Chief Economic Adviser Raghuram Govind Rajan was on
Tuesday appointed as Governor of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) for three
years. He will take over from D. Subbarao who demits office on September 4.
Announcing his appointment, an official release here said: “Prime Minister
Manmohan Singh has approved the appointment of Dr. Raghuram Rajan as the
Governor of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) for a term of three years, vice Dr.
D. Subbarao upon completion of his [Dr. Subbarao’s] tenure.”
At 50, by far one of the youngest to become RBI
Governor, Dr. Rajan, who is credited to have correctly predicted the 2008
financial crisis, is set to take over the mantle of the central bank at a time
when the economy is faced with a multi-pronged crisis of high consumer price
inflation, industrial slowdown, a free fall of the rupee and a widening current
account deficit.
Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) is
making full-fledged attempts to infiltrate India’s strategic organisations by
spoofing telephone calls and using malware to snoop into crucial websites and
systems. Sounding an alert regarding such “espionage” attempts from across the
border, the Intelligence Bureau has warned that Pakistan’s intelligence
operatives (PIOs) were targeting defence forces’ headquarters and other
strategic organisations to collect sensitive information.
“PIOs are frequently targeting government
personnel/officers to collect sensitive information through spoofed VoIP (Voice
over Internet Protocol) calls prefixed with the STD code of Delhi…The PIOs have
been using the stratagem of calling phone numbers of security forces posing as
officers belonging to Army/Navy/Air Force HQ (headquarters) and collecting
details about the deployment, movement and other information about security
forces,” says an internal note of the IB.
The ISI operatives are also targeting Indian
Railways, banks, and serving/retired employees and civil contractors working
for Military Engineering Services (MES) to collect sensitive and
defence-related information. “They (PIOs) have also been making telephone calls
under assumed identities by using spoofed numbers to various CPMFs (central
paramilitary forces), railways, banks etc,” the note says.
“They (PIOs) have succeeded in ferreting out
sensitive information from the persons attending these calls. IB has been
regular in highlighting the stratagem of PIOs using fake identities…,” the note
adds. The IB has now asked the Department of Telecom to constitute a high-level
technical committee to examine the issue of spoofed calls and find possible
solutions that could be implemented in a time-bound manner.
Explaining how the ISI has managed to infiltrate
India’s communication networks, the IB note adds: “Using VoIP and computer
software to mask the point of origin of their calls, Pakistan’s intelligence
operatives have been noticed to be masquerading as senior Indian armed forces
officers to contact their targets on the telephone to collect such
information.”
The modus operandi involves the use of software by
PIOs operating from Pakistan to ensure that the mobile phone of the target
displays the incoming call to be originating from a “spoofed” Indian number.
Though these VoIP calls originate outside India,
they reflect an Indian-specific CLI (caller line identification). Referring to
a recent incident of espionage, the IB note points out that, in February this
year, it had sounded an alert regarding possible “contamination of BSNL
systems” by the ISI. “This stratagem now appears to have been successfully used
by them for a cyber offensive against the subscriber database and communication
links of BSNL,” it adds.
Japan on Tuesday
unveiled its biggest warship since World War II, a huge flat-top destroyerthat
has raised eyebrows in China and elsewhere because it bears a strong
resemblance to a conventional aircraft carrier. The ship, dubbed “Izumo”, has a
flight deck that is nearly 250 metres long and is designed to carry up to 14
helicopters. Japanese officials say it will be used in national defence,
particularly in anti-submarine warfare and border-area surveillance missions
and to bolster the nation’s ability to transport personnel and supplies in
response to large-scale natural disasters, like the devastating earthquake and
tsunami in 2011. Though technically a destroyer, some experts believe the new
Japanese ship could potentially be used in the future to launch fighter jets or
other aircraft that have the ability to take off vertically. — AP
Despite the Supreme Court clearance to his
appointment as the Lokayukta of Gujarat, Justice (Retd.) R A Mehta has written
a letter to the governor of Gujarat Dr Kamala, refusing to take charge as the
Lokayukta.
Justice Mehta, in his letter to the governor, also
said that he was declining to take charge because of the damage to his
credibility and a possible non-cooperation from the government in performing
his duties in future.
