E-PrepTalk Aug 2009

Contents
Major news story

q Swine influenza ..................................................................... 05
q Financial meltdown: An update ........................................... 12
Simplifying knowledge dissemination q Indian Union Budget 2009-10 ............................................ 14
Editor-in-Chief : Sandeep Manudhane

Cover Story
Marketing and Sales : q Rise of women in different spheres .................................... 07
Manish Saraf - 97555-99509
Volume 8. Edition 02. August 2009

Current events
Editorial Office : q India ........................................................................................ 16
4th Floor, Yeshwant Plaza,
Opp. Railway Station Indore - 452001
Ph : 0731-307 00 00
q World ...................................................................................... 22
Fax : 0731-3070099 q Business and Economy.......................................................... 28
E-mail : preptalk@PTeducation.com
© 2008 All rights reserved. Profiles

Reproduction or translation in any language in whole or
in parts without permission is prohibited. q Roger Federer......................................................................... 42
Articles and contributions – courier or emails – should
q Nandan Nilekani ................................................................... 43
be addressed to
PREP-TALK DEPT., c/o Mr. B. S. Supekar.
Unaccepted articles may not be returned.
PT Panorama
q The Independent India ......................................................... 39
Published by Manish Saraf on behalf of
PTETSL, 4th Floor, Yeshwant Plaza,
Opp. Railway Station, Indore 452001.
Trends at a glance
q Indian outbound deals since 2000 ...................................... 15
Disclaimer :
The information given in this magazine is true to the best
of our knowledge. However, PT or any of its associates
will not be responsible in any manner for inadvertent News in brief
errors that may have crept into this publication. PT does
not take responsibility for returning unsolicited
publication material.
q India ........................................................................................ 58
q World ....................................................................................... 62
q Business and Economy ......................................................... 66
q Sports ..................................................................................... 70
Regulars
q Brand icon: louis vuitton ....................................................... 34
q Logo Quiz .............................................................................. 38
“To be a world class training and education
q Opinion .................................................................................. 41
organisation shaping careers through innovative
products and services & the use of human
q Business Trivia ...................................................................... 44
technologies.” q General knowledge ............................................................... 48
q Brand icon: L’ oreal ............................................................... 71
q Book review: The Goal ......................................................... 72
Dear friends / PTzens,
Take Quote
"The hand that rocks the cradle rules the world". “Only two things are infinite, the
universe and human stupidity, and
nd
As our nation celebrates its 62 independence, one cannot help but salute the I'm not sure about the former.”
indomitable spirit of our women who have scripted a golden tale of emancipation. – Albert Einstein
Our cover story embarks on a voyage of empowerment & strength of an “A lie gets halfway around the world
invaluable human resource "woman", and gets inspired from these 'wonder before the truth has a chance to get
women' who epitomize purpose, prudence and sagacity. its pants on.”
– Sir Winston Churchill
Delving in history, we see the woman as a meek and helpless person mired in
the cobwebs of the male-dominated system, where only man's labour was “If you can't get rid of the skeleton
quantified and not so much the woman's. But today, she has broken the shackles in your closet, you'd best teach it to
and moved a step closer to her dreams of being self dependent. From the confines dance.”
of four walls to outer space, she has left indelible impressions everywhere. – George Bernard Shaw
Women today have stormed the male bastions and triumphed in every sphere. “Good people do not need laws to
They have wielded power and held enviable positions, be it the first woman tell them to act responsibly, while
President of a Democratic Republic - Mrs. Pratibha Patil; Tessy Thomas - the first bad people will find a way around
woman to head the new advanced version of the 2500 k.m. range Agni II missile the laws.”
project; Angela Kasner, the current Vice Chancellor of Germany, the US – Plato
Secretary of State - Mrs. Hillary Clinton, Naina Lal Kidwai - the Country Head of
HSBC (Indian operations); Suman Sharma - world's first woman to fly the “Human history becomes more
Russian fighter jet. The list seems never ending. Even in Afghanistan, a country and more a race between education
wrought by adversities, there are more women MPs than in any western countries. and catastrophe.”
– H. G. Wells
These 'apostles of glory' have seen every ordeal as an opportunity and donned
several hats with consummate ease. The present status cherished by them is the “I have not failed. I've just found
fruit of their courage to brave the fight for equal rights and gender equality. 10,000 ways that won't work.”
– Thomas Alva Edison
Although cases of sexual harassment, maternal mortality and female
infanticide are quite frequent even today yet they have never been able to stop the “The nice thing about being a
pace of surging development and progress of women. celebrity is that if you bore people
they think it's their fault.”
It's time that we recognize and accept the ascending might of women and co- – Henry Kissinger
operate with them for projecting fulfillment of a vision which has been set for our
nation for 2020. “Forgive your enemies, but never
forget their names.”
Remember, you empower a woman, you empower a nation. – John F. Kennedy
“If women didn't exist, all the

Happy Independence Day! money in the world would have no
meaning.”
Manish Saraf – Aristotle Onassis
COO, PT education
“Never interrupt your enemy when
he is making a mistake.”
– Napoleon Bonaparte
02 PT’s PrepTalk – August 2009

Letters to the editor
Digital Pearl Harbor dependent on the U.S. consumer as a
source of global demand." With a
Writer has expressed it deep recession in the U.S. and the
concern over the issue of "Digital increased savings rate of U.S.
Pe a r l H a r b o r " . H e s a i d t h a t consumers, declines in growth
"Computer hackers or terrorists elsewhere have been dramatic. For
could illegally gain access to a the first quarter of 2009, the
annualized rate of decline in GDP was
computer system and wreak national
14.4% in Germany, 15.2% in Japan,
or even global havoc by destroying or
7.4% in the UK, and 21.5% for
manipulating data and creating digital
Mexico.
Pearl Harbor".
Recent years have seen increasing
He added that there's no need to
acknowledgment that human rights
imagine a worst-case scenario for and economic issues such as
Internet security in the year 2010. development go hand in hand. Long
The worst-case scenario is unfolding before the global financial crisis took
right now. Based on conservative hold, human rights concerns were
projections, we'll discover about high over the world, as annual reports
100000 new software vulnerabilities from Amnesty International and other
in 2010 alone or one new bug every human rights organizations
five minutes of every hour of every The bad news is that this repeatedly warned. The global
day. The number of security incidents confidence, this notion of an industry financial crisis has led to an economic
worldwide will swell to about 400,000 wide smartening up is difficult because crisis which in turn has led to a
a year, or 8,000 per workweek. there will be a security incident of such human rights crisis, says Amnesty in
Windows will approach 100 million mind-boggling scope and profoundly their 2009 report.
lines of code, and the average PC may disturbing consequence–of the so- – Ravi Saxena, Jaipur
cost $190, will contain nearly 200 called digital Pearl Harbor–that
million lines of code. And within that conducting business as usual will
code, 2 million bugs. become inconceivable.
– Sharique Alam, Indore FEEDBACK !
In other words, today's sloppiness Your comments and
will become tomorrow's chaos. The Financial Meltdown-Update views on PrepTalk
good news is that we probably won't are needed to help
get to that point. Most experts are The condition of world economy is Us make it better.
optimistic about the future security of showing signs of improvement. Article
the Internet and software. Between Which articles did you like?
highlighted impact of American
now and 2010, they say, vulnerabilities Which columns do you
economy in driving world's economy.
will flatten or decline, and so will like to read regularly?
Article explained few recent reports
security breaches. They believe like, The Brookings Institution Which are the best parts of
software applications will get simpler reported in June 2009 that U.S. the magazine?
and smaller, or at least they won't bloat consumption accounted for more than a Which are not?
the way they do now. And they think third of the growth in global How to improve?
experience will provide a better consumption between 2000 and 2007.
handle on keeping the growing "The US economy has been spending Send feedback to:
number of bad guys out of our too much and borrowing too much for preptalk@PTeducation.com
collective business. years and the rest of the world
PT’s PrepTalk – August 2009 03

Major news stories
Swine influenza:
India on alert
S wine influenza is a contagious respiratory disease that

normally only affects pigs. It is commonly caused by
H1N1 strains of swine influenza A virus. However, other
strains, such as H1N2, H3N1 and H3N2 also circulate in pigs.
While it is not usual for people to get swine flu, human infections
do occasionally happen, mainly after close contact with infected
pigs.
During March/April 2009, a new strain of swine influenza

virus emerged in Mexico, and started to cause illness in humans.
The World Health Organisation says that this new strain of
influenza, called influenza A (H1N1), can spread from person to
person. Experts around the world are working closely with the
World Health Organisation to help determine what risk this
virus poses to the public. When people are infected with swine
flu viruses, their symptoms are usually similar to those of normal
seasonal influenza. These include fever, tiredness, lack of
appetite, coughing and a sore throat. Some people may also have However, direct transmission from pigs to humans is rare, with
vomiting and diarrhoea. only 12 cases in the U.S. since 2005.
In Mexico, some people infected with influenza A (H1N1) 1918 FLU PANDEMIC
have had severe illness and died. However, in almost all cases
outside Mexico, including the India, the symptoms of The 1918 flu pandemic in humans was associated with
influenza A (H1N1) have been mild, and people have made H1N1 and influenza appearing in pigs; this may reflect a
full recovery. This new influenza virus is thought to spread in zoonosis either from swine to humans, or from humans to swine.
the same way as seasonal flu; in tiny droplets, expelled from Although it is not certain in which direction the virus was
the mouth and nose of an infected person when they talk, transferred, some evidence suggests that, in this case, pigs
cough or sneeze. People may get infected if they breathe in caught the disease from humans. For instance, swine influenza
these droplets or if they touch someone or something that is was only noted as a new disease of pigs in 1918, after the first
contaminated with the virus (e.g. a used tissue or door large outbreaks of influenza amongst people. Although a recent
handle), and then touch their nose or eyes. phylogenetic analysis of more recent strains of influenza in
humans, birds, and swine suggests that the 1918 outbreak in
HISTORY humans followed a reassortment event within a mammal, the
exact origin of the 1918 strain remains elusive.It is estimated
Swine influenza was first proposed to be a disease related to that anywhere from 50 to 100 million people were killed
human influenza during the 1918 flu pandemic, when pigs worldwide.
became sick at the same time as humans. The first identification
of an influenza virus as a cause of disease in pigs occurred about CURRENT SITUATION
ten years later, in 1930. The H1N1 form of swine flu is one of the
descendants of the strain that caused the 1918 flu pandemic. As In late April, Margaret Chan, the World Health
well as persisting in pigs, the descendants of the 1918 virus have Organization's director-general, declared a "public health
also circulated in humans through the 20th century, emergency of international concern" under the rules of the
contributing to the normal seasonal epidemics of influenza. WHO's new International Health Regulations when the first

case of the H1N1 virus was reported in the United States. SITUATION IN INDIA
Following the outbreak, on May 2, 2009, it was reported in pigs at
a farm in Alberta, Canada, with a link to the outbreak in Mexico. About 2,184 persons have been tested so far, out of whom 475
The pigs are suspected to have caught this new strain of virus are positive for Influenza
from a farm worker who recently returned from Mexico, then A(H1N1). Of the 475 positive
showed symptoms of an influenza-like illness. Several countries cases, 353 have been discharged,'
took precautionary measures to reduce the chances for a global according to an official statement
pandemic of the disease. issued. As India deals with the
international outbreak of swine
The Swine flu has been compared to other similar types of flu, the message from the
influenza virus in terms of mortality: "In the US it appears that government in India is clear –
for every 1000 people who get infected, about 40 people need don't panic.
admission to hospital and about one person dies". There are
fears that swine flu will become a major global pandemic in the Tighter screening in the airports, special quarantine wards
winter months, with many countries planning major vaccination in every state and strict instructions to state governments to
campaigns. remain alert are among the major steps being taken by India.
India is still in the 'containment stage' classified as grade IV
SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS which means the spread of the virus is not out of control. The
government says India is well stocked with Tamiflu medication
According to the Centers for Disease Control and to deal with a large outbreak and the government will not resort
Prevention (CDC), in humans the symptoms of the 2009 "swine to forced isolation of patients just yet. In order to ensure better
flu" H1N1 virus are similar to those of influenza and of screening of passengers, the government has decided to install
influenza-like illness in general. Symptoms include fever, thermal scanners at airports to detect people who were entering
cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. The the country with fever.
2009 outbreak has shown an increased percentage of patients
reporting diarrhea and vomiting. The 2009 H1N1 virus is not WHAT DOES THE FUTURE HOLD?
zoonotic swine flu, as it is not transmitted from pigs to humans,
but from person to person. Two major health organizations say the H1N1 (swine flu)
pandemic could effect a vast portion of the world's population in
PREVENTION the coming years. In the U.S., the Centers for Disease Control
and Prevention announced that the number of Americans
Influenza spreads stricken with H1N1 could reach 20 to 40 percent of the
between humans through population over the next two years.
coughing or sneezing and
people touching something Meanwhile, the World Health Organization's flu chief says
with the virus on it and then “the global H1N1(swine flu) outbreak is still in its early stages
touching their own nose or and 2 billion infections over the course of the pandemic is a
mouth. Swine flu cannot be reasonable ballpark to be looking at”.
spread by pork products,
since the virus is not One of the things that's interesting about why flu is seasonal,
transmitted through food. and is the sort of bad-news endpoint of the paragraph. When flu
The swine flu in humans is is coughed or you sneeze it, the virus is suspended in a liquid
most contagious during the environment. Suspended in mucus, the virus can go from your
first five days of the illness hand to a doorknob, from a doorknob to another person's hand; it
although some people, most commonly children, can remain can go onto the surface of a telephone to all those things that are
contagious for up to ten days. Diagnosis can be made by sending contagious to others. Mucus also protects the virus from
a specimen, collected during the first five days for analysis. ultraviolet rays. One reason this flu is seasonal – as the
Recommendations to prevent spread of the virus among humans temperature rises, these things tend to dry out. So in the
include using standard infection control against influenza. This summer, it's very, very unusual to see flu virus circulating. The
includes frequent washing of hands with soap and water or with bad new is, if this virus has indeed taken hold, it will move to the
alcohol-based hand sanitizers, especially after being out in Southern hemisphere for their winter, and it will come back to
public. Chance of transmission is also reduced by disinfecting us, possibly in a different mutation, this fall. As our
household surfaces, which can be done effectively with a diluted temperatures drop, we may see a return. This is the ominous
chlorine bleach solution. issue.

Cover story
Rise of women
in different spheres
“WHY can't a woman be more like a man?” mused Henry Higgins in “My Fair Lady”. Future generations might ask
why a man can't be more like a woman. In rich countries, girls now do better at school than boys, more women are
getting university degrees than men are and females are filling most new jobs. Arguably, women are now the most
powerful engine of global growth.
T hroughout the world, women face

obstacles for their participation in
politics. These barriers exist in
prevailing social and economic systems, as well
as in existing political structures. In 2007, the
rate of female representation at national level
stands at merely 18 per cent globally. Although
this figure has increased in recent years,
minimal progress has been made, meaning that
the ideal of parity between men and women in
national legislatures still remains distant.
The International Institute for Democracy

and Electoral Assistance (IDEA) is committed
to providing comparative information and
research on how to overcome these obstacles
and to advance gender and democracy issues in
general, and to promote the participation and
representation of women in political world in
particular.
But participation of women has made

significant strides in most societies over the last century. Like in indeed long. These are divas who have changed the different
our own Indian epic Ramayana, Kaikeyi played a significant role spheres of the world. But even apart from celebrity leaders who
in influencing the King to banish Prince Rama to the jungles. In make it to the headlines every other day, there are countless
fact, history is replete with women leaders, some of them as early women who have donned responsible and senior roles, whether
as 4000 BC. Cleopatra, Queen Nefertiti of Egypt, Queen Makeda in an IT company or a Gram Panchayat.
of Sheba, Queen Akkadevi from the Chalukya Dynasty, Rani
Lakshmibai, Jane Addams - the first American Woman to be Many women's groups all over the world advocate
awarded the Nobel Peace Prize, Sirimavo Bandaranaike - the participation of women in politics and economics as a cure to all
first woman Prime Minister of Sri Lanka, Benazir Bhutto, Indira social evils. It is important to have more women in these spheres
Gandhi, Estee Lauder - the famous entrepreneur in the beauty because they form almost half of the world's population. Also, in
business, Ritu Kumar – our very own leader in the design a comparative study done on women's contribution to Gross
industry, Madame CJ Walker - the first African American Domestic Product by the Copenhagen Institute of Future
Millionaire, Oprah Winfrey - the famous talk show host, Indra Studies, it was found that in 1970 such contribution was 15%-
Nooyi- the Indian-origin chief of global soft drink major 26% and this increased to 26%-45% in 1990. Some people
PepsiCo, Indian biotechnology firm Biocon's Chief Kiran believe that more women in politics are equivalent to more
Mazumdar Shaw, our current leader Sonia Gandhi - the list is accountability and transparency in the government. Yet, sadly,

the global average of women in Parliament is 18% which is far r Eurochambres Women's Network
away from 50%. It certainly throws a cloud over the issue of r European Platform of Women Scientists
democracy where so many citizens are excluded from positions r Network of Parliamentary Committees for Equal
of power. Even, in business, though the advancements made Opportunities for Women and Men in the European
through various women's movements over the ages have Union
significantly decreased barriers over the last four decades, r E u r o p e a n N e t w o r k t o Pr o m o t e Wo m e n ' s
research data continues to show that a majority of women still Entrepreneurship
secure fewer high-level positions than men. r European women's lobby
r European Women's Lawyers Association
WOMEN IN DECISION MAKING: r CEE Network for Gender Issues
r European Women Inventors and Innovators Network
r European Women's Management Development
International Network, EWMD
r Femanet - Eurocadres
r European Professional Women's Network, EPWN
r Women's Forum for the Economy and the Society
The EU Commission has created a platform for all these

networks. It also funded the women to the Top management
program in 2003-2005 to bring more women into the top
management.
Some organisations have been created to promote the

presence of women in top responsibilities, in politics and
business. One example is EWMD European Women's
Management Development (cited above), a European and
Female decision-makers from around Europe are organized international network of individual and corporate members,
in several national and European wide networks. The networks drawn from professional organisations. Members are from all
aim to promote women in decision-making positions in politics areas of business, education, politics and culture. But the
and the economy across Europe. These networks were founded percentage of women at the topmost level is still low as
in the 1980s and are often very different from the "service clubs" compared to men.
founded in the early days of the century, like Soroptimist and
Zontas. There is, in fact, not just one but several reasons
behind the relatively low representation of women in
As of 2009, women represented 20.9% of parliament in public life:
Europe (both houses) and 18.4% in the world on an average
basis. As of 2009, 90 women serve in the U.S. Congress: 17 The 'natural order' factor and role congruity theory:
women serve in the Senate, and 73 women serve in the House. Women are traditionally thought to be endowed for domesticity
and nurture in the natural order of things. The evolutionary
In the private sector, men still represent 9 out of 10 board “role congruity” theory further states that men are better suited
members in European blue-chip companies, the discrepancy is for authority as they are hard-wired to be more aggressive, based
widest at the very top: only 3% of these companies have a woman upon a history of reproductive competitiveness. Another theory
presiding over the highest decision-making body. often put forth is that women lack particular masculine
personality traits that would otherwise allow them to be effective
List of members of the European Network of Women leaders.
in Decision Making in Politics and the Economy:
One is, of course, apt to question such theories and treat
r Committee of Women Elected Representatives of Local them as schemas of traditional patriarchal societies meant to
and Regional Authorities (Council of European keep women from assuming public lives. Speaking of aggression
Municipalities and Regions) and leadership traits, one cannot help but recall the example of
r BPW Europe, Business and Professional Women – leaders such as Margaret Thatcher, widely known as the “Iron
Europe Lady.” It would be a loss for all of us, men and women alike, if
r Association of Organisations of Mediterranean women such as Thatcher could not run for office or lead a
Businesswomen nation.

with children are more likely to interrupt their careers
contributing to the mindset that men are more focused on their
careers than women. “The routes that women take to leadership
in the workplace are not simple or direct but convoluted and
frequently obstructed, especially for mothers” says
psychologists Alice Eagly & Linda Carli.
Literacy and women: According to the UNESCO

Institute for Statistics (UIS) - women still make up two thirds of
the world's adult illiterates, in all regions. The Institute reports
that the proportion of illiterate women aged 15 and over fell from
28.5 percent to 25.8 percent. Globally, 82 percent of the world's
population is reported as literate: 87 percent of men and 77
percent of all women. But there still exists a gap of 10 percent
between women's literacy rates and those of men. In some
regions of the world, this gap is more than 25 percent.
Still after all this issues women account for approximately 45

per cent of all university graduates; however their employment
rates are more than 20 per cent lower than those of men. And
what is even worse, female earnings are 15 per cent less than
In reality, unfortunately, most women across the globe have earnings of their male counterparts!
been socially conditioned to believe that women's primary
responsibility lies in housework, childcare and even care of elder With so many factors impeding the success of women in
parents and they should not seek employment outside the home. the political and economic spheres, psychologist Alice Eagly
In fact, it would not be an exaggeration to state that the real surmises-“change must take place at four levels: the culture,
barriers women face are socially constructed – created by the organization, the family and the individual”. One can
persistent stereotypes and gender discrimination that frustrates identify quite a few factors that would be most critical to
career advancement. empower women for participation in administrative, judicial,
economic and political processes. The more important among
Late entry to rule: Women gained political rights later than them would be:
men. Men had established themselves in public life long before
women even had the opportunity to become engaged in politics. Reservation for women: To increase women's
As a result, women have had to fight hard for every inch of representation in politics, seats have to be reserved for women,
ground and suffered the disadvantage of late entry in their at least in the initial stages of development. For e.g, In India both
encounter with power politics. the government and the Congress have made it clear that there
would be no dilution of the proposed 33 per cent reservation for
women in Lok Sabha and in state assemblies.
Media Marginalisation: Strange as it may appear in
modern times, disparaging media coverage has often been a Women need to be assertive: Women need to show that
retarder. Women who seek power are routinely dogged by gender they deserve better representation in public life. In many
specific coverage that focuses on their looks, fashion sense, countries women have been able to come together across party
familial relationships and other details that have nothing to do lines, ethnic lines, class lines, to say that having more women in
with their expertise. (Just think of the kind of attention that US politics is a core issue. Indeed, it should also be pointed out that
Republican Vice-Presidential candidate Sarah Palin was drawing democracy without uniform participation is meaningless.
during her campaign) Therefore, by their very participation, women broaden and
strengthen the democratic arena.
Women and the 'balancing act': Whether in business or
politics, making an impact often requires unflinching fulltime Women must also build their social networks to be
commitment. This makes it particularly difficult for women who successful leaders. There are always these networks within
are, anyway, engaged in a permanent "balancing act", trying to organizations in which decision-making occur in informal
eke out a public life without sacrificing their family life and contexts and women typically get excluded from them. In the
incurring severe criticism for putting their ambitions before the words of Alice Eagly, “These networks are essential, not only in
welfare of their children. Research shows that female employees providing emotional support, but in helping to make deals and

ferret out the inside scoop on organizational problems,
emerging projects or promotions.”
Solutions and not Power: Merely empowering women

without redress for the basic problems that plague them would
be ineffective. Speaking of our nation itself, practices such as
child marriage, neglecting nutrition and education of the girl
child are still far from being rooted out. These issues need
immediate attention.
Organisations need to be more accommodating to

women: Organizations have to reduce barriers that favour men
over women. Companies have been grappling for years with ways
of keeping women in their firms. The Ernst & Young report says
that companies must plan for it and put mentoring programs in
place in order to make sure that women will get promoted and
climb the career ladder. It is also essential that they work actively
to ensure a comfortable environment and healthy work-life
balance for all employees.
Change in attitudes: It is perhaps a cliché, but still the

discussion would be incomplete unless we point out that both
men and women, and society in general, must have a more open
and inclusive understanding of the role of women. Many a time,
even well-qualified women shy away from talking about their
accomplishments or putting them to use in the public sphere
because of societal norms, where immodesty is frowned upon.
To quote psychologist Linda Carli: "Women need to be women in the services, 98 officers, 191 NCOs, and 571 privates.
tempered in their entitlement and self-promotion, a challenge NATO reports also indicate that the Danish military does not
men don't even need to think about”. promote women to positions of leadership.
Libya is one of only two Islamic nations to have women in

STATUS OF WOMEN IN TODAY'S SOCIETY:
their military, the other being Pakistan.
1. Women in Warfare: It is worth noting that Peoples Liberation Army, the armed
forces of the Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist) have a 30%
Currently, women make up 12.8% of the Australian Defence female participation quota for their combat forces, and
Force (with 15.1% in the Royal Australian Air Force, 14.6% in the frequently claims 40% actual participation.
Royal Australian Navy and 10.5% in the Australian Army) and 17.5%
of the reserves. However, only 74% of the total number of available The current tally of woman in the Russian Army is standing
rolesintheAustralianarmedforcesisavailabletowomen. at around 115,000 to 160,000, representing 10% of Russia's
military strength.
Women joined the British Armed forces in all roles except
those whose "primary duty is to close with and kill the enemy"; In March 2008, 50 thousand women were serving and
Infantry, Armour, Commando, Airfield Defence, Special Air working in the Ukrainian army. Most of them are working in the
Service or Special Boat Service. In addition medical reasons medical service, liaison and accounting.
preclude service in the Royal Navy Submarine Service or as
Mine Clearance Divers. They are however, permitted access to 2. Women in Politics:
special force's support units, such as commando engineers and
are cleared to join the Special Reconnaissance Regiment, a In 1995, the United Nations set a goal of 30% women
largely unknown branch of the United Kingdom Special Forces participation. According to a 2006 report by the Inter-
that does not bar women from joining. Parliamentary Union, 16% of all parliament members in the
world are female.
As of 2002 the highest rank reached by a woman in the
Danish armed forces was Lieutenant Colonel, with 5% (862) In 2003, Finland had a historical moment when all top

leaders of the country were women and also represented Chief Executive Officer of Anglo American PLC, which is
different political parties: Social Democrat Tarja Halonen was world's largest Platinum producer.
President, Riitta Uosukainen from National Coalition Party was
Speaker of the Parliament and after the parliamentary elections Irene Rosenfeld is the Chairman and CEO of Kraft Foods
of 2003 Anneli Jaatteenmaki from Center party was on her way to Inc. Irene is a 25-year veteran of the food and beverage industry
become the first female Prime Minister of Finland. and has a long history of bringing a consumer focus and
innovation to building businesses.
The US House of Representatives contains 77 women, and
the US Senate contains 16. Eight states have female governors. Ho Ching is the Chief Executive Officer of Temasek
Holdings (over US $100 billion in assets) and the wife of the
Pratibha Devisingh Patil is the President of the Republic of Prime Minister of Singapore, Lee Hsien Loong (son of former
India, the 12th person and first woman to hold the office. Sonia Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew) Ms Ho is also a Cantonese
Gandhi serves as the Chairperson of the ruling United Singaporean.
Progressive Alliance in the Lok Sabha and the leader of the
Congress Parliamentary Party. She was also named among the Anne Lauvergeon is a French businesswoman, and
100 most influential people in the world according to Time President of Areva which is a French public multinational
magazine for the years 2007 and 2008. industrial conglomerate that is mainly known for nuclear power.
In 2008, she was ranked by the magazine Forbes as the ninth-
Angela Dorothea Kasner is the current Chancellor of most powerful woman in the world, third-most in Europe and
Germany. She is the first female Chancellor of most powerful in France.
Germany. Kasner, elected to the German
Parliament from Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Anne M. Mulcahy is Chairman and former
has been the Chairwoman of the Christian Chief Executive Officer of Xerox Corporation.
Democratic Union (CDU) since 10 April 2000, She was named CEO of Xerox on Aug. 1, 2001, and
and Chair woman of the CDU- CSU Chairman on Jan. 1, 2002. In addition to the Xerox
parliamentary party group from 2002 to 2005. board, she has been a member of the boards of
In 2007, Merkel was also President of the directors of Catalyst, Citigroup Inc., Fuji Xerox
European Council. In 2007, she became the Co. Ltd. and Target Corporation. In 2008 she was
second woman to chair the G8, after Margaret placed sixth on The Wall Street Journal's "50
Thatcher. She played a central role in the Women to Watch" list.
negotiation of the Treaty of Lisbon and the
Berlin Declaration. From 2006 to 2008, Forbes T h e re f o re t h e v i r t u e s o f w o m e n ' s
Magazine has named her the most powerful woman in the world. participation, or their abilities, do not merit any doubt or debate.
There is substantial research which brings out the qualities of
3. Women in Corporate World: women as leaders in any sphere. There have even been studies to
show that Fortune 500 companies with more females on their
Indra Krishnamurthy Nooyi is the Chairman and Chief boards of directors ended up with better financial
Executive Officer (CEO) of PepsiCo, one of the world's leading performances, compared to companies with fewer women as
food and beverage companies. Forbes magazine ranked Nooyi board of directors!
third on the 2008 list of The World's 100 Most Powerful Women.
Fortune magazine has named Nooyi number one on its annual The question, therefore, is if women have indeed realised
ranking of Most Powerful Women in business for 2006, 2007 and their potential in different spheres to the fullest or not. To be
2008. In 2008, Nooyi was named one of the America's Best fair, it has been a long road traversed and it is a certain fact that
Leaders by U.S. News & World Report. more and more women are assuming roles at the helm in even
the most unconventional of roles. Considering that one could
Angela F. Braly is President and Chief Executive Officer for almost endlessly rattle off names of women who have made an
WellPoint Inc., a large US-based health care company, and is a impact in diverse fields today, it would be quite off the mark to
member of the company's board of directors. As of April 2009, say that a woman leader is an “aberration.” Yet, if one looks at the
Braly had the 306th highest compensation as a CEO in the USA, statistical proportion of women's representation in business or
having earned $4.07 million. Forbes and Fortune magazines politics globally, it is clear that women still have a long route to
ranked Braly as fourth and fifth most powerful women in the universal empowerment and equal representation. For that to
world for the year 2008 respectively. become a norm, the issues faced by women in general as
discussed above and the reforms suggested should be
Cynthia Carroll is an American businesswoman. She is the considered carefully and urgently by all in the society.

