China led 21 Asian nations, including India, in forming a multilateral financial front in the form of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), being seen as a challenger to the U.S.-backed Bretton Woods institutions.
India signed a memorandum of understanding, along with Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Nepal and others, as the founding member of the AIIB on 24th October.
Usha Titus, Joint Secretary, Economic Affairs division of the Finance Ministry, signed the MoU on India’s behalf. With an initial subscribed capital of $50 billion, the setting up of the Beijing-headquartered AIIB has been welcomed by the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank.
The 21-nation group comprises Bangladesh, Brunei, Cambodia, China, India, Kazakhstan, Kuwait, Laos, Malaysia, Mongolia, Myanmar, Nepal, Oman, Pakistan, the Philippines, Qatar, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Uzbekistan and Vietnam.
The World Bank's capital is about $220 billion, while the Asian Development Bank has $175 billion capital.
Asia needs infrastructure development. The World Bank estimates that $8 trillion in spending is required between 2010 and 2020 just to keep Asian economies humming along. Only a tiny slice of that can now be provided by the Asian Development Bank and other institutional lenders, so the AIIB hopes to help fill some of those enormous gaps.
Sunday, October 26, 2014
Ashwika Kapur won 2014 Panda Award for her film on a Kakapo parrot
Ashwika Kapur on 24 October 2014 became the first Indian woman to win prestigious Wildscreen Panda Award. She won the coveted wildlife photography award in best newcomer category for her film, Sirocco - how a dud became a stud.
Panda award also known as Green Oscar of the natural history and wildlife film industry was announced at the annual Wildscreen Film Festival held at Bristol, UK.
Panda award also known as Green Oscar of the natural history and wildlife film industry was announced at the annual Wildscreen Film Festival held at Bristol, UK.
About the film Sirocco - how a dud became a stud
Ashwika’s film is a tale of a Kakapo parrot named Sirocco, which is perhaps the only bird in the world to have bagged a government job. Sirocco, a male bird was appointed as the official Spokesbird for Conservation in New Zealand who helped in conservation advocacy on social media.
The film was a solo project that was single-handedly managed by Ashwika. For the film, she performed the film’s scientific research, scripting, camera work, editing and music direction.
The film Sirocco - how a dud became a stud was competing against two other nominees namely Pride (from USA) and We Are Rhino (from United Kingdom). The 2014 Windscreen Film Festival received 488 entries from 42 countries.
About Kakapo Parrot
Kakapo parrot is classified as a critically endangered species since 2012 (known population of less than 150) on the IUCN Red List. It is a nocturnal, flightless, and ground-dwelling species of parrot. This Kakapo (night parrot in the Maori language) bird is found in New Zealand and is known as one of the longest living birds and in 2013, the bird was voted as the world’s favourite species by 14000 people from 162 countries.
About Ashwika Kapur
• 27-year-old, Ashwika Kapur based in Kolkata has graduated in Science and Natural History Filmmaking from the University of Otago, New Zealand
• At present, she is involved in the filming and production of two wildlife shows in India for Animal Planet
Previous winners from India include wildlife filmmaker and conservationist Mike Pandey, the Bedi Brothers (Ajay and Vijay) and Dusty Foot Productions.
Indian-origin Sahil Doshi won 2014 Discovery Education 3M Young Scientist Challenge
Sahil Doshi, an Indian-American student on 22 October 2014 won the 2014 Discovery Education 3M Young Scientist Challenge. He was awarded for his innovative design of an eco-friendly battery that could help lower harmful greenhouse gases.
His prototype named PolluCell is capable of converting Carbon Dioxide into electricity, ingeniously helping to reduce our carbon footprint while offering power for household uses and developing nations.
The 2014 Discovery Education 3M Young Scientist Challenge prize also included 25000 US dollar and a student adventure trip to a destination such as Costa Rica.
His prototype named PolluCell is capable of converting Carbon Dioxide into electricity, ingeniously helping to reduce our carbon footprint while offering power for household uses and developing nations.
The 2014 Discovery Education 3M Young Scientist Challenge prize also included 25000 US dollar and a student adventure trip to a destination such as Costa Rica.
14-year-old, Sahil Doshi, a ninth grader from Pittsburg, Pennsylvania competed alongside nine other finalists to be declared winner of 2014 Discovery Education 3M Young Scientist Challenge.
India re-elected to UNHRC for 2015-2017
India on 21 October 2014 was re-elected to the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) for the period of 2015 to 2017. India was re-elected after it received the highest, 162 votes in the Asia Pacific group in the election that was held in the UN General Assembly in New York.
India was competing in the Asia-Pacific group in which four seats were up for election. The other countries competing in the group were Indonesia, Bangladesh, Qatar, Thailand, Kuwait, Cambodia, Philippines and Bahrain. Out of them, India, Bangladesh, Qatar and Indonesia made it to the UNHRC.
India was competing in the Asia-Pacific group in which four seats were up for election. The other countries competing in the group were Indonesia, Bangladesh, Qatar, Thailand, Kuwait, Cambodia, Philippines and Bahrain. Out of them, India, Bangladesh, Qatar and Indonesia made it to the UNHRC.
