Union Government increased FDI Limit for FM radio from 20 per cent to 26 per cent Governments Fiscal Deficit

surged to Rs 2.73 lakh crore in AprilAugust 2011 Period

Prime Minister's Economic Advisory Council (PMEAC) chairman C Rangarajan pointed out that the target to cut fiscal deficit to at 4. per cent of the GDP for the current financial year would be missed. The government's decision to borrow Rs 52872 crore more from the market, over and above Rs 4.17 lakh crore estimated earlier for the current year, put pressure on the deficit number

Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) appointed as External Auditor of IAEA & WIPO
The Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) on 30 September 2011 was appointed as external auditor of two major UN organisations, the Vienna-based International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and the Geneva-based World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO).

It is for the first time that a supreme audit institution from outside Europe has been appointed to these prestigious positions in these two organisations. These appointments were made in the face of competition from other developed countries like the U.K., Spain and Norway. The tenure of these audits could extend up to six years.

The CAG is on the panel of external auditors of the UN and its agencies and also on the Governing Board of the Asian Organisation of Supreme Audit Institutions. The audit body is also poised to take over as its Chairman for three years from March 2012.

The appointments for organisations such as IAEA and WIPO recognised the professional capabilities of the CAG's auditing talent pool.

The recognition of the capabilities of the CAG of India in the past manifested has been manifested in his appointment on the Board of Auditors of the United Nations and as external auditor to a number of other major UN agencies like Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO), World Health Organisation (WHO), International Maritime Organisation (IMO) and Organisation for Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW).

Supreme Court of India allowed the export of Endosulfan

The Supreme Court of India on 30 September 2011 allowed the export of more than one million tons of controversial insecticide Endosulfan, subject to strict monitoring and supervision by the Customs and Environment Ministry officials.

The apex court bench comprising Chief Justice S.H. Kapadia, Justice K.S. Radhakrishnan and Justice Swatanter Kumar opined that 1090.596 metric tons of Endosulfan could be exported to those countries from whom export orders have been received by the manufacturers in India.

The apex court decided on the issue after hearing a plea seeking a complete ban on production, sale, distribution and use of the agriculture insecticide accused of causing ailments in human beings.

The Union Cabinet Approved Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Bill, 2011
The Union Cabinet approved the proposal to introduce the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Bill (MMDR Bill), 2011, in terms of National Mineral Policy, 2008 in Parliament and to repeal the existing Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957. The new MMDR Bill, 2011, aims to introduce better legislative environment for attracting investment and technology into the mining sector by the following: States may call for applications in notified areas of known mineralization for prospecting based on technical knowledge, value addition, end-use proposed ore -linkage etc. and to invite financial bid; States may grant of direct mining concessions through bidding based on a prospecting report and feasibility study in notified areas where data of minerals is adequate for the purpose; State Government may set up a minimum floor price for competitive bidding; Special provisions for allowing mining of small deposits in cluster, where cooperatives can apply; National Mining Regulatory Authority for major minerals - State Governments may set up similar Authority at State level for minor minerals; Imposition of a Central cess and a State cess, and setting up of Mineral Funds at National and State Level for capacity creation; For the purpose of sharing the benefits of mining with persons or families having occupation, usufruct or traditional rights in mining areas, and for local area infrastructure, creation an amount equal to royalty in case of mineral other than coal, and 26% of net profits, in the case of coal, has been proposed to be credited each year to district Level Mineral Foundation; Sustainable and scientific mining through provision for a Sustainable Development Framework; Consultation with local community before notifying an area for grant of concession, and for approval of Mine Closure Plans; Enhanced penalties for violation of provisions of the Act, including debarment of person convicted of illegal mining for future grants and termination of all mineral concessions held by such person; and Establishment of Special Courts at the State level for speedier disposal of the cases of illegal mining.

