East India Company launches new office in Qatar
The East India Company which had ventured into India in around 1600 AD for the purpose of trade and which later became the precursor of British rule in India has launched a new office in the Qatari capital of Doha in collaboration with local partner Nasser Al Ansari of Octagon International. Although the Company was dissolved in 1874, it was re-born in 2010 and a revived East India Company launched its flagship Fine Foods store in London’s Mayfair.
Since its creation in 1600 by The Royal Charter granted by Queen Elizabeth I, the influence of The East India Company has been great.
India-born Sanjiv Mehta acquired the over 400-year-old company in 2005.The Company offers products that have been crafted by artisans and specialists from around the globe using elements that have been sourced for their quality.
The East India Company which had ventured into India in around 1600 AD for the purpose of trade and which later became the precursor of British rule in India has launched a new office in the Qatari capital of Doha in collaboration with local partner Nasser Al Ansari of Octagon International. Although the Company was dissolved in 1874, it was re-born in 2010 and a revived East India Company launched its flagship Fine Foods store in London’s Mayfair.
Since its creation in 1600 by The Royal Charter granted by Queen Elizabeth I, the influence of The East India Company has been great.
India-born Sanjiv Mehta acquired the over 400-year-old company in 2005.The Company offers products that have been crafted by artisans and specialists from around the globe using elements that have been sourced for their quality.
India, China decide to add a new fillip to economic ties
In a bid to explore “untapped opportunities”, India and China have together decided to infuse a new momentum in their economic relationship. The steps in this direction include establishing industrial parks to take the bilateral trade beyond current $ 65 billion annually.
With bilateral trade standing close to USD 65 billion, China is India’s biggest trading partner. However, the trade deficit between the two countries is in China’s favor at about $40 billion. The two-side trade also slipped by 1.5%, registering a declining trend for the second consecutive year in 2013. India has consistently been raising the issue of widening trade deficit and seeking greater market access in China to fill the gap. India maintains that one way to tackle the asymmetry is to open up Chinese markets to IT-enabled services, home furnishings and cotton textiles and also in pharmaceuticals.
In a bid to explore “untapped opportunities”, India and China have together decided to infuse a new momentum in their economic relationship. The steps in this direction include establishing industrial parks to take the bilateral trade beyond current $ 65 billion annually.
With bilateral trade standing close to USD 65 billion, China is India’s biggest trading partner. However, the trade deficit between the two countries is in China’s favor at about $40 billion. The two-side trade also slipped by 1.5%, registering a declining trend for the second consecutive year in 2013. India has consistently been raising the issue of widening trade deficit and seeking greater market access in China to fill the gap. India maintains that one way to tackle the asymmetry is to open up Chinese markets to IT-enabled services, home furnishings and cotton textiles and also in pharmaceuticals.
Russia gives in-principle nod on India’s nuclear liability law
Russia has in principle agreed on Civil Liability Nuclear Damage Act 2010 withIndia. This paves the way for signing a contract for unit 3 and 4 of the Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant in July, 2014. In April, 2014, a General Framework Agreement was inked between India and Russia on unit 3 and 4 after overcoming the initial hurdles of the Civil Liability Nuclear Damage Act 2010.
The agreement which was expected to be signed in October 2013 during the then Indian PM Manmohan Singh’s visit to Russia, as Moscow raised objection over some clauses of the Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage (CLND) Act. India has built Units 1 and 2 of Tamil Nadu-based Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant (KKNPP) with the help of Russian assistance at the cost of Rs 17,200 crore. The Unit 1 of the KKNPP has attained 100% capacity of 1000 MW while the second unit should start generating power from this year.
Because of high costs, insuring the nuclear power plants is a challenging task as there is no single governmental insurance company in the country that can insure these installations with such hefty costs. The Department of Atomic Energy has asked the Ministry of Finance to set up a Nuclear Insurance Pool after the General Insurance Company was unable to insure Nuclear Power Plants.
Russia has in principle agreed on Civil Liability Nuclear Damage Act 2010 withIndia. This paves the way for signing a contract for unit 3 and 4 of the Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant in July, 2014. In April, 2014, a General Framework Agreement was inked between India and Russia on unit 3 and 4 after overcoming the initial hurdles of the Civil Liability Nuclear Damage Act 2010.
The agreement which was expected to be signed in October 2013 during the then Indian PM Manmohan Singh’s visit to Russia, as Moscow raised objection over some clauses of the Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage (CLND) Act. India has built Units 1 and 2 of Tamil Nadu-based Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant (KKNPP) with the help of Russian assistance at the cost of Rs 17,200 crore. The Unit 1 of the KKNPP has attained 100% capacity of 1000 MW while the second unit should start generating power from this year.
