Important United Nations (UN) Agencies

The United Nations (UN) Agencies plays a leading role in providing development and humanitarian assistance, including as a first-responder to natural disasters and complex emergencies.

Name of Agency	Estd. In	Headquarters	Purpose
International Labour Organization (ILO)	1919	Geneva	To improve conditions and living standard of workers.
World Health Organization (WHO)	1948	Geneva	Attainment of highest possible level of heath by all people.
United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)	1946	Paris	To Promote collaboration among nations through education, science and culture.
International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)	1957	Vienna	To promote peaceful uses of atomic energy.
United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF)	1946	New York	To promote children’s welfare all over the world.
United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR)	1950	Geneva	To provide protection to refugees.
United Nations Fund for Population Activities (UNFPA)	1967	New York	For formulating population policies.
International Fund for Agricultural Development	1977	Rome	For financing agricultural projects in the world to raise the economic growth.
United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD)	1964	Geneva	Promotes international trade to accelerate economic growth of developing countries.
International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO)	1947	Montreal	Promotes safety of international aviation.
International Monetary Fund (IMF)	1945	Washington D.C.	Promotes international monetary cooperation.
International Finance Corporation (IFC)	1956	Washington D.C.	Promotes economic development by encouraging private enterprise in its member countries.
Universal Postal Union (UPU)	1947	Berne	Improve various postal services in the world.
United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP)	1972	Nairobi	Promotes international co-operation in human environment.
United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO)	1967	Geneva	Sets international regulations for radio, telegraph, and telephone and space radio communication.
Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO)	1945	Rome	To improve living condition of rural population.
International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD)	1945	Washington D.C.	Development of economic of members by facilitating investment of capitals by providing loans.
World Meteorological Organization (WMO)	1950	Geneva	Promote international exchange of weather reports.
World Trade Organization (WTO)	1995	Geneva	Setting rules for world trade to reduce tariffs.
United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)		New York	Help developing countries increase the wealth producing capabilities o their natural and human resources.
Inter Government maritime Consultative Organization (IMCO)	1958	London	Promotes co-operation on technical matters of maritime safety, navigation and encourages anti-pollution measures.
International Development Association (IDA)	1960	Washington D.C.	An affiliate of the World Bank, aims to help under-developed countries raise living standards.
International Tele-communication Union (ITU)	1947	Geneva	Sets international regulations for radio telegraph, telephone and space radio communications.
United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR)	1965	New York	Provides training and research to help facilitate UN objectives of world peace and security and of economic and social progress.
United Nations Relief and Work for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA)	1949	New York	Provides basic amenities and education for the victims of Arab-Israel War.
United Nations Fund for Population Activities (UNFPA)	1967	New York	Studying population dynamics, collecting population data, formulating and evolving population policies, family planning and related programs

