weekly round up of general knowledge current affairs feb 3rd to 7th 2014

February 3rd 2014

1. India’s first Mono rail inaugurated

India’s first monorail service was inaugurated by the Maharashtra Chief Minister Prithviraj chavan on 1 February 2014 in

Mumbai. The First phase of Mumbai Monorail is comprised of 8.9 km long Wadala-Chembur section. The first phase was

constructed at the cost of 1900 crore rupees which have seven stations. It will operate between 7 am and 3 pm at an interval of

15 minutes initially. The fully air-conditioned monorail’s minimum fare will be five rupees while maximum fare will be twenty

rupees

The monorail service will have four coaches, which will ferry about 2500 passengers .The traveling time between Wadala and

Chembur will be reduced from 40 minutes to nearly 21 minutes at present. Mumbai Mono rail will display itself in three colours

green, pink and sky blue. Monorail will have a smart card facility available like Delhi Metro. About Mumbai Mono rail The

Mumbai Mono rail project has been implemented in two phases. The first phase comprise the Wadala- Chembur where as the

second phase will be extended to Sant Gadge Maharaj Chowk in South Mumbai. The Project is implemented by Mumbai

Metropolitan Region Development Authority with an association of Larsen and Toubro and a Malaysian infrastructure firm

Scomi Engineering.

NEWS ON : Mumbai

WHAT : India's first monorail service

WHEN : 1st-FEB-2014

1. Economic growth for 2012-13 lowered to 4.5 percent from 5 percent estimated earlier

The Union Government of India on 31 January 2014 announced that economy might have expanded by 4.5 percent in fiscal year

2012-13 when compared to the previous estimate of 5 percent in account of subdued performance in agriculture, mining and

manufacturing.

However, as per the estimates of National Income, Consumption Expenditure, Saving and Capital Formation, the Gross

Domestic Product (GDP) growth in 2011-12 has been revised upwards to 6.7 percent from 6.2 percent. Growth in 2012-13 is the

lowest of the decade with previous low of 4 percent that was recorded in 2002-03.

Central Statistics Office (CSO) under the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation has estimated the GDP for

2012-13 along with the second revised estimates for 2011-12 and third revision estimates for 2010-11. CSO has revised the

growth for 2010-11 to 8.9 percent from 9.3 percent earlier in the third and final revision.

The revised estimates for 2012-13 estimated the primary sectors including agriculture, mining, quarrying and fishing has grown

by one percent against the previous estimate of 1.6 percent. About the secondary sector that includes manufacturing, electricity,

gas, water supply and construction has gone down by 1.2 percent from the previous estimate of 2.3 percent.

The growth rates and shares of different sectors of economy during 2010-11 to 2012-13 are mentioned below

General Knowledge & Current Affairs – February 3rd 2014

National | India

Economy

Sector

Percentage share in GDP at current

prices

Percentage share in GDP at current

prices

2010-

11

2011-

12

2012-

13

2010-

11

2011-

12

2012-13

Primary 8.3 4.4 1.0 21.0 20.5 19.9

Secondary 7.6 8.5 1.2 24.3 24.6 23.8

Tertiary 9.7 6.6 7.0 54.6 54.9 56.3

Gross Domestic Product (GDP) at market prices at constant (2004-05) prices in 2012-13 is estimated at 59 lakh crore as against

56.3 lakh crore in 2011-12 registering a growth of 4.7 percent during the year as against a growth of 6.6 percent in the year 2011-

12. At current prices, GDP at market prices in 2012-13 is estimated at 101.1 lakh crore as against 90.1 lakh crore in 2011-12,

showing an increase of 12.2 per cent during the year, as against an increase of 15.7 percent in the previous year.

Mandate of Central Statistics Office (CSO)

CSO is the principal data collecting, processing and disseminating agency responsible for coordinating, monitoring and

supervising the National Statistical System. It thus has the statutory mandate to produce and provide government, the private

sector, parastatal organisations, international organisations, the civil society and the general public with statistical information

for evidence based decision-making, policy formulation and planning as well as investment purposes. The statutory mandate

also includes the responsibility of providing advisory and technical service to all users on statistical matters.

