Daily Current Affairs 5 June 2017: Your guide for daily General Knowledge Preparation

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This article, Daily Current Affairs 5 June 2017, includes all Major National, International, Business, and Sports events. A brief explanation of every current affair is provided to further enhance your general knowledge. Once you have gone through this article, that is, Daily Current Affairs 5 June 2017, we would recommend to you to try 5 June 2017 Current affairs test.

Important Days and Dates
World Environment Day: June-5
Every year June 5 is observed as World Environment Day. This Day provides an opportunity to encourage worldwide awareness and action for the protection of our environment. It has been a flagship campaign for raising awareness on emerging environmental issues from marine pollution, human overpopulation, and global warming, to sustainable consumption and wildlife crime.
Theme of 2017 World Environment Day – “Connecting People to Nature”
Host Country of 2017 World Environment Day – Canada

National News
1. ISRO successfully launches India’s heaviest rocket.

• Indian Space Research Organisation launched India’s heaviest rocket – Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle-Mark III along with a communications satellite GSAT-19.
• The Fat Boy satellite is 43.43 metres in height and 4 metre round. It has a lift off mass of 640 tonnes, equal to the weight of 200 elephants.
• The rocket’s main and bigger cryogenic engine has been developed by space scientists indigenously.
• It will help India reduce dependency on international launching vehicles.
• It has been developed at a cost of Rs. 300 crore.

2. Vizianagaram bags MGNREGA National Award.

• Ministry of Rural Development has selected Vizianagaram across the nation for the MGNREGA annual award for effective implementation of the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act during 2015-16.
• Vizianagaram generated works for 3,61,668 households in 2015-16 and disbursed Rs. 483.42 crore as wages with an average of Rs. 106.
• Using MGNREGA convergence grants, 154 fish- breeding units and an equal number of vegetable pandals were taken up.
• Vizianagaram is in Andhra Pradesh.
• Full Form of MGNREGA – Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act.

3. E-taxi service launched in Hyderabad.

• An e-taxi service was launched in Hyderabad to mark the World Environment Day.
• The taxis will operate from different parts of the city to Rajiv Gandhi International Airport.
• The e-taxis have been launched by Green Mile.
• 5 e-taxis have been launched on a pilot basis while within next one month 25 e-taxis will be deployed.
• One diesel taxi emits exhaust fumes equivalent of 25 private diesel cars while electric vehicles emit zero tailpipe emissions.

4. India’s first bicycle sharing scheme ‘Trin Trin’.

• City of Mysuru got India’s first bicycle sharing scheme which was launched by Chief Minister Siddharamaiah.
• The PBS system will have 450 bicycles and 48 docking stations at major tourist destinations, universities and offices.
• ‘Trin Trin’ in Mysuru is being implemented and operated by Green Wheel Ride.
• The project is run by the State government and was funded by the World Bank under its Global Environment Facility grant.
• The total project cost is Rs. 20 crore.

International News
1. India tops global retail index.

• India has surpassed China to secure the top position among 30 developing countries on ease of doing business in retail sector.
• China stood at 2nd position.
• This is the 16th edition of the Global Retail Development Index.
• India’s retail sector is projected to grow 30 per cent annually and reach USD 48 billion by 2020.
• Rapid urbanization and a growing middle class with higher income levels is driving up consumption across the country. Efforts to boost cashless payments and GST are also expected to accelerate adoption of formal retail.

2. Arab states break ties with Qatar.

• Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Egypt and the United Arab Emirates broke off relations with Qatar.
• The countries have accused Qatar of supporting terrorism and destabilizing the region.
• Qatar has been ejected from the Saudi-led coalition.
• Qatari citizens have been told they have 14 days to leave Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and the UAE, and those countries also banned their own citizens from entering Qatar.
• About 80 percent of Qatar’s food requirements are sourced via bigger Gulf Arab neighbours.

Business News
1. RBI initiates prompt corrective action.