Powerful Typhoon Roke Hit the Central and Western Japan

powerful typhoon struck Japan on 21 September 2011, bringing torrential rains and floods. The typhoon, packing winds of 162 km per hour passed near Tokyo.The Typhoon was named Roke.

This is the second time in less than a month that Japan was lashed by a typhoon. Talasripped through the west of the country on 4 September 2011, leaving about 90 people dead or missing.

Scientists Discovered that Universe is Bound by Cosmic Thread Food Inflation closed to Double-digit Mark at 9.13% for the week ended 17 September 2011

PMEAC lowered GDP Growth to 8 per cent in 2011-12 from earlier estimate of 8.2 per cent
The Prime Minister s Economic Advisory Council (PMEAC) on 29 September 2011 lowered its forecast for GDP growth to around 8 per cent in 2011-12, from its earlier estimate of 8.2 per cent. The eastimate was lowered on account of persistently high inflation, slowing industrial expansion and global uncertainties posing a challenge to economic growth.

C Rangarajan, chairman of PMEAC mentioned while speaking at a golden jubilee function of the Indian Economic Service the need for for reducing the country s reliance on capital flows as a means to bridge the current account deficit (CAD), as well as the need to ensure that the CAD does not exceed 2.5 per cent of GDP.

PMEAC cautioned on the perils of growing beyond 9 per cent as it would trigger inflationary pressures. It pointed out that if the country continues to grow in the range of 8-9 per cent, as projected in the 12 th Five Year Plan, then a current account of deficit of 2.5per cent of the GDP will be created. The CAD is expected to exceed 2.5 per cent by the end of the 2011-12 fiscal.

Highlighting the footloose nature of global capital, Rangarajan stressed on the need to contain CAD while lowering its dependence upon capital flows as a means of finance. India received dismally low capital inflows of about half-abillion ($0.488 billion) till August-end in 2011-12 fiscal.

Foreign investors have been reluctant to risk money in equities in the backdrop of the sovereign debt crises in Europe, and expectations of global double-dip recession.

Rangaranjan pointed out that there existed short-term concerns and medium-term constraints which would come in the way of achieving 9 per cent growth. There are three short-term constraints- one is inflation, the second is balance of payment and the third area is fiscal consolidation.

GAIL India became the First Public Sector Entity to acquire Shale Gas Assets Abroad
State-run gas utility GAIL India become the first public sector entity and the second Indian firm after Mukesh Ambani s RIL to acquire shale gas assets abroad. GAIL India on 29 September 2011 on 29 September 2011 announced a deal with USbased Carrizo Oil & Gas Inc for acquiring a 20% interest in the latter s Eagle Ford Shale acreage.

Boeing's P-8I built for the Indian Navy completed First Flight in Seattle
Boeing's first long-range maritime reconnaissance and anti-submarine warfare aircraft P-8I for the Indian Navy completed its initial flight on 29 September 2011 at the Boeing Field in Seattle, USA.

Chairman & MD of Rajiv Petrochemicals, Rajiv Vastupal elected President of AIMA

Rajiv Petrochemicals' chairman & managing director Rajiv Vastupal was elected president of the All-India Management Association (AIMA). He succeeded Gautam Thapar.

Vastupal, who was previously AIMA s senior vice-president, will lead the organisation to build managerial excellence in India.

Rajiv Vastupal is the chairman of Rajiv Petrochemicals Pvt Ltd & Group, chairman of Team Rajiv who has diversified business interests in Polymer, Petrochemicals, Pharmaceuticals & Electricals with the present turnover of 600 crores.

Rajiv is the founder member & Chapter Chair of Young President Association (YPO) for Gujarat Chapter with record break membership of 38 members in the world history.

Nokia India managing director D. Shivakumar took over as AIMA's new senior vice-president. Apollo Hospitals managing director Preetha Reddy was selected as the new vice-president, while Max India group human capital director P. Dwarkanath is to continue as treasurer.

