30.05.2007

• I gave a small backgrounder on the Dera Sacha Sauda sect, which is currently in the eye of a storm. Take a look at it here.
• And don’t forget to take your daily dose of the quiz at our quiz page.
• Gujjar clashes
• Rajasthan based Gujjars, also spelled Gurjars sometimes, are demanding that they be included in the Scheduled tribe category.
• 13 people were killed in agitation that they were staging on the Delhi-Jaipur highway.
• Andaman’s native tribes
• Andamanese and Onges are the two native tribes.
• Onges live in Little Andaman islands and are still basically hunter gatherers.
• NDC meeting’s decisions on agriculture
• The 53^rd meeting of the National Development Council, which is meeting at Delhi has come out with the following measures to revitalize the agriculture sector in the country:
• Establishment of a National Food Security Mission to enhance production of wheat, rice and pulses.
• More funds for AIBP (Accelerated Irrigation Benefit Programme) and farm research.
• Restructuring of fertilizer subsidy and the pattern of RIDF (Rural Inftrastructure Development Fund) and skill development.
• Implementation of the Vaidyanathan committee recommendations on cooperative credit structure
• Amendment to and Notifying rules under the APMC Act – Agriculture Produce Marketing Committee Act. The amendment is for removing the mandate of conducting all transactions through the designated markets.
• G8 summit is shadowed by differences over tackling climate change
• The summit, being hosted next week in the Baltic resort of Heiligendamm, the G8 leaders have failed to reach an agreement on tackling climate change.
• All the leaders except the US’s accept the call for limiting world temperature rise to two degrees and establishment of carbon trading mechanism.
• G8 comprises of France, Japan, Italy, Germany, Canada, US, Russia and UK.
• Nigerian Presidential elections
• Umaru Yar’Adua was sworn in as the new President following his election.
• Miss Universe 2007
• Riyo Mori, Miss Japan 2007, is crowned the 56^th Miss Universe 2007 at the competition held in Mexico City. Natalia Guimaraes of Brazil was the runner up.
• Ningning Zhang of China won the Miss Congeniality contest.
• Anna Theresa Licaros of Philippines wons the Miss Photogenic contest.
• Miss Universe 2006 is Zuleyka Rivera.
• Do you know the perks enjoyed by a Miss Universe?
• Use of an apartment in New York for one year.
• Undisclosed salary.
• Complete wardrobe including a luxury watch; and
• A scholarship for two years of film study in New York.
• Fatwa against the Indian Army
• Kashmir’s Grand Mufti, Mufti Muhammad Bashir-ud-Din has issued a fatwa against accepting money or help from the Indian Army in rebuilding the state’s mosques and shrines, saying it was against the Islamic law.
• The Army has been lending support through Operation Sadbhavana for reconstruction and renovation of mosques and shrines in the valley.
• Tobacco deaths
• WHO says that smoking accounts for 10% of adult fatalities, about 5.4 mn.
• Ireland and Uruguay have successfully tackled smoking by creating and enforcing smoke-free environments.
• Karimnagar silver filigree gets GI tag
• Silver filigree is a delicate handicraft item made by curling, twisting and plating of fine wires of silver or gold into different works of art.
• Acquiring the GI (Geographical Indication) status means that any other similar product produced outside Karimnagar cannot be called by that name. It also provides a legal identity and enhances the brand image in national and international markets.
• Climate change and Kyoto protocol
• For an understanding of carbon trading mechanism and issues relating to Kyoto protocol, today’s article in the ET is a must read. Take a look at it here.
• CEO of IFCI – Industrial Finance Corporation of India
• Atul Kumar Rai.