Friday, March 4, 2016

COMMITTEES OF THE CONSTITUENT ASSEMBLY

The Constituent Assembly appointed a number of committees to deal with different tasks of constitution-making. Out of these, eight were major committees and the others were minor committees. 
The names of these committees and their chairmen are given below : 

Major Committees 
1. Union Powers Committee - Jawaharlal Nehru 
2. Union Constitution Committee - Jawaharlal Nehru 
3. Provincial Constitution Committee - Sardar Patel 
4. Drafting Committee - Dr. B.R. Ambedkar 
5. Advisory Committee on Fundamental Rights and Minorities - Sardar Patel. This committee had two sub-committes: 
(a) Fundamental Rights Sub-Committee - J.B. Kripalani 
(b) Minorities Sub-Committee - H.C. Mukherjee 
6. Rules of Procedure Committee - Dr. Rajendra Prasad 
7. States Committee (Committee for Negotiating with States) - Jawaharlal Nehru 
8. Steering Committee - Dr. Rajendra Prasad 

Minor Committees 
1. Committee on the Functions of the Constituent Assembly - G.V. Mavalankar 
2. Order of Business Committee - Dr. K.M. Munshi 
3. House Committee - B. Pattabhi Sitaramayya 
4. Ad-hoc Committee on the National Flag - Dr. Rajendra Prasad 
5. Special Committee to Examine the Draft Constitution - Alladi Krishnaswamy Ayyar 
6. Credentials Committee - Alladi Krishnaswamy Ayyar 
7. Finance and Staff Committee Sinha 
8. Hindi Translation Committee 
9. Urdu Translation Committee 
10. Press Gallery Committee 
11. Committee to Examine the Effect of Indian Independence Act of 1947 
12. Committee on Chief Commissioners' Provinces 
13. Commission on Linguistic Provinces 
14. Expert Committee on Financial Provisions 
15. Ad-hoc Committee on the Supreme Court 

Drafting Committee 
Among all the committees of the Constituent Assembly, the most important committee was the Drafting Committee set up on August 29, 1947. It was this committee that was entrusted with the task of preparing a draft of the new Constitution. It consisted of seven members. 

They were: 
1. Dr B R Ambedkar (Chairman) 
2. N Gopalaswamy Ayyangar 
3. Alladi Krishnaswamy Ayyar 
4. Dr K M Munshi 
5. Syed Mohammad Saadullah 
6. N Madhava Rau (He replaced B L Miner who resigned due to ill-health) 
7. T T Krishnamachari (He replaced D P Khaitan who died in 1948) 
The Drafting Committee, after taking into consideration the proposals of the various committees, prepared the first draft of the Constitution of India, which was published in February 1948. The people of India were given eight months to discuss the draft and propose amendments. In the light of the public comments, criticisms and suggestions, the Drafting Committee prepared a second draft, which was published in October 1948.

IMPORTANT COMMITTEES OF THE CONSTITUENT ASSEMBLY AND THEIR CHAIRMEN

-------------------------------------------------------------

Name of the Committee                   Chairman

-------------------------------------------------------------

Committee on the Rules of               Rajendra Prasad
Procedure

Steering Committee                      Rajendra Prasad

Finance and Staff Committee             Rajendra Prasad

Credential Committee                    Alladi Krishnaswami Ayyar

House Committee                         B. Pattabhi Sitaramayya

Order of Business Committee             K.M. Munsi

Ad hoc Committee on the                 Rajendra Prasad
National Flag

Committee on the Functions of           G.V. Mavalankar
the Constituent Assembly

States Committee                        Jawaharlal Nehru

Advisory Committee on                   Vallabhbhai Patel
Fundamental Rights, Minorities
and Tribal and Excluded Areas

Minorities Sub-Committee                H.C. Mookherjee

Fundamental Rights                      J.B. Kripalani
Sub-Committee

North-East Frontier Tribal Areas        Gopinath Bardoloi
and Assam Exluded & Partially
Excluded Areas Sub-Committee

Excluded and Partially Excluded         A.V. Thakkar
Areas (Other than those in Assam)
Sub-Committee