LIST OF ISRO SATELLITES

Satellite	Launch Date	Launch Vehicle	Type of Satellite
RISAT-1	26.04.2012	PSLV-C19	Earth Observation Satellite
Jugnu	12.10.2011	PSLV-C18	Experimental / Small Satellite
SRMSat	12.10.2011	PSLV-C18	Experimental / Small Satellite
Megha-Tropiques	12.10.2011	PSLV-C18	Earth Observation Satellite
GSAT-12	15.07.2011	PSLV-C17	Geo-Stationary Satellite
GSAT-8	21.05.2011	Ariane-5 VA-202	Geo-Stationary Satellite
RESOURCESAT-2	20.04.2011	PSLV-C16	Earth Observation Satellite
YOUTHSAT	20.04.2011	PSLV-C16	Experimental / Small Satellite
GSAT-5P	25.12.2010	GSLV-F06	Geo-Stationary Satellite
STUDSAT	12.07.2010	PSLV-C15	Experimental / Small Satellite
CARTOSAT-2B	12.07.2010	PSLV-C15	Earth Observation Satellite
GSAT-4	15.04.2010	GSLV-D3	Geo-Stationary Satellite
Oceansat-2	23.09.2009	PSLV-C14	Earth Observation Satellite
ANUSAT	20.04.2009	PSLV-C12	Experimental / Small Satellite
RISAT-2	20.04.2009	PSLV-C12	Earth Observation Satellite
Chandrayaan-1	22.10.2008	PSLV-C11	Space Mission
CARTOSAT - 2A	28.04.2008	PSLV-C9	Earth Observation Satellite
IMS-1	28.04.2008	PSLV-C9	Earth Observation Satellite
INSAT-4B	12.03.2007	Ariane-5ECA	Geo-Stationary Satellite
CARTOSAT - 2	10.01.2007	PSLV-C7	Earth Observation Satellite
SRE - 1	10.01.2007	PSLV-C7	Experimental / Small Satellite
INSAT-4CR	02.09.2007	GSLV-F04	Geo-Stationary Satellite
INSAT-4C	10.07.2006	GSLV-F02	Geo-Stationary Satellite
INSAT-4A	22.12.2005	Ariane-5GS	Geo-Stationary Satellite
HAMSAT	05.05.2005	PSLV-C6	Experimental / Small Satellite
CARTOSAT-1	05.05.2005	PSLV-C6	Earth Observation Satellite
EDUSAT (GSAT-3)	20.09.2004	GSLV-F01	Geo-Stationary Satellite
Resourcesat-1(IRS-P6)	17.10.2003	PSLV-C5	Earth Observation Satellite
INSAT-3A	10.04.2003	Ariane-5G	Geo-Stationary Satellite
INSAT-3E	28.09.2003	Ariane-5G	Geo-Stationary Satellite
GSAT-2	08.05.2003	GSLV-D2	Geo-Stationary Satellite
KALPANA-1(METSAT)	12.09.2002	PSLV-C4	Geo-Stationary Satellite
INSAT-3C	24.01.2002	Ariane-42L H10-3	Geo-Stationary Satellite
Technology Experiment Satellite (TES)	22.10.2001	PSLV-C3	Earth Observation Satellite
GSAT-1	18.04.2001	GSLV-D1	Geo-Stationary Satellite
INSAT-3B	22.03.2000	Ariane-5G	Geo-Stationary Satellite
Oceansat(IRS-P4)	26.05.1999	PSLV-C2	Earth Observation Satellite
INSAT-2E	03.04.1999	Ariane-42P H10-3	Geo-Stationary Satellite
INSAT-2DT	January 1998	Ariane-44L H10	Geo-Stationary Satellite
IRS-1D	29.09.1997	PSLV-C1	Earth Observation Satellite
INSAT-2D	04.06.1997	Ariane-44L H10-3	Geo-Stationary Satellite
IRS-P3	21.03.1996	PSLV-D3	Earth Observation Satellite
IRS-1C	28.12.1995	Molniya	Earth Observation Satellite
INSAT-2C	07.12.1995	Ariane-44L H10-3	Geo-Stationary Satellite
IRS-P2	15.10.1994	PSLV-D2	Earth Observation Satellite
Stretched Rohini Satellite Series (SROSS-C2)	04.05.1994	ASLV	Space Mission
IRS-1E	20.09.1993	PSLV-D1	Earth Observation Satellite
INSAT-2B	23.07.1993	Ariane-44L H10+	Geo-Stationary Satellite
INSAT-2A	10.07.1992	Ariane-44L H10	Geo-Stationary Satellite
Stretched Rohini Satellite Series (SROSS-C)	20.05.1992	ASLV	Space Mission
IRS-1B	29.08.1991	Vostok	Earth Observation Satellite
INSAT-1D	12.06.1990	Delta 4925	Geo-Stationary Satellite
INSAT-1C	21.07.1988	Ariane-3	Geo-Stationary Satellite
Stretched Rohini Satellite Series (SROSS-2)	13.07.1988	ASLV	Earth Observation Satellite
IRS-1A	17.03.1988	Vostok	Earth Observation Satellite
Stretched Rohini Satellite Series (SROSS-1)	24.03.1987	ASLV	Space Mission
INSAT-1B	30.08.1983	Shuttle [PAM-D]	Geo-Stationary Satellite
Rohini (RS-D2)	17.04.1983	SLV-3	Earth Observation Satellite
INSAT-1A	10.04.1982	Delta 3910 PAM-D	Geo-Stationary Satellite
Bhaskara-II	20.11.1981	C-1 Intercosmos	Earth Observation Satellite
Ariane Passenger Payload Experiment (APPLE)	19.06.1981	Ariane-1(V-3)	Geo-Stationary Satellite
Rohini (RS-D1)	31.05.1981	SLV-3	Earth Observation Satellite
Rohini (RS-1)	18.07.1980	SLV-3	Experimental / Small Satellite
Rohini Technology Payload (RTP)	10.08.1979	SLV-3	Experimental / Small Satellite
Bhaskara-I	07.06.1979	C-1 Intercosmos	Earth Observation Satellite
Aryabhata	19.04.1975	C-1 Intercosmos	Experimental / Small Satellite

