India today successfully launched five foreign satellites[30/06/2014]
India today successfully launched five foreign satellites from four countries on board PSLV-C23 rocket which placed them in orbit from the First Launch Pad in Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Andhra Pradesh.
Besides its primary payload of 714 kg French Earth Observation Satellite SPOT-7, PSLV C23 carried and placed in orbit 14 kg AISAT of Germany, NLS7.1 (CAN-X4) and NLS7.2 (CAN-X5) of Canada each weighing 15 kg and the 7 kg VELOX-1 of Singapore.
Three judges appointed to Supreme Court[26/06/2014]
President Pranab Mukherjee on Wednesday appointed the Chief Justices of Calcutta and Orissa High Courts, Arun Mishra and Adarsh Kumar Goel respectively, and senior lawyer Rohinton Nariman as Supreme Court judges.
The warrant of appointment has been issued and the three judges are to be sworn in soon after the court re-opens on June 30. With their appointment, the strength of judges in the court will go up to 28, as against the sanctioned strength of 31.
Srinivasan becomes first ICC chairman post revamp[26/06/2014]
N. Srinivasan was on 26th June 2014 formally appointed the first chairman of the ICC after its 52-member council approved a controversial revamp of the body’s administrative structure.
The full council approved the amendments to the ICC’s Memorandum and Articles of Association at the Annual Conference, in Melbourne.
As was widely known before the conference, Srinivasan was elected the chairman despite being barred by the Supreme Court of India from carrying out his duties as BCCI president due to ongoing investigations into the match-fixing allegations relating to the 2013 edition of the IPL.
India today successfully launched five foreign satellites from four countries on board PSLV-C23 rocket which placed them in orbit from the First Launch Pad in Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Andhra Pradesh.
Besides its primary payload of 714 kg French Earth Observation Satellite SPOT-7, PSLV C23 carried and placed in orbit 14 kg AISAT of Germany, NLS7.1 (CAN-X4) and NLS7.2 (CAN-X5) of Canada each weighing 15 kg and the 7 kg VELOX-1 of Singapore.
Three judges appointed to Supreme Court[26/06/2014]
President Pranab Mukherjee on Wednesday appointed the Chief Justices of Calcutta and Orissa High Courts, Arun Mishra and Adarsh Kumar Goel respectively, and senior lawyer Rohinton Nariman as Supreme Court judges.
The warrant of appointment has been issued and the three judges are to be sworn in soon after the court re-opens on June 30. With their appointment, the strength of judges in the court will go up to 28, as against the sanctioned strength of 31.
Srinivasan becomes first ICC chairman post revamp[26/06/2014]
N. Srinivasan was on 26th June 2014 formally appointed the first chairman of the ICC after its 52-member council approved a controversial revamp of the body’s administrative structure.
The full council approved the amendments to the ICC’s Memorandum and Articles of Association at the Annual Conference, in Melbourne.
As was widely known before the conference, Srinivasan was elected the chairman despite being barred by the Supreme Court of India from carrying out his duties as BCCI president due to ongoing investigations into the match-fixing allegations relating to the 2013 edition of the IPL.
India today successfully launched five foreign satellites[30/06/2014]
India today successfully launched five foreign satellites from four countries on board PSLV-C23 rocket which placed them in orbit from the First Launch Pad in Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Andhra Pradesh.
Besides its primary payload of 714 kg French Earth Observation Satellite SPOT-7, PSLV C23 carried and placed in orbit 14 kg AISAT of Germany, NLS7.1 (CAN-X4) and NLS7.2 (CAN-X5) of Canada each weighing 15 kg and the 7 kg VELOX-1 of Singapore.
Three judges appointed to Supreme Court[26/06/2014]
President Pranab Mukherjee on Wednesday appointed the Chief Justices of Calcutta and Orissa High Courts, Arun Mishra and Adarsh Kumar Goel respectively, and senior lawyer Rohinton Nariman as Supreme Court judges.
The warrant of appointment has been issued and the three judges are to be sworn in soon after the court re-opens on June 30. With their appointment, the strength of judges in the court will go up to 28, as against the sanctioned strength of 31.
India today successfully launched five foreign satellites from four countries on board PSLV-C23 rocket which placed them in orbit from the First Launch Pad in Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Andhra Pradesh.
