Newly discovered black hole

Swift J1745-26

It is the name of newly discovered black hole toward the centre of Milky Way galaxy. It was discovered by NASA's Swift satellite which detected a rising tide of high-energy X-rays from a source toward the center of our Milky Way galaxy. It is named after the coordinates of its position in the sky. The nova is located a few degrees from the center of our galaxy toward the constellation Sagittarius

Ganges River Dolphin

In a collaborative effort World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF)-India and the Uttar Pradesh forest department with the support of HSBC Bank will hold a 3-day programme "My Ganga, My Dolphin" to count the number of river dolphins in the Ganges River in and around Uttar Pradesh. The programme will also make people aware about the endangered mammal.

World observes first International Day of Girl Child

The first ever International Day of the Girl Child was observed on October 11, 2012. The theme for this year is “Ending Child Marriage”. The UN General Assembly had announced in 2011 to observe this day as International Day of Girl Child, to recognize rights of girls and the unique challenges they face around the world. 

Person in News : Chandrashekar Kambar

Poet-writer Chandrashekar Kambar has been conferred with the Jnanpith Award. The award was given to him in recognition to his contributions to Kannada literature.

Global Hunger Report 2012: India placed 65th

India was ranked at 65^th position on the Global Hunger Index released by the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI), Welthungerhilfe, and Concern Worldwide.

What was the theme of the report?

The theme of the report was “The Challenge of Hunger: Ensuring Sustainable Food Security under Land, Water, and Energy Stresses”.

Six Indian UN peacekeepers injured in Congo ambush

Six Indian peacekeepers and a local interpreter, serving with the United Nations mission in strife-torn Congo, were wounded when their patrol was ambushed in what is being termed as a “targetted and deliberate” attack.

The six peacekeepers were part of the Indian contingent serving with the UN Organisation Stabilisation Mission in Democratic Republic of Congo (MONUSCO).

DGCA Suspends Kingfisher’s Scheduled Operator’s Permit

Director General Civil Aviation (DGCA) has suspended the Scheduled Operator’s Permit of Kingfisher Airlines dated 26.08.2003 pursuant to Clause 15(2) of Schedule XI  of the Aircraft rules 1937 read in conjunction with Para 10.21 of CAR Section 3, Series C Part II. The permit has been suspended with effect from 20th October, 2012 till such time the Kingfisher Airlines submits a concrete and reliable revival plan ensuring safe, reliable, efficient and sustainable Scheduled Air Transport Services to the satisfaction of DGCA. 

Prime Minister launches Aadhaar Enabled Service Delivery

·     21 crore Aadhaar numbers have been generated in 2 years: The 21^st crore Aadhaar number was handed over to  Smt.Vali, a resident of Meghwalon ka Mohalla, Kurawar, District Udaipur. UIDAI has generated 21 crore Aadhaar numbers since the issuance of the first Aadhaar number on Sep 29, 2010.

Government panel headed by A P Shah proposed curbs on phone taps

A government-appointed expert group suggested enactment of a law to protect individuals against misuse of information collected through telephone tapping, videography; use and storage of data as well as setting up of dispute resolution entities at Centre and state-level to protect the privacy of individuals.

UN State of the World's Cities Report-2012

UN-Habitat has launched the State of World's Cities Report 2012/2013. Titled 'The Prosperity of Cities', the report recommends that those engaged in development work need to explore a more inclusive notion of prosperity and development. According to the report there was an urgent need for a shift in attention around the world in favour of a more robust notion of development. – one that looks beyond the narrow domain of economic growth that has dominated ill-balanced policy agendas over the last decades, and includes other vital dimensions such as quality of life, adequate infrastructures, equity and environmental sustainability.

Chair’s Summary Statement at the High Level Segment of CoP-11 to the CBD

Following is the text of Smt. Jayanthi Natarajan, the Minister for Environment and Forest and the CoP President’s, Summary Statement at the High Level Segment of CoP-11, being held in Hyderabad, to the CBD following the Plenary and Panel Discussions held on 17 – 18th October 2012:

Person in News :Bandya Kakade dead

Bandya Kakade, former India football goalkeeper, passed away here on Wednesday evening. A close family friend said 67-year-old  Kakade died of a heart attack.

GoM clears final draft of land acquisition Bill

The group of ministers (GoM) headed by Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar has cleared the much-delayed Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement (LARR) Bill, after approving some relaxations which addressed the concerns expressed by several ministries.

SPV recommended to implement environment conservation plan

The Supreme Court-appointed Central Empowered Committee (CEC) has recommended the formation of a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) to implement the Environment Conservation Plan (ECP) in the three mining districts of Bellary, Chitradurga and Tumkur.

Following the directive issued by the Supreme Court on September 28, the CEC recommended the setting up of a SPV. The term of the project is 30 years and the total cost envisaged is Rs. 30,000 crore.

Public Private Partnership (PPP) is Important for the Country’s Infrastructure Development: Dr. C. P. Joshi

Union Minister of Road Transport & Highways and Railways, Dr. C. P. Joshi has said that Public Private Partnership (PPP) is important for the fast development of country’s infrastructure network. He said that Central Government has adopted policies which are leading the nation to fast economic growth. He emphasised that a country cannot be economically stronger unless its infrastructure is developed. Dr. Joshi was speaking while laying the foundation stone for the commencement of work of four-laning of Gomati ka chauraha-Udaipur Section of National Highway-8 (NH-8) in the State of Rajasthan at Rajasamand district of Rajasthan. 