At present, India is a member of the 47-nation UNHRC and its first term is due to end on 31 December 2014.
Apart from India, other 14 member states were also elected to the Human Rights Council for a three-year term of office beginning 1 January 2015, are Albania, Bangladesh, Bolivia, Botswana, the Congo, El Salvador, Ghana, Indonesia, Latvia, the Netherlands, Nigeria, Paraguay, Portugal and Qatar.
Apart from India, other 14 member states were also elected to the Human Rights Council for a three-year term of office beginning 1 January 2015, are Albania, Bangladesh, Bolivia, Botswana, the Congo, El Salvador, Ghana, Indonesia, Latvia, the Netherlands, Nigeria, Paraguay, Portugal and Qatar.
About United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC)
The UN Human Rights Council is an inter-governmental body that promotes and protects human rights. It represents the world's commitment to universal ideals of human dignity and the General Assembly elects the members for the Council judging by the states' contribution and commitment to the aims of the body. Each seat's term is three years.
The High Commissioner for Human Rights is the principal human rights official of the United Nations. It is a part of the United Nations Secretariat with its headquarters in Geneva.
The UN Human Rights Council is an inter-governmental body that promotes and protects human rights. It represents the world's commitment to universal ideals of human dignity and the General Assembly elects the members for the Council judging by the states' contribution and commitment to the aims of the body. Each seat's term is three years.
The High Commissioner for Human Rights is the principal human rights official of the United Nations. It is a part of the United Nations Secretariat with its headquarters in Geneva.
Union Government decided to re-launch Direct Benefit Transfer scheme
Union Government on 19 October 2014 decided to re-launch the modified Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) scheme in an effective manner. The implementation of DBT will be made on a mission mode between 10 November 2014 and 1 January 2015 in 54 districts.
At Present, the beneficiaries having bank accounts under Aadhaar and the beneficiaries who have bank accounts under the Jan Dhan Yojana will now get subsidy on LPG directly in their accounts.
The beneficiaries who are outside from the scheme i.e. who have neither an Aadhar identity nor a bank account through Jan Dhan Yojna will get old cylinder system for some time.
The 54 shortlisted districts fall under Andhra Pradesh, Goa, Himachal Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Puducherry, Punjab and Telangana.
About Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana
Pradhan Mantri Jan-Dhan Yojana (PMJDY) is National Mission for Financial Inclusion to ensure access to financial services, namely, Banking or Savings & Deposit Accounts, Remittance, Credit, Insurance, Pension in an affordable manner.
Pradhan Mantri Jan-Dhan Yojana (PMJDY) is National Mission for Financial Inclusion to ensure access to financial services, namely, Banking or Savings & Deposit Accounts, Remittance, Credit, Insurance, Pension in an affordable manner.
Under the scheme, account holders will be provided zero-balance bank account with RuPay debit card, in addition to accidental insurance cover of 1 lakh rupees. Besides, after six months of opening of the bank account holders can avail 5000 rupees loan from the bank.
Union Government launched Jammu Kashmir Arogya Gram Yojna in J&K
Union Government on 18 October 2014 launched Jammu Kashmir Arogya Gram Yojna in Jammu and Kashmir. The scheme aims to encourage farmers in J&K to cultivate scientifically tested and commercially beneficial aromatic and medicinal plants in the state.
The scheme is a part of the grand plan of the Government to convert the hilly areas of the country as exclusive zones of high-value organic farm products. The Union Government will initially spend over 25 crore rupees on this scheme.
About the Scheme
About the Scheme
Under the scheme, Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), will help the farmers with expert guidance and provide them saplings of as many as nine varieties of medicinal and aromatic plants. CSIR is the Research and Development body of the government.
The plant varieties, selected for J&K, include five different varieties of lemon grass (Cymbopogon), Rose (Rosa), Mint (Mentha), Ashwagandha (Withaniasomnifera) and Phalsa fruit plant.
The plant varieties, selected for J&K, include five different varieties of lemon grass (Cymbopogon), Rose (Rosa), Mint (Mentha), Ashwagandha (Withaniasomnifera) and Phalsa fruit plant.
Initially, 1000 villages of Kathua, Jammu and Udhampur in the state will be covered under the scheme. Similar schemes will be launched in other states, keeping in mind soil condition, suitable plant varieties and size and type of land holdings.
Benefit of the Scheme
Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science & Technology and Earth Sciences Dr Jitendra Singh said that this scheme is a new concept whereby the agricultural land with the potential for growth of aromatic plants will be identified and CSIR scientists as well as aroma experts from different parts of the country will educate and train the local farmers to bring up this cultivation.
Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science & Technology and Earth Sciences Dr Jitendra Singh said that this scheme is a new concept whereby the agricultural land with the potential for growth of aromatic plants will be identified and CSIR scientists as well as aroma experts from different parts of the country will educate and train the local farmers to bring up this cultivation.
The institutes involved
Different CSIR institutions like Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine (IIIM), Institute of Himalayan Bio-resource Technology (IHBT), Central Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants, National Botanical Research Institute (NBRI) and North Eastern Institute of Science and Technology (NEIST) will be associated with the implementation of the scheme, first in Jammu and Kashmir and then in other states.