Union Powers Committee                  Jawaharlal Nehru

Union Constitution Committee            Jawaharlal Nehru

Drafting Committee                      B.R. Ambedkar

Monday, February 8, 2016

History of Indian Postal System

Year — Work
1766 — Establishment of first Indian Postal system by Lord Clive in India.
1774 — Establishment of first G.P.O. in Kolkata by Warren Hastings.
1786 — Establishment of Madras G.P.O.
1793 — Establishment of G.P.O. at Mumbai
1854 — On October 1, 1854, Indian Post Office was recognised as of national importance and was brought under the authority of Director-General. Year 2004 was celebrated as a 150th year of the Indian Post Office. The establishment of the deptt. of Post Office is to be considered from this very year.
1863 — Railway Mail Service (R.M.S.) was started.
1873 — Sale of engraving envelopes was started
1876 — India started Parcel Postal Unit.
1877 — Started of V.P.P.
1879 — Post Card was started.
1880 — Money-order Service was started.
1911 — First airmail was sent from Allahabad to Naini.
1935 — Indian Postal Order was started.
1972 — Pincode was started.
1984 — Postal life insurance was started.
1985 — Post and telephone departments were separated.
1986 — Speed Post Service was started.
1990 — At Mumbai and Chennai, two automatic postal edition Centres were started.
1995 — Rural Postal Insurance was started.
1996 — Media Postal Service was started.
1997 — Business Postal Service was started.
1998 — Satellite Postal Service was started.
1999 — Data Dak and Express Dak Services were started.
2000 — Greeting Post Service was started.
2001 — Electronic fund transfer service was started.
3rd Jan. 2002 — Track and Tax Service based on internet was started.
5th Sep. 2003 — Bill mail Service was started.
30th Jan. 2004 — Beginning of E Postal Service.
10th Aug. 2004 — Logestice Post Service was started.

List of Central Universities in India


Andhra Pradesh
● English & Foreign Languages University, Hyderabad 
www.efluniversity.ac.in
● Maulana Azad National Urdu University, Hyderabad
www.manuu.ac.in
● University of Hyderabad, Hyderabad
www.uohyd.ac.in

Arunachal Pradesh
● Rajiv Gandhi University, Itanagar
www.rgu.ac.in

Assam
● Assam University, Silchar
www.aus.ac.in

● Tezpur University, Tezpur
www.tezu.ernet.in

Bihar
● Central University of Bihar, Patna
www.cub.ac.in

Gujarat
● Central University of Gujarat, Gandhinagar
www.cug.ac.in

Haryana
● Central University of Haryana, Gurgaon
www.cuharyana.org

Himachal Pradesh
● Central University of Himachal Pradesh, Dharamashala
www.cuhimachal.ac.in

Jammu and Kashmir
● Central University of Jammu, Jammu
www.jammuuniversity.in
● Central University of Kashmir, Srinagar
www.cukashmir.ac.in

Jharkhand
● Central University of Jharkhand, Ranchi
www.cuj.ac.in

Karnataka
● Central University of Karnataka, Gulbarga
www.cuk.ac.in

Kerala
● Central University of Kerala, Vidyanagar
www.cukerala.ac.in

Chhattisgarh
● Guru Ghasidas Vishwavidyalaya, Bilaspur
www.ggu.ac.in

Madhya Pradesh
● Dr. Harisingh Gour Vishwavidyalaya, Sagar
www.dhsgsu.ac.in
● The Indira Gandhi National Tribal University, Amarkantak
http://igntu.nic.in

Maharashtra
● Mahatma Gandhi Antarrashtriya Hindi Vishwavidyalaya, Wardha
www.hindivishwa.org

Manipur
● Central Agricultural University, Imphal
www.cau.org.in

● Manipur University, Imphal
www.manipuruniv.ac.in

Meghalaya
● North Eastern Hill University, Shillong
www.nehu.ac.in

Mizoram
● Mizoram University, Aizwal
www.mzu.edu.in

Nagaland
● Nagaland University, Lumami
www.nagauniv.org.in

Odisha
● Central University of Orissa, Koraput
http://cuo.ac.in 

Punjab
● Central University of Punjab, Bathinda
www.centralunipunjab.com

Rajasthan
● Central University of Rajasthan, Jaipur
www.curaj.ac.in

Sikkim
● Sikkim University, Gangtok
www.sikkimuniversity.in

Tamil Nadu
● Central university of Tamil Nadu, Thiruvarur
www.cutn.ac.in
● Indian Maritime University, Chennai
www.imu.tn.nic.in/

Tripura
● Tripura University, Agartala
www.tripurauniv.in

Uttar Pradesh
● Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh
www.amu.ac.in
● Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University, Lucknow
www.bbau.ac.in
● Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi
www.bhu.ac.in
● University of Allahabad, Allahabad
www.allduniv.ac.in

Uttarakhand
● Hemwati Nandan Bahuguna Garhwal University, Garhwal
http://hnbgu.ac.in 

West Bengal
● Visva Bharati, Shantiniketan
www.visva-bharati.ac.in

Union Territories
Delhi
● Indira Gandhi National Open University
www.ignou.ac.in
● Jamia Millia Islamia
http://jmi.ac.in
● Jawaharlal Nehru University
www.jnu.ac.in
● University of Delhi
www.du.ac.in

