Current Affairs April 2014

The Rajiv Gandhi Leadership Award 2014[28/04/2014]

Thirty-two-year-old Arati Devi who in 2012 left a lucrative career in banking to contest panchayat
polls and become a sarpanch in Ganjam district of Odisha, has been nominated for the Rajiv Gandhi
Leadership Award 2014.
The Asian Peace Foundation informed Ms. Arati about her selection through a letter. She is an MBA
degree holder and till 2012, working with IDBI Bank in Berhampur. In 2012, she decided to leave
behind her career as a banker to enter politics by contesting panchayat polls.
Ramesh Agrawal wins Green Nobel[28/04/2014]

Ramesh Agrawal, 60, will be recognized in a ceremony in San Francisco as one of six recipients of
this year's $175,000 Goldman Environmental Prize, often called the "Green Nobel." Agrawal - who
has no formal legal training - has been waging a one-man campaign to educate illiterate villagers
about their rights in fighting pollution and land-grabbing by powerful mining and electricity companies.
He's won three lawsuits against major corporations and has spearheaded seven more pending in
courts in the mineral-rich state of Chhattisgarh.
Among the other winners are former corporate lawyer Helen Slottje who fought fracking - pumping
chemicals and water underground to break open shale rock formations - in New York state and South
Africa's Desmond D'Sa who closed down one of the country's largest toxic dumping sites. The award
was established in 1990 with a grant from philanthropists Richard and Rhoda Goldman to honor grass-
roots environmental activists in the six regions of Africa, Asia, Europe, Island Nations, North America
and Latin America.
Justice Lodha sworn in as 41st Chief Justice of India[27/04/2014]

Justice Rajendra Mal Lodha, the senior most judge of the Supreme Court, was on Sunday sworn in
as the 41st Chief Justice of India by President Pranab Mukherjee. The 64-year-old Justice Lodha took
over from Justice (retd) P. Sathasivam who demitted office on Saturday after nine months as the head
of the judiciary.
GE invests $24 million in Welspuns MP solar plant[26/04/2014]

General Electric (GE) is entering India's clean energy sector with a $24-million investment in
India's largest solar power plant, the 150 mw project of Welspun Renewable Energies in Madhya
Pradesh.
L&T gets Rs.4,510 cr order from Qatar Railways[26/04/2014]

Larsen and Toubro has received a $740 million (about Rs.4,510 crore) order from Qatar
Railways Company for the design and construction of the Gold Line of the Doha metro project. L&T
was among the five firms that forged a joint venture to bid for the project. The total order awarded to
the JV is valued at $3.3 billion, but the share of L&T Constructions Heavy Civil Infrastructure business
is valued at $740 million.
NTT DoCoMo to sell its 26.5 per cent stake in Tata Tele[25/04/2014]

Japans NTT DoCoMo on 25th April 2014 said it will sell its 26.5 per cent stake in Tata Teleservices by
June 2014. Tata Sons Limited, NTT DoCoMo Inc. and Tata Teleservices Limited (TTSL) had entered
into a shareholders agreement (SHA) dated March 25, 2009. Following its board meeting held on April
25, 2014, NTT DoCoMo has announced that it plans to exercise its sale option under the SHA as soon
as the conditions for such exercise are met, a statement issued by Tata Sons after its board meeting
said. NTT DoCoMo had invested $2.61 billion in Tata Tele in 2009.
Film pips Wong Karwais martial arts epic for top award[25/04/2014]

Siddharth, a Hindi film by Indian-Canadian director Richie Mehta, was the surprise winner at the
Beijing film festival, leaving audiences in the Chinese capital stunned as the critically-acclaimed film
beat out renowned Hong Kong director Wong Kar-wai's martial arts epic The Grandmaster.
The film - it tells the story of a mans search for his missing son, a theme with wide resonance in
China where there is growing attention on child trafficking was chosen as the Best Film by a
seven-member jury which included director John Woo, Indias Rajkumar Hirani and Chinese director Lu
Chuan.
Finance Ministry appoints Ila Patnaik as Principal Economic Advisor[21/04/2014]

The Centre has appointed columnist and RBI Chair Professor at the National Institute of Public Finance
and Policy, Ila Patnaik, as Principal Economic Advisor, a post that had been vacant since November
2013.
UN hails ruling on legal recognition for transgenders in India[17/04/2014]

The United Nations has hailed the Supreme Courts ruling recognising transgenders as a third gender,
saying the historic judgment will pave the way for reforms that will help the community get access
to employment and public services. Responding to queries on the Supreme Court judgment,
spokesperson for U.N, Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon, Stephane Dujarric, told reporters at the U.N.
on Tuesday that "we welcome the historic ruling" legally upholding the rights of transgender people
across India.
Admiral R.K. Dhowan takes over as new Navy chief[17/04/2014]

