april_2013

Current Affairs Ebook April 2013 Page 2

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Current Affairs Ebook April 2013

Table of Contents

Preface .......................................................................................................................................... 18

Pick of the Month ......................................................................................................................... 19

Prime Minister of India Visited Germany ............................................................................. 19

Number of Judges in next 5 years to be Doubled ................................................................. 21

IMF slashed Growth Rate of India to 5.7% 2013 .................................................................. 21

PMEAC Presented Economic Review 2012-13 ...................................................................... 22

High Seas Conference Concluded with Paris Appeal ............................................................ 23

Archeologists Discovered Gate to Hell from Ruins in Turkey ............................................... 24

Former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher Died ...................................................... 25

Chris Gayle: The Fastest Century Maker in Cricket History .................................................. 27

International ................................................................................................................................. 28

President of India Visited Mauritius ..................................................................................... 28

India signed Enhanced Air Services Agreement with Singapore .......................................... 29

China, Russia & Pakistan held Talk on Afghanistan Situation ............................................... 29

Treaty on Legal & Judicial Cooperation Signed With Azerbaijan.......................................... 30

Connecticut signed Gun Control Legislation ......................................................................... 31

India and Singapore Signed MoU on Air Services ................................................................. 31

UN ordered US to close Guantanamo Prison Camp ............................................................. 31

VoA for Pakistan initiated at Attari/Wagah Check-Post ....................................................... 32

Talks on Irans Nuclear Programme Ended without Agreement .......................................... 33

India Strengthened Ties in Steel and Mining with Tanzania ................................................ 33

Sheikh Hasina Rejected New Anti-Blasphemy Law Demands .............................................. 33

China announced Sightseeing Cruises to Paracel Islands ..................................................... 34

Pakistan Supreme Court: Musharraf cannot Leave Country ................................................ 35

Wikileaks published 1.7 Million US Diplomatic Records ...................................................... 35




Syria rejected UN Proposal on Chemical Weapon Use......................................................... 36

World's Largest Private Yacht named Azzam Launched ....................................................... 36

Iran began Production at Uranium Mines & Yellow Cake Plant ........................................... 37

USA Government approved Military Assistance to Somalia ................................................ 37

Elections in Malaysia scheduled to be held on 5 May 2013 ................................................. 37

India & Russia signed Regulation of Co-operation Agreement ............................................ 38

India-Mongolia Joint Committee on Cooperation Held ....................................................... 38

India, Bangladesh discussed on Mega-Film on Liberation War ............................................ 39

WBs Plan for Poverty Alleviation in Indian States ............................................................... 40

India, Mauritius Signed a MoU on Electoral Cooperation .................................................... 40

Amended Marriage Equality Bill 2013 Passed in Uruguay ................................................... 41

Indian Parliamentary delegation Visited Sri Lanka ............................................................... 41

India-China Counter-Terrorism Dialogue on Afghanistan .................................................... 41

IMF recognized Somalias New Government after 22-Year ................................................. 42

25th Joint Meeting of UNWTO Commissions Inaugurated .................................................. 42

India and Malta signed the New DTAA at Valetta ................................................................ 43

India & Finland to Explore Solar Energy Applications........................................................... 43

EU tightened up Bank Lending Rules and Bonuses .............................................................. 44

IMF Slashed World Growth Forecast to 3.3 percent for 2013 ............................................. 44

Nicolas Maduro won the Venezuelas Presidential Election ................................................ 45

Vice President of India visited Tajikistan .............................................................................. 45

Falkland Islands Voted to Stay under British Rule ................................................................ 46

China hiked its Defence Budget by 10.7 Percent .................................................................. 47

Cyber Information Sharing and Protection Act passed in US ............................................... 47

NTPC and PDB signed Three Pacts ........................................................................................ 48

India and UAE signed an MoU on Air Services ...................................................................... 49




Largest Biogas Plant of the World Inaugurated in Finland ................................................... 49

Explosive Materials Background Check Act of US................................................................. 50

International Quizzes ............................................................................................................ 50

World Dairy ................................................................................................................................... 55

National ......................................................................................................................................... 59

SOI filed compliant against Google for Mapathon ............................................................... 59

CCI amended the Combination Regulations ......................................................................... 59

National Policy for Children-2012 approved by Union Cabinet ........................................... 60

SC Rejected Novartis Patent Plea for Cancer Drug .............................................................. 61

India Post to Establish 3rd Automated Mail Processing Centre ........................................... 62

SC expressed Concern over Sale of Gutka despite of Ban .................................................... 63

SC: Make Punishment for Traffic Rules Violation Harsher ................................................... 63

I&B Ministry reconstituted CPAC .......................................................................................... 63

DBT Scheme to be expanded to 78 more Districts ............................................................... 64

CBI given the Charge to Probe into Rhino Killing in Assam .................................................. 65

Army to launch Scheme of Old Age Homes for ex-Servicemen ........................................... 65

Constitute Regulatory Body to Control Electronic Media: HC .............................................. 65

President appointed two Judges to the Supreme Court ...................................................... 66

SC dismissed Plea to Dismiss Bhullars Death Commutation ............................................... 66

Project for NOFN Creation in Gram Panchayats approved .................................................. 67

SC Sought Response from Government on Anti-Porn Laws ................................................. 68

New Plastic Voter Identity Cards to be Issued ...................................................................... 68

20th Meeting of Eastern Zonal Council was held at Kolkata ................................................ 68

Rs. 12000 Crore Special Plan for Bihar Approved ................................................................. 69

DA hiked to 80% for Central Govt. Employees ..................................................................... 69

DAC approved Changes in Defence Procurement Procedure .............................................. 70




NUHM Formulated as a Sub-Mission under NHM ................................................................ 72

Medi Claim Facility for the Farmers Holding KCC Launched ................................................ 73

IBIN for Effective Implementation of its Core Programme .................................................. 73

Govt. Proposed Launch of National Urban Livelihoods Mission .......................................... 74

HC on Social Media Accounts ............................................................................................... 74

Indian Railways Reduced Advanced Booking Period to 60 Days .......................................... 74

Supreme Court on Police Reforms ........................................................................................ 75

Government set up Committee to Enhance MSME Exports ................................................ 75

National Quizzes ................................................................................................................... 76

India Dairy ..................................................................................................................................... 80

Economy ........................................................................................................................................ 89

CCEA approved de-control of Sugar ..................................................................................... 89

Government achieved FY13 Revised Tax Collection Target ................................................. 89

4065.81 Crore sanctioned for Water Pollution Control ....................................................... 90

Core Sector Growth Slumped by 2.5% in February 2013 ..................................................... 90

Special Infra. Scheme in LWE affected States approved ...................................................... 91

4 Laning of Jorhat to Demow section of NH-37 Approved ................................................... 91

Workshop on Green National Accounting for India Concluded ........................................... 92

Foreign Tourist Arrivals in India Increased by Three Percent ............................................... 92

National Workshop on Grid Integration Inaugurated .......................................................... 93

India Trade Promotion Organisation Signed a MoU with Govt. ........................................... 94

Fiscal 2012-13: Railways Carried 1009.73 Million Tonnes of Freight ................................... 94

FCI Raised 5000 Crore Rupees by Issuing Taxable Bonds ..................................................... 95

Retail Inflation declined to 10.39 Percent in March 2013 .................................................... 95

NEEPCO granted MiniratnaCategory1 Status ................................................................... 95

Gold Prices Decreased to 15-Month Low ............................................................................. 96




RBI to Start Plastic Money Project on Trial Basis .................................................................. 97

IMF slashed Economic Growth Rate of India to 5.7% 2013 .................................................. 97

Indias Exports in March 2013 valued at $30849.65 Million ................................................ 98

