Towards Easing Your Way.........
Search Our Website
Current Affairs January-2014 - Download
Current Affairs February-2014 - Download
Current Affairs March-2014 -Download
Current Affairs April-2014 - Download
Current Affairs May-2014 - Download
Current Affairs June-2014 - Download
Indian Women Archers Won Gold Medal At Archery World Cup
Indian Women’s Recurve team won gold medal at the Archery World Cup Stage IV in Wroclaw, Poland. The second seeded Indian team led by Deepika Kumari and included Bombayala Devi Lashram and Lakshmi Rani Manji defeated the Mexican team 6-0. Overall, India bagged a total of five medals on the last day of Archery World Cup Stage IV. The men’s recurve team settled for a silver after losing to Mexico 3-5 in the final.
Uttarkhand Government Forms Committee On Industries Using Silica Dust
Uttarkhand government has formed a high level committee to conduct a detailed survey of the industries using silica dust in the state. This committee will be headed by Additional Chief Secretary S Raju. The committee would conduct its study and submit its report within two months. Apart from this, it was also decided to conduct a health check up of those working in such industries that use silica dust. The health check-up will be conducted to find that so they suffer from silicosis or any other respiratory disease, which can be caused after coming in contact with silica dust.
International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples 2014 was Observed Across The World
The International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples was observed across the world on 9 August 2014. The theme of the International Day of the World’s Indigenous People was “Bridging the gap: implementing the rights of indigenous peoples”. The annual event is celebrated to promote and protect the rights of the world’s indigenous population. This event also recognizes the achievements and contributions that indigenous people make to improve world issues such as environmental protection. It was first pronounced by the General Assembly of the United Nations in December 1994, marking the day of the first meeting of the UN Working Group on Indigenous Populations of the Subcommission on the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights, in 1982.
WHO Declared Ebola As International Health Emergency
The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared Ebola as International Health Emergency. The decision was taken after a two-day emergency session held in Geneva. During the two-day session, WHO appealed for global aid to help afflicted countries.Ebola has claimed at least 932 lives and infected more than 1700 people since outbreak of the virus in Guinea in early 2014.States of emergency has been declared across Ebola affected West African nations, including Libera, Guinea and Sierra Leone.
Ivory Coast Striker Didier Drogba Retires From International Football
Didier Drogba has announced his retirement from international football after 12 years playing for the Ivory Coast. Drogba played in three World Cups for his country and made 104 appearances and scored 65 goals, over a 12-year period. His last appearance was in the 2014 FIFA World Cup concluded in Brazil, where he last time appeared in the cap for Ivory Coast against a match with Greece on 24 June 2014.He has been a two-time African Footballer of the Year.
Union Government Introduced Two Labour Reform Bills In Lok Sabha The Union Government introduced two Labour Reform Bills in the Lok Sabha. The two bills are The Factories (Amendment) Bill 2014 and the Apprentices (Amendment) Bill 2014. The two bills aim at enabling the government to make certain rules in consultation with the States to ensure safety and welfare of workers at workplace. The purpose is to reform years-old Labour Laws- the Factories Act 1948 and the Apprentices Act 1961.
Liberia Declared State of Emergency Over Ebola Virus
Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has declared a state of emergency as the country grapples with an outbreak of the deadly Ebola virus. A statement released by World Health Organisation (WHO) confirmed the death of 932 patients due to the Ebola Virus in West Africa so far. Ebola crisis in Liberia got worse because many people are keeping sick relatives at home instead of taking them to isolation centres.
Kapil Dev To Head Arjuna Award Selection Committee
Former India cricket captain Kapil Dev will head the Arjuna Awards selection committee for choosing this year’s outstanding sportspersons of the country while former hockey skipper Ajitpal Singh is likely to be in charge of selecting the Dronacharya awardees. While Kapil, who bagged 434 wickets in 131 Tests in his 16-year-long career, got the Arjuna in 1980, former Olympian Ajitpal was conferred the Award in 1970, and awarded it in 1972.
Legendary cartoonist Pran Kumar Sharma Died
Pran Kumar Sharma, creator of the iconic character Chacha Chaudhary, died in Gurgaon on 5 August. He was 75. He was born on 15 August 1938 in Kasur near Lahore (now Pakistan). He created or sketched Chacha Chaudhary for the Hindi magazine Lotpot in 1969, this character was the one that made him famous. His hacha Chaudhary strips found a permanent place in International Museum of Cartoon Art, USA. According to Maurice Horn notes, Pran was given a title of Walt Disney of India in the World Encyclopedia of Comics.