Puducherry
● Pondicherry University
www.pondiuni.edu.in
 

General Awareness Practice Study Material

Indian history and culture
1. What medieval building double dome (Double Dome) whose tomb was built in the first place? - Sikander Lodi's Tomb
2. Where is the pillar on which the peace message of Ashoka and Samudragupta's military victories are engraved details of both? - Prayag
3. AD 1960 by Aurangzeb. In order to suppress the growing power of Shivaji who gets new was expressed? - To Shaista Khan
4. What was the Mughal emperor's coronation twice? - Aurangzeb
5. What dynasty Currencies Shiva is depicted in human form? - Kushan dynasty
6. Supporting treaty Indian ruler who was the first to admit? - Nizam of Hyderabad
7. noted in Kanchi 'Kailash temple' Who built? - Narasimha Varman II
8. What was the Mughal emperors adopted the title King of the South? - Aurangzeb
9. Gandhi-Irwin pact signed Kinhonne instrumental in? - Tej Bahadur Sapru, M. R. Jayakar and b. M. The scribes and liberal leaders
10. What ruler to measure land use Jrib started? - Sher Shah Suri

Indian economy
11. What is the motto of the international forum "The second world is possible '(Another World is possible)? - The World Social Forum (World Social Forum) in
12. (Central Rice Research Institute) is the location of the Central Rice Research Institute? - Cuttack (Orissa)
13. Based on the recommendations of the Committee of National Agricultural Bank was set up? - Shivaraman Committee
14. 'CAPART' (CAPART) What is the full form? - Men's Action and Rural Technology Council for Advanced Negative People
15. Department of the Reserve Bank note issuance gold fund, is required at all times of what value? - 115 cr. 
16. In India, inflation is measured by the index 16. How? - WPI
17 European countries have adopted the name of the unified currency? - Euro
18. Pulses (pulses) which pulses (dal), the MSP for the crop year 2010-11 has been fixed? - Moong dal Rs 3170. Per quintal
19. 'renewable stream scheme which state is concerned? - Rajasthan
20. 'Mr.' (SRI-System of Rice Intensification) technology is used in which areas? - Grain
21. Which elements of the tomato red color is caused by the presence? - Lycopene
22. 'Kanya Vidya Dhan' scheme has been launched in which state? - Uttar Pradesh
23. "In India, special export processing zone '(Special Export Processing Zone) where first established? - In Kandla
24. RBI reduced cash reserve ratio by 24. If the credit, but will affect? - Credit will be less
25. Tax Reform Committee '(Tax Reforms Committee) was appointed the Chairman of? - The king Chelliah

Indian polity and constitution
26. President's national crisis (National Emergency) in what circumstances may announce? - In situations of external aggression and armed rebellion
27. Who was elected unopposed as president of the country? - Neelam Sanjiv Reddy
28. Article 28 of the Constitution under which the impeachment against the President (Impeachment) - Under Article 61
29. What is the underlying purpose behind the policy director of the elements? - Welfare state building

31. The basic rights to which organization has the right to ban necessary? - Parliament
32. The Constitution provides the total schedules? - XII
33. Quo-Warranto Writ literally means what? - "What is your authority?"
34. Who was the first president of the Lok Sabha? - Ganesh Vasudev Mavalankar
35. The Constitution provides for the concurrent list of the constitution which has been? - Australia
36. The Constitution of India, which was founded by a constituent assembly Gi- -kabinet mission under the 1946 plan
37. Article 34 imposes restrictions on how fundamental rights? - When martial law be applied anywhere in India
38.Article 38 of the Constitution which has been discussed in the fundamental duties? - Article 51 (A) in
39. The right to personal freedom which officer to be civil? - Top high court and the Supreme Court
40. Who was the first Chairman of the Council of Independent India? - Dr. S. Radhakrishnan

National Freedom Movement
41. Where and when was the establishment of the All India Kisan Sabha? - Lucknow, 1936
42. The establishment of the Muslim League, who was Viceroy of India? - Lord Minto II
43. India, not two nations, this statement is what? - Mohammad Ali Jinnah
44. Bal Gangadhar Tilak 'Father of Indian Anarest' (Father of Indian Unrest) Who said that? - The Belentain Cirol
45. The session of the Muslim League which was attended by Congress? - Pt. Madan Mohan Malviya
46. ​​'passive resistance' (Passive Resistance) was the father of the theory? - Aribind Ghosh
47. "The Indian press Messiah is called Who? - Sir Charles Metcalfe and the Lord Macaulay
48. Hindustan Socialist Republican Army, who did formed? - Chandra Shekhar Azad
49. Lord Lytton which year was held in Delhi Darbar? - Year 1877
50. The crime of nationalism when declared by the British education? - In 1898

Geography of India and abroad
51. Eco-Saunding technique which is used for the task? - To measure the depth of the sea
52. Which country's southernmost point, Cape Farewell? - New Zealand's
53. On which river is the famous Kariba Dam? - Zambezi river
54. The closest stars to Earth (Proxima Santori) How long does the light to reach the earth? - 4.3 years
55. 1 ° latitude are Pradrrshit about how many kilometers? - 111 km
56. "Sandwich Islands" whose old name? - Hawaii Island
57. What are the two countries leading producer of asbestos? - India and USA
58. "Eco-Saunding 'for your use of the work is done? - To measure the depth of the sea
59. Indian territorial waters extend to how far from the coast? - 12 nautical miles
60. Farl is associated with the rule? - From the direction of winds

