures are mixed in the equal quantities then what is the ratio of milk and water in the final solution? (a) 7:9 (b) 55:81 (c) 25:41 (d) Cannot be determined Directions for the following 5 (five) items: Read each of the following passage and answer the items that follow. Your answers to these items should be based on the passages only.
12. Two guns are fired from the same place of an interval of 14 min, but a person in a train approaching to that place hears the sound of the second gun 13 min 30 sec after the sound of the first gun. Find the speed of the train if the sound travels 320 m/s. (a) 40.67 km/hr (c) 45.28 km/hr (b) 42.66 km/hr (d) 41.39 km/hr
Passage (Q. 17- 21)

The world has witnessed widespread bloodshed and misery in the decade following September 11. The Bush administration responded almost immediately by attacking Afghanistan and following it up with an invasion. Instead of a calibrated response, President Bush talked about a new crusade against the terror groups and states that Washington held responsible for the horrendous attacks targeting important landmarks. Instead of analysing the deeprooted causes that led to the alienation of the Arab, and Muslim, world from the U.S., the Bush administration preferred to use the September 11 attacks to advance short-term geostrategic goals. The U.S. occupation of Arab lands and the unsolved Palestinian issue were primary motivating factors for the terror groups. President Obama acknowledged the centrality of the Palestinian issue in his March 2009 speech in Cairo. However, since 9/11, Americas support for Israels brutal occupation and expansion has only increased. Afghanistan was the first country to face the wrath of the worlds only superpower. Wakil Ahmad Muttawakil, who was the Talibans Foreign Minister, reiterated in a recent interview that the Taliban government had offered to hand over Osama bin Laden to American authorities months before 9/11 but the U.S. authorities were indifferent to the offer. The Taliban government was among the first to commiserate with the U.S. government and people after the September 11 attacks.
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Directions for questions No.13-14 Use the following answer choice for the questions below: (a) Only one statement alone is sufficient but other statement alone is not sufficient to answer the question asked. (b) Both statements (i) and (ii) together are sufficient to answer the question but neither statement is sufficient alone. (c) Each statement alone is sufficient to answer the question individually and the other statement is not required. (d) Statements (i) and (ii) are not sufficient to answer the question asked and additional data is needed to answer the statements. 13. What is the average mark of all the students of a class? (i) Average mark of one third of the class is 78. (ii) Sum of marks of all the students of
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Questions@IP The Taliban and Al Qaeda have two distinct ideologies. The Taliban leadership had no problems about establishing diplomatic relations with the U.S. In the late 1990s, the Indian government too explored the possibility of establishing ties with the Taliban government in Kabul. The Taliban today projects itself as a defender of national sovereignty and as an organisation open to accommodation with other political groups. It, however, insists on the withdrawal of all foreign troops from Afghanistan before peace talks can start. 17. Which of the following statement is/are correct? 1) 9/11 attacks were followed by a war against Islam. 2) Afghanistan alone bore the brunt of U.S. vengeance. Correct option is: (a) 1 only (c) Both 1and 2 (b) 2 only (d) Neither 1 nor 2 sovereignty Afghanistan. Correct option is: (a) 1 only (c) Both 1 and 2 (b) 2 only (d) Neither 1 nor 2 and security of
Vol.1 Issue 2 November 2011 it will introduce a system under which before granting a driving license the applicant will have to undergo an additional written examination. What is the most important benefit of the decision? (a) There will be a screening through which such persons will be eliminated, who do not have aptitude for driving. (b) It will work as an incentive of learning through formal education and will increase enrolment in schools and colleges. (c) Advanced technologies can be introduced in automobiles like GPS, computerized checks and balances, etc. (d) It will reduce rush of vehicles on the roads. 27. A Senior officer of foreign service has been entrusted with the task of developing a congenial atmosphere on the eve of Foreign Ministers talk between India and Pakistan to be held at New Delhi. The officer will (a) Make a courtesy call at Pakistani delegation to ensure that they are comfortable. (b) Enter into a back channel diplomacy with his Pakistani counterpart to prepare a structure of the dialogue. (c) Brief the Indian Foreign Minister of his assessment about the intention and mood of the Pakistani delegation. (d) Make a positive briefing to Indian and Pakistani media about the proposed outcome of the dialogue. 28. There is a Government official who is alleged to have misbehaved with a respected person in the market. The people have surrounded the office and are demanding that the concerned official be handed over to them for ensuring instant justice. The officer incharge will defuse the situation by . (a) Assuring the people that the matter will be enquired and suitable action will be taken as soon as possible as per due procedure of law. (b) Telling the people that what they are doing is against law and he will ask the police to disperse them. (c) Asking the official to appear before the people and seek an apology.
22. A senior railway official want to increase passenger amenities at a railway platform. His approach should be.. (a) To study the problems first and get the study done through an expert. (b) He should ask for suggestions from passengers and then discuss the matter with her subordinates. (c) Replicate some of the measures that have taken place on some other railway station. (d) Start from sanitation, drinking water, etc. without wasting any time. 23. There is a milkman who mixes water in his milk and thus makes a profit of 20% by claiming to sell milk at the cost price. Find the percentage of water in the milk that he sells. (a) 25% (c) 16.66% (b) 20% (d) None of the above