Mizoram Governor Kamla Beniwal Removed
Kamla Beniwal has been relieved of her charge as Mizoram Governor on 6 August.President Pranab Mukherjee directed that Beniwal will cease to hold the office of the Governor of Mizoram. Vinod Kumar Duggal, Governor of Manipur, has been directed to discharge the functions of the Governor of Mizoram, in addition to his own duties, until regular arrangements for the office of the Governor of Mizoram are made.Beniwal was removed as Governor of Gujarat when the NDA government took over. She was transferred to Mizoram on 6 July 2014.
Ex-IFS Officer Arvind Gupta Appointed As Deputy NSA
Former Indian Foreign Service officer Arvind Gupta was appointed as Deputy National Security Adviser (NSA). The post of Deputy National Security Adviser fell vacant after the resignation of Nehchal Sandhu, former IPS officer of 1973 batch who was appointed as Deputy National Security Adviser during UPA rule. Gupta will also be working as Secretary of National Security Council Secretariat (NSCS), a body that performs advisory functions for Government of India suggesting political, economic and strategic safety concerns.
Bharathiya Mahila Bank Bagged Core Banking System Initiative Award-2014
Bharatiya Mahila Bank Ltd bagged the Core Banking System Initiative Award for the year 2014 at the Asian Banking and Finance – Retail Banking Awards 2014. The award ceremony was held in Singapore.Usha Ananthasubramanian, Chairman & Managing Director, Bharatiya Mahila Bank received the award. It got the award as it launched its operations with Core Banking Solutions and ATMs (Automated Teller Machines) from first day of it operation and it was achieved with in a period less than 2 months from the grant of license by RBI to the launch date on 19 November 2013.
Indian Named Microsoft Office Specialist World Champion In PowerPoint
Sixteen-year old Delhi student Arjit Kansal has been named the 2014 Microsoft Office Specialist World Champion in PowerPoint 2010, it was announced in New Delhi on 4 August. Certiport, a Pearson VUE business and a test delivery solution provider for the global workforce and academic markets, announced the award. Among other things, Kansal was also awarded a $5,000 scholarship during the event at Disney’s Grand Californian Resort.
New Species of Humpback Dolphins Identified
Scientists identified a new species of Australian humpback dolphin with the scientific name Sousa Sahulensis. The Australian humpback dolphins are a widespread group of coastal cetaceans ranging from the coast of West Africa to the northern coast of Australia. The scientific name Sousa Sahulensis is derived from the Sahul Shelf. Sahul shelf is an underwater shelf stretching between northern Australia and southern New Guinea, where the Australian humpback dolphin occurs.
India Finish Fifth AT 2014 Glasgow Commonwealth Games
India finished fifth in the 2014 Commonwealth Games with 64 medals (15 gold, 30 silver, 19 bronze). England took the top spot with 174 medals of which 58 were gold. 4929 athletes from 71 countries and territories of the erstwhile British Empire participated in the 11-day competition. The 2014 Commonwealth Games (officially the XX Commonwealth Games) were held in Glasgow, Scotland, from 23 July to 3 August 2014. The 21st Commonwealth Games will be held in Gold Coast in Australia.
6.1 Earthquake Strikes China’s Yunnan Province
Earthquake of magnitude 6.1 on Richter scale stuck southwest Yunnan province of China on 3 August. The quake left behind a trail of destruction and devastation in the province and killed about 380 people and injured about 1800 others. This was the strongest earthquake to hit the province in 14years.
Noted Filmmaker Muzaffar Ali Selected For Rajiv Gandhi National Sadbhavana Award
Noted filmmaker Muzaffar Ali, director of Bollywood classic ‘Umrao Jaan’, has been selected for Rajiv Gandhi National Sadbhavna Award. The award is given every year for contribution to promotion of communal harmony and social goodwill. This will be the 22nd edition of the sadbhavana award, which will be presented at a special ceremony at Jawahar Bhavan on 20 August 2014, the birthday of late Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi.
‘One Life is Not Enough’: Autobiography of Natwar Singh Released
One Life is Not Enough: An autobiography written by former External Affairs Minister and veteran Congress Party leader Natwar Singh was released. The book has been published by Rupa. This book has been in news and controversy since past few days because it discloses much information about Sonia Gandhi, the President of the Congress Party.
