India clinched Women’s Kabaddi World Cup
Indian won women’s Kabaddi World Cup 2013 championship for a third consecutive time, vanquishing debutant New Zealand in the final match played at Guru Gobind Singh sports complex in Jalandhar, Punjab.
Women’s World Cup Kabaddi 2013:
Organizer: Government of Punjab, India
Final Match: Guru Gobind Singh sports complex in Jalandhar, Punjab.
Teams Played: 8 Teams viz. India, Pakistan, Denmark, England, Kenya, Mexico, New Zealand, and United States
Winner: India defeated New Zealand
Key Players: India’s Anu Rani declared Best Stopper and Ram Bateri was announced Best Raider.
Germany defeats France to lift Junior Men’s Hockey World Cup
Germany registered a record sixth title win defeating France in the title clash of the Hero Junior Men’s Hockey World Cup held at the Major Dhyan Chand Stadium in Delhi, India. Germany’s Niklas Wellen stunned the opponent with a brilliant hat-trick to guide defending champions to victory.
ustralia regains Ashes Test Series
Australia reclaimed the Ashes test series just four months after the last series defeat in England with a 3rd Test victory on home soil.
The Ashes:
The Ashes is a conceptional prize in a Test cricket series played between Australia and England. The Ashes are regarded as being held by the team that won the last Test series between those sides or, if that series was drawn, by the team that last won such a series. Traditionally, Ashes series consists of 5 Tests played biennially with England and Australia taking turns as host.
Why is it called the Ashes?
The association of the term ‘the Ashes’ with England v/s Australia test series has a story behind. In 1882, Australia defeated England for the first time in Test on England’s soil. Following this, a British newspaper, The Sporting Times, published a satirical obituary stating that the English cricket had died, and the body will be cremated and the ashes taken to Australia. The mythical ashes instantly became associated with the 1882–83 series played in Australia, before which the English skipper Ivo Bligh had vowed to “regain those ashes”. The English media therefore called the tour the quest to regain the Ashes.
After England had won two of the three Tests of the series, a group of Melbourne women presented a small urn to Bligh. Among those women was Florence Morphy, whom Bligh married within a year. The contents of the urn are reputed to be the ashes of a wooden bail, and were amusingly described as “the ashes of Australian cricket”. There is ambiguity whether that “tiny silver urn” is the same as the small terracotta urn given to the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) by Bligh’s widow after his demise in 1927.
The urn has never been the official trophy of the Ashes series, having been a personal gift to Bligh. However, replicas of the urn are often held aloft by winning teams as a symbol of their victory in an Ashes series.
Men’s Hockey Champions Trophy 2014 to be held in Bhubaneswar
As per the announcement of International Hockey Federation (FIH), Bhubaneswar, capital of Odisha will host the 35th edition of the Champions Trophy men’s hockey tournament to be held from December 13-21 in 2014.
The event will be held at the Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar which is currently undergoing renovation. The event will be hosted by Hockey India in collaboration with Orissa state government.
Hockey Champions Trophy
The Hockey Champions Trophy is an international field hockey tournament organized by the International Hockey Federation (since 1978).
Founder: Pakistan’s Air Marshal Nur Khan in 1978
Initiator: Pakistan Hockey Federation as a men’s tournament in 1978
Teams: 8 elite hockey teams compete in a round robin format of hockey.
Period: Initially, it was an annual event from 1980 for men and 1987 for women. Later changed into a biennial event from the 2014 editions onward due to the introduction of the Hockey World League.
Achievers: Australia stands on top in men’s event by winning the trophy 13 times followed by the Germans (9), and the Dutch (8). Pakistan is the only Asian champion, with 3 titles. In the women’s event both the Netherlands and Australia have won the trophy 6 times, while Argentina won 5 titles.
India has never won Hockey Champions Trophy
Winners of 2012: Men’s – Australia, Women’s- Argentina
India defeats Pak to lift Men’s Kabaddi World Cup
India clinched men’s Kabaddi World Cup for the fourth time in row, defeating its arch rival Pakistan in the neck and neck final clash played at Guru Nanak Dev Stadium in Ludhiana, Punjab.
Men’s World Cup Kabaddi 2013:
Organizer: Government of Punjab, India
Final Match: Guru Nanak Dev Stadium in Ludhiana, Punjab.