Robin K. Dhowan took over as chief of the Indian Navy nearly two months after Admiral D.K.
Joshi quit the post in the wake of a series of mishaps. Admiral Dhowan (59) who has been the acting
Navy chief since Joshis exit, has been appointed the Chief of Navy Staff superseding Western Naval
Commander Shekhar Sinha. He will have a tenure of 25 months, retiring in May 2016.
The National Film Awards Announced; Rajkumar Rao Wins Best Actor[16/04/2014]

The National Film Awards for the year 2013 have been announced and The Best Actor Award is
shared between Rajkummar Rao for his powerful performance in Shahid and Malayalam actor Suraj
Venjaramudu for the movie Perariyathavar.
Geetanjali Thapa has been adjudged the Best Actress for Liars Dice, Saurabh Shukla Best
Supporting Actor for Jolly LLB and the Best Supporting Actress Award is shared between Ship
Of Theseus actress Aida Elkashaf and Marathi star Amruta Subhash. Somnath Awghade has
been awarded the Best Child Actor for the Marathi film Fandry.
Anand Gandhis Ship Of Theseus has also won the Golden Lotus for Best Feature
Film while Bhaag Milkha Bhaag has been adjudged the Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome
Entertainment.
The Nargis Dutt Award for Best Film On National Integration went to Talai Murugal while Jolly
LLB won the award for the Best Hindi Film. This year, the Nation Film Award for Best Director has
been conferred to Hansal Mehta for Shahid.
Bengali film Jaatishwar directed by Srijit Mukherji and starring Prosenjit Chatterjee, Jishu Sengupta
and Swastika Mukherjee proved a big winner with awards for Best Make-Up, Best Costume Design,
Best Music and Best Male Playback Singer.
The Guardian and The Washington Post won a prestigious Pulitzer Prize[15/04/2014]

The Guardian and The Washington Post won a prestigious Pulitzer Prize on Monday for reporting
on secret US surveillance programs revealed by former National Security Agency contractor Edward
Snowden. The British and American newspapers shared the award for public service journalism
handed out by the Pulitzer committee at Columbia University in New York.
The US unit of the British newspaper was honored for "helping through aggressive reporting to spark a
debate about the relationship between the government and the public over issues of security and
privacy," the committee said. It recognized The Post for its "authoritative and insightful reports that
helped the public understand how the (NSA) disclosures fit into the larger framework of national
security."
The shared award went to the two newspapers credited with breaking the news about NSA
surveillance programs, without specifically citing the journalists involved.
The Accidental Prime Minister: Making and Unmaking of Manmohan
Singh[15/04/2014]

The book - "The Accidental Prime Minister: Making and Unmaking of Manmohan Singh" kicked up a
political storm, claiming the PM was defanged after the 2009 polls with Congress president Sonia
Gandhi deciding cabinet portfolios against Singhs wishes. This book is written by PM Manmohan
Singhs former media advisor Sanjaya Baru.
HDFC Bank sets Guinness record in blood collection[14/04/2014]

The blood donation camp organised by HDFC Bank on December 6, 2013 involving 61,902 participants
has found a place in Guinness Book of Records as the largest such drive on a single day. "The largest
blood donation (multiple venues) involved 61,902 participants and was achieved by HDFC Bank, with
1,115 blood donation camps held across 709 locations in the country on December 6, 2013," the
official citation from the Guinness Records said, adding this is the only such recognition by it for any
corporate in this regard.
Gulzar to receive Dadasaheb Phalke Award[12/04/2014]

The Government decided to give the 45th Dada Saheb Phalke Award to veteran film lyricist and
director Gulzar for his outstanding contribution to the growth and development of Indian cinema.
The award includes a Swarn Kamal (golden lotus), cash component of Rs. 10 lakhs and a shawl.
Gulzar was selected for the award by a committee of eminent persons set up by the Government. He
was the unanimous choice of the seven-member jury.
Gulzar is already a much-awarded man including by the Government which honoured him
with the Padma Bhushan in 2004. Other awards he has picked up in a career dating back to
1956 include a Grammy and an Oscar, the Sahitya Akademi Award, a number of National
Film Awards besides 20 Filmfare Awards.
The Oscar and Grammy came to him recently for his song 'Jai Ho' in the film 'Slumdog Millionaire'.
While he got the Oscar for Best Original Song in 2009 for the song, he picked up the Grammy in the
category of 'Best Song Written for a Motion Picture, Television or Other Visual Media' a year later.
Ratan Tata appointed as board member of China-backed Boao Forum [10/04/2014]