18. U.S. response after the attacks was (a) Well thought and planned (b) Taken in haste (c) Disproportionate
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(d) Not well thought or regulated 19. Which of the following statement is/are correct? 1) There was widespread bloodshed and misery in U.S. in the decade after 9/11 attacks. 2) Instead of dealing with real underlying causes, America resolutely went ahead with the sole purpose of ending its enemy. Correct option is: (a) 1 only (b) 2 only (c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2 20. After the attacks, the Taliban government was the first to (a) Hail victory against America (b) Sympathize with U.S. and its people (c) Make an alliance with U.S. (d) Mock Americas government and its people 21. Which of the following statement is/are not correct? 1) U.S. confounded two ideologically different organizations Taliban and Al-Qaeda. 2) Taliban is the defender of national
24. In how many ways, two team for a tennis double match can be selected out of five couples such that a team does not contain two members of the same couple? (a) 210 ways (c) 180 ways (b) 120 ways (d) None of these
25. Government wants that social sector initiatives, which it has launched in the form of Rural Health Mission, should bring good results. It should (a) Increase the allocation under Rural Health Mission so that there could be no shortage of funds for the scheme. (b) Modernise the Rural Dispensaries by increasing the beds, air-conditioning, etc. (c) Open more medical colleges immediately in states like U.P., Bihar, West Bengal, etc. so that more doctors could be made available in rural areas. (d) Recruit Para-medical staff for village level health centres and subcentres. 26. A state Government has decided that
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Questions@IP (d) Starting on the spot enquiry by recording the statements of both the aggrieved person and the concerned official. 29. A young man from a remote village has decided to join the Indian Army as a soldier. He has been motivated by (a) Glorious traditions of Indian Army and position it is occupying in the world. (b) Peacekeeping operating it has carried out under U.N.O. (c) Heroic work it has performed against China and Pakistan as told by his soldier friend. (d) Salary and allowances which have been increased after Sixth Pay Revision Commission recommendations. 30. There are 100 students in a hostel. Each day, ten boys go for a picnic in such a way so that no set of two students will go to picnic more than once. (a) 11 (c) 110 (b) 100 (d) None of the above (a) 16 (b) 18 (c) 10 (d) 22 34. In how many ways can you put 9 coins of different values into 2 packets (a) 2 (b) 9 (c) 92 (d) 29 Directions for the following 5 (five) items: Read each of the following two passages and answer the items that follow. Your answers to these items should be based on the passages only. Passage 1 (Q. 35 - 36) All sources of electricity sometimes fail, differing only in how predictably, how often, how much, for how long, and why. Even the most reliable giant power plants are intermittent: they fail unexpectedly in billion-watt chunks, often for long periods. In the United States, 132 nuclear plants were built, and 21% were permanently and prematurely closed due to reliability or cost problems, while another 27% have at least once completely failed for a year or more. The remaining U.S. nuclear plants produce approximately 90% of their full-time fullload potential, but even they are not fully dependable. Reliably operating nuclear plants must shut down, on average, for 39 days every 17 months for refuelling and maintenance. To cope with such intermittence by both nuclear and centralized fossil-fuelled power plants, utilities must install a reserve margin of roughly 15% extra capacity, some of which must be continuously fuelled, spinning ready for instant use. Regions which depend heavily on nuclear power are particularly at risk because drought, a serious safety problem, or a terrorist incident could close many plants simultaneously 35. What is the possibility author talking about? (a) 6 (b) 10 (c) 12 (d) 14 (a) Failures of electricity plants (b) Failures in energy transmission (c) Failures in energy production (d) Nuclear disaster 36. What is the purpose of reserve capacity? (a) It can come handy at time of crisis (b) It is required to secure security of energy transmission (c) It is required to secure against unforeseen circumstances (d) It is required to secure security of energy production PASSAGE 2 (37-39) Traditionally, jails are neglected deliberately in most parts of the world, including the Directions for questions32-34: Refer to the data given below and answer the questions that follow: A class of 30 students comprises of boy who can play Cricket, Hockey and Football. 3 boys play only cricket, 3 boys play only Hockey and 2 play only football. 4 boys could play all three games, while 11 could play Football and Cricket, and 10 boys could play Football and Hockey. 32. How many boys played Cricket and Hockey but not Football? (a) 1 (b) 2 (c) 3 (d) 5 33. How many boys can play at least two games?
Vol.1 Issue 2 November 2011 developed countries. This attitude derives from a morally flawed assessment that incarceration is meant solely to be penal rather than reformative. The U.S., which preaches human rights to the rest of the world all the time, is one of the nations hugely delinquent in the matter. It locks up people for alleged crimes much more than any other nation. The current estimate is that it has 2.3 million convicts behind bars. (The corresponding figures for the United Kingdom and India are 85,000 and 380,000.) Some of these people are there for stealing a pair of socks or hand gloves. 37. When a person is incarcerated, he (a) Is punished for the crime without any legal evidence (b) Is put behind the bars (c) Is put behind bars after legal proceedings (d) Is punished after legal proceedings. 38. Which of the following statements are correct? 1) Prisons are supposed to punish criminals and not to reform them, according to the general mind set. 2) U.S. is an exception to other nations for its better prison conditions. Correct option is: (a) 1 only (c) Both 1 and 2 (b) 2 only (d) Neither 1 nor 2
