International Affairs
The interim Nuclear Deal between Iran and the six major world powers has been signed between countries. The deal over Teheran’s nuclear program aims that Iran will restrain its uranium enrichment to 5 %. The deal also restarins Iran to discontinue producing 20 % enriched uranium and to neutralize its 20 % stockpile. To oversee Iranian nuclear facilities in the run up to prepare for the implementation of the deal, the Iran’s Atomic Energy Department (IAEA) nuclear weapons inspectors have already arrived in Teheran.
The new entrant in the World Trade Organization (WTO) within the next three months will be Afghanistan as it is likely to join WTO soon. Already, Afghanistan has inked a trade pact with the United States and now it has to ink agreements with the European Union (EU) and two other countries prior becoming a member of WTO. The trade, commerce and investment in the country is likely to go up in coming years after Afghanistan becomes a member of WTO.
National Affairs
National Urban Health Mission was recently launched by Gulam Nabi Azad, Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare in Bangalore. The programme focuses at providing health security to poor living in urban areas. With the launch of this programme, about 20 crore people in urban areas will have now access to free health care. By March 2015, more than 50,000 populations with entire 779 urban areas in the country will soon be covered under this programme. Central Government will share 80 % of the cost to implement the programme in the state.
Soon we may hear that Air India will join a global network of airlines Star Alliance by this summer. Reason is that Star Alliance has invited
Air India to join the global airline alliance during a meeting of various airlines, members of Star Alliance.
Agni-IV nuclear-capable surface-to-surface missile was successfully test-fired by India in Indian army. The missile with a range of 4000 kilometers had been launched from Wheeler Island in Dhamra of Odisha Coast. The Integrated Test Range on the Wheeler Island was test fired by DRDO.
Wal-Mart India Private Ltd has been registered by Global Retail giant Wal-Mart in India as a new entity with Ministry of Corporate Affairs. The new entity will enter the money-spinning multi-brand market in India. Earlier a Joint venture of Wal-Mart and Bharthi private Ltd was setup to operate wholesale stores but later they both in 2013 decided to independently operate their business in India.
Awards & Honour
DSC prize for South Asian literature for 2014 has been grabbed by a Reserved and silent author Cyrus Mistry for his book “Chronicles of a Corpse Bearer”. With this, he became the fourth winner of the $50,000 DSC prize. His book is a story of marginalised community and also the book identifies deep questions about life and death which makes it a different piece of reading. Mistry was honoured with the award during the Jaipur Literature Festival. Jeet Thayil for his debut debut novel “Narcopolis” received the same award last year.
Miss South India 2014 pageant title has been grabbed by Karnataka based Abhishikta S Shetty in Coimbatore. Aditi Shetty and Meghana Shetty were the first and second runners-up of the 11th edition of the Miss South India Pageant which was organised by Pegasus. Anusha Venkataraman of Tamil Nadu crowned Abhishikta who was the winner of 2013.
Books
Famous author Amish Tripathi who is known for his book “The Immortals of Meluha.” Is going to sell his book rights to an American producer. The US based producer has agreed to purchase Tripathi’s Shiva trilogy with a $1 million book contract. Before this, Bollywood director Karan Johar has also secured the rights for an adaption of this popular book while for the English rights of the same has now clinched by this undisclosed American producer. The publisher of Westland gave a lucrative book deal offer to Tripathi to write his Shiva trilogy which includes ‘The Immortals of Meluha’, ‘The Secret of the Nagas’ and ‘The Oath of the Vayuputras’.
The interim Nuclear Deal between Iran and the six major world powers has been signed between countries. The deal over Teheran’s nuclear program aims that Iran will restrain its uranium enrichment to 5 %. The deal also restarins Iran to discontinue producing 20 % enriched uranium and to neutralize its 20 % stockpile. To oversee Iranian nuclear facilities in the run up to prepare for the implementation of the deal, the Iran’s Atomic Energy Department (IAEA) nuclear weapons inspectors have already arrived in Teheran.
The new entrant in the World Trade Organization (WTO) within the next three months will be Afghanistan as it is likely to join WTO soon. Already, Afghanistan has inked a trade pact with the United States and now it has to ink agreements with the European Union (EU) and two other countries prior becoming a member of WTO. The trade, commerce and investment in the country is likely to go up in coming years after Afghanistan becomes a member of WTO.
National Affairs
National Urban Health Mission was recently launched by Gulam Nabi Azad, Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare in Bangalore. The programme focuses at providing health security to poor living in urban areas. With the launch of this programme, about 20 crore people in urban areas will have now access to free health care. By March 2015, more than 50,000 populations with entire 779 urban areas in the country will soon be covered under this programme. Central Government will share 80 % of the cost to implement the programme in the state.
Soon we may hear that Air India will join a global network of airlines Star Alliance by this summer. Reason is that Star Alliance has invited
Air India to join the global airline alliance during a meeting of various airlines, members of Star Alliance.
Agni-IV nuclear-capable surface-to-surface missile was successfully test-fired by India in Indian army. The missile with a range of 4000 kilometers had been launched from Wheeler Island in Dhamra of Odisha Coast. The Integrated Test Range on the Wheeler Island was test fired by DRDO.
Wal-Mart India Private Ltd has been registered by Global Retail giant Wal-Mart in India as a new entity with Ministry of Corporate Affairs. The new entity will enter the money-spinning multi-brand market in India. Earlier a Joint venture of Wal-Mart and Bharthi private Ltd was setup to operate wholesale stores but later they both in 2013 decided to independently operate their business in India.
Awards & Honour
DSC prize for South Asian literature for 2014 has been grabbed by a Reserved and silent author Cyrus Mistry for his book “Chronicles of a Corpse Bearer”. With this, he became the fourth winner of the $50,000 DSC prize. His book is a story of marginalised community and also the book identifies deep questions about life and death which makes it a different piece of reading. Mistry was honoured with the award during the Jaipur Literature Festival. Jeet Thayil for his debut debut novel “Narcopolis” received the same award last year.
Miss South India 2014 pageant title has been grabbed by Karnataka based Abhishikta S Shetty in Coimbatore. Aditi Shetty and Meghana Shetty were the first and second runners-up of the 11th edition of the Miss South India Pageant which was organised by Pegasus. Anusha Venkataraman of Tamil Nadu crowned Abhishikta who was the winner of 2013.
Books
Famous author Amish Tripathi who is known for his book “The Immortals of Meluha.” Is going to sell his book rights to an American producer. The US based producer has agreed to purchase Tripathi’s Shiva trilogy with a $1 million book contract. Before this, Bollywood director Karan Johar has also secured the rights for an adaption of this popular book while for the English rights of the same has now clinched by this undisclosed American producer. The publisher of Westland gave a lucrative book deal offer to Tripathi to write his Shiva trilogy which includes ‘The Immortals of Meluha’, ‘The Secret of the Nagas’ and ‘The Oath of the Vayuputras’.
