January.2015

Current Affairs Today

Current Affairs

January 2015

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Current Affairs : January 2015

Contents Government signs $ 75 million loan deal with Asian Development Bank for KIUWMIP ................................. 9

M Sathiyavathy becomes first woman to be appointed as Director General DGCA ......................................... 9

Union government blocks 32 websites for spreading anti-India views and ISIS propaganda ........................ 9

Tropical storm Jangmi hits Philippines .............................................................................................................. 10

Union Government renames Planning Commission as Neeti Ayog ............................................................... 10

India and Pakistan exchange list of nuclear facilities ........................................................................................ 11

Microsoft sues Indian firm C-Cubed Solutions for technical support scam .................................................... 11

Government splits Chairman & MD post in PSU banks and names chiefs for 4 PSU banks .......................... 11

Delhi Police launches women safety mobile app Himmat ............................................................................... 12

Former MoS for External Affairs Kamala Sinha passes away ........................................................................... 12

French Economist Thomas Piketty turns down Frances top award ................................................................ 13

Gujarat government announces new industrial policy for 2015 ....................................................................... 13

Central Government appoints A.K. Mittal as Chairman of Railway Board ..................................................... 13

Greece dissolves parliament ahead of snap elections ........................................................................................ 14

IAS officer R K Srivastava takes charges as AAI Chairman ............................................................................... 14

Former ISRO chief and Renowned Scientist Dr V R Gowarikar passes away ................................................. 14

Indian-origin man J Y Pillay reappointed as top advisor to Singapore President........................................... 15

Indian company IRCON restores Jaffna-Kankasanthurai rail track in Sri Lanka .......................................... 15

Boxing India (BI) gets nod from Union Sports Ministry .................................................................................. 16

PM inaugurates 102nd Indian Science Congress 2015 at Mumbai University ................................................ 16

Union Government extends AFSPA for another one year in Assam ................................................................ 16

Sri Lankan Cricketer Kumar Sangakkara Joins Elite 12,000-Runs scorer Club in Test Cricket ..................... 17

RBI signs an information sharing agreement with US banking regulators .................................................... 17

RBI relaxes KYC norms for Non-Banking Financial Companies (NBFCs) ..................................................... 18

Andy Murray wins ATP World Tennis Championship in Abu Dhabi ............................................................... 18

UNICEF to prepare a Tea Atlas in Assam ............................................................................................................ 18

ICICI Bank Launches Digital Village Project in Akodara Village of Gujarat ................................................... 18

National Flag designer Pingali Venkayya honoured .......................................................................................... 19

Edward Brooke, first black elected US senator passes away ............................................................................. 19

Union Sports Ministry recommends Saina Nehwals name for Padma Bhushan award .............................. 20



Current Affairs : January 2015 International Hindi Conference 2015 will be hosted in New Jersey ................................................................ 20

Eminent Economist Arvind Panagariya appointed as NITI Aayog vice-chairman ......................................... 21

Sutirtha Bhattacharya takes charge as Coal India Limiteds full-time CMD ................................................... 21

PM launches National Programme for LED-based Home and Street Lighting for energy conservation ..... 22

Government launches subsidised 5 kg LPG Cylinder scheme for BPL families .............................................. 22

PM releases commemorative coins to honour late industrialist Jamsetji Tata ............................................... 23

President signs ordinance amending Citizenship Act, 1955 ............................................................................. 23

Government gives nod to Neutrino project in Tamil Nadu .............................................................................. 23

Tulsi Gabbard and Ami Bera take oath for their second term .......................................................................... 24

BCCI announces Indias squad for the ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 ............................................................... 24

Punjab bans sale of loose cigarettes and tobacco ............................................................................................... 25

Amitabh Bachchan appointed as Brand Ambassador of Andhra Pradesh health sector ................................ 25

ICICI Bank launches Indias first contactless credit and debit cards .............................................................. 25

Dinesh Oraon elected as Speaker of Jharkhand Assembly ................................................................................ 26

Pakistan enacts new law to create constitutional military courts to try terrorists ......................................... 26

Indian diplomat Atul Khare named as UN Under Secretary-General for Field Support ................................ 26

Nobel laureate Kailash Satyarthis Prize for Display at Rashtrapati Bhavan museum ................................... 27

Kotak Mahindra-ING Vysya merger gets shareholders nod ............................................................................. 27

President signs ordinance to pave way for e-rickshaws on Delhi roads .......................................................... 28

19th National Youth Festival begins in Guwahati, Assam ................................................................................. 28

PM Narendra Modi inaugurates Dandi Kutir museum in Gujarat .................................................................. 29

Japanese automaker Honda pays $ 70 million fine to US after failing to report safety issues ....................... 29

15 NRIs awarded Pravasi Bharatiya Samman 2015 ............................................................................................ 29

NASAs Kepler Telescope achieves big milestone with 1,000th exoplanet discovery ...................................... 30

M. Karunanidhi re-elected as DMK Chief for 11th time ..................................................................................... 31

Governors rule imposed in Jammu and Kashmir .............................................................................................. 31

Maithripala Sirisena sworn-in as 7th President of Sri Lanka ........................................................................... 32

Aziz Qureshi sworn in as Governor of Mizoram ................................................................................................ 33

Union Government merges PIO and OCI cards................................................................................................. 33

Chinese Physicist Yu Min awarded State Preeminent Science and Technology Award 2014 ......................... 33

Tatas Vistara airline starts domestic flight operation ...................................................................................... 34



Current Affairs : January 2015 3 day Flamingo Festival begins near Pulicat Lake in Nellore district of Andhra Pradesh ............................... 34

Sindhushree Khullar appointed as Chief Executive Officer of NITI Aayog ..................................................... 35

World Hindi Day is being observed on 10 January every year .......................................................................... 35

Union Government unblocks 32 websites .......................................................................................................... 35

DRDO successfully tests advance EW suite in Tejas-PV1 Aircraft .................................................................... 36

People from 11 countries take part in First Buddha Heritage Walk in Bihar ................................................... 36

PM Narendra Modi inaugurates 7th vibrant Gujarat summit .......................................................................... 36

First China-CELAC Forum ministerial meeting concludes in Beijing ............................................................. 37

UN chief Ban Ki Moon inaugurates Gujarats second canal-top 10-MW solar power project ........................ 37

January 12 being observed as National Youth Day ............................................................................................. 38

Roger Federer records 1000th win after winning Brisbane title ...................................................................... 38

Union Finance Minister Jaitley adopts 4 Gujarat villages as part of Sansad Adarsh Gram Yojana................ 38

Union Government appoints Pournima Gupte as IRDA actuary ..................................................................... 39

72nd Golden Globe Awards .................................................................................................................................. 39

Idukki district of Kerala becomes Indias first district with rural broadband network.................................. 40

Odhisas Sun Temple gets ASIs Adarsh Monument tag .................................................................................... 40

Cristiano Ronaldo wins FIFA Ballon dOr award for the third time ................................................................. 40

Justice S K Sinha becomes first Hindu Chief Justice of Bangladesh ................................................................ 41

Border haat to enhance trade between India, Bangladesh opens in Tripura .................................................. 41

Government appoints Alur Seelin Kiran Kumar as ISRO chairman ................................................................ 42

Haryana Government unveils new sports policy ............................................................................................... 42

Kamal Kishore Goyanka selected for Vyas Samman 2014 ................................................................................. 43

RBI governor Raghuram Rajan wins Governor of the Year award ................................................................... 43

Railway Ministry flagged off Indias first CNG train in Haryana ..................................................................... 44

USAID, Gates Foundation to partner with government for Swachchh Bharat Mission ................................ 44

Government sacks DRDO Chief Avinash Chander, 16 months before end of his tenure ............................... 44

ISRO Mars Orbiter Mission team wins 2015 Space Pioneer Award .................................................................. 45

Pope Francis declares Indian priest Joseph Vaz as saint in Colombo .............................................................. 45

SHAR director MYS Prasad selected for Vikram Sarabhai Memorial Award 2014-15 ..................................... 46