Different CSIR institutions like Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine (IIIM), Institute of Himalayan Bio-resource Technology (IHBT), Central Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants, National Botanical Research Institute (NBRI) and North Eastern Institute of Science and Technology (NEIST) will be associated with the implementation of the scheme, first in Jammu and Kashmir and then in other states.
Why they choose Jammu
The ministry officials confirmed that one of the important reasons to start this new scheme from Jammu region was that the IIIM (Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine), Jammu has been actively pursuing research and production of aromatic medicinal and perfumery products for several decades and some of the products produced from this laboratory are of international export quality.
Nine varieties of scientifically tested and commercially beneficial plant saplings will be provided by IIIM Jammu and under the guidance CSIR experts, the project will start from the border district of Kathua.
India successfully test-fired nuclear capable Nirbhay cruise missile
India on 17 October 2014 successfully test fired its first long range subsonic cruise missile Nirbhay with a strike range of over 1000 km from the Integrated Test Range at Chandipur in Orissa.
This 6 meter tall low altitude flying missile was fired from a mobile launcher. Carrying a dummy payload of n350 kg, the missile also demonstrated the critical ability to zero-in on its target by diving towards a pre-designated impact point in the Bay of Bengal.
This was the second flight trial of the missile as the first test was aborted mid way in March 2013 when the missile deviated from its path.
This 6 meter tall low altitude flying missile was fired from a mobile launcher. Carrying a dummy payload of n350 kg, the missile also demonstrated the critical ability to zero-in on its target by diving towards a pre-designated impact point in the Bay of Bengal.
This was the second flight trial of the missile as the first test was aborted mid way in March 2013 when the missile deviated from its path.
Nirbhay cruise missile
• The missile was developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) at its aeronautics R&D laboratory ADE (Aeronautical Development Establishment) based in Bengaluru.
• The avionics of the missile was provided by the Research Centre Imarat, Hyderabad. The DRDL has also contributed to the development of the missile.
• Nirbhay cruise missile can carry conventional and nuclear war heads.
• Nirbhay has good loitering capability, good control and guidance, high degree of accuracy in terms of impact and very good stealth features.
• Nirbhay is very manoeuvrable and can fly at tree-top level, making it difficult to be detected on radar.
• It can strike the targets more than 700 km away carrying nuclear warheads giving India the capability to strike deep into enemy territory.
• The missile was developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) at its aeronautics R&D laboratory ADE (Aeronautical Development Establishment) based in Bengaluru.
• The avionics of the missile was provided by the Research Centre Imarat, Hyderabad. The DRDL has also contributed to the development of the missile.
• Nirbhay cruise missile can carry conventional and nuclear war heads.
• Nirbhay has good loitering capability, good control and guidance, high degree of accuracy in terms of impact and very good stealth features.
• Nirbhay is very manoeuvrable and can fly at tree-top level, making it difficult to be detected on radar.
• It can strike the targets more than 700 km away carrying nuclear warheads giving India the capability to strike deep into enemy territory.
ISRO successfully launched third navigation satellite IRNSS 1C
Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) on 16 October 2014 successfully launched third navigation satellite Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System (IRNSS) 1C.
Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) C26 injected IRNSS 1C into the designated orbit from the first launch pad of Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota. This was the 27th consecutive successful flight of PSLV.
Initially, the satellite was injected into a sub-geosynchronous transfer orbit with a 282.56 km perigee (nearest point to Earth) and 20670 km apogee (farthest point from Earth). Later, it was lifted to a geo-stationary orbit.
IRNSS 1C is the third member of the seven satellite constellation of the IRNSS. The first two satellites in the series were IRNSS 1A and IRNSS 1B.
The fourth navigational satellite of the IRNSS segment will be launched in December 2014 and the project will be fully operational in 2015.
Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) C26 injected IRNSS 1C into the designated orbit from the first launch pad of Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota. This was the 27th consecutive successful flight of PSLV.
Initially, the satellite was injected into a sub-geosynchronous transfer orbit with a 282.56 km perigee (nearest point to Earth) and 20670 km apogee (farthest point from Earth). Later, it was lifted to a geo-stationary orbit.
IRNSS 1C is the third member of the seven satellite constellation of the IRNSS. The first two satellites in the series were IRNSS 1A and IRNSS 1B.
The fourth navigational satellite of the IRNSS segment will be launched in December 2014 and the project will be fully operational in 2015.
About IRNSS 1C
• The satellite IRNSS 1C is similar in composition to its predecessors 1A and 1B. It carries navigation and ranging payloads.
• It will play a vital role in the IRNSS operations right from guiding drivers on city roads to aerial navigation, disaster management, mapping and surveillance activities.
• IRNSS 1C is designed to provide accurate position information service to users in the country as well as the region extending up to 1500 km from its boundary which is its primary service area.
• The IRNSS 1C will be utilized for two services- Standard Positioning Service (SPS) extended to all users and Restricted Service (RS) which will be encrypted.