31. How many triangles are there in the given figure?
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39. Which of the following statements are correct? 1) U.S. leads the world in terms of the total number of criminals 2) U.S. has conditions. Correct option is: (a) 1 only (b) 2 only (c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2 40. A trader loses 20% by selling candies at 75 per rupee. How many candies per rupee he should sell in order to gain 25% at the cost price? (a) 32 (c) 50 (b) 48 (d) 60 appalling prison
41. A senior official of income tax department notices that collection of taxes in his jurisdiction is far from satisfactory. In order to increase the taxes substantially, he will (a) Try to increase tax base by bringing
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Questions@IP more people into the ambit. (b) Go strictly for collection taxes and take some coercive action in necessary. (c) Increase the income tax share by making suitable laws. (d) Reduce the income tax slab and have more contact with the income tax payees. Direction: Question below consist of one Assertion (A) and one Reason(R) Examine them and choose the correct answer using the Code below. Codes: 1. Both and A and R are individually true and R is the correct explanation of A. 2. Both A and R are individually true but R is not the correct explanation of A. 3. A is true but R is false. 4. A is false but R is true. 42. Assertion (A): Inflation can be handled in the short term by applying certain monetary measures. (b) The government should seriously inject the element of morality in the training of civil servants at all levels to dilute the erring nature of the officials. (c) The government should deal with the erring officials strongly at the judicial level so as to set the right precedence in the society. (d) All of the above the correct. 45. Cost price of a television set was increased by 10%, whereas the retailer increased the selling price by 20%. Now the profit percentage of the retailer has increased to 25%. What was the initial profit percentage earned by the retailer? (a) 14.6% (c) 20% (b) 16.4% (d) None of these
Vol.1 Issue 2 November 2011 closed. In how much time, will the tank be full? (a) 12 hours (c) 16 hour Direction for 49-50 Each question below consists as one assertion (A) and one Reason (R). Examine them and choose the correct answers using the codes below: Codes: 1. Both A and R are individually true and R is the correct explanation of A. 2. Both A and R are individually true but R is not the correct explanation of A. 3. A is true but R is false. 4. A is false but R is true. 49. Assertion (A): We exploit efficiently the produce of the forest, but fail to supply equal efficiency to the maintenance of the forest itself. Reason (R): The technological lag depends upon our ability to measure the relative efficiency of the various interfunctioning factors to keep in step. 50. Assertion (A): An invigilator in the examination hall finds himself in an embarrassing situation and feels uneasy when he observes that his close friends son is copying. Reason (R): Role conflict emerges when any status in-cumbent is supposed to perform a particular role which comes in contradictions with another role to be performed at the same time. 51. For efficiently running public distribution system in rural area, an officer in-charge of civil supply department should (a) Make effort to see that entire allotted quota of food grain is lifted regularly, physically verified and distributed under the supervision of local people. (b) Try to be personally present at the distribution point and ensure that distribution takes place under his supervision only. (c) Issue instruction to PDS dealers to provide commodities regularly, failing which stringent actions will be taken. (d) Encourage innovations on the part of PDS dealers if any one of them could start a better system. (b) 13 hours (d) 18 hours
46. Ten houses in a row need to be painted by any of the three colours (i.e red, blue or green) in such a way that no two consecutive houses are of same colour. In how many ways, this can be done? (a) 1024 (c) 1536 (b) 768 (d) None of these
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Reason (R): The RBI can decrease the Reverse Repo Rate o absorb some money from the markets. 43. How many triangles are there in the given figure?
Direction for question no.: 47 choose the most suitable option: 47. Nearly 100 million people live in the urban slums, with little or no access to potable water, sanitation facilities and health care services. A municipal authority should concentrate on which option in order to overcome the problems? (a) Streamlining the referral systems and linkages between the primary, secondary and tertiary levels of health care in the urban areas. (b) Coordination between departments and municipal bodies dealing with water and sanitation, education and nutrition, and women and child development. (c) Motivate the slum dwellers with their observance of the small family norms. (d) Facilitate service delivery centres in urban slums to provide comprehensive basic health services. 48. Two pipes A and B can fill a tank in 15 hours and 20 hours respectively while a third pipe C can empty the full tank in 25 hours. All the three pipes are opened in the beginning. After 10 hours, C is
(a) 16
(b) 22
(c) 32
(d) 38
Directions for question no. 44: Given below is a statement of legal principles followed by a factual situation. Apply the principle to the facts and select the most appropriate answer among the four alternatives given. Principle: Vicious cycle of corruption and inefficiency is basic reason for maladministration. Fact: Corruption is responsible for the enormous leakages in the delivery of benefits of the welfare programmes. 44. Which of the following statements could be suggestions for addressing the problem? (a) The government should try to use technology both for improving the delivery as well as monitoring the erring officials.