Indian States And Their Folk Dances

Jharkhand	Chhau, Sarahul, Jat-Jatin, Karma, Danga, Bidesia, Sohrai.
Uttarakhand	Gadhwali, Kumayuni, Kajari, Jhora, Raslila, Chappeli
Andhra Pradesh	Kuchipudi (Classical), Ghantamardala, Ottam Thedal, Mohiniattam, Kummi, Siddhi Madhuri, Chhadi.
Chhattisgarh	Goudi, Karma, Jhumar, Dagla, Pali, Tapali, Navrani, Diwari, Mundari.
Arunachal Pradesh	Mask dance, War dance etc.
Himachal Pradesh	Jhora, Jhali, Chharhi, Dhaman, Chhapeli, Mahasu, Nati, Dangi, Chamba, Thali, Jhainta, Daf, Stick dance etc.
Goa	Mandi, Jhagor, Khol, Dakni, etc.
Assam	Bihu, Bichhua, Natpuja, Maharas, Kaligopal, Bagurumba, Naga dance, Khel Gopal Tabal Chongli, Canoe, Jhumura Hobjanai etc.
West Bengal	Kathi, Gambhira, Dhali, Jatra, Baul, Marasia, Mahal, Keertan, etc.
Kerala	Kathakali (Classical), Rakhal, Nat Rash, Maha Rash, Raukhat etc.
Meghalaya	Laho, Baagla, etc.
Manipur	Manipuri (Classical), Rakhal, Nat Rash, Maha Rash, Raukhat, etc.
Nagaland	Chong, Khaiva, Lim, Nuralim, etc.
Orissa	Odissi (Classical), Rakhal, Nat Rash, Maha Rash, Raukhat etc.
Maharashtra	Lavani, Nakata, Koli, Lezim, Gafa, Dahikala Dasavtar or Bohada, Tamasha, Mauni, Powara, Gouricha etc.
Karnataka	Yakshagan, Huttari, Suggi, Kunitha, Karga, Lambi etc.
Gujarat	Garba, Dandiya Ras, Tippani Juriun, Bhavai, etc.
Punjab	Bhangra, Giddha, Daff, Dhaman etc.
Rajasthan	Ghumar, Chakri, Ganagor, Jhulan Leela, Jhuma, Suisini, Ghapal, Panihari, Ginad etc.
Mizoram	Khanatm, Pakhupila, Cherokan etc.
Jammu & Kashmir	Rauf, Hikat, Mandjas, Kud Dandi Nach, Damali.
Tamil Nadu	Bharatnatyam, Kumi, Kolattam, Kavadi
Uttar Pradesh	Nautanki, Raslila, Kajri, Jhora, Chappeli, Jaita.
Bihar	Jata-Jatin, Bakho-Bakhain, Panwariya, Sama-Chakwa, Bidesia, Jatra, etc.
Haryana	Jhumar, Phag Dance, Daph, Dhamal, Loor, Gugga, Khor, Gagor etc.

Wildlife Sanctuaries And National Parks In India

Name	Location	Important Species
Bandipur National Park	Mysore, Karnataka	Elephant, Tiger, Bear, Sambhar, Panther
Balpakram Sanctuary	Garo Hills, Meghalya	Tiger, Elephant, Bison
Chandraprabha  Sanctuary	Varanasi, UP	Asiatic Lion, Tiger, Panther, Indian Gazelle, Sloth bear
Corbett National Park	Nainital, Uttarakhand	Elephant, Tiger, Sloth bear, Nilgai, Panther, Sambhar
Dachigam Sanctuary	Jammu & Kashmir	Kashmir stag (Hangul)
Dudhwa National Park	Lakhimpur Kheri, UP	Tiger, Panther, Sambhar, Nilgai
Ghana Bird Sanctuary	Bharatpur, Rajasthan	Siberian Crane, Spoonbill, Heron teal, Stork
Gir National Park	Junagarh, Gujarat	Asiatic Lion, Panther,Sambhar, Nilgai, Crocodile, Rhinoceros
Hazaribagh National Park	Hazaribagh, Jharkhand	Tiger, Leopard, Sambher, Chital
Jaldapara Sanctuary	West Bengal	Tiger, Leopard, Sambher, Chital
Kanha National Park	Mandla and Balaghat, MP	Tiger, Panther, Antelope, Barking Deer, Nilgai
Kaziranga National Park	Jorhat, Assam	Great Indian one horned Rhinoceros, Wild Buffalo, Sambhar, Tiger
Manas	Barpeta, Assam	Tiger, Elephant, Panther, Wild Buffalo, One horned Rhinoceros
Mudumalai Sanctuary	Nilgiri Hills, TN	Elephant, Dear, Pigs
Namdapha National Park	Tirap Distt., AP	Tiger and Elephant
Palamau	Daltonganj, Jharkhand	Tiger, Elephant, Panther, Leopard
Parkal	Warangal, AP	Tiger, Panther, Chital, Nilgai
Periyar	Idukki, Kerala	Elephant, Tiger, Panther, Wild board, Gaur, Sambhar
Ranganthitoo Bird  Sanctuary	Karnataka	Birds
Shivpuri National Park	Shivpuri, MP	Tiger, Birds
Sunderbans	West Bengal	Tiger, Wild board, Crocodile, Deer Birds
Vedanathangal Bird Sanctury	Tamil Nadu	Birds
Wild Ass Sanctuary	Little Rann of Kutch, Gujarat	Wild Ass, Wolf, Nilgai, Chinkara

