1. What is GRACE?
Gravity Recovery And Climate Experiment Satellites of NASA to analyse ground water depletion around Himalayas in areas like Haryana, Punjab, Delhi etc. The results are frightening as we are pumping out huge volumes of water and the replenishment rate is extremely low. Time to check...
2. Anil Kakodia : Who's this gentleman?
Chairman of AEC : Atomic Energy Commission.
3. Why is Ex-NCERT Director J.S. Rajput in news?
He has been presented with the 2004 Jan Amos Comenius Award by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO).
Yeah that's correct and not a typo. Its "2004". Why has it been given in 2009 then?
To know, check this:
4. Which movie has been voted the top war film recently?
Steven Spielberg’s multiple Oscar winning film "Saving Private Ryan".
5. If you are interested in India's History, you would probably like this article.
6. Some Sports person in news today :
1) Vishnu Vardhan : Tennis
2) Thomas Kurien , P.C.Thulasi (Female) : Badminton
3) Chetan Anand, Arvind Bhat : Badminton
4) Deep Sengupta : Chess
5) Lanka Ravi : Chess ( Now to coach Women's team )
6) Gaganjeet Bhullar, Mukesh Kumar : Golf
7) Vijender Kumar : Boxing
8) Nikhat Banu : Table Tennis
9) Praveen Prabhakar : Sailing
10) Rohan Bopanna(India), Frank Moser (Germany) : Tennis
That's it for today.
Showing posts with label UPSC 2010. Show all posts
Showing posts with label UPSC 2010. Show all posts
Thursday, August 20, 2009
Current Affairs : 20-AUG-2009
1. Why was the M.S. Swaminathan Expert Committee set up?
To report on the Coastal Management Zone (CMZ) Notification. Ministry has accepted the recommendations and is planning amendments to the CMZ while drafting a Fishermen Rights Bill.
2. Is it just to place a political party's ideology before individual's fundamental right to freedom of expression?
If your answer is 'Yes' then probably you would support the ouster of Jaswant singh from BJP. Personally, I do not support such oligarchic dictatorship.
3. News from Berlin, World Atheletics Championship :
1) Sanya Richards of the United States claimed her first individual world 400m title.
2) American Kerron Clement retained his men’s 400m hurdles.
3) Steffi Nerius of Germany won the women’s javelin gold.
4) Kenyan Ezekiel Kemboi won the men’s 3000m steeplechase title.
5) Phillips Idowu of Britain won the men’s triple jump gold.
4. One's helplessness is another's opportunity. Well, if you don't agree, ask the private hospitals.
In bangalore, about 80 pvt. hospitals which have agreed to screen for H1N1, are charging about 5 times the actual fee required for the nasal/throat swab test. Read this.
5. Who received the 42nd Jnanpith award?
Eminent Sanskrit poet Satya Vrat Shastri was presented the prestigious 42nd Jnanpith Award by the Princess of Thailand, Maha Chakri Sirindhorn, at a function at the Parliament House in New Delhi for his “outstanding contribution to the enrichment of Indian literature.”
6. Why are the Rajiv Gandhi Awards given and who got the awards this time?
The awards are an annual tribute to the former Prime Minister by Charan Singh Sapra. They are presesnted on the eve of Rajiv Gandhi’s birth anniversary.
In the 12th edition of the award ceremony, the following personalities were felicitated:
1)Nineteen-year-old Krushnaa Patil(19), the youngest Indian girl (2nd youngest worldwide) to scale Mount Everest in the woman achiever category.
Any idea who's the youngest girl to do so? Ming Kipa Sherpais(15) in 2006.
Any guess about the other names of Mount Everest?
Ofcourse SaagarMaathaa is one, that's the Nepali name. Any other?
The Tibetan name is Chomolungma.
2)Indian Space Research Organisation Chairman G. Madhavan Nair in Super achiever Category.
3) Planning Commission member Narendra Jadhav in the Education Category.
4) social entrepreneurship award went to Supernani Rajshree Birla whose Mumbai Orpanage has imparted vocational training to over 1500 underprivileged children.
5) Law Firm owner Rohit Kochhar received the young entrepreneur award.
6) Sam Pitroda, who started the “Yellow Revolution” in India in 1980 with the now-ubiquitous STD and PCO booths, received the global Indian award.
7) Abhinav Bindra won the sports award for being the first individual to win an Olympics gold for India.
8) 13-year-old Avika Gor won the young prodigy award for her much acclaimed role in the serial ‘Balika Vadhu’
9) Ramesh Chandra Agarwal, chairman of the Dainik Bhaskar group of newspapers, won the award in the journalism category.
