[Essay] Urbanization in India and issues involved

It is more than half of a century that India became independent. The country has evolved and emerged a lot from pre independence to post independence era. At the time of independence, the country was poverty stricken, impoverished and a rural agrarian society. In 1947, only 15 per cent of the population in cities and towns were classified under urban areas. The rapid development and economic growth helped the country achieve the status of emerged nations.

Conference of the Parties 11: Outcomes

During the eleventh meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity, which was held in Hyderabad, the world’s governments have agreed to increase funding in support of actions to halt the rate of loss of biodiversity at the.

UN Women

UN Women unveiled South Asia's 1^st virtual knowledge hub in India.
What is UN Women?
UN Women is a UN organization established in 2010 with the aim to promote for gender parity and women empowerment.

Law Commission supports Passive Euthanasia

The Law Commission which advice government on legal matters suggested the government to take measures to enact a comprehensive law on Passive Euthanasia, subject to certain safeguards.
As per the Commission, Passive Euthanasia is not objectionable legally or constitutionally.

DoT rejects proposal of Parekh panel

The department of telecommunications (DoT) has rejected the proposal of the high-level committee on the financing of infrastructure to raise the ceiling on foreign direct investment (FDI) in this sector to 100 per cent, from the existing 74 per cent.

5+5 Summit calls for greater co-operation b/w member countries

The 5+5 Summit of European and North African nations along the Mediterranean Sea called for closer co-operation between the member nations. The heads of states and the foreign ministers of the 10 member group met at the capital of Malta  Auberge de Castille for two days. They discussed several issues including regional security, irregular migration, and ways of strengthening political and economic cooperation in the wake of Arab Spring.

Who are the members of 5+5?

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.