Eminent Sanskrit scholar Prabhu Nath Dwivedi named for Sahitya Akademi Award 2014 .......................... 46

Italys President Giorgio Napolitano resigns ..................................................................................................... 46



Current Affairs : January 2015 Government hands over new Maritime Security Gadget to Navy, Coast guard.............................................. 47

Indias Open water swimmer Bhakti Sharma sets world record in Antarctic Ocean ..................................... 47

Army Day is being observed on 15 January ......................................................................................................... 47

Team India unveils new eco-friendly ODI jersey kit .......................................................................................... 48

HS Brahma appointed as Chief Election Commissioner of India .................................................................... 48

RBI cuts repo rate by 25 basis point .................................................................................................................... 48

US designates Taliban Chief Mullah Fazlullah as Global Terrorist ................................................................... 49

Leela Samson resigns as Chairperson of Central Board of Film Certification ................................................ 49

SEBI notifies stringent insider trading norms .................................................................................................. 50

Haryana government announces yoga guru Ramdev its brand ambassador .................................................. 50

J&K wins National e-Governance award 2014-15 for best district-level initiative ........................................... 50

Veteran freedom fighter Ghelubhai Naik passes away ...................................................................................... 51

Missing Mars probe Beagle 2 found on Mars after 11 years .............................................................................. 51

Sania Mirza, Bethanie Mattek-Sands wins Sydney doubles title ..................................................................... 52

Tribal Food Festival-2015 begins in New Delhi ................................................................................................... 52

Union Cabinet gives nod to FM Phase 3 auction ................................................................................................ 52

Union Government launches schemes to support entrepreneurs from Scheduled Castes ............................ 53

New travel and trade rules between US and Cuba come into effect ................................................................. 53

President launches pulse polio immunization programme .............................................................................. 53

IAF gets first indigenously-built Light Combat Aircraft Tejas .......................................................................... 54

Egypts best-known actresses Faten Hamama passes away .............................................................................. 54

Winners of mens & womens single title of Sydney International Tennis tournament ................................ 55

5th General Assembly of IRENA begins in Abu Dhabi ....................................................................................... 55

Union HRD Minister Smriti Irani lays Foundation stone of IIM-Visakhapatnam ......................................... 55

Andhra Pradesh government signs pact with ICRISAT to boost sustainable farming ................................... 56

South African cricketer AB de Villiers hits fastest century in ODIs ................................................................. 57

2014 hottest year on record: US scientists .......................................................................................................... 57

Indian-American Frank Islam presented with Martin Luther King Award..................................................... 57

United Nation and Mali government declares country Ebola-free .................................................................. 58

World Future Energy Summit begins in Abu Dhabi .......................................................................................... 58

Eminent political scientist Rajni Kothari passes away ...................................................................................... 59



Current Affairs : January 2015 Union Government reconstitutes Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) .............................................. 59

IIT, ONGC ink MoU to develop indigenous technologies to enhance oil exploration ....................................60

Australian cricketer David Warner fined over speak English incident ............................................................60

Indias growth to reach 6.3 per cent in 2016: UN WESP report .........................................................................60

First successful organ donation from newborn takes place in UK ................................................................... 61

Indias Tigers population increases by 30% since 2011 ...................................................................................... 61

India ranks 78th globally in Global Talent Competitiveness Index (GTCI) 2014 ............................................. 62

Union Government launches monitoring system for skill development scheme ........................................... 62

Punjab government launches e-stamping project ............................................................................................. 62

Maharashtra government declares Chandrapur as dry district ....................................................................... 63

EU decides to lift ban on import of mangoes from India .................................................................................. 63

Twitter buys Indian start-up ZipDial .................................................................................................................. 63

Japanese automaker Toyota tops in global vehicle sales .................................................................................... 64

Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana features into Guinness book of World Records ........................................ 64

Cyberabad CP awarded by ECI for Best Electoral Practices-2014 ..................................................................... 64

Union Government launches HRIDAY scheme ................................................................................................. 65

Economist Bibek Debroy takes over as member of NITI Aayog ....................................................................... 65

Microsoft unveils virtual assistant Cortana for Windows handsets ................................................................ 66

Union Budget Session will begin on February 23 ............................................................................................... 66

Keralas Periyar tiger reserve wins NTCA biennial award ................................................................................. 66

Union Government launches Beti Bachao-Beti Padhao campaign .................................................................. 67

Prof Kaptan Singh Solanki sworn-in as governor of Punjab ............................................................................ 67

Supreme Court bars N Srinivasan from contesting BCCI elections ................................................................ 67

Saudi Arabias King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz passes away ................................................................................. 68

Yemen government resigns under pressure from Shia Houthi rebels ............................................................. 68

Telugu comedian and director M.S.Narayana passes away .............................................................................. 69

Vodafone appoints Sunil Sood as India CEO ..................................................................................................... 69

US scientists make safe GMO .............................................................................................................................. 69

Jhumpa Lahiri wins DSC Prize for South Asian Literature 2015 ....................................................................... 70

India, US inks pact to cooperate in ICTE to facilitate Digital India programme ............................................ 70

SBI signs 100 mn euro loan pact with EIB .......................................................................................................... 70



Current Affairs : January 2015 Saraswathi Menon named on Panel to Review UN Peace-Building Architecture ........................................... 71

Thailand impeaches former Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra .................................................................. 71

Shanta Kumar Committee on Restructuring of FCI submits report to PM..................................................... 72

RBI lifts ban on carrying 1,000, 500 bank notes to and from Nepal, Bhutan .................................................. 72

Queen Elizabeth II Now Oldest Living Monarch in World ............................................................................... 73

Arundhathi Subramaniam wins inaugural Khushwant Singh Memorial Prize for Poetry ........................... 73

National Voters Day observed on 25th January .................................................................................................. 73

TRAI issues draft rules for full mobile number portability ............................................................................... 74

Pooja Thakur- first woman officer to lead guard of honour at Rashtrapathi Bhavan .................................... 74

Renowned Marathi writer MD Hatkananglekar passes away .......................................................................... 74

India funds Nepals Pancheshwar project to counter Kheri floods .................................................................. 75

Saina Nehwal wins Syed Modi Grand Prix Gold badminton tournament 2015 .............................................. 75

Parupalli Kashyap Wins Syed Modi Grand Prix Gold Title 2015 ....................................................................... 75

India, U.S. sign three MoUs on smart cities ....................................................................................................... 76

Edgar Lungu sworn into office as Zambias new president .............................................................................. 76

Padma Awards 2015 .............................................................................................................................................. 76

Anti-austerity Syriza party wins Greeces general elections ............................................................................. 79

Major Mukund Varadarajan and Naik Neeraj Kumar Singh awarded Ashok Chakra posthumously .......... 80

Colombias Paulina Vega crowned Miss Universe 2015 .................................................................................... 80

For first time all-women contingent marches on 66th Republic Day parade ................................................. 80

Eminent cartoonist RK Laxman passes away ..................................................................................................... 81

Famous Greek singer Demis Roussos passes away ............................................................................................ 81

Libby Lane, first female bishop of England consecrated ................................................................................... 82

Barack Obama becomes first US President to be Chief Guest at Republic-Day .............................................. 82

DP Sinha appointed as secretary (security) in the cabinet secretariat ............................................................. 82

K Durga Prasad appointed as Special DG of CRPF ............................................................................................ 83

RBI signs an information sharing agreement with Brazils Central Bank ...................................................... 83

Australian cricketer Sean Abbott wins Bradman young cricketer of the year award ..................................... 83

India challenges WTO panels ruling in US poultry case to DSB ...................................................................... 84

Maharashtra to observe Industries Day on September 17 ................................................................................. 84

Gujarat Technological University launches e-Raksha centre to fight cybercrime ........................................... 84



Current Affairs : January 2015 Ancient star with five Earth size planets discovered by astronomers .............................................................. 85

Veteran Malayalam actor Mala Aravindan passes away .................................................................................... 85