To Revive Interest in SEZs of Investors FTP Changed ........................................................... 98

Changes in FTP 2009-14 to Enhance Trade and SEZs implemented ................................... 100

Government approved 1083 crore Rupees Revival Plan for HMT ..................................... 103

Govt. permitted Railways to use its Land for Metro Networks .......................................... 103

Union Government approved 13 Power Projects............................................................... 103

CCI slapped fine of 8000 Crore Rupees in 19 Cases ............................................................ 104

Union Government Launched 21 New Textile Parks .......................................................... 104

Economy Quizzes ................................................................................................................ 105

Corporate .................................................................................................................................... 108

Samsung is Most Popular Brand in Emerging Markets: Survey .......................................... 108

IVRCL Signed Agreement with TRIL to Sell Highway Projects ............................................. 108

L&T Bagged Order Worth 5689 Crore from RVUNL............................................................ 109

GAIL Signed deal with US firm for LNG Liquefaction Terminal ........................................... 109

G.V. Prasad Appointed as CEO of Dr Reddys Laboratories ................................................ 110

Nasdaq to Buy ESpeed Platform From BGC for 750 Million $ ............................................ 110

Infosys signed Five year agreement with RWEST ............................................................... 111

NTPC Signed Loan Agreements Worth 1870 Crore with Banks .......................................... 111

Reliance Jio and Reliance Communications Signed Agreement ......................................... 112

Raymond Lane Resigned as HPs Chairman ........................................................................ 113

China Mobile & Vodafone to Bid for Mobile Licenses in Burma ........................................ 113

SBI to discontinue Free Accident Insurance Cover from July ............................................. 113

Volvo signed Jeev Milkha Singh as Brand Ambassador ...................................................... 114

AISECT launched Job Portal called Rojgar Mantra.com ...................................................... 114




TVS Motor and BMW Motorrad tied up to Develop Bikes ................................................. 114

Yamaha established 5th Global R&D Centre in India ......................................................... 115

Mobile Visual Search Platform Ocutag launched by Ricoh ................................................. 115

Yamaha to Develop Cheapest Bike of the World in India ................................................... 116

TCS Signed Definitive Agreements for Acquisition of Alti SA ............................................. 116

Airtel restrained to provide Services in Non-licensed Circles ............................................. 117

Mahindra & Mahindra launched e20 car Priced 5.96 Lakh ................................................ 117

Global Sales of Computers Dropped by 14 % ..................................................................... 118

Honda Motor Co launched Sedan Amaze ........................................................................... 118

AAI & MITRE Partnered for Setting up R&D Centre ........................................................... 119

GAIL to sell Part of its 4.6 percent stake in China Gas Holdings ......................................... 119

Sahara Q Shop Entered into the Guinness World Records ................................................. 119

Twitter launched a New Music Service called #Music ........................................................ 120

Muthoot Fincorp to Launch 100 Crore NCB Issue .............................................................. 120

Grove Limited Launched Product to Manage Cost of Utilities ........................................... 121

Microsoft most attractive employer in India: Survey ......................................................... 121

Universal Commodity Exchange went Live ......................................................................... 122

FAA approved Resumption of Dreamliner flights ............................................................... 123

Air Asia Appointed the CEO for India Venture .................................................................... 123

Indian Mobile Services Will Reach 1.2 Trillion Rupees in 2013 .......................................... 123

Narendra Kumar appointed Managing Director of IGL ...................................................... 124

Fourth Huge Natural Gas Reserve in Mozambique Block ................................................... 124

Reliance signed Pact with Airtel for International Bandwidth ........................................... 125

Nokia Launched the Cheapest Handset, Nokia 105 in India ............................................... 125

Etihad Airways took over 24 pc Stake in Jet Airways ......................................................... 126

Google Inc Acquired Wavii for 30 Million US Dollar ........................................................... 127




SSTL Appointment Dmitry Shukov as its New CEO ............................................................. 127

Facebook Bought Parse to Build Apps for Mobile Platforms ............................................. 127

Aurobindo Pharma Received Approval from USFDA .......................................................... 128

Airtel Introduced Flat Roaming Rates for African Customers ............................................ 128

Corporate Current Affair Quizzes ....................................................................................... 129

State ............................................................................................................................................ 131

Government approved Tourism Project from Maharashtra .............................................. 131

AP Government launched Online Services named Parishkaram ........................................ 132

Odisha celebrated Utkal Divas on its 77th Foundation Day ............................................... 133

Gujarat Government Introduced Lokayukta Bill in Assembly............................................. 133

Justice AM Khanwilkar appointed Chief Justice in HC of HP .............................................. 134

Sikkim State Annual Plan for 2013-14 Finalized at 2060 Crore .......................................... 135

TWIC is the Project Management Agency for Water Treatment ....................................... 135

Odisha Assembly adopted Resolution for Special Category ............................................... 136

MoU Signed for setting up a Titanium Project in Kerela .................................................... 136

Rajasthan Govt. launched Free Essential Diagnostic Tests Scheme ................................... 137

PCI allocated 17000 Crore Rupees for Kerala Plan 2013-14 ............................................... 137

Odisha decided to set up First Public Health University in India ........................................ 138

MP decided to declare Malkhamb as the State Sport ........................................................ 138

PCI Allocated 30314 crore rupees for West Bengal Plan 2013-14 ..................................... 138

Andhra Pradesh launched Amma Hastham ........................................................................ 139

AP Government launched Emergency Response System Dial 100 ..................................... 139

VOR Equipment Commissioned at Ludhiana Airport by AAI .............................................. 140

285.75 Crore approved for Himachal Pradesh under PMGSY ............................................ 140

Goa to impose Entry Tax on Vehicles registered outside ................................................... 140

66th Himachal Day celebrated at Dhalpur Ground, Kullu .................................................. 141




Bihar Cabinet gave its nod on Quota for Women in Police ................................................ 141

Supreme Court of India cancelled 49 Mine Leases in Karnataka ....................................... 141

Meghalaya Lokayukta (Amendment) Bill 2013 was passed ............................................... 142

Assam Implemented Assam Right to Public Service Act 2012 ........................................... 142

Rajasthan: 5170 BNRGSK became Operational .................................................................. 142

Ahmedabad launched first-of-its-kind Heat Action Plan .................................................... 143

Goa Banned Drinking on the Beaches to Prevent Eve Teasing ........................................... 144

West Bengal set up Commission to look into Deposits Scam ............................................ 144

NABARD started Farmers Club Scheme in Kargil, J&K ....................................................... 144

HC: Maharashtra directed to release Water in Jayakwadi Dam ......................................... 145

Government of Goa launched Digital Krishi Card for Farmers ........................................... 145

Haryana Govt. Raised Cooking Cost of Mid Day Meal Scheme .......................................... 146

Sports .......................................................................................................................................... 146

Gujarat won Syed Mushtaq Ali Twenty20 Championship Title .......................................... 146

Andy Murray won the ATP Miami Masters 2013 Title ....................................................... 146

Houston Open 2013: American DA Points won the Tournament ...................................... 147

Sarnobat Clinched Gold at ISSF World Cup in 25-M Pistol Event ....................................... 147

India Won the Twenty20 International Women Series ...................................................... 148

Raninder Singh re-elected as the President of NRAI .......................................................... 148

Rupesh Shah Won ONGC 12th Asian Billiards championship ............................................. 149

India completed a 5-0 Whitewash of Indonesia in Davis Cup ............................................ 149

Serena Williams Won Family Circle Cup 2013 .................................................................... 149

Hockey India formed a HPDC for 2013-14 .......................................................................... 149

Pavlyuchenkova won Monterrey Open Tennis Tournament .............................................. 150

