Daily Current Affairs 29/11/2013

1. CBI court in Hyderabad awards 7-year rigorous imprisonment to extradited gangster Abu Salem in fake passport case.

2. The Eastern Province Cricket Board has honoured South Africa's Cricketer of the Century, Graeme Pollock, by naming a pavilion at the St George's Park stadium in Port Elizabeth after him.

3. Kashmiri Saffron, famous for its fine quality in the world, register an increase of 10 pc in the yield due to the National Saffron Mission scheme introduced by the Centre.

4. Syrian government and the main opposition Syrian National Coalition confirm their participation in upcoming Geneva-II peace conference.

5. Social activist Anna Hazare will observe an indefinite hunger strike for a strong Lokpal Bill at Ralegan Siddhi in Maharashtra from the 10th of next month.

6. Food Minister Prof. K V Thomas said, the government is open to negotiations and it will do whatever is possible to address the problems of sugar mill owners. 

7. Sebi to come out with new insider trading norms within 10 days, says Chairman U K Sinha.

8. Tehelka Managing Editor Shoma Chaudhury resigned, a statement posted on its website said.

9. Chinese industrial businesses saw their profits rise 15.1 percent year-on-year in October, slowing from 18.4 percent in September, official data showed.

10. The last member of Myanmar's legendary "Thirty Comrades" the group that spearheaded the struggle against British colonialism has died.

Daily Current Affairs 28/11/2013

NATO launched Cyber Defence Exercise ''Cyber Coalition 2013''

North Atlantic Treaty Organization on 26 November 2013 launched a three-day cyber defence exercise “Cyber Coalition 2013” at Estonia
.

Nepali Congress emerged as Single largest Party in Nepal Constituent Assembly elections

Nepali Congress (NC) emerged as single largest Party in the second Constituent Assembly election held on 19 November 2013.

RBI to banks: Charge customers on actual usage of SMS alerts

The RBI has directed the banks to charge customers for the transaction SMS alerts on the basis of usage, instead of imposing a fixed fee.

World champion water-skier Sarah Teelow died

Australian water skier Sarah Teelow died a day after falling off her skis during the opening moments of the high-speed, 75-mile Bridge-to-Bridge race
.

Gujarat Government set up panel to probe Snooping Scandal

Gujarat government on 26 November 2013 issued notification constituting an inquiry commission into the alleged snooping on a woman by the Gujarat police

Pakistan Launched Construction of Country's Largest Nuclear Power Project

Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on 26 November 2013 launched the construction of the country's biggest Nuclear power project.

Thailand PM declared Emergency Law for Bangkok

Thailand PM on 25 November 2013 declared a special emergency law for Bangkok after riot police and anti-government protesters scuffled in capital.

RBI decided to include Medium Manufacturing Enterprises under Priority Sector

Reserve Bank of India on 26 November 2013 allowed banks to treat loans given to medium manufacturing enterprises as priority sector advance.

Priti Patel won the Asian Trader Editor’s Award

Priti Patel, an Indian Origin British MP on 22 November 2013 has been honoured with the prestigious Asian Trader Editor’s Award.

Supreme Court Set up Committee to Deal with Sexual Harassment Complaints

SC on 26 November 2013 constituted Gender Sensitisation and Internal Complaints Committee to deal with complaints of sexual harassment.

Daily Current Affairs 27/11/2013

1. Which among the following is the largest steel producing company of the world?
[A]ArcelorMittal
[B]Nippon Steel
[C]Hebei Group
[D]Baosteel Group

ArcelorMittal
Options A, B, C and D are largest steel producers of the world respectively.

2. Which of the following correctly represents the world’s top four largest steel producing countries?
[A]China, Japan, US and India
[B]China, US, India and Japan
[C]China, US, Japan and India
[D]US, China, Japan and India

China, Japan, US and India
World’s top four steel producing countries are China, Japan, US and India.

3. Hall of Fame Vern Mikkelsen, who passed away recently, was a famous player of __?
[A]Cricket
[B]Badminton
[C]Football
[D]Basketball

Basketball
Vern Mikkelsen, was a famous Basketball player, who played all 10 of his NBA seasons with the then-Minneapolis Lakers died at 85.

4. Volocopter, world’s first green helicopter which is noiseless and emission free has been tested in which country, recently?
[A]Japan
[B]Russia
[C]Germany
[D]USA

Germany
The world’s first green helicopter which is noiseless and emission-free has been successfully tested in Germany. The two-seat prototype of the “Volocopter”, by the company e-volo, made its maiden voyage on November 17 in Karlsruhe, Germany. The Volocopter is an environmentally friendly and emission-free private helicopter.