Major news stories
Financial meltdown:
An update
T he global recession is coming to an end, but the
ingredients of a lasting recovery are still missing.
nature of the world's imbalances. As consumer spending has
slumped, the external imbalances have shriveled. America's
current-account deficit this year is likely to be less than 3% of
With luck, the global slump has reached its trough. Asia's GDP. On the other side of the ledger, China's surplus is on
economies are looking rosier, buoyed by a spectacular rebound course to fall by half from its 2007 peak, of 11% of GDP, by 2010.
in China, where output grew at an annualised rate of some 16% The surpluses of both Germany and Japan are shrinking fast.
between April and June. Even in America and the euro area,
GDP is likely to stop In surplus economies the shift of mindset is most necessary.
shrinking during the Too many German leaders seem to take the economy's export
summer. Trade, having orientation as immutable. Few even grasp the need to nudge it
fallen precipitately, is towards domestic spending. China's authorities want to shift
leveling off. And, as towards consumption, but are reluctant to pull the obvious lever:
firms rebuild their allowing the yuan to strengthen faster.
stocks, global growth
over the next few Macroeconomic co-ordination will be necessary, especially
months could be to ensure that the fiscal tightening which must follow the
surprisingly robust. stimulus does not strangle the recovery. While central bankers
are laying out their exit strategies from monetary looseness in
That is a welcome detail, few finance ministers have done anything similar on the
prospect. But it is not the all-clear. For this “recovery” has a fiscal side. In the big economies they claim they will cut their
fragile foundation. The boost from restocking will be temporary. deficits substantially in 2011, but there are few details, even on
And a big source of demand–government stimulus–is the appropriate mix of tax reforms and spending cuts.
unsustainable. Across the globe governments have, rightly,
stepped in to counter the economic slump. In America an The hardest part, however, will be the microeconomic
increase of 12 percentage points in the budget deficit has reforms required to smooth the macroeconomic adjustments.
cushioned the slump in private spending. Around 75% of the China's leaders need to boost household income (for instance by
China's growth this year will be state-directed, either through encouraging more labour-intensive growth and forcing state
public spending or officially induced lending. enterprises to pay fatter dividends) as well as improve health-
care and pension provision so that people feel less need to save.
Governments can prop up economies temporarily, but rising Japan and Germany both have to encourage investment in
budget deficits are not a route to sustainable growth. Eventually services, by freeing markets from health care to education.
burgeoning debt will limit the room for fiscal manoeuvre, and America must counter the rigidities that have arisen after its
politicians may balk at renewed stimulus long before then. asset bust. Millions of people with negative equity in their
Worries about the budget deficit are already weighing on homes, for instance, cannot move to get a new job.
political debate in Washington. A solid global recovery demands
healthy and balanced growth in private demand. Unfortunately, For the first quarter of 2009, the annualized rate of decline in
that still seems far off. GDP was 14.4% in Germany, 15.2% in Japan, 7.4% in the UK,
9.8% in the Euro area and 21.5% for Mexico. Even the World
Before the financial crash, global demand was horribly Bank predicted a tough year for Arab states.
skewed. It was far too reliant on spending from increasingly
indebted American consumers: witness the country's gaping A HOLE IN THE HULL
current-account deficit, which reached almost 6% of GDP in
2006. The crisis–particularly the credit crunch and the Compared with a year ago, the state of trade is dire.
destruction of more than $13 trillion of household wealth–has According to the World Bank, the dollar value of exports in the 48
wrecked the American shopping machine and changed the countries for which final data for May are available was still about

one-third lower than in May 2008. However, year-on-year data retreat into protection, are the chief causes. The World Trade
mask recent changes (see chart 1). Month-on-month figures Organisation (WTO) points out that America, which was the
point to a dramatic slump at the turn of the year, but stability first big economy to enter recession, also saw the sharpest
since. The bank reckons that the average value of exports (for 44 contraction of imports last year (see chart 2). Data for America
economies accounting for three-quarters of world trade) and Japan show that trade in non-durable consumer goods like
dropped by 15.4% in November, held steady in December and clothes and food,
plunged by 12.2% in January before flattening out. for which a basic
level of demand
The precipitate drop in trade–far more marked than persists and
anything that has happened to global GDP – was caused in part purchases of which
by the way production is now organised. Trade has always been cannot be put off
more than proportionally affected by fluctuations in output, but for as long as those
the globalisation of the supply chain has increased its of bigger-ticket
responsiveness. Stages of production that were once local are items, has declined
now much more likely to be carried out abroad. Douglas Irwin, of least among main
Dartmouth College, estimates that in the 1960s and 1970s, if product categories.
global GDP increased (or decreased) by 1%, trade would grow E x p o r t e r s
(or shrink) by about 2%. specialising in
In the 1990s, the change capital goods and
in trade was 3.4%. durables, such as
G e r m a n y, h a v e
In recessions, been hit harder than others. And even for cheap non-durables,
according to a new the early falls were the sharpest, suggesting that retailers were
p a p e r b y C a ro l i n e furiously running down their inventories.
Freund of the World
Bank, trade contracts Differences in the trends of goods and services trade also
even more sharply than support the destocking thesis. Aaditya Mattoo and Ingo
it responds in easier Borchert, economists at the World Bank, point to the relative
times. Using data from resilience of trade in services, which unlike goods cannot be
the global downturns of stored and are therefore immune to the inventory effect. In April
1975, 1982, 1991 and America's imports of goods were 34% lower than a year earlier.
2001, Ms Freund finds Its exports were 27% lower. Both imports and exports of
that whereas real services, however, were down by only 10%. Imports of business,
income growth was, on professional and technical services (including information-
average, 1.5 percentage technology services outsourced to places like India) were 4%
points lower than its higher in the first quarter of 2009 than a year earlier.
pre-recession rate,
trade growth stumbled The WTO has analysed trade policies as well as trade flows.
by 7.2 points, or nearly There have been several instances of countries raising tariffs,
five times as much. within the limits of their WTO commitments. America, the
European Union and Switzerland have all introduced new farm
Several reasons why subsidies (or restarted programmes that had been allowed to
trade should decline so lapse). The number of anti-dumping cases initiated by WTO
f a s t i n re c e s s i o n s members rose sharply in 2008, from a 12-year low in 2007, and
suggest themselves. It could be that, anticipating a sudden continued at a high rate in the first quarter of this year.
slowdown in growth, firms draw down accumulated inventories
sharply, causing a rapid contraction of trade. But it is also The detailed to-do list differs from one country to the next,
possible that during downturns governments turn to but three broad requirements stand out: a change of mindset for
protectionist policies, heightening the responsiveness of trade many policymakers; greater macroeconomic co-ordination than
to a fall in demand. hitherto; and bolder microeconomic reforms.
Broadly speaking, the timing of the collapse and stabilisation The to-do list is a long one, the risk of missteps is high, and it
in trade flows, as well as the sectoral and geographical pattern of will take years to complete. That is why the world economy is not
the decline, suggest that demand and destocking, rather than a yet out of the woods.

Major news stories
Indian Union Budget

2009-10
T he government of India’s budget is a big event and
therefore naturally raises expectations. It is the first
Budget of a newly elected government with a new
finance mininster, and the economic situation is domestically
The budget this time was declared with a motive to
overcome the challenges faced which are:
r to lead economy to high GDP growth rate of 9 per cent

and gllobally challenging. Expectations are thus sky-high. It is per annum at the earliest
not that the media or the market alone created these r to deepen and broaden the agenda for inclusive
expectations. The President’s adress to the joint session of development
Parliament on June 4, 2009, and the economic survey of July 2, r to improve delivery mechanisms of the government
2009, added grist to the mill.
The budget broadly promises to sustain growth rate of
BUDGET ESTIMATES atleast 9% per annum over an extended period of time, create
about 12 million new jobs, reduce the proportion of people living
The total estimated expenditure for 2009-10 was Rs.10,20,838 below poverty line to less than half by 2014, ensure agriculture
crore, of which Rs.6,95,689 continues to grow at an anuual rate of 4% and increase
crore was towards Non Plan investment in infrastructure to more than 9%of GDP, and so on.
and Rs.3,25,149 crore towards This medium term perspective is quite realistic, broadly
Plan expenditure. Total balanced and inspirational too. The finance minister has rightly
estimated revenue was Rs said that a lot has been achieved, but tough action is required to
6,19,842 crore, including realise the potential in agriculture, improve infrastructure and
revenue receipts of Rs alleviate poverty and for the same spending anon job guarantee
6,14,497 and capital receipts of and Bharat Nirman will rise by 144% (NREGS scheme) & 45%
Rs 5345 crores, excluding respectively.
borrowings. The resulting
fiscal deficit was Rs 4,00,996
Tax reform, like all reforms, is a process and not an event.
crore while revenue deficit was Rs 2,82,735 crore.The gross tax
Thrust of reforms has been done to improve the efficiency and
receipts were budgeted at Rs.6,41,079 crore and non tax revenue
equity of our tax system. Structural changes in direct taxes to be
receipts at Rs.1,40,279. Fiscal deficit as a percentage of GDP is
pursued by releasing the new Direct Taxes Code within the next
projected at 6.8 per cent compared to 2.5 per cent in B.E. 2008-09
and 6.2 per cent as per provisional accounts 2008-09. 45 days and in indirect taxes by accelerating the process for the
smooth introduction of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) with
Pranab Mukherjee’s budget seems to be deviating from the effect from 1st April, 2010.
expectations of aam aadmi. The budget, which aimed to build on
its successful election platform and please the aam aadmi, Exemption limit in personal income tax raised by
ended up scaring the aam investor: the sensex tanked 869 Rs.15,000 from Rs.2.25 lakh to Rs.2.40 lakh for senior
points. The markets have been irrational exuberant in the run- citizens; by Rs.10,000 from Rs.1.80 lakh to Rs.1.90 lakh for
up to the budget, and were sobered when it proved conclusively women tax payers; and by Rs.10,000 from Rs.1.50 lakh to
that UPA- II was not a radical reformer. Rs.1.60 lakh for all other categories of individual taxpayer’s
Surcharge on various direct taxes to be phased out; in the
A lot of ground has been covered, and different segments first instance, by eliminating the surcharge of 10 percent on
have taken different views. The corporate sector had very high personal income-tax.
expectations and therefore the reaction has been mixed- some
people liked it, some others did not. Markets have reacted Fringe Benefit Tax on the value of certain fringe benefits
negatively and political parties’ reaction depended on which side provided by employers to their employees to be abolished. No
of fence they were. changes made in the Corporate Tax rates.

The budget amply displays the UPA government’s which includes a provision of Rs.450, Rs.50 crore allocated for
determination to press ahead with tax reforms that enhance the Punjab University, Chandigarh, enabling Plan allocation for
efficiency and equity of the system, while lessening the burden Chandigarh to be suitably enhanced during the year to provide
on taxpayers, including corporations. Just as explicit is the better infrastructure to the people of Chandigarh.
finance minister’s decision to maintain the fiscal stimuli
announced since December in the form of tax cuts. The budget promises of reforms in agriculture but in
broader terms because the penetration is missing. Why do our
Ever since UPA government has come into the power it has farmers still depend on monsoon? The government is liable to
been emphasizing on growth and reforms. But there is always a answer this question but it does not seem so. The reason is
question of inclusivity in the reform plans of the government. that more than 400 irrigation projects waiting to be completed
One of the standing pillar for a country like India, which mostly which need total investment of total 200,000 Cr. But the
comprises of youth, budget proves to be a boon in the form of budget allocation under Accelerated Irrigation Benefit
educational reforms. Provision for the scheme ‘Mission in Programme for 2009-10 is only 9,700 Cr. No wonder at this
Education through ICT’ substantially increased to Rs.900 Cr pace Indian peasants will keep looking up to the sky for the
and the provision for setting up and up-gradation of next 20years. For many, Pranab’s budget brought back
Polytechnics under the Skill Development Mission enhanced to memories of 1980’s, when it was more a statement of revenues
Rs.495 crore. and expenditure and less of policy pronouncements. But for
the current moment, Pranab Mukherjee has clearly adhered to
Rs.827 crore allocated for opening one Central University in what his party and the UPA government promised to voters in
each uncovered State. Rs.2,113 crore allocated for IITs and NITs the country just a few months ago.
Trends at a glance
Indian outbound deals since 2000
Indian outbound deals, which were valued at US$ 0.7 billion in 2000-01, increased to US$ 4.3 billion in 2005, and further
crossed US$ 15 billion-mark in 2006. In fact, 2006 will be remembered in India's corporate history as a year when Indian
companies covered a lot of new ground. They went shopping across the globe and acquired a number of strategically significant
companies. This comprised 60 per cent of the total Mergers and acquisitions (M&A) activity in India in 2006. And almost99per
centofAcquisitionsweremadewithcashpayments.
USD BILLION
100
90
80
70
60
50
40
30
20
10
0
1
9
-0
-0
-0
-0
-0
-0
-0
-0
-0
00
01
02
03
04
05
06
07
08
20
20
20
20
20
20
20
20
20
Source: www.ibef.org (Indian Brand Equity Foundation)

Current events
India
CLEAR EVIDENCE PAKISTAN PLANNED, LAUNCHED “All this placed an immense strain on the India-Pakistan
Composite Dialogue process,” it added.
26/11: INDIA
On Afghanistan, the Defence Ministry said the deteriorating
Slamming Pakistan for the expanding terrorist footprints on
internal security there and the resurgence of Taliban, Al Qaeda
its soil, India said it had clear
and other terror groups since 2006 constituted a threat to
evidence that the Mumbai attack was
stability of the entire South and Central Asian region.
planned and launched by the western
neighbour, and this had strained the
“The terrorist attack on the Indian Embassy in Kabul on July
peace process.
7, 2008, in which five Embassy personnel and a large number of
Afghan nationals were killed, demonstrated that India's efforts
The Defence Ministry, in its
annual report for 2008-09 released in at reconstruction and development were implacably opposed by
New Delhi said: “The terrorist attack these groups,” it said.
on Mumbai in November 2008 and
the clear evidence that the attack was The report said security in southern and eastern
planned and launched by Pakistan Afghanistan was closely related to developments in the borders
have thereafter led to a pause in the (peace) process between with Pakistan, where sanctuaries provided the bases from which
New Delhi and Islamabad.” these groups operated.
The 220-page report said the fact that many of the extremist India said the convergence of extremist and terrorist groups
outfits in Pakistan had known record of terrorist attacks against in Afghanistan with those operating out of Pakistan, often with
India amounted to a security challenge with serious implications the patronage of its State agencies, had consequently
for the country. contributed immensely to the deterioration of India's external
security environment.
“The continuing links of these organisations (terrorists)
with organs of the Pakistan State adds greater complexities and Referring to the US-led global war on terror, the Defence
dangers to the evolving situation confronting us,” it said. Ministry said after a policy review in March 2009, Washington
announced a comprehensive new strategy for Afghanistan and
“Strengthening of our security apparatus, both internally Pakistan, emphasising a regional approach.
and on our frontiers is, therefore, a national priority of the
highest order. Pakistan's history of military and quasi-military “In the aftermath of the terrorist attacks in Mumbai, the US
adventurism underscore the seriousness of the threat we face,” goal is to disrupt, dismantle and defeat Al Qaeda and its safe
the Defence Ministry added. havens in Pakistan and to prevent their return to Pakistan or
Afghanistan,” the report said.
It also noted that the year had witnessed a marked rise in
terrorist incidents all over Pakistan including capital Islamabad, On the security situation in Sri Lanka, India said the Lankan
apart from the previously affected areas of FATA and NWFP. Army had succeeded in taking control of areas held by LTTE
since the internal strife began.
The Defence Ministry said the unimpeded growth of
extremist and terrorist organisations in Pakistan was marked by But, New Delhi was concerned about the humanitarian cost
an increase in ceasefire violations, continued infiltration across of the conflict and has actively worked to ensure the safety and
the LoC, as also major terrorist attacks. welfare of the affected civilian population.

“India has advocated a political solution of the conflict and is (Akademi Ratna) conferred on eminent personalities in the field
committed to a peaceful resolution of the conflict, taking into of performing arts namely Sitara Devi, eminent Kathak
account the interests of all communities, including the Tamil exponent from Mumbai, Khaled Chowdhury, eminent stage
population, within a united Sri Lanka,” the report added. designer from Kolkata, R.C. Mehta, eminent scholar of
performing arts from Vadodara and Bhupen Hazarika, eminent
Regarding Nepal, India said a fragile situation there posed personality in the field of performing arts and noted folk
challenges to its security, especially in view of the open border musician from Guwahati.
between the two countries. “A stable and prosperous Nepal is in
India's interest,” it added, taking note of the recent political The Akademi Fellowship (Akademi Ratna Sadyasta) carries
developments after Maoists formed a coalition government a purse of Rs 1, 00,000, besides a citation, an angavastram and a
last year. tamrapatra. The Akademi Fellowship is restricted to 30 living
persons at any given point of time.
tututu
The General Council of the Akademi also selected 34
POKHRIYAL TO BE NEW UTTARAKHAND CM practitioners of music, dance and theatre for 33 awards
including one joint award for the Akademi Puraskar (Akademi
Uttarakhand Health Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal will be the Award) for the year 2008.
new chief minister of the state in place of B.C. Khanduri, who
resigned owing moral responsibility for the rout of BJP in the tututu
Lok Sabha elections.
DRDO TO CONTINUE INDIGENOUS ARJUN TANKS
Ramesh Pokhriyal will be the PRODUCTION FOR ARMY
new chief minister of Uttarakhand.
51-year-old journalist-turned- Allaying fears of Defence Research and Development
politician Pokhriyal was elected Organisation (DRDO) scientists that the production of the
unanimously as the leader of the Arjun main battle tank will be stopped, the government has
BJP legislature party at a meeting of decided to continue with its manufacture, and added that a
MLAs, state Agriculture Minister second regiment of the indigenously built combat vehicle will be
Trivendra Rawat said. raised soon.
Pokhriyal's name was proposed by outgoing Chief Minister The Army had made it clear that it would buy no more than
Khanduri and seconded by the state tourism minister. the 124 Arjun tanks that it has contracted for because it was
unhappy with the tank on various counts.
Khanduri will submit his resignation to Governor B .L. Joshi
after which Pokhriyal and his new team will be sworn in. A senior Defence Ministry official said: “At present, the
Army has been supplied with one regiment of 45 Arjun tanks.
tututu Another 77 tanks will be supplied by March 2010. Also, the
apprehension of the scientists has been allayed and the
SANGEET AKADEMI AWARDS PRESENTATION production of the tank will continue.”
President Pratibha Patil conferred the prestigious Sangeet The official also added that the government is planning to
Natak Akademi Fellowships and raise a second regiment of Arjun tanks. The first regiment of
Akademi Awards for 2008 at a special the combat vehicle will become fully operational in
ceremony at Vigyan Bhavan. October 2009.
The Akademi Fellowship (Akademi The Arjun tank is meant to supplement and eventually
Ratna) and Akademi Awards (Akademi replace the Soviet-era T-72 and was originally meant to be a 40-
Puraskar) are recognized as the highest tonne tank with a 105 mm gun. It has now grown to a 50-tonne
national honour conferred on practicing tank with a 120 mm gun.
artists, gurus and scholars and have
come to stay as the most coveted honour, DRDO is of the view that the MBT Arjun is strategically a
which the artists aspire to. very competent armoured vehicle, having an excellent weight to
power ratio, good mobility and very accurate firepower, which
This year, the most coveted honour of Akademi Fellowship conform to the requirements laid down by the Army.

It compares excellently with all the heavy class of tanks RATAN TATA HANDS OVER 1ST NANO KEY
available across the world and can be effectively deployed in
most of the border areas of our country. The Army had cleared Five years after his promise to build a people's car, Ratan Tata
the MBT Arjun for production and placed an indent on March finally handed over the key of his dream project – the Nano – to
30, 2000 for the manufacture of 124 tanks by 2009 for two its first customer on 17 July 2009.
regiments.
At a ceremony attended by
The DRDO has been top Tata Motors officials
demanding comparative trials including Ratan Tata himself,
of the Arjun with the T-90 the key was handed over to
tanks, which is being seen as an Raghunath Vichare, the first
effort to meet criticism against lucky customer, in a transparent
the indigenous combat vehicle. box by Ratan.
Around 500 tanks would need to
be manufactured to make the Vichare has bought a Tata Nano LX (lunar silver), the top-
project successful. end model.
“Comparative trials will take place with the Russian-made Along with Vichare, Ashish Balakrishnan, an HDFC Bank
T-90 tanks in October-November,” the Defence Ministry employee, and Kores India also received their Tata Nano LX
official said. (sunshine yellow), and Tata Nano LX (lunar silver) respectively.
The trials could deliver the final verdict on the combat From the birth of the dream in 2003, to its launch in 2008 and
vehicle, which took 35 years of research in self-reliance by finally its delivery in 2009, the Nano's journey has been anything
dedicated Indian scientists against all odds, costing over Rs. 300 but smooth.
crore.
The car, first showcased at the Delhi Auto Expo last year, was
The Army wanted a full regiment of 45 tanks, which was at the centre of much controversy as its proposed plant site in
delivered in May, 2009 for conversion training and field practice West Bengal became a rallying point for Mamata Banerjee and
for a period of three months before going for trials. her party to gain political mileage.
tututu The controversy surrounding the site led Ratan Tata to

abandon Singur and shift the Nano's production to Gujarat.
CENTRAL VILLAGE ELECTRIFICATION PROJECT TO BE
REVIEWED But the overwhelming support for Tata's dream car was
evident when the booking opened early this year. Despite the
Power Minister Sushil slowdown in the auto sector, the car attracted over 2.05 lakh
Kumar Shinde said that a three- bookings.
tier committee has been
constituted to monitor the In the first lot over 1.55 lakh cars would be delivered and the
implementation of the Rajiv first one lakh will be sold at the announcement price of Rs 1 lakh,
Gandhi Viddyuti Karan Yojana making it the cheapest four-wheels in the world.
to provide electricity to Below
Poverty Line (BPL) families. tututu
Replying to supplementary in the Rajya Sabha, Shinde said CHANDRAYAAN IS FINE; SENSOR HITCH SORTED OUT’
that more than 62,000 villages have already been electrified
under this scheme. The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) admitted
that its lunar craft, Chandrayaan-1, developed an orientation
Shinde said that twenty-eight thousand crore rupees have problem on and nearly lost its bearings four lakh km away in space.
been allotted for the scheme.
Two onboard star-sensors that guide it by keeping track of
“Seven thousand crore more are being pumped in,” the stars had failed beyond repair, Mr G.Madhavan Nair, Chairman,
Minister added. said in a news conference.

Dispelling worries that the craft was crippled or dying, Mr Krishnacharya for a while. She
Nair said the directional hitch had been sorted out and then approached Pt Rambhau
Chandrayaan-1 was working well. The agency is now concerned Kundogolkar known as 'Sawai
about the High Energy X-ray Spectrometer, which may be hit by Gandharva'. He was a great
high radiation. HEX is designed to detect water, uranium and teacher, who taught Pt Bhimsen
thorium – potential energy sources for mankind. Joshi and Firoze Dastur. Her
training under Sawai
ISRO on May 20 moved the spacecraft a little farther to save Gandharva went on
the instruments, but did not disclose the problem. undisturbed for 15 years until
she mastered the Kirana
The other ten instruments were functioning well and Gharana style of music.
scientists were happy with the data. “Almost 95 per cent of the
scientific objectives have been completed, including the 3D Being a truly inspirational woman-achiever of this century,
terrain mapping,” he said. Gangubai is a story of courage, dedication, integration and an
unblemished life. She attributes all her success to her Mother
The Rs 386-crore and revered Guru.
Chandrayaan-1, launched on
October 22, 2008, catapulted India tututu
to the deep-space club.
INDIA, US SIGN THREE AGREEMENTS INCLUDING A
“A complex mission like this
can encounter unexpected
DEFENCE PACT
problems,” Mr Nair said. “After the orientation exercise, it has
India and United States signed
been functioning perfectly normally. Resolution may suffer
three agreements; including a
slightly as the spacecraft was moved farther; but it is acceptable
strategically important Defence pact
to scientists.”
besides the two countries also
announced the beginning of strategic
Since the sensors' collapse, the spacecraft has been orbiting
dialogue. India and the US also agreed
the Moon with the help of gyroscopes, which are alternative
to cooperate in space exploration.
stabilising means, direction finders, and also with small nudges
every two days from the mission control centre at Bangalore. It
Visiting US secretary of state
was “difficult to say how long the spacecraft can survive on
Hillary Clinton and External affairs minister S M Krishna
them,” he said.
signed the agreements at Hyderabad House in the national
capital.
An ISRO release said Chandrayaan has circled Moon 3,000
times and sent over 70,000 images of lunar mountains and
Addressing media, Clinton said the two sides had agreed an
craters. “Other than the failure of the star sensor and a bus
"end-use monitoring" accord that would provide safeguards for
management unit, the health of the spacecraft is normal. The
the sale of highly sophisticated US weaponry to India.
scientists are extremely happy with the data and quality. The
results of their analysis should be known in about 6-12 months,”
The agreement "will pave the way for greater defence
it said.
cooperation" Clinton said, adding that India had also approved
two sites for the construction of US nuclear reactors.
tututu
Hillary also stressed upon on the need to broaden and
RESOUNDING VOICE OF DHARWAD FALLS SILENT deepen the relation between both the countries.
Veteran Hindustani vocalist Dr Gangubai Hangal died in A review of bilateral relations and New Delhi's concerns on
Hubli after prolonged illness. She was 97 years old. Gangubai the terror infrastructure in Pakistan also figured in the
was undergoing treatment at a private hospital before she discussion.
breathed her last.
Krishna appreciated Clinton's efforts to shape closer India-
Born in 1913 in the small town of Hanagal in then Dharwar US ties and informed that the talks between the two leaders
district (now Haveri district), she shifted to Hubli in 1928 and covered full range of global and bilateral issues of mutual
started training under teachers Dattopant Desai and interest.