• The IRNSS 1C carried two types of payloads, one for transmitting navigation service signals to the users and another consisting of a C-band transponder to facilitate Cube Retro Reflectors for laser ranging.
Flanagan wins Man Booker Prize 2014
Australian novelist Richard Flanagan won the first Man Booker Prize that allowed American nominees for his book The Narrow Road to the Deep North. This is the first time that the award has been open to the authors around the world including the Americans whose work is originally written in English. Earlier it was open for the authors from United Kingdom and Commonwealth nations.
With this award Flanagan became the third Australian to win this award. Others Australian winners are Thomas Keneally and Peter Carey 2001 and 1988.
According to the judges of the Prize Flanagan s novel The Narrow Road to the Deep North, which is set during the construction of the Thailand-Burma Death Railway in World War Two, is a magnificent novel of love and war.
Other novelists who were shortlisted for the prize were Ali Smith for How to be Both, Howard Jacobson for J, Neel Mukherjee for The Lives of Others, Joshua Ferris for To Rise Again at a Decent Hour, and Karen Joy Fowler for We Are All Completely Beside Ourselves.
Some interesting facts:• The Man Booker Prize for Fiction, formerly known as the Booker-McConnell Prize, after the company Booker-McConnell began is sponsoring the event in 1968
• Originally the prize money was £21,000, but in 2002 it was raised to £50,000 under the sponsorship of the Man Group, making it one of the world s richest literary prizes.
• Bernice Rubens is the first woman Booker Prize winner. She won the prize for The Elected Member in 1970.
• Till now only three Indians have won the Man Booker prize. They are Arundhati Roy for The God of Small Things in 1997, Kiran Desai for The Inheritance of Loss in 2006 and Aravind Adiga for The White Tiger in 2008.
With this award Flanagan became the third Australian to win this award. Others Australian winners are Thomas Keneally and Peter Carey 2001 and 1988.
According to the judges of the Prize Flanagan s novel The Narrow Road to the Deep North, which is set during the construction of the Thailand-Burma Death Railway in World War Two, is a magnificent novel of love and war.
Other novelists who were shortlisted for the prize were Ali Smith for How to be Both, Howard Jacobson for J, Neel Mukherjee for The Lives of Others, Joshua Ferris for To Rise Again at a Decent Hour, and Karen Joy Fowler for We Are All Completely Beside Ourselves.
Some interesting facts:• The Man Booker Prize for Fiction, formerly known as the Booker-McConnell Prize, after the company Booker-McConnell began is sponsoring the event in 1968
• Originally the prize money was £21,000, but in 2002 it was raised to £50,000 under the sponsorship of the Man Group, making it one of the world s richest literary prizes.
• Bernice Rubens is the first woman Booker Prize winner. She won the prize for The Elected Member in 1970.
• Till now only three Indians have won the Man Booker prize. They are Arundhati Roy for The God of Small Things in 1997, Kiran Desai for The Inheritance of Loss in 2006 and Aravind Adiga for The White Tiger in 2008.
Indian Cop Wins UNs International Female Peacekeeper Award
Inspector Shakti Devi of the Jammu and Kashmir Police, currently deployed in the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA), has been awarded the International Female Police Peacekeeper Award 2014 by the UN s police division for her "exceptional achievements" in her duty with the UN mission in Afghanistan, including her efforts towards helping victims of sexual and gender-based violence.
Devi has been honoured for her "exceptional achievements" in leading the establishment of Women Police Councils in several parts of Afghanistan. Devi has contributed to the improvement of the status of female police and has effectively helped the police of Afghanistan move towards achieving their goals of fully adopting democratic principles of policing. According to the UN statement, her consistent engagement in improving the service for victims of sexual and gender-based violence has led to successful investigation and prosecution.
The award was delivered during the International Association of Women Police (IAWP) conference held in Winnipeg, Canada. The honour is a competitive award given to an outstanding female police peacekeeper serving in a UN peace operation. The objectives of the award are to promote an understanding of police in peace operations throughout the world, highlight the efforts of female police in global peace operations, increase understanding of the roles of women officers in various countries and encourage participation in UN peace operations by all countries of the world. The award is organized in collaboration with the IAWP Awards programme and delivered during its annual conference.
India is the largest contributor to UN peacekeeping operations, having contributed more than 170,000 troops in 43 out of 69 peacekeeping missions mandated by the United Nations Security Council so far. The UN owes India $110 million, the second highest outstanding payment to any country, for costs relating to peacekeeping operations and troops.
Devi has been honoured for her "exceptional achievements" in leading the establishment of Women Police Councils in several parts of Afghanistan. Devi has contributed to the improvement of the status of female police and has effectively helped the police of Afghanistan move towards achieving their goals of fully adopting democratic principles of policing. According to the UN statement, her consistent engagement in improving the service for victims of sexual and gender-based violence has led to successful investigation and prosecution.
The award was delivered during the International Association of Women Police (IAWP) conference held in Winnipeg, Canada. The honour is a competitive award given to an outstanding female police peacekeeper serving in a UN peace operation. The objectives of the award are to promote an understanding of police in peace operations throughout the world, highlight the efforts of female police in global peace operations, increase understanding of the roles of women officers in various countries and encourage participation in UN peace operations by all countries of the world. The award is organized in collaboration with the IAWP Awards programme and delivered during its annual conference.