Kalyan Singh sworn in as Himachal Pradesh Governor .................................................................................... 86

Sri Lankas new government reinstates impeached chief justice Shirani Bhandaranayake .......................... 86

Maharashtra government issues Letter of Intent to buy B R Ambedkars London house .............................. 86

Subrahmanyam Jaishankar appointed as new Foreign Secretary .................................................................... 87

SC directs search engines to block sex determination advertisements ........................................................... 87

US tech giant Apple reports largest quarterly profit in history......................................................................... 87

Hike Messenger introduces free voice calling service to its users .................................................................... 88

Nation pays tributes to Lala Lajpat Rai on his 150th birth anniversary ............................................................ 88

Union Government to sell up to 10% stake in Coal India Limited (CIL)........................................................... 89

Packaging of foodgrains & sugar in jute material mandatory: CCEA .............................................................. 89

India to host ICC World Twenty20 in 2016 ........................................................................................................ 89

Eminent singer Shekhar Sen appointed as Chairman of Sangeet Natak Akademi ........................................90

GNLF founder Subhash Ghisingh passes away ..................................................................................................90

World Bank Report on Himachal Pradesh released...........................................................................................90

Zomato buys Turkeys restaurant search company Mekanist ........................................................................... 91

India tops Credit Suisse emerging consumer scorecard 2015 .......................................................................... 91

IIT Bombay launches Mass Open Online Courses (MOOC) .............................................................................. 92

Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe appointed as Chairman of African Union ........................................... 92

Gujarat government launches Taluka Planning Atlas project ........................................................................... 92

Senior IPS officer Krishna Chaudhary appointed as new ITBP DG ................................................................. 93

Scientist V K Saraswat joins as full-time member of NITI Aayog .................................................................... 93

First Canister-based Agni-V missile successfully test-fired .............................................................................. 94

Maharashtra government gives nod for GM food trials .................................................................................... 94

RBI constitutes high level panel on urban cooperative banks (UCB) ............................................................... 95

Serena Williams wins Australian Open 2015 Womens Singles title ................................................................ 95

Union Government releases Commemorative Postage Stamps on Swachh Bharat Mission ........................ 95

Sergio Mattarella elected as President of Italy ................................................................................................... 96



Current Affairs : January 2015

Government signs $ 75 million loan deal with Asian Development Bank for KIUWMIP January 1, 2015 Government has signed a loan agreement with Asian Development Bank (ADB) for 75 million dollars and 1.8 million dollar grant for Karnataka Integrated Urban Water Management Investment Program (KIUWMIP). This loan fund will be used in the three towns of Byadagi, Davanagere and Harihar of Karnataka under the KIUWMIP. This loan seeks to expand and upgrade: urban water supply and sanitation infrastructure, improve water resource planning, monitoring and service delivery, and strengthen operational and administrative capacity in these towns. As per this agreement, the loan has a 25 year term including a grace period of five years. Implications: This project by utilizing the loan fund will help these urban towns to increase water treatment capacity by 15,000 cubic meters per day. It will also help expand and upgrade more than 1,000 kilometers of water pipelines and increase sewage treatment capacity by 48,000 cubic meters per day, thereby promoting water efficiency and environmental protection. About Karnataka Integrated Urban Water Management Investment Program (KIUWMIP)

KIUWMIP- is an investment program that aims to improve water resource management in urban areas of Karnataka State in a holistic and sustainable.

It seeks to modernize and expand urban water supply and sanitation (UWSS) by strengthening relevant institutions related to it in order to enhance their efficiency, productivity and sustainability in water use.

It takes help of innovative social instruments like as public-private partnership (PPP)or reform oriented incentive funds.

This Program also aims to improve the condition of more fragile environments located in North Karnataka that are increasingly affected by water resource degradation by promoting climate-resilient development, capacity-development techniques for conducive adaptation.

M Sathiyavathy becomes first woman to be appointed as Director General DGCA January 1, 2015 IAS officer M Sathiyavathy has become first woman to be appointed as Director General (DG) of Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA).

She will succeed Prabhat Kumar, to become first woman to become the chief aviation regulator for period of three years till 2017.

She is a 1982-batch UT cadre IAS officer. Earlier she has served in the Civil Aviation Ministry as a Joint Secretary and Financial Adviser since February 2014.

About Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) DGCA is Indias regulatory body for civil aviation. It comes under the aegis of Union Ministry of Civil Aviation. As a regulatory body, it seeks to promote

Safe and efficient Air Transportation through regulation and proactive safety oversight system in India. Enforce civil air regulations, air safety and airworthiness standards in India as per International standards.

Union government blocks 32 websites for spreading anti-India views and ISIS propaganda January 1, 2015 Union government has blocked access to 32 websites for carrying anti-India views and spreading banned terrorist outfit Islamic State of Iraq and Syrias (ISIS) propaganda. These websites were blocked after following an advisory given by an anti-terrorism team. The blocked uniform resource locators(URLs) include files, videos and source code-sharing websites.



Current Affairs : January 2015 They were blocked by Department of Telecom(DoT) under Section 69 of the Information Technology Act, 2000 and under Information Technology (Procedure and Safeguards for Blocking for Access of Information by Public) Rules, 2009. These rules give powers to the central government to block access to information on websites if it threatens the interest of the sovereignty and integrity of the country, defence of India, security of the state, friendly relations with foreign states or public order or for preventing incitement to the commission of any cognizable offence.

Tropical storm Jangmi hits Philippines January 1, 2015 Tropical storm Jangmi has hit Surigao del Sur province on northern Mindanao in Philippines. This tropical storm is locally is known as Seniang.

This storm had approached the land with gusts wind of 100 kph resulting heavy rain. This heavy rain has triggered flash floods and landslides in the country.

Jangmi storm has also affected several parts of neighbouring countries of Philippines like Malaysia and Thailand.

In 2014, in total 30 storms had occurred in the Northwest Pacific, 16 of them have affected the Philippines. Among 16 storms, 6 were strong enough to be classified as typhoons. Earlier in December 2014, Super Typhoon Hagupit had lashed central parts of Philippines with winds of 215 kph.

Union Government renames Planning Commission as Neeti Ayog January 1, 2015 Union government has renamed Planning commission as National Institution for Transforming India (NITI) Aayog. The renaming of the Planning Commission is being seen as the first step towards replacing it with a new-age institution. Key Facts about National Institution for Transforming India (NITI) Aayog

It will serve as a Think Tank of the government i.e. a directional and policy dynamo. It will also provide governments at the central and state levels with relevant strategic and technical advice

across the spectrum of key elements of policy formulation. This includes matters of national and international import on the economic front, dissemination of best

practices from within the country as well as from other nations, the infusion of new policy ideas and specific issue-based support

It will work towards the following objectives Evolve a shared vision of national development priorities Foster cooperative federalism Develop mechanisms to formulate credible plans at the village level Focus on technology upgradation, among other things.

Composition Chairperson- Prime Minister. Governing Council- It will consist of- Chief Ministers (of States) and Lt. Governors (of Union

Territories). Regional Council- It will be formed on need basis. It will compromise Chief Ministers (of States) and Lt.

Governors (of Union Territories). Vice-Chairperson- To be appointed by the Prime Minister. Members- Full time Basis. Part time members- Maximum of 2. They will from leading universities research organizations and other

relevant institutions on a rotational basis. Ex Officio members- Maximum of 4 members of the Union Council of Ministers to be nominated by the

Prime Minister.



Current Affairs : January 2015 Special invitees- They will be nominated by the Prime Minister and will be experts, specialists and

practitioners with relevant domain knowledge as special invitees. Chief Executive Officer- Appointed by the Prime Minister for a fixed tenure, in the rank of Secretary to

the Government of India. Secretariat- If deemed necessary.

Background Governments decision comes after the Prime Minister Narendra Modis 2014 Independence Day announcement that the Planning Commission would be replaced with a new-age institution. Earlier, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 7th December 2014 had held consultation meeting with Chief Ministers of states, where most CMs had favoured restructuring of the Socialist-era planning body. However, some Congress Chief Ministers opposed disbanding of the existing set-up.