Deru Won Silver in World Youth Weightlifting Championships ......................................... 150

Serena Williams Topped the Womens Tennis Ranking ..................................................... 151




Manipur Claimed Overall Team Champion Title of NE Games ........................................... 151

Indian Women won ODI Series against Bangladesh Women 3-0 ....................................... 152

Gregg Clark is the Coach of the Junior Mens National Team ............................................ 152

Sania Mirza Became One of the Four Vice-Presidents of ITPA ........................................... 152

Adam Scott won Augusta Masters Golf Tournament ......................................................... 153

Chandigarh won North-Zone Sub-Junior Nat. Championship ............................................ 153

Olympian Sita Sahu Honoured ............................................................................................ 153

Navjot Singh is Youngest Athlete to win Sher-i-Kashmir Award ........................................ 153

Chris Hoy, Olympic Gold Medalist announced Retirement ................................................ 154

FIDE, AICF & Tamil Nadu State Chess Association Signed an MoU .................................... 156

Assam Topped Medal Tally of National Archery Championship ........................................ 156

Djokovic won Monte-Carlo Rolex Masters Tournament .................................................... 156

Sebastian Vettel won the Bahrain Grand Prix 2013 ........................................................... 157

Watson Stepped Down as Vice-Captain of Australia Test Team ........................................ 157

ICC Test Cricket Rankings .................................................................................................... 158

Prayag Won Gold Medal at ASBC Boxing Championships .................................................. 158

Thomas Cup and Uber Cup Finals to be hosted in Delhi .................................................... 158

Sabine Lisicki & Barthel won Porsche Tennis Grand Prix 2013 ........................................... 159

Andhra Pradesh & Karnataka emerged Volleyball Champions .......................................... 159

Sports Current Affairs Quizzes ............................................................................................ 160

Environment & Ecology .............................................................................................................. 162

Prehistoric Fossil Called Ichthyosaurs after Vladimir Lenin ................................................ 162

Sea Ice of Antarctica Increasing Despite Warming ............................................................. 163

Climate Change Benefiting Beaufort Island Adlie Penguin ............................................... 163

Cooling System Power restored to Japans Nuclear Plant .................................................. 164

Red Woods Ants Sense Earthquake Before It Hits: Research ............................................. 164




SC Ordered Relocation of Endangered Asiatic Lions .......................................................... 165

HLWG Presented Report on Western Ghats to MoEF ........................................................ 165

Desertification affects Over Large Indian Geographical Area ............................................ 167

Science & Technology ................................................................................................................. 167

AMS detected Scope for Dark Matter in the Space ............................................................ 167

US Government launched a Research Initiative Called BRAIN ........................................... 168

Facebook Released Software Called Home for Android Phones ........................................ 168

Exhaled Breath can be as Unique as a Fingerprint: Study .................................................. 169

US Scientists identified Genetic Markers of Alzheimers Risk ............................................ 170

Camera that can Capture Objects at Long Distances Developed ....................................... 170

Nuclear Capable Agni-II Missile was Successfully Test-Fired .............................................. 170

Aerosols from Burning Fossil Fuels Affecting Coral Growth ............................................... 171

Gene Mutation is Associated With Fatal Prostate Cancer .................................................. 171

Scientists designed Adaptive Material inspired by Human Tear ........................................ 172

Rings of Saturn produce their own Rain on the Planet ...................................................... 172

Plan to Build Worlds largest Telescope approved by US Govt .......................................... 173

Device to detect Gastro-Intestinal Cancers developed ...................................................... 173

Taste of Beer Can Excite Male Brain: Research .................................................................. 174

Bio-Engineered Kidney Successfully Transplanted in Rat ................................................... 174

Hobbit Humans Had Larger Brains Than Estimated: Research ........................................... 175

UK Scientists produced a Disease-Resistant Piglet called Pig-26 ....................................... 175

Giant Galaxy called HFLS3 Discovered ................................................................................ 176

NASA Kepler Mission Discovered Planets Kepler-62f & Kepler-62e ................................... 176

Researchers Developed Keyboard Called KALQ to Beat QWERTY ...................................... 176

Urgent Need to Clear Debris in Earths Orbit: ESA ............................................................. 177

European Space Telescope Herschel completed its Journey ............................................. 178




Science and Technology Quizzes ........................................................................................ 179

One Liners ................................................................................................................................... 182

News Capsule .............................................................................................................................. 184

Appointments of the Month ................................................................................................... 184

M F Farooqui is the new Secretary of Department of Telecom ......................................... 184

NK Verma appointed Director for Exploration of ONGC .................................................... 184

S Gopalakrishnan elected President of CII .......................................................................... 185

Krishna Kumar Natrajan is the New Chief of NASSCOM ..................................................... 186

Uhuru Kenyatta Sworn-In as the President of Kenya ......................................................... 186

PJ Kurien elected Chairman of AFPPD ................................................................................ 187

Sunil Kumar Took Over as the Managing Director of CRIS ................................................. 187

C Briggs appointed as Sec. General of Ramsar Convention ................................................ 188

Awards in the Month of April .................................................................................................. 189

Olive Crown Awards 2013 ................................................................................................... 189

ICSI National Awards for Excellence in Corporate Governance ......................................... 189

National Award for Excellence 2011-12 ............................................................................. 190

2013 TOIFA: Barfi! Bagged Best Film Award ....................................................................... 190

NTPC Won NDTV Business Leadership Awards 2013 ......................................................... 191

President of India Presented AIMA Managing India Awards ............................................. 192

Pran awarded Dada Saheb Phalke Award .......................................................................... 193

Rossano Ercolini won the 2013 Goldman Prize .................................................................. 193

Raj Chetty Won John Bates Clark Medal For 2013 ............................................................. 194

New York Times won Four Pulitzer Prizes .......................................................................... 194

Ravuri Bharadwaja selected for Jnanpith Award 2012 ....................................................... 195

Belgian Mathematician Pieree Deligne won the Abel Prize 2013 ...................................... 196

Pranab Mukherjee Gave Away Padma Awards 2013 in New Delhi .................................... 196




Jai Chandiram Felicitated with Lifetime Achievement Award ............................................ 197

Gallantry & Distinguished Service Awards Conferred ........................................................ 197

Dadasaheb Phalke Academy Award 2013 .......................................................................... 200

Personality in News ................................................................................................................. 201

NIA filed a Charge Sheet against 26/11 Mastermind Abu Jundal ....................................... 201

Website launched on Babu Jagjivan Ram ........................................................................... 201

Nomination Papers Parvez Musharraf Rejected ................................................................. 202

Abhilash Tomy Circumnavigated Globe Solo and Non-Stop............................................... 202

Pablo Nerudas body to be exhume to investigate ............................................................ 203

Sharad Yadav Re-Elected As President of Janata Dal (United) ........................................... 204

Nicolas Maduro won of Venezuelas Presidential Election ................................................ 204

Pak Court ordered Arrest of Parvez Musharraf .................................................................. 204

Mirza Himayat Baig Sentenced to Death ............................................................................ 205

Sarabjit Singh dead after inmates attack in Kot Lakhpat Jail .............................................. 205

Lifetime ban on Pervez Musharraf for Contesting Elections .............................................. 206

Person Died .............................................................................................................................. 206

Oscar Winner Author Ruth Prawer Jhabvala died in New York .......................................... 206

Roger Ebert, the Critic for Chicago Sun-Times Died ........................................................... 207

Renowned Historian Professor B.Nath Mukherjee Died .................................................... 208

British Scientist Robert Edwards Died ................................................................................ 208

Binod Bihari Chowdhury the anti-British Revolutionary Died ............................................ 208

Industrialist RP Goenka Passed away at the Age of 83....................................................... 209