India is the largest contributor to UN peacekeeping operations, having contributed more than 170,000 troops in 43 out of 69 peacekeeping missions mandated by the United Nations Security Council so far. The UN owes India $110 million, the second highest outstanding payment to any country, for costs relating to peacekeeping operations and troops.
Monday, October 13, 2014
Nobel Prizes 23014
2014 Nobel Prize in Economic Sciences
The 2014 Nobel Prize in Economic Sciences was awarded to Jean Tirole "for his analysis of market power and regulation".
The economics prize – whose formal name is the Sveriges Riksbank Prize in Economic Sciences in Memory of Alfred Nobel – was created in 1968, while the physics, chemistry, physiology, literature and peace prizes were first awarded in 1901.
Jean Tirole, born in August 9, 1953 at Troyes, France is a professor of economics. He works on industrial organization, game theory, banking and finance, and economics and psychology. After receiving his PhD from MIT in 1981, he worked as a researcher at l'Ecole nationale des ponts et chaussees until 1984. From 1984-1991 he worked as a Professor of Economics at MIT. He was president of the Econometric Society in 1998 and of the European Economic Association in 2001. Tirole was affiliated to Toulouse 1 Capitole University, Toulouse, France at the time of the award of Nobel Prize.
2014 Nobel Peace Prize
The Nobel Peace Prize 2014 was awarded jointly to Kailash Satyarthi and Malala Yousafzay "for their struggle against the suppression of children and young people and for the right of all children to education".
Kailash SatyarthiBorn:11 January 1954, Vidisha, India
Residence at the time of the award: India
Prize share: 1/2
Showing great personal courage, Kailash Satyarthi, maintaining Gandhi’s tradition, has headed various forms of protests and demonstrations, all peaceful, focusing on the grave exploitation of children for financial gain. He has also contributed to the development of important international conventions on children’s rights.
Malala YousafzayBorn:12 July 1997, Mingora, Pakistan
Residence at the time of the award: United Kingdom
Despite her youth, Malala Yousafzay has already fought for several years for the right of girls to education, and has shown by example that children and young people, too, can contribute to improving their own situations. This she has done under the most dangerous circumstances. Through her heroic struggle she has become a leading spokesperson for girls’ rights to education.
2014 Nobel Prize in Literature
The Nobel Prize in Literature 2014 was awarded to Patrick Modiano "for the art of memory with which he has evoked the most ungraspable human destinies and uncovered the life-world of the occupation".
Patrick Modiano was born on July 30, 1945, in Boulogne-Billancourt, a suburb of Paris. Modiano made his debut as a writer with La place de l’etoile, a novel that attracted much attention. His works centre on topics such as memory, oblivion, identity and guilt.
“Modiano best known work is called Missing Person. It’s the story about a detective who has lost his memory and his final case is finding out who he really is; he is tracing his own steps through history to find out who he is.”
The 2014 Nobel Prize in Economic Sciences was awarded to Jean Tirole "for his analysis of market power and regulation".The economics prize – whose formal name is the Sveriges Riksbank Prize in Economic Sciences in Memory of Alfred Nobel – was created in 1968, while the physics, chemistry, physiology, literature and peace prizes were first awarded in 1901.
Jean Tirole, born in August 9, 1953 at Troyes, France is a professor of economics. He works on industrial organization, game theory, banking and finance, and economics and psychology. After receiving his PhD from MIT in 1981, he worked as a researcher at l'Ecole nationale des ponts et chaussees until 1984. From 1984-1991 he worked as a Professor of Economics at MIT. He was president of the Econometric Society in 1998 and of the European Economic Association in 2001. Tirole was affiliated to Toulouse 1 Capitole University, Toulouse, France at the time of the award of Nobel Prize.
2014 Nobel Peace Prize
The Nobel Peace Prize 2014 was awarded jointly to Kailash Satyarthi and Malala Yousafzay "for their struggle against the suppression of children and young people and for the right of all children to education".Kailash SatyarthiBorn:11 January 1954, Vidisha, India
Residence at the time of the award: India
Prize share: 1/2
Showing great personal courage, Kailash Satyarthi, maintaining Gandhi’s tradition, has headed various forms of protests and demonstrations, all peaceful, focusing on the grave exploitation of children for financial gain. He has also contributed to the development of important international conventions on children’s rights.
Malala YousafzayBorn:12 July 1997, Mingora, Pakistan
Residence at the time of the award: United Kingdom
Despite her youth, Malala Yousafzay has already fought for several years for the right of girls to education, and has shown by example that children and young people, too, can contribute to improving their own situations. This she has done under the most dangerous circumstances. Through her heroic struggle she has become a leading spokesperson for girls’ rights to education.
2014 Nobel Prize in Literature
The Nobel Prize in Literature 2014 was awarded to Patrick Modiano "for the art of memory with which he has evoked the most ungraspable human destinies and uncovered the life-world of the occupation".Patrick Modiano was born on July 30, 1945, in Boulogne-Billancourt, a suburb of Paris. Modiano made his debut as a writer with La place de l’etoile, a novel that attracted much attention. His works centre on topics such as memory, oblivion, identity and guilt.