2014 Ramon Magsaysay Awardees Announced
The Ramon Magsaysay Award Foundation announced that this year (2014) five individuals and one organization from Afghanistan, China, Indonesia, Pakistan, and the Philippines will receive Asia’s premier prize, the Ramon Magsaysay Award. The 2014 Awardees are:-
1) Saur Marlina Manurung (Indonesia) :- She was cited for “her ennobling passion to protect and improve the lives of Indonesia’s forest people” through jungle schools put up by her organization. An anthropologist by profession, she put up a “Jungle School” program for children of Indonesia’s Orang Rimba, or forest people.
2) Randy Halasan (The Philippines) :- He was chosen for the award for serving the indigenous Matigsalug tribe. He put in huge efforts in teaching the children of the Matigsalug tribe in one of the remotest mountain villages in Mindanao.
3) Hu Shuli (China) :- He is a Chinese investigative journalist whose work has led to the ouster of corrupt officials. He is the founder and former editor of ‘Caijing’ a business magazine famed for its groundbreaking investigative reporting that has had a profound impact on China.
4) Omara Khan Masoudi (Afghanistan) :- Masoudi was awarded for his courage in protecting Afghan cultural heritage. At great risk to his life, the deputy director of the National Museum of Afghanistan in Kabul led his colleagues in moving some of the museum’s most precious objects to safety during the Taliban’s assault on his country’s cultural treasures in the 1990s.
5) The Citizen Foundation (Pakistan) :- The Citizen Foundation, a non-profit organisation (NGO) in Pakistan founded by six business leaders, was recognized for building 1,000 schools over hundreds of cities and towns in the country with the world’s second highest number of children who are out of school.
6) Wang Canfa (China) :- Wang Canfa founded the Center for Legal Assistance to Pollution Victims, which has offered free legal services to thousands of people and provided environmental law training to lawyers and others.
SS Mundra Takes Charge As RBI Deputy Governor
Subhash Sheoratan Mundra, the Chairman & Managing Director (CMD) of Bank of Baroda (BoB), took over as the new Deputy Governor of Reserve Bank of India (RBI) for a three-year term. With this appointment, Mundra will look after banking supervision, currency management, financial stability, rural credit, customer service and also the Reserve Bank’s human resources & security. He was appointed to fill the vacancy created by the KC Chakrabarty who in April 2014 took voluntary retirement. Chakrabarty resigned from the Deputy Governor post two months before his five-year tenure.
Lt General Dalbir Singh Suhag Took over As New Army Chief
Lieutenant General Dalbir Singh Suhag took over as Chief of Army Staff on 31 July. He will have a tenure of 30 months as the 26th Chief of Army Staff. He took over as the Eastern Army Commander on 16 June 2012. He became Vice Chief of Army Staff in December 2013.
Sabine Lisicki Sets Record For Fastest Serve In Women’s Tennis
Sabine Lisicki of Germany created a record of fastest serve in the women’s tennis. Lisicki set the record by serving at 131 miles per hour during the first-round loss in the Bank of the West Classic Stanford, USA. However, she lost the game played against Ana Ivanovic Julia Glushko of Israel. The previous record of fastest serve in women’s tennis was held by Venus Williams achieved at the 2007 US Open, at a speed of 129 miles per hour.
Air Chief Marshal Arup Raha Took Over As The Chairman of COSC
Indian Air Force (IAF) chief Arup Raha on 30 July took over as the Chairman of the Chief of Staff Committee (COSC). He received the baton of Chairman, COSC from outgoing Chief of Army Staff, General Bikram Singh at a brief ceremony in the South Block, New Delhi. The chairman, Chiefs of Staffs Committee is the senior-most military officer in the country.
Jacques Kallis Retires From All Formats of International Cricket
South African cricketing legend Jacques Kallis has decided to retire from all formats of International cricket. In December 2013, he had announced his retirement from Test cricket after playing the Test series against India. He played 166 Tests (scored 13289 runs), 328 ODIs (scored 11579 runs) and 25 T20s (scored 666 runs) in career spanning 19 years. He is the only cricketer in the history of the game to score more than 11000 runs and take 250 wickets in both one-day and Test match cricket.