General Science & Technology
61. Industrial production of polythene is multiplication whom? - Of ethylene
62. "Newton-Seconds' is counter to what amount? - Momentum (Momentum) of
63. The percentage of U-235 in natural uranium is about? - 0.72%
64. Tracking and Renjing -satelait station in India '(Satellite Tracking and Ranging Station-STARS) is located where? - Kawalur (TN)
65. Lighting power, how changes in the cell's energy? - Transformation of light energy into electrical energy
66. Guru water (Heavy Water) molecular weight of the (Molecular Weight) is? - Automatic License assignment
67. internal energy of the ideal gas depends only on the heating to-
68. Which bomb only affects living things, not buildings? - Neutron
69. AB blood group of the person receiving it, sometimes universal (Universal Recipient) also says, because Unmen- antibody (Antibody) are not
70. E.E.G. Whose activity is to enter? - Brain

Law and Justice
71. untouchability (crime) Act was passed in which year? - 1955
72. Who have said to the federal law that the federal Ha'- It Aplembi Paul
73. Which institution for providing legal aid to the poor, free and fair was founded in 1987? - Legal Services Authorities Act
74. What part of the Constitution of India, the card is called the Constitution? - Preamble to the Constitution
75. "Who in the Constitution citizens' basic rights defenders and the guarantor has been established? - The Supreme Court of India

Agriculture
76. Good Harvest Gram element fertilizer (NPK) may be given in the amount of? - 20 kg N + 40 kg P2O5 + 20 kg K2O and 20 kg sulfur / ha
77. A small rash gram (Gram / Chickpea) species of seed per hectare is kept? - 60-65 kg / ha
78. If land zinc (Zn) deficiency, the gram crop fertilizer to be what? - 20 kg zinc sulphate (21% Zn) per hectare
79. Gram (Gram / Chickpea) of Ukta resistant (Wilt Resistant) are species? - Dkp-92-3; KWR-108, JG-315, JG-16, JG-74 and resistant
80. What is the average yields of chickpea? - Some 18-20. / Ha

Sports
81. Which of the International Tennis Federation ITF 2015, best female player of the year is awarded to the woman? - American Serena Williams
82. 'Derby' (Derby) which sport is concerned? - Horse racing (Horse Racing) by
83. How long interval since the Asian Games are held? - 4 year time period covered by the
84. In 2015, the American who was honored with the award for best male football player is? - Michael Bradley
85. The first Indian to win a gold medal in the Olympic Games it? - Abhinav Bindra
86. Guru Gobind Singh Sports College has been established in which city? - Lucknow
87. For excellence in game What is the greatest reward? - Arjuna
88. Somdev Verman related to which game players? - Lawn tennis
89. How many players play the game of volleyball? - 6 Players
90. The theme of the Olympic torch-the Journey of Harmony (Journey of Harmony)

Miscellaneous
91. United Nations Day (UN Day) is celebrated? - October 24
92. Human Resources Development Ministry was established when? - September 26, 1985 
93. "Wadia Institute in Dehradun is related to the subject? - Earth Science (Geology) 
94. Indian Institute of Technology (I.I.T) Kanpur which has Mirnan nano satellites on the occasion of the golden jubilee celebrations of the Institute been assigned to the President? - Firefly
95. US President Barack Hussein Obama was the candidate of which political party? - Democratic Party
96. India's first successful nuclear tests at Pokhran what the code was called? - Smiling Buddha
97. The United States 'appeal of the Kansians Foundation' (The Appeal of Conscience Foundation) by the Prime Minister of India, Dr. Manmohan Singh, which was selected for the award? - World Statesman Award
98. Myanmar's opposition leader and former general secretary of the National League for Democracy, Aung San Suu Kyi won the Nobel Peace Prize when? - In 1991
99. The name of the German Parliament? - Bundsteg (Bundestag)
100. Brazil's first female president, who have been selected? - Dilma Rofes

Sunday, February 7, 2016

List of World Heritage Sites in India 2016

Cultural
● Agra Fort (1983)
● Ajanta Caves (1983)
● Buddhist Monuments at Sanchi (1989)
● Champaner-Pavagadh Archaeological Park (2004)
● Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus (formerly Victoria Terminus) (2004)
● Churches and Convents of Goa (1986)
● Elephanta Caves (1987)
● Ellora Caves (1983)
● Fatehpur Sikri (1986)
● Great Living Chola Temples (1987)
● Group of Monuments at Hampi (1986)
● Group of Monuments at Mahabalipuram (1984)
● Group of Monuments at Pattadakal (1987)
● Humayun's Tomb, Delhi (1993)
● Khajuraho Group of Monuments (1986)
● Mahabodhi Temple Complex at Bodh Gaya (2002)
● Mountain Railways of India (1999)
● Qutb Minar and its Monuments, Delhi (1993)
● Red Fort Complex (2007)
● Rock Shelters of Bhimbetka (2003)
● Sun Temple, Konârak (1984)
● Taj Mahal (1983)
● The Jantar Mantar, Jaipur (2010)