“Modiano best known work is called Missing Person. It’s the story about a detective who has lost his memory and his final case is finding out who he really is; he is tracing his own steps through history to find out who he is.”
2014 Nobel Prize in Chemistry
The Nobel Prize in Chemistry 2014 was awarded jointly to Eric Betzig, Stefan W. Hell and William E. Moerner "for the development of super-resolved fluorescence microscopy".
Eric Betzig, U.S. citizen born 1960 in Ann Arbor, MI, USA, Ph.D. in 1988 from Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA and Group Leader at Janelia Farm Research Campus, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Ashburn, VA, USA.
Stefan W. Hell, German citizen born 1962 in Arad, Romania, Ph.D. in 1990 from the University of Heidelberg, Germany. Presently Director at the Max Planck Institute for Biophysical Chemistry, Göttingen, and Division head at the German Cancer Research Center, Heidelberg, Germany.
William E. Moerner, U.S. citizen born 1953 in Pleasanton, CA, USA, Ph.D. in 1982 from Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA. Professor of Applied Physics at Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA.
2014 Nobel Prize in Physics
The Nobel Prize in Physics 2014 was awarded jointly to Isamu Akasaki, Hiroshi Amano and Shuji Nakamura "for the invention of efficient blue light-emitting diodes which has enabled bright and energy-saving white light sources".
Isamu Akasaki, Japanese citizen, born 1929 in Chiran, Japan, Ph.D. in 1964 from Nagoya University, Japan. Professor at Meijo University, Nagoya, and Distinguished Professor at Nagoya University, Japan.
Hiroshi Amano, Japanese citizen, born 1960 in Hamamatsu, Japan. Ph.D. in 1989 from Nagoya University, Japan, currently Professor at Nagoya University, Japan.
Shuji Nakamura, American citizen, born 1954 in Ikata, Japan, Ph.D. in 1994 from University of Tokushima, Japan, currently Professor at University of California, Santa Barbara, CA, USA.
2014 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine
The Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine 2014 was divided, one half awarded to John O'Keefe, the other half jointly to May-Britt Moser and Edvard I. Moser "for their discoveries of cells that constitute a positioning system in the brain".
John O’Keefe, holds both American and British citizenships, was born in 1939 in New York City, USA, doctoral degree in physiological psychology from McGill University, Canada in 1967, currently Director of the Sainsbury Wellcome Centre in Neural Circuits and Behaviour at University College London.
May-Britt Moser, Norwegian citizen, born in Fosnavag, Norway in 1963, Ph.D. in neurophysiology in 1995, currently Director of the Centre for Neural Computation in Trondheim.
Edvard I. Moser, Norwegian citizen, was born 1962 in Alesund, Ph.D. in neurophysiology from the University of Oslo in 1995, currently Director of the Kavli Institute for Systems Neuroscience in Trondheim.
About the Nobel Prize:
On 27 November 1895, Alfred Nobel signed his last will and testament, giving the largest share of his fortune to a series of prizes in Physics, Chemistry, Physiology or Medicine, Literature and Peace - the Nobel Prizes. In 1968, Sveriges Riksbank (Sweden's central bank) established The Sveriges Riksbank Prize in Economic Sciences in Memory of Alfred Nobel.
At the Nobel Prize Award Ceremonies the Nobel Laureates receive three things: a Nobel Diploma, a Nobel Medal and a document confirming the Nobel Prize amount.
Between 1901 and 2013, the Nobel Prizes and the Prize in Economic Sciences were awarded 561 times which include 45 times to women.
Nobel Laureates from India:
Ronald Ross, India, Nobel Prize in Medicine or Physiology 1902
Har Gobind Khorana, India, Nobel Prize in Medicine or Physiology 1968
Rudyard Kipling, British India (now India), Nobel Prize in Literature 1907
Venkatraman Ramakrishnan, India, Nobel Prize in Chemistry 2009
Sir Chandrasekhara Venkata Raman, India, Nobel Prize in Physics 1930
Rabindranath Tagore, India, Nobel Prize in Literature 1913
Amartya Sen, India, Prize in Economic Sciences 1998
The Nobel Prize in Chemistry 2014 was awarded jointly to Eric Betzig, Stefan W. Hell and William E. Moerner "for the development of super-resolved fluorescence microscopy".Eric Betzig, U.S. citizen born 1960 in Ann Arbor, MI, USA, Ph.D. in 1988 from Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA and Group Leader at Janelia Farm Research Campus, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Ashburn, VA, USA.
Stefan W. Hell, German citizen born 1962 in Arad, Romania, Ph.D. in 1990 from the University of Heidelberg, Germany. Presently Director at the Max Planck Institute for Biophysical Chemistry, Göttingen, and Division head at the German Cancer Research Center, Heidelberg, Germany.
William E. Moerner, U.S. citizen born 1953 in Pleasanton, CA, USA, Ph.D. in 1982 from Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA. Professor of Applied Physics at Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA.