The two leaders signed on pacts including a strategically SUU KYI CONFERRED GANDHI PEACE AWARD
important defence pact, space cooperation and end-user
monitoring accord that would pave way for more defence deals The pro-democracy Myanmar leader and Nobel laureate
between the two countries. Aung San Suu Kyi has been felicitated with Mahatma Gandhi
International Award for Peace and Reconciliation.
tututu
The award was bestowed by the
GOVT MAY ALLOW IITS, IIMS TO OPEN CAMPUS South African-based Mahatma
ABROAD Gandhi Foundation at a function at
the Durban City Hall on Monday
Shifting from its night.
earlier stand, the
government indicated Burmese Prime Minister in exile,
that it may allow the IITs Thien Win received the award on her
and IIMs to open behalf which was presented by South
campuses in foreign African Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Ebrahim Ismail
countries. Ebrahim.
Minister of State for Bestowing the award, Paddy Kearney, a trustee of the
Human Resource Foundation, said the award was being given on July 20 because it
Development D represents the 20th anniversary of Suu Kyi's house arrest by the
Purandeswari told the military junta in her country.
Rajya Sabha that government would be open to idea of allowing
the IITs and IIMs to set up campuses in foreign countries once "She is a non-violent leader in the mould of Mahatma
they improve their faculty positions. Gandhi, Nelson Mandela and Martin Luther King. The award is
in recoginition of her strong commitment to non-violence,
The government had earlier turned down a proposal of IIM justice and peace," he said.
Bangalore to open a campus in Singapore. The HRD Ministry
did not agree to the proposal saying that the Memorandum of We are not sure whether she knows about this award but
Association of IIM, Bangalore, does not empower the institute to what we can tell you that our chairperson Ela Gandhi, had sent a
open campuses abroad. letter to the Burmese ambassador in Pretoria and it was returned
without being opened, he added.
The Minister said it may not be immediately feasible for the
IITs and IIMs to open campuses abroad as they are facing faculty Kearney said that South Africa fully supports Aung San Suu
shortages and have to undertake 54 per cent expansion in their Kyi and the Myanmarese people in their struggle.
intake to implement OBC quota.
tututu
Replying a separate question, the minister said the
government has received suggestions that while increasing the MORE THAN ONE SPORTSPERSON TO GET KHEL RATNA
overall number of seats by 54 per cent in IITs, increase in
number of seats in individual disciplines may not be insisted For the first time more than one sportsperson may be
upon. awarded the country's highest sporting award, Rajiv Gandhi
Khel Ratna. Beijing Games bronze medallists, boxer Vijender
It may be decided by taking into account the popularity, Singh and wrestler Sushil Kumar along with four-time women's
demand and importance of the disciplines. world boxing champion M.C. Mar ykom have been
recommended for the Khel Ratna.
The suggestions are under consideration of Ministry of Law
and Justice, Purandeswari said. Sports ministry sources said Monday that all the three
sportsperson deserve the award for their outstanding
Setting of campuses abroad may further strain the IITs' performances as none of them could be overlooked.
limited manpower and other resources, Purandeswari said in a
written reply. She said various MOAs of the IIMs will need to be Last year after Marykom was overlooked for the Khel Ratna,
amended because these MOAs do not empower them to open sports minister M.S. Gill assured the Manipuri boxer that she
campuses abroad. will get her due.
THOUSANDS WITNESS RARE CELESTIAL SPECTACLE
Thousands of skywatchers burst into applause as darkness

descended soon after sunrise as the moon came in between the
earth and the sun during the total solar eclipse on 22 July 2009.
However, their counterparts in

Taregna in Bihar, touted as the best
location to watch the longest eclipse
in a century were not as fortunate as
clouds played spoilsport blanking
out the early morning sun.
"Marykom has already been assured by the sports ministry
and both Vijender and Sushil can't be ignored after their Beijing The celestial spectacle began at
showing. The selection committee considered all the factors in 5:45 a.m. and most parts of the
nominating them, leaving it to the ministry to decide whether all country woke up to see an eclipsed
three should be given the Khel Ratna as a special case," the sun as the moon passed between the earth and the sun. It ended
sports official said. at 7.24 a.m.
This would not be the first time more than one sportsperson In Delhi, clouds played hide-and-seek but still astro-
would be receiving the Khel Ratna. Twice in the past two enthusiasts gathered at several places got a glimpse of the sun.
sportspersons were picked for the award. In 1996-97, tennis star Eighty-three per cent of the sun dial was obscured by the moon.
Leander Paes and weightlifter Kunjarani Devi were the joint
recipients while shooter Anjali Vedpathak and athlete K.M. Projectors, telescopes and special solar view goggles were
Beenamol were given in 2002-03. made available to the people who gathered to have a glimpse of
the cosmic event.
The selection committee headed by former table tennis
player Indu Puri also nominated badminton sensation Saina The last partial solar eclipse occurred on January 26, 2009.
Nehwal, the first Indian to win a Super Series event, shooter
Ronjan Sodhi and cricketer Gautam Gambhir for the Arjuna The eclipse was, however, seen clearly from Bikaner, Kota,
Award. Jodhpur, Udaipur, Ganganagar and Hanumangarh.
Olympic medallist Sushil's coach Satpal and former All Visibility of the eclipse, according to experts, was between 75
England Badminton champion and Saina's coach Pullela to 87 per cent. The celestial event began in the state at 0546 hrs
Gopichand are two among the five coaches, who have been and ended at 0723 hrs.
nominated for the Dronacharya Award.
In the western part of the country, rains and clouds denied
Listofawardees: the celestial treat to avid sky watchers.
Rajiv Khel Ratna: M.C. Marykom (boxer), Vijender ECLIPSE FACTS

Kumar (boxer) and Sushil Kumar (wrestling)
r Solar eclipses can only occur during a new moon.
Arjuna Award: Mangal Singh Champia (archery), r The maximum time for a total solar eclipse is 7 minutes and
Sinimol Paulose (athletics), Saina Nehwal (badminton), L. 40 seconds.
Saritha Devi (boxing), Tania Sachdeva (chess), Gautam r The maximum time for an annular solar eclipse is 12
Gambhir (cricket), Ignatius Tirkey (hockey), Surinder Kaur minutes 24 seconds.
(hockey), Pankaj Shirsat (kabaddi), B. Prabhu (physically r Solar eclipses can occur at least 2 and no more than 5 times
challenged), Satish Joshi (rowing), Ranjan Sodhi (shooting), a year.
Poulami Ghatak (table tennis), Yogeshwar Dutt (wrestling), r Solar eclipses are visible in a narrow path a maximum of 167
G.L. Yadav (yatching) miles wide (269km.)
r At any geographic position on the Earth, a total solar eclipse
Dronacharya Award: Baldev Singh (hockey), Jaidev Bisht occur an average of once every 360 years.
(boxing), Satpal (wrestling), Pullela Gopichand (badminton) r Eclipses very often occur in threes, alternating lunar, solar
and Udaikumar (kabaddi). and lunar.

Current events
World
G8 PROMISES MAY HAVE SOME LEGS endorsing the professed pious intentions of the developed world
towards the rest of the world and to turning up for the photo-ops.
The G8 summit wound up with a wry acknowledgement of In fact, the G8 declarations were published even before the
its growing irrelevance as the outreach countries had a chance to meet.
world's premier power bloc.
Pheonix-like, the G14 is rising The declaration also signals an attempt to institutionalise
from its ashes, a much more the consultations of what is being called the Heiligendamm-
inclusive body, with developed and L'Aquila process.
developing countries on an equal
footing. It also reflected the changed equations, laying stress on
equal partnership while expressing the decision to continue that
The intimation of G -8's partnership. “We have decided to continue our partnership over
impending demise came from the the two years on an equal footing.”
host of the summit, Italian
President Silvio Berlusconi. “We The declaration also made, as foreign secretary Menon put
saw that G8 is no longer a suitable it, the “most unequivocal ever” endorsement of the demand by
format to show a global economic way of doing. Instead, a India and other developing countries to reform international
consolidated G-14 representing 80% of the world economy organisations, including the UN, to reflect contemporary reality
could help create a real dialogue. We want to see if the G14 is the and challenges, thus “enhancing their relevance, legitimacy and
best solution for debates which will bring to us unique results.” efficiency”.
Berlusconi was merely echoing the creeping realisation The desire to provide an institutional framework for the G8-
among the G-8 countries that the steady decline of the G5 framework also came out clearly through the statement–“we
developed nations, coupled with the rapid rise of developing have decided to continue our partnership over the next two years
countries like India and China, had rendered the rich club on an equal footing”.
irrelevant.
tututu
The deliberations of the G8 and G5 saw even French
President Nicholas Sarkozy making a strong case for the G14 to KOERTZEN BECOMES FIRST UMPIRE TO STAND IN
deal with issues of global governance after President Lula of 200 ODIS
Brazil spoke about the idea of a new group.
South African umpire Rudi Koertzen
Italian newspapers headlined their report on Berlusconi's became the first to stand in 200 One-Day
remarks thus: 'The G8 is over, now we need a G14'. Internationals cricket in the second ODI
between Ireland and Kenya at Clontarf
It's been a while since rapid changes in the global balance of Cricket Club Ground.
economic power have turned the G8–which started as a fireside
chat among seven industrialised countries (Russia came in after Koertzen, 60, made his international
the end of the Cold War)–into an anachronism. debut in the match between South Africa
and India in Port Elizabeth December
The grudging effort termed 'outreach' to make the group 1992 and since then has gone on to
more representative was half-hearted, with the invitees being become one of the game's most respected
denied voting rights–their contributions were limited to officials.

The second Ashes Test between England and Australia at and the cordial ties between our
Lord's July 16, 2009 marked Koertzen's 100th Test and made armed forces.”
him only the second umpire after Steve Bucknor (128 Tests and
181 ODIs) to complete the double. He further went on to say
that the French Revolution
A member of International Cricket Council's Emirates Elite marked a defining moment in
Panel of umpires since 2002, Koertzen stood in the 1999, 2003 world histor y, “when the
and 2007 ICC Cricket World Cups and the ICC World Twenty20 aspirations of the common man
2009. began to acquire a central place
in political and social life.”
“For someone who started umpiring very late in life, it is a
huge personal achievement and a dream come true. It is really a He said the ideals of the
great and satisfying feeling” Koertzen said. French Revolution – Liberty, Equality and Fraternity – helped
inspire our freedom struggle (against British colonial rule) and
Sharing his international journey, he said: “It has been an guided the founding fathers of the Indian Constitution.
exciting 17 years in the business. Every job has highs and lows
and umpiring is no exception.” He said that he was grateful to President Sarkozy for giving
India a place of honour on this great occasion.
“Umpiring provided me the opportunity to travel, meet
amazing people, understand different cultures but most Reiterating that relations and cooperation between India and
importantly it was a privilege to see young talents become France were growing in strength and vitality in all fields, the
stalwarts.” Prime Minister said, “We have a strategic partnership and have
built vibrant political ties with collaboration in energy, space
“It has been a very rewarding and a fascinating journey, research, defence, industry and commerce, science and
something that I am proud of ” said Koertzen, who received a technology, culture and tourism.”
trophy from Cricket Ireland (CI) president Arthur Vince on
behalf of the International Cricket Council (ICC) to mark the “It is my ardent wish that this partnership between our two
occasion. democracies is further strengthened and defined in the years to
come. This will benefit the people of both our countries,” Dr.
Extending his wishes, ICC President David Morgan said: Singh said.
“Rudi's achievement is a result of his tremendous dedication,
commitment and fitness. Umpiring is something he wanted to tututu
do and his achievements reflect that he has done it with passion
and hard work.” ARTICLE 370 SHOULD BE SCRAPPED
tututu Kashmiri Pundits living in the United States have demanded
that the Article 370, that provides special
PM GETS RARE HONOUR OF BEING CHIEF GUEST AT status to the state of Jammu and
FRENCH DAY Kashmir, be scrapped as it is no longer
relevant. The demand was made at a
Indian Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh, said that the recently held second annual National
participation of an Indian armed forces contingent in the Camp of Kashmiri Pundits at South
Bastille Day parade on the occasion of France's National Day Lake Tahoe in California.
reflected the friendship and strategic partnership between the
two countries. Some 85 families from various parts of the US participated in
the meet. In his key note address, the former Union Minister,
In a statement issued after taking part in the event as the Subramanian Swamy, said Article 370 could be repealed by a
Chief Guest of Honour, Dr. Singh said, “I am delighted to be simple cabinet decision and a recommendation to the President
present today at the National Day (14 July) celebrations of of India.
France. The magnificent parade that we have witnessed
dramatizes the strength and dynamism of this great nation. It Participants of the camp felt that Article 370 has been
was an honour to have a contingent representing all three continuously relegated to the background and has been used
services of our armed forces lead the parade. This reflects the against Kashmiri Hindus. They felt it is no longer relevant and
friendship and strategic partnership between our two countries be scrapped as soon as possible.

The two day event with the theme of “Connect Kashmir” INDIA ASKS PAKISTAN TO TAKE ACTION AGAINST
held was marked with a series of cultural events including
music. The highlights included a very enjoyable and MUMBAI TERROR ATTACK PERPETRATORS
entertaining musical performance from the most celebrated
artist from Kashmir also known as Nightingale of Kashmir, External Affairs Minister S.M Krishna has said that New
Kailash Mehra Sadhu. She regaled the audience with some well Delhi would like a visible response from
known folk songs and ghazals. Islamabad, which should have commitment to
bring to justice the perpetrators of the Mumbai
tututu terror attacks.
Speaking at a press conference on the

PAK ARMY HAS CONTACTS WITH TALIBAN LEADERS: sidelines of the Non-Aligned Movement
ABBAS (NAM) Summit in Sharm-al Shaikh, Krishna
said that India wants an assurance from
The Pakistan army has admitted that it is in contact with Pakistan that acts of terrorism engineered from Pakistani soil
Afghan Taliban leaders, will not be repeated.
including Mullah
Mohammad Omar, and He expected that Pakistan would give an undertaking that
can bring them to the their soil will not be used again for such acts.
negotiating table with
the US if its concerns “Terrorism threatens democracy and democratic values...It
with India are addressed. is also a threat to international peace and security,” he said.
Pa k i s t a n ' s c h i e f Earlier, Krishna said that Pakistan was sending conflicting

military spokesman Maj signals on punishing the perpetrators of Mumbai terror attacks,
Gen Athar Abbas has which occurred last November.
been quoted by CNN in
an interview as saying Krishna also criticised Islamabad for not taking concrete
that the military is still in steps to challenge a Pakistani court's order to release Hafiz
contact with Taliban commanders like Mullah Omar, Jalalladin Mohammad Sayeed, the founder of the Lashkar-e-Taiba, who is
Haqqani, Mullah Nazir and Gulbuddin Hekmatyar of the Hizb- also wanted for Mumbai terror attacks.
e-Islami.
In another move, Foreign Secretaries of India and Pakistan
Within hours of CNN airing the report, the Inter-Services Shivshankar Menon and Salman Bashir are likely to review the
Public Relations issued a denial, saying the remarks attributed progress made by Islamabad to bring to book the perpetrators of
to Abbas were “totally baseless, fabricated and unfounded as the Mumbai attacks.
well as out of context”.
Relations between India and Pakistan have been under
“No intelligence organisation in the world shuts its last door considerable stress and the prime cause for it is terror acts
on any other organisation. So therefore, the contacts are there. emanating from Pakistan.
The communication remains,” CNN quoted Abbas as saying in
the interview. tututu
Abbas said in return for any role as a
broker between the US and the Taliban, LeT MAY TARGET INDIA AGAIN: UN ANTI-TERROR
Pakistan wants concessions from OFFICIAL
Washington over Islamabad's concerns
with long-time rival India, the channel Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) is still active and
reported. there is a “real risk” that the terror group may target India again
to increase tensions between the two neighbours, a top UN
It claimed that senior US officials had official said.
told the channel that President Barack
Obama's administration is “willing both to talk to top Taliban “Lashkar-e-Taiba tactics is quite obvious. It is trying to
leaders and to raise some of Pakistan's concerns with India”. increase tensions between India and Pakistan at a time when

they and their associates are particularly under pressure in “That's the primary purpose of them coming to the United
western Pakistan,” said Richard Barrett, Coordinator of the UN States to use our test range.” O'Reilly did not say when the test
Security Council's al-Qaeda and Taliban Sanctions Monitoring flight would occur.
Committee.
“The upcoming test also provides us the opportunity to have
LeT, which is responsible for holding a series of terrorist the Patriot system, the THAAD system and the Aegis system all
attacks in India including the Mumbai terror strikes, has been interacting with the Arrow system so that we're demonstrating
declared as a terrorist organisation by the United Nations full interoperability as we execute this test,” he added.
Security Council.
Israel carried out a successful test launch of its Arrow II
“They may do that again,” Barrett said, adding that “this is interceptor missile in April, 2009 shooting down a target
the real risk”. designed to simulate an Iranian Shehab missile over the
Mediterranean.
Barrett along with Chairman of the Security Council's al-
Qaeda and Taliban Sanctions Committee, Thomas Israel Radio said the April exercise was the 16th test launch
Mayr-Harting, the Austrian Ambassador, addressed a joint press of an Arrow. A defense source in Israel said 90 percent of the
conference at the UN headquarters. tests have been successful.
Barrett said several LeT attacks have taken place in Lahore, At least two Arrow batteries have been deployed in Israel,
which is hardly in the tribal areas, and even Pakistani soldiers in which has been testing the system to improve its performance at
Kashmir had been attacked. “I think, these groups are real high altitudes against multiple incoming missiles.
concern to Pakistan,” he said, adding LeT is also having
operational links with the Taliban. Israel fears that Iran's uranium enrichment program is
aimed at producing nuclear weapons that could be placed
tututu on medium to long-range missiles. Iran denies the
allegation.
ISRAEL TO TEST ARROW MISSILE ON U.S. PACIFIC tututu
RANGE
ICC GENOCIDE CHARGE SOUGHT FOR SUDAN'S BASHIR
Israel will soon test an
Arrow interceptor missile on The International Criminal Court
a U.S. missile range in the (ICC) prosecutor Luis Moreno-Ocampo
Pacific Ocean in a joint said he had lodged an appeal to have
exercise that also will involve Sudanese President Omar Hassan al-
three U.S. missile defense Bashir charged with genocide in the
systems, a top U.S. general Darfur conflict.
said.
The ICC has indicted Bashir on
Army Lieutenant General Patrick O'Reilly, director of the seven counts of war crimes and crimes against humanity,
Pentagon's Missile Defense Agency, said the test will allow Israel including murder, rape and torture, but ruled it had insufficient
to measure its advanced Arrow system against a target with a grounds for a charge of genocide.
range of more than 620 miles (1,000 km), too long for previous
Arrow test sites in the eastern Mediterranean. “So I appealed. The appeal chamber will have to decide now.
It will take a few months,” Moreno-Ocampo said in Ethiopia,
The Arrow system, jointly developed by Israel and the where he was meeting African Union (AU) oficials.
United States, is designed to defend the Jewish state against
possible ballistic missile attacks from Iran and Syria. Bashir has dismissed the allegations made by the ICC, the
world's first permanent court for prosecuting war crimes, as part
“They are having a flight test soon this summer,” O'Reilly of a Western conspiracy.
told reporters.
The ICC warrant was first issued against a sitting head of
“They're limited to the range of the missile they can test in state by the Hague-based court. U.N. officials say the Darfur
the eastern Mediterranean. There's a safety issue,” he said. conflict has killed as many as 300,000 people since 2003.

Moreno-Ocampo said an AU motion saying African nations
would not cooperate with the ICC's order to arrest or surrender
Bashir was not a setback.
“They asked the U.N. Security Council to do something and

the Security Council did not answer them,” he said of the AU's
request for the indictment to be deferred.
“They are not saying President Bashir is innocent. It's not

against me. It's a discussion between political organisations ...
The AU made a political statement. The decision to implement
the warrant is an individual decision of each state.”
Sudan says the AU vote means its president is free to travel

across Africa, even though 30 states in Africa signed up the
global court. Under its statute, member countries are required
to arrest suspects within their territories. won the crown in 1999 and 2003 were those present. The sound
and laser show that showcased the key moments of all the
Bashir has only visited states not bound by the court's rules previous World Cups was a breathtaking affair. Lorgat sought to
since the warrant was issued. dispel fears of one-day format being overtaken by the huge
popularity of the Twenty20 version saying that the limited over
Moreno-Ocampo said he was convinced Bashir would face World Cup continued to be ICC's showpiece event.
justice eventually. “The court can wait for the arrest of President
Bashir. It can wait six months or six years even. The victims “The (50-over) World Cup is the flagship event of the ICC.
cannot wait.” What we have will hold up in the future,” he announced to the
audience which had several former Mumbai-based Test
Washington also accuses Bashir of committing genocide cricketers including Ajit Wadekar, Bapu Nadkarni and Umesh
during the conflict in Darfur that surged in 2003 when mostly Kulkarni. Lorgat also said that the 2011 World Cup would be
non-Arab rebels took up arms against the Sudan government, over in 40-plus dates and would involve 14 teams.
accusing it of neglecting the western region.
Pawar, the chairman of the 2011 World Cup Organising
Earlier, Botswana condemned the AU resolution, saying it Committee, announced that the Indian board has decided to
was not properly discussed at the July summit chaired by Libyan keep the ticket prices at affordable rates to encourage the
leader Muammar Gaddafi. student community to witness the matches and reiterated that
Mumbai's Wankhede Stadium would host the final. “The Indian
“It is our view that Africa should not try to undermine the board has decided to keep the rates of the tickets low to
work of the ICC simply because one head of state called Bashir encourage the student community. We don't want to make too
has been indicted by the Court.” much money out of gates. “This has come after what we saw in
the West Indies (during the 2007 World Cup),” he added.
tututu
Pawar also said that Pakistan, which would not hold any
WC 2011 LOGO LAUNCHED AMID FANFARE matches, would continue to be part of the organizational set-up.
“I'm upset that a major partner Pakistan is not organising a
The 2011 World Cup, to be hosted in the sub-continent, was match due to unfortunate circumstances. They will be very
launched with all the fanfare by the International Cricket much part of the organising committee and would help organize
Council with a member each from most of the previous winners the World Cup in a dignified manner,” he said.
present along with ICC vice-president Sharad Pawar and Chief
Executive Haroon Lorgat. tututu
Clive Lloyd, the captain of the West Indies sides that won in ‘ ENDEAVOUR’ BLASTS OFF FROM CAPE CANAVERAL
1975 and 1979 in England, India's 1983 winning-team members
Balwinder Sandhu and Dilip Vengsarkar, Sri Lanka's Aravinda NASA's space shuttle Endeavour finally lifted off from the
D'Silva who played a major role in the 1996 Cup winning squad Kennedy Space Center, its sixth bid to launch toward the
and Michael Bevan of Australia who was part of the team that orbiting International Space Station.

The shuttle basted off in what was the sixth attempt on the Nehru, along with Gamal Abdel Nasser of Egypt and
heels of a stream of Marshal Tito of then Yugoslavia, were prime movers in shaping
weather woes and the NAM, founded at the 1955 Bandung conference.
technical troubles.
Underlining the importance of NAM in addressing
Soaring into the contemporary global problems, Manmohan Singh said the 15th
Florida sky, the shuttle NAM summit was being held amid the world's worst economic
accelerated into space crisis in living memory.
faster than the speed of
sound, reaching 26,000 The NAM has 'a great stake in ensuring that steps planned to
kilometers per hour in revive the global economy take into account the concerns of
less than nine minutes. developing countries,' he said.
In the minutes before 'These include the challenges of food security, energy
liftoff when it became clear that weather would not cause security, the environment and the reform of institutions of global
another costly delay, NASA's relief was evident. governance,' he said.
"Persistence pays off, good luck and good speed," said launch Manmohan Singh's reiteration of faith in NAM, which
director Pete Nickolenko. proudly flaunted equidistance from the Cold War superpowers,
the US and the then USSR, has lost its relevance in today's
Endeavour's launch has been scrubbed three times due to unipolar world. Developing countries must be 'fully represented
bad weather. in the decision-making levels of international institutions.’
Two earlier attempts in June were aborted after potentially tututu

hazardous fuel leaks were discovered, apparently caused by a
misaligned plate linking a hydrogen gas vent line with the BILL GATES RECEIVE INDIRA GANDHI PEACE PRIZE
external fuel tank.
Bill Gates, the founder of software giant Microsoft, received
The previous attempts left the cash-strapped US space the Indira Gandhi Prize for Peace, Disarmament and
agency footing 4.5 million dollars in extra costs. Development in New Delhi.
tututu The award received on behalf of the

Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation,
NAM MORE RELEVANT THAN EVER: MANMOHAN SINGH which has been providing grants for
public health activities, notably in the
Indian Prime Minister Manmohan areas of HIV/AIDS prevention and
Singh said the relevance of the Non- communication.
Alignment Movement (NAM) has ‘never
been greater than today and called for The Gates Foundation started
greater solidarity among members in operations in India in 2003 and has
tackling global challenges, including the committed over 200 million dollars to
financial crisis, energy security, climate HIV prevention in India, its largest
change and the UN reforms’. commitment to the campaign in any country.
'History has shown that non-alignment is an idea that evolves Gates also met Health and Family Welfare Minister Ghulam
but does not fade. We must take it forward, harnessing it to meet Nabi Azad.
the challenges of today,' Manmohan Singh said on the opening
day of the 15th NAM summit that was attended by 118 leaders The foundation has been working with vulnerable
from developing countries. communities like sex workers, drug injectors, and men having
sex with men, among others, in six states of the country.
Invoking the words of India's first Prime Minister Jawaharlal
Nehru at the first NAM conference in 1961, Manmohan Singh There are 2.47 million persons in India living with HIV,
said: 'The power of nations assembled here is not military power equivalent to approximately 0.36 per cent of the adult
or economic power, nevertheless it is power.’ population.