Natural 
● Kaziranga National Park (1985)
● Keoladeo National Park (1985)
● Manas Wildlife Sanctuary (1985)
● Nanda Devi and Valley of Flowers National Parks (1988)
● Sundarbans National Park (1987)

Properties submitted on the Tentative List
● Temples at Bishnupur, West Bengal (1998)
● Buddhist Monastery Complex, Alchi, Leh, known as Alchi Chos-kor (1998)
● Golconda Fort, Hyderbad, Andhra Pradesh (1998)
● Dholavira: a Harappan City, Gujarat, Disstt, Kachchh (1998)
● Rani-ki-Vav (The Queen's Stepwell) at Patan, Gujarat (1998)
● Mattanchery Palace, Ernakulam, Kerala (1998)
● Tomb of Sher Shah Suri, Sasaram, Bihar (1998)
● Group of Monuments at Mandu, Madhya Pradesh (1998)
● Ancient Buddhist Site, Sarnath, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh (1998)
● Hemis Gompa (1998)
● Sri Harimandir Sahib, Amritsar, Punjab (2004)
● River Island of Majuli in midstream of Brahmaputra River in Assam (2004)
● Kalka Shimla Railway (2004)
● The Matheran Light Railway (extension to the Mountain Railways of India) (2005)
● Western Ghats (sub cluster nomination) (2006)
● Namdapha National Park (2006)
● Wild Ass Sanctuary, Little Rann of Kutch (2006)
● Kangchendzonga National Park (2006)
● Urban and Architectural Work of Le Corbusier in Chandigarh (2006)
● The Kangra Valley Railway - Extension to the Mountain Railways of India (2009)
● Churchgate - Extension to Mumbai CST (2009)
● The Maharaja Railways of India (2009)
● Oak Grove School (2009)
● Excavated Remains at Nalanda (2009)
● Great Himalayan National Park (2009)
● Bhitarkanika Conservation Area (2009)
● Neora Valley National Park (2009)
● Desert National Park (2009)
● Silk Road Sites in India (2010)
● Santiniketan (2010)

Tuesday, January 26, 2016

Gallantry Awards

Param Vir Chakra (PVC)

Param Vir Chakra (PVC) is the highest gallantry award for officers and other enlisted personnel of all military branches of India for the highest degree of valour in the presence of the enemy. Introduced on 26th January 1950, this award may be given posthumously.
Literally, Param Vir Chakra means 'Wheel (or Cross) of the Ultimate Brave'. In Sanskrit, 'Param means Ultimate, 'Vir (Pronounced veer) means Brave and 'Chakra means Wheel.
If any recipient of the PVC shall again perform such and act of bravery as would have made him or her eligible to be recorded by a Bar to be attached to the riband by which the Chakra is suspended, and for every such additional act of bravery, an additional Bar shall be added, and any such Bar or Bars may also be awarded posthumously. For every Bar awarded a replica of the 'Indra's Vajra' in miniature shall be added to the riband when worn alone.
The PVC is the equivalent award of the Medal of Honour in the United States, and the Victoria Cross in the United Kingdom.

One amongst the luminous recipients of this honour was Flying Officer Nirmal Jiit Singh Sekhon, who was awarded the Param Vir Chakra posthumously in the year 1971. He is the lone Indian Air Force officer to have been honoured with the Param Vir Chakra till date.



The art of appreciating the brave and gallant is not new. They form one of the most important constituents of a nation’s stability.  History defines gallantry as commanded respect and appreciation. The concept of emancipation of the brave is cognizant in our Epics too. In the Mahabharata, the merit of dying as a martyr in the cause of Dharma is all along appreciated as the easiest way to heaven. In fact, any kind of death on the battlefield was considered glorious.
Whether being the appointed head of a clan, raised memorials in honour of the martyrs/brave souls or granted titles, robe of honour, cash awards or medals etc., recognition of bravery has always been a very prestigious affair. The conclusion of British Rule in India saw the end of the old institution of British honours and awards. Independent India saw the introduction of awards such as Param Vir Chakra, Maha Vir Chakra, Ashoka Chakra, Shaurya Chakra etc.

Ashok Chakra

The Ashok Chakra series of awards are open to civilians also. Recommendations received in respect of civilians from the State Governments/Union territory Administra-tions and Ministries/Departments of the Central Government are processed by the Ministry of Defence for the consideration of the Central Honours and Awards Committee chaired by the Defence Minister. These awards are biannual and are given on the Republic Day and Independence Day.

Shaurya Chakra

This is awarded for gallantry other than in the face of the enemy. This award may be granted to civilians or to military personnel and may be awarded posthumously.

