CURRENT AFFAIRS 2008

Annual Statement on Monetary Policy for the Year 2008-09:

RBI Governor presented the First Quarter Review of Annual Statement on Monetary Policy for the Year 2008-09 on 29th July, 2008. The highlights of the policy are; Bank Rate kept unchanged, Reverse Repo Rate under LAF kept unchanged, Repo Rate increased by 50 basis points from 8.5 per cent to 9.00 per cent, Cash Reserve Ratio to be increased by 25 basis points to 9.0 per cent with effect from the fortnight beginning August 30, 2008. GDP growth projection for 2008-09 revised from the range of 8.0-8.5 per cent to around. While the policy actions would aim to bring down the current intolerable level of inflation to a tolerable level of below 5.0 per cent as soon as possible and around 3.0 per cent over the medium-term, at this juncture a realistic policy endeavour would be to bring down inflation from the current level of about 11.0-12.0 per cent to a level close to 7.0 per cent by March 31, 2009.

Dada Saheb Phalke Award for the year 2006:

Directorate of Film Festivals of India (DFFI) announced the name of Bengali Director Tapan Sinha for the prestigious Dada Saheb Phalke Award for the year 2006. Shri Tapan Sinha aged 84 years received 19 National Film Awards so far. Recently he received “One Time Award for Life Time Achievement” on the occasion of 60 years of Independence.

Shri Ram Bharan Yadav is the first President of Nepal:

Indian origin Shri Ram Bharan Yadav has been elected as the first President of Nepal. He won 308 votes of 590 votes in parliament. His rival Ramaraj Prasad supported by Maoist Party has got 282 votes. Four members who are supporters of former King Gnanendra abstained from polling. Shri Ram Bharan Yadav is the leader of Nepali Congress and supported by CPN-UML and MPRF.

UPA Chairperson Mrs. Sonia Gandhi inaugurated the largest port in India:

Mrs. Sonia Gandhi, Chairperson of UPA, inaugurated the largest port in India at Krishna Patnam Village, in Potti Sri Ramulu Nellore District, Andhra Pradesh. The port will have the capacity of 125 million tons of goods after completion three phases of construction.

Ministry of defence proposes Kirti Chakra for Kabul embassy martyrs:

Ministry of defence has recommended Kirti Chakra, the second highest peace time gallantry award, for four victims of a suicide attack on the Indian embassy in Kabul on July 7. Brigadier R.D. Mehta, Indian Foreign Service Officer Mr. V.Venkateswara Rao, Indo Tibetan Border Police Personnel Mr. Roop Singh and Mr. Ajai Prathania are the names selected for the top honour. Shri V. Venkateswara Rao would be the first IFS officer to be decorated with the honour of bravery. There have been instances when some civilians and Jammu and Kashmir Policemen have been honoured with the Chakra for exceptional courage. Foreign secretary Shiva Kumar Menon had described the deceased as “martyrs” whose contributions could not be ignored.

55th Film Fare Awards announced for the 2007:

“Parutthi Veeran” has been selected as the “Best Tamil Movie” and “Happy Days” as the “Best Telugu Movie”. The Best Tamil Movie “Parutthi Veran” has got six awards. Telugu Best Movie "Happy Days" has also got six awards. Mr. Sivakumar and Telugu actress Jaya Prada (M.P.) have been honored with life time achievement awards.

Miss Dayana Mendoza crowned as Miss Universe 2008:
Miss Dayana Mendoza of Venezula crowned as Miss Unverse by last year’s Miss Universe Rio Morry, at Convention Center - Diamond Bay NhaTrang City in Vietnam. 22 years of Miss Dayana Mendoza is selected among the 80 contestants from various countries. Miss Columbia Taliana Vargas was the first runner up followed by Miss Dominican Republic Marianne Cruz second runner up, Russia Vera Krasova third runner up and Miss Mexico Elisa Najera fourth runner up. Miss India Simron Kour disappointed the Indians. Miss Venezuela answered for a question, “Men always go to the straight point while women choose another way. Women should do like man do as some are not daring to express their thoughts for many reasons”.

UAA Dhirubhai Ambani award to Prof Robert H Grubs:

Nobel laureate Professor Robert H Grubbs was awarded the prestigious UAA Dhirubhai Ambani Lifetime Achievement Award by Reliance Industries Executive Director Nikhil R Meswani, at the University Institute of Chemical technology. Professor Grubbs is the Victor and Elizabeth Atkins professor of Chemistry at California Institute of Technology, USA. More

Booker Prize for Salman Rashdi’s “Midnights Children”:

Salman Rashdi’s writing “Midnights Children” was selected by SMS voters for prestigious “Best of the Booker” prize. 7801 readers participated in the voting. 36% voters voted for “Midnights Children”. Mr. Salman Rashdi had already won the Booker Prize in 1993.

Jampa Lahiri won the Franc Ocaner Prize:

Indian origin American Author Ms. Jampa Lahiri won the prestigious Franc Ocaner Prize for her writing “Un accustom Earth”. It is the highest prize for small stories. She will be awarded 27000 pounds (Rs.2.31 Lakhs). Her writing was unanimously elected for prize.

Left parties withdrawn support to UPA Government:

As the Prime Minister, Man Mohan Sing attended G8 Summit at Tokyo, Left parties withdrawn support to UPA Government. They oppose the nuclear agreement. Mr. Man Mohan has expressed to win the confidence of the Lok Saba. The Congress Party has only 153 members in Lok Sabha and his group UPA has 226 members. The required strength is 272. The UPA is consulting the small parties for their support.