Getting an online appointment for your passport may
get easy now. The Regional Passport Office on Tuesday announced it will accept
online applications round the clock.
Until now, the online-appointment window opened at
6.30pm, and all slots were booked within minutes. And applicants had to wait
for the next day to strike an appointment.
The World Bank and the Asian Development Bank would
jointly provide 400 million dollars to rain-ravaged Uttarakhand to redevelop
basic amenities like housing, agriculture, education and health facilities
besides reconstructing damaged roads.
The joint funding from World Bank and Asian
Development Bank will be provided for the required programmes through its
'Crisis Window' provision.
The aid will be given in a ratio of 90:10, under
which 90 per cent would be paid by the Union government and ten percent by the
state government,
Instant messaging service WhatsApp introduced a new
feature which enables sending of voice texts by just pressing one button. The
company hit the 300 million monthly active users mark. They garnered a whopping
50 million new active users in just 2 months. With this new feature, the user
can record and send voice clips with one press of the mic icon.
WhatsApp users now send 11 billion messages and
receive 20 billion messages per day - up from 27 billion total in June 2013.
WhatsApp has started rolling out voice messaging for all of its apps, on
iPhone, BlackBerry, Android, Windows Phone and Nokia.
India and
Pakistan exchanged fire in the Chakan Da Bagh area of Poonch Sector of Jammu
and Kashmir on 6 August 2013.
Five Indian Soldiers were killed leaving one injured on the Line of Control (LoC) in the Chakan Da Bagh area of Poonch Sector in Jammu and Kashmir on 6 August 2013. The Indian army was attacked and ambushed by a group of 20 men dressed in uniforms of Pakistani Army, while they were patrolling along the border. The ambush took place 450 meters inside the Indian side of the LoC.
Earlier, Pakistan expressed its desire to resume the peace talks with India after the new Prime Minister of Pakistan; Nawaz Sharif took charge of his office.
Chakan-Da-Bagh
Chakan-Da-Bagh is the point of distinction on the global map for trade across LOC and crossing point in Poonch area. Poonch is one of the remote and border district of Jammu and Kashmir state situated at Line of Control.
History of Poonch Sector
Until November 1947, Poonch was sieged by the Pakistani side. But it became the part of India after Indian army conducted an offensive operation named as Operation Easy that ended on 20 November 1948. After the end of operations easy, the eastern Part of Poonch district became part of India, whereas the western part went to Pakistan.
About Line of Control
The area of military control line between India and Pakistan controlled parts of the former princely state of Jammu and Kashmir is termed as the Line of Control, it is also known as the Asia’s Berlin Wall. Till date, the line doesn’t mention a legally recognized international boundary but it acts as a de facto border between the two sides.
Earlier, the Line of Control was termed as the Cease-fire Line, but was termed as the Line of Control after the Shimla Agreement (signed on 3 July 1972). The Indian side of the princely state is called the State of Jammu and Kashmir and the two parts under the control of Pakistan is known as Gilgit–Baltistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK). Its northernmost point is known as the NJ9842.
Apart from this, the cease-fire line that separates Indian-controlled state of Jammu and Kashmir from the Chinese-controlled area known as Aksai Chin is called as the Line of Actual Control (LAC). The Aksai Chin belt is known as one of the most dangerous places of the world. The Aksai Chin region is administered as part of the Hotan County in the Hotan Prefecture of Xinjiang Autonomous Region by China. But, India claims it as a part of the Ladakh district of the state of Jammu and Kashmir.
Five Indian Soldiers were killed leaving one injured on the Line of Control (LoC) in the Chakan Da Bagh area of Poonch Sector in Jammu and Kashmir on 6 August 2013. The Indian army was attacked and ambushed by a group of 20 men dressed in uniforms of Pakistani Army, while they were patrolling along the border. The ambush took place 450 meters inside the Indian side of the LoC.
Earlier, Pakistan expressed its desire to resume the peace talks with India after the new Prime Minister of Pakistan; Nawaz Sharif took charge of his office.
Chakan-Da-Bagh
Chakan-Da-Bagh is the point of distinction on the global map for trade across LOC and crossing point in Poonch area. Poonch is one of the remote and border district of Jammu and Kashmir state situated at Line of Control.