Besides its primary payload of 714 kg French Earth Observation Satellite SPOT-7, PSLV C23 carried and placed in orbit 14 kg AISAT of Germany, NLS7.1 (CAN-X4) and NLS7.2 (CAN-X5) of Canada each weighing 15 kg and the 7 kg VELOX-1 of Singapore.
Three judges appointed to Supreme Court[26/06/2014]
President Pranab Mukherjee on Wednesday appointed the Chief Justices of Calcutta and Orissa High Courts, Arun Mishra and Adarsh Kumar Goel respectively, and senior lawyer Rohinton Nariman as Supreme Court judges.
The warrant of appointment has been issued and the three judges are to be sworn in soon after the court re-opens on June 30. With their appointment, the strength of judges in the court will go up to 28, as against the sanctioned strength of 31.
Srinivasan becomes first ICC chairman post revamp[26/06/2014]
N. Srinivasan was on 26th June 2014 formally appointed the first chairman of the ICC after its 52-member council approved a controversial revamp of the body’s administrative structure.
The full council approved the amendments to the ICC’s Memorandum and Articles of Association at the Annual Conference, in Melbourne.
As was widely known before the conference, Srinivasan was elected the chairman despite being barred by the Supreme Court of India from carrying out his duties as BCCI president due to ongoing investigations into the match-fixing allegations relating to the 2013 edition of the IPL.
Inscription of Rani Ki Vav in Patan, Gujarat on World Heritage List [23/06/2014]
Rani –ki –Vav has been approved for inscription on the World Heritage list. The recognition was granted by the UNESCO at the World Heritage Committee Session currently on at Doha, Qatar. UNESCO has recognized this masterpiece as an exceptional example of technological development in utilizing ground water resources in a single component, water management system and it illustrates the exceptional capacity to break large spaces into smaller volumes following ideal aesthetic proportions.
Rani-ki-Vav, a stepwell built in the 11th century is the most developed, elaborate and ornate example of a unique type of Indian subterranean architectural structure, and it marks the zenith in the evolution of stepwells in India. It is a particularly large and complex example of a stepwell, with seven storeys of ornamented panels of sculptures and relief representing the height of the Maru-Gurjara style. Following the flooding and disappearance of the Saraswati River due to geotectonic changes, the property was buried under layers of silt for almost seven centuries and has been preserved underneath in an exceptional state of conservation by the Archaeological Survey of India. The stepwell is digitally documented through collaboration between ASI, CyArk and the Scottish Ten.
Global pat for Bengal’s girl child scheme[22/06/2014]
Kanyashree Prakalpa, a West Bengal government scheme that provides scholarship to girls from economically-backward backgrounds, has been given international recognition by the United Kingdom’s Department for International Development (DFID) and UNICEF. State representatives have been invited to the Girl Summit 2014 in London, in June, and to talk about the scheme to a global audience.
The conditional cash transfer scheme for school girls was inaugurated by the Trinamool Congress government on October 1, 2013, with the express purpose of ensuring the education of girls and thereby preventing forced child marriage.
Under the scheme, the government provides an annual scholarship of Rs. 500 to girls between 12 and 18 years (class eight to class 12) to continue with their studies, provided they are unmarried. A one-time grant of Rs.25,000 is also provided to the girl, once she reaches the age of 18, to pursue higher studies.
Kedarnath Singh chosen for Jnanpith[21/06/2014]
Noted Hindi poet Kedarnath Singh has been chosen for the prestigious Jnanpith award for 2013. He is the 10th Hindi writer to receive the honour and joins the likes of Sumitra Nandan Pant, Ramdhari Singh Dinkar among others.
Eighty-year-old Singh, who has also written essays and stories, was born in Balia, Uttar Pradesh. ‘Abhi bilkul abhi’ and ‘Yahan se dekho’ are among his prominent works. The award includes. Rs 11 lakh and a citation, a release from the Jnanpith award committee said.
Salman Rushdie wins Pen Pinter writing prize[21/06/2014]
Indian-born Booker Prize winning author Salman Rushdie was on 20th June 2014 named the winner of this year’s prestigious Pen Pinter prize for his outstanding literary output and support for freedom of expression.
The award was established in 2009 by writers’ charity English Pen in memory of famous British playwright and Nobel laureate Harold Pinter.
Maureen Freely, chair of the judging panel, said, “This prize is English Pen’s way of thanking Salman Rushdie not just for his books and his many years of speaking out for freedom of expression, but also for his countless private acts of kindness.