Because of high costs, insuring the nuclear power plants is a challenging task as there is no single governmental insurance company in the country that can insure these installations with such hefty costs. The Department of Atomic Energy has asked the Ministry of Finance to set up a Nuclear Insurance Pool after the General Insurance Company was unable to insure Nuclear Power Plants.
Cyclone Nanauk moves towards Oman, monsoon to reach Maharashtra, Gujarat in few days
“Nanauk”, the tropical cyclone that emerged in the east-central Arabian Seais likely to hit Oman on June 15, 2014. Due to the influence of the cyclone, Delhiwitnessed an unexpected hike in moisture levels which caused rain bringing the soaring temperature down. As per India’s Met Department the cyclone is likely to affect the southwest monsoon.Under the influence of this cyclone, the south west monsoon will move along the west coast of Maharashtra and Gujarat.
“Nanauk”, the tropical cyclone that emerged in the east-central Arabian Seais likely to hit Oman on June 15, 2014. Due to the influence of the cyclone, Delhiwitnessed an unexpected hike in moisture levels which caused rain bringing the soaring temperature down. As per India’s Met Department the cyclone is likely to affect the southwest monsoon.Under the influence of this cyclone, the south west monsoon will move along the west coast of Maharashtra and Gujarat.
Dilip Kumar’s autobiography ‘The Substance and the Shadow’ released
Indian cinema’s legendary actor Dilip Kumar’s autobiography ‘The Substance and the Shadow’ that narrates his life since birth was launched. The book is written by author and former journalist Udaya Tara Nayar which chronicles the thespian’s ups and downs in his much-talked about relationships, marriage and movies.
Dilip Kumar:
He was born in Peshawar, Pakistan and his original name was Muhammad Yusuf Khan. He spent his childhood in Maharashtra and left home to start a canteen before he was picked up as a potential actor.
The actor entered films with the 1944 release Jwar Bhata. In a career spanning six decades, he did over 60 films including Mela, Naya Daur, Aan, Devdas, Madhumati and Mughal-E-Azam. After a break of of 5 years he acted inKranti (1981) followed by Vidhaata, Shakti, Mashaal, Karma, Saudagar and Qila with his last appearance in 1998.
Awards and Honors:
- Padma Bhushan in 1991
- Dadasaheb Phalke Award in 1994
- Pakistan’s highest civilian award Nishan-e-Imtiaz in 1998
- Nominated to the Rajya Sabha for a term.
- Guinness World Record for winning the maximum number of awards by an Indian actor.
Indian cinema’s legendary actor Dilip Kumar’s autobiography ‘The Substance and the Shadow’ that narrates his life since birth was launched. The book is written by author and former journalist Udaya Tara Nayar which chronicles the thespian’s ups and downs in his much-talked about relationships, marriage and movies.
Dilip Kumar:
He was born in Peshawar, Pakistan and his original name was Muhammad Yusuf Khan. He spent his childhood in Maharashtra and left home to start a canteen before he was picked up as a potential actor.
The actor entered films with the 1944 release Jwar Bhata. In a career spanning six decades, he did over 60 films including Mela, Naya Daur, Aan, Devdas, Madhumati and Mughal-E-Azam. After a break of of 5 years he acted inKranti (1981) followed by Vidhaata, Shakti, Mashaal, Karma, Saudagar and Qila with his last appearance in 1998.
Awards and Honors:
- Padma Bhushan in 1991
- Dadasaheb Phalke Award in 1994
- Pakistan’s highest civilian award Nishan-e-Imtiaz in 1998
- Nominated to the Rajya Sabha for a term.
- Guinness World Record for winning the maximum number of awards by an Indian actor.
Madhya Pradesh to restore Mahatma’s Tolstoy Farm
During his visit to South Africa, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan pledged to donate Rs. 1 crore for the restoration of Mahatma Gandhi’s Tolstoy Farm in the country, a place where he first began his Satyagraha. The place is now an abandoned area, south of Johannesburg, owned by a neighboring brick manufacturing company.
Tolstoy Farm:
Mahatma Gandhi established the Tolstoy Farm near Johannesburg, South Africa in 1910. The farm drew its name from Leo Tolstoy, whose writings had influenced Gandhiji. The farm, spanned over an area of 1,100 acres, was donated by his architect friend Herman Kallenbach. The farm was a self-sufficient commune for people from diverse backgrounds, race and religion stayed together here to form a community of Passive Resisters. They adopted Gandhi’s principles of Satyagraha to fight the discriminatory, unjust and racist rule of the then South Africa.