History of Poonch Sector
Until November 1947, Poonch was sieged by the Pakistani side. But it became the part of India after Indian army conducted an offensive operation named as Operation Easy that ended on 20 November 1948. After the end of operations easy, the eastern Part of Poonch district became part of India, whereas the western part went to Pakistan.
About Line of Control
The area of military control line between India and Pakistan controlled parts of the former princely state of Jammu and Kashmir is termed as the Line of Control, it is also known as the Asia’s Berlin Wall. Till date, the line doesn’t mention a legally recognized international boundary but it acts as a de facto border between the two sides.
Earlier, the Line of Control was termed as the Cease-fire Line, but was termed as the Line of Control after the Shimla Agreement (signed on 3 July 1972). The Indian side of the princely state is called the State of Jammu and Kashmir and the two parts under the control of Pakistan is known as Gilgit–Baltistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK). Its northernmost point is known as the NJ9842.
Apart from this, the cease-fire line that separates Indian-controlled state of Jammu and Kashmir from the Chinese-controlled area known as Aksai Chin is called as the Line of Actual Control (LAC). The Aksai Chin belt is known as one of the most dangerous places of the world. The Aksai Chin region is administered as part of the Hotan County in the Hotan Prefecture of Xinjiang Autonomous Region by China. But, India claims it as a part of the Ladakh district of the state of Jammu and Kashmir.
Nasa’s Curiosity rover celebrated its first
anniversary on Mars on 6 August 2013. Curiosity rover had landed on Mars one
year ago o this date. It has already achieved its mission aim by discovering
that Mars could have supported life.
The achievements of
Curiosity rover are as following:
• Curiosity has travelled one mile and it has provided more than 190 gigabits of data and returned more than 36700 full images since the time of landing on Mars.
• Curiosity is about the size of a small car. It is also sending back information about its surroundings to inform future missions to Mars.
• The rover has travelled almost 700 metres in the past month since leaving an area of Mars where it has been analysing rocks for around six months.
• Curiosity has travelled one mile and it has provided more than 190 gigabits of data and returned more than 36700 full images since the time of landing on Mars.
• Curiosity is about the size of a small car. It is also sending back information about its surroundings to inform future missions to Mars.
• The rover has travelled almost 700 metres in the past month since leaving an area of Mars where it has been analysing rocks for around six months.
It is now rolling along to its final destination,
Mount Sharp where it will observe the lower layers of the mountain that towers
over the centre of Gale Crater by almost three and a half miles. Mount Sharp is
important for scientists because its layers of rock can reveal information
about the planet's changing environment over time.
Researchers
from the University of Chicago, in the first week of August 2013, revealed that
dolphins had the longest memories among the non-human species. Researchers
declared that even if these dolphins were separated for more than 20 years,
they were capable of recalling the whistles of their former companions.
The researchers believed that the long-term memories of dolphins were a product of complex social connections from which they have evolved.
During the study, the researchers used the information on relationships between 56 captive bottlenose dolphins. These dolphins moved for the purpose of breeding between six diverse aquariums and zoos in Bermuda as well as the US. The records which dated back to decades were used to find out which dolphins were housed together.
Thereafter, the researchers played the recordings to these dolphins on the underwater speakers. The recordings were the signature whistles of dolphins, with which they had once lived. Their responses were then measured.
The lead researcher of the study, Dr Jason Bruck from the University of Chicago explained that these dolphins approached the speakers for longer duration in case they recognised the call. They maintained contact with the speaker for a longer time. On the other hand, when they were unfamiliar with the call, they ignored these recordings from the speaker. It is unique to find such behaviour in non-human species.
Dr Jason Bruck explained that the response of this kind was very typical. In comparison to the unfamiliar calls, there was absolutely clear pattern in data where dolphins reacted primarily more to whistles of those dolphins with whom they had once lived and had not seen or heard since decades.
The researchers, in the meanwhile, believed that the complex nature of social systems of dolphin was responsible for long term memory effect. In the ocean, the dolphins have fluid social arrangement which is scientifically called fission-fusion model. According to this model, the dolphins can exit one group and enter others, several times during their lifetime.
Therefore, it becomes important for them to recall calls of those dolphins with which they had previous encounters. This was important so that they could decide whether they should approach or not the dolphin of which they heard the whistle.