NEWS ON : Economic growth

WHAT : Economic growth for 2012-13 lowered to 4.5 percent from 5 percent estimated earlier

WHEN : 1st-FEB-2014

2. Tea Production of India rose by 6.5 percent in 2013: Indian Tea Association

Indian Tea Association (ITA) on 2 February 2014 announced that the tea production of India has gone up by 6.5 percent in the

year 2013. In its report it said that the country’s production has rose to 1200 million kilograms in 2013 as against 1126 million

kilograms in 2012.

The northern part of India (Assam and West Bengal) produced 957.44 million kilograms in 2013 as against the 886.95 million

kilograms in 2012. Production of the southern region stood at 242.60 million kilogram in 2013 against the 239.38 million

kilogram of 2012.

In its report, it also said that the exports from January to September 2013 (nine months) also went up by 5 percent. During this

period the CIS (Commonwealth of Independent State) countries imported maximum of 39.88 million kilograms of Indian tea,

which was followed by Iran with 16.47 million kilograms, Pakistan 12.35 million kilograms and the US 10.29 million kilograms

apart from others.

Indian Tea Association (ITA)

Indian Tea Association (ITA) was founded in 1881 and is the premier and the oldest organization of tea producers in India. It is

the body that formulates policies and initiates action towards the development and growth of the industry by liaising with the

Tea Board, Government and other related bodies. It has its branches in Assam and West Bengal. It branches represent over 60

percent of the total tea production of the country.

CIS (Commonwealth of Independent State) Countries

CIS Countries consist of the ex Soviet Union nations, which were formed after disintegration of Soviet Union in 1991and

includes

• Russia

• Ukraine

• Kazakhstan

• Belarus

• Azerbaijan

• Uzbekistan

• Turkmenistan

• Georgia

• Armenia

• Tajikistan

• Kyrgyzstan

• Moldova

NEWS ON : Tea Production of India

WHAT : Tea Production of India rose by 6.5 percent in 2013: Indian Tea Association

WHEN : 3rd-FEB-2014

1. US warned China against move to declare new ADIZ over South China Sea

US on 31 January 2014 warned China against any move to declare a new Air Defence Identification Zone (ADIZ) over the South

China Sea. This came after the reports of Japanese media that says that China is preparing to announce another defence zone in

the area, which are driven by territorial disputes with the neighbouring countries.

Marie Harf, the deputy spokeswoman of State Department has said that any such step of China would be seen as a provocative

and unilateral act, which could raise tensions and call into serious questions on China over its commitment to diplomatically

managing territorial disputes.

On part of Japan, Beijing claims the South China Sea in its entirety although areas are long way from its shoreline. In 2013,

China caused a storm when it declared ADIZ above the East China Sea, which included islands at the heart of a sovereignty row

with Tokyo. China in December 2013 displayed its aggressive behavior towards the ships and aircrafts of America in

international airspace and waters.

NEWS ON : ADIZ

WHAT : US warned China against move to declare new ADIZ over South China Sea

WHEN : 1st-FEB-2014

5. India pledged 44.12 million rupees grant assistance to Nepal Academy Library

India on 30 January 2014 pledged Nepal to grant assistance of 44.12 million rupees for the construction of Nepal Academy’s

library building in Kathmandu. Nepal Academy, established in 1957, is a premier national institution devoted to the promotion

of language, literature, culture, philosophy and research activities.

Various projects being implemented under the programme will help the Nepal people in their strides of attaining peace and

prosperity.

India underlined the importance of Nepal –India economic cooperation programme as a cornerstone of the development

partnership between the two countries.

NEWS ON : Nepal Academy Library

WHAT : India pledged 44.12 million rupees grant assistance to Nepal Academy Library

WHEN : 1st-FEB- 2014

International | World

Environment | Ecology

1. World’s oldest flamingo died at Adelaide Zoo of Australia

World’s oldest flamingo known as Greater died at the age of 83 on 30 January 2014 at Adelaide Zoo of Australia. Greater was

brought to the zoo in 1933 and lived long with the Chilean flamingo named Chilly, who is in his 60s. Chilly is the only remaining

flamingo in Australia.

The world’s oldest Flamingo was the last Greater flamingo that has resided in Australia. It’s known that the lifespan of the

flamingos is of about 25 years in the wild but they can live for many decades in captivity.

Greater Flamingo

The Greater Flamingo scientific name Phoenicopterus roseus is the most widespread species of the flamingo family. These birds

are found in the Africa, southern Asia (India and Pakistan), Spain, Albania, Turkey, Greece, Portugal, Cyprus, Italy and France.