Founded in 1957, AIMA is an autonomous body which plays a proactive role in pooling management thoughts within the country

Salgaocar defeated East Bengal 3-1 in the final of 33rd Federation Cup China Successfully Launched Tiangong-1, its First Unmanned Space Laboratory
China on 29 September 2011 successfully launched its first unmanned space laboratoryTiangong-1 from a site in the Gobi Desert. Tiangong-1 means heavenly palace. This launch makes China the third country after Russia and USA to operate a permanent space station. The space lab launched by China is expected to be operational by 2020. The Tiangong-1 will orbit on its own for a month after which it will be joined by another spaceship, Shenzhou-8. Both will then carry out the first space docking. The Tiangong-1 will help China establish a manned space test platform capable of long term unmanned operation in space with temporary human attendance.

France Identified Bhopal and Maheshwar in MP for Conservation of their Heritages

French government identified Bhopal and Maheshwar for conservation of their heritages under its Indian Heritage Cities Network. The conservation of these sites will be done on the lines of Rheims city of France.

Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) received SEBIs Approval to set up SME Exchange

Asia s oldest bourse Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) on 28 September 2011 got an approval to set up an exchange for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) from the capital markets regulator Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI).

The permission from SEBI is likely to boost BSE's efforts in offering multiple asset classes to Indian investors. The permission to set up SME will enable BSE to contribute towards the governmental agenda of greater financial inclusion and allowing promising enterprises of the future to access retail capital.

The new exchange set up by BSE will allow small unlisted domestic companies, with less than Rs 10 crore capital base, to raise money from the primary market.

BSE was committed to deliver the best products, services, and asset classes to all our stakeholders and look forward to the success of the SME segment. While the government has taken several measures to ease access to credit, giving them easier access to equity is the next step in that process. The new exchange will be a facilitator in raising funds for SMEs.

BSE SME Exchange conducted several seminars for educating the SMEs on the benefits of listing and the preparations required for listing on the BSE SME Platform across the country. BSE SME tied up with channel partners, who include various institutions and associations engaged in the development of SMEs. More seminars are lined up in this year.

BSE SME planned for sectoral seminars for auto ancillaries, infrastructure, pharmaceuticals, manufacturing, agrobased industries, suppliers to OEMS and the like.

National Stock Exchange (NSE), India s largest exchange, is currently awaiting a formal Sebi approval to start a similar SME exchange. In May 2011 Sebi had given an in-principle approval to both BSE and NSE to set up SME exchanges.

Sebi had on 2 June 2011 allowed exchanges to introduce programmes to enhance liquidity of thinly-traded securities in their equity derivatives segments. NSE currently controls almost the entire equity derivatives market, with a turnover of about Rs 29.63 trillion in August. BSE s comparable turnover was Rs 34.09 crore.

63.8 crore people in India practice Open Defecation due to Inadequate Sanitation IBSF shifted Venue for IBSF World Men's Snooker Championship from Bahrain to Bangalore
International Billiards & Snooker Federation (IBSF) aanounced on 28 September 2011 its decision to shift the venue for IBSF World Men's Snooker Championship from Bahrain to Bangalore.

IGNOU conferred Rajiv Gandhi International Prize on the Azim Premji Foundation
The Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) on 28 September 2011 conferred the Rajiv Gandhi International Prize for Technology in Education and Development on the Azim Premji Foundation. The award instituted by the university in its silver jubilee year was presented to Azim Premji by Communications and Information Technology Minister Kapil Sibal.

Punjabi Playwright & Theatre Personality Gursharan Singh popularly known as Bhajji died Three distinguished Indian Americans named for National Medal of Science, Technology & Innovation
Three distinguished Indian Americans, two inventors and a researcher were named by US President Barack Obama on 27 September 2011 as recipients of National Medal of Science, and for Technology and Innovation.

The Indian American scientists figured in a celebrated White House honours list for 2011, broadly underscoring India s continued contribution to American advances. Two of them are IIT-ians, alumni of the academically elite Indian Institute of Technology.