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Questions@IP 52. In recent years, congestion on national highways has increased mainly due to over use of trucks in transporting goods from one end of country to another end. This problem could be better solved by: (a) Reducing the freight charges on the railway transport. (b) Making super highways so that there could be sufficient road space. (c) Increasing the duty on trucks so that people could be discouraged to use trucks for transporting goods. (d) Developing inland water transport by making our rivers navigable. Directions for the following 7 (seven) items: Read each of the following two passages and answer the items that follow. Your answers to these items should be based on the passages only. Passage - 1 (Q. 53 - 54) Provisional data from Census 2011 indicate that Indias population might stabilise soon with the slowing down of the growth rate. From 21.54 per cent in Census 2001, the decadal population growth fell to 17.64 per cent in 2011. In absolute terms, 2001-2011 is the first decade (if 1911-1921 is excluded) to add a smaller number to the population than the preceding decade. The other good news is that literacy rate climbed from 64.83 per cent in 2001 to 74.04 per cent in 2011. While literacy among males rose from 75.26 per cent to 82.14 per cent, an increase of 6.9 points, it rose among females from 53.67 per cent to 65.46 per cent, an increase of 11.8 points. Of the additional literates, women (110,069,001) outnumber men (107,631,940). The gap of 21.59 percentage points between men and women in 2001 now stands reduced to 16.68 points. The full census data, to be released next year, should provide policymakers a comprehensive view of where India stands on key indicators of socio-economic development, set against the goal of creating a more egalitarian and just society. 53. Does the data given above suggest that, education system in India is improving? (a) Literacy rates have improved, thus system is improved (b) No, literacy rates alone doesnt tell the quality of education system (c) Yes, in poor country like India literacy is still a big issue and can improve a lot of poor peoples life (d) Cant say inadequate as information is
Vol.1 Issue 2 November 2011 votes, were sought by the political parties and they became conscious of their political power as king-makers under the electoral system. In free India every vote under the first-past-the-post system counts in singlemember constituencies which were the rule rather than the exception. All single-member constituencies were dominated by identifiable caste groups because of their numbers, or their access to money and muscle, and capacity to court or coerce those electors who were reluctant or refused to be counted in. Secondly, free India adopted the parliamentary system, which made governments, both Central and State, products of the legislatures. According to this system, any party which enjoyed a majority, even of one in the House, formed the government. That both systems actually distort, dilute and erode democracy, by giving us unrepresentative legislatures and even more unrepresentative governments specially in the era of coalition, is another question and was beyond comprehension and still is. But caste blocs, which enter the voting chambers through political parties of their choice, naturally seek administrative power and inequitable share in the goods and services provided by the state. 55. What is the merit of caste system in India? (a) that it provides individual identity to
54. Does the data given above suggest that population control policies of government are working perfectly? (a) No, there is lot to achieve yet (b) No, still a lot of number of people are added every year to our population (c) No, because the overall decline is not there, decline is on account of better performance of southern states only (d) Yes, because for first decade our population has increased by lesser number than that of previous decade PASSAGE-2 ( 55-59) The Constitution prohibits discrimination by the state among citizens on the basis of caste but it does not call for the abolition of caste identity or delegitimising the caste system. We know that though our freedom movement tried to consolidate all Indians beyond the pulls of religion, language or domicile, caste remained a persistent and effective factor in politics and development. Neither Gandhi nor Periyar nor Ambedkar could abolish it nor was it invented by Lohia or Mandal. We should, however, differentiate between caste and casteism. A man born in a particular caste lives and dies in that caste but casteism is a political tool for the exploitation and misuse of his caste by a caste group to secure a disproportionate share of social goods, assets and services. Even in a democracy, if we take economic and social assets like land, wealth, social status, place in administration and management, access to influence and sifarish, we find that all along, and more so after independence, the high castes have monopolsed wealth and position. It was pointed out by Lohia that 15 per cent of the people who belong to the high castes control 85 per cent of the social resources. This is not only true of the Hindu community but of all other major communities like Muslims and Christians. Lohia also pointed out that India made great progress at two points of history where high castes were not politically and economically dominant. The caste system has been ironically consolidated by the introduction of universal franchise after independence. This was a good thing in itself and opened the corridors of power to 90 per cent of the people who were not electors in the restricted system till the end of the British Raj. For the first time many caste and sub-caste groups, enriched by their
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(b) that its a tool of social stratification (c) that its apart of our culture and tradition (d) none of the above 56. What is the most important demerit of caste system in India? (a) that it provides individual identity to