India and Pakistan exchange list of nuclear facilities January 1, 2015 India and Pakistan on 1st January 2015 have exchanged the list of their nuclear installations and facilities under the agreement on Prohibition of Attack against Nuclear installations between India and Pakistan. The exchange of list was done through diplomatic channels simultaneously at New Delhi and Islamabad. It is the 24th consecutive exchange of such list between the two neighboring countries which bars them from attacking each others atomic facilities. Agreement on the Prohibition of Attack against Nuclear installations between India and Pakistan

This bilateral agreement bars both nations from carrying out any surprise attack (or to assist foreign power to attack) on each others nuclear installations and facilities.

It was signed on 31st December 1988 and entered into force on 27 January 1991. It was signed by then Indian Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi and his Pakistani counterpart Benazir Bhutto.

Both countries inform each other about their nuclear installations and facilities that need to be covered under the Agreement on 1 January every year.

Microsoft sues Indian firm C-Cubed Solutions for technical support scam January 1, 2015 Microsoft has sued an Indian company C-Cubed Solutions along with other entities for misusing its name and registered trademarks by providing fraudulent technical support services to unsuspecting consumers. In this regard, Microsofts Digital Crimes Unit has filed a civil lawsuit in federal court located in the Central District of California against C-Cubed Solutions for unfair and deceptive business practices and trademark infringement. As per the lawsuit, C-Cubed Solutions along with other entities had used the Microsoft trademarks to enhance their credentials and confuse customers without any authorisation from them. Microsoft is demanding a jury trial against these entities. Microsoft is also seeking from jury a permanent injunction to restrain and enjoin these entities for the infringement of their registered trademarks and directly or indirectly engaging in false advertising regarding the quality or security of Microsoft software. It should be noted that, law suit has mentioned C-Cubed as a private company associated under Indian law. Its directors include Marc Haberman, Rachel Eilat Haberman and Jay Wurzberger. It is a subsidiary of California-based Customer Focus Services (CFS) and operates the mail server by which CFS. Microsoft has chosen to sue these entities after they had received more 65,000 customer complaints regarding fraudulent tech support scams since May 2014.

Government splits Chairman & MD post in PSU banks and names chiefs for 4 PSU banks January 1, 2015 Government has decided to separate the post of Chairman and Managing Director (MD) and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) in public sector banks.



Current Affairs : January 2015 With this decision government is breaking the tradition of having the heads of state-run banks act as both chairman and managing director. As per the Finance Ministry, the Chairman in public sector banks other than State Bank of India (SBI) will be a part- time board member. He will preside over the board meetings and will not be an Executive Chairman. This means that for the first time, PSU banks will have a non-Executive Chairman, giving operational responsibility to Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer (CEO). In pursuance of the decision, the government has appointed four Managing Directors and CEOs of following 4 PSU banks

Koteeswaran was named as MD and CEO of Indian Overseas Bank. Srinivas was named as MD and CEO of United Bank of India. Animesh Chauhan was named MD and CEO of Oriental Bank of Commerce. Kishore Sansi was named MD and CEO of Vijaya Bank.

Above 4 MDs and CEOs will have tenure of 3 years or till the date of superannuation, whichever is earlier. These appointments were made based on the recommendations of Appointments Board chaired by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Governor. Government also has decided to go for a fresh selection procedure for the post of Chairman and MD and CEO in Bank of Baroda, Punjab National Bank and Canara Bank, which are A category large banks.

Delhi Police launches women safety mobile app Himmat January 1, 2015 Delhi police has launched women safety mobile application Himmat. It was launched by the Union home minister Rajnath Singh in New Delhi. It is an android based mobile app, which aims to cater employed women who have smartphones and travel alone late in the night. This application will allow women to send a distress call to Police Control Room (PCR) and their relatives in case of any emergency. Key facts of women safety mobile app Himmat

In case to use this app, user has to download this app on their smartphone. After downloading the app, new user has to register them with the Delhi Police website by sharing their

name, mobile number and that of a minimum of two relatives/friends. In case of emergency, user can send an alert by shaking her phone or by pressing the power button/soft

button. As soon as the distress button is pressed, it will trigger a 30-second audio and video recording on the

phone which will be relayed to the PCR. The victim will get a call back from the PCR. After distress button is pressed, SMS alert consisting of all the details of the victim, including her location,

time will be forwarded to the PCR. Then from PCR, SMS alert it will be forwarded to the police patrol cars in the area and the local station house officer (SHO) through the Delhi Police cyber highway.

In case of emergency, SMS alert will also be sent to minimum of 5 friends and relatives of the user. It will also post a status on the victims Facebook and Twitter accounts.

In order to tackle false SOS alerts/ alarms the app is provided with inbuilt feature which cancels the registration after 3 such (False SOS alerts) incidents. But, the user can re-register to re-activate the facility.

Former MoS for External Affairs Kamala Sinha passes away January 1, 2015 Former Minister of State (MoS) for External Affairs Kamala Sinha passed away in Syracuse, New York in US. She was 82. About Kamala Sinha

She was born in Dhaka (now in Bangladesh) on 30 September 1932. She is grandniece of Jan Sangh founder Shyama Prasad Mukherjee.



Current Affairs : January 2015 She was married to freedom fighter and Bihar minister Late Basawan Singh, a native of Vaishali district,

Bihar. She was initiated into politics by her husband. She was twice elected a member of the Rajya Sabha from 1972 to 1984 and also had served as the Indian

Ambassador to Suriname and Barbados. For several times, she was elected as the national President of Hind Mazdoor Sabha of the socialists.

During the socialist movement of led by Jaya Prakash Narayan in 1974, she was imprisoned under Maintenance of Internal Security Act (MISA).

She was a member of former Prime Minister I K Gujrals cabinet from 1997-98.

French Economist Thomas Piketty turns down Frances top award January 2, 2015 French economist Thomas Piketty has turned down Frances top award, the Legion DHonneur. He is the bestselling author of book Capital in the 21st Century, which examines income inequality in society. Earlier in 2014, cartoonist Jacques Tardi had turned down this award. Others who have refused this award include philosopher Jean-Paul Sartre and radiology pioneers Pierre and Marie Curie. Officier de la Legion dHonneur (Officer of the Legion of Honour) is the highest award among Civilians and Military conferred by France upon French citizen as well as foreigners. Some facts: Indian luminaries who have been decorated with France highest honor are Satyajit Ray, Lata Mangeshkar, Amitabh Bachchan and Shahrukh Khan.

Gujarat government announces new industrial policy for 2015 January 2, 2015 Gujarat government has announced its new industrial policy for 2015. It was announced by Gujarat Chief Minister Anandiben Patel ahead of the Vibrant Gujarat Summit which begins from January 11, 2015. This industrial policy aims to make state a global manufacturing hub by playing a pivotal role in realising Prime Minister Narendra Modis Make in India dream. Key facts of Gujarat Governments industrial policy for 2015

This policy will focus on key areas like infrastructure development, simplification of labour laws and motivation of new innovations through technology transfer.

It seeks to cater and provide opportunities to around 60 per cent of Gujarats population which is between the age group of 15 years and 59 years.

It aims to create a business friendly environment and motivate start-ups through this new policy. It will prepare these people to start their own businesses instead of merely looking for job opportunities.

Besides, it will also give special focus on incentives for youth, women, scheduled castes, scheduled tribes and handicapped entrepreneurs.

It will also provide assistance to micro, small and medium enterprises (MSME) sector for upgrading technology.

It focuses to reduce pollution by promoting use of clean and green energy as well as setting up zero-effluent discharge plants.

This policy seeks to boost value addition in these existing resources, which will create new jobs and reduce imports as industries like auto components, engineering, drugs, cement and chemicals already have flourished in state. Special incentives will be given to set up new businesses in sectors like garments, apparel, agro and food processing.