New York University s Srinivasa SR Vardhan, Purdue University s Rakesh Agarwal, and North Carolina State University s B Jayant Baliga were the three Indians selected dozen to receive the National Medal of Science, and for Technology and Innovation, the highest honor bestowed by the United States government on scientists, engineers as well as inventors.

Legendary Playback Singer Lata Mangeshkar was honoured with the First Hridaynath Award Software Product Development Services Provider Global-Logic acquired Method
Software product development services provider Global-Logic on 28 September announced the acquisition of acquired San Francisco - headquartered global design and innovation consultancy firm Method. The acquisition will help Global-Logic to better serve clients in social media, mobile commerce, IPTV, medical devices, and tablet computing segments, GlobalLogic said in a statement.

Method solves business challenges through design thinking and creates inspired products, services and brand experiences that engage customers. Google, Nissan, Samsung, Nokia, Microsoft, Time Warner Cable, Nordstrom, TED, the BBC are some of Method s clients

India and Bhutan Renewed Memorandum of Understanding on Electoral Cooperation

India and Bhutan signed a Memorandum of Understanding for a period of five years to facilitate exchange of knowledge and experience, information, material, expertise and technical knowhow, training of personnel and development of human resources in electoral matters and also for taking up joint initiatives and providing assistance to others. The MoU was signed during the visit of Chief Election Commissioner SY Quraishi to Bhutan on 16-18 September 2011.

National Commission for Safai Karamcharis Presented Tenth Annual Report to Government German Parliament Approved Expanded European Union Bailout Fund
Garman Parliament approved expanded powers for the EU s main bailout fund. The Parliament voted in favour of an enhanced 440 billion euro European Financial Stability Facility (EFSF). Many Germans are against committing more money to prop up struggling eurozone members such as Greece.

The approval by the Parliament means that it would allow the fund to buy bonds of distressed states and offer emergency loans to governments and offer emergency loans to governments. Earlier, Finnish parliament approved the proposed overhaul of the EFSF. The EU bailout fund must win the approval of all euro-zone members.

India and Pakistan Agreed to Double Bilateral Trade to Six Billion US Dollars
India and Pakistan have agreed to normalise their economic relations and jointly work to double bilateral trade to six billion US dollars by 2014. This was agreed during a meeting between Commerce and Industry Minister Anand Sharma and Pakistan Commerce Minister Makdhoom Mohammad Amin Fahmin in New Delhi. At present, their bilateral trade is 2.7 billion US dollars. Pakistan has also agreed to implement all the obligations under the South Asian Free Trade Area, SAFTA Agreement meeting a long pending demand from India.

Eight Core Infrastructure Industries registered 3.5 per cent Growth in August 2011
As per the provisional data released by the the Commerce Ministry on 27 September 2011, the eight core infrastructure industries registered an output growth of 3.5 per cent in August 2011 lower than the 4.4 per cent growth witnessed in the corresponding period in 2010. The eight core industries include- crude oil, petroleum refinery products, natural gas, fertilizers, coal, electricity, cement and finished steel. The eight core industries have a total weight of 37.90 per cent in the Index of Industrial Production (IIP).

Government Panel in Favour of More Power to CCI in Allowing M&A in Pharmaceutical Sector
A government panel headed by Planning Commission member Arun Maira in its report presented on 27 September 2011, mentioned there should there should be no restrictions on foreign direct investment (FDI) in the Rs 47000crore

pharmaceuticalssector.

Indian Companies Margin to slip by 1 % as per in the Second Quarter of 2011-12 Fiscal Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust awarded Contract for its Fourth Terminal to PSA -ABG Consortium India defeated Pakistan 53-38 to lift Asian Kabaddi Title
The Indian kabaddi team lifted its first-ever Circle Style Asian kabaddi title by defeating arch-rivals Pakistan 53-38 at Tabriz in Iran on 27 September 2011.