Nobel Laureates

Amartya Sen (b-1933): Prof. Amartya Sen is the recipient of the Nobel Prize for Economics for the year 1998, becoming the first Asian to have been honoured with the award. The Santiniketanborn economist who is a pioneer in Welfare Economics has to his credit several books and papers on aspects of welfare and development. An economist with a difference, Prof. Sen is a humanist. He has distinguished himself with his outstanding writings on famine, poverty, democracy, gender and social issues. The 'impossibility theorem' suggested earlier by Kenneth Arrow states that it was not possible to aggregate individual choices into a satisfactory choice for society as a whole. Prof. Sen showed mathematically that societies could find ways to alleviate such a poor outcome.

Subramanian Chandrashekhar (1910-1995): The Nobel Prize for Physics in 1983 was awarded to Dr S. Chandrashekhar, an Indian-born astrophysicist. Educated in Presidency College, Chennai, Dr Chandrashekhar happened to be the nephew of his Nobel forbear, Sir C.V. Raman. He later migrated to the United States where he authored several books on Astrophysics and Stellar Dynamics. He developed a theory on white dwarf stars which posts a limit of mass of dwarf stars known also as Chandrashekhar Limit. His theory explains the final stages of stellar evolution.

Mother Teresa (1910-1997): The Nobel Peace Prize was awarded to Mother Teresa in 1979. Albanian parentage, Agnes Gonxha Bojaxhiu was born at Skopje, now in Yogoslavia. She joined the Irish order of the Sisters of Loretto at Dublin in 1928 and came to Kolkata in 1929 as a missionary, only to find the misery of the abandoned and the destitute. Concern for the poor and the sick prompted her to found a new congregation, Missionaries of Charity. Having become an Indian citizen, Mother Teresa served the cause of dying destitutes, lepers and drug addicts, through Nirmal Hriday (meaning Pure Heart), the main centre of her activity. Her selfless service and unique devotion, not only to helpless fellow-Indians but also to the cause of world peace, earned her and India the first Nobel Peace Prize.

Hargobind Khorana (1922-2011): Hargobind Khorana was awarded the Nobel Prize for Medicine in 1968. Of Indian origin, Dr Khorana was born in Raipur, Punjab (now in Pakistan). He took his doctoral degree in Chemistry from Liverpool University and joined the University of Wisconsin as a Faculty Member in 1960. His major breakthrough in the field of Medicine -interpreting the genetic code and analysing its function in protein synthesis- fetched him the Nobel Prize.

Chandrashekhar Venkataraman (1888-1970): India's first Nobel Prize for Physics was claimed in 1930 by the renowned physicist Sir C.V. Raman. Born at Thiruvanaikkaval near Tiruchirapalli in Tamilnadu, Raman studied at Presidency College, Chennai. Later, he served as Professor of Physics at Calcutta University. Recipient of many honours and awards, including the title of 'Sir', Sir C.V. Raman received the Nobel Prize for an important optics research, in which he discovered that diffused light contained rays of other wavelengths-what is now popularly known as Raman Effect. His theory discovered in 1928 explains the change in the frequency of light passing through a transparent medium.

Rabindranath Tagore (1861-1941): Rabindranath Tagore was the first Indian ever to receive a Nobel Prize. Popularly known as Gurudev, India's Poet Laureate Tagore was born on 7th May 1861, in Kolkata. He was awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature in recognition of his work Geetanjali, a collection of poems, in 1913. Tagore wrote many love lyrics. Geetanjali and Sadhana are among his important works. The poet, dramatist and novelist is also the author of India's National Anthem. In 1901 he founded the famous Santiniketan which later came to be known as Vishwabharati University.

Saturday, January 16, 2016

SCHEMES & PROGRAMMES

  1. Digital India

Digital India Program was launched in August 2014 to change the face of India digitally and electronically.  This would in turn pave way for a digitally empowered nation and economy.  As per this campaign, all offices and departments of Government of India would be digitally connected to each other and to the target population, thereby making the government mechanism smoother and malpractices-free.  This would also ensure effective governance in the country.  Digital India Program would reduce paperwork to a significant level.  The program which started in 2014 would complete by 2019.
  1. Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana

On his first speech of Independence Day in year 2014, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the famous Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana, which ensures a bank account for every Indian.  In this mass drive, more than 15 million saving accounts were opened across the length and breadth of the country with almost all public sector banks participating in it.  It was the first ever financial inclusion program launched in the country and has seen success so far.  More than Rs 1,500 has been deposited in banks so far by the account holders.
  1. Swachh Bharat

This type of campaign was not really new to India, however the name and intent may be new.  Previous governments have already worked on similar campaigns like Nirmal Bharat Program.  However, nothing has been achieved significantly so far and thus the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan comes with a new hope to clean the country’s mess.
The campaign was launched in 2014 with almost every big and small personality of the country taking to the streets and taking part in it.  In fact, the cleanliness drive has more to do with self publicity, whether it is the Prime Minister himself, or other ministers, or film stars or the general public. All have taken pictures of cleaning their locality and posted it on their social media account to ensure that people see that they are involved with a noble cause.  The evaluation of the campaign has to be seen in a longer run.
  1. Make in India