2014 Nobel Prize in Physics
The Nobel Prize in Physics 2014 was awarded jointly to Isamu Akasaki, Hiroshi Amano and Shuji Nakamura "for the invention of efficient blue light-emitting diodes which has enabled bright and energy-saving white light sources".Isamu Akasaki, Japanese citizen, born 1929 in Chiran, Japan, Ph.D. in 1964 from Nagoya University, Japan. Professor at Meijo University, Nagoya, and Distinguished Professor at Nagoya University, Japan.
Hiroshi Amano, Japanese citizen, born 1960 in Hamamatsu, Japan. Ph.D. in 1989 from Nagoya University, Japan, currently Professor at Nagoya University, Japan.
Shuji Nakamura, American citizen, born 1954 in Ikata, Japan, Ph.D. in 1994 from University of Tokushima, Japan, currently Professor at University of California, Santa Barbara, CA, USA.
2014 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine
The Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine 2014 was divided, one half awarded to John O'Keefe, the other half jointly to May-Britt Moser and Edvard I. Moser "for their discoveries of cells that constitute a positioning system in the brain".John O’Keefe, holds both American and British citizenships, was born in 1939 in New York City, USA, doctoral degree in physiological psychology from McGill University, Canada in 1967, currently Director of the Sainsbury Wellcome Centre in Neural Circuits and Behaviour at University College London.
May-Britt Moser, Norwegian citizen, born in Fosnavag, Norway in 1963, Ph.D. in neurophysiology in 1995, currently Director of the Centre for Neural Computation in Trondheim.
Edvard I. Moser, Norwegian citizen, was born 1962 in Alesund, Ph.D. in neurophysiology from the University of Oslo in 1995, currently Director of the Kavli Institute for Systems Neuroscience in Trondheim.
About the Nobel Prize:
On 27 November 1895, Alfred Nobel signed his last will and testament, giving the largest share of his fortune to a series of prizes in Physics, Chemistry, Physiology or Medicine, Literature and Peace - the Nobel Prizes. In 1968, Sveriges Riksbank (Sweden's central bank) established The Sveriges Riksbank Prize in Economic Sciences in Memory of Alfred Nobel.
At the Nobel Prize Award Ceremonies the Nobel Laureates receive three things: a Nobel Diploma, a Nobel Medal and a document confirming the Nobel Prize amount.
Between 1901 and 2013, the Nobel Prizes and the Prize in Economic Sciences were awarded 561 times which include 45 times to women.
Nobel Laureates from India:
Ronald Ross, India, Nobel Prize in Medicine or Physiology 1902
Har Gobind Khorana, India, Nobel Prize in Medicine or Physiology 1968
Rudyard Kipling, British India (now India), Nobel Prize in Literature 1907
Venkatraman Ramakrishnan, India, Nobel Prize in Chemistry 2009
Sir Chandrasekhara Venkata Raman, India, Nobel Prize in Physics 1930
Rabindranath Tagore, India, Nobel Prize in Literature 1913
Amartya Sen, India, Prize in Economic Sciences 1998
Kailash Satyarthi, Nobel Prize in Peace 2014
The Youngest Nobel Laureates Category wise
The Youngest Nobel Laureates Category wise
Category
|
Name
|
Year of Award
|
Age of Nobel Laureate
|
Physics
|
William Lawrence Bragg
|
1915
|
25
|
Chemistry
|
Frederic Joliot
|
1935
|
35
|
Physiology or Medicine
|
Frederick Banting
|
1923
|
32
|
Literature
|
Rudyard Kipling
|
1907
|
42
|
Peace
|
Malala Yousafzay
|
2014
|
17
|
Economic Sciences
|
Kenneth J. Arrow
|
1972
|
51
|
Saturday, October 11, 2014
Prime Minister launched Saansad Adarsh Gram Yojana to realise Gram Swaraj
Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched Saansad Adarsh Gram Yojana (SAGY) on the birth anniversary of Lok Nayak Jai Prakash Narayan on 11 October 2014. SAGY will be implemented under the overall supervision of Union Ministry of Rural Development.
The programme is an ambitious village development project under which each Member of Parliament will take the responsibility for developing physical and institutional infrastructure in three villages by 2019.
The primary goal is to develop three Adarsh Grams or model villages by March 2019, of which one would be achieved by 2016. Thereafter, five such Adarsh Grams (one per year) will be selected and developed by 2024.
Objective of the SAGY
The main objectives of SAGY are:
- To trigger processes which lead to holistic development of the identified Gram Panchayats
- To substantially improve the standard of living and quality of life of all sections of the population through: a) Improved basic amenities; b) Higher productivity; c) Enhanced human development; d) Better livelihood opportunities; e) Reduced disparities; f) Access to rights and entitlements; g) Wider social mobilization; and h) Enriched social capital
- To generate models of local level development and effective local governance which can motivate and inspire neighbouring Gram Panchayats to learn and adapt
- To nurture the identified Adarsh Grams as schools of local development to train other Gram Panchayats
Main highlights of the SAGY
- It aims to keep the soul of rural India alive while providing its people with quality access to basic amenities and opportunities to enable them to shape their own destiny.
