Indian Current Affairs: 04.06.2008

Yesterday we noted the departure of Yves Saint Laurent. If you are asked to name one signature contribution from him, what could it be?

The ‘pantsuit’, for ladies which he designed in response to the 1968 Parisian uprisings.

Speaking of fashion when we read that somebody like Pierre Cardin is known for his ‘avante-garde’ style, what does it mean?

Avant-garde means "advance guard" or "vanguard". It is a French term. The adjective form is used in English, to refer to people or works that are experimental or innovative, particularly with respect to art, culture, and politics.

What is an SPAC – Special Purpose Acquisition Vehicle? Aka blank cheque companies.

It is one of the most emerging types of investment vehicles that is surfacing in recent times. SPAC is a company which has nil or minimal operating business and assets and proposes to launch an initial public offering (IPO) in order to raise capital from the public for effecting a merger, asset acquisition or other forms of business combination. Thereby, SPAC are also referred to as ‘blank cheque’ companies. The USP of having a SPAC over other forms of investment vehicles is the inbuilt mechanics of investor safeguards that are ubiquitous in the working of SPAC.

What are botnets and zombies?
They mean the same. A botnet is a group of malware-infected computers also called ‘zombies’ or bots that can be used remotely to carry out attacks against other computer systems.

The airport is Asia’s first airport to register under USGBC LEED NC certification for silver rating, and is going to be the world’s first certified green building.
The airport consumes 25% less energy than what a similar facility without the environment-friendly features would consume.
The notable features of the new airport which makes it energy efficient are reduced overall conductance for the walls and roof, high performance glass with low shading coefficient and optimum visual light transmittance, overhangs and vertical fins to reduce solar gains, efficient chillers, efficient lighting using T5 lamps, amply day lit common spaces with photo sensorcontrolled electric lighting, economiser and primary and secondary chilled water pumping for increased energy-efficiency. The pumps used in air conditioning system in the airport are variable speed driver which takes care of energy consumption as it has a pick up sensor which based on the heat load and number passengers automatically controls the temperature of the airport.
Although the cost of construction of green buildings is almost 20% higher than that of normal buildings, almost 30% energy saving will more than make up over a period of time.

FACED with stiff opposition from employee unions over its proposed IPO, the BSNL management is considering a radical formula. It is toying with the idea of offering shares only to government employees with a ‘considerable’ reservation for BSNL staff. If this proposal goes through, it will be the first such IPO of its kind in the country. The BSNL management plans to present this proposal to its striking union leaders soon.
BSNL is looking at a compromise formula as its plan to launch India’s biggest IPO and raise about Rs 40,000 crore (over $10 billion) by offloading a 10% stake in the company which has failed to take off. Despite the PSU’s management as well as communication minister A Raja holding talks with employees for several months, the unions have failed to relent. BSNL employees have threatened to go on an indefinite nationwide strike and cripple the operations of the company, if the UPA regime goes ahead with the listing.

Indian Current Affairs