(b) that its a tool of social stratification (c) that it is misused by politicians (d) all of the above 57. According which phase of Indian history helped high castes control so much of wealth and power? (a) Post independence (b) Pre independence (c) Post reforms period (d) 21th century 58. How is caste a danger for democracy? (a) because it monopolises wealth and power among higher castes (b) because it enables higher caste to
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Questions@IP dominate lower castes (c) because it creates wedge in society (d) because most of time caste gets more importance than candidate profile and developmental issues 59. That both systems actually distort, dilute and erode democracy, by giving us unrepresentative legislatures and even more unrepresentative governments, which systems are being talked about here? (a) parliamentary system and presidential system (b) caste system and parliamentary system (c) panchayati raj and parliamentary system (d) capitalist System and parliamentary system 60. The price of an X-ray machine is 3, 00,000. If the machine is bought in monthly installments in a period of 3 years with Rs. 500 as the first installment and increasing the value of the installment by Rs. 500 every succeeding month, find the extra amount paid by the buyer in the installment scheme. (a) Rs. 3000 (c) Rs. 30000 (b) Rs. 3300 (d) Rs. 33000 women be seated around a circular table so that no two men or two women sit next to each other? (a) 120 (b) 480 (c) 24 (d) 2880
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Vol.1 Issue 2 November 2011 justice, danger to public health or safety and damage to environment, including attempts to cover up such malpractices. The whistleblower must reasonably believe that his information about a malpractice is substantially true, and must act in good faith. Those caught making anonymous or pseudonymous leaks should not be protected. The period of limitation for filing a complaint must be sufficiently long (say, 1 year). The Act must encourage employees to raise the matter internally in the first instance and mandate organisations to establish suitable mechanisms for this purpose. Where it is not reasonable to raise the matter internally, or where attempts to remedy the matter from the inside have been unsuccessful, employees who make an external disclosure in a specified way should also be protected. What should be the `specified way is a matter of debate. In my opinion, apart from certain `designated offices (such as SEBI, Pollution Control Boards, etc.), public interest disclosures to MPs and MLAs; employee unions and associations; and reputed public interest groups must be protected. Disclosures to the media may also be protected in rare cases but the burden of proof to show reasonable cause must be overwhelmingly on the whistleblower. The protection should extend to all forms of retaliation and the remedies should be similar to those provided in the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, including criminal liability for retaliation. There should be a `fast track mechanism for adjudication of cases on the lines of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act. Whether the existing Administrative and other tribunals should be strengthened to do the job or new agencies created are points for decision.
66. There are 5 types of envelopes without stamps and 4 types of envelopes with stamps of the same value. In how many ways can we choose 2 envelopes one with stamp and another without stamp? (a) 9 (b) 20 (c) 25 (d) 16
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Directions for the following 8 (eight) items: Read each of the following two passages and answer the items that follow. Your answers to these items should be based on the passages only. PASSAGE-1 ( 67-71) During the past decade, scams, swindles, and rip-offs have become a regular feature of the Indian political and corporate landscape, costing taxpayers, investors and banks thousands of crores of rupees. Enactment of a Whistleblowers Protection Act is even more necessary for India than it was for the U.K. and the U.S. Together after the Right to Information Act, it can be a potent tool for promoting good governance in the country. What we lack at the moment are public interest groups like the Government Accountability Project and the National Whistleblower Centre in the U.S., and the Public Concern at Work in the U.K., to lobby for whistleblowers rights and defend employees against retaliation. Following suggestions can be used while drafting a new law in India to protect whistle blowers
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61. The average weight of 10 men is increased by 1 kg when one of the men, who weighs 68 kg is replaced by a new man (a) 82kg (b) 81 kg (c) 80 kg (d) 83 kg 62. The population of two parts of a town i.e., the upper and the lower parts of a town were equal. After the former had fallen 20 per cent and the latter has risen by 15 per cent, inhabitants total number of inhabitants was 39390. What was the population of each part at first? (a) 32825 (b) 20200 (c) 21435(d) 76810 63. In a game of 100, A can give B 25 points, but B can give C 40 points. With the same efficiency, how many points can A give C? (a) 45 (b) 55 (c) 65 (d) 60 64. 1250 mangoes were distributed among a group of boys. Each boy got twice as many mangoes as the number of boys in the group. The number of boys in the group was: (a) 25 (b) 45 (c) 50 (d) 625 65. In how many ways can 5 men and 5
With the consent of the required number of State governments, Parliament should try to enact a single Act for all employees working in any tier of government (including employees of any instrumentality of government whether autonomous or semi-autonomous), and also for employees working in any form of organisation in the private and voluntary sectors. Employees of contractors, sub-contractors and agents of an organisation; applicants for employment, former employees and overseas employees; attorneys and auditors should also be covered. What constitute `public interest disclosures need to be clearly defined. In my opinion, the protection should apply to specific disclosures only involving an illegality, criminality, breach of regulatory law, miscarriage of
