Central Government Employees in Kerala to get September 2013 months’ salary in Advance considering Onam Festival

Central Government Employees in Kerala to get September 2013 months’ salary in Advance considering Onam Festival

In view of the ONAM Festival, the Government have decided that the salary of all Central Government Employees in the state of Kerala for the month of September 2013 may be drawn and disbursed by the Central Government Offices (including Defence, Posts& Telecommunication) on 13^th September 2013.

The wages for September 2013, of the industrial employees of Central Government serving in the state of Kerala may also be disbursed in advance on 13^th September 2013.

The Pension for September 2013, of all Central Government Pensioners in the state of Kerala may also be disbursed by Bank/PAOs on 13^th September 2013.

Click Here to view/Download Official Order

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Download NICL Administrative Officers (Scale-I) 2013 Admit Card

Download NICL Administrative Officers (Scale-I) 2013 Admit Card

National Insurance Company Limited (NICL) released admit card for the post of Administrative Officer (Scale I). The candidates who have applied for the post can now download the Hall ticket/Admit card.

Candidates have to login by providing the registration number and date of birth. The written examination for the respective post will be conducted on 8 August 2013.

Click Here to Download Admit Card

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Samsung unveils Galaxy Note 3, Galaxy Gear smartwatch

Samsung unveils Galaxy Note 3, Galaxy Gear smartwatch

Samsung on 04 September 2013 launched Galaxy Note 3 and Galaxy Gear at IFA, a trade event in Berlin. Samsung said that both devices will go on sale in 149 countries by September 25. In India, both the devices are likely to be launched before end of September. No country-specific pricing has been announced so far.

The highlight of the event was Galaxy Gear, a smartwatch. Samsung has launched it at least weeks ahead of a similar product expected from its rival Apple. The so-called smartwatch is what some technology analysts believe could become this year's must-have holiday gift.

Samsung says the Gear can act as an extension to a smartphone by discreetly alerting users to incoming messages and calls on its display screen, which measures 1.63 inches diagonally. Users can even make calls, secret agent-style, without getting out their phone. The Gear also sports a basic 1.9MP camera and works with popular social media and fitness apps such as Twitter and RunKeeper.

The Android-powered device starts shipping in most countries by September 25, starting at $299. It will be compatible initially with two Samsung products -- the Galaxy Note III, and the Galaxy Tab 10.1, a tablet with a 10.1-inch screen, which was also launched on Wednesday.

Galaxy Gear uses a SuperAMOLED screen. It has 4GB internal storage, a camera, 800MHz processor, 512MB RAM and will pair with compatible devices using Bluetooth connection. The watch weighs 74 grams.

Galaxy Note 3, meanwhile, is a big phablet with cutting edge hardware. It has a 5.7-inch SuperAMOLED screen with FullHD resolution, a 13MP camera that can shoot 4K videos and a multi-functional stylus. The 4G model of Note 3 will be powered by a 2.2GHz quad-core processor while the 3G model, which will be available in India, will be powered by a 1.9GHz octacore processor. It will have 32GB internal storage, 3GB RAM and 3200 mAh battery. User will be able to expand storage through a microSD card.

It measures 151.2mm x 79.2mm x 8.3mm and weighs 168 grams. The device has a 2MP front camera.

"Samsung Galaxy Note 3 is a powerful, original approach that enables users to tell the stories of their lives through dynamic and seamless expressions of their passions across work, play and life experiences. With a simple click of the S Pen button, users can unlock opportunities for self-expression, features that transform everyday activities into extraordinary events and access to new experiences delivered to them on Note 3's larger screen," said JK Shin, CEO and president of IT & mobile division at Samsung Electronics.

With smartphones and tablets now ubiquitous, electronics companies are trying to create a new category of products to lure consumer spending. That includes building advanced computing technology into everyday objects such as wristwatches and glasses.

Sony introduced its latest smartwatch in June and unveiled an update on Wednesday. Google is working on Google Glass -- a device designed to work like a smartphone and worn like a pair of glasses. Apple is seeking an iWatch trademark. Apple had no comment on Wednesday on its plans. It has an event scheduled next Tuesday, during which it is expected to unveil new iPhones.