International Tiger Day 2014 Observed Across The World
International Tiger Day, also known as Global Tiger Day, was observed across the world on 29 July 2014. The day is celebrated as an awareness day. The goal of the Tiger Day is to promote protection and expansion of the wild tiger habitats and also to gain support awareness for tiger conservation. At present the number of wild tigers is at its lowest. In last 100 years, around 97 percent of the total tigers population have been lost. In 1913, the world has about 1 lakh wild tigers, which has dropped to 3000 in 2014. As per estimates, India in 2010 had 1706 wild tigers that increased from 1411 in 2006. Among the 13 tiger-range countries, India has the highest number of tiger population.
Amitabh Bachchan Appointed Maharashtra’s Horticulture Ambassador
Amitabh Bachchan has been appointed as as the horticulture ambassador of Maharashtra. With this appointment, he will start promoting the horticulture sector in Maharashtra. Maharashtra, the western Indian state is India’s largest fruit producing state with around two million hectares area covered in fruit orchards.
Italy’s Vincenzo Nibali Won 101st Tour de France
Vincenzo Nibali of Italy won the 101st edition of the Tour de France in cycling. Nibali is the first Italian in 16 years to accomplish cycling’s greatest race. The last Italian to win the Tour de France was Marco Pantani in 1998. With this win, Nibali became the sixth man to win all three Grand Tours, the Tour de France, Giro d’Italia and Vuelta a Espana.
Daniel Ricciardo Won Hungarian F1 Grand Prix
Red Bull’s Daniel Ricciardo won the 2014 Hungarian Formula One (F1) Grand Prix. Fernando Alonso claimed the second spot for his Ferrari team while Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton (Great Britain) won the third place. However, the race would be remembered for Lewis Hamilton ignoring his team Mercedes’ orders to let championship leader Nico Rosberg go by. Rosberg thus finished the race at fourth place.
Kaptan Singh Solanki Sworn In As Haryana Governor
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Kaptan Singh Solanki was on 27 July sworn-in as the Governor of Haryana. He was administered the oath of office by acting Chief Justice of the Punjab and Haryana High Court Ashutosh Mohunta at Haryana Raj Bhavan.Solanki, a BJP Rajya Sabha member from Madhya Pradesh and former college professor, succeeded Jagannath Pahadia whose five- year term ended on 26 July 2014.
CAG Shashi Kant Sharma Takes Over As Member of UN Board of Auditors
The Comptroller and Auditor General of India, Shashi Kant Sharma assumed office as Member of the United Nations Board of Auditors for a six year term upto June 2020. Shashi Kant Sharma took over the charge of this prestigious position from Liu Jiayi, the Auditor General of the People’s Republic of China at the United Nations Headquarters at New York. He was elected to this position defeating Philippines by a margin of 62 votes in November 2013.
EU Extended Sanctions On Russia
European Union (EU) extended the sanctions on Russia in wake of the Malaysian Airplane MH-17 crash that happened over eastern Ukraine in third week of July 2014. The sanctions were approved by the Committee of Permanent Representatives of the European Union (EU) at a meet in Brussels, Belgium.
Kargil Vijay Diwas Celebrated Across India On 26 July 2014
The 15th anniversary of Kargil Vijay Diwas was celebrated in India on 26 July 2014. The day is celebrated in the honour of war heroes of Kargil every year.The Day was celebrated with equal pomp in Dras sector in Jammu & Kashmir and at Amar Jawan Jyoti, India Gate in New Delhi.Kargil War was fought between India and Pakistan in 1999.
Logo Design Competition Launched For ‘Beti Bachao Beti Padhao’ Campaign
The Union Ministry of Women and Child Development launched a Logo Design Competition for the Beti Bachao Beti Padhao Campaign. The Union Finance Minister has announced an initial corpus of Rs. 100 crore for the campaign in the budget for the year 2014-15. The logo for the campaign ‘Beti Bachao Beti Padhao’ is to be developed through crowd sourcing with the purpose of including the logo in all advertisements issued by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting and also for mass campaign through conventional and social media.
Ukrainian Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk Resigned
Ukraine Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk resigned from his post from Verkhovna Rada (The Parliament of Ukraine) after his governing coalition collapsed. The collapse of the ruling coalition will lead to early elections, which will be called by the President Petro Poroshenko within 30 days.
Kesri Nath Tripathi Sworn In As West Bengal Governor
Kesri Nath Tripathi was sworn in as the new governor of West Bengal on 24 July. The Acting Chief Justice of the Calcutta High Court Asim Kumar Banerjee administered the oath of office to KN Tripathi in Raj Bhavan, Kolkata.