Dr Hilary Koprowski, Developer of Polio vaccine Died at 96 .............................................. 209

Ramadevi: First Chief Election Commissioner of India Died ............................................... 210

KP Bhaskar, the Indian Classical Dance Maestro Died ........................................................ 210

Mike Denness, the Former England Captain Died at 72 ..................................................... 211




Alfredo Guevara, Cuban Filmmaker and Arts Leader Died at 87 ........................................ 212

Mathematician Shakuntala Devi Died due to Heart Failure ............................................... 212

Sivanthi Adithan Died at 76 ................................................................................................ 213

Former Chief Justice of India, JS Verma Died ..................................................................... 213

Renowned Violinist and Composer Lalgudi Jayaraman Died ............................................. 214

Legendary Singer Shamshad Begum Died at 94 ................................................................. 215

Woodstock Singer, Richie Havens Died at 72 ..................................................................... 216

Trinamool Congress MP Ambica Banerjee Passed Away at 86 .......................................... 216

Sailendra Nath Roy Died ..................................................................................................... 216

Books/Author........................................................................................................................... 217

Book Released: Religion, Law & Society-Across the Globe ................................................ 217

Orphan Masters Son won the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction .................................................... 217

Book titled A Leaf Turns Yellow: the Sufis of Awadh Released .......................................... 218

Book Titled an Ardent Patriot by Dinesh Goswami Released ............................................. 218

Important Dates....................................................................................................................... 218

World Autism Awareness Day Observed Across the World ............................................... 218

World Health Day observed: Focus on High Blood Pressure .............................................. 219

National Safe Motherhood Day Observed across the Country .......................................... 219

World Hemophilia Day was observed on 17 April 2013 ..................................................... 220

World Heritage Day was observed on 18 April 2013 .......................................................... 221

World Amateur Radio Day observed on 18 April 2013 ...................................................... 221

Civil Services Day was observed across India on 21 April 2013 .......................................... 222

International Mother Earth Day observed ......................................................................... 222

World Book and Copyright Day was Celebrated on 23 April .............................................. 222

20th Womens Political Empowerment Day Celebrated .................................................... 223

Miscellaneous .......................................................................................................................... 224




Tagore Centre Inaugurated in London ................................................................................ 224

Tagore Centre for Global Thought inaugurated ................................................................. 225

Int. Conference on Dedicated Freight Corridor Inaugurated ............................................. 225

CGHS Facilities enhanced for PIB Accredited Media Persons ............................................. 226

Ministry of Health & Family Welfare launched National Programme for Elderly .............. 226

SAARC Ministerial Level Meet on Poverty concluded in Nepal .......................................... 227

International Workshop on Green National Accounting for India Concluded in New Delhi............................................................................................................................................. 228

Minister of I&B an Indoor Shooting Range in Narangwal, Ludhiana .................................. 228

Science Express Biodiversity Special Train to be Re-launched ........................................... 229

Official Online Portal of INTRA-IPS Launched in New Delhi ............................................... 229

South Africa hosted the Fifth BRICS Summit at Durban International Convention Centre 229

Deadly Earthquake of Magnitude 6.3 Struck Iran; killed 37 ............................................... 230

Pakistan Test-Fired Nuclear-Capable Hatf-IV Ballistic Missile ............................................ 231

60th Anniversary of Everest Ascent to be marked by India-Nepal Army Joint-Expedition 231

Salman Khurshid visited Japan ............................................................................................ 232

Indian Coast Guard Ship H-191 Commissioned at Mumbai ............................................... 232

Government Inaugurated Leadership Training Programme II ......................................... 232

Execution on Rise even after World Abolished Death Penalty ........................................... 233

Korea & US Forces Raise Alert ............................................................................................ 233

Open Letter on Global Leaders for Tourism Campaign ...................................................... 234

G8 Nations Condemned N.Korea Nuclear Weapons Programme ...................................... 234

AVM VS Bharti YSM VM VSM Took Over as the SAASO ..................................................... 234

Blue Super Giant Star was discovered in Constellation Virgo ............................................ 235

Palestinian Prime Minister Salam Fayyad Resigned ........................................................... 235

Committee to Promote India as Film Destination constituted ........................................... 235

Chief Ministers Conference held ........................................................................................ 236




British Scientist Francis Cricks Nobel Prize Sold ................................................................ 236

Allahabad High Court Nullified the District Status of Amethi ............................................. 237

Mahatma Gandhi figured among Top Three Leaders of World ......................................... 237

Two-Day Biannual Conference of the NCC Concluded ....................................................... 238

Indian Coast Guard Ship C-402 Commissioned in Mumbai ................................................ 238

H.R. Mohan elected as New Vice President of Computer Society ..................................... 239

Aruna Bahuguna became First Women Special DG of CRPF .............................................. 239

Giorgio Napolitano Re-elected as the President of Italy .................................................... 240

Sunil Bharti Mittal appointed Vice Chairman of ICC ........................................................... 240

N. Ravi Elected As President of Editors Guild of India ........................................................ 241

Anil Goswami appointed as New Union Home Secretary .................................................. 241

Takehiko Nakao elected as the President ADB Board ........................................................ 242

Abdul Hamid was sworn in as Bangladesh President ......................................................... 242

President dedicated Siddheshwar Dham Temple to the Nation ........................................ 243

Pervez Musharraf barred from running for Election .......................................................... 243

Vice-President of India, Hamid Ansari visited Tajikistan .................................................... 244

The India Show in Panama Inaugurated ............................................................................. 244

First Test of Nirbhay Cruise Missile Achieved Partial Success ............................................ 244

World Bank: India is the Largest Recipient of Remittances ................................................ 245

E. Ahamed visited Algeria ................................................................................................... 246

Russia launched Worlds only Returnable Satellite Bion-M1 ............................................. 246

Earthquake of Magnitude 7 Struck Sichuan Province of China .......................................... 247

Oldest Known European Medieval Cookbook Discovered ................................................. 247

Oldest Harbour of the World Discovered in Egypt ............................................................. 247

New Wild Banana Species discovered in Arunachal Pradesh ............................................. 248

Russia Launched BION-M Called Orbital Noah's Ark into Space ........................................ 248




Top 10 Weird Museums of the World ................................................................................ 249

Seljuk Minaret Destroyed by the Protestors ...................................................................... 249

Pervez Musharraf arrested in Bhutto-Murder Case ........................................................... 250

Lucknow Zardozi Became a Brand ...................................................................................... 250

Ministerial Conference of Istanbul Process held in Almaty ................................................ 251

Foreign Investment in services sector dips 3.5% ................................................................ 251

Dutch Queen Beatrix abdicated; W Alexander is the new King ......................................... 252

Questions of the Month .............................................................................................................. 253




PREFACE

The Current Affairs PDF Magazine April 2013 includes the happenings of April Month. The PDF magazine available on jagranjosh.com plays an important role in making people aware of the happenings of the world and it also acts as a guide for candidates engaged in preparations of different level of competitive exams. The magazine being provide is drafted to meet the requirements of different level of exams including IAS|PCS, SSC, Banking, LIC, Railway and all other competitive exams.

The events happening across the world following the series of their occurrence and importance has been compiled with fineness by the team of experts. The events before being included for the final packaging are evaluated on different standards to make sure that it helps the candidates and keep them on right track to clear the upcoming exams, especially IAS Prelims 2013 in the best way. The presentation of the events is planned to stay for a longer period in the memories of the reader to ease their way of preparation for the exams they will appear in. Fine perception of the stories allows a candidate to apply the theories behind the making of the event and face the challenges during the exams everywhere.