Oceans of the World

Oceans by Size

Pacific Ocean	(35,827 ft) (10, 924 metres)
Atlantic Ocean	(30,246 ft) (9,219 metres)
Indian Ocean	(24,460 ft) (7,455 metres)
Caribbean Sea	(22,788 ft) (6,946 metres)
Arctic Ocean	(18,456 ft) (5,625 metres)
South China Sea	(16,456 ft) (5,016 metres)
Bering Sea	(15,659 ft) (4,773 metres)
Mediterranean Sea	(15,197 ft) (4,632 metres)
Gulf of Mexico	(12,425 ft) (3,787 metres)
Japan Sea	(12,276 ft) (3,742 metres)

Oceans’ Greatest Depths

Mariana Trench, Pacific Ocean	10,911 mt (Challenger Deep)
Tonga Trench, Pacific Ocean,	10,882 mt (VITYAZ 11)
Phillippine Trench, Pacific Ocean,	10,540 mt (Galathea Depth)
Kuril-Kamchatka Trench, Pacific Ocean,	10,500 mt
Kermadec Trench, Pacific Ocean	10,047 mt
Japan Trench, Pacific Ocean	9,000 mt
Puerto Rico Trench, Atlantic Ocean	8,6057 (Milwaukee Deep)
Yap Trench, Pacific Ocean,	8,527 mt
South Sandwich Trench, Atlantic Ocean,	8,428 mt
Peru-Chile Trench, Pacific Ocean,	8,065 mt

World Amazing Facts

● World population in 2011 – 7000 million
● World population under 30 in 2011 – 3,649 million
● World population over 60 in 2011 – 785 million
● World population over 100 in 2011 – 532,000
● Number of births worldwide every day – 378,000
● Number of deaths worldwide everyday – 162,000
● World economic growth rate in 2010 – 5.0% (-0.6% in 2009)
● Number of illiterate adults – 796 million
● Number of unemployed people – 205 million
● Average world life expectancy – 70.8 years for females; 66.4 years for males
● Annual world population increase – 79.33 million people
● Number of people living outside country of birth – 214 million, or more than 3% of the world’s population
● Fertility rate – 2.5 births per woman
● Urban population – 50.5% of total population
● World trade in 2009 – US $ 25.2 billion
● Annual world defence expenditure – US $ 1,630 billion
● Number of TV sets – 1.4 billion
● Number of radio receivers – 2.2 billion
● Number of cigarettes smoked – 5,600 billion a year
● Number of internet users – 2.0 billion
● Number of mobile phone users – 4.7 billion
● Number of motor vehicles on the road – 790 million
● Number of people who cross international borders every day – 2 million
● Number of people living in extreme poverty – 1.4 billion
● Number of people living in urban slums – 828 million
● Number of undernourished people – 925 million
● Number of overweight adults – 1.6 billion
● Number of obese adults – 502 million
● Number of people dying of starvation – 24,000 every day
● Number of people lacking clean water – 1.1 billion
● Number of people lacking basic sanitation – 2.6 billion
● Number of recorded executions in 2008 – 2,390
● Number of people worldwide exposed to indoor  air pollution that exceeds WHO guidelines – 1 billion
● Annual carbon dioxide emissions – 7.7 billion tonnes of carbon equivalent