President of India Inaugurates Bank and Post Office In President Estate’s New Buildings
The President of India, Pranab Mukherjee inaugurated the President’s Estate Branch of United Bank of India and Rashtrapati Bhavan Post Office in their new buildings. The Bank and Post Office were relocated from a heritage building as part of measures to implement the Comprehensive Conservation Management Plan for the President’s Estate. Apart from these two buildings, a fitness centre for the staff of the President’s Estate was also inaugurated by the President.
TCS First Indian Firm To Top Rs.5 lakh cr In Market Capitalisation
Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) on 23 July became the first Indian company to exceed Rs 5 lakh crore in market capitalisation. This happened after company’s shares hit their all-time high of Rs. 2,580. Company’s share were zooming after announcement of record profits during the first quarter of 2014-15 and the subsequent huge dividend payout announced.
Tamil Nadu Govt To Issue Industrail Licences Online
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa on 23 July announced that the process of issuing licences for new industries would be done through a web portal. The step was taken in order to simplify the process involved for registration of new industries in the state. The new portal, apart from issuing the industrial licenses, will also help the general public and industrialists in finding out about new government schemes.
India Won Five Medals at 45th International Physics Olympiad (IPHO2014)
The Indian Contingent has won five medals in 45th International Physics Olympiad ( IPHO2014) held in Astana, Kazakhstan from 13 – 22 July 2014. India has won 2 gold medals and 3 silver medals in the Olympiad. 84 countries participated with 374 of the brightest students from across the world in the competition. Aniket Bajpai ( Maharashtra) and Chitraang Murdia (Rajasthan) won gold medals while Bure Vidya Sagar Nadin, Srikakulam( AP) Gurukirat Singh Bajwa, Hoshiarpur (Punjab) and Rupanshu Ganvir ( Maharashtra ) secured silver medals. The 45th International Physics Olympiad (IPHO2014) was organized by the Ministry of Education and Science of Kazakhstan. The International Physics Olympiad is held every year as a competition among the high school students.
Ram Naik Sworn In As UP Governor
Veteran BJP leader and former Union Minister Ram Naik on 22 July took over as the new Governor of Uttar Pradesh. Naik, the 27th Governor of the State, was sworn in at the Raj Bhavan by Allahabad High Court Chief Justice D.Y. Chandrachud. Ram Naik succeeds BL Joshi, who resigned last month.
Genetic Blueprint of Bread Wheat Genome Unveiled
The scientists at the International Wheat Genome Sequencing Consortium (IWGSC) unveiled the genetic blueprint of bread wheat. Scientists from Punjab Agricultural University (PAU), Ludhiana; National Research Centre on Plant Biotechnology (NRCPB) of ICAR, New Delhi; and Delhi University (DU), in collaboration with International Wheat Genome Sequencing Consortium (IWGSC), have published the first draft sequence of the wheat genome. The unveiling of genome sequence of wheat will make possible the increase in wheat productivity and better resistance to climate change. It will facilitate mapping and cloning of genes of agronomic importance in much lesser time and at a cheaper cost due to recognition of many gene markers during the sequencing.
Sania Mirza Appointed Brand Ambassador of Telangana
Indian tennis star Sania Mirza was appointed ‘Brand Ambassador’ of Telangana. Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao handed over a letter of appointment and also a cheque of Rs. one crore to Sania at an interaction session with industrialists in Hyderabad.
T V Gopalakrishnan Gets Sangita Kalanidhi Award – 2014
Eminent Carnatic musician and acclaimed mridangam exponent T V Gopalakrishnan has been chosen for the Sangita Kalanidhi award of the Music Academy for 2014. The annual award is considered the highest title for a Carnatic musician.He has also bagged Sangeet Natak Akademi and Padma Bhushan awards.
Nico Rosberg Won German Grand Prix – 2014
Nico Rosberg of Germany won the German Grand Prix F1 title on 20 July. It was fourth win of the season and the first at a home race for Rosberg belonging to the Mercedes team. Valtteri Bottas (Williams) captured second place while Rosberg’s Mercedes teammate Lewis Hamilton took third place.
Rory McIlroy Won The 2014 British Open Championship
Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland won the 2014 British Open Championship. Its the 3rd major title for the Northern Irish golfer after winning the 2011 US Open and PGA Championship in 2012.