5. Which of the following parties has emerged as the leading party in election to Nepal’s second constituent assembly?
[A]The Nepali Congress
[B]The Sadbhavna Party
[C]Nepal Majdoor Kisan Party
[D]Rastriya Prajantra Party

The Nepali Congress
The Nepali Congress emerged as the single largest party in election to Nepal’s second constituent assembly winning 105 of the 240 seats under the first-past-the-post category results which were finally declared. The Nepali congress was followed by the Communist Party of Nepal with 92 seats.

6. In Banking system, an account is designated as inoperative if it is not used for more than __ years. Fill the blank with correct option?
[A]One
[B]Three
[C]Two
[D]Four

Two
An account is designated as inoperative if it is not operated for more than two years. After it is deemed inoperative and eight years lapse without any operation other than interest credits and service charge debits, the account is shifted to an unclaimed deposit.

7. The Seventh Schedule of the Constitution of India contains the provisions regarding:
[A]Oaths and Affirmations
[B]Scheduled languages
[C]Administration of Tribal areas
[D]Union, State and Concurrent Lists

Union, State and Concurrent Lists
The seventh schedule of the constitution allocates the power and functions between union and states consist of union list, state list and concurrent list

8. The “Mount Etna”, “Mount Sinabung” and “Mount Merapi” are the active volcanoes located in which of the following countries, respectively?
[A]Italy, Russia and Indonesia
[B]Italy, Indonesia and Russia
[C]Italy, Indonesia and Indonesia
[D]Japan, Italy and Russia

Italy, Indonesia and Indonesia
Mount Etna is an active stratovolcano on the east coast of Silicy, Italy. Mount Sinabung and the Mount Merapi are the active volcanoes in Indonesia.

9. In which of following states “Melghat” and “Tadoba-Andhari” Tiger reserves are located?
[A]Odisha
[B]Bihar
[C]Maharashtra
[D]West Bengal

Maharashtra

10. With reference to the Amazon rainforest, consider the following statements:
1. It is spread across as many as nine countries in South America
2. Majority of the Amazon rainforest is in Brazil
3. It is a type of moist broadleaf forest
Which among the above statements is / are correct?
[A]1 & 2
[B]2 & 3
[C]1, 2 & 3
[D]1 & 3

1, 2 & 3
The Amazon rainforest is a moist broadleaf forest that covers most of the Amazon Basin of South America. This region includes territory belonging to nine nations. The majority of the forest is contained within Brazil, with 60% of the rain forest, followed by Peru with 13%, Colombia with 10% and with minor amounts in Venezuela, Bolivia, Ecuador, Guyana, Suriname and French Guiana.

BHANGARH(RAJASTHAN) : ONE OF THE MOST HAUNTED PLACES IN THE WORLD

ABOUT BHANGARH:

Bhangarh is a place between Jaipur and Alwar in Rajasthan state of India. Today Bhangarh is known for its ruins where nobody dares to go after dark, but is worth a visit; in fact the place is beautiful and tranquil. What remains though, is a shadow of a once beautiful kingdom.

Bhangarh in the state of Rajasthan India. Local mythology says the place is haunted, coz they have to say so. But in this case, the Archaelogical Survey of India (ASI) in charge of it warns people off the area!

The ASI is the official government body in charge across India of all the monuments and ruins.

Take a look at this ASI signboard in Bhangarh. The signboard is placed 1 Km away from the Bhangarh fort, which has been in ruins since the 17th century, when Bhangarh was deserted overnight. People do not enter the area as it is believed that if you do, you do not return.

What does the signboard say?

What does it mean----

The Government of India
The Archeological Survey of India, Bhangarh

Important warning:
1. Entering the borders of Bhangarh before sunrise and after sunset is strictly prohibited.
2. Shepherds and woodcutters who enter Bhangarh area will face legal action.
3. The Kewda or Pandanus trees found in Bhangarh area belong to the Archaelogy Survey of India. Is it forbidden to subject this tree to any kind of harm.
Note: Anyone flouting of the rules mentioned above will face legal action.
By order
Incharge, Archaelogical Survey Board

One of the stories say that the Bhangarh  was cursed by a tantrik (a wizard who practices dark arts), Singhia, who was in love with the beautiful princess Ratnawati of Bhangarh. Singhia added a love potion to a bowl of oil that belonged to the princess, but Singhia’s hopes were dashed (literally) when Ratnawati hurled the bowl on a wall that collapsed and buried Singhia.