10) Vineet Jain, owner of the Times Group, received the award in the industrialist category.
11) Katrina Kaif received the award in the best actress category.
12) Shahid Kapoor in the best actor category.
7. Bravery Awards given away by Madhya Pradesh State Police to three for apprehending looters. Who form this courageous trio?
Suman Yadav(25), Gagan Shukla (21) and Rajendra Kumar Shivhare (45).
8. Which day is celebrated as the World Photography day?
I know that's a tough because thanks to the Archies group, every day is some special day now-a-days like mother's day, father's day, brother-in-law's day,'neighbour's day, servant's day and what not.
Well, the Photography day is celebrated on the 19th of Aug.
Ok, a tougher question this time. Who received the lifetime achievement award for photography in India this year?
Renowned photographer Anil Risal Singh was awarded in Lucknow.
9. FATA. What does this stand for ?
Federally Administered Tribal Areas. These are the Afpak border areas.
10. New book to be released : Al Qaeda Connection . Who's the author?
Senior Pakistani journalist Imitiaz Gul
11. Which country will host the African Union (AU) special summit on refugees, returnees and internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Africa in October this year?
Uganda
12. Smart Infocomm, a leading multinational engaged in the field of IT hardware and mobile accessories has signed up their Brand Ambassador. Any idea, who's the guy?
Oscar winner, Resul pookutty
Enough for the day, I suppose. C u tomorrow :-)
To report on the Coastal Management Zone (CMZ) Notification. Ministry has accepted the recommendations and is planning amendments to the CMZ while drafting a Fishermen Rights Bill.
2. Is it just to place a political party's ideology before individual's fundamental right to freedom of expression?
If your answer is 'Yes' then probably you would support the ouster of Jaswant singh from BJP. Personally, I do not support such oligarchic dictatorship.
3. News from Berlin, World Atheletics Championship :
1) Sanya Richards of the United States claimed her first individual world 400m title.
2) American Kerron Clement retained his men’s 400m hurdles.
3) Steffi Nerius of Germany won the women’s javelin gold.
4) Kenyan Ezekiel Kemboi won the men’s 3000m steeplechase title.
5) Phillips Idowu of Britain won the men’s triple jump gold.
4. One's helplessness is another's opportunity. Well, if you don't agree, ask the private hospitals.
In bangalore, about 80 pvt. hospitals which have agreed to screen for H1N1, are charging about 5 times the actual fee required for the nasal/throat swab test. Read this.
5. Who received the 42nd Jnanpith award?
Eminent Sanskrit poet Satya Vrat Shastri was presented the prestigious 42nd Jnanpith Award by the Princess of Thailand, Maha Chakri Sirindhorn, at a function at the Parliament House in New Delhi for his “outstanding contribution to the enrichment of Indian literature.”
6. Why are the Rajiv Gandhi Awards given and who got the awards this time?
The awards are an annual tribute to the former Prime Minister by Charan Singh Sapra. They are presesnted on the eve of Rajiv Gandhi’s birth anniversary.
In the 12th edition of the award ceremony, the following personalities were felicitated:
1)Nineteen-year-old Krushnaa Patil(19), the youngest Indian girl (2nd youngest worldwide) to scale Mount Everest in the woman achiever category.
Any idea who's the youngest girl to do so? Ming Kipa Sherpais(15) in 2006.
Any guess about the other names of Mount Everest?
Ofcourse SaagarMaathaa is one, that's the Nepali name. Any other?
The Tibetan name is Chomolungma.
2)Indian Space Research Organisation Chairman G. Madhavan Nair in Super achiever Category.
3) Planning Commission member Narendra Jadhav in the Education Category.
4) social entrepreneurship award went to Supernani Rajshree Birla whose Mumbai Orpanage has imparted vocational training to over 1500 underprivileged children.
5) Law Firm owner Rohit Kochhar received the young entrepreneur award.
6) Sam Pitroda, who started the “Yellow Revolution” in India in 1980 with the now-ubiquitous STD and PCO booths, received the global Indian award.
7) Abhinav Bindra won the sports award for being the first individual to win an Olympics gold for India.
8) 13-year-old Avika Gor won the young prodigy award for her much acclaimed role in the serial ‘Balika Vadhu’
9) Ramesh Chandra Agarwal, chairman of the Dainik Bhaskar group of newspapers, won the award in the journalism category.
10) Vineet Jain, owner of the Times Group, received the award in the industrialist category.
11) Katrina Kaif received the award in the best actress category.
12) Shahid Kapoor in the best actor category.
7. Bravery Awards given away by Madhya Pradesh State Police to three for apprehending looters. Who form this courageous trio?