• Reserve Bank of India has initiated Prompt Corrective Action for Dena Bank In view of high non-performing assets and negative return on assets.
• Earlier similar action was initiated against UCO Bank, IDBI Bank, and Indian Overseas Bank.
• The action will contribute to improve the internal controls of the bank and improvement in its activities.
• CEO of Dena Bank – Shri. Ashwani Kumar

Miss Venezuela Gabriela Isler : Miss Universe 2013

Miss Venezuela Gabriela Isler : Miss Universe 2013

Gabriela Isler from Venezuela won Miss Universe 2013 contest on 9 November 2013 held at Crocus City Hall in Moscow, Russia. Patricia Yurena Rodriguez from Spain finished as the first runner-up, whereas Constanza Baez from Ecuador was the second runner up. Manasi Moghe from India had been shortlisted for the top 10 finalists of Miss Universe 2013 but failed to win the crown. Miss Universe is the oldest International beauty pageant.

The top 10 finalists comprised India, Dominican Republic, Venezuela, Ukraine, Ecuador, USA, Brazil, Great Britain, Spain and Philippines. Top 5 finalists included Ecuador, Spain, Brazil, Philippines, Venezuela.

María Gabriela Isler was born on 21 April 1988 in Valencia, Carabobo, Venezuela. She is a Venezuelan fashion model and beauty pageant titleholder who was crowned Miss Venezuela 2012. She is the third Miss Universe from Venezuela in 6 years.

India and China have resumed 3rd Joint Military Exercises after five years -

Indian and Chinese army are set to hold their third joint military exercises after a gap of 5 years. During the exercises the Indian army contingent of 150 people reached the Chengdu city on 4 November 2013 to take part in the anti-terrorism drills. 

The 10 day drill code has been named hand in hand was inaugurated in the Chengdu city on 5 November 2013. Earlier, the annual exercises began in 2007 and the first exercise was held in Kumming city of China, whereas the second round was held in India at Belgaum in Karnataka in 2008. 

Further, the next round of exercise was called off by India after the General who headed troops in Jammu and Kashmir was denied the visa on the grounds that the region part of disputed territory. 

The contact between the two nations was resumed after China withdrew its decision and started issuing the regular visas to residents of Jammu and Kashmir. This step facilitated a broad engagement between the two giant neighbours - 

Bharti Airtel signed an Agreement with the Warid Group -

Bharti Airtel on 5 November 2013 entered into an agreement with the Warid Group to acquire its Congo operations with the objective of strengthening its stronghold in the African market. The acquisition will make Airtel the largest mobile operator in the Republic of Congo with around 2.6 million customers. At present, Airtel is the second largest operator in that country with over 1.6 million customers, while Warid is the third largest with around one million customers. This is the second acquisition by Airtel in African continent. It had acquired Warid’s Uganda operations earlier in 2013. The agreement will bring together the strengths of Airtel and Warid in Congo Brazzaville. It will benefit customers in the form of affordable tariffs, superior 2G/ 3G network and affordable voice and data services. Airtel had over 66 million customers at the end of September 2013 in the region with its presence across 17 African countries. Bharti Airtel is ranked fourth largest mobile operator at world level with operation in 20 countries and had over 280 million customers at the end of September 2013 - 

Bangladeshi Court sentenced to Death 152 Soldiers

A Bangladeshi court on 5 November 2013 sentenced to death 152 soldiers for their role in a 2009 mutiny. The life includes massacre of 74 people, including top army officers.  The trial is considered one of the world’s biggest ever mass criminal trials. Besides, a total of 820 ex-paramilitary soldiers and 26 civilians were put on trial and Dhaka Metropolitan Sessions Court Judge Md Akhtaruzzaman gave life imprisonment to 158 rebel soldiers and jail terms of three to 10 years to 251 others, while 271 were acquitted. Bangladesh paramilitary border guards had staged a two-day mutiny over pay and other grievances against military leaders during 25-26 February 2009. The mutiny had taken place two months after Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina assumed office. Then BDR chief Major General Shakil Ahmed was killed during the mutiny and the mutineers hacked to death, tortured and burnt alive 74 people - 

Microsoft Developed New Sign Language Translator-KINECT -

US software company Microsoft recently developed a new cost-effective sign language translator that converts signs into spoken and written language - and vice versa. 

In collaboration with researchers in China, Microsoft created the Kinect Sign Language Translator, a prototype system that understands the gestures of sign language and converts them to spoken and written languageand vice versa. 

The translator uses a computer and a Kinect camera that recognises signing gestures, then gives a spoken and written translation of languages for people who can hear. 