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Happy Teacher’s Day 2013

Happy Teacher’s Day

September 5 is Teacher’s Day. This is a day to honour your teachers and thank them for all that they have done for you. It is also a day to remember one of the greatest teachers of India Dr. S. Radhakrishnan.

Teachers play an important role in moulding young minds and inspiring them to greater heights.

Teacher’s day is celebrated on September 5 in India. It commemorates the birthday of Professor S. Radhakrishnan, who was the second President of India. A scholar of philosophy and comparative literature, Dr. Radhakrishnan is a recipient of the Bharat Ratna, India’s highest civilian award, besides several international honours such as the Templeton prize and the Commonwealth Order of Merit.

Global festivity

Teacher’s day is celebrated around the world on different days. The first President of Turkey, Mustafa Kemal Ataturk stated, “the new generation will be created by teachers”. Ataturk was named the nation’s head teacher on November 24 which is celebrated as Teacher’s Day in Turkey.

September 11 is celebrated as Teacher’s Day in Argentina to honour its former President, intellectual and activist Domingo Faustino Sarmiento, who opened schools and free public libraries.

Brazil declared October 15 as Teacher Appreciation Day in 1963. Emperor Pedro I introduced a law that created schools for the lower classes in the 19th century.

Australia celebrates this day on the last Friday of October.

UNESCO recognises October 5 as World Teacher’s Day to acknowledge teachers’ contribution to education and development.

A good school or college is known by the quality of its teachers. A number of distinguished people acknowledge the influence their teachers have had on them. These include scientist, Albert Einstein, philosopher Khalil Gibran, Microsoft founder Bill Gates, among others.

Novelist John Steinbeck, said, “I have come to believe that a great teacher is a great artist and that there are as few as there are any other great artists. Teaching might even be the greatest of the arts since the medium is the human mind and spirit.”

Students spend a major portion of their day at school. So, the people they spend time with in school has an impact on how they develop as human beings. Many teachers share their views and experiences with students which help them learn about life. Others set an example for students by the manner in which they conduct themselves.

Some students find a mentor in their teachers, while many others find a life-long friend in them.

“Teachers are often the people who inspire us the most. I know I wouldn’t be where I am today without my fourth grade teacher, Mrs. Duncan. She so believed in me, and for the first time, made me embrace the idea of learning. I learned to love learning because of Mrs. Duncan from Wharton Elementary School.”-Talk show host, Oprah Winfrey

Courtesy: thehindu.com

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Raghuram Rajan takes over as RBI Governor

Raghuram Rajan takes over as RBI Governor

* Raghuram Govind Rajan, chief economic advisor in the Finance Ministry take over as governor of the Reserve Bank of India

* Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had approved his appointment on August 6, 2013 for a term of three years.

* At 50, Mr. Rajan will be among the youngest to occupy the high office at Mint Street in Mumbai, where he takes over from incumbent Duvvuri Subbarao.

* Mr. Rajan, who joined the Finance Ministry in August 2012, brings with him wide experience as a banker, academician and technocrat, having served institutions such as the International Monetary Fund and taught at the University of Chicago.

* An alumnus of the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) in New Delhi, the Indian Institute of Management (IIM) at Ahmedabad and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and a gold-medallist all through, Mr. Rajan was the youngest economic-counsellor and chief economist at the IMF from October 2003 to December 2006.

* His appointment comes at a time when the Indian economy is passing through rough weather and the government and the central bank are not particularly seen to be in sync on ways to handle the situation.