A single bird was seen in 1988 on the North Keeling Island.

These birds are pink birds and found mainly in warm and watery regions as well as in the environments of saline and alkaline

lakes. The Greater flamingos are the only tall pink bird found anywhere. They also have long, lean, curved necks and black-

tipped bills with a distinctive downward bend.

NEWS ON : World’s oldest flamingo

WHAT : World’s oldest flamingo died at Adelaide Zoo of Australia

WHEN : 1st-FEB- 2014

February 5th 2014

1. Union Ministry of Culture launched National Mission on Libraries

President of India Pranab Mukherjee launched the National Mission on Libraries (NML) on 3 February 2014. The mission was

launched by Union Ministry of Culture.

National Mission on Libraries has following features:

• Creation of National Virtual Library of India

• Setting up of NML model Libraries

• Quantitative and Qualitative survey of Libraries

• Capacity Building

The creation of a National Virtual Library of India (NVLI) is one of the major component schemes of the National Mission on

Libraries.

With the aim of equitable and universal access to knowledge resources, the National Virtual Library of India would provide

digital resources by digitizing the relevant reading material in different languages, which would be shared at all levels.

The target users of NVLI will not only be students, researchers, doctors and professionals but also the educationally, socially,

economically and physically disadvantaged groups. Thus, it would empower people with information in order to create a

knowledge society and also ensure preservation of digital content for posterity.

This initiative of National Mission on Libraries will largely facilitate the internet savvy people in making maximum use of

library resources.

NEWS ON : National Mission on Libraries

WHAT : Union Ministry of Culture launched National Mission on Libraries

WHEN : 3rd-FEB-2014

2. Mother and Child Tracking Facilitation Centre Inaugurated

Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare inaugurated the Mother and Child Tracking Facilitation Centre at the National

Institute of Health and Family Welfare in New Delhi on 31 January 2014. Mother and Child Tracking System (MCTS) initiative

was launched under National Rural Health Mission (NRHM) in December 2009

Characteristics Features of MCTS

• MCTS is a name based web based service that captures the details of pregnant women and children up to 5 years and tracks

delivery of due services to them

• MCTS aims to ensure that every pregnant woman gets complete and quality ante and post natal care and every child receives a

full range of immunisation services

General Knowledge & Current Affairs – February 5th 2014

National | India

• Besides monitoring delivery of mother and child health (MCH) services, MCTS system makes use of opportunity to directly

communicate with the ANMs, ASHAs and pregnant women and parents of young children on their mobiles

• It will also gather the data from the states on the health schemes and facilities reaching the beneficiaries and to evaluate them

• It will also generate awareness about their entitlements under various government programs and schemes

• The Facilitation Centre has 80 Helpdesk Agents (HAs) and will be operational from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. The feature of free

inbound calls will be added in the Facilitation Centre to seek guidance on health care related queries to both beneficiaries and

health workers This facility will also be used for

• Sending appropriate health promotion messages in voice and text to beneficiaries that are relevant according to the month of

pregnancy or age of the child

• Transfer of Janani Suraksha Yojana benefits to pregnant women

• Transfer of ASHA payment directly into their account which will ensure that ASHAs receive full range of incentives payment

timely and regularly

• Training of ASHAs through an Interactive Voice Response(IVR) System as per need and requirement

NEWS ON : Mother and Child Tracking Centre

WHAT : Mother and Child Tracking Facilitation Centre Inaugurated

WHEN : 4th-FEB-2014

1. Ministry issued norms for Khel Ratna, Dronacharya and Dhyan Chand Awards

The Minister for Youth Affairs & Sports, Jitendra Singh on 3 January 2014 approved criteria to be kept in view by the Selection

Committee for Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award, the country’s highest sports award, the Dronacharya Award and the Dhyan

Chand Award. As per the approval, the government will now grant 90 percent weightage to medal winners of Olympics, Asian

and Commonwealth Games and World Cup/World Championships held once in four years. This has been done to bring in more

transparency and objectivity for conferring the National Sports Awards to avoid controversy on giving them.

Earlier, similar criteria with certain objectives were approved for conferring Arjuna Awards by Jitendra Singh.

The Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports in January 2014 with the aim of streamlining the procedure for grant of the National

Sports Awards circulated the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) to be followed by various agencies, namely

• The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports

• Sports Authority of India (SAI)

• National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA)

• State Governments, National Sports Federations (NSFs)

• Sports Promotion and Control Boards

This was done for processing of the cases related to National Sports Awards that started from inviting nominations to

constitution of Selection Committee.

The salient points of the newly introduced criteria are as follows

Serial

Number

Criteria Rajiv Gandhi

Khel Ratna Award for

Dronacharya

Award for Outstanding

Dhyan chand

Award for life time

Sports

most

outstanding

performance

Coaches in

Sports

achievement

in Sports

1. Weightage for the

medals won in

Olympic Games

(Summer, Winter

and Paralympics),

Asian Games,

Commonwealth

Games and World

Cup / World Championships held

once in 4 years.

90% 90%* 70%

2. Weightage to the marks given by the

Selection Committee

for assessment of

the eligible

sportsperson / coach

keeping in view

factors like profile

and standard of

sports event in which medal has been won

10% 10% 30%**

3. No. of awards to be

given normally in a year

1 award 5 ( out of 5, 2

to be given for lifetime

contribution in

coaching)

3

* Sportspersons who had won the medals and trained by the coach under consideration for the awards. Marking criteria will not

apply for the 2 awards to be given for lifetime contribution in coaching. Selection committee will give its recommendations for

such two coaches taking into consideration the contribution made by them over a period of 20 years or more in terms of

producing outstanding sports-persons.

** Includes marks for assessment for contribution made for promotion of sports after retirement for active Sports career and for

qualities like sportsmanship, leadership, and sense of discipline.

As per the guidelines, the points for winning medals will be given to each eligible sportspersons for his/her performance during

last 4 years exception in the case of life-time achievement award. The Selection Committee will be the decision body in

equivalence of any other sports discipline/tournaments and in accordance the points will be allotted.

Certain games, which are no9t included in Olympic / Asian Games / Commonwealth Games disciplines, like cricket and

indigenous games, the consideration will be taken by the Selection Committee depending upon the performances/contribution

of the sportspersons/coaches.

In a particular sports discipline, names of not more than 2 Sportspersons ( 1 male and 1 female) and names of not more than 2

coaches in case of Dronacharya award with highest marks as per the criteria stated in the table above will be considered by the

selection committee.

The Selection Committee also reserves the right for not recommending the name of any deserving sportsperson as per the given

criteria for Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna or Dhyan chand Award. In these particular cases, the committee will have to justify its

stance in writing.

The recommendations of Selection Committee will be placed before the Union Minister of Youth Affairs & Sports for the final

decision. Journalists/Experts/Commentators have now been included in the Selection Committees for the sports Awards.

NEWS ON : Issued norms for Khel Ratna, Dronacharya and Dhyan Chand Awards

WHAT : Ministry issued norms for Khel Ratna, Dronacharya and Dhyan Chand Awards

WHEN : 4th-FEB-2014

2. Joshna Chinappa won Winnipeg Open tittle

Squash player Joshna Chinappa won the Winnipeg Winter Club Open trophy on 3 February 2014. She defeated Heba El Torky

of Egypt.

The fourth seeded Indian triumphed 3-2 (11-13 11-8 11-5 3-11 12-10) in a see-saw battle.

The world number 27 Chinappa rallied after losing the opening game which was dominated by Heba.

The triumph of Chinappa marked the second consecutive year of an Indian winning the trophy with Dipika Pallikal being the

first to clinch it before her in 2013.

About Joshna Chinappa

Joshna Chinappa is a squash player based in Chennai, India. Joshna was the first Indian girl to win the British Squash

Championship title in 2003 in the under 19 category, at Sheffield, U.K and was also the youngest Indian women's national

champion.

NEWS ON : Joshna Chinappa

WHAT : Joshna Chinappa won Winnipeg Open tittle

WHEN : 4th-FEB-2014

1. IUCN Red List has completed 50 years of its existence

IUCN on 30 January 2014 announced that it is celebrating 50 years of the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species in guiding

conservation action and policy decisions. The Red list of IUCN is the world’s most comprehensive information source on the

global conservation status of animal, plant species and fungi related to livelihoods.

The IUCN Red list acts as a powerful tool to inform and catalyse action for biodiversity conservation and policy change for

things that are critical to protect the natural resources that is needed by us to survive. It also provides the information on

population size as well as trends depending upon the range and habitat needs of species.