Stock Exchanges In India

S.No.	Name of the Stock Exchange	Headquarters	About the Stock Exchange / Vision	Year of Formation	No. of listings
1	Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE)	Mumbai, India	Emerges as the premier Indian stock exchange by establishing global benchmarks.	1875	5112
2	National Stock Exchange of India (NSE)	Mumbai, India	It is mutually-owned by a set of leading financial institutions, banks, insurance companies and other financial intermediaries in India but its ownership and management operate as separate entities.	1992	1640
3	Calcutta Stock Exchange (CSE)	Kolkata, India	It is the second largest bourse in India.	1908	3500
4	Madras Stock Exchange	Chennai, India	The MSE is the fourth stock exchange to be established in the country and the first in South India.	1937	1785
5	Inter-connected Stock Exchange Ltd.	Mumbai, India	It is a national-level stock exchange, providing trading, clearing, settlement, risk management and surveillance support to its trading members.	1998	4500 members and listing securities
6	United Stock Exchange of India	Mumbai, India	It is the fourth pan India exchange to be launched for trading financial instruments in India over the last 140 years.	2010	--
7	OTC Exchange Of India	Mumbai, India	It is the first exchange for small companies.	1990	115
8	MCX Stock Exchange	Mumbai, India	is an India-wide electronic platform for trading in currency futures under the regulatory control of Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) and Reserve Bank of India (RBI).	2008	--
9	Multi Commodity Exchange of India Ltd (MCX)	Mumbai, India	It is an independent commodity exchange based in India.	2003	--
10	Bangalore Stock Exchange (BgSE)	Bangalore, India	The stock exchange is managed by a Council of Management, consisting of members appointed by the Securities and Exchange Board of India.	1963	595

Stock Exchanges In India

S.No.	Name of the Stock Exchange	Headquarters	About the Stock Exchange / Vision	Year of Formation	No. of listings
1	Ahmedabad Stock Exchange	Ahmedabad, India	It is recognized by Securities Contract (Regulations) Act, 1956 as permanent stock exchange.	1894	--
2	Bhubaneshwar Stock Exchange	Bhubaneshwar, India	It is one among the 21 odd regional stock exchanges in India.	1989	--
3	Vadodara Stock Exchange	Gujarat, India	It is the third largest stock exchange in the state of Gujarat after Ahmedabad and Rajkot.	1986	459
4	Cochin Stock Exchange	Kerala, India	It is a capital stock market in Kochi, Kerala in India. I	1978	350
5	Hyderabad Stock Exchange	Hyderabad, India	It was a stock exchange established in 1941 located in Hyderabad, India. The exchange was disbanded in 2007.	1941	--
6	Delhi Stock Exchange (DSE)	New Delhi, India	It is India's fifth exchange. The exchange is one of the premier Stock Exchange in India.	1947	3000
7	Madhya Pradesh Stock Exchange (MPSE)	Madhya Pradesh, India	It was granted permanent recognition under the provisions of the Securities Contract (Regulation) Act, 1956 (“SCRA”), by the Government of India in 1988.	1928	343
8	Jaipur Stock Exchange (JSE)	Jaipur, Rajasthan	JSE is the third largest exchange in India in terms of membership.	1989	740
9	UP Stock Exchange Limited	UP, India	It plays an important role in the development of the capital market of North India.	1982

Udayagiri Khandagiri-Monuments of Ancient India

Udaygiri and Khandagiri two hills near Bhubaneshwar contain unique monuments of ancient India, the Udayagiri and Khandagiri caves. These sites are mentioned as the ‘Kumari Parvat’ in the Hathigumpha inscription. The two cave sites are located about 200 meters apart, facing each other. Not as famous as Ajanta and Ellora, but these caves are finely and ornately carved, and were built from huge residential blocks during the reign of King Kharavela, wherein they served as resting places for Jain ascetics on their journey to Nirvana. They command unique position in the field of history, architecture, art and religion. Udayagiri has 18 caves and Khandagiri has 15 caves. Some of the caves are natural but it is believed that most were carved out by Jain monks and they belong to the earliest Jain rock cut temples.

Caves called ‘lena’ in the inscriptions found in the caves have been scooped out, perhaps over endless full moons. The openings are like doorways and light can enter throughout the day and keep the stone floors warm, and moonlight can enter at night and light up the caves. The caves were home to ascetics who renounced the world to experiment with Nirvana, using the flow of energy of bodies and minds. Here they were in unison with nature, in the midst of fragrant flowers, chirping birds, the rustle of leaves, the warm sun and the cool moon. The caves were also places for monks to meditate in peace and quiet and to do austere penance; and for scholars who came here in their quest of truth, peace, eternal salvation and beauty.

The Udayagiri caves are approximately 135 feet high and the Khandagiri caves are 118 feet high, and date back to 2nd century B.C. The caves are reminiscent of Buddhist and Jain influences in Odisha. The hills which are honey-combed with caves, reveal sculptural art centered on the life and times of Jain ascetics. The caves were built by King Kharavela, the King of Kalinga- ancient Odisha (circa 209- after 170 BC) in the first century. Kharavela was subdued by the great Mauryan King Ashoka. Although inclined towards Jainism, Kharavela was liberal regarding religious questions.