Within the magazine one can find the events and happenings of National and International importance, daily affairs of Corporate world and Economy, advancements on the frontiers of Science and Technology as well as Environment And Ecology, Sports happenings and Issues of different States of the country, launch of New Books & Authors, Important Appointments, Important Awards, Personalities who made news, Important Dates and more.




PICK OF THE MONTH

PRIME MINISTER OF INDIA VISITED GERMANY

Prime Minister of India, Manmohan Singh visited Germany from 10 April 2013 to 12 April 2013 for participating in second round of Inter Governmental Consultations with Germany. He was accompanied by delegation including Ministers and senior officials.

During his visit, certain documents were signed.

JOINT DECLARATION OF INTENT FOR PROMOTION OF GERMAN

The Joint Declaration of Intent regarding promotion of German as a foreign language in India was signed between M. Mangapati Pallam Raju, Minister for Human Resource Development from India and Cornelia Pieper, Minister of State in the German Foreign Office.

Under the Joint Declaration, India would cooperate in introducing B.Ed programmes for German language.

Also scholarships would be awarded for Masters degree programs and for short stays in Germany with the goal of improving mutual trust and intercultural relations.

MOU ON COOPERATION IN THE FIELD OF HIGHER EDUCATION

This MoU was signed between M. Mangapati Pallam Raju, Minister for Human Resource Development from India and Johanna Wanka, Federal Minister of Education and Research from Germany.

This MoU intends to facilitate people-to-people exchanges. This includes students, academics, and project collaborators.

JOINT DECLARATION OF INTENT ON COOPERATION IN AREA OF CIVIL SECURITY RESEARCH

This Joint Declaration was signed between Minister for Science & Technology, Jaipal Reddy from India and Federal Minister of Education and Research, Johanna Wanka from Germany.

The Indo-German research cooperation in this new area intends to fund 5 pilot projects in 2013 with the identified priorities being natural disaster management, biological risk situations, urban security, protection & rescue of people and social aspects of civil security research.




Joint Declaration for the bilateral "Kooperations Program of the German Federal Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Consumer Protection and the National Seeds Association of India and the German Association of Plant Breeders

This was signed between Ambassador of India and Gerd Muller, Parliamentary State Secretary, Federal Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Consumer Protection, Germany.

JOINT DECLARATION AIMS AT STRENGTHENING COOPERATION

Plant variety protection Conservation of plant genetic resources Cooperation between Indian and German agricultural research institutions and seed

companies

Joint Declaration of Intent on the Establishment of an Indo-German Working Group on Quality Infrastructure for Cooperation in Standardisation, Conformity Assessment and Product Safety

This was signed between Foreign Secretary of India and Anne Ruth Herkes, State Secretary at the Federal Ministry of Economics and Technology of Germany.

This aims to strengthen bilateral cooperation in standardization, conformity assessment and product safety through advancing bilateral economic and technical cooperation, intensifying dialogue and promoting coordinated activities in international organizations.

It also provides for establishing and Indo-German Working Group Quality Infrastructure.

JOINT DECLARATION OF INTENT ON INDO-GERMAN DEVELOPMENT COOPERATION REGARDING THE ESTABLISHMENT OF GREEN ENERGY CORRIDORS

This was signed between Farooq Abdullah, Minister for New and Renewable Energy, India and Gudrun Kopp, Parliamentary State Secretary, Germany.

This joint declaration aims at fostering increased use of renewable energy in India through technical and fanatical cooperation by way of integrating additional renewable energy generation capacity with the national grid.

The Technical cooperation would be implemented through the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ) and KFW intends to provide concessional loans of up to Euro one billion over the next six years.

LIST OF DOCUMENTS SIGNED ON THE SIDELINES OF 2ND ROUND OF INDIA-GERMANY INTERGOVERNMENTAL CONSULTATIONS

MoU between Solar Energy Centre and Fraunhofer Institute for cooperation and exchanges in various areas including solar photovoltaic; solar thermals systems; hydrogen and fuel cells.




Programme of Cooperation between Dept. of Biotechnology of India and Helmholtz Association in the area of development of future natural drugs.

Supplementary MoU on Research Framework of the Indo-German Centre for Sustainability at IIT, Madras under the National Climate Action Plan.

MoU between Deutsche Bahn and Indian Railways for cooperation in the field of freight, passenger operations, infrastructure building and management; development of modern competitive railway organization.

MoU between DB Systel and Centre for Railway Information Systems for cooperation in the field of information systems related to railways.

MOU between Hof University of Applied Sciences & Integrated Association of Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises of India (SPV formed by Faridabad Small Industries Association) to develop specialized vocational training course.

MOU between Manipal University, Manipal, India & Bavarian Universities Consortium represented by Hof University of Applied Sciences of Germany to establish the Indo-Bavarian Integrated Bachelors and Masters Programme in August 2013.

MoU between Infosys Ltd and Bertelsmann Stiftung to support Vocational Education and Training in India.

MOU between PSG Institute of Advanced Studies & Professional Training Centres of the Bavarian Employers Association (BFZ).

Contract agreement between Cairn India and TUV Rheinland to set up a state-of-the-art vocational education training facility in Rajasthan.

NUMBER OF JUDGES IN NEXT 5 YEARS TO BE DOUBLED

The Union Government decided to double the number of sanctioned judges in India in next five years to ensure speedy disposal of cases. With this increase in the number of judges is expected to reach to a mark of 37000 in next five years.

The Chief Justice of India Altamas Kabir and Law Minister Ashwani Kumar on 7 April 2013 during the release of comprehensive agenda for legal and judicial reforms announced that the Union Government of India approved the decision of increasing the judge population ratio from 15.47 per million to 30 per million. The comprehensive agenda was released at the conference of Chief Justices of High Courts and Chief Ministers.

Increase in the number of fast track courts for trial of heinous crimes like offences against elderly, women and children is also under the plan of the central government. The funds for development of the infrastructure would be released under a centrally sponsored scheme on 75:25 basis.

At present there are 906 judges in the High Courts of India and is to be increased by 25 percent in next three years and 50 percent over a period of five years. To deal with small and petty crimes a committee will be constituted by the Government.

IMF SLASHED GROWTH RATE OF INDIA TO 5.7% 2013




International Monetary Fund in its latest release on 16 April 2013 of the World Economic Outlook (WEO) slashed the growth projection of India from its earlier prediction of 5.9 percent to 5.7 percent for the calendar year 2013.

The IMF slashed its projection for India based on the significant structural challenges faced by India, which would lower down the potential output keeping inflation elevated by regional reasons. It also predicted that the bottomed out India economy could recover following the policy reforms introduced by the Union Government and the improvement in external demands. All these depend upon a better monsoon season, solid consumption, external demand and improvement in policy making.

IMF also slashed the global outlook to 3.3 percent from 3.5 percent predicted in January 2013 and for 17-nation Euro Zone, the forecast was 0.3 percent. It has advocated to the policymakers of European nations to come up with aggressive monetary policies to pull out Eurozone from the crisis situation.

GROWTH PROJECTION BY UNION GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

The Union Government projected its growth for the fiscal year 2013-14 to be 6.2-6.7 percent. Indian Government uses the factor of cost method for making growth projections related to economy. Whereas IMF calculates the growth rate based on the estimates of Growth Domestic Product using market prices.

The Current Account Deficit would be elevated at 4.9 percent against 5.1 percent in 2013, and the Consumer Price Inflation can move up to 10.8 percent from 9.3 percent. The latest data released in context of Indias retail inflation showed moderated impact of retail inflation in March 2013.

IMF projected that India would grow at the rate of 6.2% in 2014. It projects the global economy to expand 4.1% in the 2014.

PMEAC PRESENTED ECONOMIC REVIEW 2012-13

The Prime Ministers Economic Advisory Council (PMEAC) under the Chairmanship of C Rangarajan on 23 April 2013 presented the Economic review 2012-13.