Central Government appoints A.K. Mittal as Chairman of Railway Board January 2, 2015 Central Government has appointed A.K. Mittal as Chairman of Railway Board. His name was cleared by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) headed by Prime Minister. He will succeed incumbent chief Arunendra Kumar whose term had ended on 31st December 2014.



Current Affairs : January 2015 About A.K. Mittal

He is an officer of the Indian Railway Stores Service of the 1976 batch. He has become first-ever officer from the Stores service to be Chairman of Railway Board.

Before this appointment A.K. Mittal was Member Staff of Railway Board and ex-officio Secretary to the Government of India.

He has also served as General Manager of South Western Railway (SWR). He also had held additional charge of General Manager, South Central Railway (SCR).

Greece dissolves parliament ahead of snap elections January 2, 2015 Greeces Prime Minister Antonis Samaras has dissolved the countrys parliament ahead of snap elections to be held on 25 January. Dissolution of Parliament comes after it failed to elect the President in the third and final round of voting. In the third and final round for electing President, ruling governments candidate Stavros Dimas (former European Commissioner) was defeated by 180 votes, resulting in dissolution of the Parliament. Prime Minister Antonis Samaras ruling coalition government had came into power in 2012 after the General Elections. In 2012 General elections, Prime Minister Samaras-led New Democratic Party had won the elections and formed the government.

IAS officer R K Srivastava takes charges as AAI Chairman January 2, 2015 IAS officer R K Srivastava took over as the new chairman of Airports Authority of India (AAI). Earlier in December, Srivastava was appointed as chairman of AAI by the government for 5 years. He is a 1984-batch Jharkhand-cadre IAS officer and has replaced Sudheer Raheja who was charge of the post since late August 2014. Airports Authority of India (AAI)

AAI is statutory body under the aegis of Ministry of Civil Aviation. It is responsible for creating, upgrading, maintaining and managing civil aviation infrastructure in India.

It also provides Air traffic management (ATM) services over Indian airspace and adjoining oceanic areas. AAI manages around 125 airports in India, which include 18 International Airport, 07 Customs Airports,

78 Domestic Airports and 26 Civil Enclaves at Defense airfields.

Former ISRO chief and Renowned Scientist Dr V R Gowarikar passes away January 2, 2015 Former ISRO chief and renowned Scientist Dr. Vasant Ranchod Gowarikar passed away in Pune, Maharashtra. He was 81. He is considered as the Father of the Indian Monsoon Model. About Dr. Vasant Gowarikar

Dr. Vasant Gowarikar was born in Pune on 25th March, 1933. He was renowned scientist and his significant contribution includes in field of space research, weather and

population study and Polymer Chemistry. In 1965, Dr Gowarikar along with Vikram Sarabhai started working on satellite technology in the Tata

Institute of Fundamental Research. Both of them played important role in laying foundation stone for Indias space technology and space programmes.

He also headed Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). On 17th April 1983, under his leadership Satellite launcher SLV-3 became successfully operational in orbit.

He was the scientific advisor to late Prime Minister P.V. Narasimha Rao from 1991 to 1993. For some time, he was Vice Chancellor of Pune University.

He was also chairman of Marathi Vidnyan Parishad from 1994 to 2000.



Current Affairs : January 2015 Books: Many books and scientific essays are credited to his name. His book I Predict, an essay on the

Indian population, has become famous. Awards: He was honoured with the Padmashree Award, Padma Bhushan (2008), Fie Foundation Award, Nayak Gold Medal and Doctorates from many prestigious universities. The Fertilizer Encyclopedia: Dr. Gowarikar, along with his associates in 2008 had compiled the massive The Fertilizer Encyclopedia that featured 4,500 entries of chemical composition of fertilizers. It contains collection of information related to fertilizers consisting of their manufacturing, application and environmental considerations.

Indian-origin man J Y Pillay reappointed as top advisor to Singapore President January 3, 2015 Veteran Indian-origin civil servant Joseph Yubaraj Manuel Pillay was reappointed as the Chairman of the Presidential Council of Advisers (CPA) by Singapore President Tony Tan Keng Yam. He was sworn in as top advisor to Singapores President for a period of next four years. As Chairman of the CPA, he will exercise the functions of the Presidents office in the absence of President. If he is unavailable, the Speaker of Parliament would act as the head of state. Presidential Council of Advisers (CPA): This council was formed in 1992. It advises Singapores President in various areas, including safeguarding the past reserves of the Government and key appointments in the public services. About J Y Pillay

He has served in a number of senior civil service positions in Singapore. He was first appointed to the CPA on January 2, 2001 and served its Chairman since September 2, 2005.

He is one of the pioneers who helped build the Singapore economy after its separation from Malaysia in 1965. He also had served as Chairman of Singapore Airlines from 1972 until 1976.

In 2012, for his public service, Pillay was awarded the Order of Nila Utama (First Class) award- one of Singapores most prestigious National Day Awards.

Indian company IRCON restores Jaffna-Kankasanthurai rail track in Sri Lanka January 3, 2015 Indian Railways construction company (IRCON) has restored the rail track between Jaffna and Kankasanthurai in North Sri Lanka. This restored commercial Yal Devi Express service was formally inaugurated by Sri Lankas Transport Minister Kumara Welgama. This 18 kilometer track passes through the high security zone which was freed from the control of Tamil tigers in 2009. Background

The entire rail line between Colombo and the Northern part of Sri Lanka was destroyed in the late 1980s by the LTTE.

Indias IRCON is playing important role in rebuilding the 252 km railway track on this route. Indian government had provided a line of credit of 800 million dollars for these projects. In 2014, the line upto Jaffna was made operational after it was restored.

Facts about Indian Railways construction company (IRCON) It was established in 1976 by Union Government under the Companies Act, 1956. It is wholly owned by

the Ministry of Railways. In 1995, it was renamed as IRCON International Limited. Since its establishment, this company had undertaken construction of railway projects in India and abroad

especially in difficult terrains. It has completed more than 300 major infrastructure projects in India and over 121 major projects globally in more than 21 countries.



Current Affairs : January 2015 Boxing India (BI) gets nod from Union Sports Ministry

January 3, 2015 Union Sports Ministry has given nod to Boxing India (BI) as the new governing body for the sport. In this regard, Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports (Department of Sports) Government of India has given the nod as it is a recognized member of the International Boxing Association (AIBA). It will help BI to expedite the administrative formalities and streamlining the overall functioning and activities boxing.

Boxing India President: Sandeep Jajodia

PM inaugurates 102nd Indian Science Congress 2015 at Mumbai University January 3, 2015 Prime Minister Narendra Modi has inaugurated the Indian Science Congress 2015 at the Mumbai University. It is the 102nd edition of this congress and Mumbai is hosting it again after the gap of 45 years. The theme of 102nd Congress is Science and Technology for Human Development. The Congress sessions aims to bring together eminent scientists, research scholars to popularize science and foster a scientific temperament. Key facts

It is 5 day event and will witness deliberations and presentation of papers by the scientific fraternity from across the globe. More than 12 thousand delegates are going to participate in the session.

In this congress several symposia on relevant themes such as Womens Science Congress, Children Science Congress and Science Exhibition etc will be also organized.

This edition will cover a wide variety of topics like: Agriculture and forestry, veterinary science, earth science, environment, engineering, information & communication, computer sciences, mathematics, medicine, biology, physics and plant sciences among others.

Other themes of interest include science & technology in SAARC countries, biodiversity conservation, space application, GM crops and the use of modern biotechnology in agriculture, clean energy systems for the future.

Union Government extends AFSPA for another one year in Assam January 3, 2015 Union Government has extended the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958 for another one year in Assam and has declared the entire state of Assam as a Disturbed Area.

As per government notification, this extension will for another one year beyond 03 November 2014 which is presently in force.

Besides Assam, government has declared the area falling within 20 km wide belt along the border of Assam with Arunachal Pradesh and Meghalaya as Disturbed Area.

In these disturbed areas, Army is empowered to take action for counter Insurgency (CI) operations against the underground (UG) outfits under the provisions of AF (SP) Act, 1958.