Mostly excavated near the top of a ledge or boulder, the cells simply provided dry shelter for meditation and prayer. They have an opening directly into the verandah or courtyard. There are minimal amenities even for small comforts: the height is too low for a person to stand erect, and essentially they were dwelling retreats or just sleeping compartments. Several monks used to stay in one cell. One striking feature of the cell is a raised floor on the opposite side of the opening which might have served the purpose of a pillow to sleep. While the cells are cramped, low scuffed and austerely plain, their facades are encrusted with inscriptions and sculptures depicting various objects. The Archaeological Survey of India numbered the caves and all have individual names based on these objects. Objects include court scenes, birds, animals, royal processions, hunting expeditions and scenes of daily life. The inscriptions which are in Brahmi start with the fundamental mantra of Jainism- the Namokar Mantra. They then depict the life and deeds of King Kharavela, “the worshipper of all religious orders and the repairer of all shrines of Gods”. They also describe the patrons of separate caves. Many people of royal descent were patrons. As Ashoka took over the possessions of Kharavela, the previously favored Jain religion gradually gave way to Buddhism.

Udayagiri

The floor in Udaygiri is laid with leveled blocks of stone. Eighteen caves can be accessed by a flight of steps. Cave 1 is Ranigumpha cave or Queen’s cave, a double storey structure. It is famous for its exceptional acoustic characteristic and is believed to be used for chants and theatre performances. It also has an image of Surya riding a chariot. The right wing of the lower storey has a single cell with three entrances and a pillared verandah. It has been excavated on three sides of a quadrangle with fine wall friezes. It has some beautiful sculptures, including two sentries at the entrance. The pilasters to the entrance have fine wall friezes, animals, toranas (arches) with religious and royal scenes. There is also a couple standing with folded hands, a female dancer with accompanying musicians.

The central wing has four cells. Victory march of a king and his journey are depicted here. There are guard rooms decorated with a spring cascading down a hill, fruit laden trees, wild animals, monkeys, and sporting elephants in a lotus pool. The upper storey has six cells, one each in right and left wing and four in the rear. All four cells have two doorways each with two pilasters. The toranas here have auspicious Jain symbols like snakes and lotuses, King Dushyant’s first meeting with Shakuntala, and dance performances.

Cave 2 is Bajaghar Gumpha with two massive built columns in front and additional inner columns. Cave 3 is known as Chota Hathi Gumpha. There are masterfully carved six vigorous elephants flanking the entrance. Cave 4 is Alakapuri Gumpha- double storeyed, with a sculpture of a lion holding a prey in its mouth, and pairs of winged creatures, people, animals atop the pillars. A bodhi tree has been carved in the central apartment.

Caves 5, 6, 7 and 8 are known as Jaya-Vijaya Gumpha, Panasa Gumpha, Thakurani Gumpha and Patalpuri Gumpha respectively; wherein the 5th and 7th caves are double storey. These are adorned with paintings, carvings of winged animals, etc. Manchapuri and Swargapuri caves are cave 9, a double storeyed cave with several sculptures and inscriptions. There are four votaries with folded hands, dressed in long dhotis, scarves and heavy kundalas (earings). This cave has a crowned figure believed to be that of Chedi King, Vakradeva.

Cave 10, Ganesha Gumpha, has a Chaitya hall, the place of worship for monks, two dwelling cells with low ceilings and a verandah in a famous relief of Ganesha. It also contains a carving with Jain Tirthankara. Jambesvara Gumpha- cave 11 is a small one with two plain door-openings and  Vyaghra  Gumpha –cave 12  is a low cell with two door opening. Its front is carved in the shape of a tiger’s mouth with a distended upper jaw full of teeth. It forms the roof of the verandah and the gullet forming the entrance. Sarpa Gumpha- cave 13 is an unusually small cave with adornment above the entrance. Here the famous inscription regarding life history of Kharavel is written in the Magadhi language. Other caves include Hathi Gumpha, cave 14, Dhanaghara Gumpha-cave 15, Haridasa Gumpha-cave 16, Jagammath Gumpha- cave 17 and Rosai Gumpha-cave 18.

Khandagiri Caves

The first and second caves are  Tatowa Gumpha 1 and 2,  richly decorated caves with two guards at the entrance and also two bulls and two lions. Parrots are carved above the entrance arch. Cave 3, Ananta Gumpha contains exquisite sculptures of women, elephants, athletes, and geese carrying flowers. Cave 4 is Tentuli Gumpha. 

