Current Affairs: February 2013 (Last Week)
Six foreign micro and mini spacecrafts as
well as the Indo-French oceanographic study satellite, SARAL (Satellite for
Argos-3 and Altika) were launched successfully by ISRO's PSLV-C20 rocket on 25
February 2013 from the spaceport at Sriharikota.
The Government of India on 27 February 2013
announced constitution of Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) to probe into the
allegations in the VVIP helicopter deal from Agusta Westland and to identify
the role of the middlemen in the purchase of the 12 helicopters.
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh approved the
changes in the exam patterns of Union Public Service Commission (UPSC)
examination. According to the new changes, more weightage will be given to the
General Studies paper.
National Science Day was observed on 28
February 2013. The theme of 2013 was Genetically Modified Crops and Food
Security. The day is observed on the 28th of February every year to popularise
science and its applications among school and college students. National
Science Day is observed in honour of Nobel laureate and physicist CV Raman’s
discovery of the Raman Effect, which he announced on this day in 1928.
Anupam Kher, the veteran Bollywood actor was
awarded with the City Proclamation Award in Los Angeles in the last week of
February 2013.
The Surrey Space Centre (SSC) of the
University of Surrey on 26 February 2013 announced that STRaND-1, a
nano-satellite carrying a smartphone was launched successfully into space from
India. With this launch, India became the first country to successfully launch
the first smartphone of the world.
Park Geun-hye sworn-in as the first woman
President of South Korea on 25 February 2013. After swearing-in, she vowed for
zero tolerance against nuclearised North Korea as well as economic prosperity
of the country.
The Oscars 2013 or the 85th Academy Awards
ceremony took place on 24 February 2013. The annual Academy Awards were
presented by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) in order
to honour the best films of the previous years, i.e., 2012. The Oscars 2013
ceremony was held at Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, California. The awards were
hosted by Seth MacFarlane. This is said to be the most viewed ceremony since
Academy Awards 2004.
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ISRO's
PSLV-C20 Rocket Successfully Launched SARAL and Six Other Satellites
Six foreign micro and mini spacecrafts as
well as the Indo-French oceanographic study satellite, SARAL (Satellite for
Argos-3 and Altika) were launched successfully by ISRO's PSLV-C20 rocket on 25
February 2013 from the spaceport at Sriharikota.
The Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) of
Indian Space Research Organization’s (ISRO) flew from first launch pad of
Satish Dhawan Space Centre and was successfully put into the orbit. The
President of India, Pranab Mukherjee witnessed this launch from mission control
centre at Sriharikota.
Satellites
launched by PSLV-C20 rocket
• 410-kg SARAL with payloads - Argos and
Altika
• Two micro-satellites UniBRITE and BRITE
from Austria
• AAUSAT3 from Denmark
• STRaND from United Kingdom
• Micro-satellite (NEOSSat)
• Mini-satellite (SAPPHIRE) from Canada
These seven satellites were launched
successfully by PSLV which depicted its versatility and recorded 22nd
successful flight consecutive. ISRO also has plans to launch the
Geo-Synchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle that has indigenous cryogenic engine,
along with the India’s mission to Mars, both of which are scheduled for 2013.
SARAL, the
unique satellite
• SARAL is said to be a very unique satellite
which serves the research community.
• This satellite will assist the researchers
in oceanographic studies.
• SARAL will study the sea surface heights
and ocean currents.
• ARGOS-2 will help in collecting the data,
while Altikameter will be responsible for measuring the height of sea surface.
• SARAL will also assist researchers in
studying about the climatic developments.
• Its practical applications include study of
migration of the marine animals, continental ice studies, protection of biodiversity
and coastal erosion.
Railway
Budget 2013-14: 67 New Express Trains Announced
Railway Minister Pawan Kumar Bansal on 27
February 2013 proposed the introduction of 67 new express trains and 26 new
passenger trains. He also asserted the introduction of 22 new lines in 2013-14.
Highlights
of the new Trains announced
• 67 new Express trains to be introduced.
• 26 new passenger services, 8 DEMU (Diesel
Electric Multiple Unit) services and 5 MEMU services to be introduced.
• Run of 57 trains to be extended.
• Frequency of 24 trains to be increased.
Metropolitan Projects/Sub-urban Services
• Introduction of first AC EMU rake on Mumbai
suburban network in2013-14.
• Introduction of 72 additional services in
Mumbai and 18 in Kolkata.
• Rake length increased from 9 cars to 12
cars for 80 services in Kolkata and 30
services in Chennai.
State wise
break up of new Trains announced
• Karnataka gets 3 new lines, 8 express
trains
• Goa gets 3 New Express trains
• Andhra Pradesh got 8 New Trains
• 13 New Trains for UP, 7 out of which went
to Lucknow Only
Region
Wise Break up of New Train Announced
• Eight new express trains, 11 originating
trains and eight pass-through trains, six extension trains apart from 20 new
lines and doubling projects fell in South Central Rail-way’s kitty in the
Railway Budget announced.
• As per the budget, Central Railway (CR) and
Western Railway (WR) will get a total of 17 new mail/express trains, of which
14 trains will serve either the city or state passengers.
• Further, 72 additional services of local
trains, augmentation of AC local trains at WR, have also been announced.
Joint
Parliamentary Committee formed to Probe into the VVIP Helicopter
The Government of India on 27 February 2013
announced constitution of Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) to probe into the
allegations in the VVIP helicopter deal from Agusta Westland and to identify
the role of the middlemen in the purchase of the 12 helicopters.