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Employment News this Week: Job Highlights (31 August- 06 September 2013)

Employment News this Week: Job Highlights (31 August- 06 September 2013)

1. Jesus & Mary College, University of Delhi requires 44 Assistant Professor. Last Date – 30.09.2013

2. Indian Ordnance Factories needs 1578 Chargemen. Last date : 21.09.2013

3. United Bank of India, Kolkata, requires 26 Specialist Officer (Risk Management, Credit, Economic, Training etc. ). Last Date : 07.09.2013

4. Border Security Force needs 811 ASI (RM), HC (RO) etc.Last Date – 30.09.2013

5. Kochi Metro Rail Ltd., Kerala requires 11 GM (Rolling Stock & Electrical, Signalling & Telecommunication), DGM (Civil), Manager (Power & Traction) etc. Last Date : 10.09.2013

6. Bhopal Memorial Hospital and Research Centre, Bhopal requires 23 Associate Professor and Assistant Professor. Last Date : 10.10.2013

7. Government of India Press. Nashik requires 99 Gen. Store Keeper, Hindi Translator, UDC, Head Reader etc. Last Date : 30.09.2013

8. Braithwaite & Co. Ltd., Kolkata needs 10 DGM/ Sr. Manager (Foundry), Manager /Dy. Manager (ERP) etc. Last Date- 21.09.2013

9. Employees’ State Insurance Corporation, Delhi invites applications for 62 Jr Hindi Translator. Last Date: 01.10.2013

10. Chandigarh Administration, Education Department, Chandigarh requires 8 Assistant Professors. Last Date- 30.10.2013

Source: www.employmentnews.gov.in

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Central govt to hike DA by 10 percent; 80 lakh employees, pensioners to get benefit

Central govt to hike DA by 10 percent; 80 lakh employees, pensioners to get benefit

According to official source, dearness allowance hike will be 10 percent and would be effective from July 1, this year.

The sources further said the exact amount of dearness allowance, as a proportion of basic pay, works out to over 90 percent after factoring in the revised all India Consumer Price Index for Industrial Workers (CPI-IW) for June.

According to revised data released on August 30, retail inflation for factory workers for June stood at 11.63 percent, higher than provisional estimate of 11.06 percent for the month released on July 31.

Sources said that since the revised estimate for the month of June is available, the Finance Ministry would soon prepare a proposal for the purpose for seeking Union Cabinet nod.

They further said the proposal will be moved this month. There would be a double digit hike in DA after about three years. It was last in September, 2010, that the government had announced a hike of 10 percent to be given with effect from July 1, 2010.

DA was hiked to 80 percent from 72 percent in April, 2013, effective from January 1, this year. As per the practice, the government uses CPI-IW data for past 12 month or a year to arrive at a number for the purpose of any DA hike. Thus, the retail inflation for industrial workers between July, 2012 to June, 2013 will be used to take a final decision.

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Current Affairs from Last Week of August 2013 in PDF for competitive Exams

Current Affairs – August Last Week, 2013

Latest Current Affairs| GK | Latest Exams| Job Alerts| Exam Results & many more

www.currentaffairs4examz.blogspot.in

August 2013 Current Affairs Questions and Answers for preparing Exams| SSC | UPSC | Civil Services | Bank | RRB and all other Competitive Examinations.

Latest Current Affairs from Last Week of August 2013 in PDF- useful for all competitive Examinations!!!!!

Download as PDF

Q1. Which team won the inaugural Indian Badminton League (IBL)?

Ans. Hyderabad Hotshots led by Saina Nehwal

Q2. National Sports Day was celebrated across India on 29 August 2013. Why it was celebrated on that day?

Ans. To commemorate the birth anniversary of Indian hockey legend Dhyan Chand.

Q3. Air India launched its direct flights to which country on 29 August 2013, after a wide gap of 22 years?

Ans. Australia

Note: Air India will run direct flights to Sydney and Melbourne

Q4. Name India's first  exclusive defence satellite which was successfully launched on 29 August 2013 by the European space consortium Arianespace’s Ariane 5 Rocket from the Kourou Spaceport of French Guiana?

Ans. GSAT–7

Note: Indian Navy will use the multi-band home-built communication spacecraft that is expected to become operational by September 2013.

Q5. Name the primary conspirator in various bomb blasts in India as well as the co-founder of the Indian Mujahideen (IM) who was arrested from the India-Nepal border on 29 August 2013?