Sanjaya Rajaram chosen for World Food Prize[19/06/2014]
Sanjaya Rajaram, veteran plant scientist, has been chosen for this year’s World Food Prize for his "scientific research that led to a prodigious increase in world wheat production."
Announcing this, M.S. Swaminathan, founder of the M. S. Swaminathan Research Foundation (MSSRF) and chairman, global jury for selection of the Food Prize Laureate, told reporters on Wednesday that Dr Rajaram, now settled in Mexico, was selected for his "outstanding work in the improvement of wheat crop and wheat production in the world."
Dr. Swaminathan, the first recipient of the Prize in 1987, said the selection of Dr. Rajaram was significant as this year marked the centenary year of Dr. Borlaug as well as the international year of family farming.
Regarded as the most prestigious award in the area of food and agriculture, the Prize, carrying a cash prize of $ 250,000, would be presented during the U.N. World Food Day on October 16.
Delhi becomes first kerosene-free city in India[17/06/2014]
The Delhi Government on 17 June 2014 announced that the national capital has become the first ‘kerosene-free city’ in the country.
With the successful implementation of Delhi: A Kerosene-Free City Scheme, 2012, no subsidised kerosene is being issued in the national capital and the country can save upto Rs 200 crores every year,” said S.S. Yadav, Commissioner, Food Supply and Weights and Measures.
The scheme was launched in 2012 in collaboration with three Oil Marketing Companies and Union Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas for which Delhi Government had incurred an expenditure of Rs 62 crores. Under the scheme, free gas connections along with LPG filled cylinders, two burner gas stove, regulator and suraksha pipe were issued to the Jhuggi Ration Card (JRC), Below Poverty Line (BPL) and Antodaya Ann Yojana (AAY) ration card holders who were using kerosene oil for cooking.
Shri Shaktikanta Das Takes over as Revenue Secretary[16/06/2014]
Shri Shaktikanta Das, IAS (TN:1980) has taken over the charge as Secretary, Department of Revenue, Ministry of Finance here today. Shri Das has replaced Shri Rajiv Takru, IAS (GJ:1979), who has been posted as Secretary, Ministry of DONER. Shri Das was earlier holding the post of Secretary, Department of Fertilizers, Ministry of Chemical and Fertilizers, Government of India.
Lt Gen Amit Sharma, VSM Appointed Commander-in-Chief Strategic Force Command [13/06/2014]
Lt Gen Amit Sharma, VSM has been promoted as Army Commander and appointed Commander-in-Chief, Strategic Forces Command. Born on 04 Jul 1956 in Mumbai, Lt Gen Sharma was commissioned in 45 Cavalry in December 1976. Over the years he has held numerous command, staff and instructional appointments in all operational sectors including Counter Insurgency areas. During early years of service he has been the ADC to Governor, Bihar, General Staff Officer (Grade-1) of an Armoured Division and Directing Staff at the prestigious Army War College, Mhow. Later, he had the unique distinction of having served as Colonel Administration of an Infantry Division in Jammu & Kashmir, Colonel General Staff of a Mountain Division in the Eastern Sector and Brigadier General Staff of a Strike Corps.
Lt Gen Amit Sharma has also served as Director Long Term Force Structuring, Headquarters Integrated Defence Staff and was the Defence Attache at Embassy of India, Paris where he was responsible for Army and Naval cooperation with France, Belgium, Netherlands and Luxembourg. He has commanded an Armoured Regiment, an Independent Armoured Brigade in the Western Deserts, an Infantry Division in a Strike Corps and the Strike Corps in the Southern Theatre.
Vishal Sikka is the new Infosys CEO[12/06/2014]
Infosys appointed SAP AG executive board member Vishal Sikka as the chief executive officer and managing director (CEO and MD) of the company.
Kolkata Airport Bags Service Quality Award [10/06/2014]
Kolkata Airport has won the Airport Service Quality (ASQ) Award by Airport Council International (ACI) in the category of the best improved airport in Asia Pacific Region. This category includes airports which have experienced the biggest improvement in ASQ rating between 2012 and 2013 in their region. The ASQ Awards are presented in four categories: best airport by region, best airport by size, best small airport and best improvement.