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE ECONOMIC POLICY REVIEW

Indias economy is expected to grow 6.4 percent in the new financial year that began on 1 April 2013.




PMEAC pegged the WPI inflation at around 6 percent and food inflation, at 8 percent.

FY13 bank credit growth at 14.1% vs 17% in the year-ago period. Bank credit growth lower due to weak credit demand & tight liquidity.

Net FDI at 18 billion dollars in FY13. FII inflows at 24 billion dollar in FY13 expect net FDI inflow at 24 billion dollars and FII at 18 billion dollars for FY14

The fiscal deficit of the Centre for 2012-13 is estimated to be 5.2% of GDP. It was 520924 crores Rupees in 2012-13 as per revised estimates, and is expected to be 542499 crores Rupees in 2013-14 as per budget estimates.

Current Account Deficit is estimated to be 94 billion dollars (5.1% of GDP) in 2012-13 and is projected to be 100 billion dollars (4.7% of GDP) in 2013-14.

Merchandise trade deficit is estimated to be 200 billion dollars (10.9% of the GDP) in 2012-13 and is projected to be 213 billion dollars (9.9% of GDP) in 2013-14.

Net invisibles earnings are estimated to be 105.8 billion dollars (5.7 % of GDP) in 2012-13 and are projected to be 113 billion dollars (5.3 % of GDP) in 2013-14.

It is estimated that for 2012-13 the net inflow of FDI was 18 billion dollars (26 billion inbound and 8 billion dollars outbound). For 2013-14 EAC has projected higher inbound flows of the order of 36 billion dollars. Outbound FDI is also expected to increase, resulting in net FDI inflow of 24 billion dollars.

FII inflows were weak in the first quarter of 2012-13, but picked up in the second and third quarters. For the year as a whole, portfolio inflows are estimated to be close to $24 billion. Portfolio capital flows are projected to be 18 billion dollars in 2013-14.

The total inflows under the head of loans are estimated to be about 30 billion dollars in 2012-13. This comprises mostly of external commercial borrowings (ECBs) and short-term loans. The projected figure for 2013-14 is $36 billion.

The total banking capital inflows for 2012-13 are estimated to be $24 billion and are projected to be at 22 billion dollars for 2013-14.

HIGH SEAS CONFERENCE CONCLUDED WITH PARIS APPEAL

The High Seas, Our Future Conference concluded on 11 April 2013 in Paris, France with the launch of Paris Appeal for the High Seas. The conference stressed upon the importance of governance of the high seas, in context of the negotiations on the topic in 2014.




The world leaders were appealed by the UN to take strong actions towards protection of worlds oceans from the economic and environmental impacts of pollution, unsustainable exploitation, acidification and climate change.

During the conference stress on furthering the scientific research by underlining the potential value of biodiversity of high areas was made. To ensure protection stress on transferring the technology and strengthening the capacities of the developing economies along with sustainable use of resources was made.

To enhance understanding of the ocean and informed governance, the participants of the conference reached to a consensus to increase funding for fundamental research.

UNDERLINED FACTS BY UNESCO

Inadequate Governance: this will affect the conservation and sustainable use of marine resources

Need to address to the outcome document on Sustainable Development recognized during UN Conference (UNCSD, or Rio+20) on urgent basis. i.e. the issu8e related to the conservation and sustainable use of biological diversity of marine in the areas that lies beyond its jurisdiction

Paris Appeal for High Seas was launched by the steering committee and this is open for being signed by the general public and will be presented to different institution of relevance that includes UN General Assembly. The appeal was for shared, transparent, democratic and international governance.

This conference on High Seas was organised by the Economic, Social and Environmental Council (CESE, France) and Tara Expeditions under the patronage of UNESCO.

ARCHEOLOGISTS DISCOVERED GATE TO HELL FROM RUINS IN TURKEY

Italian archeologists in the first week of April 2013 discovered the gate to hell from ruins in Turkey. The research conducted by the team led by Francesco D'Andria, professor of classic archaeology at the University of Salento found out that there existed a gate to hell, also called Pluto's Gate-Ploutonion in Greek and Plutonium in Latin.

The gate to hell was known to be the gateway to underworld in Greco-Roman mythology as well as tradition. Historically, this site was situated in ancient Phrygian city of Hierapolis, which is now called Pamukkale. It was described by the historians that the opening of this gate to hell was filled with lethal mephitic vapors.

Greek geographer Strabo (64/63 BC-about 24 AD) described that this place was filled with dense and misty vapours and the animals which passed through it, died instantly. The results of the findings were described at the conference on Italian archaeology in Istanbul, Turkey.




Francesco D'Andria, the lead archaeologist described that the gate to hell was discovered by reconstruction of the route of thermal spring. Pamukkale' springs, which are said to produce white travertine terraces originated from this cave only.

The site had even more ruins than earlier. The archaeologists found out Ionic semi columns. On their top, was the inscription with dedication to deities of the underworld-Pluto and Kore. The ruins of the temple, a pool as well as certain steps placed above the cave were also found and they all matched the descriptions of the site described in ancient sources.

Francesco D'Andria also described that this site was a renowned destination for performing the rites of incubation. The pilgrims used to take the waters in pool near the temple and slept close to the cave to receive prophecies and visions, in a kind of Delphi effect. The team of archeologists is now in the process of digital reconstruction of this site.

FORMER BRITISH PRIME MINISTER MARGARET THATCHER DIED

Margaret Thatcher, the Former Prime Minister of Britain died due to a stroke on 8 April 2013 at the age of 87. Thatcher was the Prime Minister of Britain from 1979 to 1990 from Conservative party of Britain and was the first lady to hold the post of Prime Minister. She succeeded as a Prime Minister James Callaghan of Labour Party.

She resigned from her office in 1990 after she returned from the Euro Summit in Rome, as her policies and her style of government led to the growth of rebellion inside her party. John Major of Conservative Party succeeded her in the office of the Prime Minister.

ABOUT MARGARET THATCHER

Margaret Thatcher was also known as the Iron Lady of Britain and was born on 13 October 1925 in Grantham, Lincolnshire

She got married to Denis Thatcher, a divorced businessman

In 1953, she qualified as a barrister and in the same year gave birth twins named Mark and Carol

During her reign in the Prime Ministers Office, many of the state-owned industries of the country were privatized the initial two companies were British Gas and BT

At Somerville College, Oxford, she graduated in chemistry and was the only third female President of the Oxford University Conservative Association




She got involved with the Conservative Party organization in Colchester; while working for a plastic company

POLITICAL CAREER OF MARGARET THATCHER

In 1959, she became the Member of Parliament for Finchley, North London for Conservative Party and was elected as a junior minister and soon promoted to the shadow cabinet in 1964 after the conservative party was defeated in the general elections

She was chosen as the Conservative candidate for Dartford seat in Kent but she lost the 1950 and 1951 general elections from the same seat; at that time she was the youngest ever conservative candidate

In 1970 she became the education secretary, when Ted Heath was the Prime Minister of Britain

She was termed as the Milk Snatcher, after she ordered withdrawal of the free milk for children in the age group of seven to eleven

She was given the title of the Iron Lady by a Russian newspaper after she criticized the repressive policies of Soviet Union in her speech in 1976

She won general elections in 1979, 1983 and 1987 after making a successful challenge to the former Prime Minister Edward Heath in 1975

She was in power, when the UK went to war with Argentina over the Falkland Islands in 1982

She retired from the House of Commons in 1992

MONETARY POLICIES AS THE PRIME MINISTER

To curb the inflation and control the finances of the country, she privatized the state owned industries. She also allowed the owners of houses in the councils to buy their houses. As a result of which, people with zero or negligible stake in the economy of the nation got a chance to own houses and invest in the shares of the business houses those were owned by the state.