The system captures a conversation both sides: the deaf person is shown signing, with a written and spoken translation being rendered in real-time, while the system takes the hearing person's spoken words and turns them into accurate, understandable signs. The system takes a person's spoken words and translate them into accurate signs carried out by an on-screen avatar.

The Kinect's sensors read a user's body position and movements and, with the help of a computer, translate them into commands. The project was collaboration between the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing Union University, and Microsoft Research Asia

New Delhi to host 12th Edition of Pravasi Bharatiya Divas 2014 -

The 12th edition of Pravasi Bhartiya Divas will be held in New Delhi from 7th to 9th of January 2014. This was announced by Vayalar Ravi, Minister for Overseas Indian Affairs on 5 Novemeber 2013 in New Delhi.

The theme of the convention is -Engaging Diaspora - Connecting across Generations- with a special focus on the younger generation.

Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh will inaugurate the convention and President Pranab Mukherjee will give his valedictory address. Pravasi Bharatiya Samman will also be bestowed on 15 persons during the convention. 

The PBD Convention provides a unique platform for overseas Indians to interact among themselves and with the Government of India and the Governments of various Indian States. It is a forum where the Government of India showcases investment opportunities in India and its potential in various sectors. The 11th edition of Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD) was held at Kochi, Kerala from 7th to 9th of January 2013.

About Pravasi Bharatiya Divas

Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD) is celebrated on 9th January every year to mark the contribution of Overseas Indian community in the development of India. January 9 was chosen as the day to celebrate this occasion since it was on this day in 1915 that Mahatma Gandhi the greatest Pravasi, returned to India from South Africa, led India’s freedom struggle and changed the lives of Indians forever.

PBD conventions are being held every year since 2003. These conventions provide a platform to the overseas Indian community to engage with the government and people of the land of their ancestors for mutually beneficial activities. These conventions are also very useful in networking among the overseas Indian community residing in various parts of the world and enable them to share their experiences in various fields.

During the event, individuals of exceptional merit are honoured with the prestigious Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Award to appreciate their role in India’s growth. The event also provides a forum for discussing key issues concerning the Indian Diaspora

- See more at: http://www.jagranjosh.com/current-affairs/new-delhi-to-host-12th-edition-of-pravasi-bharatiya-divas-2014-1383649306-1#sthash.C8eMQXy4.dpuf

India successfully launched its Maiden Mars Mission from Sriharikota

India's premier space agency, ISRO, on 5 November 2013 successfully launched its historic mission to Mars from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota, about 100km from Chennai. It was India’s first mission to the red planet. The mission follows India’s successful 2008-2009 Chandrayaan-1 moon probe, which discovered water molecules in the lunar soil. The total cost of the Mars mission is 73 million US dollars.

The main features of the Mars mission are as following:
• The main objective of the mission is to develop the technologies required for design, planning, management and operations of an interplanetary mission.
• The main objective of the mission is to explore Mars surface features, morphology, mineralogy and search for methane in the Martian atmosphere using indigenous scientific instruments.
• The satellite carries instruments such as Lyman Alpha Photometer, a methane sensor, a composition analyser, a camera and an imaging spectrometer for studying the atmosphere, particle environment and surface imaging. 
• The satellite is scheduled to reach the Mars orbit in September 2014 and is designed to circle the Red Planet in an elliptical orbit of 366 km X 80000 km.

FDI inflows into the Service Sector declined by 47.5 Percent

As per the data released by the Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion (DIPP) on 4 November 2013, Foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows into the service sector declined by 47.5 percent to 1.19 billion US dollars during the April-August 2013 period. The service sector, which includes banking, insurance, outsourcing, R&D, courier and technology testing, had received FDI (foreign direct investment) worth 2.28 billion US dollars in April-August 2012 period. The services sector contributes over 60 percent to India’s GDP. In 2012-13, foreign investment in the segment declined to 4.83 billion US dollars from 5.21 billion US dollars in 2011-12.The other sectors where foreign inflows declined during the first five months of this fiscal as compared to the previous year include construction development (township and housing), power and metallurgical industries. On the whole, during the April-August 2013 period, FDI has increased by only 4 per cent to 8.46 billion US dollars, from 8.16 billion US dollars in the same period last fiscal. Foreign investments are considered crucial for India, which needs around 1 trillion US dollars in the next five years to overhaul its infrastructure sector such as ports, airports and highways to boost growth. 