The award was received by Dr. B.P. Sharma, Airport Director, Kolkata at the 9th ACI Asia Pacific Regional Assembly meeting in Seoul, Korea. He handed over the award to Shri Alok Sinha, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Civil Aviation and Chairman, Airports Authority of India (AAI) in the presence of Shri G.K. Chaukiyal, Member (Operations) in New Delhi.
Airport Service Quality survey is conducted at 11 major airports of AAI by Airport Council International including Ahmedabad, Calicut, Chennai, Goa, Guwahati, Jaipur, Kolkata, Lucknow, Pune, Srinagar, Trivandrum. In respect of customer satisfaction airports managed by AAI scored an average ASQ rating of 4.14 which is above world average of 4.04 between 1st January and 31st March, this year.
Nadal downs Djokovic to win ninth French Open title[09/06/2014]
Rafael Nadal won the French Open title for the ninth time, and the fifth time in a row, by beating Novak Djokovic 3-6, 7-5, 6-2, 6-4 in the final.
ASI-BHARAT RATNA JRD TATA AWARD TO AAI PROFESSIONAL[09/06/2014]
Shri V. Somasundaram, Member (Air Navigation Services), Airports Authority of India (AAI) has been conferred upon the prestigious Bharat Ratna JRD Tata Award instituted by Aeronautical Society of India (ASI) for the year 2013. He has contributed substantially not only in improving ANS infrastructure in the country for enhancing safety, efficiency and capacity of the airspace but also towards seamless ATM and global harmonization. Earlier, he has won international ATC Awards consecutively for 3 years.
Peng, Hsieh win French Open womens doubles [08/06/2014]
Peng Shuai of China and Hsieh Su-wei of Taiwan won their second Grand Slam title together by defeating Sara Errani and Roberta Vinci of Italy 6-4, 6-1 in the final of the French Open women’s doubles.
Sharapova wins French Open for 2nd time[08/06/2014]
Russia's Maria Sharapova won her second title at Roland Garros in the last three years, overcoming 12 double-faults to beat fourth-seeded Simona Halep of Romania 6 - 4, 6 - 7 (5), 6 - 4 in the final.
Chandrababu Naidu has been sworn-in as the Chief Minister of residuary Andhra Pradesh[08/06/2014]
TDP leader Chandrababu Naidu has been sworn-in as the Chief Minister of residuary Andhra Pradesh on 8th June 2014 from Guntur-Vijayawada.
Mumbais very first metro line was declared open[08/06/2014]
Mumbai’s very first metro line was declared open at 10.16 am when Maharashtra Chief Minister took the first ride from Versova station to Ghatkopar.
Sumitra Mahajan unanimously elected Speaker of Lok Sabha[06/06/2014]
Eight-term member Sumitra Mahajan was today unanimously elected Speaker of the 16th Lok Sabha, becoming the second woman presiding officer of the Lower House after her predecessor Meira Kumar.
71-year-old Mahajan, the longest-serving woman MP, was elected after a motion moved by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and seconded by BJP veteran L K Advani was adopted by voice vote called by Protem Speaker Kamal Nath.
de Villiers named South African Cricketer of the Year [05/06/2014]
A.B. de Villiers dominated the Cricket South Africa Awards banquet by bagging four awards, including Cricketer of the Year 2014, in Johannesburg on 04th June 2014 evening.
De Villiers was also named Test Cricketer of the Year, was recognised by his peers as SA Players’ Player of the Year and by popular vote of the public, SA Fans’ Cricketer of the Year.
Barack Obama appoints Indian-American to key administration post[04/06/2014]
President Barack Obama has appointed a top Indian-American fund raiser as the member of the US Holocaust Memorial Council. California-based Shefali Razdan Duggal, who helped several millions for the Obama campaign in both 2008 and 2012 presidential election campaigns, has been appointed as member of the US Holocaust Memorial Council.
Indian girl, 13, becomes youngest to climb Everest[04/06/2014]
The 13-year-old daughter of poor Indian farmers who became the youngest girl to climb Mount Everest. Nepal requires climbers to be at least 16 years old to scale its peaks, but Malavath Poorna said she and a team of Nepalese guides climbed the 8,850-meter (29,035-foot) mountain on May 25 from the northern side in Tibet. There are no age restrictions in China.
The climb was verified by the China Tibet Mountaineering Association in Lhasa, making Malavath the youngest girl to climb Everest. American Jordan Romero, from Big Bear, California, became the youngest boy at age 13 to reach the summit — also from the Tibetan side - in 2010.