SHE WROTE TWO MEMOIRS

Campaigning against the Maastricht Treaty

Condemning the Serbian policy of ethnic cleansing in Bosnia




CHRIS GAYLE: THE FASTEST CENTURY MAKER IN CRICKET HISTORY

Chris Gayle, the West Indies opener, hit the fastest ever century in the history of cricket by reaching 100 in merely 30 balls during Royal Challengers Bangalore-Pune Warriors IPL match on 23 April 2013.

Gayle scored a total run of 175 runs in merely 66 balls, which included 17 sixes and 13 boundaries. It is important to note that this is the most number of runs scored in any T20 innings. This was also his fourth century in the IPL career.

With Gayles performance, the total score Royal Challengers Bangalore was 263 for five, which is one of the highest total in this format of the game. Previously, the highest total in this format was 260 by Sri Lanka.

Jamaican Chris Gayle also became the highest-ever individual scorer in a T20 game, beating Kolkata Knight Riders' Brendon McCullum who had hit 158 off 73 balls against Royal Challengers Bangalore. Pakistans Shahid Afridi holds the record of fastest century in ODI (37 balls) and Viv Richards is the record-holders for fastest century (56 balls) in the Test cricket history.

PREVIOUS RECORD HOLDERS OF FASTEST CENTURIES ARE

30 balls: Chris Gayle, Royal Challengers Bangalore vs. Pune Warriors, IPL, 23 April 2013

34 balls: Andrew Symonds, Kent vs. Middlesex, Twenty20 Cup, 2 July 2004

35 balls: Louis van der Westhuizen, Namibia v Kenya, unofficial T20 international, 7 November 2011

37 balls: Shahid Afridi, Pakistan vs. Sri Lanka, ODI, 4 October 1996

37 balls: Scott Styris, Sussex vs. Gloucs, Twenty20 Cup, 24 July 2012

37 balls: Yusuf Pathan, Rajasthan Royals vs. Mumbai Indians, IPL, 13 March 2010




INTERNATIONAL PRESIDENT OF INDIA VISITED MAURITIUS

The President of India, Pranab Mukherjee visited Mauritius from 11 March 2013 to 13 March 2013. Pranab Mukherjee was the chief guest at the 45th Independence Day celebrations of Mauritius, which took place on 12 March 2013. He also visited the World Heritage Site, the Aapravasi Ghat, where Indian labourers first landed.

During the visit of the Pranab Mukherjee, certain deals were signed which are as follows:

MOU IN THE FIELD OF PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES AND SENIOR CITIZENS

The Memorandum of Understanding in the field of persons with disabilities and senior citizens was signed between Minister of State for Home Affairs from India and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade from Mauritius.

MOU WAS SIGNED FOR COLLABORATION IN CERTAIN AREAS LIKE

Empowerment of persons with disabilities and senior citizens Exchange of resource persons in the identified fields Strengthening capacity-building of personnel and NGOs in the identified fields Exchange programmes for the benefit of senior citizens, persons with disabilities, and

NGO leaders/ volunteers in these fields Conducting joint research and exchange of research outcomes

MOU ON COOPERATION IN THE FIELD OF HEALTH AND MEDICINE

The Memorandum of Understanding on cooperation in the field of health and medicine was signed between Minister of State for Home Affairs from India and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade from Mauritius. The major points of the MoU were as follows:

MOU WAS SIGNED FOR COLLABORATION & COOPERATION IN AREAS LIKE

Medical Research Health Service Planning Lab and Diagnostics Drugs and Pharmaceutical products: Traditional Medicine




Health Tourism Telemedicine

MOU ON COOPERATION IN THE FIELD OF TOURISM

The Memorandum of Understanding on cooperation in the field of tourism was signed between Minister of State for Home Affairs from India and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade from Mauritius.

MOU WAS SIGNED FOR COLLABORATION IN CERTAIN AREAS AND THESE WERE

Expansion of bilateral cooperation in tourism sector Exchange of information and data related to tourism Encouraging cooperation between tourism stakeholders including Hotels and Tour

Operators Investment in the Tourism and Hospitality sectors Exchanging visits of Tour Operators/Media/ Opinion Makers for promotion of two way

tourism Promoting safe, honourable and sustainable tourism

INDIA SIGNED ENHANCED AIR SERVICES AGREEMENT WITH SINGAPORE

India and Singapore on 2 April 2013 signed an enhanced air services agreement to build on the existing 216 weekly flights and meet the growing demand for air connectivity between both the countries.

It is evident that the demand for air services between both countries is growing continuously so the bilateral air services agreement in this context is basically enhanced to include more capacity entitlements.

It is also entitled as per the enhancement agreement that both countries would meet regularly to review air services matters. It is important here to note that Singapore is linked by air services to 12 Indian cities, having the most frequent flights to India out of Southeast Asia.

The agreement was signed by Civil Aviation Minister Ajit Singh and Singapore Transport Minister Liu Tuck Yew. Civil Aviation Minister Ajit Singh was present in Singapore from 2 April 2013 to 4 April 2013. He had also discussed the importance of air connectivity in enhancing bilateral trade ties between India and Singapore, with S Iswaran, Singapores Minister, Prime Ministers Office and Second Minister for Trade & Industry and Home Affairs.

CHINA, RUSSIA & PAKISTAN HELD TALK ON AFGHANISTAN SITUATION




The Diplomats from Russia, China and Pakistan on 3 April 2013 in Beijing held talks on the issue of coordination between their positions on Afghanistan. The diplomats from the three nations backed the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) that is grouping to play a great role in Afghanistan after the withdrawal of NATO Forces in 2014. These talks were held to enhance coordination.

The talk of the three nations in Beijing was a follow up of the India, China and Russia meet that was held in Moscow in the recent past. These talks aimed towards, balancing the act for enhancement of complicated regional dynamics.

The talks between the nations is a process to make concerted efforts for maintenance of Peace, Stability and Security of the country and support the reconciliation process of the country that will be run by Afghans themselves.

China and Russia from the SCO Grouping will play a bigger role in Afghanistan after the withdrawal of NATO Forces, whereas, India, Afghanistan and Pakistan along with Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan will play of role of observer countries in the group. China, Russia and India have developed a trilateral mechanism for coordination among themselves and their positions in context of the engagement of the three nations in Afghanistan after the withdrawal of NATO.

TREATY ON LEGAL & JUDICIAL COOPERATION SIGNED WITH AZERBAIJAN

Union Minister of Law & Justice of India, Ashwani Kumar and Minister of Justice of Republic of Azerbaijan, Fikrat Mammadov signed a Treaty on Legal and Judicial Cooperation in Civil and Commercial Matters on 4 April 2013. Apart from signing of the treaty, there were delegation-level discussions between India and Azerbaijan.

Major points of the Treaty on Legal and Judicial Cooperation in Civil and Commercial Matters The treaty between India and Azerbaijan in civil matters is a comprehensive agreement

for reciprocal agreement with the foreign countries for different purposes such as service of summons, issuing Letters of Request, taking of evidence, execution of civil decrees as well as enforcement of arbitral awards.

According to the provisions of the treaty, requests for legal assistance will be made through the Central Authorities of the Contracting Parties. The Central Authority of the Contracting Party in India is Ministry of Law and Justice, while the same in Azerbaijan is Ministry of Justice.

The aim of the treaty is to provide benefit to the citizens of these two countries for seeking Legal Assistance in Civil and Commercial Matters in their respective countries, irrespective of income, class or gender bias. The treaty will allow opening of new ventures of cooperation between India and Azerbaijan.