Abraham K Techi Appointed International Weightlifting Referee

Indian Weightlifting Federation Joint Secretary Abraham K Techi on 4 November 2013 appointed as an international Weightlifting referee. Budapest–based International Weightlifting Federation issued the honour to Abraham, making him the fourth international referee from North East India. Abraham K Techi, President of the Arunachal Weightlifting Association (AWA), is the first international referee from Arunachal Pradesh and fourth from the North East. The other three referees from the region include Sunil Elangbam of Manipur, Birendra Prasad Baishya (IWF president and Rajya Sabha member) and Bhabajyoti Goswami both from Assam. Besides being the Eastern Indian Body Building Association vice president, Abraham was member of the organising committee, in charge of sports presentation and medal ceremony (weightlifting) during the 2010 Commonwealth Games and manager of the Indian weightlifting teams that went to Cyprus, Uzbekistan and Mala

Yuki Bhambri won the Traralgon title

Yuki Bhambri on 4 November 2013 won the ATP men’s singles title of Traralgon event in Australia. He defeated Bradely Klahn of America in the summit clash that was hit by rain. This is the second win of his career.

Yuki, the 21 years old Indian defeated higher ranking Bradely by 6-7, 6-3, 6-4 in the finals in a match played on two days due to rain. This is the third straight win of Yuki over a higher ranked opponent in this tournament. The 277 ranked Yuki earlier defeated, Tatsuma of Japan ranked 191 and the James Duckworth of Australia ranked 147 in the tournament to reach the finals. - See more at: http://www.jagranjosh.com/current-affairs/yuki-bhambri-won-the-traralgon-title-1383629713-1#sthash.Zrr9AIqq.dpuf

Government decided to extend the sale of 5 kg LPG cylinders at petrol pumps

The Government of India on 4 November 2013 decided to extend the sale of the non-subsidized 5 kg cooking gas (LPG) cylinders at petrol pumps across the country. The proposal to extend the scope of the scheme was approved by M. Veerappa Moily, the Union Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas. 

Earlier, the scheme was in operation in Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai and Bengaluru. The scheme was launched on 5 October 2013 by Moily in Bangalore for sale in selected company owned and company operated petrol pumps in the four cities. The cylinders will be sold at market rates.

The scheme will be delayed in poll bounding states like Delhi, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh. The scheme has allowed to sale the 5 kg LPG cylinders with just proof of Identity through Petrol Stations to students, IT professional, BPO employees and people with odd duty timings. As per the decision, the sale of the cylinders would be done with or without regulator for the first time. 

The cylinders will be charged 1000 rupees and the regulator will be available at 250 rupees. Whereas, the cost of refills of the LPG will be as per to the non-domestic rates applicable in the market. A 5 kg is sold at about 340 to 350 rupees. - See more at: http://www.jagranjosh.com/current-affairs/government-decided-to-extend-the-sale-of-5-kg-lpg-cylinders-at-petrol-pumps-1383624808-1#sthash.umYfqrMd.dpuf

Virat Kohli became Number 1 ranked ODI Batsman

Virat Kohli on 3 November 2013 became the number 1 batsman in one day International cricket rankings after scoring 344 runs in the series against Australia, that India won by 3-2. In the series Kohli scored 61 in Pune, 100 in Naipur, 68 in Mohali, 115 in Nagpur and 0 in Bengaluru at an average of 114.66. 

The 344 runs in the series gave 38 rating points to him, which helped him to jump three points to top in the ICC ranking tables. He achieved the top position on the ODI rankings for the first time. He also became the third Indian to hold number 1 position after Sachin Tendulkar in 1996 and MS Dhoni in 2006. 

Tendulkar claimed the number 1 position for the first time from Brain Lara in February 1996 and for the last time he achieved the position in March 2008. Dhoni reached the number 1 position for the first time from Ricky Pointing in April 2006 and for the last time in July 2010. 

In the latest list released by the ICC, the other players who changed their rankings were George Bailey, Shikhar Dhawan and Rohit Sharma. The captain of Australia during the series against India skipped six places and claimed third position in rankings released. This was the first time for Bailey in the career to achieve the third position.  