Padmanabha Balakrishna Acharya Sworn In As Nagaland Governor
Padmanabha Balakrishna Acharya was sworn in as the 19th governor of Nagaland. Acharya has been given the additional charge of Tripura also. Acharya served as the BJP national secretary during 1995-2000 when Narendra Modi was the BJP national general secretary. Acharya was then the in-charge of party affairs in northeast states.
Germany Captain Philipp Lahm Retires From International Football
Philipp Lahm, the captain of Germany’s football team announced his retirement from international game on 18 July.He is the country’s fourth most-capped player behind Lothar Matthaus (150), Klose (137) and Lukas Podolski (116).He is also the fourth Mannschaft captain to lift the World Cup Trophy, after Fritz Walter in 1954, Franz Beckenbauer in 1974 and Matthaus in 1990.
India To Host 7th IBSA Summit In 2015
7th India-Brazil-South Africa (IBSA) summit will be held in New Delhi, India in 2015. This was announced after Prime Minister Narendra Modi met South African President Jacob Juma on the sidelines of 6th BRICS Summit in Fortaleza, Brazil.
B Ashok Took Charge As Chairman of IOCL
B Ashok took charge as Chairman of Indian Oil Corporation (IOC). He was to succeed R S Butola who retired from service on 31 May 2014 on attaining superannuation age of 60 years. Since a full-time chairman was not appointed in time, R K Malhotra, Director (R&D) and senior most Director on IOC board, was given additional charge. Malhotra retired in June 2014 and A M K Sinha, Director (Planning and Business Development) was given the additional charge.
Om Prakash Kohli Sworn In As Gujarat Governor
Om Prakash Kohli took oath of office as Governor of Gujarat.He succeeded Kamla Beniwal who was transferred to Mizoram by the President of India. His oath of the office and secrecy was administered by Chief Justice of Gujarat High Court Bhaskar Bhattacharya. He was appointed as the Governor of Gujarat by the President on 14 July 2014 along with new governors for Uttar Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, West Bengal and Nagaland.
Bashar Al-Assad Sworn In as Syrian President
Bashar al-Assad was sworn in as Syria’s President in Damascus for a seven-year term on 16 July. With this he became the President for the third consecutive term. He was re-elected after a presidential election that was held in June 2014.
Rahul Dravid Joins Laureus World Sports Academy
Former India cricket captain Rahul Dravid has been elected as the 47th member of the Laureus World Sports Academy, an exclusive group of stars from the world of sport. The Laureus World Sports Academy is a unique association of 47 of the greatest living sporting legends from sports as diverse as football, tennis, athletics, skateboarding and motor racing. The members of the Academy believe in the power of sport to break down barriers and bringing people together to improve lives of young people around the world.
Veteran Environmentalist Chandi Prasad Bhatt Received Gandhi Peace Prize – 2013
Environmentalist and social activist Chandi Prasad Bhatt was presented the Gandhi Peace Prize – 2013 by President Pranab Mukherjee at a function in Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi on 15 July. The Chipko movement pioneer is one among the nation’s first crop of modern green activist. The Peace Prize was instituted by the centre in 1995 on the occasion of the 125th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi. This annual award is given to individuals and institutions for their contributions towards social, economic and political transformation through non-violence and other Gandhian methods.
Environment Ministry Launches Web portal For Online Forest Clearences
Prakash Javadekar, Minister for Environment, Forests and Climate Change on 15 July launched a web portal for online submission and monitoring of forest clearance proposals, thereby minimizing the need for human interface between project proponents and officials dealing with Forest Clearance proposals in the Central and the State Governments.
India’s First Indigenous Anti-Submarine Warship INS Kamrota Handed Over To Indian Navy
India’s first indigenous anti-submarine warship (ASW) Indian Naval Ship (INS) Kamorta was handed over to the Indian Navy by Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE) in Kolkata . INS Kamrota is the first in its class of four ASW corvettes being built by GRSE under Project-28 for the Navy. It is the first warship ever built in the country with almost 90 per cent of indigenous content. It is armed with stealth features and is the first warship equipped with new trainable chaff launcher – Kavach. Besides, it is loaded with formidable array of weapons on board.
North Korea Fires 2 Ballistic Missiles
North Korea fired two short-range missiles into the sea.The missiles were fired from the northern part of the southern border city of Kaesong, about just 20 kilometres from the military demarcation line.Their range appear to be around 500 kilometres (310.7 miles).It was the North’s sixth ballistic missile launch this year and second within five days.