Islanding Scheme for Delhi during Grid Disturbance

To safeguard Delhi and its surrounding areas from electricity supply disruption during grid failure, The Minister for Power Sh. Veerappa Moily and Chief Minister of Delhi Smt. Sheila Dixit announced the ‘Islanding Scheme for Delhi. At the joint press conference, Sh.Veerappa Moily said that Delhi is the first state to formulate such a scheme to overcome grid disturbance problem. The main objective of the initiative is to isolate our generating stations so that supply of power does not get affected even if the Northern grid collapses.

Person in News :Smt. Kanwaljit Deol

Smt. Kanwaljit Deol, IPS (AGMU:77) has been appointed as Director General (Investigation), National Human Rights Commission (NHRC). Her appointment will be on deputation basis from the date of assumption of charge of the post or till the date of her superannuation or until further orders, whichever is earlier. 

Person in News :Pranay Sahay

Shri Pranay Sahay, IPS presently working as DG, SSB and holding additional charge of Director General, Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) has been appointed DG, CRPF on regular basis with effect from the date of his taking over the charge of the post and till his superannuation or till furthers orders, whichever is earlier. he will hold the charge of DG,SSB in addition to his regular charge of DG,CRPF till a new incumbent takes over the charge of the post of DG,SSB or until further orders, whichever is earlier.

[Essay]Impact of Modernization and Westernization on Indian society

Indian society is very old and surviving even after many ups and down and social issues. This article involves a brief about the Indian society and impact of the social process of modernization and westernization on it. How the Indian society has implemented these both processes and to what extent.

Society is a platform that gives a shape to the people's livings, demands, aspirations, needs and all kinds of growths. When numerous people having diverse mindsets, aspirations and demands yet live together for a common cause is what we understand by the society. A society may either include people of the same interests or people of diverse interests but there always lies a commonality among all the people who composite the society.

SC green signal to resumption of tourism in Tiger reserves

With the Centre formally notifying fresh guidelines on tiger conservation, the Supreme Court today cleared the decks for resumption of tourism activities in the areas reserved for the wild cat.
A bench of justices A K Patnaik and Swatanter Kumar gave the green signal for resumption of tourism activities, modifying its July 24 order by which it had earlier halted all tourism related activities in Tiger reserve areas.

President of Mauritius to be the Chief Guest of 11th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas

The President of Mauritius, Shri Rajkeshwur Purryag will be the Chief Guest of the 11th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD) convention, which will be held from 7 to 9 January, 2013 in Kochi. Addressing a press conference here today, Shri Vayalar Ravi, Minister of Overseas Indian Affairs said that since the centenary of the Gadar Movement is being celebrated in 2013, the PBD Oration will be on the Gadar Movement and an exhibition on this will also be organized during PBD-2013. He said that PBD has become a significant forum to connect the overseas Indians from all over the world and the PBD-2013 will be focusing on more connectivity with overseas Indians. He further said that Kerala will be the partner State of the 11th PBD, which would provide the Diaspora an opportunity to understand the vibrant culture and potential of the State. Kerala has been chosen as the host for the convention since Keralites constitute one of the largest expatriate communities of India. He expressed the hope that more than 2000 delegates would participate in PBD-2013 from all over the world.

Iran denies U.S. allegation of cyber attack

Iran has denied any role in cyber-attacks against two major oil and gas companies in the Persian Gulf, amid statements from the United States that alluded to the possible rise in Tehran’s capability to launch massive cyber-strikes against Washington and its allies.

The director of Iran’s National Center of Cyberspace, Mehdi Akhavan Beh-Abadi, on Sunday dismissed U.S. claims that Tehran was behind the recent cyber- attacks against a number of Persian Gulf oil and gas companies. Addressing a press conference in Tehran, Mr. Beh-Abadi said that US claims were bereft of any “technical basis”. “We interpret this issue politically and in light of domestic issues and election in the United States,” he said referring to the upcoming November 6 presidential polls. The Iranian official said he sympathised with the two companies, Saudi Arabia’s Aramco and Qatar’s Ras gas, which had been attacked by the Shamoon virus.

Person in News :First woman chief of AU takes charge

Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma waved an African Union flag, tapped a wooden gavel and became the first woman to take office as the Chairperson of the African Union Commission (AUC) at the A.U. headquarters in Addis Ababa on Monday.

Upon taking office, Dr. Dlamini-Zuma shall be confronted by simmering conflicts in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Guinea Bissau; chronic instability in Somalia; and an insurgency in northern Mali where fighters affiliated with al-Qaeda have taken control of large swathes of land.

[Essay] Modernization and Westernization are not Identical Concepts

Introduction

The battle between the east and the west still continues as each try to preserve its culture and assert its powers. Just as the fight to be superpowers continues, the west and east continue to outdo each other in other aspects. The concept of modernization means an evolution from traditional society practices to modern social status. Modernization has brought about transformation of societies which has been experienced since time in history. The term modernization however, has been mistakably been taken to mean the adoption of policies that favor other societies. The changes have been witnessed in the political, economic production and social systems. In addition, it has also been reflected in the way of thinking and behavior of the people.

National Security Advisor Releases Joint Working Group Report on Cyber Security

India’s National Security Advisor Sh Shivshankar Menon released a report on the “Recommendations of Joint Working Group on Engagement with Private Sector on Cyber Security”, in New Delhi today.

Making public the report, Sh Menon said facing the challenges from cyber space requires both the government and industry to work together; the government cannot do this alone nor can the private sector do it on its own. He said it is a delicate act, how to balance social media responsibility with democratic freedom. Sh Menon pointed out that the Report has been readied in a record time; work started on it only in July this year. He hoped that India would set new benchmarks for the world in cyber security.