This was more of a slogan than a campaign coined by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi to ensure self sufficiency in the field of mass production.  The vision has been to attract global investors to invest in domestic market and thus create India a manufacturing hub for the entire world.
Make in India would also ensure that there are sufficient job opportunities for the national youth who are struggling to get a decent job in order to compete with their international counterparts.  The Make in India campaign is being run and administered by the Central Government and the government has identified a total of 25 different sectors on which it would focus.
  1. Saansad Adarsh Gram Yojana

Inclusive governance is one of the core visions of Shri Narendra Modi.  As per Saansad Adarsh Gram Yojana, each MP would take out some part of their funds for the development of their constituencies.  Physical and institutional infrastructures are some of the way through which the villages of the country can reach up to their empowerment, as a whole.
The Saansad Adarsh Gram Yojana ensures the same.  The campaign which started in year 2014 is said to be successfully concluding by year 2019.  The guidelines for rural development under the scheme have already been issued by the honorable prime minister in October 2014.
  1. Atal Pension Yojana

Low cost benefits have been the core guiding principles of the Narendra Modi lead Central Government in almost all the schemes they are launching.  Atal Pension Yojana too is one such scheme, which ensures old age pension to those who are not covered under any other pension or social security scheme.
This way, those people who have been working in unorganized sectors and enjoying no pension scheme would be covered and can ensure a healthy and comfortable old age.
  1. Awas Yojana (PMAY)

Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana is primarily a welfare housing scheme launched by the central government under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.  With PMAY, the intention is to provide housing to all by year 2022.  In order to make the scheme a success and reality, a total of around 2 crore houses would be constructed across the length and breadth of the country by year 2022.
The houses would be distributed to the needy sections of society and a subsidy on loan would be provided by the central government, thereby making housing an affordable thing for the economically weaker people of the country.  Special preference would be given to senior citizens, women and SC/ST in allotment of these houses.
  1. Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana (PMJJBY)

The PMJJBY is a term life insurance policy that goes a long way in ensuring a safe financial future for the policy holder and comes with lowest cost on a yearly basis.
Anyone who is within the age group of 18 years to 50 years can get enrolled for PMJJBY, provided they have a functional saving bank account.  Within the scheme, the policy holder would have to pay as a premium is Rs 330 per year and they would be covered with a life insurance of Rs 2 lakhs.
  1. Suraksha Bima Yojana

Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana targets social security through insuring accidental deaths and partial or permanent disabilities.  A large number of population in India live in rural areas and these people do not have access to insurance schemes.  PMSBY is an initiative to cater to such a population so that they can enjoy the insurance benefits at minimum contributions.
In order to get PMSBY scheme for anyone in India, the subscriber is required to just pay Rs 12 per year and enjoy a carefree insured life of up to Rs 2 lakhs insurance cover.  One of the best things about these social security schemes is that they require an insignificant level of paperwork and this leverage has been provided considering the fact that a large number of people living in rural areas do not have all the validation documents available with them.
  1. Krishi Sinchai Yojana

India is primarily an agricultural country and irrigation defines the success of agriculture.  This is why it is important for any agricultural economy to have a proper irrigation channel throughout the country.  Prime Minister Modi has identified this need and thus started this new scheme.
As per the scheme details, just 45 per cent of the farm lands in India are accessible to the irrigation channels with remaining 55 per cent depending on traditional methods of irrigation.  This is a huge opportunity and the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana would ensure that adequate infrastructural arrangements are made so that maximum fields in the country are connected to the irrigation system properly.
  1. Kaushal Vikas Yojana

Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana would facilitate necessary arrangements so that the younger lot of workforce in India is provided with world class training as far as technical expertise is concerned.  The skills training would be in line with latest technologies coupled with personality development and management skills that would ensure that our youth compete well with their international counterparts.
  1. MUDRA Bank Yojana

This is yet another aggressive scheme launched by the Narendra Modi government.  MUDRA stands for Micro Units Development and Refinance Agency Ltd., which was initiated to bring into the general public into the normal banking system.  Facilities and benefits like credits, loans, and insurance are not reachable to many in India, especially to those living in rural and far flung areas.
MUDRA bank is not exactly a bank but a banking regulator which would regulate the micro finance to the rural and needy population.
  1. Garib Kalyan Yojana

Under this scheme, the government would run several micro campaigns to ensure that that the welfare needs of the poor population are met and taken care of.  It would conduct workshops to meet its agendas.
  1. Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana

Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana is one of the most promising and relevant schemes launched by the Narendra Modi Government.  SSY lays special emphasis on financial empowerment of the girl child.  Through this scheme, the parents of any girl child below 10 years can open a saving account for their daughters and operate it till they attain an age of 21 years.
After that time, they can withdraw the money and use it for her marriage or higher education.  The scheme offers a high rate of return, even much higher than PPF and the depositor gets complete tax exemption for whatever amount invested under 80C of income tax.  Ever since the scheme has been launched, lakhs or parents have already got an account opened for their daughters and enjoying the benefits. Read more about this yojana.
  1. DigiLocker Scheme