A dying Scindia cursed the kingdom of Bhangarh saying that the city would be wiped out overnight, and would never be inhabited again, except for the temples. Shortly after the death of Singhia, the whole city was sacked and destroyed in the Bhangarh-Ajabgarh wars.

Bhangarh was built in the 17th century, by Raja Madho Singh, younger brother of Man Singh, a general of Emperor Akbar’s army. At that time, Bhangarh had a population of over 10,000. Now, not a soul lives in the ruined but still beautiful city. Bhangarh was the precursor of the exquisite old city of Jaipur, with its havelis, colorful bazaars, and temples.

Havelis are elaborate residences, almost miniature palaces, built around large courtyards. The walls are painted in bright colors with detailed frescoes. If the old city of Jaipur is anything to go by, Bhangarh must have been an extremely prosperous city. Today nothing remains but the temples

One is a dusty village and the other a ruined city; both are less than 10 km from the super-luxury resort Amanbagh, hidden deep in Alwar district. Book yourself into the delicious resort and then go tramping around these beautiful but dusty relics of princely Rajasthan. Ajabgarh, meaning ‘place of mysteries’, is an appropriately ghostly village, dotted with abandoned old houses where you’ll find the odd, stunningly carved window frame of picturesquely decorated doorstep. Prepare to be startled by the scale and beauty of Bhangarh – the abandoned city’s marketplace areas, temples and gardens are in surprisingly good repair as well. Legend goes that the city was abandoned after it was cursed by a holy man. It’s perfectly serene; you’ll have only stray dogs and ancient temple-keepers for company.

Passing by Bhangarh, banyans and temples dot the landscape and one chhatri can be seen up on the hill. The most remarkable are the temples of Gopinath, Shiva (Someshwar), Mangla Devi and Keshava Rai. Other more or less preserved buildings are e.g. shops along the main road, several havelis, a mosque, and a palace. The palace was protected by two inner fortifications across the valley. The town is separated from the plain by ramparts with five gates. Bhangarh is also a pre-historic site.

This town was established in 1573 (VS 1631) during the rule of Raja Bhagwant Das and it became the residence of his second son Madho Singh. Madho Singh was younger brother of Emperor Akbar’s General Man Singh I of Amber. Madho Singh participated in many campaigns with his father and brother. The next ruler of Bhangarh was his son Chhatr Singh. Bhangarh slowly declined after Chhatr Singh's violent death in 1630. Near Ajabgarh was founded by Ajab Singh, the son of Chhatr Singh. When Mughal Empire became weaker after the death of Aurangzeb, Jai Singh II attached Bhangarh to his state by force in 1720. After this Bhangarh diminished in population, and when the famine of 1783 (VS 1840) fell on the land the town was abandoned, and has remained a ruin ever since.

Today Current Affairs 26/11/2013

1. President Pranab Mukherjee called for modernizing coir industry as it provides employment to large number of women in coastal areas.

2. Cheteshwar Pujara retained his sixth position to be the highest-placed Indian batsman, while Virat Kohli also maintained his 20th spot in the in the latest ICC Test rankings issued.

3. The Reserve Bank said it will launch CPI-indexed bonds aimed at protecting the savings of retail investors from the impact of price rise by the end of next month.

4. The RBI said about USD 25 billion has been received from special concessional swap windows for deposits by NRI and overseas foreign currency borrowings by banks.

5. The State Bank of India (SBI) said it has constituted an internal panel comprising two Managing Directors to probe the corruption charge against its Deputy MD Shyamal Acharya, who has been asked to go on leave a day after his residence was raided by CBI.

6. Arjan Vekaria, President of Hindu Forum of Britain, has died, the organisation has said.

7. RJD Chief Lalu Prasad, who is undergoing a five-year jail term after being convicted in a fodder scam case, moved his bail plea before the Supreme Court which will hear the matter on November 29.

8. The crust of Antarctica, the earth’s southernmost continent of which 95 per cent is covered with thick ice, is similar to that of south India and Mozambique, which indicates that the three were joined together in the past, researchers have found.

9. Mexico will award its 2013 International Prize for Equality and Non-Discrimination to Malala Yousafzai, the Pakistani teenager shot by the Taliban for championing girls' rights to education.

10. Sebastian Vettel won Formula One’s season-ending Brazilian Grand Prix, matching Michael Schumacher’s record of 13 victories in a year and equalling the nine consecutive wins of Alberto Ascari.

Daily Current Affairs 25/11/2013

International Day for Elimination of Violence against Women observed on 25 November

 25-NOV-2013

International Day for Elimination of Violence against Women is observed on 25 November 2013 across world to raise awareness about violence against women.