67. Why author thinks it is necessary to have one more law after RTI? (a) Because a lot of RTI activists have been killed in past (b) Because corruption is order of the day (c) Because to encourage people to come forward against corruption we to ensure their safety (d) All of the above 68. What is the reason behind absence of such law in India?
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Questions@IP (a) Because there is lack of civil society pressure (b) Because politicians are not interested to strengthen the system against corruption (c) Because there is lack of concern in edia about death of activists and whistleblowers (d) All of the above 69. Why there should be a limitation period of 1 year? (a) Because sometimes the employees can make revelations for personal gains (b) Because sometimes its possible that employee has malafide intentions to bring disrespect to organisation (c) Because sometimes its possible that employee may not be sure of his allegations (d) All of the above 70. What is/are the loopholes in suggestion provided by author in case of protection regarding external disclosure of information? (a) It is possible for activists to be harmed when there is conspiracy among top level employees who will receive the complaint. (b) Its possible that complaint if made internally will be ignored (c) Its possible that external agencies are corrupt (d) Burden of proof is on whistle blower in case of media disclosure 71. What is the objective of having a whistle blower protection act? (a) To protect anti corrupt (b) To protect the non corrupt (c) To punish the corrupt (d) To prevent corruption PASSAGE-2 (72-74) A humanitarian act is one carried out for altruistic reasons; the term describes a specific intention translated into an act consistent with that intention, and any claim that an act has been a humanitarian one must be judged accordingly. The over-used phrase humanitarian crisis is actually meaningless, but if it means anything it is a crisis that creates an obligation on others to respond on grounds of shared humanity alone. Where consent is given, for example by both parties to an armed conflict, this is relatively straightforward, although a good humanitarian often has to be a good talker in order to overcome suspicions and negotiate access to people in need of assistance or protection. The Law of Armed Conflict, otherwise known as international humanitarian law (IHL), is a hard-won body of international law that underpins this endeavour. It provides for humane treatment of both military and civilians involved in armed conflict, including the right of access to those in needs on both sides of the fighting. The problem arises when one or more parties to the conflict deny access to affected populations or it commits atrocities against them. If a decision is taken to use force in response to this, a number of difficulties arise. First, there may be collateral damage (almost inevitable where the means chosen is aerial bombardment, as happened in Kosovo and has also been seen in Libya). Second, such decisions invariably involve considerations other than purely humanitarian ones (whether there are reasonable prospects of success, not to mention whether it is in the national interest to intervene) so the intention is less clear-cut and the action open to other interpretations. As a result the interveners may end up forfeiting their neutrality, which limits their ability to be effective on behalf of victims and gives humanitarianism a bad name. 72. What are the problems in defining humanitarian intervention and its just cause? (a) Its very subjective (b) Its not possible international law with given
Vol.1 Issue 2 November 2011 (c) Because present undemocratic (d) None of the above 75. A sum of Rs. 1700 is divided into two parts such that 30% of one part exceeds 25% of the other part by 70. Find the two parts in Rs. (a) 900, 800 (c) 650, 1050 (b) 700, 1000 (d) 725, 975 regime is
76. A bonus of Rs. 985000 was divided among 300 workers of a factory. Each male worker gets 5000 Rs. and each female worker gets 2500 Rs. Find the number of male workers in the factory. (a) 253 (b) 47 (c) 94 (d) 206 77. A can do a work in 6 days and B in 8 days. With the help of a boy, the three complete the work in 3 days and get Rs. 200. What is the boys share, if the money is distributed in the ratio of work done? (a) Rs.75 (b) Rs.45 (c) Rs.30 (d) Rs.25 78. Two taps fill a tank in 40 and 30 minutes respectively and a third pipe can empty it in 20 minutes. If the three pipes are opened together the tank will fill in: (a) 60m (b) 120m (c) 90m (d) 45m 79. As average rate for a round trip is 48 km/hr. One way, He travels at 40 km/hr. His speed on his return over the same route Km/hr is: (a) 56 (b) 60 (c) 48 (d) 58 80. A man spends 33 1/3% of his income on rent, 50% of the remainder on provision and the remaining on clothes. If he spends Rs. 3000 on his rent, How much does he spend on provisions? (a) 5000 (c) 3000 (b) 4000 (d) 6000
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(c) It is dependent upon will of the people of the country under humanitarian crisis (d) All of the above 73. What does author mean here by collateral damage? (a) Damage of friendly troops (b) Damage of neutral public (c) Damage of buildings damage of civilian
(d) All of the above 74. Why do you think the present situation in Sudan requires a humanitarian action? (a) Because Qaddafi is a cruel ruler (b) Because there is need for regime change after 42 years
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Questions@IP
ANSWERS