It is important to note that the treaties like this were also signed with other countries such as Mongolia, Bulgaria, Kazakhstan, France, U.A.E., Bahrain, Kuwait and Russia.

CONNECTICUT SIGNED GUN CONTROL LEGISLATION

Connecticut's state legislature passed the measures on 4 April 2013, which include America's first registry of gun offenders. Approximately, 20 young children were shot dead at school in December 2012 in Newtown, Connecticut. The state assembly approved the legislation by 105 to 44 after a series of debates. Besides, Maryland's House of Delegates also passed a bill requiring fingerprints for gun buyers.

However, in the US Congress, efforts to pass firearms restrictions are in the process. In addition to a gun offender registry, the restrictions introduce background checks on all firearms buyers and a ban on new magazines holding more than 10 rounds.

INDIA AND SINGAPORE SIGNED MOU ON AIR SERVICES

India and Singapore on 2 April 2013 signed a new Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on bilateral air services arrangement during the visit of Civil Aviation Minister, Ajit Singh to Singapore. It rationalizes the capacity entitlements of both countries in terms of seats per week in each direction with a route specific cap for Singapore on each route.

The MoU also enhances, by 10%, the capacity entitlement with India now entitled to operate 29,400 weekly passenger seats from India to Singapore and the designated airlines of Singapore entitled to operate 28,700 weekly passenger seats from Singapore to India. No additional point of call has been given to Singapore. India also did not agree to the demand of Singapore for additional point of calls from Pune and Madurai.

The common pool rights to the extent of 5160 seats earlier available to Singapore, which provided greater operational flexibility to Singapore carriers at major metro centers viz Chennai, Delhi and Mumbai, have now been withdrawn. The designated airlines of Singapore can operate with any aircraft type except A-380. The delegation level talks were held between Prabhat Kumar, Joint Secretary in the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Yap Ong Heng, Director-General Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore. Both the sides have agreed to review and update the air services agreement and meet every two years to discuss various air services matters.

UN ORDERED US TO CLOSE GUANTANAMO PRISON CAMP

The UN Human Rights Chief, Navi Pillay on 5 April 2013 ordered United States to shut down its Guantanamo Prison Camp with immediate effect. As per the International Laws, the indefinite imprisonment of the detainees by US without any charge or trial was a violation of International laws.




The Human Rights Chief of UN also claimed that the hunger strike by the inmates of the Guantanamo Bay US Naval Base in southeastern Cuba was a desperate act as well as an element of Surprise.

As per United Nations Human Rights claim, the act of US was just not a breach of its own commitments but also of the international laws and standards.

GUANTANAMO PRISON CAMP

Guantanamo prison camp was started in January 2002 during bush administration and is a detainment and interrogation facility of the United States military that is located within Guantanamo Bay Naval

Base of Cuba - It is used for holding men who are captured in counter-terrorism operations. It generally started after the 9/11 WTC attack. Barack Obama pledged four years ago to close down the controversial facility but yet it is under operation.

VOA FOR PAKISTAN INITIATED AT ATTARI/WAGAH CHECK-POST

Indian on 1 April 2013 started Visa on Arrival (VoA) facility for the Senior Citizens of Pakistan. The Pakistani Senior Citizens in the age group of 65+ years would be allowed to take the Visa at Attari/Wagah Check-Post. This is going to be a single entry Visa and will allow a Pakistani resident in India for a maximum period of 45 days.

The services of granting the Visa on arrival started from 1 April 2013 based on mutual agreements.

The Visa on Arrival initially was scheduled to start from 15 January 2013 but was delayed citing technical problem in wake up of the killing of the two Indian Soldiers on the LoC by the Pakistani Army on 8 January 2013.

Decision on group tourist visa facility has yet not been taken. Initially the two countries agreed to operationalize the group tourist visa facility to be offered to each others citizens and were supposed to start from 15 March 2013. The facility of providing the one time Visa for the citizens of both countries was decided following the guidelines of the Liberalised Visa Pact that was signed between the two nations in September 2013. The pact was signed for easing the cross-border travel as part of a confidence building measure between the two countries.




TALKS ON IRANS NUCLEAR PROGRAMME ENDED WITHOUT AGREEMENT

The latest talks on Iran's nuclear programme ended without agreement on 6 April 2013. After a two-day meeting in Kazakhstan, the major powers failed to break the deadlock. The five permanent members of the UN Security Council - the US, Russia, China, the UK and France - plus Germany had asked Iran to stop enriching uranium up to 20 percent in exchange for some relief from sanctions.

Iran stated that it would not compromise on its right to enrich uranium. Given the fact that the Presidential elections are scheduled to be held in Iran in June 2013, it is unlikely that there would be a breakthrough in the talks.

INDIA STRENGTHENED TIES IN STEEL AND MINING WITH TANZANIA

Government of India and the Government of Tanzania signed a Letter of Intent (LoI) on 6 April 2013 at De res Salaam during the visit of Union Steel Minister Beni Prasad Verma to the latter. The LoI aims to promote and expand bilateral relations between the two countries in the mineral sector with focus on strengthening supply chain for growth of the steel industry in both the countries. The LoI aims to encourage investment opportunities in India and Tanzania in the iron & steel related businesses, facilitates exchange of technical know-how in developing iron and steel production and other steel related raw materials, including pelletisation plants and other associated industries. LoI aims that both the Governments jointly work for developing the steel industry and exchange technically qualified manpower for sustainable growth of iron & steel industry.

The LoI will not only strengthen relations between India and Tanzania. It will also give added thrust to the possibility of exploration and development of mineral assets in the country.

SHEIKH HASINA REJECTED NEW ANTI-BLASPHEMY LAW DEMANDS

The Prime Minister of Bangladesh Sheikh Hasina rejected the demands of Islamists for new anti-blasphemy law, according to which the people who defame Islam or Prophet Muhammad would be punished.

Sheikh Hasina declared that the laws which existed earlier were sufficient for punishing people, who insulted the religion. It is important to note that a lot of Islamists in Bangladesh rallied in Dhaka for demanding the death penalty for people who were guilty of blasphemy.

The Islamists gave three-week ultimatum to Bangladeshi Government for meeting the demands which included tough punishments to the atheist bloggers too.




WHAT IS BLASPHEMY?

Blasphemy is an act by someone to insult or disrespect religious deity or show irreverence to holy persons or religion or things.

BLASPHEMY LAW IN BANGLADESH UNDER PENAL CODE 1980

Bangladesh was a secular state in 1971 and became the Islamist state in 1988. However, the secular penal code is used in Bangladesh since 1980.

Under Chapter XV (Offences Relating to Religion) of the Bangladesh Penal Code 1980, Section 295 (Injuring or defiling place of worship, with intent to insult the religion of any class), Section 295 A (Deliberate and malicious acts intended to outrage religious feelings of any class by insulting its religion or religious beliefs) and Section 298 (Uttering words, etc., with deliberate intent to wound religious feelings) are related to blasphemy and describe punishments as well.

CHINA ANNOUNCED SIGHTSEEING CRUISES TO PARACEL ISLANDS

Chinese officials on 7 April 2013 announced that sightseeing cruises to Sansha, the newest city of China located on the disputed Paracel Islands in South China Sea will begin later in April 2013. The act to start the sightseeing cruises to Sansha will increase the dispute over sovereignty claims to disputed Paracel Islands.

The Islands are called Xisha in China and Paracels everywhere else in the world. The Paracel Islands are disputed over sovereignty claims by China, Taiwan and Vietnam. It is important to note that China claimed sovereignty over around complete South China Sea. These claims were strongly countered by Philippines, Malaysia, Brunei and Vietnam.

The announcement of sightseeing cruises to Sansha was done from Hainan, the headquarters of China's South China Sea naval fleet. The tourists going f

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