Loya Jirga gave consent on Afghan-US Bilateral Security Agreement

25-NOV-2013

Afghanistan's Loya Jirga on 24 November 2013 gave its consent on the issue of signing the Afghan-US Bilateral Security Agreement.

COP-19, UN Climate Change Conference 2013 Concluded at Warsaw, Poland

25-NOV-2013

COP-19, UN Climate Change Conference concluded in Warsaw, Poland on 23 November 2013 by approving the new global treaty.

Iran and P5+1 Group of Nations clinched Nuclear Deal

25-NOV-2013

Iran and P5+1 group of Nations reached a breakthrough deal on 24 November 2013 to curb Iran's nuclear programme in exchange for limited sanctions relief.

National Lok Adalat settled over 28 Lakh cases pending in Courts across the Country

 24-NOV-2013

National Lok Adalat organised throughout the country on 23 November 2013 settled a record 28.26 lakh cases pending in various courts.

Daily Current Affairs-24/11/2013

Q1. Who won this year Nobel Prize for Physics ?
Answer: Peter.W.Higgs and Francois Englert

Q2. Who won the 'Leo Szilard Lecturship Award' by American Physical Society?
Answer: Dr.R.Rajaraman

Q3. Who won this year Nobel Prize for Economics ?
Answer : Eugene Fama, Lars Peter Hansen and Robert.J.Shiller

Q4. Which Organisation won this year Nobel Prize for Peace ?
Answer: OPCW

Q5. Who is selected for this year Indira Gandhi Award for National Integration ?
Answer: M.S.Swaminathan

Q6. Who won this year's Sakharov Human Right Prize?
Answer: Malala Yousafazai

Q7. Who won this year Nobel Prize for Chemistry ?
Answer: Michael Levitt, Martin karplus and Arieh Warshel

Q8. Which Indian was awarded with the Deutsche Bank Prize for Financial Economics 2013 ?
Answer: Raghuram.G.Rajan

Q9. Who won the Multimedia Award at the Miss World 2013 held in Bali,Indonesia?
Answer: Navneet Kumar Dhillon

Q10. Who won this year Nobel Prize for Literature ?
Answer: Alice Munro

Some Important Award.

National Sports Awards:2013
Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award: Mr. Ronjon Sodhi: Shooting

Arjuna Awards:

1. Ms. Chekrovolu Swuro - Archery
2.Mr. Ranjith Maheshwari - Athletics
3.Ms. P.V. Sindhu - Badminton
4. Ms. Kavita Chahal - Boxing
5. Mr. Rupesh Shah - Billiards & Snooker
6. Mr. Virat Kohli - Cricket
7. Mr. Abhijeet Gupta - Chess
8. Mr. Gagan Jeet Bhullar - Golf
9. Ms. Saba Anjum - Hockey
10. Ms. Rajkumari Rathore - Shooting
11. Ms. Joshna Chinnappa - Squash
12. Ms. Mouma Das - Table Tennis
13. Ms. Neha Rathi - Wrestling
14. Mr. Dharmender Dalal - Wrestling
15. Mr. Amit Kumar Saroha - Athletics (Para)

Dronacharya Awards for 2013:

1. Ms. Poornima Mahato : Archery
2. Mr. Mahavir Singh : Boxing
3. Mr. Narinder Singh Saini : Hockey
4. Mr. K.P. Thomas: Athletics
5. Mr. Raj Singh: Wrestling*

Dhyan Chand Awards (Lifetime contribution in coaching)

1. Ms. Mary D’souza Sequeira: Athletics
2. Mr. Syed Ali: Hockey
3. Mr. Anil Mann: Wrestling
4. Mr. Girraj Singh: Para Sports (Athletics)

                                 

            Colosseum, Rome

      The Colosseum is probably the most famous landmark in Rome. Built in the 1st century AD, this great arena could seat 45,000 spectators and was the largest Roman amphitheater in the world.

It hosted gladiatorial combats, spectacles with wild beasts and possibly the execution of early Christians. Throughout the Middle Ages, the Colosseum was believed to be a place of martyrdom and was therefore regarded as a sacred place.

                                                    

      History:

Construction on the Colosseum began under Emperor Vespasian (69-79) and was completed under his son Titus (79-81) in 80 AD. It was built on the site of an artificial lake created by Nero in this valley between Rome's many hills, in front of his Domus Aurea palace.