Current events
Business and Economy

BAHRAIN'S BATELCO TO LAUNCH INDIA SERVICES BY However, the company will go ahead with its plans in
YEAR-END Jharkhand, and has secured iron ore mines and coal linkages to
the project, company sources said.
Bahrain-based telecom services provider Batelco expects its
Indian mobile phone affiliate S Tel to An e-mail reply from the steel
start operations in the fourth quarter of major said it was not expecting its
this year, a senior company official has projects in India to start before 2014.
said. “We have been working very closely
with our partners and we are looking “We have paused our growth projects at present for obvious
forward to the launch of full services reasons. The projects in India are greenfield ones that have
from S Tel during the fourth quarter of considerable lead time, as they involve land acquisition,
this year,” company's Chief Executive Peter Kaliaropoulos was environmental concerns, etc. But we remain committed to our
quoted by Bahrain's Gulf Daily News as saying. investment in India,” said the e-mailed reply.
The company said in April that this year's net profit would The London-based company was planning to start
depend on whether it starts operations in the fourth quarter or construction of the Orissa and Jharkand projects the company's
the first quarter of next year. S Tel has licences to operate in only new steel plants globally, each with a proposed yearly
Bihar, Orissa, Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Assam capacity of 12 million tonnes by the end of this year, with a
and north-eastern states. commissioning deadline of 2014.
Kaliaropoulos said in April he expected full-year net profit to The projects were announced in 2005-end, a time when
be above 90 million Bahraini dinars ( 238.7 million) if its Indian global economy was sound and demand for steel was bright.
affiliate started operations in the fourth quarter and booked
start-up costs of about 9 million Bahraini dinars. He expected a A source said apart from the dwindling demand for steel,
net profit of above 100 million Bahraini dinars if the operations land acquisition has been a major hindrance for progress of the
in India, Batelco's first outside the Gulf region, begins next year. project in Orissa. The project requires about 8,000 acres in the
tribal Patna tehsil in Keonjhar district.
“We are working tirelessly to meet our commitments to
Tribals, with the support of activists, were opposing the
ensure the success of this venture, the first for Batelco outside
project. The steel major also faced tribal opposition for its
the GCC and Middle East region, he said. S Tel was established
Jharkhand project.
to gain entry into the rapidly growing mobile markets of North
East and North West India.”
Sources said the Orissa government could mobilise only
tututu about 1,500 acres and the company had also delayed payment for
the acquired land, giving an indication to the state government
that it was going slow on the project. The company finalised the
ARCELOR MITTAL'S RS 40,000-CR PROJECT PUT ON Detailed Project Report (DPR) for the Orissa project only by the
HOLD FOR 2 YRS end of 2008.
The world's largest steel maker, Arcelor Mittal, has put on Sources said the delay in projects would cause capital
hold its proposed Rs 40,000-crore steel plant in Orissa's escalation by about 50 per cent. The company will have to spend
Keonjhar district for at least two years, as the global demand for an additional $9 billion for completion of the projects, due to the
steel is stagnating. delay, a Credit Suisse report had estimated.

South Korean steel maker Posco's $11.6 billion Orissa have made extraordinary contributions in
project is also facing regulatory hurdles, along with issues of responsible corporate citizenship, the
land acquisition. Tata Steel's new projects in Jharkhand, Orissa combat against global warming,
and Chhattisgarh have been delayed by two to three years due to involvement in social causes and creating
land acquisition problems and other issues. jobs in America in a globalised economy.
tututu Nooyi's key contributions include

promoting and supporting socially responsible business
TOYOTA LAUNCHES LEXUS HYBRID practices, including climate change, the GSCLG said in a
statement.
Toyota Motor Corp launched its first dedicated hybrid model
under the premium Lexus brand, saying US-based GSCLG is an association of senior supply chain
it had received orders worth six months executives, magazine editors, selected consultants and other
of targeted sales in Japan. supply chain thought leaders who come together to share and
enhance their rich intellectual capital for the benefit of its
The launch of HS250h sedan marks members and their organisations.
the latest push by world's biggest
automaker to drive fuel-sipping hybrids Further, Nooyi was also instrumental in the company's
into the mainstream as governments around the world tighten efforts to provide a wider portfolio of nutritious foods and
emissions and fuel economy regulations while offering beverages and her commitment to global citizenship was
consumers incentives to purchase less-polluting cars. evidenced by her multi-year growth strategy, it said.
Powered by a 2.5-litre engine, the car starts at ¥3.95 million The award is presented to the individual who receives the
($42,460) in Japan, making it the cheapest model. highest aggregate ratings in leading, developing and
maintaining sustainable, responsible business practices in its
tututu global operations.
tututu
SONY UNVEILS 'W' SERIES MP3 PLAYERS
Sony India, said it plans to increase CMIE REVISES DOWN INDIA'S GROWTH PROJECTION
its share to 30 per cent in the Indian TO 5.8%
MP3 market by next year – through
innovative products, expanding its sales Economic think-tank Centre for Monitoring
network and adopting an 'aggressive' Indian Economy (CMIE) revised down India's
marketing strategy. growth forecast to 5.8 per cent in the current
fiscal on account of lower agricultural output
Sony India, which launched its latest and slower industrial recovery due to the poor
'W' series of MP3 players, said the firm is planning to sell 1.8 lakh progress of monsoon.
units by year 2010. The company sold around 85,000 units last
year and currently has a market share of 20 per cent in the Indian "The impact of the lower agricultural output and the slower
MP3 market. The company said it is also planning to increase its industrial recovery will be felt. We now expect the GDP to grow
retail presence to 3,000 outlets including its company-owned by 5.8 per cent in 2009-10 compared to 6.6 per cent expected
centres, multi-brand stores and modern retail chains. earlier," CMIE said in a release.
tututu It said that while the Union Budget for 2009-10 is

expansionary and conducive to growth, the failure of the
INDRA NOOYI NAMED CEO OF THE YEAR monsoon and its significantly adverse impact on agriculture and
industry will shave off 0.8 percentage points from the GDP
Beverages major Pepsico's India-origin Chief Executive growth rate.
Officer Indra Nooyi has been named as 2009 CEO of the Year by
Global Supply Chain Leaders Group (GSCLG) for promoting "The poor progress of the south-west monsoon till the first
socially responsible business practices. week of July 2009 is expected to adversely affect the prospects of
growth in agriculture, in industry and in the gross domestic
The CEO of the Year award recognises industry leaders who product of the country as a whole," CMIE said.

It said that because of the impact of the failed monsoon, product," said Sheri McLeish, an analyst with Forrester
production of sugar and edible oils will fall by 3.6 per cent and 2.5 Research.
per cent respectively. Further, agro-based industries are
expected to witness some stress. The Office division rang up operating profit of $9.3 billion on
sales of $14.3 billion in the first three quarters of the software
tututu maker's current fiscal year.
MICROSOFT TAKES ON GOOGLE AS OFFICE MOVES McLeish expects Microsoft to overtake Google in the market
as the hundreds of millions of people who use Office flock to try
TO WEB
out the Internet version.
Microsoft Corp will release three versions of its dominant
Microsoft will release the web offerings when it starts selling
Office software that users
Office 2010, it next major release of the product, sometime in
can access over the Web,
the first half of next year. Its current version came out in January
catching up with products
that rival Google Inc 2007.
launched three years ago.
Company spokeswoman Janice Kapner said the free Web
It is the latest salvo in an version will provide "a very rich experience" and probably have
intensifying war between more functionality than Google.
Microsoft and Google.
Google announced plans to challenge Windows with a free Office 2010 is among a wave of upgrades to Microsoft
operating system. Microsoft introduced a new search engine, programs planned over the next year. A new version of its
Bing, last month. ubiquitous Windows operating system is coming out in October
2009 and a new version of its widely used email server is also in
"Microsoft is finally making the conversion through the Web- the works.
based world. First, we saw that through Bing. Now we are seeing
that through Office," said Jefferies & Co analyst Katherine tututu
Egbert.
GOOGLE TO LAUNCH OPERATING SYSTEM FOR PCS
Microsoft will offer for free to consumers Web-based
versions of its Office suite of programs, including a word Google Inc is preparing to
processor, spreadsheet, presentation software and a note-taking launch an operating system
program. for personal computers next
year, taking direct aim at the
Microsoft will also host one Internet business version of dominance of Microsoft
Office at its own data centers, charging companies a yet-to- be- Corp's Windows franchise.
announced fee. Companies with premium service contracts will
have the choice of running a second Web-based version from Called the Google Chrome Operating System, the new
their own data centers at no extra cost. software will be targeted at netbook computers and be fast and
lightweight, enabling users to access the Web in a few seconds,
The company hopes to make money by using the free Google said in a statement.
software to lead users to its ad-supported websites, including
Bing. Analysts have said that Bing's early signs of success Netbooks running the new operating system – based on
suggest Microsoft may be rounding the corner in efforts to turn open-source Linux code – will be available for consumers in the
around its money-losing Internet division. second half of 2010, Google said, adding it was working with
multiple manufacturers.
Still, a free version of Office could hurt sales of Microsoft's
top-selling and most profitable unit. One of Office's most Google also said Google Chrome OS was a new project,
popular titles is a home version that sells for $150. It includes the separate from its Android mobile operating software found in
four programs that Microsoft will give away. smartphones.
"Microsoft is in a tough spot. Their competition isn't just "All web-based applications will automatically work and new
undercutting them. They are giving away the competitive applications can be written using your favourite web

technologies," Sundar Pichai, vice president of product "Feasibility study of the car (Yeti) will be started within a few
management at Google, said in a Google blog. weeks and by the end of
the year, we will be able to
tututu announce the date of
launch. It is unlikely that
BHARTI-MTN DEAL IS 'WELL THOUGHT OUT': SUNIL it will be launched in this
fiscal, but it will surely
MITTAL
come in 2010,"
SkodaAuto India Senior
Telecom czar Sunil Mittal has said that Bharti Airtel's
General Manager (Sales
proposed USD 23 billion
a n d N e t w o r k
transaction with South African
Development) Ashutosh
telecom major MTN is a "well
Dixit said.
thought out" deal.
Before the commercial launch of 'Yeti' in India, the car would
The planned deal with MTN
be showcased in the upcoming Auto Expo in the National
is expected to create an entity
Capital in January next year, he added.
with more than 200 million
subscribers.
"Yeti was unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show this year and
the vehicle is likely to be launched in the European markets in
"MTN is a well thought out
September in both petrol and diesel engines," Dixit said, adding
deal and has been in the works in some sense for a long time,"
for the Indian market, Yeti's engine capacity would be decided
Bharti Enterprises Chairman and Group CEO Sunil Mittal, said
after the completion of the feasibility study.
in an interview. Bharti Airtel is part of the diversified group
Bharti Enterprises.
Asked whether the car would be manufactured in India,
he said, "It will be brought in as a completely-knocked-down
"We need to expand our horizons and go out of India. That is
(CKD) unit and will be assembled at our Aurangabad
what we have been trying over the last couple of years. The focus
facility."
has to be on Africa, the Middle East and some other developing
markets," Mittal said.
tututu
Both Bharti Airtel and MTN are in exclusive discussions till
for a potential deal estimated to be worth about USD 23 billion. CISCO AND TATA COMMUNICATIONS COLLABORATE TO
TAKE WIRELESS ROAD IN GURGAON
The proposal, if it works out, would result in Bharti Airtel
getting a 49 per cent stake in MTN while the South African Cisco and Tata Communications announce that the
telecom entity will get a 36 per cent "economic interest" in Bharti companies have teamed to promote the
Airtel. Digital Lifestyle for consumers at home
and on the go.
Last year, the two entities were in discussions for a
transaction which did not materialise. The two companies have decided that
as a first step they will work together on a
tututu series of joint promotions to show the
benefits of going wireless to consumers in
SKODA TO ASSEMBLE 'YETI' AT AURANGABAD PLANT the Gurgaon district. A specially-built
mobile van, equipped with Linksys by
Czech carmaker Skoda said it will assemble its upcoming Cisco home networking solutions and enabled by Tata
sports utility vehicle (SUV) 'Yeti' at its Indian plant once it is Communications' wireless broadband services will travel to
commercially launched in the country next year. residential areas in the Gurgaon locale, and highlight the ease
and freedom offered by going wireless and the benefits of a
SkodaAuto India, the wholly-owned Indian subsidiary, will connected lifestyle.
showcase the SUV at the Auto Expo in the National Capital in
January next year after its European launch in September this Between July 13 and August 9, 2009, the experiential van
year. plans to travel through Gurgaon residential regions to

demonstrate Cisco's next generation wireless home networking The Reference rate is based on 12 noon rates of a few
solutions including entertainment routers, wireless adaptor, selected banks in Mumbai and the SDR-Rupee rate will be
internet home monitoring camera and network attached based on this rate, the release added.
storage. These technologies, which use the network as the
platform, will highlight experiential demonstrations of wireless tututu
home solutions such as internet sharing, wireless printing,
home monitoring and video streaming. Consumers will also GILL MARCUS NEW GOVERNOR OF S AFRICA’S
have the opportunity to win a wireless router on each day of the
demonstration by participating in 'lucky draw' contests.
RESERVE BANK
Customers can benefit from a discount of Rs 200 to Rs 1,000 on
Former political activist of the ruling African National
various products during the period.
Congress in South Africa, Gill Marcus, was appointed as the
country's new Reserve Bank
tututu
Governor. President Jacob
Zuma made the announcement
GM INDIA OFFERS BUY BACK SCHEME FOR ASTRA AND at the Government's Union
CORSA Buildings in Pretoria.
Car maker General Motors India said it has offered a new Zuma said Marcus, a former
scheme under which customers can Deputy Governor of the Reserve
exchange their Opel cars for Chevrolet Bank, would take over from the
brands. Under the buy back scheme all c u r r e n t g o v e r n o r, Ti t o
the existing Opel owners can get a new Mboweni, in November. "Mr
Chevrolet model for their Astra or Corsa Mboweni's contract expires in
cars, General Motors (GM) India said in August and he has indicated that he will leave in November to
a statement. pursue other interests," said Zuma.
"With the buy back scheme, we are Mboweni, a former Minister in Nelson Mandela's first
giving an opportunity to our customers to enjoy the Chevrolet cabinet, has been Governor of the Reserve Bank since 1999.
experience. Our goal is to continue to reach out to our customers Marcus, who is currently the chairman of the ABSA Bank Group,
both new and old, and provide them best and the latest cars," GM said she was honoured by the appointment.
India Vice President P Balendran said.
"I will follow in the footsteps of Mr Mboweni," she said.
As part of the scheme customers will be offered a market Economists have widely welcomed the decision, saying Marcus
price based on the physical condition and model-year of their car was the "right person" for the job.
for a limited period the company said. "In addition, customers
will also be offered free accessories worth Rs 10,000 by the dealer Johannesburg Economist, Iraj Abedian said, "I think the first
under the Opel exchange programme," it added. challenge that Ms Marcus will have to face is to engage the
Cabinet and the new Minister of Finance on the controversial
tututu policy of inflation targeting." Country's largest trade union
federation COSATU has also supported Marcus's appointment.
RBI REFERENCE RATE FOR US DOLLAR AND EURO
tututu
The Reserve Bank of India fixed the
Reference rate for the US currency at Rs SC NOTICE ON GOVT PLEA ON GAS DISPUTE; HEARING
48.43 per dollar and the single European ON SEP 1
unit at Rs 68.59 per euro from Rs 48.69 per
dollar and Rs 68.69 per euro respectively The Supreme Court sent the Ambani brothers' cross appeals
from July 17, 2009. In a press note issued by against the Bombay high court judgment to a three-judge bench to
the RBI, the exchange rates of Great Britain's Pound and be constituted by September 1, which indicates that there would
Japanese Yen against the Rupee have been given as Rs 79.4809 be no early decision on the myriad questions raised by the parties.
per pound and Rs 51.10 per 100 yen respectively, based on the
Reference rate for US dollar and middle rates of the cross The two-judge bench headed by Chief Justice K G
currency quotes at noon. Balakrishnan issued notice on the special leave petition moved

by the central government, though lawyers for Anil Ambani- U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-
owned RNRL bitterly opposed moon said impoverished people have
it. They argued that the already suffered most from the
government was only an economic crisis and urged rich
intervener in the high court and countries not to cut their assistance
it withdrew midway during the budgets.
hearing there when a
government official was sought Several aid groups also published studies warning that the
to be cross-examined. souring economy had made more people dangerously sick.
Moreover, said lawyer- A drying-up of foreign aid “is likely to lead to preventable
politician Ram Jethmalani, the oil ministry was “in the pocket” deaths and disease,” according to a UNAIDS/World Bank report,
of the respondent (RIL). This led to some repartees on what was which found that many patients are struggling to gain access to
in whose pocket. life-saving drugs because of the downturn.
Additional Solicitor General Mohan Parasaran justified the “The global economic crisis has the potential to affect the
government's appeal on the ground that it was “deeply lives of 3.4 million people on antiretroviral treatment, another 7
aggrieved” by the order of the High Court. million who also need the treatment but don't have access to it
and others who will need treatment in the future,” it said.
The Chief Justice remarked at the start of the hearing that
the petitions should be heard by a larger bench in view of the The International Federation of Red Cross and Red
issues raised. After consulting the lawyers representing the Crescent Societies (IFRC), which links together 186 national
parties, September 1 was selected. aid groups, warned of growing epidemics of dengue fever,
meningitis, and other diseases that poor countries will need help
Counsel Mukul Rohtagi for RNRL submitted that though to fight.
the high court had given a judgment in its favour on all points,
like the price, the quantity and the 17-year-period, it could not “Resources for tackling epidemics of infectious diseases
enjoy the fruit of the judgment because of the appeals. He also are scarce,” it said in a report, warning that preoccupied
opposed the intervention of several consumers like power and wealthy nations could end up exposing themselves to public
fertiliser companies. The power companies pleaded that their health risks.
business would be affected if they are caught between the
warring brothers. The court allowed their intervention and Health emergencies expert Tammam Aloudat told reporters
asked all the parties to file their statments. in Geneva, where the IFRC is based along with most United
Nations aid operations that 14 million people die every year from
Counsel Harish Salve for RIL asked the court to make it clear infectious diseases, mainly needlessly.
that the present arrangement on the gas supply would continue.
The Chief Justice only replied that “we are not making any “We are today affected by more numbers of infectious
order.” Salve provided a list of all parties before the court for its diseases in history than ever,” he said.
assistance.
According to the United Nations, 55 million to 90 million
The Chief Justice now has to constitute a new bench for more people are living in extreme poverty this year than was
hearing the numerous parties before the court. Since there are projected before the economy faltered. Emerging countries
several high profile companies, all of them will have to be heard whose fast growth had dented poverty are now facing bleaker
from September 1 and a reasoned judgment has to be written. prospects.
Thus the final decision is unlikely before the year-end.
In his report, the U.N. chief called on donor governments to
tututu
keep providing funds for projects like the building of toilets and
latrines for the 1.4 billion people living without them, who face
RECESSION PUSHED 90 MILLION INTO EXTREME higher disease risks as a result.
POVERTY - U.N.
Ban also said it was important for programmes to continue to
The global recession has pushed up to 90 million more people improve maternal and infant survival rates and to tackle hunger
into extreme poverty, the United Nations said, warning that a and malnutrition in the young, estimating that in developing
reduction in foreign aid could cause more hunger and disease. countries more than one quarter of children are underweight.

Brand icon
Louis Vuitton
I n the mid 19th century, Louis Vuitton was a

renowned trunks and luggage retailer.
Entering into the 20th century, the company
expanded in terms of locations and financial
success. Beginning in the middle of the century, it
was over 400 kilometers (249 mi), and he travelled
the distance by foot.
On his way there, he picked up a series of odd

jobs to pay for his journey. There, he became an
entered the fashion world, integrating its apprentice Layetier to prominent households.
signature Monogram Canvas into purses and Because of his well established reputation in his
bags. Its merger to create LVMH became a fields, Napoleon III of France appointed Vuitton as
milestone step, and from then on, LV came to Layetier to his wife, Empress Eugénie de Montijo.
acquire its luxury fashion image known today.
Through his experience with the French
Louis Vuitton Malletier, commonly referred to aristocracy, he developed expert knowledge of
as Louis Vuitton, or sometimes shortened to LV, is what made a good traveling case. It was then that
a French fashion company. Founded in 1854, one of the main he began to design his own luggage, setting the foundations for
divisions of LVMH is headquartered in Paris, France. Known LV Co. Louis Vuitton underwent a long journey from 1854 to
especially for bags and trunks, the company collaborates with present day that speaks volumes about its success story.
prominent figures for marketing and design (most notably
supermodel Gisele Bundchen and fashion designer Marc
Jacobs). Internationally renowned and highly regarded for name 1854-1892
recognition in the fashion world, as a result LV has become one
of the most counterfeited contemporary luxury brands. Monsieur Vuitton introduced his flat-bottom trunks with
trianon canvas (they were lightweight and airtight). It was
LV is also one of the oldest fashion houses in the world, Vuitton's gray Trianon canvas flat trunk that allowed the ability to
having started in 1854. It sells its products strictly through its stack for ease with voyages. Becoming successful and
own retail stores, small boutiques in high-end department prestigious, many other luggage makers began to imitate LV's
stores, and online (as an effort against counterfeit). It primarily style and design.
competes with Versace, Hermes, Gucci, Dolce & Gabbana,
Burberry, Dior, Chanel, Fendi, Armani, Prada and other similar 1893-1936
luxury fashion brands.
After the death of his father, Georges Vuitton began a
BIOGRAPHY OF LOUIS VUITTON campaign to build the company into a worldwide corporation,
exhibiting the company's products at the Chicago World's Fair in
As it's known to all, Louis Vuitton, as one of the most famous 1893. In 1896, the company launched the legendary Monogram
brand name of luxuries goods in the world, was established in Canvas and made the worldwide patents on it.In 1901, the Louis
1854, and is now affiliated with the group of Moet Hennessy Vuitton Company introduced the Steamer Bag, a smaller piece of
Louis Vuitton in France which is specialized in high-class luggage designed to be kept inside Vuitton luggage trunks.
luxuries goods, such as LV handbags, wallets, purses and any
other accessories. During 1932, LV introduced the Noé bag. This bag was
originally made for champagne vintners to transport bottles.
Louis Vuitton (born, August 4, 1821; died, February 27, Soon thereafter, the Louis Vuitton Speedy bag was introduced
1892), future founder of his eponymous company, was born in (both are still manufactured today). In 1936 Georges Vuitton
Jura, France (now part of the commune of Lavans-sur-Valouse). passed away, and, his son, Gaston-Louis Vuitton, assumed
In 1835, he moved to Paris. The trip from his hometown to Paris control of the company.

1936-2000 the former USSR leader Mikhail
Gorbachev would appear in an ad
During this period, the look of the leather was utilized in campaign along with Steffi Graf,
everything from small purses and wallets to larger pieces of Andre Agassi, and Catherine
luggage. In order to broaden its line, the company revamped its Deneuve.
signature Monogram Canvas in 1959 to make it suppler, allowing
it to be used for purses, bags, and wallets. The company commonly uses
print ads in magazines and billboards
1987 witnessed the creation of LVMH. Moët et Chandon and in cosmopolitan cities. It previously
Hennessy, leading manufacturers of champagne and brandy, relied on selected press for its
(respectively) merged with Louis Vuitton to form the luxury advertising campaigns , However,
goods conglomerate. Profits for 1988 are reported to have been Antoine Arnault, director of the communication department,
up by 49% more than in 1987. By 1989, Louis Vuitton came to has recently decided to enter the world of television and cinema:
operate 130 stores worldwide. Entering the 1990s, Yves Carcelle The commercial (90 seconds) is exploring the theme "Where
was named president of LV, and in 1992, his brand opened its will life take you?" and is translated into 13 different languages.
first Chinese location at the Palace Hotel in Beijing. This is the first Vuitton commercial ad ever and was directed by
renowned French director Bruno Aveillan.
Since Louis Vuitton is a big luxury brand name it caters to
high end customers so it has to strategically design all its “Traditional Modernity” truly describes Louis Vuitton as
advertising campaigns like: The Louis Vuitton Company they are extremely proud of their history and at the same time
carefully cultivates a celebrity following and has used famous are extremely innovative, modern & creative.
models and actresses such as Jennifer Lopez and most recently
Madonna in its marketing campaigns. Breaking from their usual So, Rich in paradox, contrasts and seeming opposites, Louis
traditions of employing supermodels and celebrities to advertise Vuitton continues to astonish us a century and a half after the
their products, on August 2, 2007, the company announced that company's founding.
Intelligence/ Detective Agencies of the world

Detective Agencies Country
r Central External Liaison Department China
r Australian Security & Intelligence Organisation Australia
r K.G.B./ G.R.U. Russia
r Bureau of State Security (B.O.S.S) South Africa
r M.I. (Military Intelligence) -5&6 , Special Branch, Joint Intelligence Organisation United Kingdom
r Inter Services Intelligence (I.S.I) Pakistan
r Research & Analysis Wing (RAW), Intelligence Bureau (IB), Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) India
r Central Intelligence Agencies (CIA),Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) U.S.A.
r MOSSAD Israel
r Mukhbarat Egypt
r Naicho Japan
r SAVAK (Sazamane Etelaat va Amniate Kechvar) Iran
r AI Mukhbarat Iraq
r D.G.S.E.(Direction General de Securite Exterieur) France

Logo Quiz
Identify the brands/companies/mascots from the following logos
1. Largest financial 2. Power company 3. Banking giant 4. US’s leading

services co. supermarket chain
5. Global, mobile 6. Consumer 7. Automobile co. 8. Automobile co.

phone manufacturers appliance
9. Graphics card 10. Email client 11. Web browser 12. Social networking
manufacturer website
13. Graphical desktop 14. Endangered 15. Favorite food 16. Banking giant
environment Species Protection restaurant
17. Seafood 18. Leading financial 19. A Japanese 20. Cement

Restaurants services conglomerate manufacturer
Answer key on page 47

PT panorama
The Independent India
L et's start to think on the Independence of India, which is

earned by our National Heroes of undivided India.
Before going on this I want to describe that what
independence means. Independence means Freedom from
control or influence of others. In other words we can say that
Independence is the ability to function in a given area without
depending upon another's help. Independence of a nation is the
self-government of a nation, country, or state by its residents and
population, or some portion thereof, generally exercising
sovereignty.
Well I think in the large sense of the word it means you're

independent of anything standing in the way of your self-
improvement. You need to break free from your bad habits, from
your affections, traditions and cults, from your past,
indebtedness, false call of duty and all these chains we were
locked in. And this is the only way to become the master of your caste, religion, income level, residential area, etc. But we people
own life, but it takes lots of strength. never think on that; we want to come forward without taking a
step, like a lazy sleeping lion wants a deer in his mouth. These
Now, think about Indian Independence, More than 60 years are only we, who want to become front liners without any activity
have gone by when we won our freedom from the Britishers. and the politicians are achieving their own interest with our
Many people laid down their lives to give us freedom. But are we help.
really independent? Almost everything in our life today is
controlled by the 'chosen representatives', say our ministers. In a democracy, where on one side our government says that
Many of them are infected with the corruption virus from head to every one is similar, on the other side it says: 'He is Meena, push
foot. Take the case of that jail minister who was caught talking to him forward; He is Meghwal, make him come in front; He is
an underworld don on his cell. Even after the voice match, he is Gujjar, take him with us, else we will lose in this state; He is
saying that it is a trick of the opposition to frame him. Whenever Harijan, bring him forward; etc. But when some one else
any government tries to pass any bill, the opposition leaders (belong to the backward class) says to a person that he is a
always protest against it. Even if it's for the welfare of the people, Harijan, that person can be pushed inside! Means government
there are protests. Many criminals become politicians. Do you can say, officers can say, even he himself can say, but
think that independence means giving our lives in the hands of unscheduled person, who is not a government officer can't say
the people like these? There are so many parties now a days that a Harijan is a Harijan or a Meena is a Meena!
based on religion, castes, region etc. in our constitution, it is
mentioned that we are a democratic, secular country where People who are already classified as backward are trying to
every man is equal in the eyes of the law. Then how come, show themselves as more backward so that they can avail
thousands of cases are pending against the politicians? Did our reservation.
freedom fighters give their lives to free India or transfer its
control to these types of people? Do we like our independence? Do we have any right to know if reservation has helped any
Let's take an area of reservation. Do you think you should have family? If yes does the next generation of the family require
reservation? Is it not dependence instead of independence? reservation?
Actually our leaders do not want to lose their vote bank It is highly shameful for the country, that even after more
therefore they are putting many dependency on the basis of than sixty years of independence we want to continue the

reservation on caste basis. One more thing is that the IIMs its wings and fly unfettered towards the objectives which would
increased the fees almost by doubling the amount, which the bring it at par with other developed nations. Despite a series of
OBCs may find it difficult to pay and our politicians will force the interest rate hikes to head off, economic growth in India has
IITs/IIMs to give free education to these people. remained robust. Even our Finance Minister has said that by
year 2011, we will bring back economy at the growth rate of 9
Wah re India? Today everyone in longs to be the scheduled percent per annum.
caste category. Not for the reason that his child will get a good
future, but for the reason that by this he can make money A country once known for poverty, malnutrition and
without doing any work. He can capture a job without studying stagnation today boasts of a new set of icons – its software
hard, without going in regular tests and interviews. He can get industry and manufacturing and export-import sectors to name
admission in well known institutes only by getting passing a few. A recent report by Goldman Sachs says that by 2050 the US
marks in the entrance exam. economy will fall to third place in the world pecking order,
eclipsed first by China and then by India.
But on the flip side, more than sixty years have gone by an
India is moving at a slow but steady pace with the confidence that But we should not forget that there are numerous hurdles
one day we well become a superpower. That's India... I can on which India has to keep a check to drive its economy towards
proudly proclaim. From the post-independence 'licence raj' spiralling growth. We need to critically examine the areas where
regime to liberalization of the economy in 1991, we have indeed we are lagging behind and work on them.
tread a path of progress like no other country has.
And as great people have said "Perfection is achieved, not
It has been a learning experience...we faltered on many when there is nothing left to add, but when there is nothing left
occasions, but the Great Indian Spirit marched on with renewed to take away".
vigor. The Indian economy, after more than 60 years of
Independence, has reached a position from where it can spread Yeah, one more thing…... Mera Bharat Mahan!
Wolrdwide Weather Extremes Trivia