During his visit to South Africa, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan pledged to donate Rs. 1 crore for the restoration of Mahatma Gandhi’s Tolstoy Farm in the country, a place where he first began his Satyagraha. The place is now an abandoned area, south of Johannesburg, owned by a neighboring brick manufacturing company.
Tolstoy Farm:
Mahatma Gandhi established the Tolstoy Farm near Johannesburg, South Africa in 1910. The farm drew its name from Leo Tolstoy, whose writings had influenced Gandhiji. The farm, spanned over an area of 1,100 acres, was donated by his architect friend Herman Kallenbach. The farm was a self-sufficient commune for people from diverse backgrounds, race and religion stayed together here to form a community of Passive Resisters. They adopted Gandhi’s principles of Satyagraha to fight the discriminatory, unjust and racist rule of the then South Africa.
Infosys appoints Vishal Sikka as new CEO
Infosys has appointed former SAP AG top executive Vishal Sikka as Chief Executive Officer. It is for the first time the company has not selected one of its founders for the role, as it looks to recapture market share and control the high attrition rate of its staff.
With this, Infosys, India’s second-largest IT services Executive Chairman N.R. Narayana Murthy would step down, nearly a year after he was brought back from retirement to assist the firm better compete with rivals including Tata Consultancy Services and Wipro. The company is still grappling with high staff exodus and management uncertainty, factors that led to loss of market share for a company that was once a dominated India’s $100-plus billion a year IT exportbusiness, and escalated investor pressure for a change of leadership.
Infosys has appointed former SAP AG top executive Vishal Sikka as Chief Executive Officer. It is for the first time the company has not selected one of its founders for the role, as it looks to recapture market share and control the high attrition rate of its staff.
With this, Infosys, India’s second-largest IT services Executive Chairman N.R. Narayana Murthy would step down, nearly a year after he was brought back from retirement to assist the firm better compete with rivals including Tata Consultancy Services and Wipro. The company is still grappling with high staff exodus and management uncertainty, factors that led to loss of market share for a company that was once a dominated India’s $100-plus billion a year IT exportbusiness, and escalated investor pressure for a change of leadership.
UPSC Civil Services results out, 1,122 candidates selected
Union Public Services Commission (UPSC) which conducts Civil ServicesExamination among other exams has released the list of candidates to be appointed to the various civil services posts namely IAS, IPS, IFS, IRS and Groups A and B of the central services. It has recommended 1,112 candidates for appointment to these posts.
Among the selected candidates, Gaurav Agrawal has secured the all India first rank in the 3-tier appointment process. Munish Sharma and Rachit Raj secured second and third place respectively.
There are 517 candidates from the general stream, 326 OBC candidates, 187 SC candidates and 92 ST candidates in the final list.
Union Public Services Commission (UPSC) which conducts Civil ServicesExamination among other exams has released the list of candidates to be appointed to the various civil services posts namely IAS, IPS, IFS, IRS and Groups A and B of the central services. It has recommended 1,112 candidates for appointment to these posts.
Among the selected candidates, Gaurav Agrawal has secured the all India first rank in the 3-tier appointment process. Munish Sharma and Rachit Raj secured second and third place respectively.
There are 517 candidates from the general stream, 326 OBC candidates, 187 SC candidates and 92 ST candidates in the final list.
PM Modi releases FIFA World Cup postage stamps
Prime Minister Narendra Modi released commemorative postage stamps onFIFA World Cup 2014 that kick started in Brazil on the night of June 12, 2014. PM urged the Department of Posts to create a website on the history of Indian football.
- India is also gearing up to host the under-17 FIFA World Cup.
June 12 observed as World Day Against Child Labor 2014
June 12 was observed as World Day Against Child Labour across the globe. The theme for year 2014 is Extend social protection: Combat child labour.
The World Day Against Child Labour was launched by the International Labour Organization (ILO) in 2002 to spread awareness on the global extent of child labour and the action and efforts needed to eradicate it.
World Day Against Child Labour 2014 necessitates:
- Action to introduce, improve and extend social protection, in line with the ILO Recommendation No. 202 on social protection floors.
- National social security systems that are sensitive to children’s needs and help fighting child labour.
- Social protection that reaches out to especially vulnerable groups of children.
Brasilia Declaration
At the 3rd Global Conference on Child Labour held in Brasilia in 2013, the international community adopted the Brasilia Declaration, which emphasized the need for decent work for adults, free, compulsory and quality education for all children, and social protection for all.
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