Ans. Yasin Bhatkal

Q6. Lok Sabha on 29 August 2013 passed the Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Bill, 2011, also called the Land Acquisition Bill. What is the aim of the bill?

Ans. Aim of the bill is providing fair compensation to people whose land has been taken away for setting up the buildings or factories.

Q7. Union government of India on 28 August 2013 decided to extend Tourist Visa on Arrival facility at four more airports of the country. Name these airports?

Ans. Trivandrum, Bangalore, Hyderabad and Kochi

Note: Presently it is available at four International airports - Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai and Kolkata.

Q8. Who was on 27 August 2013 honoured with the first Lifetime Campaigner for Peace and Freedom of the Mahathir award for Global Peace?

Ans. Nelson Mandela

Q9. Who won the International Children’s Peace Prize 2013 on 27 August 2013?

Ans. Malala Yousafzai

Q10. Which team won Ashes Test Series-2013?

Ans. England

Note: They won by 3-0 against Australia on 25 August 2013 at England. Ian Bell (England) and RJ Harris (Australia) were declared Players of the series

Q11. Lok Sabha on 26 August 2013 passed the National Food Security Bill 2013. What is the aim of the bill?

Ans. Bill seeks to give legal rights to get subsidized grains every month to 67 percent of the overall population (of which 75 percent is rural and 50 percent is urban population).

Q12. Union Government of India on 26 August 2013 set up a commission to review tax laws and suggest ways for a stable and non-adversarial tax administration. Who is the chairman of the commission?

Ans. Parthasarathy Shome

Q13. Name the Indian classical singer and music director who passed away on 25 August 2013 in Bhubaneswar?

Ans. Pandit Raghunath Panigrahi

Q14. Indian women's Recurve team won gold medal in the World Cup Archery Stage- 4 at Wroclaw, Poland on 25 August 2013. India defeated which team in finals?

Ans. South Korea

Q15. Newly elected Members of the Parliament from Karnataka took oath as members of the Lok Sabha on 26 August 2013. Amongst them one is the youngest member of the present Parliament. Name her?

Ans. Ramya

Note: She is a famous south Indian Actress

Q16. India reached finals of 9th Asia Cup Hockey tournament after defeating which country in semi final?

Ans. Malaysia

Note: India will take on South Korea in finals

Q17. N R Narayana Murthy has stepped down as chairman of which corporation  after taking charge as executive chairman of Infosys?

Ans. National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI)

Q18. Fourth and final Grand Slam of the season which kick started in New York on 26 August 2013?

Ans. US Open Tennis tournament

Q19. President of India, Pranab Mukherjee on 31 August 2013 conferred the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award, Dronacharya Awards, Arjuna Awards, Dhyan Chand Awards, Tenzing Norgay National Adventure Awards, Maulana Abul Kalam Azad Trophy and Rashtriya Khel Protsahan Puraskar at a function organised at Rashtrapati Bhawan, New Delhi. Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award was given to Ronjon Sodhi for shooting. What is the cash prize of Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award?

Ans. Rs.7.5 lakh

Note: Apart from Cash Prize it carries a medal and a citation.

Q20. Which team won UEFA Super Cup 2013 defeating Chelsea in the final at the Eden stadium in Prague on 30 August 2013?

Ans. Bayern Munich

Note: Winner was decided through a 5-4 penalty shoot-out which went in the favour of Bayern Munich after the match was evenly poised at 2-2 even after extra time

Q21. Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth of India decelerated to .............. percent, the slowest rate of expansion in 4 years as announced in August 2013?

Ans. 4.4

Q22. Name the bill for which President of India, Pranab Mukherjee gave his assent on 29 August 2013?

Ans. Companies Bill 2013

Note: Companies Bill will now become the law and replace the 60-years-old regulations which governed the country till now. The new bill provides changes to the functioning of the companies’ operation. The Companies Bill 2013 will replace the Companies Act 1956.  

Q23. International Sepaktakraw Super Series 2013 kicked off at which place of India on 29 August 2013?

Ans. New Delhi

Q24. ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting was held at which place on 29 August 2013?