Ms Kavery Banerjee Appointed as Secretary, Department of Posts[03/06/2014]
The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) has approved the appointment of Ms. Kavery Banerjee, IPoS 78, as Secretary, Department of Posts, Chairperson, Postal Services Board and Director General, Postal Services vice Smt. P. Gopinath, IPoS 77 on her retirement on 31.05.2014.
Arun Jaitley Appointed Indias Governor on the Board of Governors of the ADB[03/06/2014]
The Union Finance Minister Shri Arun Jaitley has been appointed as India’s Governor on the Board of Governors of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) with effect from 27th May, 2014 in place of Shri P. Chidambaram.
Indo-French bilateral air exercise - Garuda-V[03/06/2014]
The fifth Indo-French bilateral air exercise - Garuda-V - began at the Jodhpur Air Base on Monday. It is aimed at enhancing operational cooperation and validating capabilities. The exercise will involve the assets of IAF’s main operational formations, including the Gandhinagar-based South Western Air Command and the Allahabad-based Central Air Command.
Frontline fighter aircraft of the IAF, including the SU 30, Mig-27 (UPG), MIG- 21 Bison, and force multipliers such as the AWACS and Flight Refueller Aircraft IL 78 are participating while the French have fielded their frontline Rafale Fighter aircraft along with the KC 135 Refueller.
N. Srinivasan was on 26th June 2014 formally appointed the first chairman of the ICC after its 52-member council approved a controversial revamp of the body’s administrative structure.
The full council approved the amendments to the ICC’s Memorandum and Articles of Association at the Annual Conference, in Melbourne.
As was widely known before the conference, Srinivasan was elected the chairman despite being barred by the Supreme Court of India from carrying out his duties as BCCI president due to ongoing investigations into the match-fixing allegations relating to the 2013 edition of the IPL.
Inscription of Rani Ki Vav in Patan, Gujarat on World Heritage List [23/06/2014]
Rani –ki –Vav has been approved for inscription on the World Heritage list. The recognition was granted by the UNESCO at the World Heritage Committee Session currently on at Doha, Qatar. UNESCO has recognized this masterpiece as an exceptional example of technological development in utilizing ground water resources in a single component, water management system and it illustrates the exceptional capacity to break large spaces into smaller volumes following ideal aesthetic proportions.
Rani-ki-Vav, a stepwell built in the 11th century is the most developed, elaborate and ornate example of a unique type of Indian subterranean architectural structure, and it marks the zenith in the evolution of stepwells in India. It is a particularly large and complex example of a stepwell, with seven storeys of ornamented panels of sculptures and relief representing the height of the Maru-Gurjara style. Following the flooding and disappearance of the Saraswati River due to geotectonic changes, the property was buried under layers of silt for almost seven centuries and has been preserved underneath in an exceptional state of conservation by the Archaeological Survey of India. The stepwell is digitally documented through collaboration between ASI, CyArk and the Scottish Ten.
Global pat for Bengal’s girl child scheme[22/06/2014]
Kanyashree Prakalpa, a West Bengal government scheme that provides scholarship to girls from economically-backward backgrounds, has been given international recognition by the United Kingdom’s Department for International Development (DFID) and UNICEF. State representatives have been invited to the Girl Summit 2014 in London, in June, and to talk about the scheme to a global audience.
The conditional cash transfer scheme for school girls was inaugurated by the Trinamool Congress government on October 1, 2013, with the express purpose of ensuring the education of girls and thereby preventing forced child marriage.
Under the scheme, the government provides an annual scholarship of Rs. 500 to girls between 12 and 18 years (class eight to class 12) to continue with their studies, provided they are unmarried. A one-time grant of Rs.25,000 is also provided to the girl, once she reaches the age of 18, to pursue higher studies.
Kedarnath Singh chosen for Jnanpith[21/06/2014]
Noted Hindi poet Kedarnath Singh has been chosen for the prestigious Jnanpith award for 2013. He is the 10th Hindi writer to receive the honour and joins the likes of Sumitra Nandan Pant, Ramdhari Singh Dinkar among others.
Eighty-year-old Singh, who has also written essays and stories, was born in Balia, Uttar Pradesh. ‘Abhi bilkul abhi’ and ‘Yahan se dekho’ are among his prominent works. The award includes. Rs 11 lakh and a citation, a release from the Jnanpith award committee said.