1. (d) 2. (a) 3. (c) 4. (c) 5. (a) 6. (b) Statement I just mention but does not describe the situation in which RTI can be effective. The job of description is best done by 2 and 3 only. Statement 4 is not valid because the implementation of RTI this time does not depends on the voluntary cooperation of the government machinery rather it is backed with coercive sanction of penalty in case of non conformance. 7. (a) Both the statements are true in their own sense however R cannot be the reason for A, as improving the regulatory framework of the financial system is only going to help curbing intentional defaults while most of the rural area defaults are situational rather than intentional. 8. (c) Again all the given alternatives indicate towards explaining what is mentioned in the question, however the best answer has to be which best brings out the role of the corporate sector vis--vis rural development. A does not link it with rural development, B only specifies the role of increased competition in creating the conditions wherein the rural markets become important for the corporate. C however goes further and indicates towards the model and its rationale, which could practically bring the role of the corporate sector into rural development. D is more a shadow of C as it reinforces the PPP model in a different perspective. 9. (d) Explanation: A structured meeting is always preferred when there are large number of agenda items. 10. (a) Explanation: The peak flood remains for few days only, hence it is always betterto engage the two group for few days 11. (c) A took 10% of the profit and B took 50% of the profit, So, the remaining 40% of the profit will be of Mr. C. So, C invested 40% of the total money = 30,000 12. (b) The person hears the two sounds in the interval of 13 minutes and 30 secs. So, he travelled a distance of 320 x 30 = 9600 m in 13 minutes 30 sec (810 sec). So, speed = 9600/810 = 11.85m/sec = 42.66 km/hr 13. (d) Using both the statements together we can neither find the no. of students or the average of the class. Hence, both the statements together are not enough to answer the question. 14. (b) On solving both the equations we get that x = 2 and so we can find the value of x =15. 15. (d) 6 single men will shake hands with 13 women = 6 x 13 = 78 ; 8 single women will shake hands with the 5 married men (as the case of single men is already accounted) 8 x 5 = 40 So, total number of handshakes = 78 + 40 = 118. 16. (b) 17. (d) 18. (d) 19. (b) 20.(b) 21. (b) 22. (b) Explanation : Taking suggestions from railway passengers is a better option. 23. (c) Suppose he buy 1 litre at Rs. 100 So, he sells 1 litre solution at Rs 100 and makes a profit of 20%. So,his CP = 100/1.2 = Rs 83.33 24. (c) No. of ways a couple can form a team = 5C1 ways No. of ways in which any or both of the teams can be formed by a couple =30 No. of ways in which the team cannot contain any couple = Total no. of ways the team can be formed Total no. of ways in which couple can form a team = 180 ways. 25. (c) Explanation: The scheme is not getting success due to non-availability of adequate no of doctors in some of the states. 26. (c) 27. (b) On the eve of the meeting it is expected that the senior officers of foreign service will enter into back channel diplomacy to ensure that the ensuing talk succeeds. 28. (a) Calling the police will provoke the people whereas asking the official of seek an apology will demoralize him. Starting on the spot enquiry is never advisable in a charged atmosphere. 29. (c) Friends narration about the heroic work will motivate him most whereas glorious traditions, peacekeeping operations he may not understand. Repercussion of 6th Pay Commission also may not understand. 30. (c) All the boys can go for picnic 11 times each as he can go with any set of nine boys and remaining 99 boys can be divided into group of 9 boys in 11 ways. Thus all the 100 boys can go for 11 picnics each and total number of days will be 11x100/10 = 110 days. 31. (b) There are 5 smaller triangles and 5 bigger triangles. 32. d. 3+3+2+2+x+6+7+4 = 30 x=5. 33. (d) From the figure, number of boys who can play at least 2 games = 6 + 5+4+7=22. 34. (d) Each coin can go into one of the two packets. So, total ways = 29. 35. (b) 36. (c) 37. (b) 38. (a) 39. (b) 40. (b) At 75 per rupee his loss is 20%. Hence, CP = 1/0.8 = Rs 1.25 for 75. To gain 25% he should sell at 1.25 x 1.25 = Rs. 1.5625 for 75 or 48 per rupees. 41. (a) 42. (c) Reverse Repo Rate is the rate at which the RBI sells government securities to the banks to absorb some liquidity from the system. In the event of encouraging the banks to buy government securities the RBI generally has to increase the reverse repo rate. Therefore if the RBI decreases the reverse repo rate as per what is stated in the reason, it is not going to help in absorbing liquidity from the system which is what is desirable in the event of rising inflation. 43. (d) Total no. of triangles=16+16+6= 38 44. (d) All the above options could be valid means of breaking the vicious cycle of corruption and efficiency. 45. (a) 14.6% 46. (c) 47. (b) 48. (a) Solution: Part filled in 10 hours = 10 (1/15+1/201/25) = 23/30 Remaining part = (1-23/30) = 7/30 (A+B)s 1 hours work = (1/15+1/20) = 7/60 ; 7/60 : 7/30 : : 1 : x or x = (7/30x 1x60/7) = 2 hours ; Tank will be filled in (10+2) hours= 12 hours 49. (a) 54. (c) 59. (b) 60. (d) a= 500, d = 500, n= 3x12 = 36 Sn = n/2 {2a + (n-1)d} = 36/2{2x500 + 35 x 500} 18n [1000 + 17500} = 333000 Extra amount paid = 333000 300000 = 33000 61. (d) Total weigh increase by 10 x 1.5 = 15 kg Weight of the new man = 68 + 15 = 83 kg 62. (b) Let the population of each part be x 0.80x + 1.15 x = 39390 X = 39390/1.95 = 20200. 63. (b) If A gets 100 points, B gets 75 points. If B gets 100 points, C gets 60 point. LCM of 75 and 100 is 300. If A gets 100 points, C gets 300 points and C gets 180 points. If A gets 100 points, C gets 180x100/400= 45 points, A can give C 55 points. 64. (a) Boys = x, mangoes gets 2x 2x x x= 1250, X 2 625, x= 25 65. d. One men in fixed position the rest can be arranged in !4and the 5 women can be arranged in !5 ways , !4x!5 = 2880 66. (b) Number of Selection = 5C1 x 4C1 = 5 x 4 = 20 67. (b) 68. (a) 69. (d) 70. (d) 71. (a) 72. (d) 73. (d) 74. (d) 75. (a) x + y = 1700, 0.3x 0.25y = 70, x = 900, y = 800 76. (c) 300 - x, 5000x + 2500(300-x) = 985000, x = 235000/2500 = 94 77. (d) work by A in 3 days = 3x1/6=1/2 of the work, by B 3x1/8= 3/8 of the work, By boy = 1 1/2 + 3/8 = 1/8. Ratio of work 4:3:1, Boys share 1/8x200 = Rs. 25 78. (b) 1/40 + 1/30 - 1/20 = 1/120, 120 minutes. 79. (b) Average speed = 2 x 40 x X/40 + x, 48 = 80x/40 + x, 60km/hr 80. (c) Income 3000/0.33.33%= RS. 9000, So, 50% of 6000 = 3000 50. (b) 51. (a) 52. (d) 53. (b) 55. (d) 56. (b) 57. (a) 58. (d)
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CONTENTS