The researchers explained that the ability of the dolphins to recall events hinted towards the fact that the cetaceans have a level of cognitive complexity in comparison to the humans, elephants and chimpanzees.
Elephants also have the capability of long memory of up to 20 years. But, there is very limited evidence of their abilities beyond the family relations.
It is important to note that in a recent study, it was also found out that dolphins had the capacity of recognising the whistles of other dolphins, absolutely accurately.
The researchers believed that the long-term memories of dolphins were a product of complex social connections from which they have evolved.
During the study, the researchers used the information on relationships between 56 captive bottlenose dolphins. These dolphins moved for the purpose of breeding between six diverse aquariums and zoos in Bermuda as well as the US. The records which dated back to decades were used to find out which dolphins were housed together.
Thereafter, the researchers played the recordings to these dolphins on the underwater speakers. The recordings were the signature whistles of dolphins, with which they had once lived. Their responses were then measured.
The lead researcher of the study, Dr Jason Bruck from the University of Chicago explained that these dolphins approached the speakers for longer duration in case they recognised the call. They maintained contact with the speaker for a longer time. On the other hand, when they were unfamiliar with the call, they ignored these recordings from the speaker. It is unique to find such behaviour in non-human species.
Dr Jason Bruck explained that the response of this kind was very typical. In comparison to the unfamiliar calls, there was absolutely clear pattern in data where dolphins reacted primarily more to whistles of those dolphins with whom they had once lived and had not seen or heard since decades.
The researchers, in the meanwhile, believed that the complex nature of social systems of dolphin was responsible for long term memory effect. In the ocean, the dolphins have fluid social arrangement which is scientifically called fission-fusion model. According to this model, the dolphins can exit one group and enter others, several times during their lifetime.
Therefore, it becomes important for them to recall calls of those dolphins with which they had previous encounters. This was important so that they could decide whether they should approach or not the dolphin of which they heard the whistle.
The researchers explained that the ability of the dolphins to recall events hinted towards the fact that the cetaceans have a level of cognitive complexity in comparison to the humans, elephants and chimpanzees.
Elephants also have the capability of long memory of up to 20 years. But, there is very limited evidence of their abilities beyond the family relations.
It is important to note that in a recent study, it was also found out that dolphins had the capacity of recognising the whistles of other dolphins, absolutely accurately.
The World
Games 2013 took place in Cali, Colombia from 25 July 2013 to 4 August 2013.
Initially these games were to be hosted by German cities of Duisburg and
Düsseldorf. It was announced during the World Games of 2009 in Kaohsiung,
Taiwan that Cali won the rights for hosting the World Games 2013. In the World
Games 2013, there are 31 official sports as well as 5 invitational sports.
These games are held after every 4 years. The next World Games 2017 will be
hosted by Wrocław, Poland.
The sports are held under the categories of Artistic and Dance Sports, Martial Arts, Trend Sports, Ball Sports, Precision Sports, Strength Sports and Invitational Sports. The World Games were held for the first time in 1981. This is the international multi-sport event, which includes those sports or events which are not contested in the Olympics. International World Games Association (IWGA) organises and governs the World Games under sponsorship of International Olympic Committee (IOC). 98 countries of the world participated in the World Games 2013.
India’s Performance at the World Games 2013
One Gold Medal: Aditya Mehta, the Professional Snooker Player of India won the maiden Gold Medal in 2013 World Games in Snooker discipline. He defeated Liang Wenbo of China in the set of three frames 3-0. Before the final match, he also defeated Dechawat Poomajaeng from Thailand (Ranked 64) in Semi Finals 3-1 and Joe Perry from England (Ranked 19) in Quarter Final match 3-2.
One Silver Medal: India also won one silver medal in the invitational sports category. Invitational sports included Softball, Canoe marathon, Duathlon, Road speed skating and Wushu.
The sports are held under the categories of Artistic and Dance Sports, Martial Arts, Trend Sports, Ball Sports, Precision Sports, Strength Sports and Invitational Sports. The World Games were held for the first time in 1981. This is the international multi-sport event, which includes those sports or events which are not contested in the Olympics. International World Games Association (IWGA) organises and governs the World Games under sponsorship of International Olympic Committee (IOC). 98 countries of the world participated in the World Games 2013.