The motion was moved by the Parliamentary
Affairs Minister Kamal Nath. The proposed JPC will constitute of 20 members
from Lok Sabha and 10 from Rajya Sabha and submit the report of its findings
within three months from the day of its constitution. The motion was adopted in
the Rajya Sabha by Voice Vote.
World
Number one Novak Djokovic won the ATP Dubai Open Tennis title 2013
World Number one Novak Djokovic on 2 March
2013 won the ATP Dubai Open Tennis title 2013. He defeated third seed Czech
Republic’s Tomas Berdych 7-5, 6-3 in the finals in Dubai.
India’s Mahesh Bhupathi and his French
partner Michael Lloldra bagged the doubles crown defeating Serbian-Swedish duo
of Nenad Zimonjic and Robert Lindstedt 7-6, 7-6 in straight sets.
Changes
in Civil Services Exam Patterns Approved; General Studies to Have More Weight
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh approved the
changes in the exam patterns of Union Public Service Commission (UPSC)
examination. According to the new changes, more weightage will be given to the
General Studies paper.
The decision was based on the recommendations
of the committee which was constituted by the UPSC. The committee presented the
report under Chairmanship of former chairman of UGC and was also examined by
Department of Personnel and Training. It was later sent to the Prime Minister
for seeking final approval.
As of now, the Main paper of civil services
has General Studies Paper I and II which carry 300 marks each and includes
compulsory as well as optional subjects. But after implementation of these
changes, both these General Studies Papers will bear more weightage.
Civil Service examination is conducted by
UPSC for selecting the candidates for three main All India Services which
include Indian Foreign Service, Indian Police Service and Indian Administrative
Service.
National
Science Day 2013 was Celebrated Countrywide
28 February 2013: National Science Day
National Science Day was observed on 28
February 2013. The theme of 2013 was Genetically Modified Crops and Food
Security. The day is observed on the 28th of February every year to popularise
science and its applications among school and college students. National
Science Day is observed in honour of Nobel laureate and physicist CV Raman’s
discovery of the Raman Effect, which he announced on this day in 1928.
Various activities like debates, quiz competitions,
exhibitions and lectures were organised to mark the occasion.
Anupam
Kher Awarded With City Proclamation Award in Los Angeles
Anupam Kher, the veteran Bollywood actor was
awarded with the City Proclamation Award in Los Angeles in the last week of
February 2013.
It is important to note that Anupam Kher was
also nominated for Oscars 2013 for the Hollywood movie- Silver Lining Playbook.
He has also acted in the Hollywood movies like Bend it Like Beckham, Bride and
Prejudice, The Mistress of Spices, American Blade, Hope and a Little Sugar,
Midnight Children as well as in the television series.
First
Smartphone into Space Launched Successfully From India
The Surrey Space Centre (SSC) of the
University of Surrey on 26 February 2013 announced that STRaND-1, a
nano-satellite carrying a smartphone was launched successfully into space from
India. With this launch, India became the first country to successfully launch
the first smartphone of the world.
Sexual
Harassment of Women at Workplace Bill approved by Rajya Sabha
Rajya Sabha on 25 February 2013 approved the
Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal)
Bill. The bill seeks protection for women in all type of organised, unorganized
as well as Private Sectors, including the sexual harassment of domestic help as
well as agricultural workers.
Park
Geun-Hye Sworn-In As the First Woman President of South Korea
Park Geun-hye sworn-in as the first woman
President of South Korea on 25 February 2013. After swearing-in, she vowed for
zero tolerance against nuclearised North Korea as well as economic prosperity
of the country.
Park Geun-hye took charge of the office of
the President of South Korea just a little over 50 years after Park Chung-hee,
her father had taken over the office in 1961.
Life
of Pi Bagged Maximum Awards at Oscars 2013 (85th Academy Awards)
The Oscars 2013 or the 85th Academy Awards
ceremony took place on 24 February 2013. The annual Academy Awards were
presented by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) in order
to honour the best films of the previous years, i.e., 2012. The Oscars 2013
ceremony was held at Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, California. The awards were
hosted by Seth MacFarlane. This is said to be the most viewed ceremony since
Academy Awards 2004.
The main winners of the Oscars 2013 were Life
of Pi, with four awards; Argo with three awards; Les Miserables with three
awards and Django Unchained, Lincoln, Skyfall with two awards each. The list of
the awardees of 85th Academy Awards is as follows:
List of the awardees of 85th Academy Awards: Click Here
Other important
current affairs in a nutshell…..
*
The Union Finance Minister announced new tax proposals while tabling the Union
Budget 2013-14 in the Lok Sabha on 28 February 2013.
*
The Vice President of India released a book titled Walking with Lions: Tales
from a Diplomatic Past, written by K. Natwar Singh on 1 March 2013.
*
Facebook Inc on 28 February 2013 announced that it agreed to buy advertising
technology called Atlas Advertiser Suite, from the Microsoft Corp.
*
Vice Admiral, Anurag G Thapliyal took over as the Director General of the
Indian Coast Guard on 28 February 2013.
*
The National Capital of India, Delhi emerged as worst place in terms of key
parameters of environment in the Environmental Performance Index (EPI).
*
Mozilla, the software community which is known for producing the Firefox web
browser, launched Web-based Smartphone operating system on 24 February 2013....
*
Arun Tadanki, the managing director for Yahoo India and South East Asia quit
Yahoo on 25 February 2013. He became the Managing Director of Yahoo in May
2009.
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