Salman Rushdie wins Pen Pinter writing prize[21/06/2014]
Indian-born Booker Prize winning author Salman Rushdie was on 20th June 2014 named the winner of this year’s prestigious Pen Pinter prize for his outstanding literary output and support for freedom of expression.
The award was established in 2009 by writers’ charity English Pen in memory of famous British playwright and Nobel laureate Harold Pinter.
Maureen Freely, chair of the judging panel, said, “This prize is English Pen’s way of thanking Salman Rushdie not just for his books and his many years of speaking out for freedom of expression, but also for his countless private acts of kindness.
Sanjaya Rajaram chosen for World Food Prize[19/06/2014]
Sanjaya Rajaram, veteran plant scientist, has been chosen for this year’s World Food Prize for his "scientific research that led to a prodigious increase in world wheat production."
Announcing this, M.S. Swaminathan, founder of the M. S. Swaminathan Research Foundation (MSSRF) and chairman, global jury for selection of the Food Prize Laureate, told reporters on Wednesday that Dr Rajaram, now settled in Mexico, was selected for his "outstanding work in the improvement of wheat crop and wheat production in the world."
Dr. Swaminathan, the first recipient of the Prize in 1987, said the selection of Dr. Rajaram was significant as this year marked the centenary year of Dr. Borlaug as well as the international year of family farming.
Regarded as the most prestigious award in the area of food and agriculture, the Prize, carrying a cash prize of $ 250,000, would be presented during the U.N. World Food Day on October 16.
Delhi becomes first kerosene-free city in India[17/06/2014]
The Delhi Government on 17 June 2014 announced that the national capital has become the first ‘kerosene-free city’ in the country.
With the successful implementation of Delhi: A Kerosene-Free City Scheme, 2012, no subsidised kerosene is being issued in the national capital and the country can save upto Rs 200 crores every year,” said S.S. Yadav, Commissioner, Food Supply and Weights and Measures.
The scheme was launched in 2012 in collaboration with three Oil Marketing Companies and Union Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas for which Delhi Government had incurred an expenditure of Rs 62 crores. Under the scheme, free gas connections along with LPG filled cylinders, two burner gas stove, regulator and suraksha pipe were issued to the Jhuggi Ration Card (JRC), Below Poverty Line (BPL) and Antodaya Ann Yojana (AAY) ration card holders who were using kerosene oil for cooking.
Shri Shaktikanta Das Takes over as Revenue Secretary[16/06/2014]
Shri Shaktikanta Das, IAS (TN:1980) has taken over the charge as Secretary, Department of Revenue, Ministry of Finance here today. Shri Das has replaced Shri Rajiv Takru, IAS (GJ:1979), who has been posted as Secretary, Ministry of DONER. Shri Das was earlier holding the post of Secretary, Department of Fertilizers, Ministry of Chemical and Fertilizers, Government of India.
Lt Gen Amit Sharma, VSM Appointed Commander-in-Chief Strategic Force Command [13/06/2014]
Lt Gen Amit Sharma, VSM has been promoted as Army Commander and appointed Commander-in-Chief, Strategic Forces Command. Born on 04 Jul 1956 in Mumbai, Lt Gen Sharma was commissioned in 45 Cavalry in December 1976. Over the years he has held numerous command, staff and instructional appointments in all operational sectors including Counter Insurgency areas. During early years of service he has been the ADC to Governor, Bihar, General Staff Officer (Grade-1) of an Armoured Division and Directing Staff at the prestigious Army War College, Mhow. Later, he had the unique distinction of having served as Colonel Administration of an Infantry Division in Jammu & Kashmir, Colonel General Staff of a Mountain Division in the Eastern Sector and Brigadier General Staff of a Strike Corps.
Lt Gen Amit Sharma has also served as Director Long Term Force Structuring, Headquarters Integrated Defence Staff and was the Defence Attache at Embassy of India, Paris where he was responsible for Army and Naval cooperation with France, Belgium, Netherlands and Luxembourg. He has commanded an Armoured Regiment, an Independent Armoured Brigade in the Western Deserts, an Infantry Division in a Strike Corps and the Strike Corps in the Southern Theatre.
Vishal Sikka is the new Infosys CEO[12/06/2014]
Infosys appointed SAP AG executive board member Vishal Sikka as the chief executive officer and managing director (CEO and MD) of the company.