Process of how the Red List of IUCN helps in saving the species

• Conservation Planning – It provides the information that is related to species-based conservation actions. It also helps in

identifying globally important sites for conservation including important Plant Areas, important bird areas, key biodiversity

areas and alliance for zero extinction sites.

• Decision-making – It helps in by influencing the decisions of conservation at multiple scales that includes environmental

impact assessments to international multilateral environments agreements

• Monitoring – Indicating the current status of species and revealing trends in their extinction risk over time, to track progress

towards biodiversity targets.

International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN)

The International Union for Conservation of Nature is the world’s oldest and largest global environmental organization. It was

founded in 1948 and at present it is the largest professional global conservation network. It is funded by governments, bilateral

and multilateral agencies, member organisations, corporations and foundations. It has the status of official observer at the

United Nations General Assembly.

For the first time the IUCN Red List was conceived in 1964, when it set a standard for species listing and conservation

assessment efforts.

Environment | Ecology

NEWS ON : IUCN Red List

WHAT : IUCN Red List has completed 50 years of its existence

WHEN : 3rd-FEB- 2014

2. First online Global Freshwater Biodiversity Atlas launched

A new online Atlas of freshwater biodiversity that presents spatial information and species distribution patterns was launched

on 29 January 2014 at the landmark Water Lives symposium. The symposium (conference) brought together the European

Union policy makers and freshwater scientists.

Freshwater that is quite important for diverse habitats covers only 1 percent of total earth’s surface and is a home for about 35

percent of all vertebrate species. A vertebrate is an animal that has an internal backbone and a skeleton that is made of bones

and it also include humans. Some other vertebrate species are fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds, mammals, primates, rodents

and marsupials.

Studies show that the freshwater life on earth is declining at an alarming rate as it is faster than any other component of global

diversity. At present the demand of the policy is the protection of freshwater from the energy, food and sanitation sectors. At

present scenario is to frame a policy that integrates of freshwater life and the ecosystem services it provides. The policy calls-in

with real and pressing demands on freshwater resources from the energy food and sanitation sectors. The newly launched

online atlas is a response from freshwater scientists to key geographical information and spatial freshwater biodiversity across

different scales.

The online Atlas adopts a book-like structure allowing easy browsing through its four thematic chapters

• Patterns of freshwater biodiversity

• Freshwater resources and ecosystems

• Pressures on freshwater systems

• Conservation and management

Atlas is an output of BioFresh (European Union funded project) that is putting together the scattered pieces of information

about life in rivers and lakes. This will help in managing and protecting the freshwater for generations to come. Biodiversity of

Freshwater Ecosystems: Status, Trends, Pressures, and Conservation Priorities. It is funded by the European Union under the

7th Framework Programme with Theme Environment including Climate Change.

The Atlas has been edited by a pan-European group of freshwater science and conservation experts from 12 research institutes.

It is supported by key international organsiation, which are active in the field of freshwater biodiversity research and

conservation. Name of some of the partners are:

• GEO Biodiversity Observation Network (GEO BON)

• The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN)

• The Global Water System Project (GWSP)

• Conservation International (CI)

• Wetlands International

• The Nature Conservancy (TNC)

• The World Wildlife Fund (WWF)

NEWS ON : Global Freshwater Biodiversity - Atlas

WHAT : First online Global Freshwater Biodiversity Atlas launched

WHEN : 3rd-FEB- 2014

February 7th 2014

1. India’s Visa-on-arrival facility extended for tourists of 180 nations, except eight

India on 5 February 2014 extended the facility of visa-on-arrival for the tourists of 180 nations after barring tourists of eight

nations. The decision has extended the facility to 180 countries from 11 nation tourists available at present including Finland,

the Philippines, Singapore and Japan. The decision was made in order to boost tourism activity in the country.

This decision was disclosed by Rajeev Shukla, the Minister for State for Planning in New Delhi on 5 February 2014 after a high-

level meeting with representatives from various ministries. In the communication, Rajeev Shukla said that the facility will be

implemented from next tourist season that will begin in October 2014.

The electronic Visa offered to the tourists would be valid for a period of 30 days from the date of their visit to India. To receive

the electronic version of the Visa, the tourists will have to apply in the designated website along the required fees, which would

be granted within three days.