Shikhar Dhawan broke into the top 20 list for the first time by jumping 12 places to stand at 11th ranking in the list. Rohit Sharma achieved 15th position in the rankings list after scoring 491 runs at an average of 122.75, which includes the score of 209 runs in the final. Rohit Sharma became

Europe's cargo-carrier, the ATV-4 accomplished its Mission

The heaviest-ever cargo-carrier of Europe to the International Space Station burned up in the Earth’s Atmosphere in the controlled manoeuvre after a five month mission on 2 November 2013. When the cargo was burnt, it carried about six tonnes of garbage and waste produced on the board of the ISS. The Automated Transfer Vehicle (ATV) was burnt over the uninhabited zone of the southern Pacific Ocean.

The ATV-4 set the record for the heaviest Ariane 5 launch and its mission started on 5 June 2013 from Europe’s Spaceport in French Guiana. The record cargo of 2480 kg included more than 1400 individual items.
Albert Einstein performed a series of delicate manoeuvres to reenter below the Station in order for the astronauts to observe the spacecraft’s fragmentation in the upper atmosphere, providing unique information on reentry physics.

Automated Transfer Vehicles (ATVs)
Automated Transfer Vehicles (ATVs) are the most complex space vehicles ever developed in Europe and are the largest and most capable resupply ships to dock with the Space Station.

European Space Agency (ESA)
The European Space Agency (ESA) is Europe’s gateway to space and its mission is to shape the development the space capability of Europe ensuring that the investments done in the space can deliver benefits to the people of Europe and the world.

ESA is an international organisation with 20 Member States. By coordinating the financial and intellectual resources of its members, it can undertake programmes and activities far beyond the scope of any single European country.

Russia and Japan agreed to expand their Defence Ties

Russia and Japan on 2 November 2013 held their first joint Defence and Foreign Ministers meeting and agreed to expand their defense and security cooperation.

The Foreign Minister of Japan, Fumio Kishida and Defense Minister Itsunori Onodera and their counterpart from Russia, Sergei Lavrov and Sergei Shoigu, who met in Tokoyo agreed to hold joint military and antipiracy exercises and then established a defence consultation framework. The defence tie-up between the two countries is signed with an aim to establish the stability and peace in the Asia-Pacific region.

With this agreement, Russia became the third country in the world to establish the two-plus-two mechanism of bilateral interaction at the ministerial level with Japan after US and Australia. On the other side, Japan became the first Asian country to have the arrangement with Russia.

The two countries have also agreed to conduct, the first ever anti-terrorism and anti-piracy exercises between the Maritime Self Defence Force of Japan and the Navy of Russia.

Japan and Russia have also agreed to discuss the territorial dispute, because of which Russia and Japan has been able to sign the peace treaty after the second world war 2. The two nations had disputes over the four Kuril Islands that are claimed by Japan.

Sebastian Vettel won Abu Dhabi Formula One Grand Prix 2013

Formula 1 racing driver, Sebastian Vettel on 3 November 2013 won  the Abu Dhabi Formula 1 Grand Prix at the Yas Marina circuit, Abu Dhabi.
 
Sebastian Vettel clocked 1 minute 43.893 seconds to finish at the top of the table. Vettel's team-mate Aussie Mark Webber finished with second position, with Mercedes driver Nico Rosberg of Germany finishing third.

Sebastian Vettel won the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix for the second time in his career. (First time is in 2009). This victory has drawn Vettel level with compatriot Michael Schumacher's mark of seven successive wins.

Earlier, Sebastian Vettel (26 years old) had clinched the title at the Indian Grand Prix on 27 October 2013.

The Abu Dhabi Grand Prix (formally known as the Formula 1 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix) was a Formula One motor race that was held at the Yas Marina Circuit, Abu Dhabi on 3 November 2013.

About Sebastian Vettel
• Sebastian Vettel is a German formulae one racing driver and at present he is driving for the Red Bull a Austrian racing team
• At present he is the world champion as he won the Championship in 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2013 
• He was born on 3 July 1987
• While driving for Red Bull in 2009, he finished as the season as the youngest ever World Driver’s Championship runner-up.
• He became the youngest driver, who won the World Drivers’ Championship in 2010 and the same year he helped Red Bull to win the first team’s World Constructors Championship.