Suman Yadav(25), Gagan Shukla (21) and Rajendra Kumar Shivhare (45).
8. Which day is celebrated as the World Photography day?
I know that's a tough because thanks to the Archies group, every day is some special day now-a-days like mother's day, father's day, brother-in-law's day,'neighbour's day, servant's day and what not.
Well, the Photography day is celebrated on the 19th of Aug.
Ok, a tougher question this time. Who received the lifetime achievement award for photography in India this year?
Renowned photographer Anil Risal Singh was awarded in Lucknow.
9. FATA. What does this stand for ?
Federally Administered Tribal Areas. These are the Afpak border areas.
10. New book to be released : Al Qaeda Connection . Who's the author?
Senior Pakistani journalist Imitiaz Gul
11. Which country will host the African Union (AU) special summit on refugees, returnees and internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Africa in October this year?
Uganda
12. Smart Infocomm, a leading multinational engaged in the field of IT hardware and mobile accessories has signed up their Brand Ambassador. Any idea, who's the guy?
Oscar winner, Resul pookutty
Enough for the day, I suppose. C u tomorrow :-)
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
Current Affairs : 19-Aug-2009
For 18th Aug updates, you can check here.
For todays bit, here it is :
1. Pravasi Bharatiya Divas : What's so special about it?
Started in 2003, this is the first effort from the Govt. of India (Ministry of overseas affairs) to connect to the Indian Diaspora spread across the world. The first event was held in Delhi, the 7th one in Chennai, and the 8th one in 2010 will again be held in Chennai.
Dates : 7-9 Jan. Why?
Well, that's because it was on the 9th of Jan, 1915 when Mahatma Gandhi returned to India from S. Africa.
2. Corrupt people find their way in and way out under all circumstances. Why am I saying this?
That's because people are corrupt rarely because they are poor. People are corrupt because their soul, their blood, their genes and their conscience are poor. The 'Environment Clearance' that's required to start a new business has become a new source of corruption. Good that our PM has realized this and is taking measures to address this. Strict vigilence and severe punishment is the only way to save our nation from the corrupt souls.
3. Even the sun would die some day! Why do I say this?
Russian Pole Vault queen Yelena Isinbayeva who has not seen defeat since many years and added anther feather to her records with her huge Olympic success recently in Beijing, was dethroned as Poland’s Anna Rogowska claimed gold at the World athletics championships held in Berlin (Germany).
4. Who would get the scientist of the year Award 2009 award and which organization would give the award?
An Associate Professor at the department of Biochemistry Kashmir University, Bashir Ahmad Ganai , has been chosen for scientist of the year Award 2009 by a Delhi-based NGO, the National Environmental science Academy.
The Award has been conferred on him for his contributions in the field of environmental Biochemistry.
5. What about the law and order situation in the country?
The damage of train compartments by Bihar's so-called students ( I don't know which educational institute trains students for such activities ) as if the train was inherited by them from their respective grandfathers and the dacoits looting train passengers in the same state answer the question very well. Wanna read? Check this.
6. Moser Baer's new products in Indian Markets:
‘Dual Layer’ and ‘LightScribe’ discs
7. Few important personalities in news today:
1) Syed Sibtey Razi : Former Governer of Jharkhand and current Governer of Assam.
2) Madhav Kumar Nepal : PM of Nepal. His first foreign visit after taking over the charge has been to India for enhancing friendly ties. He arrived here this tuesday (18th aug).
3) Michael Boneham : Managing Director of Ford who expressed his plans of entering the small car segment which has a huge market in India.
4) Ashok Chawla : Finance Secretary (India)
That's it for the day!!
For todays bit, here it is :
1. Pravasi Bharatiya Divas : What's so special about it?
Started in 2003, this is the first effort from the Govt. of India (Ministry of overseas affairs) to connect to the Indian Diaspora spread across the world. The first event was held in Delhi, the 7th one in Chennai, and the 8th one in 2010 will again be held in Chennai.
Dates : 7-9 Jan. Why?
Well, that's because it was on the 9th of Jan, 1915 when Mahatma Gandhi returned to India from S. Africa.
2. Corrupt people find their way in and way out under all circumstances. Why am I saying this?
That's because people are corrupt rarely because they are poor. People are corrupt because their soul, their blood, their genes and their conscience are poor. The 'Environment Clearance' that's required to start a new business has become a new source of corruption. Good that our PM has realized this and is taking measures to address this. Strict vigilence and severe punishment is the only way to save our nation from the corrupt souls.