India’s Performance at the World Games 2013
One Gold Medal: Aditya Mehta, the Professional Snooker Player of India won the maiden Gold Medal in 2013 World Games in Snooker discipline. He defeated Liang Wenbo of China in the set of three frames 3-0. Before the final match, he also defeated Dechawat Poomajaeng from Thailand (Ranked 64) in Semi Finals 3-1 and Joe Perry from England (Ranked 19) in Quarter Final match 3-2.
One Silver Medal: India also won one silver medal in the invitational sports category. Invitational sports included Softball, Canoe marathon, Duathlon, Road speed skating and Wushu.
Internet Major Microsoft on 6 August 2013 launched
its Office 365 for full time and part time university students in India with an
affordable subscription offer.
The major features of
Office 365 are as following:
• It includes the complete set of Office applications and can be installed on two PCs or Macs.
• The Office 365 University includes the complete set of Office applications and can be installed on two PCs or Macs. It also features Office on Demand and an additional 20 GB premium SkyDrive storage.
• It is priced at 4199 rupees for a 4-year subscription and is available for students studying in accredited colleges and universities in the country. The special pricing for students will provide them opportunities and empower them to develop the requisite skills to be successful in the highly competitive campus environment.
• Moreover, it makes work process more convenient and efficient since it can edit and share documents or notes quickly and store them on the cloud.
• For purchasing Office 365, students are required to go to the Office website to verify their eligibility in order to activate it. They will be asked to provide their university credential and after it is verified, students can purchase Office 365.
• Besides, students, college/university faculty and staff in accredited institution can also buy Office 365 University subscription.
• It includes the complete set of Office applications and can be installed on two PCs or Macs.
• The Office 365 University includes the complete set of Office applications and can be installed on two PCs or Macs. It also features Office on Demand and an additional 20 GB premium SkyDrive storage.
• It is priced at 4199 rupees for a 4-year subscription and is available for students studying in accredited colleges and universities in the country. The special pricing for students will provide them opportunities and empower them to develop the requisite skills to be successful in the highly competitive campus environment.
• Moreover, it makes work process more convenient and efficient since it can edit and share documents or notes quickly and store them on the cloud.
• For purchasing Office 365, students are required to go to the Office website to verify their eligibility in order to activate it. They will be asked to provide their university credential and after it is verified, students can purchase Office 365.
• Besides, students, college/university faculty and staff in accredited institution can also buy Office 365 University subscription.
The Chinese researchers on 6 August 2013 reported
about the first case of the human-to-human transmission of the H7N9 bird flu
that has emerged in China.
A 32 year-old-woman was infected with while caring for her father, who was suffering from the virus. The genetic test of the virus samples of the two patients conducted to identify the type of virus also revealed that they were almost identical. This is the first reported case of the human-to-human transmission of the H7N9 virus, other than its transmission via bird.
Until June 2013, 133 cases of H7N9 bird flu were reported in eastern China along with 43 deaths caused due to the virus.
Scientists and researchers feared for a long time that the virus may mutate itself to a level, where it can create an ability of being transmitted from human-to-human. The report was published in a British Medical Journal.
A 32 year-old-woman was infected with while caring for her father, who was suffering from the virus. The genetic test of the virus samples of the two patients conducted to identify the type of virus also revealed that they were almost identical. This is the first reported case of the human-to-human transmission of the H7N9 virus, other than its transmission via bird.
Until June 2013, 133 cases of H7N9 bird flu were reported in eastern China along with 43 deaths caused due to the virus.
Scientists and researchers feared for a long time that the virus may mutate itself to a level, where it can create an ability of being transmitted from human-to-human. The report was published in a British Medical Journal.
A report published in the US Journal, Science in
its May 2013 edition stated that the H7N9 strain can spread among the mammals,
generally ferrets and can also affect the humans under same conditions. The H7
influenza virus generally comprises of a group that circulates among birds and
H7N9 forms a subgroup that was never found in Humans, before the Chinese
outbreak.
Other bird flu viruses that have resulted in human-to-human transmission include H5N1 and H7N7. None of the two viruses were able to mutate itself into an easily spreadable form.