Thus it seeks to control the violent incidents caused by the UGs which has direct disturbances to general law and order of the state.

Background This extension comes after the law and order situation had worsen in the North eastern state of Assam and its border areas due to the violent incidents caused by the underground banned outfits like ULFA(I), NDFB(S), KPLT, UALA, NSCN(IM) and NSCN(K) etc. Facts about Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958

It was enacted by Parliament on September 11, 1958.



Current Affairs : January 2015 It conferred special powers upon the armed forces in disturbed areas in the states of Arunachal Pradesh,

Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, and Tripura. The act was introduced in Jammu and Kashmir in 1990.

AFSPA was enacted to provide army officers and jawans legal immunity for their actions in disturbed areas. Under this act, a member of the Indian armed forces cannot be prosecuted or tried in any criminal or civil court for any act committed by him or her while performing duty in a disturbed area. Moreover, no court or quasi-judicial body can question the governments decision to declare any area disturbed.

The provisions of AFSPA are very objectionable as it requires the following: All that is necessary for a part of the State to be handed over to the armed forces is for the Governor or the

Central Government to notify it to be in a disturbed and dangerous condition. Even a non-commissioned officer of the armed forces is free, on the mere suspicion of violation of the law

or commission of an offence, to fire upon or otherwise use force, even to the causing of death, against any person.

He can also without any warrant, arrest any person and enter and search any premises. No prosecution of anyone indulging in excesses purporting to act under AFSPA is possible except with the

previous sanction of the Government.

Sri Lankan Cricketer Kumar Sangakkara Joins Elite 12,000-Runs scorer Club in Test Cricket January 3, 2015 Sri Lankan batsman Kumar Sangakkara has joined an elite group of cricketers to make 12,000 runs in Test Cricket.

He reached this milestone in Sri Lankas second Test match against New Zealand held in Wellington, New Zealand.

He has become the fifth cricketer to make 12,000 runs. Other four cricketers are Indian cricketer Sachin Tendulkar (15,921 runs), Australian cricketer Ricky Ponting (13,378 runs), Jacques Kallis from South Africa (13,289 runs) and Indias Rahul Dravid (13,288 runs).

Earlier in December 2014, he had achieved another feat by becoming only the fourth batsman to surpass the 13,000-run mark in one-day internationals (ODIs).

Other three batsmen in this list are Sachin Tendulkar (18,426 runs), Ricky Ponting (13,704 runs) and Sri Lankan cricketer Sanath Jayasuriya (13,430 runs).

RBI signs an information sharing agreement with US banking regulators January 3, 2015 Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has signed an information sharing agreement with United States (US) banking regulators for better coordination with them in supervising financial institutions.

Earlier in December 2014, RBI had concluded a Statement of Co-operation (SoC) on Supervisory Cooperation and Exchange of Supervisory Information with the US banking regulators like Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System(FRB), Office of the Comptroller of Currency (OCC) and Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC).

SoC was signed by Michael S Gibson- Director, FRB; Martin Pfinsgraff, Senior Deputy Comptroller-OCC; Doreen R Eberley, Director-FDIC and Indian counterpart P R Ravi Mohan, Chief General Manager-in-Charge, Department of Banking Supervision, RBI.

RBI by signing such MoU/SoC with supervisors of other countries is seeking to promote greater co-operation and share supervisory information among the authorities.

In this regard, RBI in total has signed 22 such MoUs, one Letter for Supervisory Co-operation and one SoC, with overseas regulators/supervisors.



Current Affairs : January 2015 Background In September 2014, during Prime Minister Narendra Modis visit to the US, both countries had issued a joint statement to boost the efforts of the RBI and American banking regulators and supervisors for exchange of information to enhance the effectiveness of cross border supervision.

RBI relaxes KYC norms for Non-Banking Financial Companies (NBFCs) January 4, 2015 Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has relaxed Know-Your-Customers (KYC) norms for Non-Banking Financial Companies (NBFCs). In this regard, RBI has amended the KYC norms in order to remove the practical difficulties and constraints being faced by NBFCs in getting KYC documents at frequent intervals. Previously, as per the norms it was necessary for NBFCs to undertake KYC once in every 5 years for low risk category customers and once in two years for both high and medium risk categories. But as per new norms, full KYC exercise will be required to be done at least every 10 years for low risk and at least every 8 years for medium risk individuals and entities. While for the high-risk individuals and entities, it should be done in at least every 2 years. This full KYC exercise will be done by taking into account whether and when client due diligence measures have previously been undertaken and the adequacy of data obtained. However, the new norm does not mention physical presence of clients for such periodic updations.

Andy Murray wins ATP World Tennis Championship in Abu Dhabi January 4, 2015 Andy Murray has won the ATP World Tennis Championship in Abu Dhabi. His win comes after world number one Novak Djokovic withdrew from the final match citing reason of illness. In the Semi-finals, Andy Murray had defeated Rafael Nadal by score of 6-2, 6-0 in straight sets to enter in finals. While, in another semi-final match Novak Djokovic had defeated Australian Open Champion Stanislas Wawarinka by score of 6-1, 6-2.

UNICEF to prepare a Tea Atlas in Assam January 5, 2015 United Nations Childrens Fund (UNICEF) has decided to prepare a Tea Atlas in Indias North Eastern State Assam. This atlas seeks to create a comprehensive database of the tea gardens and socio-economic condition of its workers in state. Key facts It will cover all aspects of the Tea industry, including garden workers who comprise nearly 20 percent of the state population by mapping tea community database, graphs and maps. It will also provide features like geographical locations of the gardens, proprietorship, various indicators like implementation of Plantations Labour Act and government schemes meant for the tea community. In this case, tea communities have been identified as the focus of UNICEF Assams Social Inclusion and Equity Programming which addresses the issues like early marriage, alcoholism and child labour among them.

ICICI Bank Launches Digital Village Project in Akodara Village of Gujarat January 5, 2015 Industrial Credit and Investment Corporation of India (ICICI) Bank has launched its own version of Digital Village Project by adopting entire Akodara Village in Sabarkantha district of Gujarat. It was launched presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and ICICI Bank MD and CEO Chanda Kochar to mark 60-year-celebration of the ICICI groups existence.



Current Affairs : January 2015 Key facts about ICICI Banks Digital Village Project

It is launched in lines with Governments flagship programme of Digital India. It seeks to provide entire village with services ranging from cashless banking to digitised school teaching. As part of this project, banking platform at rural part will be digitized by covering all aspects of banking

like opening an account to sale of goods to purchase of products including milk from the vendors or local kirana stores.

In case of school teaching, it will digitized all school records along with the Gujarat syllabus and even teaching methods and tools.

It will also provide necessary infrastructure needed for digisiting entire village in order to provide villager with the access required to data and information in a digital format.

Besides basic banking facilities like ATMs and other digital banking services, other services like e-health, e-milk producer group, Wi-Fi connectivity and schools with digital black boards in the village, along with a host of other digital facilities will be provided under this project.

About ICICI Bank It was established in 1955 as ICICI Ltd. Originally it was set up as an Indian financial institution as the initiative of the World Bank, the

Government of India and representatives of Indian industry to provide project financing to Indian businesses.

Later in 1994, it got merged to form ICICI Bank.

National Flag designer Pingali Venkayya honoured January 5, 2015 Freedom fighter and National Flag designer Pingali Venkayyawas honoured by naming All India Radio(AIR) Vijayawada (in Andhra Pradesh) building after him. In this regard, Union Minister for Urban Development and Parliamentary Affairs, M. Venkaiah Naidu unveiled the statue of Pingali Venkaiah, in the premises of AIR Vijayawada. On this occasion, minister also released a book on the biography of Pingali Venkayya, translated into Hindi by Mr.Venna Vallabha Rao. About Pingali Venkayya He was born in Bhatlapenumarru, near Masulipatnam district in Andhra Pradesh.

In the National Conference of Indian National Congress (INC) held in Kakinada (in Andhra Pradesh) 1921, he had suggested that India should have a flag of its own that impressed Mahatma Gandhi.