3. Even the sun would die some day! Why do I say this?
Russian Pole Vault queen Yelena Isinbayeva who has not seen defeat since many years and added anther feather to her records with her huge Olympic success recently in Beijing, was dethroned as Poland’s Anna Rogowska claimed gold at the World athletics championships held in Berlin (Germany).
4. Who would get the scientist of the year Award 2009 award and which organization would give the award?
An Associate Professor at the department of Biochemistry Kashmir University, Bashir Ahmad Ganai , has been chosen for scientist of the year Award 2009 by a Delhi-based NGO, the National Environmental science Academy.
The Award has been conferred on him for his contributions in the field of environmental Biochemistry.
5. What about the law and order situation in the country?
The damage of train compartments by Bihar's so-called students ( I don't know which educational institute trains students for such activities ) as if the train was inherited by them from their respective grandfathers and the dacoits looting train passengers in the same state answer the question very well. Wanna read? Check this.
6. Moser Baer's new products in Indian Markets:
‘Dual Layer’ and ‘LightScribe’ discs
7. Few important personalities in news today:
1) Syed Sibtey Razi : Former Governer of Jharkhand and current Governer of Assam.
2) Madhav Kumar Nepal : PM of Nepal. His first foreign visit after taking over the charge has been to India for enhancing friendly ties. He arrived here this tuesday (18th aug).
3) Michael Boneham : Managing Director of Ford who expressed his plans of entering the small car segment which has a huge market in India.
4) Ashok Chawla : Finance Secretary (India)
That's it for the day!!
Monday, August 17, 2009
Current Affairs : 17-AUG-2009
1. Why is 'Bhuvan' in news ?
Well, this is not Lagaan's Bhuvan(Amir Khan). This is the latest mapping tool from ISRO that can produce aerial view zoomed upto 10 times, using data from our satellite. It is like an indigenous google earth.
ISRO : Indian Space Research Organization , formed in 1969
2. Silly news but a touchy one. Any idea what is the mascot (not official though, just emotional) of INS Virbahu?
Its a brown Himalayan Bear. Wanna know the reason? Click here:
INS Virbahu : India's 1st submarine base, located at Vizag.
3. Jinnah-India, Partition, Independence
Yes that's the book to be released tomorrow. All those interested in political history and in knowing 'the other' view that is usually not taught in schools and colleges and prescribed texts might have a read.
Author : Ofcourse the opposition's(BJP) senior leader Jaswant Singh
4. Some sports persons in today's news:
Rani Devi : Plays Jr Women's Hockey for India
Upamanyu Dutta : Sailing
K. ratnakaran, Deepan Chakkravarty, Sriram Jha : Chess
Valentino Rossi : Motor Sports
Juan Martin Del Potro : Tennis
Padraig Harrington(Ireland), Yang Yong-Eun(S. korea) : Golf
Lind Dan, Lan Lu : Badminton
Linet Masai(Kenya) : Athletics
By the way, the world Badminton championship being held in Hyderabad recently, has concluded yesterday(Sunday).
That's all for the day. I have not gone through the editorials yet but the topics are pretty tempting and surely worth a read. So going for a ride,oops read....Till then take care and suggest corrections and other related information.
Well, this is not Lagaan's Bhuvan(Amir Khan). This is the latest mapping tool from ISRO that can produce aerial view zoomed upto 10 times, using data from our satellite. It is like an indigenous google earth.
ISRO : Indian Space Research Organization , formed in 1969
2. Silly news but a touchy one. Any idea what is the mascot (not official though, just emotional) of INS Virbahu?
Its a brown Himalayan Bear. Wanna know the reason? Click here:
INS Virbahu : India's 1st submarine base, located at Vizag.
3. Jinnah-India, Partition, Independence
Yes that's the book to be released tomorrow. All those interested in political history and in knowing 'the other' view that is usually not taught in schools and colleges and prescribed texts might have a read.
Author : Ofcourse the opposition's(BJP) senior leader Jaswant Singh
4. Some sports persons in today's news:
Rani Devi : Plays Jr Women's Hockey for India
Upamanyu Dutta : Sailing
K. ratnakaran, Deepan Chakkravarty, Sriram Jha : Chess
Valentino Rossi : Motor Sports
Juan Martin Del Potro : Tennis
Padraig Harrington(Ireland), Yang Yong-Eun(S. korea) : Golf
Lind Dan, Lan Lu : Badminton
Linet Masai(Kenya) : Athletics
By the way, the world Badminton championship being held in Hyderabad recently, has concluded yesterday(Sunday).
That's all for the day. I have not gone through the editorials yet but the topics are pretty tempting and surely worth a read. So going for a ride,oops read....Till then take care and suggest corrections and other related information.
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