Who: Sebastian Vettel
Where: Abu Dhabi
What: Abu Dhabi F1 Grand Prix 2013
When: 3 November 2013

IIMC Signed International Cooperation Agreement with Queensland University of Technology

Indian Institute of Mass Communication (IIMC), New Delhi and Queensland University of Technology (QUT), Brisbane, Australia signed the International Cooperation Agreement to collaborate in academic programmes and in frontier areas of research in Media and Communication on 4 November 2013.

Highlights of the Agreement

• The agreement was signed by Bimal Julka, IIMC Chairman and Secretary I&B Ministry and Prof. Peter Coaldrake, Vice Chancellor, Queensland University of Technology.
• The agreement envisages bringing ICT in academic programmes in a significant way.
• Both the institutes agreed for the development of joint venture projects and also for opening avenues for developing a collaborative doctoral programme to benefit students and faculty.
• The bilateral cooperation agreement also envisages organization of joint academic and scientific activities, such as courses, conferences, seminars, symposia or lectures, exchange of staff and students and exchange of materials and publications of common interest.
• One of the core areas of the agreement is to facilitate Training of senior and mid-level Indian Information Service officers at the Queensland University of Technology (QUT), especially in use of modern technology and social media for providing information about government policies to stakeholders.
• The objective is to ensure skill development of IIS officers in critical areas of the changing media landscape.
• This is the first agreement signed by IIMC seeking international collaboration and partnership with a foreign university.
• The agreement aims to facilitate a two-way value added training and capacity building programme in the field of Mass Media & Communication.
• The cooperation agreement shall be valid for five (5) years from the date of signing. It was decided that the agreement shall be reviewed six (6) months prior to expiry and may be renewed for a further term by mutual agreement.

7th Edition of Indian Pharmacopoeia 2014 – A Book of Drug Standards, Released By Ghulam Nabi Azad

The Union Health and Family Welfare Minister, Ghulam Nabi Azad released the 7th edition of Indian Pharmacopoeia 2014 – a book of Drug Standards at the Nirman Bhawan on 4 November 2013.

About the book- Indian Pharmacopoeia 2014

• The book entitled Indian Pharmacopoeia 2014 includes the standards of drug all over the world. These standards given in this pharmacopoeia are authoritative, legally enforceable and intended to help in the inspection and licensing of manufacturing units and distribution of drugs and pharmaceuticals.
• The new edition includes advanced technology and experimental methods widely adopted in India and abroad.
• The seventh edition of the Indian Pharmacopoeia (IP 2014) has been published by the Indian Pharmacopoeia Commission (IPC) in fulfillment of the requirements of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940 and Rules thereunder.
• It prescribes the standards for drugs produced and/or marketed in India and thus contributes in the control and assurance of the quality of the medicines.
• The Indian Pharmacopoeia 2014 is presented in four volumes.
• The scope of the Pharmacopoeia has been extended to include products of biotechnology, indigenous herbs and herbal products, veterinary vaccines and additional antiretroviral drugs and formulations, inclusive of commonly used fixed-dose combinations.
• Standards for new drugs and drugs used under National Health Programmes are added and the drugs as well as their formulations not in use now days are omitted from this edition.
• It incorporates 2548 monographs of drugs out of which 577 are new monographs consisting of APIs, excipients, dosage forms, antibiotic monographs, insulin products and herbal products etc.
• 19 New Radiopharmaceutical Monographs and 1 General chapter is first time being included in this edition.

Objective of Indian Pharmacopoeia 2014

The Indian Pharmacopoeia 2014 will be able to fulfill the mission of the Indian Pharmacopoeia Commission to promote public health, both in India and other countries using drugs manufactured in India.

Bangladesh became the First South Asian Country to Approve Commercial Cultivation of Bt Brinjal

Bangladesh on 31 October 2013 approved the commercial cultivation of transgenic Bt brinjal. With this decision Bangladesh became the first country in South Asia to cultivate the genetically modified food crop.

National Committee on Biosafety (NCB), the highest regulatory body for GM crops in Bangladesh, officially approved the Bt brinjal varieties. With this step, Bangladesh becomes the 29th country in the world to grow GM crop. In South Asia, India, Pakistan and Myanmar grow GM crop cotton. With the NCB nod, Bangladesh becomes the first in the region to grow a GM food crop.