RAINFALL EXTREMES
The total annual precipitation recorded at a place may vary from year to year. The rainiest places show the greatest variations
from year to year in actual amounts. The drier places show the greatest variations taken as a percentage of the mean value. At
Cherrapunji (India), for example, the great amount of precipitation in a calendar year was 2,298.9;) cm. The least was 717.80 cm, a
difference of 1,581.15 cm. At Arica (Chile), half of the total rainfall recorded from 1931 through 1960 fell in the single year 1949. No
rain at all fell in 19 years out of the 30 years. Because of such fluctuations, the average ram precipitation may be greatly influenced by
the available years of record; the longer the record, the more reliable is the average.
Area Avg Annual Rainfall (cm) Place Elevation Yrs of Record
Asia 1,187.30 Mawsynram, Meghalaya, India - -
Asia 1,143.00 Cherrapunji, India 1,313 75
Africa 1,027.70 Debundscha, Cameroon 9 33
South America 899.2 Quibdo, Colombia 73 -
North America 665.7 Henderson Lake, Br Col 4 15
Europe 464.3 Crkvice, Yugoslavia 1,017 23
Australia 454.7 Tully, Queensland 67 32
THE DRIEST
South America 0.05 Quillagua, 29 60
Africa 0.3 Wadi Haifa, Sudan 125 40
Antarctica 2 South Pole Station 2,800 11
North America 3 Bataques, Mexico 5 15
Asia 4.6 Aden, Yemen 7 51
Australia 10.3 Mulka, South Australia NA 35
Europe 16.3 Astrakhan, Russia 14 26
Oceania 22.7 Puako, Hawaii 2 14

opinion
“We believe India has a tremendous “ You need help not because you are poor, but
opportunity and a growing responsibility, which because you are the future of Iraq."
they acknowledge, to play not just a regional role – Angelina Jolie, Hollywood superstar who
but a global one as well,” is visiting families displaced by violence in
–Hillary Clinton, Secretary of State, US war-torn Iraq, expressed hope that the
situation in the country will improve with
international aid.
“A remarkable flow of ideas between India and
the United States helped shape Mahatma
Gandhi's ideas which in turn provided a new “Cricket is resilient, strong and still
paradigm for political movements in the US,” developing”
–Meera Shankar, Indian Ambassador to the – Haroon Lorgat, ICC CEO said when the
United States said in event which was two-day ICC History Conference looked back
organised by the San Diego Indian at the past 100 years of the game as part of its
American Society. centenary year celebrations.
“ I hope that the Tata Nano will bring motoring “Yes, indeed, it was a big success because it had
pleasure to those who will be buying their first (an) impact even on the attitudes of the Indian
car as also those who currently own a car but side. How did we start discussing the Kashmir
want a modern, contemporary and emission- dispute? How was it that the Indians agreed that
friendly city car,” we will discuss Kashmir and there must be a
– Ratan Tata, Chairman, Tata Motors said negotiated settlement? Before this there was no
after handing over the key of the first Nano to such thing at all,”
Vichare. – Pervez Musharraf, Former Pakistan
president said in a TV interview.
“We are setting up 8 AIIMS-like institutions.

Six will be made in the first phase and two more “Tendulkar did not help him during his
will come up in the second phase.” downward form.”
– Ghulam Nabi Azad, Union Health – Vinod Kambli, Former Indian cricket
Minister player said in TV reality show ‘Sach ka
Saamna’ But later, he denied all
statements against Tendulkar.
“As our records show, Sunil played more
matches, scored more runs and centuries than
me, but in terms of technique, I consider myself “I have no illusions that the United States and
superior to Sunil even if by just half a China will agree on every issue, nor choose to
percentage point,” see the world in the same way, But that only
– Geoffrey Boycott, wrote in new book ‘Sunil makes dialogue more important.”
Gavaskar: Cricket's Little Master’. – Barack Obama, President of the US
“It's difficult to consistently perform for anyone “I have no hesitation in offering help to the
because we play so much of cricket, that too in Indian bowlers, if needed.”
changing format(s),” – Wasim Akram, former Pakistani bowler
– Gautam Gambhir, Indian cricket said in inaugural function of a cricket
player academy, promoted by PepsiCo

Profile
Roger Federer:
Swiss Maestro
I n professional tennis, the only crime worse than lacking

world-class talent is squandering it. For years, the curse of
untapped potential hung around Roger Federer's neck like
an anvil, as he waited with growing impatience for his big
breakthrough. With no holes in his game, fans simply assumed
the United States by taking both his singles ties as well as the
doubles. The first “Federer Express” headlines began
appearing soon after.
Roger faced Nadal in the finals of two clay court tournaments

the only thing the fluid, efficient Swiss star needed was in 2009 and lost both times. They also met in the finals of the
character. One life-altering tragedy and 15 Grand Slam titles French Open, where Nadal destroyed him. Roger lost one of the
later, all is forgiven and forgotten, as Roger has brought an sets 6–0. The last time he had been bageled was in 1999.
element of artistry back to the men's game. This is his story…
Roger tightened things up in the weeks before Wimbledon
Roger Federer was born August 8, 1981, in Basel, and was sharp throughout the tournament. The tennis world
Switzerland. Tennis was a family passion watched in delight as he and Nadal
in the Federer home, though neither headed for a second straight clash in the
Roger's parents nor his sister had any final. Roger had a chance to break the
special aptitude for the game. Everyone modern record with a sixth consecutive
enjoyed it, however, and Roger showed championship. Federer was defeated in
enough promise to earn entry into Basel's tiebreaker. Most people who watched the
crack junior program at the age of eight. two superstars battle said it was the
Roger's first sports hero was Boris Becker, greatest match they'd ever seen. That is
the young German who won Wimbledon when Nadal pushed Federer to number
in 1985. Roger recalls watching Becker two and helping himself (Nadal) reach
play Stefan Edberg in the 1988 the top seed. Roger Federer played
Wimbledon final. He cried when his idol outstanding tennis to gain number one
lost. Controlling his temper was a spot again in 2009.
problem that would plague Roger
throughout his childhood. In 2009, Roger Federer became the
greatest player in Grand Slam history as
In 1994, at the age of 13, Roger he beat Andy Roddick in five dramatic
decided it was time to leave home and accept an invitation to sets for a sixth Wimbledon and 15th major title surpassing
Switzerland's national training center in Ecublens, near former legend Pete Sampras's record of overall 14 Grand slam
Lausanne. He would come home on weekends and spend time win.
with his family, but every Sunday night, when it was time to
board the train for the two-hour ride back, he was terribly Roger's anticipation and footwork are as good an anyone's on
depressed. The training center was in the French-speaking part the pro tour–and maybe ever. His volleying skills are matchless
of the country. Roger, who spoke German, found himself among current ATP players, and the best the tour has seen since
isolated by many of the students and coaches. John McEnroe's. Surrounded by super athletes who wield
ultrapowerful rackets, Roger has reintroduced the slice to men's
The 2000 season brought Roger his first two ATP finals tennis. So few current players have experience with this
appearances. He lost to countryman Marc Rosset in Marseille in “weapon” that it has become one of Roger's most effective
a final-set tiebreak and to Tomas Enqvist in the finals at Basel. approach shots. those who believe Roger is as good at this age as
Roger finally got on the board in 2001, winning his first ATP anyone in history point to the fact that, unlike Laver and Borg, he
singles title in Milan. He defeated Goran Ivanisevic, Evgeny is comfortable on hard surfaces, and can dominate on them. And
Kafelnikov and Julien Boutter on his road to the championship. unlike Sampras and McEnroe, his game is championship-
From there, Roger led the Swiss Davis Cup team to victory over caliber on clay.
Profile
Nandan Nilekani:
Bill Gates of Bangalore
A fter seeing the company grow from just the seven co-
founders to over 100,000 people and to over $4 billion (Rs
19,200 crore) in revenues, the self-confessed accidental
entrepreneur, once called a “passionate democrat” by close
friend Ramachandra Guha, is now set to take the next big step in
entrepreneurs to join 20
global leaders on the
prestigious World Economic
Forum (WEF) Foundation
Board. He figures among
his life when he becomes the Chairperson of the Unique one of the 100 most
Identification Authority of India. influential people in the
world by Time Magazine,
Nandan M. Nilekani was born in Bangalore, Karnataka on 2006. In 2005 he was
June 2, 1955 as the younger son of Durga and Mohan Rao awarded the prestigious
Nilekani. He studied at Bishop Cotton Boys School, Bangalore, Joseph Schumpeter prize
and attended the Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay from for innovative services in
1973. His early years were marked by his father’s job transfers field of economy, economic
and re-locations. He spent the first twelve years at Bangalore, sciences and politics. In 2006, Nandan Nilekani was conferred
where he studied at the Bishop Cotton Boys School. He then the Padma Bhushan, one of the highest civilian honors of India.
moved in with his uncle’s family in Dharwad, after his father had
been transferred. Nandan Nilekani’s resignation as the co-Chairman of
Infosys Technologies might be a great loss for one of the most
His years at IIT proved to be very difficult in those days iconic companies of India but is indeed a great gain for Indian
because it was all big city and sophisticated guys who went for governance. Now that he has taken up a job, which in certain
the IIT’s. However, he started working on what he had quickly respects is more challenging than what he had done for more
recognized as his core strength: his organizational ability. than three decades at Infosys, Nilekani – as the Chairman of the
newly formed Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI)
After IIT, Bombay in 1978, he did not try and find himself a – if he succeeds, could forever change the way the poor can be
job abroad; he joined Mumbai-based Patni Computer Systems served in this nation.
where he was interviewed by N.R. Narayana Murthy. Three years
later, in 1981, Murthy walked out of Patni following a dis- One of Nilekani’s biggest challenges, say observers, is
agreement with one of the Patni brothers. His entire division adapting to the radically different work culture within the
walked out with him. The defectors decided to start their own government. At Infosys, Nilekani is used to working with reams
company, Infosys. of data and a team that can meet tough deadlines. This won’t
always be the case within the government. He can expect
Nilekani took over from Murthy as the Chief Executive information voids, incomplete processes and (relatively) slow-
Officer of Infosys in March 2002. Nilekani served as CEO and to-react officials bogging down plans for a national roll out by
MD of the company for 5 years. 2011. To try to work around some of these hurdles, observers
suggest that Nilekani hire the best hands available within and
Infosys, the information-technology-services giant, was outside the government, to catalyse the execution of the project.
India's first truly global company, and its core entrepreneurial
insight was that spectacular success can be achieved through Nilekani may also discover that power outside the corporate
innovative, ethical and transparent business-management cocoon takes on a totally different hue. Ex- Co-Chairman of
practices. In the process, Nandan, 53, became both a corporate Infosys, which is a vertically-structured entity like any
icon and India's brand ambassador. corporation, would have made him the second most-powerful
person at the IT major, but being Chairperson of a government-
Nandan Nilekani is recipient of several honors and awards. led initiative may not necessarily mean that he is numero uno
In January 2006, Nandan became one of the youngest there.

Business Trivia
r After graduating with a Master's Degree from North r Reverse Merger is the practice of a listed company
Western in 1914, Edwin G Booz, founder of the world's acquiring an unlisted company in order to make it listed
first management consulting firm by the name automatically
Business Research Service. Now it is known as Booz,
Allen& Hamilton. r In 1992, Sri Lankan company Estate Management
Services and Tata Tea founded a joint venture multi-crop
r Big Mother is the term used to describe the use of modern plantation company called 'WatawalaPlantations'.
geolocation wireless and video technologies by parents to
constantly track the activitiesof a child. r Necker Island is a small
island in the British Virgin
r The founders of the $1.5-billion Murugappa Group Islands. It is owned by Sir
started in the 1920s were moneylenders in Myanmar Richard Branson, famous for
(then Burma). his Virgin brand, and it is part of
the Virgin Limited Edition
r TWA, in 1961 was the first to screen portfolio of luxury properties.
movies on flight. The film was By Love
Possessed starring Lana Turner. r ‘An Idea that took us over’ is the punchline of Spice
Telecom.
r The Walden Book Stores was named after a literary
classic by its founder in 1962 as a tribute to Henry David r ‘Leading Innovation’ is the punch line of Japanese
Thoreau. electronics giant Toshiba.
r The Hinduja Group once shipped r Enable.Enlighten.Entertain is the punch line of TV18.
100,000 tonnes of onions and
potatoes to Iran in the mid-1970s by r In 1912, Anna Jarvis trademarked the phrases 'second
road through Pakistan. It was cited as a Sunday in May' and 'Mother's Day'.
landmark event that established the
business relationship between India and r Chennai Corporation was
Iran at that time. created by a Royal Charter
on 30 Dec 1697 by King
r ComputerAssociates (CA), in 1989, was the first software James II on the advice of
company in the world to reach $1 billion in revenue. British East India Company
to have a Fort and a town not
r Time 100 was first published in 1999 when Time magazine more than ten square mile
named the 100 most influential people of the 20th century. surroundings.
The list was started with a debate at a symposium at
Washington, D.C.'s Kennedy Center on February 1, r Tata Elxsi has taken the new positioning “Engineering
1998 with panel participants CBS news anchor Dan Creativity”.
Rather, historian Doris Kearns Goodwin, former New
York governor Mario Cuomo, then-political science r TataNova is the ISP business of TataTeleservices.-
professor Condoleezza Rice, neoconservative publisher
Irving Kristol and Time managing editor Walter r On the 160th Anniversary of Morse code in 2004, @
Isaacson. Symbol was added as a tribute.

r In the world of Stephen King, who are “Dollar Babies” r In tyre industry, OTRTyres are OfftheRoadtyres.
are the film makers to whom he sold his rights for the books
at $1. r In moving and packaging industry, PBOs are cargos
Packed by Owner.
r Tally is a system of accounting used in the medieval
period. It is essentially made of wood. They split the wood r Logan was developed as ProjectX90 in Romania.
vertically. One half is kept by the borrower and the other by
the lender. r Brooke Bond's presence in India dates back
to 1900 and Red Label tea was the first
r S. S. Goenka, founder of the company Peutronics, set up brand launched in India.
Tally's software business in 1986. Punchline is “The
Power of Simplicity'. Bharat Goenka, a technical r Unilever acquired Lipton in 1972. Brooke
prodigy with keen business acumen, continues to ensure Bond joined the Unilever fold in 1984 through an
that Tally keeps apace with new technologies that can be international acquisition.
incorporated in our products to stay ahead of the pack.
r Pond's (India) Ltd joined the Unilever fold through an
r Meghalaya has become a big international acquisition of Chesebrough Pond's USA in
exporter of roses on brand names 1986.
like Cherry Lady, Circus, Corvette
and WhiteCloud. r “Make it Happen” is the punch line of Royal Bank of
Scotland.
r iBUS is the electronics-driven bus from Ashok
Leyland. The bus has unique features. The driver can see r Taka (Bangladesh) derives its name from the Sanskrit
all of the action, thanks to rear-view cameras; the doors of word for “stampedcoin”.
the bus will not close until passengers have entered or
exited; and the vehicle cannot move while the doors are r Golden Era of 3-6-3 is the principle of good banking. Get
open. money at 3 per cent, lend it at 6 per cent and get back to the
golf club at 3 pm.
r Kerala state govt. has started Roots Norka initiative for
their non- resident population. r E Jerome McCarthy developed the concept of the 4Ps
(product, pricing, promotion and placement) of
r The Haryana government has decided to paint a yellow marketing in 1960. Philip Kotler then included it in his
strip with the words 'BPL parivar' on it on the main gate of book MarketingManagement.
each below the poverty line (BPL) household so as to
ensure its identity. r Corus Steel's Surefast has launched a product that can
build explosion-resistant buildings in a fraction of the time
r The Art Bank, set up by curator Adeshwar Puri in New unlike the time taken by using traditional construction
Delhi, allows companies to rent paintings, including methods.
“master works”. In addition to paintings, the Art Bank also
offers photo prints, sculptures and functional pieces such r VisiCalc, introduced by Apple Computers, was the first
as furniture. computerspreadsheet. It would work only on the Apple II.
r Rawlings, a sports good company r Dirty Laundry, Laughing Stock, Dead Frog and
started in 1887, is the official ball Englishman are brand names of winesfromSpain.
supplier of MajorLeagueBaseball.
r Beeline, a cellular phone service provided by
r JayTee Records is a record label set up by American VimpelCom, has been ranked as the No.1
vocalist JustinTimberlake in 2005. Russian brand.
r The founder of 99¢ Only, David Gold, most likely drew r HHonors is the loyalty programme of HiltonHotels.
his inspiration for the deep-discount chain while working at
a liquor store he co-owned with his brother-in-law. He r Moody's Economy.com is a trusted independent provider
reportedly noticed that bottles of wine priced at $.99 sold of economic analysis, data, and forecasting and credit risk
better than bottles priced just a few pennies more. management.

Guestroom
Saun Sunar Ki Ek Lohar ki!

Lt. Col P. Deogirikar (Retd.)
In the article in last PrepTalk we saw how the smart-alecks are preferred over the not-so-bright ones. If this has
discouraged some of the readers, here is another one where the smarter one bites the dust. Well, whether he can be
actually called smarter one or not would be your privilege. Mine is to tell a tale.
H arish and Tushar were childhood friends. We will call

them simply ‘H’ and ‘T’. While they were not exactly
opposite, there was a huge difference between them.
While Harish was brilliant, Tushar had just above average

interview. They had conducted an aptitude test previous evening
and only two from this institute had made it. Yes, H and T. These
two were called for a personal interview amongst others in the
town, totalling 25 for the final employment. Only one vacancy
was available to be filled.
intelligence. While H had fantastic communication skills and
was always influencing people, T had just manageable All were convinced that H will swing it for them. And this
communication skills. included the faculty. In fact, one faculty openly forecasted this
and even demanded sweets from H in the class. H felt
They were from different social strata as well. H’s father embarrassed but T was used to such things. As long as H was
was a high ranking government official while T’s was a farmer in there, nobody gave him a chance. Somehow, this did not make
a village. H had his own Karizma motorcycle while T depended him jealous of H but it only doubled his determination. In fact,
on public transport when he was not a pillion to H. T managed he always believed in doing his best in whatever activity he chose,
without a mobile while H had a state-of-the-art one. leaving the rest to the God. His pet dialogue was, “One must
always put his best foot forward.”
The two were sharing a hostel room while undergoing
MBA studies from a prestigious institute. One of the major H was used to be in lime light but this had not made him an
reasons for their long and strong friendship was that they never arrogant person. In fact, he did feel sorry for the hard working T
interfered in each other’s way of life. many a time in past when H was the winner. For all his qualities, H
was very lazy and did not believe in planning and preparing. He
It was a crowning glory for the training and placement would always trust his spontaneity and that had never failed him.
department of the institute that an American company , amongst
the top hundred in the world, was roped in for a campus On that crucial day, T got up early and had his usual morning
walk clarifying issues in his mind and trying to anticipate the
questions that would be asked to him. He had arranged his bag
with all necessary papers and kept his dress ready. At 7.30
morning, he tried to wake up H but he only stirred and murmured,
“It’s still two and a half hours for the interview, what is the hurry?”
He remarked that T always reached well in time and wasted his
time when others came at their own sweet time. He told T that he
would only start from the hostel around 9.30 for the 10 AM
interview. T conveyed that he would be uncomfortable unless he
reaches at least 10 minutes earlier and he would go by public
transport if H will not start by 9 morning. H agreed to this proposal,
turned his back and went back to sleep.
*****
T did not want to take chances on this important day and

Yaar, there is something wrong with the Indore air; even started from the hostel at 8.45 and reached the place of interview
the trains are before time till Dewas and then get at 9.45. He had, in fact, made a hurried trip to this place last
inordinarily late! evening and had learned the route, traffic bottlenecks and

general culture of the place. Hence, he was fairly comfortable 9.45. He was speeding on the AB Road so as to make up for
while waiting for this interview. He was, of course, the first the lost time when a traffic police guy came right in front of his
candidate to arrive and this was noticed by the manager who bike gesturing him to stop. For a blind second, H wanted to run
entered at 9.47. This manager was to take interviews. over him but the better sense prevailed and he stopped. Taking
the bike to a side, as was asked to, he produced his documents.
***** But by then the cop was stopping another. After another 10
minutes halt, he managed to get rid of the law and started at
Back to the hostel. It is said that one should be prepared for
10 AM.
the ‘worst-case-scenarios’ during an interview. That is exactly
what happened here at the hostel. *****
H got up at 8 AM. The electric supply was not restored by In between the manager took down the names of the
then and he had to shave in semi darkness. It was a shade candidates who came to hotel by 10 AM. The receptionist
frustrating and he did not shave as well as he used to. Then he was told not to entertain those who come later. T was
looked around for the dress and it hit him hard suddenly! Dhobi comfortably reading the interesting book, ‘Six Thinking
had brought his dress last evening but H was not happy with the Hats’ by Edward D Bono. He was the first one called for the
crease of his trousers and had returned the garment to the dhobi interview as they called by the order in which the candidates
to re-iron it. Dhobi was asked to give it by night but did not had entered the hotel.
deliver. H got involved with a ‘Dhoni’ innings in the night and
forgot the ‘dhobi’!. Such thing would not have happened to T, H *****
mused, for he wrote down all pending tasks and kept checking H was in worst possible shape, sweating and cursing. God
the lists daily in the morning and the evening. was definitely not with him that day as he came across another
obstacle - a closed railway gate. Others were able to slide under
He rushed to the dhobi which was around 300 meters away. the barrier as they had smaller two wheelers but H’s Karizma
Dhobi had gone to the dhobi ghat. Now H started getting would not have gone under. By the time the gate opened and
panicky. Dhobi’s father suggested that he can iron the trousers traffic resumed, H had his morale in the lowest ebb. He
in five minutes if it can be identified. H had to go through huge managed to reach by 10.30. There, he was told by the
bundles of cloths till he found his trousers. By the time he receptionist that the deal was off and H waited in the lobby for T
rushed back and put on his dress, it was 9.25. He surmised that to come back.
there was no time for breakfast. In fact, the thought that he
would throw a party at lunch time for close friends after the T eventually did so. It was a very tough interview but T
success in interview, did cross his mind. came out to be an honest, hard-working, sincere and genuine
person who was qualified and believed in team work.
Started the motorcycle, or tried to. Blast, it would not!
Cursing and kicking hard, he remembered that he has been If you have noticed, there was a reason their initials were
postponing the refuelling for last two days and checked the petrol what they were - H and T. They were indeed representing the
cock. Indeed, the tank had gone dry. One advertisement says, ‘Fill
it, shut it and forget it.” He had the last two activities done!
age old HareandtheTortoise !
Need I tell who won the race yet again?

