Current affairs AUGUST 2010

GK UPDATES – AUGUST 2010
NATIONAL:
 Govt. approves setting up of National Innovation Council, headed by Sam Pitroda to promote innovation in inclusive growth and an eco system conducive to fostering inclusive innovation.
 ADB sanctions $ 150 million loan to NCR to develop urban infrastructure
 Caste to be included in Census 2011—Group of Minister
 National Law School Bill, 2010 proposes to open National Law School in every state.
 The Centers for Advanced Legal Studies and Research Bill, 2010 proposes to open five Regional Centers for Advanced legal studies and research. Russia handover the nuclear submarine – Akula, to India on lease.
 Salary of MPs increased to Rs. 50,000 pm; two main allowances- Office expenses allowance and Constituency allowance also increased to Rs. 45,000 each.
 Lok Sabha passes the Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Bill, 2010; liability for damage could be up to Rs.1,500 crore.
 Haryana introduces awards for Senior Citizens for social work.
ECONOMY
 Implementation of Direct Tax Code Bill postponed to April, 2012.
 Rs. 1050 crore incentives announced for export promotion. Target for exports for 2010-11 -- $ 200 billion.
 Total exports - $ 288.40bn; Total imports - $ 178.74bn; Trade Deficit - $ 109.66 billion.
 India becomes largest recipient of World Bank Loans in 2009-10 -- $ 9.3 billion.
 SEBI allows share trading through mobile phones; NSE and BSE start it.
 Bank of Rajasthan merges with ICICI bank.
 Parliament passes SBI Amendment bill to reduce govt. stake from 55 to 51per cent.
 Fixed line phones to have 10 digit numbers by December, 2011. Govt. launches Swavalamban Scheme to encourage NPS.
INTERNATIONAL
 China overtakes Japan to become no 2 economic power after US ($ 14 trillion).
 China’s GDP is about $8.8 trillion. Over 2,000 factories using outdated machinery, closed down in China to save energy.
 US decide to withdraw its troops from Iraq (After 7 years).
 Kenya gets a new constitution, cutting down the powers of President.
 Russia opens pipeline to supply crude oil to China.
 Jaipur’s Jantar Mantar, ancient astronomical observatory, included in World Heritage List by UNESCO.
 Four nations, Russia, Afghanistan, Pakistan and Tajikistan sign an agreement to step up their joint drive to fight against terrorism and narcotics, under Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) and Collective Security Treaty Organisation (CSTO).
APPOINTMENTS / ELECTED
 Saina Nehwal: Brand Ambassador of Andhra Pradesh
 Priyanka Chopra: UNICEF National Ambassador for promoting child rights and adolescence
 Vidya Stokes: President, Hockey India
AWARDS / HONOURS
 Ashok Chakra: Major Laishram Jyotin Singh (posthumously), terror attack on our embassy in Afghanistan, Feb. 2010
 Rajiv Gandhi National Sadbhavana Award: Maulana Wahiduddin Khan
 Miss Universe– 2010: Jimena Navarrete (Miss Mexico) at Las Vegas, USA
 Shram Ratna – 2008: Nagaraja, BEL
 Bhasha Sammaan by Sahitya Academy: Gurudev Singh, K. Sriramamurthy
ABBREVIATIONS
ATGM: Anti Tank Guided Missile CWG: Commonwealth Games
CGF: Commonwealth Games Federation SABLA: Rajiv Gandhi Scheme for Empowerment of Adolescent Girls
ICPS: Integrated Child Protection Scheme EEE: Exempt, Exempt, Exempt (from I Tax)
BOOKS AND AUTHORS
 The Trust Betrayed – Reflections on Diplomacy and Development: -- Jagat S. Mehta
 Superpower? The Amazing Race between China’s Hare and India’s Tortoise: --Raghav Bahl
 The Mosque of Africa: V. S. Naipaul
 A Journey: - Tony Blair (Autobiography)
 Science and sustainable Food Security: -- Dr. M. S. Swaminathan
SPORTS WORLD
 Kenya’s David L Rudisha sets world record in 800 metres race – 1.41.09 at Berlin, Germany
 Maria Sharapova named world’s highest paid female sports women by Forbes ($ 24.5 mn in 2009)