Cave 5, i. e. Khandagiri Gumpha is a double storey, roughly cut cave. Caves 12,13 and 14 have no names. Caves 6 to 11 have been named as Dhyan Gumpha, Nayamuni Gumpha, Barabhuja Gumpha, Trusula Gumpha,  Ambika Gumpha and Lalatendukesri Gumpha. There are reliefs of Jain tirthankars, Mahavira and Parsvanatha on the rear wall of cave 11. Cave 14 is a simple cell and is known as Ekadasi Gumpha.

Silent Valley

"Silent Valley is the best assurance that a forest can speak through human beings.” said the environmentalist Shri. M. K. Prasad. The tourists and visitors to Silent Valley cannot disagree with him because Silent Valley gives an unusual experience of silence while in the midst of nature. It gives one the rarest of the rare experience of being with nature, becoming one with it.

Silent Valley National Park is located in the Nilgiri Hills, Palakkad District in Kerala. The park is one of the last undisturbed tracts of South Western Ghats rain forests and tropical moist evergreen forest in India. It is the core of the Nilgiri International Biosphere Reserve and is part of The Western Ghats World Heritage Site.

The area is locally known as "Sairandhrivanam" literally, in Malayalam: Sairandhri's Forest. In local Hindu legend, Sairandhri is Draupadi. The Pandavas during  their exile wandered into Kerala and  came upon a magical valley where rolling grasslands met wooded ravines, a deep green river bubbled its course through impenetrable forest, where at dawn and twilight the tiger and elephant would drink together at the water's edge, where all was harmonious and man unknown.

 Botanist Robert Wight in 1847 made the first English investigation of the watersheds of the Silent Valley area.

 The British named the area Silent Valley because of the perceived absence of noisy cicadas. Another story attributes the name to the anglicisation of Sairandhri. A third story, refers to the untouched nature of the valley, i.e., without human noises.

Silent Valley is home to the largest population of Lion-tailed Macaque, an endangered species of Primate.

            The Silent Valley National Park is a unique preserve of natural rainforests. It houses a rich mosaic of varied habitats. Out of these springs the amazing variety of life forms some of them endemic to the Western Ghats.

The Kuntipuzha River drains the entire 15 km length of the park from north to south into the Bharathapuzha River. The river is characterized by its crystal clear and perennial nature. The number of tree species computed for the Silent Valley (118 vascular plants of 84 species in 0.4 ha) is very high compared to a range of 60 to 140 species that characterise the other known tropical forests. 

The Mudugar and Irula tribal people are indigenous to the area and they live in the adjacent valley of Attappady Reserved Forest. Also, the Kurumbar people occupy the highest range outside the park bordering on the Nilgiris.

The limited studies of the fauna of Silent Valley reveals that its rich resources as rare and unique - rare because many species which originally inhabited the entire belt of the Western Ghats have been lost due to destruction of their habitat by human beings or for other reasons. These faunal resources however are still available in Silent Valley, because of the relatively little human intrusion. It is unique because what little has been collected and studied has already proved to be of immense scientific interest from the taxonomic, zoogeographic and ecological points of view.

A number of species, which were available in the Western Ghats 50 to 100 years ago still exist in Silent Valley. They include insects, fishes, amphibians, reptiles and mammals.

Upto 1970 it was an unknown forest area, unexplored and untouched.

Announcement against a hydroelectric project proposed in the area resulted in the creation of the park in 1984.

Since then, a long-term conservation effort has been undertaken to preserve the Silent Valley ecosystem. In order to ensure better protection of the area the buffer zone of the Park was created and made an integral part of Silent Valley National Park.

Now there are two zones for silent valley. The core zone (89.52 sq.km) and buffer zone(148 sq km). The core zone is protected and wild life is undisturbed. Only forest department staff, scientists, and wildlife photographers are allowed.

The story of Silent Valley National park is the struggle and thought for environmental protection in the country. The struggle for protecting the valley proved that human beings still care for nature.