He was sweating hard which was spoiling his dress but now
he was beyond all this and just wanted to reach the place of
tututu
interview as fast as possible. He tilted the bike to one side ensuring
some fuel going to the engine side and started the bike. Managed
to come around 500 meters with it but then had to drag it. At petrol Logo Quiz: Answer Key
pump, there was a big Monday rush. He estimated that it would
take around 10 minutes for the refueling and wanted to give a call 1. Bank of America 11. google chrome
that he would be late. Another shock! His mobile was discharged! 2. Adani power 12. Myspace
Besides, he had not taken care to take down the number of the 3. Axis bank 13. KDE
hotel where the interview would take place. 4. Safeway 14. World wildlife fund
5. Sony ericssion 15. Pizza hut
He was trying to tell himself that no body would miss him. 6. Videocon (New logo) 16. IDBI bank
He remembered how he had boosted to T, “Your initials are ‘T’, 7. Maruti 17. Red Lobster
your number for interview would come towards the end. Mine is 8. Volkswagan 18. Fortis financial services
‘H’ and it would come somewhere in the middle. Do you know a 9. NVIDIA 19. Mitsubishi
large percentages of names start with an ‘A’ in this country?” So, 10. Thunderbird 20. Ambuja cement
H was hoping that his late-coming would not be noted.
General knowledge
1. What is the name of the protocol to the UNFCCC 7. Recently, Loksabha passed a bill to provide further relief
produced at the United Nations Conference on and minimize avoidable hardships and irreparable loss to
Environment and development (UNCED), known as the the residents of Delhi from Sealing. What is the name of the
Earth Summit, held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, in 1992? bill?
(1) UNKYT protocol (1) National Capital Territory of Delhi Laws (Special
(2) Kyoto protocol Provisions) Bill 2009
(3) UNsafe protocol (2) Anti-sealing Laws Bill 2009
(4) None of the above (3) Capital Territory of Delhi Laws 2009
(4) Sealing Laws Bill 2009
2. Recently, Bangladesh was rocked by a mutiny in the
Bangladesh Rifles (BDR). Where is the headquarters of 8. “Jyotigram Yojna” is a flagship programme of Gujarat
BDR? Government. What is the scope of this Scheme?
(1) Pilkhana, Bangladesh (1) 24 Hours free Electricity in Rural Areas
(2) Assam, India (2) 24 Hours three phase Electricity in Rural Areas
(3) West Bengal, India (3) 5 Year free Electricity in Rural Areas
(4) Islamabad, Pakistan (4) None of the above
3. Name the two European Governments that recently 9. “Chiranjivi Yojna” of Gujarat is related to safety of ……….?
collapsed because of the international financial crisis (1) Senior Citizens
(1) Norway and Greenland (2) Children in orphanage
(2) England and Ireland (3) Children Post-birth
(3) Iceland and Latvia (4) Mother & Child at Birth
(4) Scotland and Iceland
10. “Pundit Deendayal Kisan Bagwaan Samridhhi Yojna" was
4. In which state “Beti Bachao Yojna" was launched to fight recently launched in which state for “Irrigation to
gender inequality?? farmers”?
(1) Maharashtra (1) Himachal Pradesh
(2) Gujarat (2) Arunachal Pradesh
(3) Uttar Pradesh (3) Uttar Pradesh
(4) Bihar (4) Bihar
5. In which state of India, the “Jalayagnam” a chief minister 11. Recently, in which state of India, Restructured Accelerated
flagship programme to construct 74 irrigation projects is Power Development and Reforms Programme has been
running? taken up to reduce the losses of Electricity Supplier
(1) Tamil nadu Companies?
(2) Andhra Pradesh (1) Karnataka (2) Gujarat
(3) Kerala (3) Maharashtra (4) Orissa
(4) karnataka
12. Recently, Planning Commission approved a plan outlay of
6. Recently, central Government approved proposal to create 17322 crore, the highest ever allocation to the state by a
two elephant reserves in which Indian State? central body. Name the state.
(1) Gujarat (2) Karnataka (1) Rajasthan (2) Uttar Pradesh
(3) Chhattisgarh (4) Orissa (3) Maharashtra (4) Karnataka

13. Recently, “Rajiv Gandhi Grameen Vidyutikaran Yojna " was 21. An Indian Banking Industr y Executive was given
launched in which state? Asiamoney Best Executive of the Year 2008. Who is
(1) Madhya Pradesh (2) Tamil Nadu he?
(3) Bihar (4) Sikkim (1) Chairman of SBI, Mr. OP Bhatt
(2) Chairman of ICICI bank, Chanda kochhar
14. Recently, UP Chief Minister Mayavati allotted 900 crore (3) Chairman of HDFC bank, Deepak Parekh
rupees for making the girls self dependent under which (4) Chairman of SEBI, C.B. Bhave
scheme?
(1) Balika Vikas Yojna 22. What is Exercise Tropex 2009?
(2) Gharib Balika Vikas Yojna (1) New Missile system developed in India
(3) Mahamaya Gharib Balika Yojna (2) Latest Anti-virus from Norton
(4) None of these (3) Largest ever amphibious exercise of Armed Forces of
India in Gujarat
15. Which state government has sanctioned “Atal Behari (4) None of the above
Vajpayee Awas Yojna" for providing free houses to 10000
poor dalits? 23. To provide the much needed boost to dwindling tiger
(1) Chattisgarh population , government recently launched a new force in
(2) Bihar under the aegis of National Tiger Conservation Authority.
(3) Uttarakhand What is the name of the force?
(4) Uttarnchal (1) Tiger Protection Force (TPF)
(2) Special Tiger Protection Force (STPF)
16. Who is new ambassador of India in Washington?
(3) Tiger Conservation Forces (TCF)
(1) Meera Nair
(4) NTCA
(2) Sheela Narayan
(3) Sameera Shankar
24. As per the latest report brought out by United Nations
(4) Meera Shankar
World Food Program how many people in India are
undernourished?
17. Who was elected as President of Bangladesh Recently?
(1) 109 million
(1) Zillur Rahman
(2) 230 million
(2) Mohd. Al Rashid
(3) 200 million
(3) Rafiq Rahman
(4) 350 million
(4) None of the above
18. Who has recently become the First Ever Muslim Director 25. Who has been appointed as the First Director General of
General of Police in Gujarat? National Investigation Agency?
(1) Shabbir Pardawala (1) Ved Shankara
(2) Sabir Khandwawala (2) Radha Vinod Raju
(3) Samir Hussain (3) Ravi Nigam
(4) None has ever (4) Shrikanth Varghese
19. Recently, who became the world's First woman to fly the 26. Where is the 35th National Games are scheduled to held in
MIG-35 fighter jet at Aero Indian International Air Show at May 2010?
Bangalore? (1) Tamil Nadu
(1) Rashmi Verma (2) Karnataka
(2) Suman Sharma (3) Punjab
(3) S. Rajeshwari (4) Kerala
(4) Vijaylaxmi Karunya
27. Recently, CNN IBN Best Indian Award for 2008 was given
20. Who got the Oscar Award for “Documentary Short”? to whom? (February 2009)
(1) Megan Mylan for Smile Pinky (1) C B Bhave SEBI, Chairman
(2) Moryan Theonry for French Kiss (2) G Madhavan Nair, ISRO Chairman
(3) David Lucass for French Guinea (3) Sudhir Kumar, OSD Railways
(4) None of the above (4) Chairman of SBI, Mr. OP Bhatt

28. Who was sworn in as Somalia's New President on 36. Who was the captain of Indian Women's cricket team in
February 1, 2009? World Cup 2009?
(1) Robert Mugabe (1) Anjum Chopra
(2) Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed (2) Geeta Nair
(3) Fariq Ahmed (3) Jhoolan Goswami
(4) Mahmud Ahmedinejad (4) Sangeeta Chaddha
29. “Pappu Can't Vote” Which State Election Commission 37. “Sprinters’ Cup” is related to which sports?
launched this campaign? (1) Bike Races
(1) UP Election Commission (2) Car Races
(2) Maharashtra Election Commission (3) Horse Races
(3) Delhi Election Commission (4) None of the above
38. Recently, Planning Commission approved how much
30. FA Cup is related to which sports? amount for ISRO's manned mission to be launched by 2015?
(1) Football (1) Rupees 15330 crore
(2) Soccer (2) Rupees 28700 crore
(3) Fei (3) Rupees 12400 crore
(4) F1Racing (4) It's not approved
31. Who got Oscar award recently for Best Sound Mixing? 39. In January 2009, Chief Minister of an Indian State, signed
(1) Resull Pooketty an agreement with several companies to provide "Solar
Lanterns" in the villages where kerosene is used. Name the
(2) Pete Hopkins
State.
(3) Farooq Ahmed
(1) Rajasthan
(2) Madhya Pradesh
(3) Uttaranchal
32. Recently, 58 MP's sought permission to impeach Justice
(4) Gujarat
Soumitra Sen of which High court?
(1) Mumbai High Court
40. As per a recent notification by Union Government of India ,
(2) Delhi High Court
the government will pay how much for each unit of solar
(3) Calcutta High Court
power produced under the National Solar Mission to
(4) Bhubaneswar High Court maximize solar power?
(1) Rs. 28
33. The motion to impeach Justice Soumitra Sen was filed (2) Rs. 15
under which articles? (3) Rs. 32
(1) Article 293 & Article 265 (4) Rs. 10
(2) Article 217 (1-b) and Article 124 (4)
(3) Article 216 & Article 222 41. In the UNICEF's flagship report, State of the World's
(4) None of the above children (2009) released in New Delhi in January 2009,
what is India's rank in Under-5 Death of children?
34. What is the difference in procedure for impeachment of (1) 21
Judges of Supreme Courts and High Courts? (2) 54
(1) No difference (3) 49
(2) Difference in Trials (4) 87
(3) Decisional difference
(4) Some difference 42. Recently, Planning Commission approved a scheme which
aims to cover 2.42 lakh villages to have rich forest by 2012
35. “Federal Investigation Agency” is a central Investigation and sanctioned Rs. 890 crore rupees for it. What is the
Agency of which country? name of this scheme?
(1) US (1) Van Panchayat Yojna
(2) Britain (2) Gram Panchayat Yojna
(3) Pakistan (3) Van Vikas Yojna
(4) Germany (4) None of these

43. As per the recent Data, what is the percentage of area 51. Recently, a new government of Iceland was formed. Who
covered by forests in India? sworn as the First Woman Prime Minister?
(1) 23% (2) 8% (1) Johanna Sigurdardottir
(3) 34% (4) 5% (2) Rose Francine Rogombe
(3) Angela Merkel
44. India recently signed nuclear deal pact with a French Firm (4) Jelena dokic
to build nuclear power plants and supply of nuclear fuel.
What is the name of company? 52. Recently President of Venezuela was in news for winning
(1) Oreva (2) Areva referendum in February 2009 to eliminate term that limits
(3) Oscar (4) Aruva him to run again for Third Time Premiership of the
country. What is his name?
45. Indian navy is acquiring “Admiral Gorshkov" an aircraft (1) Hugo Chavez
carrier from Russia. What Indian name has been given to it? (2) Robert Mugabe
(1) INS Vikram (3) Mahmud Ahmedinejad
(2) INS Vikrant (4) Eric Nunez
(3) INS Vikramaditya
(4) INS Meanketan 53. Recently, which Delhi Sustainable Development Summit
held in New Delhi in February 2009?
46. Recently, keel of the first Indigenous aircraft carrier was (1) Ninth
layed at Cochin Shipyard Ltd. When this ship will be (2) Eight
completed? (3) Tenth
(1) 2020 (2) 2014 (4) Seventh
(3) 2018 (4) 2011
54. Name the person from India who won award for a project
47. Recently, parliament of a Central Asian Country voted to
called “Golden Drum”
shut US airbase which is a foothold of America in Central
(1) Sivamani
Asia. Which country is this?
(2) Ustad Zaakir Hussain won Grammy Award
(1) Crygystan
(3) Ranjit Barrot
(2) Turkmanistan
(3) Kyrgyzstan
55. What is the latest rank of Sania Mirza in WTA ranking?
48. Recently, Barak Obama said, “The increase was necessary (On June 15th, 2009)
to stabiles a deteriorating situation in Afghanistan, which (1) 51th position
has not received strategic attention, direction and (2) 32 nd position
resources it urgently requires”. What he referred to? (3) 78th position
(1) Sending 17000 troops to Pakistan (4) 47 thposition
(2) Sending 17000 more troops to Afghanistan
(3) Calling back the troops from Afghanistan 56. At what rate, the central Statistical Organization has
(4) Sending troops to Somalia estimated the India's national income growth in 2008-09?
(1) 4.9% (2) 6.7%
49. What was the number of earlier US troops in International (3) 7.1% (4) 7.8%
Security Assistance Force (IASF)?(as of January 12, 2009)
(1) 24330 (2) 23220 57. During 2007-08 manufacturing in India grew by 8.2%.
(3) 22330 (4) 21100 What is the 2008-09 percentage growth?
(1) 6.4% (2) 4.6%
50. Morgan Tsvangirai was recently sworn in as prime Minister (3) 2.6% (4) 4.1%
of Zimbabwe, defeating party of Robert Mugabe's first time
after 1980 independence of Zimbabwe. Which party he 58. What is the per capita income of India based upon 1999-
belongs to? 2000 prices and current prices?
(1) PDC, People for Democratic Change (1) Rs. 25661
(2) FDC, Federation for Democratic Change (2) Rs. 25673
(3) MDC, Movement for Democratic Change (3) Rs. 28983
(4) ADC, Association for Democratic Change (4) Rs. 33228

59. Recently, government announced third stimulus package 67. Sasan, Krishnapatnam and Tilaiya Ultra Mega Power
to Indian Industry. Under this stimulus, what change has Projects have been won by which company?
been made in the rate of service tax? (1) Reliance Power
(1) 11% to 9% (2) Adani Power
(2) 12% to 10% (3) Suzlon Power
(3) 10% to 8% (4) Essar Power
68. “Mundra Ultra” Mega Power Project is won by which
60. Recently, government announced third stimulus package company recently?
to Indian Industry. Under this stimulus, what change has (1) Reliance Power
been made in the rate of Excise Duty? (2) Tata Power
(1) 10% to 8% (3) Adani Power
(2) 12% to 10% (4) Suzlon Power
(3) 11% to 9%
(4) 7% to 5% 69. Among the 26 measures announced by Commerce
Minister recently , to promote exports by simplifying trade
61. Which one is the UPA government's scheme for rural schemes obligation period under the advance
infrastructure comprising six components viz. rural roads, authorization scheme is increased from 24 months to …..?
telephone, irrigation, drinking water supply, housing and (1) 48 months (2) 30 months
electrification? (3) 36 months (4) None of the above
(1) Safal Nirman
(2) Nav Nirmit Bharat 70. How much “textile” sector accounts for India's Total
(3) Bharat Nirman Exports?
(1) 10% (2) 15%
(3) 12% (4) 16%
62. What was the quarterly growth of India's Economy in the
71. Sugar Production in U.P. has fallen by 50% recently. What
third quarter of 2008-09?
was the major region behind this?
(1) 5.6% (2) 5.2%
(1) Less Monsoon
(3) 5.3% (4) 4.9%
(2) Sharp reduction in the crop area
(3) Not much requirement
63. The Index of Industrial Production (IIP) had grown 8% in
(4) No it hasn't fallen
December 2007. What was the figure in December 2008?
(1) Negative 3% (2) Negative1.4% 72. What is measured in Million Metric Standard Cubic
(3) Negative 2% (4) None of the above Meters (MMSCM)?
(1) Gold Production
64. Under the market risk, banks may apply to RBI for (2) Gas Production in Oil & Gas Fields
graduating to more advanced method of internal models (3) Liquid Metals
approach (IMA) by April 2010. Under what framework does (4) None of of the above
this come?
(1) Basel II (2) Basel III 73. Which bank has recently started distributing Biometric
(3) Basel IV (4) Basel I Cards to the weaker sections of the society in Uttar
Pradesh?
65. There is only one air port in India which has been allowed (1) State Bank of India
to charge “Airport Development Fees" (ADF) (2) Bank of Uttar Pradesh
(1) Delhi Airport (3) Bank of Braroda
(2) Bangalore Airport (4) Punjab National Bank
(3) Mumbai Airport
(4) Ahmedabad Airport 74. Which public sector bank recently completed 100% core
banking system in all its 4604 branches?
66. Which states gets the largest chunk of various union taxes, (1) State Bank of India
duties etc.? (2) Bank of Uttar Pradesh
(1) Maharashtra (2) Rajasthan (3) Punjab National Bank
(3) Uttar Pradesh (4) Karnataka (4) Bank of Braroda

75. How many new “Gharib Raths” have been introduced in 84. How much was allocated to Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan in the
recent Interim Railway Budget presented by Lalu Prasad Interim Budget 2009?
Yadav? (1) Rs. 13100 crore
(1) 6 (2) 4 (2) Rs. 10100 crore
(3) 2 (4) 8 (3) Rs. 15300 crore
76. How much increase in the Freight Earnings for Year
2009-10 has been projected by Interim Railway Budget? 85. Who is the author of the book “Sahibs Who Loved India”?
(1) 9.7% (2) 10.7% (1) Jagdish
(3) 8.7% (4) 11.7% (2) Khushwant Singh
(3) Chetan Bhagat
77. What is the operating ratio of Indian Railways in the (4) Nadeem Aslam
Interim Budget 2009-10?
(1) 76.3% (2) 81.4% 86. Who received the Indira Gandhi Prize for Peace,
(3) 93.1% (4) 92.5% Disarmament and Development?
(1) Bill Gates
78. Approximately how much (percentage portion) of a rupee (2) Wen Jiabo
comes (earnings) from Goods traffic to the Indian (3) Taro Aso
Railways? How much from passenger traffic? (4) Nicholas Sarkhosay
(1) 75% from goods traffic & 21% from Passenger traffic
(2) 80% from goods traffic & 16% from Passenger traffic 87. Which country will be setting up a world Biggest
(3) 70% from goods traffic & 26% from Passenger traffic Telescope?
(4) None of the above (1) Japan
(2) France
79. What is the Total expenditure for FY 2009 as per Interim (3) China
Union Budget 2009? (4) India
(1) Rs. 9,53, 231 crore
(2) Rs. 8,32,876 crore 88. The upcoming G-20 Summit will be held in
(3) Rs. 7,12,222 crore (1) Pittsburgh
(4) Rs. 10,72,182 crore (2) New York
(3) Chicago
80. What are the estimated revenue deficit and fiscal deficit of (4) Los Angeles
GDP in the Union Budget 2009-10?
(1) Revenue deficit 6% and fiscal deficit (3)1% 89. “Lisbon Treaty” is the treaty accepted / adopted by the
(2) Revenue deficit 4.8% and fiscal deficit 6.8% members of which of the following organizations recently?
(3) Revenue deficit 4% and fiscal deficit (4)8% (1) NATO
(4) Revenue deficit 6% and fiscal deficit of 5.5 % (2) SAARC
(3) European Union
81. How much amount was allocated to NREGS in the Interim (4) NSG
Union Budget 2009-10?
(1) Rs. 40,100 crore (2) Rs. 30,100 crore 90. Beri-Beri is the deficiency disease caused by the vitamin
(3) Rs.20, 100 crore (4) Rs. 10,100 crore (1) B1 (2) B5
(3) A (4) C
82. How much increase was provisioned in Union Budget for
Defense? (In percentage) 91. Who has been appointed as President of Zambia?
(1) 28% (2) 34% (1) Dawada Kairaba
(3) 22% (4) 31% (2) Isatov Njle
(3) Levy
83. The fertilizer subsidies allocated for 2009-10 were (4) Rupiah Banda
projected Rs. 49,980 crore in the Interim Budget. This is
how much less or more than revised estimates for current 92. “Fehmida Mizza” is a woman speaker of National Assembly
year? of
(1) 12% (2) 24% (1) Indonesia (2) Iran
(3) 34% (4) 54% (3) Pakistan (4) Afghanistan

93. Who is called the “Grand Old Man of India”? 103. When Beijing Olympics were inaugurated?
(1) Mahatma Gandhi (1) 07-08-08
(2) Dadabhai Naoroji (2) 08-08-08
(3) Gokhale (3) 09-08-08
(4) Tilak (4) 10-08-08
94. Cabinet Mission came to India in which year? 104. Who won the prestigious Franc Ocaner Prize for writing?
(1) 1942 (2) 1932 (1) Salman Rashdei
(3) 1916 (4) 1946 (2) Madhu Kirthy
(3) Kiran Desai
95. Which five year plan has the objective” Garibi Hatao”? (4) Jhumpa Lahari
(1) First (2) Fifth
(3) Seventh (4) Eighth 105. What is the period for 11th Five Year Plan?
(1) 2005-10
96. “No country for old men” is a (2) 2006-11
(1) Book (2) Film (3) 2007-12
(3) Drama (4) Poem (4) 2008-13
97. Hathigumbha inscription belongs to 106. How many satellites were launched with PSLV-9 to register
(1) Ashoka (2) Kharavela world record by India?
(3) Harsha (4) Sasaka (1) 8 (2) 9
(3) 10 (4) 11
98. Who is present Chairman of Atomic Energy Commission?
(1) Rajaramanna 107. How many numbers are being added to Indian Postal Index
(2) Anil Kakodkar Number (PIN CODE)?
(3) R.S.Lahoti (1) 2 (2) 6
(4) A.S.Ahluvalia (3) 8 (4) 3
99. Who among is the Director of Central Bureau of 108. Who among was the selected for Nepal Peace Award for
Investigation (CBI)? 2008?
(1) A.K. Antony (1) Nepal Former King Gyanendra
(2) Ashwani Kumar (2) Nepal Mavoist Chairman Prachanda
(3) Joginder Sharma (3) Nepal Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala
(4) R.S.Sharma (4) None of these
100. Who presented the finance budget for the financial year 109. What is the event recently celebrated in Indian cricket
2008-09? history?(18-06-08)
(1) Pranab Mukherjee (1) Celebration of Triangle Series in Bangladesh
(2) P. Chidambaram (2) Celebration of Kapil Birth Day
(3) Manmohan Singh (3) Celebration of Silver Jubilee of BCCI
(4) None of these (4) Celebration of Silver Jubilee for winning World Cup
101. Which construction included in the ‘New Seven Wonders 110. Who won the Wimbledon (W) Tennis Title 2008?
of the World’ list prepared by Swiss corp. Foundation? (1) Venus Williums
(1) Machu Picchu (2) Serina Williums
(2) Eiffel Tower (3) Roger Federer
(3) Pyramids of Egypt (4) Ana Ivanovic
(4) Statue of Freedom
111. Who was the co participant of "Yasodha Scheme" recently
102. Who wrote the book "Teen Idols for Today"? introduced by Central Government of India?
(1) Nikila Srinivasan (1) NIPI
(2) Prasanna (2) SIFI
(3) Sruithi (3) INFOSYS
(4) Jayaraman (4) WIPRO

112. Who is chairperson of UPA? 121. Who is the new chief of RAW, appointed in January 2009?
(1) Sonia Gandhi (1) K C Sharma
(2) Ms. Ambica Soni (2) K C Verma
(3) Manmohan Singh (3) K C Mathur
(4) Rahul Gandhi (4) K C V Ramakrishnan
113. UPA Government's which flagship programme was 122. Who recently won the Parshvanath International Open
allotted maximum ? Chess Tournament?
(1) NRAGS, Rs. 30100 crore (1) Vishwanathan Anand
(2) NREGS , Rs. 39100 crore (2) Koneru Humpy
(3) NERAS, Rs. 29991 crore (3) Surya Shekhar Ganguly
(4) None of the above (4) None of the above
114. Haryana and Punjab have a common high court at 123. Which award has been given to " Pankaj Advani" this year?
Chandigarh. Which article gives the power to parliament to (1) Padam Shri
establish such common high courts? (2) Arjuna award
(1) Article 221 (3) Drona award
(2) Article 132 (4) Khel Ratna
(3) Article 213
(4) Article 231 124. Shyam Manohar was given National Sahitya Award 2008.
He writes in which language?
115. “Butterfly Stroke” is a term related to which sports? (1) Sanskrit (2) Awadhi
(1) Tennis (2) Swimming (3) Hindi (4) Marathi
(3) Badminton (4) Snooker
125. Saroja Vaidyanathan is a dancer recently given Sangeet
116. Which country will host the 2010 Men's Hockey World Natak Academy Award 2009. What type of dance she
Cup? performs?
(1) Australia (1) Kathak (2) Bharatnatyam
(2) Netherlands (3) Odissi (4) Folk
(3) Argentina
(4) India 126. Who was the runner-up in Australian Open 2009 Men's
Singles?
117. Which city shall host the 2012 Olympic games? (1) Roger Federer
(1) London (2) Rafael Nadal
(2) Lisbon (3) Andy Roddick
(3) San Francisco (4) Marat Safin
127. Name the Indo-Russian supersonic cruise missile with
118. " Sheru" is official mascot of which Games? speeds of Mach 2.5 to 2.8, which is world's fastest cruise
(1) Commonwealth Games to be held at Delhi in 2010 missile and is about three and a half times faster than the
(2) National Games 2012 U.S.A's subsonic Harpoon cruise missile?
(3) Men's Hockey World Cup 2010 (1) Ghorshev
(4) None of the above (2) Shakti
(3) Brahmos
119. With which game " Radha Mohan Cup " is related to ? (4) None of the above
(1) Polo (2) Chess
(3) Badminton (4) Kho-kho 128. Swaythling Cup is associated with
(1) Lawn Tennis (2) Table Tennis
120. Which are the three Indian cricketers recently inducted in (3) Hockey (4) Golf
ICC hall of Fame?
(1) Anil Kumble, Sunil Gavaskar, Ravi Shastri 129. Which Olympic Games had to be cancelled due to World
(2) Sunil Gavaskar, Kirmani, Mohinder Amarnath War I?
(3) Mohinder Amarnath, Ravi Shastri, Sunil Gavaskar (1) 1908 (2) 1912
(4) Sunil Gavaskar, Kapil Dev, Bishan Singh Bedi (3) 1916 (4) None of these

130. The background colour of Olympic Flag is 140. When and where was the game of Volleyball invented?
(1) Yellow (2) White (1) England, 1904 (2) USA, 1895
(3) Light Blue (4) Silver (3) Canada, 1894 (4) Australia, 1890
131. The gateway to the gulf of Iran is 141. The Olympics Motto 'Citius, Altius, Fortius' have been
(1) Strait of Gibraltar taken from which language?
(2) Strait of Hormuz (1) Latin (2) Spanish
(3) Strait of Malacca (3) Greek (4) French
(4) None of these
142. World literacy day is celebrated on
132. Olympiads of which year are not recognised by the IOC? (1) 8th Nov (2) 8th Oct
(1) 1940, Tokyo Olympics (3) 8th Sep (4) 8th Aug
(2) 1944, London Olympics
(3) 1896, Athens Olympics 143. The Commonwealth Games normally take place at an
(4) 1906, Athens (Greece) interval of .......... years.
(1) three (2) four
133. The Indian National Congress adopted the resolution of (3) five (4) not defined
'Complete Independence' in its session held at
(1) Lahore (2) Calcutta 144. Australia is known as the
(3) Madras (4) Bombay (1) Land of Golden Fleece
(2) Dependent continent
134. The Sepoy Mutiny of 1857 failed due to (3) South Europe
I. Poor organization II. Lack of unity (4) Richest Island
III. Improper leadership
(1) II and III only (2) I only 145. Which is the 'World's loneliest Island'?
(3) I, II and III (4) I and II only (1) Australia (2) Tristan De Cunha
(3) Nicobar (4) Ivory Coast
135. The Swadeshi Movement was started by
(1) Stopping migration to other countries 146. 'Tonga' is also known as the
(2) Boycotting foreign goods (1) Friendly Islands
(3) Speaking Hindi only (2) Tokelan Island
(4) Taking interest in Indian culture (3) Haapai
(4) Christian Island
136. Raja Rammohan Roy was the founder of
(1) Arya Samaj 147. Where was Albert Einstein born?
(2) Brahmo Samaj (1) UK (2) USA
(3) Ramakrishna Mission (3) Germany (4) Albania
(4) Prarthana Samaj
148. Kalidas was
137. 'A Half Nelson' is the term associated with which of the (1) A poet during the Gupta period
following sports (2) A dramatist during Harshvardhana's reign
(1) Bridge (2) Wrestling (3) An astronomer during the Gupta period
(3) Golf (4) Polo (4) None
138. The term 'Chinaman' in sports is associated with 149. Who was the first lady Prime Minister of the world?
(1) Basketball (2) Cricket (1) Smt Sirimavo Bandaranaike
(3) Rowing (4) Golf (2) Mrs Margaret Thatcher
(3) Smt Indira Gandhi
139. The founder of Chinese Republic is (4) Mrs. Golda Meir
(1) Yasuko
(2) Fa-hien 150. Who advocated the theory of laissez faire?
(3) San-Yat-Sen (1) Marshall (2) Malthus
(4) Su-Yang (3) Adam Smith (4) None of these

Brand trivia
Cadbury
r Cadbury began its Indian operations as a trading concern r In 1831, he rented a small factory at Bull
in 1947 and remains the market leader in India with brands Street, Birmingham and became a
like Cadbury Dairy Milk, Gems, 5 Star & Perk and now manufacturer of drinking chocolate and
additionally with products like Celebrations, Bytes and cocoa, the real foundation of the Cadbury
Temptations. manufacturing business.
r Cadbury's history is a fascinating study of industrial and r One of its primary performance measures at Cadbury is the
social development; it shows how a small family business 'People Care Index' that measures the extent of care that
can be developed into an international giant. The Cadbury employees experience in the work team to which they
family was a prominent member of the Society of Friends belong.
or Quakers.
r In July 2006, Cadbury launched Cadbury Dairy Milk
r Quakers held strong beliefs on justice, equality and social Wowie, a product offering that featured Disney
reform and an end to poverty and deprivation. John characters embossed in white chocolate on the traditional
Cadbury's involvement with the Temperance Society Dairy Milk bar.
had an influence on the direction of his business
enterprise. By providing tea, coffee, cocoa and chocolate r Dental researchers have discovered that tannin, found in
as an alternative to alcohol, which was believed to be one all cocoa products inhibits the key enzyme in the formation
of the causes of poverty and deprivation amongst working of plaque. Chocolate is the only word of Aztec origin used
people, he felt that he was helping to alleviate some of the regularly in English. Xocoatl was a bitter water drink made
misery. from cocoa beans by the Aztecs.
Answers to General knowledge

1. Ans.(2) 23. Ans.(2) 45. Ans.(3) 67. Ans.(1) 89. Ans.(3) 111. Ans.(1) 133. Ans.(1)
3. Ans.(3) 25. Ans.(2) 47. Ans.(3) 69. Ans.(3) 91. Ans.(4) 113. Ans.(2)
135. Ans.(2)
144. Ans.(1)
148. Ans.(1)