India and Myanmar Agreed to Set 3 Billion US Dollars as Trade Target

India and Myanmar on 27 September 2011 agreed to set a 3 billion US dollars as trade target. The trade target will be achieved by 2015. At present, the bilatral trade between India and Myanmar is 1.5 billion US dollars. This was decided at a fourth meeting of joint trade commission which was attended by the Union Commerce Minister, Anand Sharma and the Myanmar s Minister of Commerce, U. Win Myint.

India and Myanmar also agreed to build a Land Custom Station at India-Myanmar Border (Mizoram) to facilitate the movement of vehicles and goods entering and leaving Mizoram. Both nations noted that the border trade point at Moreh on the Indian side and Tamu on the Myanmar side had huge potential for normal trade.

It should be noted that one third of India s imports of pulses and one-fifth of India s imports of timber are from Myanmar. At present, pulses and wood products accounts for 97.5 percent of Myanmar s total exports to India while pharmaceuticals and buffalo meat accounted for 45 percent of India s total exports to Myanmar.

India and Myanmar implemented the India-ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) Free Trade Agreement (FTA) on 1 September 2010. India had also implemented the Duty Free Tariff Preference (DFTP) scheme for Myanmar in January 2009, under which Myanmar would gain market access for 94 per cent of India s products at zero duty. India and Myanmar have also increased the list of items for border trade from 22 to 40.

K. S. Sreenivasan appointed non-official director on board of Oriental Bank of Commerce

The Ministry of Finance (Department of Financial Services) on 27 september 2011 appointed K. S. Sreenivasan as part-time, non-official director on the board of Oriental Bank of Commerce. Sreenivasan has been appointed for a period of three years.

He had earlier served on the board of Union Bank of India between 2006 and 2009 and also on the board of Madras School of Economics. Sreenivasan, a practising chartered accountant with nearly 26 years of experience, is also a life member of the Indian Council of Arbitration.

The Gujarat Assembly Passed the Bill to Check Cow Slaughter in State
The Gujarat Legislative Assembly on 27 September 2011 passed the Gujarat Animal Preservation (Amendment) Bill 2011. The bill seeks seven-year jail term for cow slaughter or even transporting the animal for that purpose

The First Strategic Economic Dialogue between India and China was held in Beijing
India and China held their first Strategic Economic Dialogue in Beijing on 26 September 2011. India and China agreed to deepen bilateral investment cooperation, further open up markets to each other and improve the investment environment. India and China also agreed to strengthen cooperation on energy efficiency and conservation, as well as on environmental protection. In order to promote sustainable development, the two sides agreed to cooperate in the renewable energy sector. The two sides agreed to host the next SED in 2012 in India. Strategic Economic Dialogue will increase mutual understanding and trust between India and China. Through this dialogue, both nations could share their experience to achieve economic development. Although the bilateral trade crossed 61 billion US dollars in 2011, India was left with deficit of over 40.9 billion US dollars due to accelerated exports from China.

Red Bull Driver Sebastian Vettel of Germany won the Singapore Formula One Grand Prix
The victory marked Vettel's ninth win in this season and the 19th of his career.

Force

India's

di

Resta

finishes

career-best

sixth

and

Adrian

Sutil

was

palced

eighth

List of winners: 1. Sebastian Vettel (Red Bull-Renault); 2. Jenson Button (McLaren-Mercedes); 3. Mark Webber (Red Bull-Renault); 4. Fernando Alonso (Ferrari); 5. Lewis Hamilton (GBR/McLaren-Mercedes)

Chen Long won the Men's Singles Badminton Title at the Japan Open
Chen Long claimed his second title in two weeks on 25 September 2011 when he shocked World No. 1 Lee Chong Wei to win the men's singles badminton title at the Japan Open. In the women's singles final, Chinese World champion and No. 1 Wang Yihan whipped the eighth-seeded Juliane Schenk of Germany 21-16, 21-14 in 43 minutes to regain the title she won in 2008 and 2009. The Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) on 26 September 2011 honoured 11 scientists with the Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Prize for Science and Technology for the year 2011.