Trophies And Cups - National Trophies

Agarwal Cup	Badminton
Agha Khan Cup	Hockey
All-India Women’s
Guru Nanak Championship	Hockey
Bandodkar Trophy	Football
Bangalore Blues Challenge Cup	Basketball
Barna-Bellack Cup	Table Tennis
Beighton Cup	Hockey
Bombay Gold Cup	Hockey
Burdwan Trophy	Weight-lifting
Charminar Trophy	Athletics
Chadha Cup	Badminton
C.K. Naydu Trophy	Cricket
Chakoia Gold Trophy	Football
Divan Cup	Badminton
Deodhar Trophy	Cricket
Duleep Trophy	Cricket
DCM Cup	Football
Durand Cup	Football
Dhyan Chand Trophy	Hockey
Dr. B.C. Roy Trophy	Football (Junior)
Ezra Cup	Polo
FA Cup	Football
GD Birla Trophy	Cricket
Ghulam Ahmed Trophy	Cricket
Gurmeet Trophy	Hockey
Guru Nanak Cup	Hockey
Gyanuati Devi Trophy	Hockey
Holkar Trophy	Bridge
Irani Trophy	Cricket
IFA Shield	Football
Indira Gold Cup	Hockey
Jawaharlal Challenge	Air Racing
Jaswant Singh Trophy	Best Services Sportsman
Kuppuswamy Naidu Trophy	Hockey
Lady Rattan Tata Trophy	Hockey
MCC Trophy	Hockey
Moinuddaula Gold Cup	Cricket
Murugappa Gold Cup	Hockey
Modi Gold Cup	Hockey
Narang Cup	Badminton
Nehru Trophy	Hockey
Nixan Gold Cup	Football
Obaid Ullah Gold Cup	Hockey
Prithi Singh Cup	Polo
Rani Jhansi Trophy	Cricket
Ranjit Trophy	Cricket
Rangaswami Cup	Hockey
Ranjit Singh Gold Cup	Hockey
Rajendra Prasad Cup	Tennis
Ramanujan Trophy	Table Tennis
Rene Frank Trophy	Hockey
Radha Mohan Cup	Polo
Raghbir Singh Memorial	Football
Rohinton Baria Trophy	Cricket
Rovers Cup	Football
Sanjay Gold Cup	Football
Santosh Trophy	Football
Sir Ashutosh Mukherjee	Football
Subroto Cup	Football
Scindia Gold Cup	Hockey
Sahni Trophy	Hockey
Sheesh Mahal Trophy	Cricket
Todd Memorial Trophy	Football
Tommy Eman Gold Cup	Hockey
Vittal Trophy	Football
Vizzy Trophy	Cricket
Vijay Merchant Trophy	Cricket
Wellington Trophy	Rowing
Wills Trophy	Cricket

Trophies And Cups - International Trophies

American Cup	Yacht Racing
Ashes	Cricket
Benson and Hedges	Cricket
Canada Cup	Golf
Colombo Cup	Football
Corbitton Cup	Table Tennis (Women)
Davis Cup	Horse Race
Grand National	Horse Streple Chase Race
Jules Rimet Trophy	World Soccer Cup
King’s Cup	Air Races
Merdeka Cup	Football
Rydet Cup	Golf
Swaythling Cup	Table Tennis (Men)
Thomas Cup	Badminton
U. Thant Cup	Tennis
Uber Cup	Badminton (Women)
Walker Cup	Golf
Westchester Cup	Polo
Wightman Cup	Lawn Tennis
World Cup	Cricket
World Cup	Hockey
Reliance Cup	Cricket
Rothman’s Trophy	Cricket
William’s Cup	Basketball
European Champions Cup	Football
Eisenhower Cup	Golf
Essandre Champions Cup	Hockey
Rene Frank Trophy	Hockey
Grand Prix	Table Tennis
Edgbaston Cup	Lawn Tennis
Grand Prix	Lawn Tennis

PRIME MINISTER’S SHRAM AWARD

The objective of the Prime Minister’s Shram Award is to recognize the outstanding contribution made by workmen as defined in the Industrial Dispute Act, 1947, in organisations both in public and private sector and who have distinguished record of performance, devotion to duty of a high order, specific contribution in the field of productivity, proven innovative abilities, presence of mind and exceptional courage and also to the workmen, who have made supreme sacrifice of laying down their lives in the conscientious discharge of their duties

SHAHEED NIYOGI MEMORIAL AWARD FOR JOURNALISM

The award was instituted in 1998 to recognise the contribution of Journalists in upholding the legacy of Shanker Guja Niyogi, the firebrand trade union leader and social activist from Chhattisgarh, who was murdered on September 28, 1991 by the industrial mafia.

SHANTI SWAROOP BHATNAGAR PRIZES

The Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar (SSB) Prizes are awarded annually by the Council of Scientific & Industrial Research (CSIR) to outstanding Indian research workers in seven disciplines of Science and Technology. The SSB Prizes are awarded to scientists for their outstanding scientific contributions made primarily in India during last 5 years preceeding the year of the award are eligible for the Prize. The SSB Prize comprising a citation, a plaque and a cash award of Rs. 2 lakh is given to each selected person.