SONAL VATS Editor

Vol.1 Issue 2 November 2011

Rethinking Disaster Management

Phases of crisis/disaster management:

Vol.1 Issue 2 November 2011

Vol.1 Issue 2 November 2011

landslides and Avalanches

Vol.1 Issue 2 November 2011

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figure 2: Disaster Management before NDMA2005

Vol.1 Issue 2 November 2011

2nd ARC Recommendations

Vol.1 Issue 2 November 2011

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Merger of Telangana and Andhra

Vol.1 Issue 2 November 2011

Statehood for Telangana

The Sri Krishna committee report

Vol.1 Issue 2 November 2011

More claims for statehood

Vol.1 Issue 2 November 2011

Ensure Zero Starvation Death: Supreme Court to All States

Corruption Cases: Supreme Court Lays Down Guidelines for Courts

NACs Recommendations to Strengthen MGNREGS

Vol.1 Issue 2 November 2011

Expert Group Report on Universal Health Coverage (UHC)

Vol.1 Issue 2 November 2011

CBDT to Set up Unit to Monitor Political Donations

UN Clean Development Mechanisms Certificate for Delhi Metro

Railways Safety Review Committee

Punjab-Haryana Dispute over Ghaggar River Bundh

Vol.1 Issue 2 November 2011

J&K to Become First State to Launch My Stamp

J & K Speaker Rejects Bill Challenging States Accession to India

Haryana First State to Introduce Crime Tracking System

MGNREGS Wages Through AADHAR-Linked Bank Accounts

RTI Call Center in Karnataka

Telugu becomes Full Member of Unicode Consortium

Vol.1 Issue 2 November 2011

66th Session of the United Nations General Assembly

Vol.1 Issue 2 November 2011

Vol.1 Issue 2 November 2011

of $10 million from Saudi Arabia.

Vol.1 Issue 2 November 2011

Vol.1 Issue 2 November 2011

Critical Evaluation of 66th session of UN General Assembly

Vol.1 Issue 2 November 2011

U.S. Declares Indian Mujahideen Foreign Terrorist

Vol.1 Issue 2 November 2011

Russia Opposes USs Missile Shield Plan in Europe

Russia - China Energy Partnership

Palestine Seeks United Nations Membership

Vol.1 Issue 2 November 2011

Israel Accepts Plan for Peace Talks with Palestine

Saudi Arabian women Gets Voting Right

Libyas National Transitional Council Gets UN seat

Myanmar Grants Amnesty to 6,300 Prisoners

Syrian National Council Launched

Vol.1 Issue 2 November 2011

declared its intention to liberalize the countrys hard-line policies.