Dr Samir K Brahamachari, Director General, Council of Scientific Research and Industrial development announced the names of scientists at the celebration of CSIR foundation Day. Till 2010, 463 scientists (including 14 women scientists) have been bestowed with the prestigious SSB Prize.

The list of the awardees in the different categories are as follows:

Biological Sciences

Dr Amit Prakash Sharma (International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, New Delhi) Dr Rajan Sankaranarayanan (CSIR Centre for Cellular & Molecular Biology, Hyderabad).

Chemical Sciences

Dr Balasubramanian Sundaram (Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research, Bangalore) Dr Garikapati Narahari Sastry (CSIR Indian Institute of Chemical Technology, Hyderabad).

Earth, Atmosapere, Ocean & Planetary Sciences

Dr Shanker Doraiswamy (CSIR National Institute of Oceanography, Goa)

Engineering Sciences

Dr Sirshendu De (Indian Institute Dr Upadrasta Ramamurty (Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore)

of

Technology,

Dharagpur)

Mahtematical Sciences

Dr Mahan Mj (Ramakrishna Dr Palash Sarkar (Indian Statistical Institute, Kolkata)

Mission

Vivekananda

University,

Howrah)

Medical Sciences

Dr Kithiganahalli Narayanaswamy Balaji (Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore)

Physical Sciences

Dr Shiraz Minwalla (Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Mumbai) The Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Prize for Science and Technology was first given in 1958. It is regarded as the

country's highest award in science is named after the founder director of CSIR, Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar. It is given to a scientist up to 45 years of age and carries a prize of Rs 5 lakh.

Surface to surface Strategic PRITHVI (P-II) Missile successfully flight tested

Surface to surface strategic PRITHVI (P-II) Missile developed by DRDO was successfully flight tested at on 26 September 2011, from Launch Complex-III, ITR, Chandipur, Balasore District in Orissa. The launch operations were carried out by the Armed Forces as a part of regular training exercises.

The launch was monitored by Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) scientists. The flight test of the Prithvi missile met all the mission objectives.

PRITHVI-II, the first indigenous surface to surface strategic Missile, capable of hitting targets at ranges of 350 kms, reached the predefined target in the Bay of Bengal with a very high accuracy of better than 10 meters. The surfaceto-surface missile has a range of 350km and can carry a warhead weighing up to 500kg.

World Tourism Day 2011 celebrated with TourismLinking Cultures as Theme

India Current Affairs 2011. World Tourism Day (WTD) is observed anually on 27 September. In 2011 WTD was celebrated with the theme Tourism Linking Cultures. World Tourism Day (WTD) 2011 highlighted the role of the tourism industry in bringing together the cultures of the world and promoting global understanding through travel. Egypt was the host country for the official celebration of WTD 2011. At its Twelfth Session in Istanbul, Turkey, in October of 1997, the UNWTO General Assembly decided to designate a host country each year to act as the Organization's partner in the celebration of World Tourism Day. At its Fifteenth Session in Beijing, China, in October of 2003, the Assembly decided the following geographic order to be followed for World Tourism Day celebrations: 2006 in Europe; 2007 in South Asia; 2008 in the Americas; 2009 in Africa and 2011 in the Middle East.

Union Government reconstituted NMCC under Chairmanship of V. Krishnamurthy

The Union Government on 26 September 2011 announced the reconstitution of the National Manufacturing Competitiveness Council (NMCC) under the chairmanship of V. Krishnamurthy. The NMCC was restructured vide a Government Gazette Notification dated 17 August 2011.

The council is to energise and sustain the growth of manufacturing industries and help in the implementation of strategies by the government The President of the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) President and Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (ASSOCHAM) President will represent the apex industry organisations in the 28-member body.

Finance Ministry Chief Economic Advisor Kaushik Basu and Indian Council for Research in International Economic Relations Isher Judge Ahluwalia are the two economists in the reconstituted body.