The former Tata Sons Chairman was invited to speak at an annual event known as "Chinas Davos"
in Boao, in the southern island province of Hainan. The Chinese government-backed Boao Forum has
become Beijings most high-profile annual gathering, bringing together Chinese and international
political and business elite.
Mr. Tata was, this week, honoured by becoming the only Indian to be inducted into the forums 15
member board. In conversation with noted Chinese economist Zhang Weiying, Mr. Tata gave a frank
assessment of India-China business cooperation.
GJEPC signs MoU with Russian firm[10/04/2014]

n a step that is likely to increase direct diamond trade between India and Russia, Indias Gem &
Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC) and Russias state-owned diamond mining
firm Alrosa signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to share trade and statistical data on the
diamond trade between the two countries. The MoU was signed by GJEPC Chairman Vipul Shah and
Alrosa President Fyodor Andreev in Moscow on 10th April 2014.
SBI hits global debt markets, to raise up to $1 bn[10/04/2014]

The nations largest lender State Bank of India has hit the overseas bond market with a dual tranche
benchmark issue of 5-year and 10-year maturity to raise up to USD 1 billion. According to one of the
merchant bankers working on the issue, SBI on Thursday launched the roadshow in major global
financial centres and will close the transaction later in the day. The bank has given an initial pricing of
240 bps over the US treasury for the 5-year money and 265 bps over the treasury for the 10-year
bond, said the merchant banker, who did not want to be quoted as the deal is yet to be closed.
Infosys leads 5 Indian projects shortlisted for Green Oscars[09/04/2014]

IT giant Infosys leads five Indian clean energy projects that have been shortlisted for the
annual Ashden Awards, referred to as the Green Oscars, here 9th April 2014. The awards recognise
worldwide contributions towards green energy initiatives and a move away from fossil fuels.
Infosys has been nominated in the Ashden Award for Sustainable Buildings category for the
Bangalore-based companys cutting edge design of new buildings which helps keep offices cooler and
maximises natural light.
"Since 2008, global IT giant Infosys has cut more than USD 80 million from its energy bills and
reduced electricity consumption per staff member by 44 per cent. Its success lies in seizing every
opportunity to reduce energy consumption in its existing buildings from reducing the size of chiller
plants for air conditioning, to painting roofs white so they reflect the heat," reads the award
nomination statement.
The other finalists include two projects from Maharashtra - Sakhi Unique Rural Enterprise
(SURE) and Greenway Grameen - which have been nominated in the Ashden Clean Energy for
Women and Girls Award category.
SURE is a not-for-profit social enterprise in central Maharashtra that has selected, trained and
supported more than 600 women micro-entrepreneurs to sell clean energy products like solar lanterns
and cleaner cookstoves to other women.
Mumbai-based Greenway Grameens mission is to provide an affordable, desirable cookstove to
improve quality of life for Indian women.
The Rajasthan Horticulture Development Society has been shortlisted for the USAID Ashden Energy
for Agriculture Award for its solar-powered water pump project and Mera Gao Power from Uttar
Pradesh has been nominated in the Citi Ashden Award for Innovation in Finance category for
pioneering the use of unsubsidised commercial micro grids, which have so far connected more than
20,000 families to clean, affordable power.
Appointment of Devendra Kumar Pathak as DG BSF[08/04/2014]

Shri Devendra Kumar Pathak, IPS (AM:79), presently working as Special DG, BSF is appointed to
the post of Director General, Border Security Force (BSF) with immediate effect and till the date of his
superannuation on 29.02.2016 or until further orders, whichever event takes place earlier.
Punjab Won Junior National Mens Championship[07/04/2014]

Punjab, in keeping with its reputation, produced a dominant performance to put it across Odisha 6-2
in the final of the Hockey India-fourth junior National mens championship at the Mayor Radhakrishnan
Stadium. The crowd cheered nearly every attacking move by Odisha, the underdog, but there was no
stopping Punjab from clinching a hat-trick of titles.
Sri Lanka beat India by 6 wkts in World T20 Final[06/04/2014]

Kumara Sangakkara's brilliant 52 helped Sri Lanka win the ICC World T20 2014 final at the Sher-e
Bangla National stadium by six wickets against India. They had 13 balls still to play. Kumar
Sangakkara has been named the Man of the Match.
Koyal Rana won the coveted Miss India 2014 crown[06/04/2014]

The winners of the fbb Femina Miss India 2014 pageant were declared at a star-studded event at
the Yash Raj Studios, Mumbai. ?The winners are Koyal Rana (fbb Femina Miss India World
2014), Jhataleka Malhotra (fbb Femina Miss India 2014 1st runner-up) and Gail Da'Silva (fbb
Femina Miss India 2014 2nd runner-up).
Dhoni wins Asian award for sports in UK[05/04/2014]

Indian cricket captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni has won the 2014 Asian award for outstanding
achievement in sports here. Dhoni is widely regarded as one of the greatest finishers in limited overs
cricket. Under his captaincy, India has won numerous awards including the 2007 ICC World Twenty20,
the CB Series of 200708, the 2010 Asia Cup, the 2011 ICC Cricket World Cup and the 2013 ICC
Champions Trophy. In 2013, Dhoni became the first captain to win all the three ICC trophies. Dhoni
was ranked 16th on the Forbes list of highest paid athletes.
India launches second navigation satellite IRNSS-1B[04/04/2014]