Ans. Brunei

Q25. Union Minister for Human Resource Development on 29 August 2013 launched the RTE anthem- a new initiative to spread the message of RTE Act among Public. Name the present HRD Minister?

Ans. M M Pallam Raju

Q26. Who was recently appointed as the chairman of the Ethics Commission of the International Weightlifting Federation in Beijing in the executive board meeting?

Ans. Birendra Prasad Baishya

Note: He is presently Indian Weightlifting Federation President

Q27. Rajya Sabha on 26 August 2013 passed The Marriage Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2010. It seeks to amend which existing laws?

Ans. Hindu Marriage Act 1955 and the Special Marriages Act, 1954

Q28. India’s under-23 cricket team won the Asian Cricket Council Emerging Teams Cup in Singapore on 25 August 2013 defeating which country by nine wickets?

Ans. Pakistan

Q29. Name the US actress known for stage and screen, passed away on 25 August 2013 at the age of 87 years at West Chatham, Massachusetts, United States?

Ans. Julie Harris

Q30. Sania Mirza lifted the women’s doubles trophy at the WTA New Haven Open on 24 August 2013. Name her partner in the doubles?

Ans. Jie Zheng of China 

Q31. Name the Foreign Minister of Tuvalu who was on an official visit to India from 21 to 25 August 2013?

Ans. Taukelina Finikaso

Q32. Juvenile held guilty for rape and murder, awarded 3-year sentence on 31 August 2013. Which authority has decided the punishment?

Ans.  Juvenile Justice Board (JJB)

Q33. Name the Prime Minister of Bhutan who was on a visit to India during last week of August?

Ans. Tshering Tobgay

Q34. Which bank has launched the electronic version of conventional passbook, called FedBook, on 30 August 2013?

Ans. Federal Bank Limited

Q35. Who was recommended as the next head of the Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) by Public Enterprises Selection Board on 30 August 2013?

Ans. Dinesh K Sarraf

Note: He will succeed Sudhir Vasudeva, who superannuates in February 2014.

Q36. Name the judge of the Andhra Pradesh High Court who was on 30 August 2013 appointed as the new Chief Justice of the Delhi High Court?

Ans. Justice Nuthalapati Venkata Ramana

Q37. Name the 1995 Nobel Prize Literature winner Irish writer who died on 29 August 2013?

Ans. Seamus Heaney

Q38. Name the graphic biography on former Indian Hockey player Dhyan Chand which was launched at Dhyanchand Stadium in New Delhi on 29 August 2013?

Ans. Dhyan Chand-The Wizard of Hockey

Q39. Name the Foreign Minister of Nicaragua who paid an official visit to India from 19 August to 23 August 2013?

Ans. Samuel Santos Lopez

Q40. International Day of the Victims of Enforced Disappearances was observed on ........th August?

Ans. 30 August

Note: It was observed by UN General Assembly expressing its concern by the increase in the number of involuntary or enforced disappearances in different parts of the world.

Q41. Name the joint exercise of air forces planned by China and Pakistan on 28 August 2013?

Ans. Shaheen (Eagle)-2

Q42. Who took charge as the chairman of the Intellectual Property Appellate Tribunal on 28 August 2013?

Ans. Justice K.N Basha

Q43. Name the Indian Origin cardiologist at Johns Hopkins who has been selected for the prestigious White House Fellowship for the year 2013-14 along with 11 others?

Ans. Kapil Parakh

Q44. Which team won 43rd Institutional Table Tennis Championships?

Ans. Petroleum Sports Promotion Board

Q45. Name the Vice President of Afghanistan who paid an Official Visit to India during 20-22 August 2013?

Ans. Mohammad Karim Khalili

Q46. Name the typhoid vaccine launched by Bharat Biotech International Ltd on 26 August 2013?

Ans. Typbar TCV

Q47. Name the Brazilian Foreign Minister who resigned on 26 August 2013?

Ans. Antonio Patriota

Q48. Name the player who announced his retirement from professional football on 26 August 2013?

Ans. Deco

 Prepared by: http://currentaffairs4examz.blogspot.in/

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