Four Bt brinjal varieties (Bt brinjal-1, 2, 3 and 4) have been approved by the Bangladesh Government for limited scale cultivation with some conditions. BARI (Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute) had developed these Bt brinjal varieties incorporating Indian company Mahyco’s proprietary gene construct technology.

Maharashtra-based seed company-Mahyco had transferred its Bt brinjal technology to BARI way back in 2005-06 through a USAID-funded and Cornell University-managed Agricultural Biotechnology Support Project.
About Bt brinjal
In GM crops, the genetic material (DNA) is altered for improvements in its qualities. Bt Brinjal, for instance, has been inserted with a natural bacterial protein which makes it resist pests.
Bt brinjal contains a foreign Cry1Ac gene derived from a soil bacterium, Bacillus thuringiensis or Bt. This gene synthesises a protein toxic to the fruit and shoot borer (FSB), a destructive pest. The gene gives the crop a built-in resistance to FSB, reducing reliance on spraying pesticides.

Who: Bangladesh Government
Where: Bangladesh
What: Bangladesh approved cultivation of Bt brinjal
When: 31 October 2013

Heads of Important Offices in India 2013

Heads of Important Offices in India

Dr. Manmohan Singh: Chairman, Planning Commission.
Ms. Meira Kumar: Speaker, Lok Sabha.
Mohammad Hamid Ansari: Chairman, Rajya Sabha.
Mr. P. J. Kurien: Deputy Chairman, Rajya Sabha.
Mr. Karia Munda: Deputy Speaker, Lok Sabha.
Mrs. Sushma Swaraj : Leader of Opposition (Lok Sabha).
Mr. Arun Jaitley: Leader of Opposition (Rajya Sabha).
Dr. Montek Singh Ahluwalia: Deputy Chairman, Planning Commission.
Mr. V. S. Sampath: Chief Election Commissioner
Mr. Harishankar Brahma : Election Commissioner.
Syed Nasim Zaidi : Election Commissioner.
Mr. Shashi Kant Sharma : Comptroller and Auditor-General of India.
Mr. Justice K. G. Balakrishnan : Chairperson, National Human Right Commission (NHRC)
Mr. K. M. Chandrasekhar: Cabinet Secretary.
Mr. T. K. A. Nair : Principal Secretary to Prime Minister .
Mr. Justice M. N. Rao: Chairman, National Commission for Backward Classes.
Ms. Shanta Sinha: Chairperson, National Commission for Protection of Child Rights
Dr. Buta Singh: Chairman, National Commission for Scheduled Castes
Ms. Urmila Singh: Chairman, National Commission for Scheduled Tribes.
Prof. D. P. Agrawal: Chairman, UPSC.
Dr. M. S. Swaminathan : Chairman, National Commission on Farmers (NCF).
Mr. Shiv Shankar Menon: National Security Adviser and Special Adviser to PM (Internal Security).
Mr. S. C. Sinha : Director-General, National Investigation Agency (NIA).
Mr. Vinay Mittal: Chairman, Railway Board.
Mr. Shumsher K. Sheriff : Secretary-General, Rajya Sabha
Mr. T. K. Viswanathan : Secretary-General, Lok Sabha.
Mr. Syed Asif Ibrahim : Director, IB.
Mr. Ranjit Sinha: Director, CBI.
Mr. Alok Joshi : Director, Research and Analysis Wing (RAW).
Mr. Arvind Ranjan : Director-General, NSG.
Mr. Dilip Trivedi : Director-General, CRPF.
Mr. Subhash Joshi : Director-General, Border Security Force (BSF).
Mr. Rajiv : Director-General, Central Industrial Security Force (CISF).
Mr. P. K. Mehta: Director-General, Railway Protection Force. (RPF)
Mr. Ajay Chadha: Director-General, Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP).
Mr. Arun Chaudhary : Director-General, Sashastra Seema Bal.
Vice-Admiral Anurag G. Thapliyal : Director-General, Indian Coast Guard.
Lt. Gen. Avtar Singh: Director-General, Defence Intelligence Agency.
Prof. Ved Prakash : Chairman, UGC.
Dr. Avinash Chander : Scientific Adviser to Defence Minister and Secretary, Defence Research and Development Organisation. (DRDO)