Germany Won 2014 FIFA Football World Cup
Germany became the 2014 FIFA World Cup champion after defeating Argentina 1-0 at the Maracana in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. With this win, Germany lifted the trophy for the fourth time in the history of FIFA world Cup and first since 1990. The previous title was won by Germany in 1954, 1974 and 1990.Germany also became the first European team to win a World Cup played in North or South America.
Air India Formally Joined Global Airline Group Star Alliance
Air India formally joined the airline group Star Alliance as its 27th member. By formally joining the group, public carrier became the first Indian airline to become a member airlines club operating over 18500 flights a day in 192 countries.This Alliance will further benefit the passengers to get the benefit from a wider choice on routes connecting North America, Europe, Asia and Australia via the Indian Subcontinent.CMD of Air India Rohit Nandan and CEO of Star Alliance Mark Schwab jointly inducted an A320 airbus livery that was unveiled at the terminal 3 of the IGI international airport in New Delhi.
Indian-American Woman Appointed CIO of Top US University
Indian-American Viji Murali, an IT veteran in higher education, has been named as the chief information officer and vice provost of Information and Educational Technology at a prestigious American university. Murali comes to UC Davis from Washington State University, where, since 2007, she has served as vice president for Information Services, and CIO for the WSU system.She succeeds Pete Siegel, who left UC Davis a year ago.
Pakistan Declares Dilip Kumar’s Ancestral Home As National Heritage
Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has declared as national heritage the ancestral home in Peshawar of Hindi moviedom’s thespian actor Dilip Kumar. He has directed the Ministry of Information, Broadcasting and National Heritage to acquire the house.
World Population Day 2014 Observed On 11 July 2014
World Population Day was observed across the world on 11 July 2014. The Day is observed to bring awareness to people about importance of small families and healthy lives. The theme of World Population Day 2014 was Investing in Young People. The day was first celebrated in 1987, the day when world population reached five billion people. At present, the day is celebrated across 200 countries by Government Organizations. The World population edged to 7 billion people in 2011 from 2.5 billion in 1950.
Nagaland governor Vakkom Purushothaman Resigned
Nagaland governor Vakkom Purushothaman has resigned on 11 July.He has sent his resignation to the President in protest against the BJP-led NDA government shifting him from Mizoram to Nagaland without consulting with him.
Nigeria Suspended From International Football By FIFA
Nigeria have been suspended from all international football by FIFA amid allegations of government interference in its football federation. The Statement released by FIFA includes that during the period of suspension, the NFF may not be represented in any regional, continental or international competitions, including at club level, or in friendly matches.
Union Railway Budget 2014-15
Union Railway Minister D.V. Sadananda Gowda on 8 July 2014 presented his first Railway Budget in Parliament. This is the first rail budget presented by any Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) minister and it is also Sadanand Gowda’s first rail budget.
Union Railway Budget 2014-15 Highlights :-
India Successfully Tested BrahMos Supersonic Cruise Missile
India on 8 July successfully test-fired the BrahMos supersonic cruise missile from a defence base in Odisha. It has a range of 290 km and can carry a conventional warhead of up to 300 kg. The test was successful. It was a land version of BrahMos.
President Appointed Governor For Mizoram and Nagaland
President Pranab Mukherjee appointed Governor for Mizoram and Nagaland and Gujarat.Governor of Gujarat, Kamla Beniwal was transferred and appointed as Governor of Mizoram. Vakkom Purushothaman, the Mizoram Governor, transferred and appointed as Governor of Nagaland. Vakkom will continue to hold the additional charge of the office of the Governor of Tripura. Margaret Alva, the Governor of Rajasthan, was given the additional responsibility of discharging the functions as Governor of Gujarat, until regular arrangements for the office is made.
SC Ruled Shariat Courts Are illegal
The Supreme Court of India on 7 July ruled that Shariat courts are illegal and objected to Shariat court from passing orders against innocent person. It said that no religion allows punishment of innocent and hence no Darul Qaza should give verdict on rights of a person, unless it is asked for by the person.
India To Become Third Largest Economy In World By 2030
India is set to become the third largest economy in the world by 2030, according to latest estimates by a PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) report. The London-head quartered accountancy giant said the rapid rise of the Indian economy with its young workforce would push it up from being the 10th largest economy in 2013 to the third largest by 2030, pushing the UK back into sixth place.