About H7N9 Bird Flu Virus
H7N9 is a serotype of the species Influenza virus A (Avian Influenza Virus also known as Bird Flu Virus). Avian influenza A H7 viruses normally circulate amongst avian populations with some variants known to occasionally infect humans. An outbreak of human infections with a New Avian Influenza A (H7N9) virus for the first time was reported in China by the World Health Organization on 1 April 2013. The virus was detected in poultry in China as well. Many of the people infected with H7N9 reported contact with poultry.
What is Serotype?
Serotype or serovar is a distinct variation within a species of bacteria or viruses or among immune cells of different individuals.
Other bird flu viruses that have resulted in human-to-human transmission include H5N1 and H7N7. None of the two viruses were able to mutate itself into an easily spreadable form.
About H7N9 Bird Flu Virus
H7N9 is a serotype of the species Influenza virus A (Avian Influenza Virus also known as Bird Flu Virus). Avian influenza A H7 viruses normally circulate amongst avian populations with some variants known to occasionally infect humans. An outbreak of human infections with a New Avian Influenza A (H7N9) virus for the first time was reported in China by the World Health Organization on 1 April 2013. The virus was detected in poultry in China as well. Many of the people infected with H7N9 reported contact with poultry.
What is Serotype?
Serotype or serovar is a distinct variation within a species of bacteria or viruses or among immune cells of different individuals.
The Ministry of Rural Development on 6 August 2013
signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Pradan, a non-governmental
organization. The NGO will serve as a resource and support organisation for the
National Rural Livelihood Mission (NRLM), with specially focusing on
Naxal-affected districts.
The scheme will be implemented in some of the
Naxal-affected districts of Chhattisgarh, Bihar, Jharkhand and Odisha in the
first phase.
Rural development ministry identified three goals in order to help women farmers groups under the Mahila Krishak Sashaktikaran Yojana :
Rural development ministry identified three goals in order to help women farmers groups under the Mahila Krishak Sashaktikaran Yojana :
1)Increase their earnings by reducing input costs
2) Training SHGs by focusing on issues such as sanitation and setting up community kitchens to tackle malnutrition
3) Putting an end to trafficking of tribal women by providing them with livelihoods.
2) Training SHGs by focusing on issues such as sanitation and setting up community kitchens to tackle malnutrition
3) Putting an end to trafficking of tribal women by providing them with livelihoods.
In the first project, 18000 families will get help
through production and marketing of Tasar silk in Bihar, Jharkhand, Odisha,
Chhattisgarh and West Bengal in the next three years with a budget of 50 crore
rupees.
The second project will be Mahila Kisan
Sashaktikaran Pariyojana and it will be implemented in Rajasthan, Odisha and MP
with a budget of 20 crore rupees. The project is likely to be availed by 18000
families, where sustainable agriculture will be promoted through women headed
households and it is calculated that there should be an increase of the income
of the self help groups by 15 to 20 per cent after reducing the use of harmful
chemicals and pesticides.
Third component of the programme will be training
of the girls for alternative sources of livelihood.
Pradan’s help is needed in these areas since government agencies often find the in implementation of developmental projects because of threats from Naxals. Pradan, is funded by the Ford Foundation and Gates Foundation. It will extend its support and expertise in the field of livelihood generation. It will be called the NSO or the NRLM Support Organisation.
NRLM is a programme aimed at reducing poverty by promoting livelihood opportunities for the poor so that their access to financial services could be improved. NRLM presides over 25 lakh women Self Help Groups (SHGs). It aims at creating nearly 60 lakh SHGs over the next five years. The NSO will support State and Central NRLM missions to guide these SHGs.
Pradan’s help is needed in these areas since government agencies often find the in implementation of developmental projects because of threats from Naxals. Pradan, is funded by the Ford Foundation and Gates Foundation. It will extend its support and expertise in the field of livelihood generation. It will be called the NSO or the NRLM Support Organisation.
NRLM is a programme aimed at reducing poverty by promoting livelihood opportunities for the poor so that their access to financial services could be improved. NRLM presides over 25 lakh women Self Help Groups (SHGs). It aims at creating nearly 60 lakh SHGs over the next five years. The NSO will support State and Central NRLM missions to guide these SHGs.
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