Kolkata Airport Bags Service Quality Award [10/06/2014]
Kolkata Airport has won the Airport Service Quality (ASQ) Award by Airport Council International (ACI) in the category of the best improved airport in Asia Pacific Region. This category includes airports which have experienced the biggest improvement in ASQ rating between 2012 and 2013 in their region. The ASQ Awards are presented in four categories: best airport by region, best airport by size, best small airport and best improvement.
The award was received by Dr. B.P. Sharma, Airport Director, Kolkata at the 9th ACI Asia Pacific Regional Assembly meeting in Seoul, Korea. He handed over the award to Shri Alok Sinha, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Civil Aviation and Chairman, Airports Authority of India (AAI) in the presence of Shri G.K. Chaukiyal, Member (Operations) in New Delhi.
Airport Service Quality survey is conducted at 11 major airports of AAI by Airport Council International including Ahmedabad, Calicut, Chennai, Goa, Guwahati, Jaipur, Kolkata, Lucknow, Pune, Srinagar, Trivandrum. In respect of customer satisfaction airports managed by AAI scored an average ASQ rating of 4.14 which is above world average of 4.04 between 1st January and 31st March, this year.
Nadal downs Djokovic to win ninth French Open title[09/06/2014]
Rafael Nadal won the French Open title for the ninth time, and the fifth time in a row, by beating Novak Djokovic 3-6, 7-5, 6-2, 6-4 in the final.
ASI-BHARAT RATNA JRD TATA AWARD TO AAI PROFESSIONAL[09/06/2014]
Shri V. Somasundaram, Member (Air Navigation Services), Airports Authority of India (AAI) has been conferred upon the prestigious Bharat Ratna JRD Tata Award instituted by Aeronautical Society of India (ASI) for the year 2013. He has contributed substantially not only in improving ANS infrastructure in the country for enhancing safety, efficiency and capacity of the airspace but also towards seamless ATM and global harmonization. Earlier, he has won international ATC Awards consecutively for 3 years.
Peng, Hsieh win French Open womens doubles [08/06/2014]
Peng Shuai of China and Hsieh Su-wei of Taiwan won their second Grand Slam title together by defeating Sara Errani and Roberta Vinci of Italy 6-4, 6-1 in the final of the French Open women’s doubles.
Sharapova wins French Open for 2nd time[08/06/2014]
Russia's Maria Sharapova won her second title at Roland Garros in the last three years, overcoming 12 double-faults to beat fourth-seeded Simona Halep of Romania 6 - 4, 6 - 7 (5), 6 - 4 in the final.
Chandrababu Naidu has been sworn-in as the Chief Minister of residuary Andhra Pradesh[08/06/2014]
TDP leader Chandrababu Naidu has been sworn-in as the Chief Minister of residuary Andhra Pradesh on 8th June 2014 from Guntur-Vijayawada.
Mumbais very first metro line was declared open[08/06/2014]
Mumbai’s very first metro line was declared open at 10.16 am when Maharashtra Chief Minister took the first ride from Versova station to Ghatkopar.
Sumitra Mahajan unanimously elected Speaker of Lok Sabha[06/06/2014]
Eight-term member Sumitra Mahajan was today unanimously elected Speaker of the 16th Lok Sabha, becoming the second woman presiding officer of the Lower House after her predecessor Meira Kumar.
71-year-old Mahajan, the longest-serving woman MP, was elected after a motion moved by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and seconded by BJP veteran L K Advani was adopted by voice vote called by Protem Speaker Kamal Nath.
de Villiers named South African Cricketer of the Year [05/06/2014]
A.B. de Villiers dominated the Cricket South Africa Awards banquet by bagging four awards, including Cricketer of the Year 2014, in Johannesburg on 04th June 2014 evening.
De Villiers was also named Test Cricketer of the Year, was recognised by his peers as SA Players’ Player of the Year and by popular vote of the public, SA Fans’ Cricketer of the Year.
Barack Obama appoints Indian-American to key administration post[04/06/2014]
President Barack Obama has appointed a top Indian-American fund raiser as the member of the US Holocaust Memorial Council. California-based Shefali Razdan Duggal, who helped several millions for the Obama campaign in both 2008 and 2012 presidential election campaigns, has been appointed as member of the US Holocaust Memorial Council.