Dr. R. Chidambaram : Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government.
Mr. K. Radhakrishnan: Chairman, Space Commission and ISRO.
Mr. Ratan Kumar Sinha : Chairman, Atomic Energy Commission and Secretary, Dept. of Atomic Energy.
Mr. Wajahat Habibullah: Chairperson, National Commission for Minorities.
Mr. Deepak Sandhu : Chief Information Commissioner.
Mr. Amitava Bhattacharya : Chairman, SSC.
Dr. Vishwa Mohan Katoch : Director-General, Indian Council of Medical Research.
Mr. C. Chandramouli : Registrar-General of India and Census Commissioner.
Justice D. K. Jain : Chairman, Law Commission.
Mr. Baldev Raj : President, Indian National Academy of Engineering (INAE).
Mr. Justice (Retd.) B. N. Kirpal: Chairman, National Forest Commission.
Dr. Amrita Patel: Chairperson, National Dairy Development Board (NDDB).
Lt. Gen. M. C. Badhani : Director-General, Border Roads Organisation.
Dr. Raghuram Rajan : Governor, RBI.
Mr. Justice G. N. Ray: Chairman, Press Council of India.
Mr. Shailesh Gupta : Chairman, Audit Bureau of Circulations (ABC).
Dr. (Ms.) Poonam Kishore Saxena : Chairperson, Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT).
Mr. A. K. Singh: Chairman, Central Board of Excise and Customs.
Mr. Ashok Chawla : Competition Commission of India
Justice Syed Rafat Alam : Chairman, Central Administrative Tribunal
Mr. G. Sai Prasad : CMD, NHPC.
Mr. R. S. Sharma: CMD, ONGC.
Mr. U. D. Choubey : CMD, GAIL.
Mr. S. Behuria : Chairman, IOC.
Mr. Sunil Kumar Srivastava: CMD, Oil India Ltd.
Mr. Ashok Ganguly: Chairman, CBSE.
Mr. U. K. Sinha: Chairman, Securities and Exchange Board of India.
Mr. Prakash Bakshi: Chairman, National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD).
Mr. Pratip Chaudhuri : Chairman, SBI.
Mr. V. P. Shetty : Chairman, IDBI.
Mr. S. Balasubramanian : Chairman, Company Law Board.
Mr. Hardeep Singh Puri : India's Permanent Representative to UN.
Mr. T. S. Vijayan : Chairman, LIC
Mr. A. K. Bajaj : Chairman, Central Water Commission.
Ms. Mamta Sharma : Chairperson, National Commission for Women.
Dr. Y. V. Reddy: Chairman, 14th Finance Commission.
Prof. Suresh D. Tendulkar : Chairman, National Statistical Commission.
Ms. Shafmila Tagore : Chairperson, Central Board of Film Certification.
Dr. Gautam Sengupta : Director-General, Archaeological Survey of India.
Ms. Naina Lal Kidwai  : President, FICCI.
Mr. J. S. Sarma: Chairman, TRAI
Mr. R. N. Das : Director, Enforcement Directorate.
Mr. Yogesh Agarwal: Chairman, Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority.
Mr. Pradeep Kumar: Commissioner, Central Vigilance Commissioner (CVC).
Dr. Ratan Kumar Sinha : Director, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre.
Mr. Suresh Kalmadi : President, Indian Olympic Association.
Prof. Krishan Kumar: Director, NCERT.
Mr. Mr. S. Gopalakrishnan : President, CII.
Mr. Sam Pitroda : Chairman, National Knowledge Commission.
Mr. Rajiv Takru : CEO, Prasar Bharti Board.
Mr. Ratan Tata : Chairman, Investment Commission.
Mr. Jagmohan Dalmiya : President, Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).
Mr. Krishnakumar Natarajan : Chairman, NASSCOM.
Mr. Rajkumar Dhoot : President, ASSOCHAM.
Mr. Ramesh Sippy : Chairman, National Film Development Corporation (NFDC).
Mr. Ravindra Kumar: Chairman, United News of India.
Mr. N. Ravi : Chairman, PTI.
Mr. K. N. Tilak Kumar : President, Indian Newspaper Society (INS).
Mr. Dilip Modi : President, The Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (ASSOCHAM).
Mr. Vinod Rai : Chairman, Asian Organization of Supreme Audit Institutions (ASOSAI)