After Mahatma Gandis request, he had designed the flag which initially had saffron and green colours, but in the course of time, modifications were made with additions like a spinning wheel at the centre and a third colour- white, Chakra i.e Dharma Chakra which depicts the wheel of the law.

It should be noted that Indias present flag was adopted during the meeting of Constituent Assembly held on the 22 July 1947, a few days before Indias independence from the British.

He was also an educationist who had set up an educational institution in Machilipatnam district of Andhra Pradesh and was an authority in geology, agriculture.

He died in 1963.

Edward Brooke, first black elected US senator passes away January 5, 2015 Edward Brooke, the first elected black US senator passed away on 3rd January 2015. He was 95. He belonged to USs Republican Party. About Edward Brooke He was elected to US Congress in 1966 by voters of Massachusetts State at a time of widespread racial unrest in the country.



Current Affairs : January 2015 He was also the first African-American to hold the post of attorney general of any state in US. He was attorney general Massachusetts State. He had served as Congressmen in the US Senate till 1979 and was one of only nine African-Americans to do so, including US President Barack Obama. His name i.e. the Brooke amendment was given to US federal housing act, passed in 1969, which limited to 25 percent the amount of income a family must pay for rent in public housing. He lost his bid for the third term to Congress in 1978. After this defeat he returned to private law practice. In 2004, he was awarded US Presidential Medal of Freedom. In 2009, he was also awarded Congressional Gold Medal, the highest award Congress has to honor civilians.

Union Sports Ministry recommends Saina Nehwals name for Padma Bhushan award January 5, 2015 Union Sports Ministry has recommended badminton player Saina Nehwals name for Padma Bhushan award. As per Sports ministry, recommending her name is a special case. Earlier, she had expressed anger for not being nominated for this years award. However, Sports ministry earlier did not nominate her citing reason that Badminton Association of India (BAI) did not apply for Sainas name for award on time. Later on 3rd January 2015, BAI had acknowledged Sainas name to Sports ministry paving way for her nomination. About Saina Nehwal

She was born 17 March 1990 in Hisar, Haryana. She is the first Indian to win Olympics medal in Badminton and had achieved this feat by winning the

Bronze medal at the London Olympics 2012. She is the first Indian to win the World Junior Badminton Championships and was also the first Indian to

win a Super Series tournament, by winning Indonesia Open in 2009. She also has won the China Open Super Series Premier-2014. She is only Indian badminton player who attained a career best ranking of number 2 in December 2010 by

Badminton World Federation. Awards Government has awarded her with Arjuna Award (2009), Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna (20092010) and Padma Shri (2010). About Padma Bhushan award

It is the third highest civilian award in India, after Bharat Ratna and Padma Vibhushan. It was established on 2 January 1954 by President and is awarded to recognized person for their distinguished service of a high order to the nation, in any field

Every year it is announced on the occasion of Republic Day. It is conferred to recipient by the President at a function held at Rashtrapati Bhavan.

International Hindi Conference 2015 will be hosted in New Jersey January 5, 2015 International Hindi Conference-2015 ( -2015) will be hosted by New Jersey, United States in April 2015. Theme of 2015 edition of this conference is Expanding World of Hindi: Possibilities and Challenges. Key facts of International Hindi Conference 2015

This conference seeks to provide a platform for participants to get together and identify challenges and find solutions for the advancement of the Hindi language in North America and the Caribbean region.



Current Affairs : January 2015 In this conference, Hindi scholars from various parts of the world, particularly from United States and

India will participate. Participants are expected to discuss individual and organisational partnerships and leadership and field

capacity building and infrastructure building skills and topics. In this case they are going to discuss topics such as material selection and development funding,

professional development of teachers, and volunteer management. This conference will also hold sessions on topics such as, Hindi in higher education, expanding the use of Hindi in businesses and commerce, Community support for Hindi, Current status of the teaching and learning of Hindi etc.

Eminent Economist Arvind Panagariya appointed as NITI Aayog vice-chairman January 5, 2015 Eminent free-market economist Arvind Panagariya has been appointed as Vice-chairman of National Institution for Transforming India (NITI) Aayog. NITI Aayog is established by government to function as both a think tank and a policy forum and replaces decades year old Planning Commission. As a vice chairman, he will play a pivotal role in coordinating economic strategy and hold position similar to cabinet rank minister. About Arvind Panagariya

He is an Indian-American economist and Professor of Economics at Columbia University. He holds a Ph.D. degree in Economics from prestigious Princeton University.

He was an ex-Chief Economist at the Asian Development Bank (ADB). He has also worked for the World Bank, International Monetary Fund, World Trade Organization, and

the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) in various capacities. He has written around 10 books and the latest was India: The Emerging Giantpublished in 2008.

Other Appointments of NITI Aayog Full-Time Members:

Bibek Debroy- Economist. V.K. Saraswat- Former Secretary Defence R&D.

Ex-officio members: Rajnath Singh- Union Home Minister. Arun Jaitley- Union Finance, Corporate Affairs and Information & Broadcasting Minister. Suresh Prabhu- Union Minister of Railways. Radha Mohan Singh- Union Minister of Agriculture.

Special Invitees: Nitin Gadkari- Union Minister of Road Transport & Highways and Shipping. Thawar Chand Gehlot-Union Minister of Social Justice and Empowerment. Smriti Zubin Irani- Union Minister of Human Resource Development (HRD).

Sutirtha Bhattacharya takes charge as Coal India Limiteds full-time CMD January 6, 2015 Sutirtha Bhattacharya has taken charge as full-time Chairman and Managing Director (CMD) of Coal India Limited (CIL). He is a 1985 batch IAS officer and for this post his name was cleared by Appointments Committee of the Cabinet after it was recommended by the Public Enterprises Services Board (PESB). Prior to this appointment, he was the CMD of state-owned Singareni Collieries Company. Background The post of full time CMD was vacant for past six months after then full-time CMD S Narsing Rao had resigned from the post in May, 2014 to join Telangana government.



Current Affairs : January 2015 Till this vacant time, Additional Secretary Coal A K Dubey was given the additional charge as CMD of CIL from June 26, 2014. About Coal India Limited (CIL)

It is a state-controlled coal mining company. It is headquartered in Kolkata, West Bengal. It is the largest coal producer company in the world and contributes around 81% of the coal production in

India. Union Government of India owns 90% of the shares in CIL and controls the operations of CIL through

Ministry of Coal. In April 2011, CIL was conferred the Maharatna status by Government of India. It is Indias 5th most valuable company in terms of market value.

PM launches National Programme for LED-based Home and Street Lighting for energy conservation January 7, 2015 Prime Minister Narendra Modi has launched National Programme for LED-based Home and Street Lighting in New Delhi for energy conservation by reducing energy consumption. Along with this programme, PM launched scheme for Light Emitting Diode (LED) bulb distribution under the Domestic Efficient Lighting Programme (DELP) and a web-based system to enable consumers in Delhi to register requests for procuring LED bulbs under DELP. National Programme for LED-based Home and Street Lighting

It aims to install LED bulbs for domestic and street-lighting in 100 cities across India by March 2016. Under this programme, LED bulbs will be distributed in a phased manner from March 2015 onwards. The initiative is part of the Governments efforts to spread the message of energy efficiency in the country. LED bulbs have a very long life, almost 50 times more than ordinary bulbs, and 8-10 times that of CFLs,

and therefore provide both energy and cost savings in the medium term. It will help in saving of energy around 24 crore units every year.

Government launches subsidised 5 kg LPG Cylinder scheme for BPL families January 7, 2015 Central government has launched the sale of subsidised 5-kg LPG cylinders scheme for Below Poverty Line (BPL) families and others.

It was launched by Union Petroleum Minister Dharmendra Pradhan in Bhubaneswar, Odhisa.

This scheme was launched as part of the oil companies Corporate social responsibility (CSR) activities to cover BPL population in urban areas.