Teams Played: 11 Teams played representing their respective nations. The teams were from Argentina, Canada, England, Denmark, Pakistan, India, Kenya, Scotland, Sierra Leone, Spain, and the US
Winner: India defeated Pakistan
Key Players: India’s Haravinder Singh Dulla was voted Best Raider and Balbir Singh Best Stopper of the tournament.
China’s Jade Rabbit makes soft landing on Moon
China’s Chang’e-3 lunar spacecraft which is carrying its first moon rover Yutu or Jade Rabbit rover made a “soft landing” on the moon since 1976. With this accomplishment China has joined the elite club of the US and Russia to achieve this feat. The probe touched down on an ancient 400-kilometre (250-mile) wide plain known in Latin as Sinus Iridum, or The Bay of Rainbows.
What is Soft Landing?
Soft Landing is a landing by a spacecraft on the moon or a planet at a sufficiently low velocity for the equipment or occupants to remain unharmed.
About Chang’e-3 lunar probe
China’s first lunar rover mission aimed at exploring the Moon’s surface and looking for natural resources such as rare metals.
Launching Site: Xichang Xichang Satellite Launch Center in China’s southwestern Sichuan province
Launched on: December 2, 2013
Carrier: Long March-3B
Key Payload: Six-wheeled robotic rover called Yutu (or Jade Rabbit) and a landing module.
Landing Site: Sinus Iridum, or The Bay of Rainbows in the Moon’s northern hemisphere.
Union Cabinet Okays fresh amendments to Code of Conduct for ministers
In a bid to curb the misuse of bureaucrats by ministers for political motives, both at the Centre and in the states, the government approved fresh amendments to a 50-year-old Code of Conduct for Ministers.
What are the approved amendments to the Code of Conduct for Ministers?
As a fresh amendment to the Code of Conduct for Ministers (CCM), a new clause aimed at checking the political executive from misusing bureaucrats for political purposes will be added to the CCM. As per Cabinet’s proposal, it will also help check civil servants from cultivating political backing. The new Paragraph 2 (f) will now read as: “After taking office, and so long as he remains in office, the minister shall:- uphold the political impartiality of the civil services and not ask the civil servants to act in any way which would conflict with the duties and responsibilities of the civil servants.”
Does Code of Conduct for Ministers have legal backing?
No. The CCM for Union Ministers, Chief Ministers and Ministers of the respective state governments has no legal backing. However, the current proposal expects all the ministers to adhere to the instructions mentioned in the document scrupulously. ,
When will the fresh CCM come into effect?
While the new clause will come into effect at the Centre immediately, it will be sent to the state governments for their adoption.
Lieutenant Governor (LG) Najeeb Jung recommended imposition of President’s rule in Delhi
Lieutenant Governor (LG) Najeeb Jung has recommended imposition of President’s rule in Delhi among other options as the impasse continued over formation of a new government in Delhi after a suspended verdict with no party ready to assume power.
In his report submitted to the President, Jung listed Central rule with the Assembly being kept in suspended animation as one of the options. As per the report, none of the party is in a position to form the government and so far there is no clarity on government formation. It also noted that AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal sought more time for further consultations.
Hence, Jung has suggested that the President’s rule should be imposed in Delhi by keeping the Assembly under suspended animation till any government is formed. If no party comes forward to stake claim to form the government, the President’s rule can be imposed in the next two days.
What has happened so far?
In the recently held Assembly Elections in Delhi for 70 seats, no party could secure clear mandate of 36 seats. As per the results, BJP won 31 seats along with its ally Akali Dal got 32 seats, AAP clinched 28 seats followed by Congress 8 seats. BJP has already refused to form the government citing “lack of clear mandate”. At this point AAP has become a key player as its support to BJP or Congress can facilitate in government formation. Though AAP is ready to support any of these two parties but has some conditions. As a condition for its support, AAP’s chief Arvind Kejriwal made 18 suggestions to be implemented by the government forming party in Delhi. Of 18 suggestions the Congress is ready to implement 16 but is opposed to two of it. Hence, the stalemate persists.
India sticks to top position in ICC ODI rankings
Despite the dingy performance against South Africa, the Indian cricket team has retained its top position in the latest ICC ODI rankings. India topped the rankings chart with 120 points, which is followed by Australia with 114 points.