The countries, who have been barred from the facility includes

• Pakistan

• Sudan

• Afghanistan

• Iran

• Iraq

• Nigeria

• Sri Lanka

• Somalia

The decision of the high-level meeting to offer visa on arrival can be treated as ironing on the objections raised by the Union

Home Ministry for extension of the facility to nationals of 40 more countries that included US, UK and Germany. Home

Ministry nod was a prerequisite for extending the facility.

NEWS ON : India

WHAT : extended facility of visa on arrival for tourists of 180 nations

WHEN : 5th-FEB-2014

1. India and Germany signed 2 pacts for financial and tech co-operation

India and Germany on 5 February 2014 signed two umbrella agreements for financial and technical co-operation under Indo

German bilateral Development Cooperation framework. P Chidambaram, the Union Finance Minister and Gerd Mueller, the

German Federal Minister for Economic Cooperation and Development signed the pacts during their bilateral meeting.

General Knowledge & Current Affairs – February 7th 2014

National | India

International | World

These agreements were signed during an official visit of Joachim Gauck the President of Federal Republic of Germany is on a

six day (4-9 February 2014) State Visit to India. President Joachim Gauck is being accompanied by a high-level delegation

including Ministers, Member of Parliament and business leaders.

The Umbrella Agreement on Financial Cooperation pertains to concessional loans from Government of Germany for nine

projects, namely

• Himalaya Hydropower Programme (HPPCL)

• Green Energy Corridors

• Promotional Programme for Energy Efficient New Residential Housing-II (NHB)

• Energy Efficiency in Thermal Power Plants (WBPDCL)

• Affordable Housing Programme (NHB)

• New Approaches in Microfinance and Microenterprise Finance (SIDBI)

• Missing Middle Programme (SIDBI)

• Madhya Pradesh Urban Sanitation and Environment Programme

• Himachal Pradesh Forest Ecosystems Climate Proofing Project

The Umbrella Agreement for technical cooperation pertains for to 13 projects in Energy, Environment and Sustainable

economic development sectors, which are a priority sectors under the bilateral development cooperation between the two

nations.

The two sides also appreciated the constructive engagement between two countries under development cooperation framework.

The Germany Government has also committed for funds amounting to 1.09 billion Euro, which is the ever highest ever

commitment so far since 1958.

NEWS ON : India and Germany signed 2 pacts

WHAT : India and Germany signed 2 pacts for financial and tech co-operation

WHEN : 6th-FEB-2014

2. Libya destroyed entire chemical arsenal

Libya government announced on 5 February 2014 that it has destroyed its entire chemical arsenal. It was announced by the

Foreign Minister of Libya, Mohammed Abdelaziz. The chemical arsenal destroyed included bombs and artillery shells filled with

mustard gas. Organisation for Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) confirmed that Libya has become totally free of usable

chemical weapons that might present a potential threat to the security of local communities, the environment and neighbouring

countries.

Organisation for Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) visited the city of al-Raogha to inspect the warehouse where Libya's

largest outstanding stockpile of mustard gas was present. Libya still holds stocks of low-grade precursor chemicals but that

programme has been put in place to destroy them by the end of 2016. Since the OPCW covered only Gaddafi’s chemical

weapons programme and it has not addressed the stocks of concentrated uranium or yellowcake that it acquired in its bid for a

nuclear weapon. Analysis Gaddafi signed the chemical weapons convention and joined the OPCW in 2004. After Libya signed

the treaty, Gaddafi’s regime claimed that they destroyed about 54 percent of its mustard gas stocks and about 40 percent of the

chemicals used to manufacture the substance and 3500 bombs. In 2011 a large stock of yellow cake was discovered at arms

depot in southern city of Sebha. Since then the stock pile was secured in collaboration with International Atomic Energy

Agency. The Centre for Strategic Studies asked the Libyan authorities to ensure the concentrated uranium will be used in

industrial, agricultural development and in production of clean energy for the benefits of Libyans. The process of disarmament

was supervised by OPCW experts in 2012 and intensified in 2013 with the signing of a deal with Washington. There was concern

that the stockpiles might not fall into the hands of ex-rebel militias.

NEWS ON : Libya government

WHAT : destroyed chemical arsenal

WHEN : 5th-FEB-2014

3. Bill Gates assumed the role of Founder & Technology Advisor to CEO

Microsoft Founder Bill gates assumed the role of Founder & Technology Advisor to the CEO of Microsoft on 5 February 2014.