Novak Djokovic Won Wimbledon Men’s Singles Title
Novak Djokovic of Serbia on 6 July won the Men’s Wimbledon Tennis Open defeating Roger Federer of Switzerland. This is the second Wimbledon title for 27-year-old, Djokovic and seventh career Grand Slam. Djokovic won his first Wimbledon title in 2011. In the women’s single Petra Kvitova of Czech Republic won the Wimbledon Tennis Open defeating Canada’s Eugenie Bouchard.
Four Indian Americans Honoured On US Independence Day 2014
Four India-born Americans were honoured on the eve of US Independence Day. They were honoured for their contributions to the US during annual Great Immigrants tribute held in New York, US. The Indian-Americans honoured were Microsoft Corp chief executive Satya Nadella, Comedian and actor Aasif Mandvi, Carnegie Mellon University president Subra Suresh and former president of the University of West Georgia, Beheruz Sethna. They were honoured along with 36 others.
Narendra Modi Inaugurated 240MW Uri-II Hydroelectric Project In J&K
Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the 240 megawatt Uri-II hydropower project in the mountains of Jammu and Kashmir.This Uri-II project will be able to generate an estimated 1124 million units of hydel-energy annually from its four units of 60 MW each. The Uri-II project is the second power project on the Jhelum River in Uri area and is close to the Line of Control (LoC) in Baramullah district of the state.
Japan Issued Multiple Entry Visas To Indians
Japan issued multiple entry visas for short term stay to Indians. The visas will allow Indian visitors to spend up to 15 days on a visit and the visas are likely to be valid for three years. The decision will increase the number of Indian tourists to Japan and improve convenience in business activities and further development of bilateral exchanges between the two countries.
Goa Governor B V Wanchoo Resigned
Goa Governor BV Wanchoo resigned from his post hours after he was quizzed by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) as a witness in the AgustaWestland chopper deal scam. Earlier, the CBI had quizzed former West Bengal governor M K Narayanan in connection with the AugustaWestland chopper deal.
Union Government Introduced Four New Vaccines
Union Government introduced four new vaccines as part of India’s Universal Immunization Programme (UIP). These include vaccines against rotavirus, rubella and polio (injectable), along with an adult vaccine against Japanese encephalitis. The adult vaccine against Japanese encephalitis will be introduced in districts with high levels of the disease (in 179 endemic districts in 9 states).The aim of introduction of these lifesaving vaccines is to ensure that the benefits of vaccination reach to all sections of the society, regardless of social and economic status.
DY Patil Appointed WB’s Acting Governor
President Pranab Mukherjee on 3 July appointed Bihar Governor Dr. D.Y. Patil as the acting Governor of West Bengal, following M.K. Narayanan’s resignation. The President has accepted the resignation of Shri M K Narayanan as Governor of West Bengal and has appointed Dr. D.Y. Patil, Governor of Bihar to discharge the functions of the Governor of West Bengal, in addition to his own duties.Narayanan resigned on June 30 after being prodded by the new NDA government to quit.
Meghalaya Governor Takes Additional Charge of Nagaland
Meghalaya Governor Krishan Kant Paul on 2 July took over the additional charge as the 18th governor of Nagaland following the resignation of Ashwani Kumar from the post on 25 June 2014.
Ram Naresh Yadav Sworn In As Chhattisgarh Governor
Madhya Pradesh Governor Ram Naresh Yadav was sworn in as Chhattisgarh Governor on 2 July. Ram Naresh Yadav has taken over the additional charge of the Chhattisgarh state following the resignation of former Governor Shekhar Dutt.
National Doctors’ Day Observed Across India on 1 July 2014
National Doctors’ Day was observed across India on 1 July 2014 to honour legendary physician Dr Bidhan Chandra Roy.The celebrations highlight the contributions and value of medical fraternity in society. Bidhan Chandra Roy was born on 1 July 1882 in Patna and died on 1 July 1962. He was a legendary physician who also served West Bengal as its second Chief Minister from 1948 to 1962. The B.C. Roy National Award was instituted in 1976 for work in the area of medicine, politics, science, philosophy, literature and arts.
Malala Yousafzai Won Liberty Medal – 2014
Pakistani child activist Malala Yousafzai has been conferred on the 2014 Liberty Medal from the National Constitution Centre in Philadelphia. She is the youngest recipient in the medal’s 25-year history. Polish Solidarity founder Lech Walesa was the inaugural recipient of the annual honour in 1989. Since then, recipients of this award included Muhammad Ali, former President Jimmy Carter, and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.