Other latest ICC rankings:
A.B. Devilliers of South Africa replaced Virat Kohli as the World’s number one Batsman.
Indian skipper, M.S. Dhoni was placed at number 6 and Shikhar Dhawan was placed at 10 spot in the rankings table.
In the bowler’s rankings, Pakistani spinner Saeed Ajmal, was ranked no. 1.
In the category of All Rounders, Shakib Al Hasan of Bangladesh retained his number one position.
South Africa is no.1 Test team on the ICC test rankings chart
DRDO develops heavy drop system improving Army’s para-dropping capacity
DRDO has developed a 16 ton capacity Heavy Drop System (HDS) to improve Army’s para-dropping capacity. The system (HDS) consists of a platform and a highly advanced system of parachutes to drop loads consisting of military stores such as vehicles including BMP class, supplies and ammunition from IL-76 heavy lift aircraft.
Aerial Delivery Research and Development Establishment (ADRDE), an Agra-based laboratory of the DRDO designed and developed the three prototypes of the system. These systems are re-usable type to provide drop practice to the troops during their regular military training during peace time.
The bulk production of 146 numbers is being initiated at L&T for the mechanical platform and OPF Kanpur for the parachute systems.
About Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO)
Formed in 1958, works under the Department of Defence Research and Development of Ministry of Defense.
Headquarters: New Delhi
Aim: To make India prosperous by establishing world-class science and technology base and provide our Defence Services decisive edge by equipping them with internationally competitive systems and solutions.
Note: The system is extension of technology developed by DRDO for ‘P-7 HDS’, the 7-tonne capacity Heavy Drop System developed earlier and already accepted by Indian Army for induction
Mobile makers should install “SoS” button for women safety: Finance Minister
On the first anniversary of December 16 brutal act that jolted the country, the Centre approved several proposals for improving women’s safety under the Nirbhaya Fund.
Finance Minister P. Chidambaram announced that mobile handset makers will have to introduce an SoS alert button to ensure that women in distress can be reached by the police in the minimum possible time.
Proposal from the Ministries of Home Affairs and Information Technology:
The police administration will be integrated with the mobile phone network to rapidly respond to distress calls. The scheme will be launched in 157 cities in two phases (55 in phase I and 102 in phase II).
Proposal from the Road Transport Ministry:
A programme ‘Security of women in road transport in the country’ will be launched in 32 towns, each with a population of over 1 million. The expected cost is about Rs. 1,700 crore. Under this scheme, public transport vehicles will have GPS for easy tracking, CCTVs and more women drivers and conductors, among others measures.
Proposal from the Railway Ministry:
It proposes to start a public scheme for establishing an SoS alert system in trains in select zones. The facility will cover all service providers from all telecom circles. It will have a call recording facility and a call centre.
What is Nirbhaya Fund?
Nirbhaya Fund is a Rs. 1000 crore fund was announced by Finance Minister P Chidambaram in Budget 2013-14. The fund is aimed at enhancing the safety and for empowerment of women. It was named after Nirbhaya- the pseudonym given to the victim of the incident to hide her identity.
What is SoS?
SOS is the widely used description for the International Morse Code distress signal (· · · – – – · · ·). Earlier, SOS was used as the maritime radio distress signal but from 1999 it was replaced by the Global Maritime Distress Safety System. SOS is still recognized as a visual distress signal.
What is the composition of SOS?
The SOS distress signal is a continuous sequence of three dits, three dahs, and three dits, all run together without letter spacing. The three dits form the letter S, and three dahs make the letter O, so “SOS” became an easy way to remember the order of the dits and dahs. SOS is the only 9-element signal in Morse code, making it more easily identifiable, as no other symbol uses more than 8 elements.
What is the full form of SOS?
It must be noted that SOS is not an abbreviation and there it does not stand for anything. Although some phrases like “save our ship“, “save our souls” and “send out succour” were popularly associated with SOS, these may be regarded as mnemonics.
C.V.R Rajendran is new CMD of Andhra Bank
The Union Ministry of Finance, Government of India appointed C. V. R. Rajendran as Andhra Bank Chairman and Managing Director. Previously, he was Executive Director of Bank of Maharashtra. As CMD of Andhra Bank, Rajendran will have a 5-year term or until superannuation, whichever is earlier.
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