The representatives of various industrial sectors included in the NMCC are Tata Group Chairman Ratan Tata, TVS Motor Company CMD Venu Srinivasan, S Kumars Group Chairman Mukul Kasliwal, Larsen & Toubro CMD A M Naik, ITC Ltd CMD Y C Deveshwar, Godrej & Boyce Ltd CMD Jamshyd Godrej, BHEL CMD B P Rao and HCL Infosystems Chairman and CEO Ajai Chowdhry.

Nuclear-capable Surface-to-surface Medium range Missile, Shaurya test-fired from Chandipur

Nuclear-capable surface-to-surface medium range missile, Shaurya, was test-fired from Chandipur-on-sea off the Orissa coast on 24 September 2011. The missile with a maximum range of 750 km was test-fired from an underground silo at Integrated Test Range of the Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO).

Shaurya is 10 metre in length and about half-a-metre in width. It uses solid fuel that gives it a longer service-life and shorter launch time compared to the missiles which use liquid fuel. It is is a two stage, solid fueled weapon and can carry conventional as well as nuclear warheads.

Shaurya can carry both nuclear and conventional warheads. It is the land version of the underwater-launched missile K-15 and was first fired in 2008 from the same test range. This missile can remain hidden and camouflaged in underground silos from enemy surveillance or satellites till they are fired from the special storage-cum-launch canisters.

The sophisticated missile can be easily handled, transported and stored within the canister for longer shelf life. The high maneuverability of the missile makes it less vulnerable to available anti-missile defence systems.

Gopalkrishna Gandhi released Book on 20 Great Personalities of India

Of a Certain Age: Twenty Life Sketches- Gopalkrishna Gandhi A fresh offering on the lives of 20 great personalities titled Of a Certain Age: Twenty Life Sketches penned by former West Bengal governor Gopalkrishna Gandhi was released by Penguin Books India in New Delhi on 26 September 2011. Social activist and National Advisory Council member Aruna Roy unveiled the first copy of the book and presented it to National Commission for Minorities chairperson Wajahat Habibullah.

The book carved out the lives of prominent personalities ranging from Jayaprakash Narayan to Jyoti Basu, K. R. Narayanan to R. Venkataraman to Pupul Jayakar, Mahatma Gandhi to the Dalai Lama. M. S. Subbulakshmi was another character who found mention in the book.

Commencing with the profile on former President K. R. Narayanan, Gopalkrishna Gandhi remarked that Narayanan was a great President but a very difficult boss.

Kenyan Environmentalist & Nobel Laureate Wangari Maathai died in Nairobi

Kenyan environmentalist & Nobel laureate Wangari Maathai died on 25 September 2011 in Nairobi. The first African woman to win a Nobel Peace Prize, Wangari Maathai had began a movement to reforest her country by paying poor women a few shillings to plant trees. The Green Belt Movement organization founded by her in 1977 mentioned that she had been treated for ovarian cancer in the past year. She won the Peace Prize in 2004 for what her contribution to sustainable development, democracy and peace. It was a moment of immense pride in Kenya and across Africa.

She served as a member of Parliament and as an assistant minister on environmental issues until falling out of favor with Kenya s new leaders and losing her. In 2008, after being pushed out of government, she was hit with tear gas by the police during a protest against the excesses of Kenya s entrenched political class.

Kenyan Patrick Makau shattered the World Men's Marathon Record in Berlin Course India Post Signed MOU with National Stock Exchange for Financial Awareness
India post signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with National Stock Exchange (NSE) on 26 September 2011 for deploying LCD TV screens in selected post offices across the country. The MOU was signed by Alka Jha, General Manager (BP), India Post and T. Vanket Rao, Vice President of National Stock Exchange. This MOU is aimed at creating financial awareness among the public. To begin with LCD TV screens will be deployed in 50 post offices across the country.