News in brief
India
r Congress president Sonia Gandhi r The International Monetary
inaugurated the Bandra-Worli sea Fund on July 9 raised India's
link in Mumbai. Mr. Pawar proposed growth forecast to 5.4 per cent
naming the sea link after Rajiv Gandhi, for 2009, even as it projected the
an idea which was welcomed. The sea world economy to shrink by 1.4 per
link is being hailed for reducing the cent. In April, it forecast a growth
travel time from Bandra to Worli to of 4.5 per cent for India. In its
seven minutes from the current 40. update to the World Economic
Outlook, the IMF said the global
r The government on named Nirupama Rao, currently economy would contract by 1.4 per cent. Earlier it had
Ambassador to China, as its next Foreign Secretary. She projected a growth of 1.3 per cent.
will succeed Shiv Shankar Menon, who retires at the end of
July after a tenure that lasted two years and 10 months. r Mumbai got off to a wet start on as incessant downpour
Prior to becoming India's woman in Beijing, she was High caused severe water logging in several places across the
Commissioner to Sri Lanka. bustling metropolis. Colaba and Santacruz stations of the
Regional Meteorological Centre recorded 73.7 mm and
r The police forces in mega cities will be provided with 32.2mmofrain.
helicopters, as in New York and London and other big
cities of the world, Home Minister P. Chidambaram r The Congress demanded the resignation of Gujarat
said after inaugurating the first of the four hubs of the elite ChiefMinisterNarendraModi and Minister of State for
National Security Guard in Mumbai. Home Amit Shah on moral grounds, even as the death toll
in the hooch tragedy went up to 105. At least 150 people
r Six new trains were proposed for Tamil Nadu in the are undergoing treatment in various hospitals, and new
railway budget on July 4. They are: a non-stop point-to- cases from the labour-dominated eastern Ahmedabad
point Chennai-Delhi bi-weekly express, a weekly localities are still pouring in. Reports collected from the
Bilaspur–Tirunelveli Junction superfast express via hospitals confirmed 105 deaths, while the condition of
Thiruvananthapuram, a bi-weekly Hapa-Tirunelveli about 40 people was stated to be critical.
superfast express via Thiruvananthapuram, a tri-weekly
Kanyakumari-Rameswaram express via Madurai, a bi- r The Supreme Court on July 11
weekly Madurai-Chennai Express and a Coimbatore- refused to restrain the Uttar
Shoranur passenger. Railway Minister Mamata Banerjee Pr a d e s h g o v e r n m e n t f r o m
announced that Chennai Central would be developed as a installing the statues of Chief
world-class station with international facilities . Minister Mayawati and other
Dalit leaders at a park in Noida, near
r Flood hits five lakh people in Assam. The water level in the Delhi. A Bench of Chief Justice
Brahmputra and its tributaries crossed the danger mark, K.G. Balakrishnan and Justice P.
affecting over five lakh people in ten districts. Normal life Sathasivam refused to entertain an
was crippled, as large parts of Lakhimpur, Dhemaji, application filed by advocate
Dibrugarh districts, Jorhat in upper Assam, Morigaon in Ravikant, on whose petition a
central Assam and Barpeta, Kamrup (Guwahati), vacation bench had issued notice to
Bongaigaon, Dhubri and Baksa in lower Assam were the government on June 29 for its response in four weeks.
submerged by the swollen rivers owing to incessant rains in The PIL had alleged misuse of public money by Ms.
catchment areas. Mayawati for self glorification.

r Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on July 12 r A day after six people were killed and several others injured
constituted a high-level Cabinet committee to give a in a girder collapse at a Delhi Metro construction site,
major thrust to infrastructure development and keep six more workers sustained injuries when a crane toppled
the focus on this core sector. To be led by the Prime over under its weight. The crane was being used to lift the
Minister himself, the panel will closely monitor key launcher for clearing the site on the elevated Central
projects for spurring economic growth.The committee has Secretariat-Badarpur line at Jamrudpur in South Delhi.
been formed in the wake of the recent announcement by The accident occurred after the booms of two other cranes
Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee that the government that were working in tandem with this crane snapped.
would spend Rs. 1 lakh crore on infrastructure projects.
Besides the Prime Minister, it will have as members Union r The veteran actor of stage and film,
Ministers Pranab Mukherjee, Sharad Pawar, Mamata NiluPhule passed away on July 14 at 2
Banerjee, Sushil Kumar Shinde, Farooq Abdullah, S. Jaipal p.m. at a hospital in Pune. With a
Reddy, Kamal Nath. stupendous 40 years of cinema to his
credit, 79-year-old Phule played
r The Central Committee of the innumerable negative roles, going on
Communist Party of India (Marxist) to become the quintessential rustic
on July 13 decided to drop Kerala Chief villain. He also portrayed nuanced
Minister V. S. Achuthanandan from characters with commendable finesse
the Polit Bureau for violating the in some of his unforgettable performances, in Samna
organisational principles and discipline. (Contest), Sinhasan (Throne) and Shaapit (Accursed).
However, the senior most party leader With Samna (1975), where the struggle between good and
would continue to head the State evil lends his negative role an element of dignity, he etched
government. himself firmly in the hall of fame.
r Five workers and a site engineer were killed and over 15 r The newly appointed chairman of the Unique
injured when a massive launching girder came crashing Identification (UID) Authority of India, Nandan
down at a Delhi metro rail construction site at Nilekani met Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Murli
Jamrudpur on the elevated Central Secretariat-Badarpur Deora to seek his cooperation in utilising the existing data
line in South Delhi . E. Sreedharan, Delhi Metro Rail available with government departments such as Income
Corporation (DMRC) chief tendered his resignation Tax and state fuel retailers for rolling out the unique
owning moral responsibility for the accident on the Central identification cards for the citizens.
Secretariat-Badarpur line. However, Delhi Chief Minister
Sheila Dikshit decided not to accept his resignation after a r C.N.R. Rao, National Research Professor at the Jawaharlal
meeting with DMRC officials. Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research has been
awarded the prestigious Royal Medal by the Royal
r Thirty police personnel, including a Superintendent of Society, London, for his contributions to Solid State and
Police, were killed in three attacks by Maoists in Materials Chemistry. Professor Rao will receive the award
Rajnandgaon, Chhattisgarh. Rajnandgaon SP Vinod in London on November 30. The Royal Medal, also known
Kumar Choubey was killed when he was leading forces for as the Queen's Medal, is awarded by the Queen upon
Madanwada, where naxals killed two policemen in the recommendation of the Council of the Royal Society.
morning, after being ambushed between Khoregaon and
Karkoti, according to Deputy Inspector General of Police r The Centre will shortly release Rs.1,000crore to the States
(Naxal) Pawan Dev. Rajnandgaon is about 90 km from from the Compensatory Afforestation Management
Raipur. and Planning Authority (CAMPA) fund for sustainable
forestry management, as directed by the Supreme Court.
r The first women battalion of about 1,000 personnel of The government intends to bring six million hectares of
the Border Security Force (BSF) will be inducted for degraded forest under the regenerative cover in the next six
combat duties by this month-end. These personnel have years. This will also include creating infrastructure for
been trained in weapon handling, intelligence, border wildlife management.
management, sports, unarmed combat, frisking and
guarding duties. The women, along with their male r One of the celebrated icons of Indian classical music, D.K.
counterparts, will carry out searches and frisking at Pattammal, passed away on July 17 following a brief
checkpoints and immigration points and on trade routes illness. She was 90. Her music was known as much for its
along the borders. technical brilliance, as for its emotional appeal.

r The former Chief Minister of Rajasthan, Jagannath r In a shocking turn to the Mumbai terror
Pahadia, and the former Union Minister of State, attacks case, MohammadAjmal Amir
Margaret Alva, were appointed Governors of Haryana 'Kasab' on July 21 confessed to his
and Uttarakhand respectively on July 19 in the second crime before the Special Sessions Court
round of gubernatorial appointments made by the new at the Arthur Road jail . “Mujhe gunha
United Progressive Alliance government. Ms. Alva will kabool hai [I admit to the crime]. I
replace B.L. Joshi, who has been moved to Uttar Pradesh in want to confess.” The lone surviving
place of T.V. Rajeswar, whose term ended earlier this terrorist of the 26/11 attacks stunned
month. the courtroom with these words, uttered just as the court
was preparing to record the evidence of a witness. Ajmal
r India's first
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh launched also mentioned the name of an Indian. He said an Abu
indigenous nuclear-powered submarine at Jundal “taught us Hindi.”
Vishakapatnam for trial on July 26. Andhra Pradesh Chief
Minister Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy conveyed that on July 26 r India and the U.S. on July 21 finalised three hi-tech
after meeting Dr. Singh to agreements with the visiting Secretary of State Hillary
discuss various issues Clinton singling out the military end user agreement as
pertaining to the State. Top the harbinger of greater defence cooperation. The other
defence and Navy officials two agreements are the Technology Safeguards Agreement
participated in the (TSA), a type of end user agreement in the space sector,
programme. Christened INS which will pave the way for the use of U.S. components in
Arihant – Ari means enemy Indian satellites, and the Science and Technology
and hant the killer – the 5,000-tonne submarine was for Cooperation Agreement, signed by External Affairs
long referred to advanced technology vessel as part of a Minister S.M. Krishna and Ms. Clinton just before their
secret project lasting nearly 11 years; the time consumed joint media interaction.
for building the submarine.
r The Supreme Court on July 21 declined to stay the Delhi
r The Ministry of Environment and Forests will bring High Court judgment declaring Section 377 of the Indian
out a white paper on the current state of scientific Penal Code unconstitutional and decriminalising
knowledge on the Himalayan glaciers. It will establish unnatural sex between consenting adults. A Bench
an institutional mechanism to monitor the trends and comprising Chief Justice K.G. Balakrishnan and Justice P.
variability of glaciers and study the impact of changes on Sathasivam granted eight weeks for the Centre to file its
the hydrological regime in the region. The white paper will response to special leave petitions challenging the High
be prepared by V.K. Raina, former Deputy Director- Court verdict.
General, Geological Survey of India (GSI). The paper will
be finalised by August 10 for public debate. r As the controversy over the frisking of
the former President, A. P. J. Abdul
r Two fresh cases of assault on Indians have been reported in Kalam, at the Indira Gandhi
Australia, with three students attacked in two separate International Airport here echoed in
incidents, even as the Immigration Minister prepares to Parliament, the Bureau of Civil
leave for New Delhi to reassure that his country is a safe Aviation Security registered a First
destination for students and “not racist.” Information Report against
ContinentalAirlines for carrying out
r India finished with a haul of four medals – one gold, two the pre-embarkation body check. As per the FIR, Dr.
silvers and a bronze – at the 20th International Biology Kalam was travelling by flight CO-083 from New Delhi to
Olympiad(IBO) that concluded in Japan. A team of four New York.
Indian students, who participated in the week-long IBO
held at Tsukuba, were among the 220 students across the r The University Grants Commission (UGC) has
globe from 56 countries, national coordinator, Science sanctioned Rs. 13.4 crore grants to Bharathidasan
Olympiads, Vijay Singh. Vidhi Hathi, Jodhpur (Rajasthan) University for utilisation during the Eleventh Five Year
won a gold medal; S. Chetan from Bangalore (Karnataka) Plan period. The sanctioned sum comprises Rs. 828.75
and Usnish Adhikari Haldia (West Bengal) won a silver lakh as general development grant, Rs. 508.5 lakh for
medal each; while Amit Gupta, Patiala (Punjab) won a merged schemes and Rs. 5 lakh for Internal Quality
bronze medal. Assurance Cell (IQAC).

r High-profile Information Technology expert and Infosys r Underlining the importance of
co-founder Nandan Nilekani on July 24 took charge as infrastructure, India's central Road
Chairman of the newly created Unique Identification Transport and Highways Minister
Authority of India (UIAI) and promised to roll out the first Kamal Nath says roads would play
set of unique identification numbers within 12-18 months. an important role in infrastructure
He said: “In the next 12 to 18 months, we will be issuing the development in the next decade.
first set of unique identification numbers …The Finance
Minister [Pranab Mukherjee] in his budget speech has r All around the world, on every first
said that the ID numbers would be issued in 12-18 months. Sunday of August, friends meet and exchange gifts,
We take that as [a] very strong direction and commitment. flowers, cards and wrist bands to celebrate Friendship
So we intend to abide by that.” Day. But some believe it's just another marketing
gimmick.
r Proceedings in Parliament were disrupted on July 24 as the
Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) members protested against r A news report on the Mumbai terror attacks, titled
the proposal to withdraw the NSG cover to Uttar 'Mumbai's terror makes Mohali bleed', published in
Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati. Normal business Chandigarh Newsline on November 28 last year, has found
resumed only after the government came out with an place on the merit list for the Karpoor Chandra Kulish
assurance that the security for leaders, including Murli InternationalAward 2008.
Manohar Joshi, Lalu Prasad and Mulayam Singh, would not
be downgraded. r Two-wheeler manufacturers in the country will have to
compulsorily provide helmets at the time of the sale of
r Prime Minister Manmohan Singh led the nation in paying vehicles, the Delhi High Court said. Detailed order would
homage to the Kargil martyrs on July 27 morning, on the pass later.
10th anniversary of the victory over Pakistan.
Accompanied by senior leadership of r Defending the Gorshkov aircraft carrier deal with Russia
the Defence Ministry and the three that had come under severe criticism by the CAG, Navy
armed services, Dr. Singh saluted the Chief Admiral Sureesh Mehta said that it would be
memory of the 610 officers and men impossible to get an aircraft carrier at cheaper rates.
who lost their lives in the 59-day war
with Pakistan in 1999. Buglers sounded r A successful angioplasty surgery done in city-based
the Last Post, as the Prime Minister Nizam Institute of Medical Sciences (NIMS) has been
took salute. A two-minute silence was selected as one of the three best cases from world over for
also observed. Writing in the visitors presentation in a world conference.
book at the Amar Jawan Jyoti, the
Prime Minister said: “I join the entire nation in paying r Abdul Karim Telgi, the kingpin of the
homage to the martyrs of the Kargil war. They sacrificed multi-crore fake stamp scam, was
their lives in defence of Indian unity and integrity.” sentenced to three years of rigorous
imprisonment by a local court in a
r National Commission for the Scheduled Castes and the cheating case filed against him in 1992.
Scheduled Tribes Chairman Buta Singh termed the
Central Bureau of Investigation's (CBI) questioning of his r Food sovereignty, a universal Public Distribution
son SarabjotSingh in connection with a bribery scam as a System (PDS) is the need of the hour if food crisis is to be
political conspiracy against him and members of his family. controlled in the country, well known environmentalist
VandanaShiva said.
r Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah
resumed office after state Governor N N Vohra dismissed r Union Minister for New and Renewable Energy Farooq
PDP's allegation that he was involved in the 2006 sex Abdullah inaugurated the world's largest solar steam
scandal. system installed at Sri Sai Baba Sansthan, Shirdi
r The Indian Navy and the Coast Guard have stepped up r The government said it had initiated steps to bring back
patrolling off the Konkan coast to verify the intelligence huge amounts of "black money" stacked in foreign
inputs provided by the Goa police that a suspicious ship is banks, as part of its important programmes to be
sailing towards the coastal state. implemented within its first 100 days in office.

News in brief
World
r North Korea has test-fired two short-range missiles off r An interim government in Honduras
its east coast, reported South Korea's defence ministry warned ousted President Manuel
spokesman. The launch of the surface-to-ship missiles Zelaya to stay away. Robert Micheletti
could further stoke tensions already high after the North's , head of a caretaker leadership could
May 25 nuclear test. Philip Goldberg, the US envoy who be open to holding an early
co-ordinates sanctions against the North, went to China to presidential election and even a
enlist Beijing's help in getting tough with the hermit state. plebiscite on bringing Zelaya back to
China is the North's biggest benefactor whose co- serve the last few months of his term,
operation could determine the success of any sanctions if that would calm the global storm
against the regime. over his ouster.
r Japanese diplomat Yukiya r Alaska Governor Sarah Palin, the Republican Party's
Amano was elected the next head of vice presidential candidate in 2008, took decision to resign
the U.N. atomic watchdog on July 2 this month, an unexpected move that could signal a run for
and he vowed to tackle rich-poor higher office. She gave no indication of her future plans.
tensions weakening the fight against She is not seeking re-election in 2010, Palin would transfer
the proliferation of nuclear authorityto LieutenantGovernor Sean Parnell on July 26.
weapons. The major Challenges for
Amano include Iran's disputed r Iraq on July 4 ruled out foreign involvement in its efforts to
nuclear programme, blocked reconcile rival factions, just after visiting U.S. Vice
investigations into alleged military President Joe Biden urged Iraqis to do more to bury
nuclear activities in Iran and Syria, grievances and stave off renewed conflict. Biden, on a
and North Korea's nuclear tests. three-day visit, offered U.S. help in what he said was a long
Amano, supported by industrialised nations, narrowly road ahead in uniting a country deeply split by years of
defeated South Africa's Abdul Samad Minty in a sixth sectarian war and rived by violence. But Iraq has been
round of balloting after five inconclusive votes. It was his forcefully asserting a newfound sovereignty in the week.
second try for the top job at the International Atomic U.S. combat troops pulled out of city centres, a milestone
Energy Agency (IAEA) following an election stalemate in that was feted by flowers and dancing.
March.
r Violence at a Muslim rally in China left 129 people dead
r Thousands of U.S. Marines stormed deep into Taliban and more than 800 injured. The silent sit-down protest
territory in an Afghan valley on July 2, marking the start of a turned into a violent riot when nearly 1,000 protesters -
major new effort by the Obama administrationto regain the mostly from the Uighur ethnic group - turned on police
initiative in the war. The Marines met little resistance on who were trying to disperse them. The protesters had
day one of Operation Khanjar, or Strike of the Sword, to gathered in the city of Urumqi in the country's western
seize almost all the lower Helmand River valley, heartland Xinjiang region to demand an investigation into a fight
of the Taliban insurgency and the world's biggest opium between Uighur and Han Chinese workers at a factory in
poppy producingregion. southernChina last month.
r Disgraced financier Bernard Madoff, 71, was sentenced r Barack Obama went to Moscow in the hope of boosting
on July 3 to an effective life term for Wall Street's biggest flagging US-Russian relations. Mr Obama scheduled for
investmentfraud of as much as $65 billion. He was arrested two days of meetings with President Dmitry Medvedev
by the FBI last Decemberand he pleaded guilty in March. and other leaders, including an hour long meeting with

Prime Minister Vladimir Putin. Negotiations on arms Baghdad. In compliance with the US-Iraq Security
control dominated talks with the current Start I (Strategic Agreement, the US has turned over five Iranian detainees
Arms Reduction Treaty) accord set to expire on 5 at the request of the Iraqi government. The detention of
December. Both sides agree in principle to cut warheads the Iranians - including officials US forces have accused of
from more than 2,000 each to as low as 1,500 each. Mr arming Shia Muslim militias at the height of Iraq's
Obama and Mr Medvedev have both stated their sectarian fighting - stoked tension between Tehran and
determination to further cut nuclear arsenals and repair a Washington, also at odds over Iran's disputed nuclear
badly damagedrelationship. programme.
r Prime Minister of the United r German prosecutors on July 13

Kingdom Gordon Brown has called charged suspected Nazi death camp
on world leaders to complete ‘radical guard John Demjanjuk with
reforms’ on the economy as agreed at helping to kill nearly 28,000 Jews in
the G20 summit in April. Speaking at World War Two, setting the stage
a one-day Anglo-French summit in for what may be Germany's last big
E v i a n - l e s - B a i n s , Mr Brown Nazi war crimes trial. State
expressed concern that the banks prosecutors in Munich charged the
were still not lending enough to 89-year-old John Demjanjuk as an
business and he said action was accessory to murder in a total of 27,900 cases. Nazi hunters
needed to stabilisethe long-termprice of oil. hailed the announcement, which follows years of legal
arguments over the wartime activities of Kiev-born
r One of the last two British embassy workers being held in Demjanjuk,who denies any role in the Holocaust.
Iran has been released. Foreign Secretary David
Miliband has launched a vigorous defence of the other r Chinese investigators have questioned executives at
employee, believed to be the embassy's chief political several steel mills in a widening probe of alleged leaks of
analyst Hossein Rassam, who is said by his lawyer to face state secrets to Australian iron ore supplier Rio Tinto. The
trial for "acting against national security". Nine staff was news comes as Australian officials urged China to move
originally arrested after the disputed re-election of quickly in dealing with the detention of a senior Australian
President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and the street Rio executive on spying accusations, a case that has cast a
protests that followed. shadow over bilateral trade worth $53 billion (32.5 billion
pounds) last year. The broadening investigation targets
r The global economy is starting to pull out of its deepest some of the nation's largest mills, all influential members
recession since World War Two but recovery will be of the China Iron and Steel Association (CISA), which
sluggish and policies need to remain supportive. In an represents the Chinese industry in annual negotiations
update of its World Economic Outlook, the IMF said the with global iron ore miners.
global economy is likely to contract 1.4 percent this year, a
touch steeper than the 1.3 percent decline it expected in r Japan's ruling bloc voted down a no-confidence motion
April. However, it now sees world economic growth of 2.5 against embattled Prime Minister Taro Aso on July 14, but
percent in 2010, compared with an April projection of 1.9 chaos deepened within his party as fears grew of a historic
percent. defeat in a national election next month. A loss for Aso's
coalition in the August 30 general election would end half a
r A strong earthquake has rocked southwest China, leaving century of nearly unbroken rule by the pro-business ruling
hundreds of people injured. The government of Yao'an Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), struggling to revive
County, in Yunnan province, estimated that of the 300 the economywith massive stimulusspending.
wounded, more than 30 had severe injuries. Reports said at
least 10,000 homes had collapsed. The 6.0 magnitude r Six volunteers have emerged from a mock Russian
quake struck at 7:19 pm in the town of Guantun, in a spacecraft after three months in isolation. They greeted
mountainous area about 125 miles northwest of the the outside world with smiles of relief after spending 105
provincial capital Kunming. The US Geological Service days on a simulated mission to Mars. Sealed in the mock
estimated the severity of the quake at 5.7 at a depth of about spacecraft the crew had to endure cramped conditions with
6 miles. no natural light and, for the most part of the mission, had all
communication with the outside world cut off. The only
r Iraq has handed over five Iranians, who had been held for culinary highlightsfor them were snack bars, baby food and
two years by US forces, to the country's embassy in vitamin tablets.

r U.S. President Barack Obama's plans to overhaul the r German Chancellor Angela Merkel set host to Russia's
$2.5 trillion (1.5 trillion pound) President Dmitry Medvedev for
healthcare industry got a boost on talks dominated by efforts to avoid a
July 14 as Democratsin the House of new spat over gas supplies to Europe
Representatives offered sweeping and the global financial crisis. The
legislation and predicted passage on talks encompassed the most
schedule by August. House important foreign policy questions,
Democratic leaders released their such as Iran, North Korea's nuclear
1,000-page proposal which breaks programme, the Middle East peace
new ground for the United States in process, as well as economic topics,
healthcare by offering a government such as the financial crisis and the
insurance option that would read-out from the G8 meeting.
competewith private insurers.
r Two suicide bombers were behind the blasts at luxury
r China has warned its citizens in Algeria about possible hotels in the Indonesian capital Jakarta that killed eight
attacks from Al-Qaeda in retribution for a Chinese people. More than 60 others were injured in the explosions
government crackdown in the Muslim region of Xinjiang, at the JW Marriott and the Ritz-Carlton in the city's main
and security has been tightened around Beijing's businessdistrict. Foreigners were among the dead.
missions in the Philippines.
r Swine flu has swept the globe at “unprecedented
r A Tupolev passenger aircraft crashed in northwestern speed,” the World Health Organisation declared on
Iran July 15 on its way to neighbouring Armenia and all 168 July 17, as a study warned the pandemic could tip the world
people on board were killed. The Caspian Airlines plane into deflation and delay the economic recovery. Argentina,
was carrying 153 passengers and 15 crew. The plane was meanwhile, issued a nationwide alert after pigs were
travellingfrom Tehran to Yerevan in Armenia. confirmedto have the swine flu virus.
r Hundreds of people fled a wild fire in southern Spain r Iceland could join the European Union in record time.
which destroyed more than 4,000 The parliament on the North Atlantic island that has been
hectares in 24 hours. The blaze, badly battered by the global economic crisis voted on July
which was believed to have been 16 in favour of applying for membership in the 27-nation
caused by lightning, had raged bloc. Iceland handed its membership application to
across Sierra Cabrera national Sweden, which currently holds the rotating EU presidency,
park causing evacuations from the and to the European Commission, the bloc's executive
Turre municipality. arm in Brussels.
r More than 50 heads of state from the developing world met r US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton on July 18 paid
in Egypt to tackle the fallout from the global economic tribute to the victims of last year's Mumbai attacks,
meltdown,with calls for a “new world order” to prevent a meeting those who escaped the carnage and calling for
repeat of the crisis. Cuban President Raul Castro said in worldwide unity against terror. Clinton, on her first visit to
a speech at the opening session of the Non-Aligned India as Washington's top diplomat, began the first full day
Movement summit that the financial crisis had hit with a commemoration at the Taj Mahal Palace and
developingnations the hardest. Tower Hotel, where she has staying and where 31 guests
and staff died during a 60-hoursiege.
r Newly found video of the first Moon landing is being
released, 40 years after the event itself. Apollo 11 was the r Henry Allingham, the world's oldest man and oldest
first manned mission to land on the Moon, with World War I veteran, died on July 18 at the age of 113.
Commander Neil Armstrong the first astronaut to step Allingham, who in 2008 led the country in
onto another planetary body, followed by Edwin Buzz marking the 90th anniversary of the World
Aldrin. The third member of the team, Michael Collins, War I armistice, put his longevity down to
did not get the chance to follow in the footsteps of his "cigarettes, whisky and wild, wild women."
colleagues as he had to stay in the command module. The He had become the world's oldest man on
spacecraft was launched from Cape Kennedy 40 years ago June 17, Guinness World Records
and it took four days of travel through space before the confirmed, when the previous holder,
astronauts arrived at their historic destination. Tomoji Tanabe of Japan, died aged 113.

r German Chancellor Angela Merkel hit out at Swedish r US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton arrived in
nuclear operator Vattenfall on July 19 over a series of Thailand for a regional security conference focusing on
problems at an ageing reactor near Hamburg. The the North Korean nuclear threat, Myanmar's rights
Kruemmel reactor near Hamburg, one of Germany's record and terrorism. Following a five-day visit to India,
oldest, underwent earlier this month what Vattenfall called Clinton flew to Bangkok and headed to a meeting with
an "emergency shutdown" after a short circuit in one of its Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva. She made no
transformers. It was the second such incident in several comment on the plane. She went to the resort island of
days at the plant, which had only just re-opened after two Phuket for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations
years of repairs following a malfunction in a transformer Regional Forum (ARF), which groups the regional bloc
that had caused a fire and a shutdown. with the United States and 16 other countries.
r The army general who led a military coup that toppled r Osama bin Laden's son Sa'ad was
Mauritania's first elected head of state last August was probably killed by a US missile strike in
on July, 19 declared the winner of a presidential election Pakistan earlier this year. Sa'ad bin
organised by his junta. Mohammed Ould Abdel Aziz, Laden was a prominent figure in the
who resigned his commission to stand, won 52.58 of ballots murky relationship between Iran and
cast in the first round of voting on a turnout of 64.58 al Qaeda. A missile fired from a US
percent, according to provisional results released by his drone aircraft is believed to have killed
interior minister, MohamedOuld Rzeizim. him sometime this year, US National Public Radio cited an
unnamed US counter-terrorism official. US intelligence
r Around 17,000 people have been forced to evacuate their agencieswere 80 to 85% certain Sa'ad bin Laden was dead.
homes in the Kelowna region of Canada's British
Columbia province, where forest fires have already r Former British Prime Minister Tony Blair will be called to
devastated 300 hectares (741 acres) of land. At least nine give evidence to the Iraq war inquiry, according to inquiry
houses have been consumed by the flames, which crossed a commission chairman Sir John Chilcot. Sir John Chilcot
highway forcing the inhabitants of 6,500 homes to leave, warned that his team would "not shy away from making
but the fires have not caused any injuries or deaths so far. criticism"if they uncovered mistakes.
r North Korea shows no signs yet of willingness to return to r UAE's first earth observation satellite, DubaiSat-1 was
talks on its nuclear programme, a senior US envoy said on successfully launched from Kazakhstan. "The rocket lifted
July 20 as he pushed a two-track strategy of tougher off at 1210 IST. All the satellites separated successfully and
sanctionsand offers of dialogue. they are all currently in orbit," Audrey Nice, spokesperson
for Surrey Satellite Technology Limited (SSTL), who was
r Pakistan Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani on July 20 involvedin the launch, told the local media.
asked the European Union for immediate weapons and
training for security forces to help the insurgency-wracked r Software giant Microsoft and internet major Yahoo! are
nation drive out the Taliban. Gilani made the demand close to reaching an online partnership that could
during talks with EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana, who challenge the dominance of Google in the search business.
had earlier pledged full support for Pakistan as it deals with A news report said that the two companies are on the brink
the resettlement of 1.9 million people displaced in fighting of sealing an online alliance.
with Taliban rebels.
r Russian Prime Minister Vladimir
r Peru's ex-president Alberto Fujimori was sentenced to Putin who prides himself over his
7.5 years in prison for corruption during his rule, in the 'macho' image, boarded a mini-
latest blow to the disgraced former leader already jailed on submarinein southernSiberia in Russia
human rights abuses. Fujimori and dived to the bottom of Lake Baikal,
had admitted responsibilityin the the deepest lake in the world and the
case, in which he was accused of largest freshwater lake in the world by
paying a 15-million-dollar bonus volume.
to Vladimiro Montesinos, his
right-hand man during his r Former Pakistan president Pervez Musharraf, who has
presidency, but did not accept been ruled guilty of illegally imposing emergency two years
that awarding the money ago, faces exile in Britain because his presence may
amountedto a crime. destabilisethe country, a Britishnewspaperreported.