Under this pilot scheme, a BPL family would be provided with LPG connection. In this case customers not need to pay security deposit and cost of pressure regulator.

Government by launching this scheme is aiming to promote LPG as it a cleaner fuel which will help in creating better and smoke less cooking environment and help in improvement of womens health.

Petroleum Minister also launched the sale of 5-kg cylinders under Free Trade LPG scheme in Bhubaneswar, Odhisa.

Free Trade LPG scheme: It will cater the LPG requirement of all sections of the society including the economically weaker section, student, migrant labourers who do not have proof of address due to their short stay in a particular place.

This scheme is aims at increasing the usage of LPG by providing customers with more affordable facilities.



Current Affairs : January 2015 PM releases commemorative coins to honour late industrialist Jamsetji Tata

January 7, 2015 Prime Minister Narendra Modi has released commemorative coins to honour Tata Group founder Jamsetji Nusserwanji Tata. PM released coins in the denomination of 100 and five rupee to mark Jamsetji Tatas 175th birth anniversary.

Thus, Jamsetji will be the first industrialist in India to be felicitated by the government in such a manner.

He was chosen by the government because he is a legendary figure and the government wants to encourage Indian businesses through this initiative.

So far government has minted coins in honour of artists, freedom fighters, scientists, institutions and organisations. Earlier, government had honoured Jamsetji twice by releasing his postal stamps one in 1958 and another in 1965. Jamsetji Nusserwanji Tata

He was pioneer industrialist who had founded Tata Group- Indias biggest conglomerate company. He is regarded as Father of Indian Industry.

He was born on 3 March 1839 in Navsari then part of the princely state of Baroda (Now in Gujarat). His successors work led to achieve: Tata Steel: formerly known as Tata Iron and Steel Company Limited (TISCO ) is Asias first and Indias

largest steel company. It is also worlds fifth largest steel company. Indian Institute of Science (IISc): Located in Bengaluru, it is pre-eminent Indian institution for research

and education in Science and Engineering. Tata Hydroelectric Power Supply Company: later it was renamed Tata Power Company Limited, currently

Indias largest private electricity company. It should be also noted that present Jamshedpur district in Jharkhand is named after him. Earlier it was known as Sakchi.

President signs ordinance amending Citizenship Act, 1955 January 7, 2015 President Pranab Mukherjee has signed the ordinance that amends Citizenship Act, 1955. Earlier, union government had promulgated this ordinance in order to merge Person of Indian Origin (PIO) and Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI) schemes. Thus, providing life-long Indian visa facility to PIOs. It was signed on the eve of the opening of the three-days meet of Indian Diaspora i.e. Pravasi Bharatiya Divas 2015 held in Gujarat. Key amendments Citizenship Act amendments will benefit PIO and will give them benefits like life-long visa and exemption from appearing before the local police station on every visit etc. It will also change the clause of parent Act which says that foreigners who marry Indians must continuously stay in the country for a period of one year before they get an Indian citizenship. In this regards they will get relief of 30 days in a year when they can travel outside the country. The amendment also clears the way for relaxed visa norms for minor children of OCI cardholders.

Government gives nod to Neutrino project in Tamil Nadu January 7, 2015 Union cabinet meeting has approved setting up of India-based Neutrino Observatory (INO) project in Bodi West Hills, Tamil Nadu. This cabinet meeting was headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Key facts about India-based Neutrino Observatory (INO) project

It is an underground project, jointly supported by the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) and the Department of Science and Technology (DST).



Current Affairs : January 2015 It will comprise a complex of caverns the main cavern, which will house detector which is 130 metres

long, 26 metres wide and 30 metre high. Along with main cavern, there will be two smaller caverns that will be used for setting up experiments for

neutrino double detector and dark matters. This underground complex will be approached by a 2-kms long tunnel. It will host experiments such as the neutrino-less double beta decay and the search for dark matter. It also involves Inter-Institutional Centre for High Energy Physics (IICHEP) and Iron Calorimeter

Detector (ICAL). Along with project, government has also approved the construction of a 50,000 tonne magnetised iron

calorimeter detector (ICAL). It will study the properties of the neutrino, in particular the mass hierarchy among different types of neutrino.

Neutrino It is an electrically neutral, weakly interacting elementary subatomic particle with half-integer spin. It belongs to the lepton family. There are three types of neutrinos: electron neutrinos, muon neutrinos and tau neutrinos.

Tulsi Gabbard and Ami Bera take oath for their second term January 7, 2015 Tulsi Gabbard and Dr. Ami Bera have been sworn in for their second consecutive term in US House of Representatives. Both of them belong to Democratic Party. They were sworn in after the 114th session of the US Congress began. Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard is the first Hindu lawmaker in US to take her oath on Bhagavad-Gita. She was administered the oath of office by re-elected Speaker of US House of Representatives John Boehner. She is representing Hawaiis second congressional district since 2013. In 2013, she also had taken her oath on Gita. While Dr. Ami Bera, is only serving Indian-American in the current Congress. He has been elected as co-chair of the Congressional Caucus on India and Indian Americans which is the largest country- specific caucus in the House of Representatives. He is representing, Californias 7th congressional district since 2013 and is third Indian-American elected to the House of Representatives after Dalip Singh Thind and Bobby Jindal. Some facts In 114th session of the US Congress, Republicans have formally taken control of both chambers the House of Representative and Senate for the first time since the 109th Congress (2005-2006).

BCCI announces Indias squad for the ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 January 7, 2015 Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has announced Indian squad for the ICC Cricket World Cup 2015. It was announced by the BCCI secretary Sanjay Patel, after the meeting of the selection committee of BCCI. Indian squad for the ICC CWC 2015 MS Dhoni (Captain & Wicket Keeper), Virat Kohli (Vice Captain), Ajinkya Rahane, Shikhar Dhawan, Rohit Sharma, Stuart Binny, Suresh Raina, Ravindra Jadeja, Ambati Rayudu, Axar Patel, R Ashwin, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Md. Shami, Umesh Yadav, Ishant Sharma. ICC Cricket world cup 2015 ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 will be the 11th edition and in total 49 matches will be played across 14 venues. It will start on 14th February 2015 in Christchurch and co-host New Zealand team will play against Sri Lanka. On the same day in Melbourne, Australia will play against England.



Current Affairs : January 2015 Punjab bans sale of loose cigarettes and tobacco January 7, 2015

Punjab has become first state in India, to completely ban the sale of loose cigarettes (even as single sticks) and loose tobacco. State government had banned the sale of loose cigarettes and tobacco under Section 7 of the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act, 2003 (COTPA Act, 2003). Section 7 of COTPA bans sale of these products if they are traded, supplied or distributed without specified warning including pictorial warning on it. State government notification in this regard clearly mentions that loose cigarettes and tobacco products do not carry a pictorial or a written warning so they are banned. Earlier state government had banned sale of nicotine in the form of e-cigarette. About COTPA Act, 2003

It was enacted by Parliament in 2003. It prohibits advertisement and regulates tobacco business in India. This Act has put restriction on tobacco products which includes cigarettes, gutka, panmasala (containing

tobacco), cigar, cheroot, Beedi, Snuff, chewing tobacco, hookah, tooth powder containing tobacco.

Amitabh Bachchan appointed as Brand Ambassador of Andhra Pradesh health sector January 7, 2015 Bollywood actor Amitabh Bachchan is appointed as the brand ambassador for health sector in Andhra Pradesh. His name was announced by the Andhra Pradesh state Health Minister Kamineni Srinivas. As a brand ambassador actor Amitabh Bachchan will participate in various health-related campaigns to be taken up by the state government without taking any remuneration for the services. Implication It will help bifurcated state to boost and improve its health sector as it worst hit due to bifurcation. At present, state does not have proper health sector facilities due major corporate hospitals and medical and health institutions are located in then capital of undivided state Hyderabad (now capital of Telangana). Some facts It should be also noted that, actor Amitabh Bachchan is also brand ambassador of Gujarat Tourism since 1 February 2010. While in 2002, he was brand ambassador

January.2015

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