Just like you have a locker to secure your valuable belongings, Digilocker is a facility through which you can secure and keep your valuable documents secure.  Now, when everything has turned out to be digital, online documents are required in order to submit forms and other activities.
Digilocker is a space provided by Government of India where you can upload all your important documents in digital format and use them whenever you have to furnish it anywhere to government authorities.  This drive has paved way for paperless environment and would also curtain the possibilities of corruption to the significant level.
  1. Ebasta Scheme

eBasta Scheme is very much similar to the concept of DigiLockers.  eBasta provides an online learning space for the students in the form of digital books.  With this service, students would no more have to go and buy their books from the book shops and neither would publishers need to worry about pirated versions or supply channel flaws.
The content and curriculum of the students can be decided by the school and its teachers and students will have to just login and download their study material, which they can use for learning at their computers and tablets.  This kind of initiative would initiate the era of interactive learning in India.
17. One Rank One Pension (OROP) scheme: 
Under the OROP scheme the government said it would revise pension every five years where the veterans protested and demanded that it should be revised every two years.
The government announced that OROP will be implemented from July 1, 2014 and the base year would be 2013 but the ex-servicemen objected and said it should nbe implemented from April 1, 2014 instead of July 1. The veterans even demanded that every person in the army should be a benefiaciary under the OROP scheme. The estimated cost to implement OROP will be between Rs 8,000 crore to Rs 10,000 crore.

18. Pradhan Mantri Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao Yojana

This programme was launched by PM Narendra Modi on 22 January 2015 in Panipat, Haryana. It is a very significant programme and campaign because of country’s poor record on women related indicators such as child sex ratio, female infanticide, female foeticide and female education etc; especially alarming is the data for child sex ratio i.e. the sex ratio of children 0 to 6 years. The census data of the year 2011 shows child sex ratio at 918 which is lesser than the previous census (2001) data of 927. Thus, child sex ratio (0-6 years) is showing a declining trend which is not a very healthy sign for social development of India. Therefore, ‘Beti Bacha Beti Padhao’ campaign is one of the most important programmes being initiated by the new Government.

19. Pradhan Mantri Khanij Kshetra Kalyan Yojana:
Pradhan Mantri Khanij Kshetra Kalyan Yojana (PMKKKY) has been launched in September 2015 for the welfare of tribals and other affected persons in mining areas. Under this scheme, the mining companies will need to contribute 10 to 30% of royalty for welfare of people directly or indirectly affected by mining.
This scheme is a follow up to Prime Minister’s promise of Rs. 6000 Crore for the development of tribals in mining affected areas in his Independence Day speech. However, the proposal to establish the District Mineral Foundations had come in November 2014 from Union Government side. The idea was to levy additional royalty and then use that fund on welfare of the people / infra development in mining affected areas. For this purpose, on January 12, 2015, President Pranab Mukherjee had signed an ordinance to amend the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act (MMDR Act), 1957. This was followed by parliamentary approval to amendment of MMDR Acr 1957 on 26 March 2015. On August 18, 2015; Odisha became the first state in India to issue rules for the District Mineral Foundation.

20. Integrated Power Development Scheme:
Integrated Power Development (IPDS) scheme launched by Modi Government is basically a new avatar of Restructured Accelerated Power Development Programme of UPA. This scheme focuses on improvement of T&D networks across India. It promises help in reduction of AT&C losses, establishment of IT enabled energy accounting / auditing system, improvement in billed energy based on metered consumption and improvement in collection efficiency.
The scheme has been launched with an outlay of Rs. 44,011 crore for 12th and 13th plans. All discoms including private discoms and state power departments are eligible to get financial assistance under it. The discoms can prioritize what fraction of their infrastructure work is to be strengthened and can apply for assistance with their detailed project reports. The projects supported under this scheme need to be completed within 24 months. Like R-APDP, Power Finance Corporation is nodal agency for this scheme. The grant portion of this scheme is 60% for normal  states and 85% for special category states. They can also get 15% additional grant if they do the work within prescribed milestones viz. timely completion of the scheme, reduction in AT&C losses as per trajectory. The discoms need to enter into tripartite agreement with PFC and State Government to be enable to get all support.

21. Domestic Efficient Lighting Programme (DELP):

DELP programme has been launched in several states (Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Himachal Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi) to replace the regular bulbs and CFL lights with LED lights. The programme is being implemented by  Discoms in association with Energy Efficiency Services Limited (EESL). LED lights are given at lower than market price in this scheme.

22. Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana:
The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi  approved the New Crop Insurance Scheme,‘Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana’ to boost the agricultural sector.
The theme of the Scheme is One Nation – One Scheme. In this, all shortcomings and weaknesses of all previous schemes were removed and incorporated with the best features of all schemes.