News in brief
Business and Economy

r Global miner Rio Tinto agreed on July 6 to sell its r GoldmanSachs Group said quarterly earnings surged 33
Americas food-packaging assets for $1.2 billion (737 percent on blowout trading results, trouncing
million pounds) to packaging group Bemis, raising yet expectations and putting the bank on pace for windfall
more much-needed cash for the indebted miner. Rio bonuses that could draw more unwanted public scrutiny.
Tinto, which raised $15.2 billion in one of the world’s The results continued Goldman's extraordinary rebound
largest-ever rights issues, said it had sold the assets for $1 from the near meltdown of the
billion in cash with the rest potentially paid in the form of U.S. banking industry last fall.
shares in U.S.-listed Bemis. Just nine months after the
U.S. Treasury bailed out the
r IBM on July 8 planned to close its final salary pension nation's largest banks with
scheme in the UK in order to become $125 billion (76 billion
more competitive and make long-term pounds) of taxpayer money,
pension costs more predictable. The Wall Street's biggest surviving securities firm topped
IT giant said it had started a 60-day forecasts as improving markets fuelled trading profits.
consultation with about 5,000
members of its final salary scheme, r Administrators for Lehman Brothers Holdings's main
representing a quarter of its staff in the UK. European unit have finalized a plan to return about $13
billion (£8 billion pounds) in client funds that have been
r Citigroup Inc announced its biggest management shake- held up in legal proceedings since the investment bank
up since the financial crisis began, replacing its chief collapsed last year.
financial officer and installing a new banking chief as it
prepares to give the government a 34 percent equity stake. r Microsoft has regained its position as the UK's leading
The changes, announced on July 9, come as Chief superbrand. The computer giant lost its league standing
Executive Vikram Pandit faces intense pressure to to Google last year in the Superbrands annual survey,
improve performance, rebuild the executive ranks in slipping to No2. But the firm, which is battling Google on
consumer banking, and shed unwanted assets. Citigroup several fronts for dominance of the global computer
has lost $36 billion (22.2 billion pounds) over six quarters market, has regained its hegemony in the minds of the
and received a series of federal government bailouts. British public. Google itself slipped two places to No3 with
Rolex taking the No2 spot in the poll, which was
r General Motors exited bankruptcy, far more quickly commissioned by the Centre for Brand Analysis. Four
than most industry watchers had expected, as a leaner other brands keep their top 10 placing. They include the
automaker aiming to win back American consumers and BBC, British Airways and Mercedes-Benz . New
pay back taxpayers. A whirlwind 40-day bankruptcy for GM Lego Cola-Cola
entries to the top 10 include and , both re-
concluded with the closing of a deal that sold key operations entering after a one-year absence.
and core brands, including Chevrolet and Cadillac, to a new
company that will be primarily owned by the U.S. Treasury. r Luxury car-maker Jaguar Land Rover
will cut 300 jobs from its Halewood
r UKFI declared that the Government has lost £10.9bn on plant in the north of England and stop
its investment in Lloyds and RBS. UK Financial production of its X-Type cars due to the
Investments Limited, which was set up to manage the downturn in the auto industry. The
Government's stake in the two banks, said every household industry has been especially badly hit by the recession and
in the country has more than £3,000 invested in Lloyds and the premium sector more than others. Jaguar Land Rover's
RBS shares. retail sales fell by 28 percent in the past 10 months.

r BT is to switch at least 2,000 call centre jobs from India to r The European Commission approved the proposed
the UK. The move is part of a long-term strategy to cut merger of US drug manufacturers Pfizer and Wyeth ,
costs by £1bn and reduce dependency on third parties subject to Pfizer renouncing some of its animal health
globally. Although the initial figure has been put at 2,000, products in Europe. The 68 billion dollar (48.2 billion
around 2,750 jobs could come back to the UK as the euro) deal appears to be the biggest takeover in the global
company looks to half its call centre operation on the sub- pharmaceutical sector since Pfizer acquired Warner-
continent. Lambert Co. for 93.4 billion dollars in 2000.
r The world's top cellphone maker Nokia cut its forecast for r UAE telecoms giant Etisalat posted first half profits of
second half profitability and 2009 market share at its key 4.593 billiondirham (1.25 billion dollars)
phone unit, sending its shares sharply lower. Nokia is hailing it as evidence the company had
suffering from lack of attractive weathered the global economic slowdown.
phone models in tough rivalry with The firm acknowledged that the net profits
the likes ofApple , Samsung and were down on the headline figure of 5.045
RIM .Nokia said its second-half billion dollars (1.37 billion dollars) posted
underlying operating profit margin for the same period of last year.
at its key phone unit would be at the first-half level of 11.3
percent. It had earlier forecast a second-half margin of 13- r Car manufacturer Nissan will invest almost $700 million
19 percent. (423 million pounds) in two plants to make batteries for
electric cars in Britain and Portugal after securing financial
r Toyota will begin production of its first European-built full support from their governments. Carmakers around the
hybrid car in England in mid-2010, in a boost to the world are exploring plans for mass electric car production
country's hopes of becoming a leading player in low carbon as the industry seeks to haul itself out a devastating
industry. The Japanese carmaker will make a gasoline- downturn. The Nissan news comes less than a week after
electric version of its Auris hatchback at its factory near Toyota said it would produce its first European-built hybrid
Derby, about 125 miles (200km) north of London. car in Britain from 2010. A hybrid car is part-powered by
electricity and is more fuel efficient than traditional
r Google's quarterly profit beat Wall Street expectations vehicles.
but its revenue growth was not as stellar as some investors
had hoped, sending shares down 2 percent. Also, IBM r At Microsoft's research centre in a leafy lane in India's
reported a 13 percent slide in revenue as corporate tech capital, a new generation of researchers are being
spending fell, but cost cuts and a shift to more profitable groomed half a world away from the software giant's
businesses helped it trump earnings expectations. The sprawling headquarters in Seattle. Staffed with about 60
company raised its profit outlook for the full year, helping full-time researchers, many of them Indians with PhDs
send its shares higher. from top universities in the United States, the centre is at
the cutting edge of Microsoft's R&D. It covers seven areas
r British Airways on July 17 of research including mobility and cryptography. Its
unveiled plans to raise 600 success, including developing a popular tool for
million pounds through a Microsoft's new search engine Bing , underscores the
combination of bondholder potential of R&D in India at a time when cost-conscious
debt and bank credit, and firms are keen to offshore to save money by using talented
reported a first quarter loss researchers abroad.
of 100 million pounds. The airline planned to raise 300
million pounds by issuing bonds due in 2014 which would r World number two truck maker
convert into 15-20 percent of its shares. Volvo posted a deeper than expected
second-quarter loss on July 21 and
r General Electric profit fell by almost half, on a deeper drop stood by its forecast that the
in revenue than Wall Street expected, as the slump that has economic downturn would see its
gripped its finance and media businesses took hold of its main markets shrivel this year. But
heavy industrial units. The largest U.S. conglomerate, whose the drain of cash from the group
shares fell3.2% in premarket trading, reported earnings that slowed considerably in the quarter
topped Wall Street's expectations, but posted a 17-percent compared with the previous three months while the
drop in revenue that was far deeper than the 10-percent Swedish vehicles maker said it had managed to cut
decline analysts expected. inventories further as it adjusted to the plunging demand.

r Continental Airlines announced on July 21 r Morgan Stanley on July 22 reported a third straight
it would cut 1700 jobs amid a slump in quarterly loss, falling further behind chief rival Goldman
revenue and passenger numbers. The Sachs as fixed income and asset management results
Houston-based firm said it would be disappointed. While Goldman posted a blowout quarter
"eliminating approximately 1,700 positions with strong gains in trading and profit, Morgan Stanley was
across the company, including management saddled with red ink from the repayment of government
and clerical positions." The cuts could save the firm 100 bailouts and the accounting ramifications of improvements
million dollars when "fully implemented in 2010." in its debt prices. Its loss was even wider than Wall Street
had expected.
r India's Tata Steel, the world's No. 6 steelmaker , has
raised $500 million (304.2 million pounds) by listing r The German luxury sports
global depositary receipts (GDRs) on the London Stock c a r m a ke r Po r s c h e
Exchange, the largest ever from an Indian firm. The announced the resignation
offering, which is also the biggest share issue for London "with immediate effect" of chief
bourse's primary market this year, has lifted the number of executive Wendelin Wiedeking
Indian firms listed on the exchange to 51 – 24 GDRs, 4 and financial director Holger
Indian focussed companies on the main board and 22 H a e r t e r. S t u t t g a r t - b a s e d
quoted on LSE's junior board AIM. Porsche said in a statement that
an agreement on the
r Global beverage giant Coca-Cola on July 21 reported resignations had been reached
forecast-beating quarterly profit, aided by strong volume with the supervisory board and that Wiedeking – said to be
growth in emerging markets like China and India. The US the best-paid boss in Germany – would get a golden
soft-drink maker said it had net profit of 2.04 billion dollars parachute worth 50 million euros (71 million dollars), of
in the second quarter, up 43 percent from a year ago when which half was to go to a "social foundation."
heavy charges were taken.
r Kingfisher, Europe's biggest home improvements retailer,
r Apple reported higher-than-expected quarterly results, posted better-than-expected second-quarter sales as its
fuelled by robust sales of the iPhone, sending its shares up grew market share, boosted by the growing trend for home
more than 2 percent. The company reported net profit of and garden DIY and low cost room makeovers. At the firm's
$1.23 billion (74.7 million pounds), or $1.35 a share, for its B&Q business in the UK, sales at stores open more than a
fiscal third quarter ended June 27, up from $1.07 billion, or year increased 0.7 percent in the 10 weeks to July 11, while
$1.19 a share, in the year-ago period. Revenue rose 12 the gross margin benefited from fewer price cuts.This
percent to $8.3 billion, versus the Wall Street estimate of compares with analysts' consensus forecast of a fall of 3.5
$8.2 billion, according to Reuters Estimates. percent and a first-quarter rise of 3.2 percent.
r Pfizer declared that its second-quarter earnings fell 19 r US fast-food chain McDonald's reported second-
percent, as the strong dollar crimped quarter net profit of 1.09billiondollars, down 8.0 percent
revenue across its product line. The from a year ago as a stronger dollar weighed on revenue.
world's largest drug maker earned Revenue fell 7.0 percent to
$2.26 billion (1.37 billion pounds), or 5.64 billion dollars in April-
34 cents per share, compared with June period, the global
$2.78 billion, or 41 cents per share, in re s t a u r a n t c h a i n s a i d .
the year-earlier period. Excluding special items, the New Earnings per share of 98
York-based drug maker earned 48 cents per share, a penny cents were in line with the
better than analyst expectations. average analyst forecast of 97
cents, but revenue fell short
r Boeing on July 22 said that its quarterly profit had of market expectations of 5.72 billion dollars.
increased more than expected, driven by growth in defence
programs. The world's No. 2 plane maker said second- r India's top mobile company, Bharti Airtel, reported
quarter net profit rose to $998 million (607 million that first-quarter net profit jumped 24percent. Bharti said
pounds), or $1.41 per share, from $852 million, or $1.16, a its net profit for the three months to June 30 rose to 25.17
year earlier. Analysts expected profit of $1.21 per share, billion rupees (526 million dollars) on revenues which
according to Reuters Estimates. Its 2009 earnings forecast jumped 17 percent to 99.42 billion, helped by strong
were unchanged between $4.70 and $5 per share. subscriber growth especially in rural areas.

r Top Indian generic drugs firm, RanbaxyLaboratories ,a r A census report on the micro, small and medium
unit of Japan's Daiichi Sankyo, reported net profit soared enterprises in the country, identifying strengths and
during the second quarter, swelled by foreign exchange weaknesses of the sector, will be released soon, a senior
gains. But Ranbaxy, which has been buffeted by major Indian government official said.
regulatory problems in its largest market, the United
States, maintained its forecast of a loss for full year 2009. r Engineering major McNallyBharat said it has bagged an
Ranbaxy's net profit for the three months to June jumped to order worth Rs 414 crore for manufacturing coal-based
6.93 billion rupees (139 million dollars) from 229 million Nagpur.
power project of Ideal Energy Projects at
rupees in the same period a year earlier, sharply surprising
analysts. r Bankof AmericaCorp Chief Executive KennethLewis
downplayed growing concern that banks are indifferent to
r India's largest private sector firm providing needed credit to get the economy moving again,
Reliance Industries reported on while maintaining that vitriol over the industry's
July 24 that first-quarter net profit responsibility for the recession is "overdone.”
fell 11.6 percent as refining
margins halved. The oil and r Major Japanese bank Mizuho
petrochemical giant said net profit Financial Group stayed in the red last
slipped to 36.3 billion rupees (75 quarter, posting a 4.49 billion yen ($47.3
million dollars) in the three months to June 30 from 41.1 million) loss as derivatives trading soured
billion rupees in the same period a year earlier. Sales slid 23 and bad loans surged.
percent to 320.5 billion rupees. The results were below
market expectations. Analysts had forecast Reliance would r The United States still has a "very damaged economy"
report a profit of close to 39 billion rupees. but there are some positive signs emerging, such as
improvements in the housing market, White House
r Swedish telecoms manufacturer Ericsson On July 25 spokesman Robert Gibbs said.
said it is buying a North American chunk of Canada's failed
Nortel Networks for 1.13 billion dollars (795 million r Telecom service provider Tata Communications said it
euros). Ericsson will take over the carrier networks division has entered into an agreement with private sector lender
of Nortel relating to CDMA and LTE techology in North NainitalBank to host their core banking solutions.
America – a deal which includes contracts with the likes of
Verizon and Bell Canada. r Automakers in Europe andJapan unveiled weak results
for the first half of the year and are set to keep tight control
r BMW Formula One
will pull out of at the over costs but most predict an improvement in conditions
end of 2009 after a dismal season and amid for the rest of 2009.
a crisis in the automotive industry, sources
told to news agencies. r China has taken advantage of a drop in electricity demand
due to the global financial crisis to speed up a campaign to
r In yet another instance of its deepening financial crisis, close small coal-fired power plants and improve its
Kingfisher Airlines informed all its employees that their battered environment, an official said.
July salaries may be delayed. Kingfisher lost Rs 1,609 crore
on net sales of Rs 5,270 crore in 2008-09. Flamboyant r With a 13 percent rise in quarterly profit, India's third-
owner VijayMallya is trying desperately to raise funds for largest software services exporter, Wipro limited
, said
his cash-strapped company. that they were adapting successfully to the global
meltdown.
r Hero Honda Motors Ltd, India's largest motorcycle
maker reported an 83 percent rise r Stock market regulator Securitiesand ExchangeBoard
in net profit for the June quarter of India (Sebi) has decided to abolish the no-delivery
beating forecasts on high sales period for all types of corporate actions in respect of scrips,
volumes, new product launches and which are traded in the compulsory dematerialised mode.
lower raw material prices.
r The tension between GoogleInc and Beijing is more of a
r The world's largest carmaker, Toyota, would launch nuisance than a financial blow for now, but it's a taste of the
Fortuner in the Indian market on August 24, betting big on challenges that lie ahead as the world's largest Internet
its sports utility vehicle. search engine strives to expand in China.

News in brief
Sports
r Roger Federer beat Andy Roddick in r Sprint superstar Usain Bolt won
one of the most extraordinary finals the 100m at the London Grand
ever seen at Wimbledon or any other Prix on July 24 in an astounding style
grand slam on July 4, holding off a brave on a day when it was announced five of
challenge from the American to win 5- his fellow Jamaicans had tested
7, 7-6, 7-6, 3-6, 16-14 and broke the positive for drugs. Despite running
record of Pete Sampras who won 14 into a stiff head wind, world record-
slams. holder Bolt, the Olympic 100m and
200m champion, still clocked a time of 9.91sec even though
r World number one Tiger Woods struggled to a 74 in July he clearly slowed down in the closing stages.
17 second round at the British Open to miss the cut in a
major championship for only the second time as a r David Beckham has been fined £665 by Major League
professional. The 33-year-old American, hunting a 15th Soccer (MLS) officials for confronting an unruly Los
major victory, suffered a torrid run either side of the turn Angeles Galaxy fan during a heated match. The sports star
before posting a five-over total of 145, a stroke outside the cut. returned to play for LA Galaxy earlier this month after a
brief spell on loan to Italian side AC Milan.
r Golfing wrinkly Tom Watson kept alive his dream of
becoming the sport's oldest major champion when r Serena Williams clinched her
another remarkable display gave him the lead after the third Wimbledon title and 11th
British Open third round on July 18. The 59-year-old Grand Slam crown with a 7-6
American was the star attraction at the Ailsa Course for the (7/3), 6-2 victory over sister Venus,
third day running, shooting a one-over-par 71 for a four- the defending champion.
under total of 206 to move one stroke clear of Australian
Mathew Goggin (69) and Briton Ross Fisher (70). r The Williams sisters conquered Wimbledon again after
they won a battle of power against guile to retain their
r American Stewart Cink won his first major doubles crown. Venus and Serena triumphed 7-6 (7-4), 6-4
championship when he lifted the golf British Open title against the Australian pairing of Sam Stosur and Rennae
on July 19. Cink defeated 59-year-old compatriot Tom Stubbs enthralling match on Centre Court.
Watson in a four-hole playoff after the pair had finished the
regulation 72 holes on two-under 278. r Defending champions Daniel Nestor and Nenad
Zimonjic retained their Wimbledon crown by defeating
r Andrew Flintoff bowled with furious pace and sustained top seeds Bob and Mike Bryan in a high-quality doubles
hostility on July 20 to propel England to their first Ashes final. The 7-6 (9-7), 6-7 (3-7), 7-6 (7-3), 6-3 contest always
win over Australia at Lord's since 1934. Flintoff bowled promised to be an intense affair between the two top
unchanged from the Pavilion end to finish on the honours' doubles team in the world. But it was the second seeded
board with five for 92 as England wrapped up the second pair that eventually stole the advantage, winning a total of
Ashes test by 115 runs before lunch on the final day to take a 142 points compared with the Bryans' 139 in a duel that
1-0 lead in the five-match series. Only eight days ago displayed immaculate doubles play. The Bryans were the
England needed their last-wicket pair of James Anderson favourite to win the title as top seeds.
and Monty Panesar to bat through 11.3 overs to salvage the
first test in Cardiff. Now they believe they can emulate the r Chairman Ejaz Butt said PCB has given up the demand of
2005 heroes who regained the Ashes from Australia in the hosting World Cup matches and is instead trying to get
greatest series ever staged. maximum financial benefits from ICC.

Brand icon
L’oreal
I n 1907, Eugène Schueller, a young French chemist,

developed an innovative hair-colour formula. He called his
improved hair dye Auréole. Schueller formulated and
manufactured his own products, which he then sold to Parisian
hairdressers.
Clark, New Jersey; one in Japan: Kawasaki, Kanagawa
Prefecture; and in 2005, one was established in China, Shanghai.
A future facility in the US will be in Berkeley Heights, New
Jersey.
On 17 March 2006 L'Oréal made a £652 million agreed

In 1909, Schueller registered his company, the Société takeover of ethical cosmetics company The Body Shop. L’Oréal
Française de Teintures Inoffensives pour Cheveux holds 10.41% of the shares of Sanofi-Aventis, the world's
("Safe Hair Dye Company of France “literally” number 3 and Europe's number 1 pharmaceutical
French Society for Inoffensive Hair Dyes"), the company. The Laboratories Inneov is a joint venture in
original L’Oréal. The guiding principles of the nutritional cosmetics between L’Oréal and Nestlé;
company, which eventually became L’Oréal, were they draw on L’Oréal's knowledge in the fields of
research and innovation in the interest of beauty. nutrition and food safety. Galderma is another joint
venture in dermatology between L'Oréal and Nestlé.
In 1920, the small company employed three
chemists. By 1950, the research teams were In 2007, L’Oréal was ranked 353 in the
100 strong; that number reached 1,000 by Fortune Global 500. The company had
1984 and is nearly 2,000 today. earned $2,585 million on sales of $19,811
million. There were 60,850 employees.
L’Oréal got its start in the hair-color
business, but the company soon branched L’Oréal's famous advertising slogan is
out into other cleansing and beauty "Because I’m worth it". It has recently been
products. L’Oréal currently markets over replaced by "Because you're worth it"
500 brands and many thousands of .L’Oréal also owns a Hair and Body
individual products in all sectors of the products line for kids called Loreal Kids,
beauty business: hair color, permanents, hair styling, body and the slogan for which is "Because we're worth it too".
skin care, cleansers, makeup and fragrances.
Asia's economy is a mess, Latin America is tottery. Other
The L'Oréal Group is the world's largest cosmetics and worldwide marketers, such as Procter & Gamble Co., are
beauty company and is headquartered in the Paris suburb of suffering partly as a result. But L'Oreal is surging in markets
Clichy, Hauts-de-Seine, France. L'Oréal has developed stretching from China to Mexico.
activities in the field of cosmetics, concentrating on hair colour,
skin care, sun protection, make-up, perfumes and hair care. The mission statement of Loreal seems to be very promising
L'Oréal is active in the dermatological and pharmaceutical & the morale booster of its employees & its customers the
fields. L'Oréal is also the top nanotechnology patent-holder in statement is as follows:
the United States.
“At L’ORÉAL, we believe that everyone aspires to beauty.
L'Oréal is a listed company, but the founder's daughter Our mission is to help men and women around the world realise
Liliane Bettencourt and the Swiss food company Nestlé each that aspiration, and express their individual personalities to the
control over a quarter of the shares and voting rights. full. This is what gives meaning and value to our business, and to
the working lives of our employees.
L’Oréal has five worldwide research and development
centers: two in France: Aulnay and Chevilly; one in the U.S.: We are proud of our work.”

Book review
The Goal :
A Process of Ongoing Improvement
by Eliyahu M Goldratt
I t’s written as a fictional story about Alex Rogo, a

manufacturing plant manager, struggling with the success
of his plant as well as his marriage. His plant has undergone
a serious downturn despite various improvements with new
technology and higher efficiencies. He's been given an
He further implements changes at his plant based on the
guidance of his new mentor, Jonah. He learns that in the plant
there is a chain of dependent processes and with those,
statistical fluctuations that can occur at any step and cause lags
down the chain. This slows productions and ultimately makes
ultimatum to turn the plant around or it will be shut down and the performance of the system much worse than the constraint
the story is about his struggle and realization of trying to recover on its own, since other barriers and delays keep piling up.
the plant. His work centric lifestyle drives his wife to question
their marriage and she moves out on him during this time so Alex begins to restructure the thinking of his people and
Alex is in a real bind and has to find ways to save both his plant changes the process to maximize the use of the bottlenecks in
and marriage! his plant, while looking specifically at the 3 items listed above.
This process is known as the Theory of constraints. This theory
Alex gets in touch with a past professor, named Jonah, who comes into practice in the following 5 steps:
helps to guide Alex toward a series
of steps and continual process of 1. Identify the constraint
drastic and continual
improvement. They explore and 2. Exploit the constraint (or bottleneck) by keeping it running
challenge the conventional and maximize its output as much as possible
methods in place despite the
barriers from corporate head 3. Subordinate. Get everything to run at a pace that keeps up
to the bottleneck, to avoid inventory jams.
quarters and Alex's skeptical boss.
He learns to bridge the gap in
4. Elevate. Increase the throughput of the constraints no
tackling productivity by analyzing
matter the costs since they limit the entire system
bottlenecks or constraints in the
throughput.
overall system, and not just
individual areas within it that had
5. Repeat with new constraints. As constraints are improved,
otherwise always been the points of
new constraints will emerge, repeat with these next.
measure.
So, the learning in this book are many. It is written brilliantly
Shockingly, he discovers what seems like common sense is to portray an understandable method of analyzing a system to
not so common after all, and that putting into practice the non- improve its performance and it demonstrates a method that can
conventional shifts can make a major impact on what he has easily be applied and practiced in any organization or life. The
learned the goal to be; to make money. Its not to cut costs, reduce details within the book are presented in such a simple and clear
wages, increase efficiency, or any of the other traditional way, the context of them are transparent to other lines of
measures that were in place. Its about balancing 3 critical areas business and not limited to the operations of a manufacturing
of the plant's operations in order to make more money, plant, which the story is based on. The 1st person narrative style
regardless of those other measures. These three components really emphasizes the thought processes of examining such a
need to happen simultaneously in order to have any significance problem and definitely gives the reader a chance to think the
and these are: same way even while reading the story!
r Reduce Inventory In newspapers, the 'Births, Marriages and Deaths'

r Reduce Operating Expense columns are known informally as hatches, matches and
r Increase throughput dispatches.

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Contents

Major news story

Editor-in-Chief : Sandeep Manudhane

Volume 8. Edition 02. August 2009

© 2008 All rights reserved. Profiles

“If women didn't exist, all the

02 PT’s PrepTalk – August 2009

PT’s PrepTalk – August 2009 03

S wine influenza is a contagious respiratory disease that

During March/April 2009, a new strain of swine influenza

PT’s PrepTalk – August 2009 05

06 PT’s PrepTalk – August 2009

T hroughout the world, women face

The International Institute for Democracy

But participation of women has made

PT’s PrepTalk – August 2009 07

The EU Commission has created a platform for all these

Some organisations have been created to promote the

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Literacy and women: According to the UNESCO

Still after all this issues women account for approximately 45

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Solutions and not Power: Merely empowering women

Organisations need to be more accommodating to

Change in attitudes: It is perhaps a cliché, but still the

Libya is one of only two Islamic nations to have women in

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Indian Union Budget

r to lead economy to high GDP growth rate of 9 per cent

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Source: www.ibef.org (Indian Brand Equity Foundation)

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tututu The controversy surrounding the site led Ratan Tata to

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Thousands of skywatchers burst into applause as darkness

However, their counterparts in

Rajiv Khel Ratna: M.C. Marykom (boxer), Vijender ECLIPSE FACTS

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Speaking at a press conference on the

Pa k i s t a n ' s c h i e f Earlier, Krishna said that Pakistan was sending conflicting

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“They asked the U.N. Security Council to do something and

“They are not saying President Bashir is innocent. It's not

Sudan says the AU vote means its president is free to travel

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Two earlier attempts in June were aborted after potentially tututu

tututu The award received on behalf of the

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Business and Economy

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tututu Nooyi's key contributions include

tututu It said that while the Union Budget for 2009-10 is

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