The arena was then known as the Flavian Amphitheatre, after the family name of the emperors who built it. The name "Colosseum" was not used until 7th century, and derives from the colossal statue of Nero that once stood here. After Nero's death, the statue was transformed into a representation of Helios, the sun god. It remained standing until the Middle Ages, when it was probably melted down for its bronze.

The amphitheatre was used for gladiatorial combats, mock sea battles, animal hunts, executions, re-enactments of famous battles, and dramas based on Classical mythology. The inaugural festival of the Flavian Amphitheatre, which was the largest amphitheatre in the world, lasted 100 days, during which over 5,000 wild beasts were killed in the arena.

The arena was restored in about 230 AD by Emperor Alexander Severus (222-35). The statistics of those who met their deaths at the Colosseum during another festival, held in 240 AD, are staggering: 2,000 gladiators; 70 lions; 40 wild horses; 30 elephants; 30 leopards; 20 wild asses; 19 giraffes; 10 elks; 10 hyenas; 10 tigers; 1 hippopotamus; and 1 rhinoceros.

The Flavian Amphitheatre was damaged by fire and earthquake several times but was continually restored until the end of the 5th century. Gladiatorial combats were outlawed by the Christian emperor Honorius in 407 and fights with wild beasts were banned in 523. After this, the arena went out of use.

According to the bishop and church historian Theodoret, Honorius was moved to ban the bloody spectacle of the gladiators because of a simple monk named Telmachus:

Telemachus is the only Colosseum martyr of whom there is any evidence. The long-held belief that scores of Christians met their deaths here in the 1st to 3rd centuries has no evidence to support it and may only be a legend.

However, it is perfectly possible there were martyrdoms here, since Christians are known to have been executed in other Roman amphitheatres, such as the one at Lyon and in the Circus of Nero on Vatican Hill (see St. Peter's Basilica).

The belief that Christians were martyred here was a fairly early one, as reflected by the response of Pope Gregory the Great (590-604) to the Byzantine emperor's request for some Roman relics: among the relics given was a bag of sand from the Colosseum floor.

The Colosseum fell into disrepair shortly after its closure in 523. In 526, the barbarian Totila and his forces destroyed parts of it in order to take the valuable bronze clamps that held the stones together. After that, Romans freely helped themselves to the great arena's stones in order to build their houses.

In this period the Colosseum was also used as a Christian burial ground. Early Christian tombs have been found in three areas around the amphitheatre: in the foundations on the north and east sides and on the exterior ground near the present entrance.

In the Middle Ages, the Colosseum was situated on the most important pilgrim route in Rome, which led from St. Peter's to the Lateran, and a small suburb grew up around it. In this period the great arena was thought to be a Roman temple to the Sun because of the Colossus statue of Nero-turned-Helios that stood next to it.

In the 13th century, the Colosseum was fortified and occupied by the Frangipani family and the suburb around it became a prosperous area of Rome. However, the area later fell prey to malaria and was abandoned.

Looting of the stone continued on-and-off until the 18th century, when Pope Benedict XIV (1740-58) declared the Colosseum sanctified by the blood of early Christian martyrs and added Stations of the Cross to the arena. After this it was restored and excavated, a work that continues to the present day.

Romantic travelers of the 18th and 19th centuries were smitten with the great ruin of the Colosseum. Among these were Charles Dickens, who wrote in 1846:

                                                                         

What to See:

                                                 The exterior of the Roman Colosseum is made entirely of travertine, stretching 527 m around and four stories high. The arches of the second and third stories were originally filled with statues. There were 80 entrances, with the two principal ones reserved for the emperor and his entourage.

The interior is made of brick, tufa and marble; little of the marble survives today. The central area, the arena, was covered with a great wooden floor and canvas to make it waterproof. Over this was a layer of sand to absorb blood - in fact "arena" derives from the Latin word for sand. The floor is now exposed down to its underground passages, where beasts and gladiators awaited their fate, and crossed by a modern walkway.

The arena was surrounded by a 5m-high wall to protect spectators from attacks by wild beasts. At the top of the wall was the podium, on which the imperial party and other VIPs had their seats.

Near the site of the imperial box is a cross, which replaces an earlier one set up to commemorate the Christians who were believed to have been martyred here.

Above this was the cavea, or seating area. This was divided into three tiers: the lowest for knights; the middle for wealthy citizens; and the top for the general population. In total the Colosseum could hold up to 45,000 spectators.

The base of the Colossus statue of Nero, after which the amphitheatre is named, can be seen between the Colosseum and the nearby Temple of Venus and Roma.

Festivals and Events:

                                                                        The Pope leads a torchlit "Way of the Cross" procession to the Colosseum on Good Friday.