- It places equal stress on nurturing values of national pride, patriotism, community spirit, self-confidence and on developing infrastructure.
- It is unique and transformative as it has a holistic approach towards development.
- It envisages integrated development of the selected village across multiple areas such as agriculture, health, education, sanitation, environment, livelihoods etc.
- SAGY aims at instilling certain values, such as people's participation, Antyodaya, gender equality, dignity of women, social justice, spirit of community service and etc in the villages and their people so that they get transformed into models for others.
- The gram panchayat would be the basic unit for development. It will have a population of 3000-5000 in plain areas and 1000-3000 in hilly, tribal and difficult areas.
- In districts where this unit size is not available, the gram panchayats approximating the desirable population size may be chosen.
- The MP would be free to identify a suitable gram panchayat for being developed as Adarsh Gram, other than his/her own village or that of his/her spouse.
- The scheme will be implemented through a Village Development Plan that would be prepared for every identified gram panchayat with special focus on enabling every poor household to come out of poverty.
- The constituency fund, MPLADS, would be available to fill critical financing gaps.
- SAGY gives focus to community participation.
- The participation of women in the decision-making process will be encouraged. The scheme envisages holding Mahila Sabhas and Bal Sabhas to discuss women and children specific issues and concerns.
- Ensuring universal access to education facilities, adult literacy, e-literacy are also important goals of SAGY.
- Adoption and adaptation of technology and introduction of innovations are critical to this programme. This will include use of space application and remote sensing for planning, mobile based technology for monitoring, agriculture technology for increasing productivity etc.
- At the national level, a separate, real time web based monitoring system will be put in place for the scheme covering all aspects and components.
Monitoring of SAGY
- The Union Ministry of Rural Development will put in place a specially designed capacity building programme for government functionaries at different levels including gram panchayats.
- At the state level, there will be an Empowered Committee headed by the Chief Secretary consisting of the relevant departments and including experts, as required with at least two civil society representatives.
- The District Collector will be the nodal officer for implementing the SAGY. He will conduct a monthly review meeting with representatives of the participating Line Departments. The Members of Parliament concerned will chair the review meetings.
17th Asian Games Incheon 2014 held in South Korea
17th Asian Games Incheon 2014 was held in Incheon, South Korea from 19 September to 4 October 2014, featuring 439 events in 36 sports. It is officially called XVII Asiad. It is governed by the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA). The theme of the 2014 Asian Games is Meet Asia’s Future.
The moscot of the Asian Games Incheon 2014 was three spotted Harbour Seal siblings named Barame, Chumuro and Vichuon meaning wind, dance and light in Korean language.
The logo of the Asian Games Incheon 2014 portrayed a huge wing consisting a string of A, the first letter of Asia, with a shining sun at its upper left, symbolizing the Asian people holding hands in the sky.
The Slogan of the Asian Games Incheon 2014 was Diversity Shines Here that represents and highlights the significance of Asia’s wonderful diversity in history, cultures, and religions.
To help English speaking visitors, mobile apps named WAZE and JiHaChul. Mobile app WAZE was provided to navigate on the routes of Incheon Asian games 2014 and JiHaChul provided maps of the routes in advance respectively. Next Asian Games Incheon will be hosted by the Singapore in 2018.
Ranks of the countries in the Asian Games Incheon 2014
Rank
|
Country
|
Gold
|
Silver
|
Bronze
|
Total
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1
|
China
|
151
|
108
|
83
|
342
|
2
|
South Korea
|
79
|
71
|
84
|
234
|
3
|
Japan
|
47
|
76
|
77
|
200
|
4
|
Kazakhstan
|
28
|
23
|
33
|
84
|
5
|
Iran
|
21
|
18
|
18
|
57
|
6
|
Thailand
|
12
|
7
|
28
|
47
|
7
|
North Korea
|
11
|
11
|
14
|
36
|
8
|
India
|
11
|
10
|
36
|
57
|
9
|
Chinese Taipei
|
10
|
18
|
23
|
51
|
10
|
Qatar
|
10
|
0
|
4
|
14
|
Gold Medals for India
Names
|
Sport
| Category |
|---|---|---|
Jitu Rai
|
Shooting
|
Men's 50 metre pistol
|
Rajat Chauhan
Sandeep Kumar Abhishek Verma |
Archery
|
Men's team compound
|
Saurav Ghosal
Mahesh Mangaonkar
Harinder Pal Sandhu
Kush Kumar
|
Squash
|
Men’s team
|
Yogeshwar Dutt
|
Wrestling
|
Men's freestyle 65 kg
|
Seema Punia
|
Athletics
|
Women's discus throw
|
Sania Mirza
Saketh Myneni
|
Tennis
|
Mixed doubles
|
Mary Kom
|
Boxing
|
Women's 51 kg
|
Men’s hockey team
|
Field hockey
|
Men
|
Priyanka Pawar
Tintu Luka Mandeep Kaur M R Poovamma |
Athletics
|
Women's 4 x 400 metres relay
|
Women's kabaddi team
|
Kabaddi
| Women |
Men's kabaddi team
|
Kabaddi
|
Men
|
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