With this he stepped down from the post of Chairman of Microsoft.

In his new role, Bill Gates will help Satya Nadella, the new CEO of Microsoft, in shaping technology and product direction. He

will devote more time in making Microsoft Office more interactive and building a cloud platform as examples of ways Microsoft

can innovate in the future.

Journey of Bill Gates:

• In 1975, together with his childhood friend Paul Allen, Gates developed a version of the programming language BASIC for

the first microcomputer – the MITS Altair 8800.

• Gates oversaw Microsoft's company restructuring in June 1981, which re-incorporated the company in Washington State and

made Gates president of Microsoft and the Chairman of the Board.

• Microsoft launched the first version of its Windows operating system on 20 November 1985, and in August, the company

struck a deal with IBM to develop a separate operating system called OS/2.

• Following Gates's internal 'Internet Tidal Wave' in May 1995, Microsoft began to redefine its offerings and expand its

product line into computer networking and the World Wide Web. The company released Windows 95 in August 1995.

• Gates handed over the CEO position in 2000 to Steve Ballmer an old college friend and employee of the company since 1980.

• Allen resigned after a long-term illness, while Gates became 'chief software architect' and Chairman of the Board.

• Microsoft went on to release Windows XP in 2001, followed by Windows Vista in 2007, Windows 7 in 2009 and Windows 8

in 2011.

• It entered the game console market dominated by Sony and Nintendo, launching the first Xbox in 2001, and begun to take

on Apple in the smartphone market with the launch of Windows Phone in 2011, and the purchase of Nokia in 2013.

NEWS ON : Bill Gates

WHAT : Bill Gates assumed the role of Founder & Technology Advisor to CEO

WHEN : 5th-FEB-2014

4. Sanjeev Kulkarni appointed dean of Princeton University Graduate School

Indian-American Professor Sanjeev Kulkarni was appointed as the Dean of Princeton University Graduate School on 5 February

2014. He will succeed William Russel, the present dean of the Princeton University Graduate School since 2002.

His appointment was recommended by Princeton University President Christopher L Eisgruber and approved by the Board of

Trustees.

Sanjeev Kulkarni at present is the professor of electrical engineering and director of the Keller Center. He will take the charge as

next dean from 31 March 2014.

Kulkarni is the author of An Elementary Introduction to Statistical Learning Theory, published in 2011.

Kulkarni joined the Princeton University as faculty in 1991

NEWS ON : Sanjeev Kulkarni

WHAT : Sanjeev Kulkarni appointed dean of Princeton University Graduate School

WHEN : 5th-FEB-2014

5. John Thompson appointed Chairman of Microsoft

John Thompson was appointed as the Chairman of Microsoft on 5 February 2014 by the Board of Directors at a meeting held in

Washington, US. He succeeded Bill Gates who assumed the role of Technology Advisor to the CEO of Microsoft.

John Thompson had joined the Board of Microsoft in 2012.

Earlier, he was the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of privately held Virtual Instruments. The products are designed to ensure the

performance and availability of applications deployed in virtualised and private cloud computing environments.

He was also the former chairman and CEO of Symantec Corp.

Mr. Thompson stepped down as CEO in 2009, and stepped down from Board of Directors of Symantec in 2011.

NEWS ON : John Thompson

WHAT : John Thompson appointed Chairman of Microsoft

WHEN : 5th-FEB-2014

1. Oldest tigress Machli found in Ranthambore National Park

Machli, Queen Mother of tiger dynasty was found in the Ranthambhore National Park on 5 February 2014. The tigress was

missing from 9 January 2014 from zone 5 of the park.

The 17-year-old Machli is the longest living wild-tigress in the world, besides being the most photographed big cat. The tigress

was identified as T-16.

Machli had survived in the dense forest by hunting her own prey despite her advanced age.

Two dozen camera traps were installed at strategic locations in the tiger territory and teams of over 200 officials patrolled the

park since Machli went missing.

Machli was in the last phase of her life. The life span of a tiger in the wild is about 12 years. Machli is akin to a 120-year-old

human being. At this age, her fewer sightings are not unusual.

Machli was restricted to a limited area in the national park, as four tigers had intruded into her conventional abode.

NEWS ON : Oldest tigress

WHAT : Oldest tigress Machli found in Ranthambore National Park

WHEN : 6th-FEB-2014

Environment | Ecology