Indian girl, 13, becomes youngest to climb Everest[04/06/2014]
The 13-year-old daughter of poor Indian farmers who became the youngest girl to climb Mount Everest. Nepal requires climbers to be at least 16 years old to scale its peaks, but Malavath Poorna said she and a team of Nepalese guides climbed the 8,850-meter (29,035-foot) mountain on May 25 from the northern side in Tibet. There are no age restrictions in China.
The climb was verified by the China Tibet Mountaineering Association in Lhasa, making Malavath the youngest girl to climb Everest. American Jordan Romero, from Big Bear, California, became the youngest boy at age 13 to reach the summit — also from the Tibetan side - in 2010.
Ms Kavery Banerjee Appointed as Secretary, Department of Posts[03/06/2014]
The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) has approved the appointment of Ms. Kavery Banerjee, IPoS 78, as Secretary, Department of Posts, Chairperson, Postal Services Board and Director General, Postal Services vice Smt. P. Gopinath, IPoS 77 on her retirement on 31.05.2014.
Arun Jaitley Appointed Indias Governor on the Board of Governors of the ADB[03/06/2014]
The Union Finance Minister Shri Arun Jaitley has been appointed as India’s Governor on the Board of Governors of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) with effect from 27th May, 2014 in place of Shri P. Chidambaram.
Indo-French bilateral air exercise - Garuda-V[03/06/2014]
The fifth Indo-French bilateral air exercise - Garuda-V - began at the Jodhpur Air Base on Monday. It is aimed at enhancing operational cooperation and validating capabilities. The exercise will involve the assets of IAF’s main operational formations, including the Gandhinagar-based South Western Air Command and the Allahabad-based Central Air Command.
Frontline fighter aircraft of the IAF, including the SU 30, Mig-27 (UPG), MIG- 21 Bison, and force multipliers such as the AWACS and Flight Refueller Aircraft IL 78 are participating while the French have fielded their frontline Rafale Fighter aircraft along with the KC 135 Refueller.
KCR sworn in as the first Chief Minister of Telangna[02/06/2014]
The Telangana Rashtra Samithi supremo Kalvakuntla Chandrasekhara Rao was sworn-in as the first Chief Minister of the newly created State of Telangana along with 11 Cabinet ministers on 2nd June 2014.
Telangana is born[02/06/2014]
As the countdown to the birth of Telangana, the 29th State of India, began on 1st June 2014, celebrations erupted all over its territory. When dusk fell, the sky lit up in myriad colours of brilliant fireworks in several districts. People cheered, whistled, turned nostalgic and danced in gay abandon for Monday’s (2nd June 2014) inauguration of the new State.
Country''s first tobacco-free village in Nagaland[01/06/2014]
Gariphema village in Nagaland has been declared the country's first "tobacco-free village". The declaration was made by principal secretary R Benchilo Thong on the occasion of "World No Tobacco Day" on 31st May 2014 at the Gariphema village council hall. A resolution was taken at the village that whoever sells alcohol and tobacco or whoever gets drunk and disturbs peace would be imposed a fine of Rs. 1000 while those consuming alcohol, 'bidi', 'paan', betel nut or smokeless tobacco on the street and public places would be fined Rs. 500.
The Telangana Rashtra Samithi supremo Kalvakuntla Chandrasekhara Rao was sworn-in as the first Chief Minister of the newly created State of Telangana along with 11 Cabinet ministers on 2nd June 2014.
Telangana is born[02/06/2014]
As the countdown to the birth of Telangana, the 29th State of India, began on 1st June 2014, celebrations erupted all over its territory. When dusk fell, the sky lit up in myriad colours of brilliant fireworks in several districts. People cheered, whistled, turned nostalgic and danced in gay abandon for Monday’s (2nd June 2014) inauguration of the new State.
Country''s first tobacco-free village in Nagaland[01/06/2014]
Gariphema village in Nagaland has been declared the country's first "tobacco-free village". The declaration was made by principal secretary R Benchilo Thong on the occasion of "World No Tobacco Day" on 31st May 2014 at the Gariphema village council hall. A resolution was taken at the village that whoever sells alcohol and tobacco or whoever gets drunk and disturbs peace would be imposed a fine of Rs. 1000 while those consuming alcohol, 'bidi', 'paan', betel nut or smokeless tobacco on the street and public places would be fined Rs. 500.