India moved a step closer to having its own satellite navigation system when scientists of Indian
Space Research Organisation (ISRO) successfully launched its second Indian Regional Navigation
Satellite System(IRNSS-1B) from Sriharikota in Andhra Pradesh on 4th April 2014.
With this successful launch, the second of the seven satellite system, India inches closer to a select
group of countries that have such a navigation system.
The 1,432 kg satellite was blasted off by the rocket Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV C24) at
5.14 pm from the launch pad of Satish Dhawan Space Center. IRNSS-1B is the second navigation
satellite of the seven satellites constituting the IRNSS space segment.
Its predecessor IRNSS-1A was launched in July 2013. Two more navigational satellites - IRNSS-1C
and IRNSS-1D are scheduled to be launched before the end of 2014.
IRNSS-1B carries two types of payloads - navigation payload and ranging payload. The IRNSS system
will provide two types of services - Standard Positioning System provided to all the users and the
Restricted Service provided only to authorised users.
Tripura tops rural jobs scheme for the fifth year[04/04/2014]

Tripura maintained its top position for the fifth consecutive year by providing 87 person-days rural
jobs per household during the 2013-14 fiscal, an official said on Friday.
"Tripura has been providing the highest average employment for the past five years under the
Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS)," states rural
development joint secretary C.K. Jamatia told reporters in Agartala.
Most Efficient Navratna Award to HAL[03/04/2014]

HAL received the "Most Efficient Navratna 2013" award at the fifth Dalai Street Investment Journal
Awards night held in New Delhi yesterday. HAL Chairman, Dr. R.K. Tyagi received the award from the
jury.
The awards were presented to the various PSUs in different categories in recognition of their
performance and contribution to the Indian economy. Mr. T.K.A. Nair, Advisor to PM and Dr. Pritam
Singh, Director General of International Management Institute, New Delhi, addressed the top
executives representing Maharatna, Navratna, Miniratna, government Insurance Companies and
banks.
Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Tyagi dedicated the award to all HALites and said the company is on its
way to future growth through measures taken on various fronts such as R&D, modernization,
customer initiatives, quality and thrust given on indigenization.
HAL has notched-up the highest ever turnover of Rs. 15,180 crores for the FY 2013-14 surpassing the
previous years figure of Rs. 14,324 crores. We crossed the psychological barrier of Rs. 15,000 crores
and the production has been pretty good as we produced 60 aircraft and helicopters, achieved the
initial operational clearance (II) of LCA and filed record 209 patents during the year", said Dr. R.K.
Tyagi, Chairman, HAL. "We are preparing the company for 2020 and beyond", he added. HAL`s Value
of Production (VOP) for FY 2013-14, stood at Rs. 15,296 crores as against the figure of Rs. 14,202
crores of the previous year. The operating profit went up to Rs. 1,651 crores in the FY 2013-14 as
against Rs. 1,194 crores in 2012-13.
IDFC, Bandhan get banking licences[03/04/2014]

IDFC and Bandhan Financial Services Pvt Ltd on 2nd April 2014 won banking licences, with the
RBI approving permits for only two of the 25 applicants. A day after the Election Commission
permitted it to go ahead with the issue of new banking licences, the Reserve Bank of India gave in-
principle approval to infrastructure finance company IDFC and Kolkata-based microfinance firm
Bandhan to comply with the requirements of a fledged bank in 18 months.
With regard to the application of the Department of Posts, the RBI accepted the recommendation of
the high-level screening committee to take further action in consultation with the government. The
RBI originally received 27 applications in July 2013, after which Tata Sons and Videocon Group
withdrew, leaving 25 contenders in the fray.
Besides India Post, the other applicants included state-run IFCI and private sector Anil Ambani group
and Aditya Birla group, Bajaj Finance, Muthoot Finance, Religare Enterprises and Shriram Capital.
Sports Ministry derecognises IABF[01/04/2014]

The suspended Indian Amateur Boxing Federation's refusal to comply with its directives, the
Sports Ministry on Tuesday derecognised the IABF with immediate effect. It comes as another massive
jolt to the IABF, which has already been terminated by its international parent body, AIBA.
"The matter has been considered in totality and keeping in view all relevant facts including the fact
that the International Federation of Boxing has withdrawn its recognition to IABF, it has been decided
to withdraw the recognition granted by Government of India to IABF with immediate effect," a source
in the Ministry said.
The IABF was provisionally suspended by the Ministry in December 2012. The Ministry had asked the
IABF to hold fresh elections and make its constitution compliant with the National Sports Code.