Gulam Nabi Ajad, Chief Minister of Jammu & Kashmir resigned:

Mr. Gulam Nabi Azad handed over his resignation letter to the Governor at Raj Bhavan on 7th July, 2008 as he had no hopes winning the majority in assembly, consequently withdrawing the support by P.D.P. Mr. Narendra Nath Vohra, Governor of Jammu & Kashmir requested the chief minister to continue until the new C.M. is elected. As the no other party has sufficient majority in the assembly, president’s rule may be imposed in Jammu & Kashmir.

India failed to chase Asia Cup 2008:

Sri Lanka won the Asia Cup fourth time by lead of 100 runs on India. First batted Sri Lanka scored 273 in 49.5 over loosing all wickets. Sanat Jaya Scored 125 in 114 deliveries (9X4, 5X6). Later India failed to chase the target and scored 173 in 39.3 over loosing all wickets. Sehwag 60 and Dhoni 49 are the highest scores of India. Mr. Ajanta Mendis (8-1-13-16) shown the ever time performance in the history of Asia Cup.

Nadal clinches first Wimbledon title (2008):

Nadal bagged the first Wimbledon title with his victory 6-4, 6-4, 6-7 (3-7), 6-7 (8-10), 9-7 on Roger Federer(Switzerland). Nadal was the first man of Spain to win the Wimbledon title after 1966 and also he was the first man to win both French and Wimbledon titles in one calendar year. He checked the Federer from creating record of winning six Wimbledon Titles successively.
Vinus Williums wins Wimbledon (Women) Title 2008: Vinus Williams (U.S.A) bagged the Wimbledon (Women) Title 2008 by defeating her sister Serena (7-5, 6-4). Serena (U.S.A.) defeated Vinus Williams in the last year final. It is the fifth Wimbledon Title for Vinus Williams (28years). Ms. Martina Navrati lova (Check/America) was the winner of highest number of Wimbledon Titles (Women) (9). Helen wills Moodi was the winner of second highest number of Wimbledon Titles (8).

One Time Life Time Awards Announced by the Central Government of India:

To commemorate the 60th Anniversary of India’s Independence, the Government of India has decided to confer the ” One Time Award for Life Time Achievement ” to four eminent film personalities - Dilip Kumar(Actor), Tapan Sinha(Director), Lata Mangeshkar(Singer) and Saroja Devi(Actress).
Three new earth like planets were discovered: European scientists discovered three earth like planets and they were named “Super Earth”. They are 4.2, 6.7 and 9.4 times bigger than the earth.

Nepal former King Gyanendra quits Narayanahithi:

Former King of Nepal Shri Gyanendra vacated official Raj Bhavan Narayathi Hithi and shifted to Nagarjuna Palace. It was effect of the decision taken by the newly elected united government headed by Grija Prasad Koirala, Prime Minister of Nepal. The new government has ended the Nepal’s 239-year-old monarchy.

Narendra Nath Vohra has been appointed as the Governor of Jammu & Kashmir:

Ex Secretary of Central Home Department and senior IAS officer Shri Narendra Nath Vohra has been appointed as the Governor of Jammu & Kashmir replacing Lt. Gen. (Retd.) S. K. Sinha, PVSM.
Rafael Nadal wins French Men's Title fourth time: Rafael Nadal crushed Roger Federer in French Open Men’s Final on 9th May, 2008 by winning 6-1, 6-3, 6-0 on red clay court. It is the fourth time for Rafael Nadal to win French Men’s Title. Unfortunately Roger Federer was the rival for third time (2006, 07 and 08). Rafael Nadal won it for the first time against Mariano Puerta in 2005.

Serbia's Ana Ivanovic bagged her first grand slam:

Serbia's Ana Ivanovic bagged her first grand slam by beating Russian 13th seed Dinara Safina 6-4, 6-3 in the French Open final on 7th June, 2008. The 20-year-old second seed became the first woman representing Serbia to win a major title.
Mr. Yadurappa elected as the Chief Minister of the first B.J.P. Government in south India : Mr. Yadurappa elected as the leader of the first B.J.P. Government in south India by winning 110 seats of total 224 seats in Karnataka Legislative Assembly. He is supported by six Independent members to show the majority. Mr. Yadurappa sworn in as chief minister of Karnata at 1.50 p.m. on 30th May, 2008.

New Scheme “Yashoda” launched:

With the inspiration of Yashoda in Mahabharata who cared and brought up lord Krishna, the Central Government with the help of Norway (Norway India Partnership Initiative (NIPI)) has launched “Yashoda Scheme” at Sambalpur for the first time in country. NIPI wouldl contribute Rs.1.5 core for Orissa for implementation of the scheme. The Scheme was launched in the country after the success of 'Janani Surakshya Yojana with an objective to bring a change in the post natal care. NIPI Director and former union Health Secretary P K Hota informed about the scheme. Under the schemes the ''Yoshodas'' would be recruited to look after the ''Bal Krishnas'' on a monthly honorium of Rs 3000. Yashodas'' would stay in hospitals for 48 hours and take care of the new born children. The 'Yashodas' would also look after the mothers of the new born children. Jharsuguda and Angul will be covered under the scheme very shortly.

Prithvi Successfully launched :

On 24th May, 2008 India successfully launched : Prithvi Successfully launched: On 24th May, 2008 India successfully launched Prithvi Missile Chandipur Integrated Test Range in Orissa. It can chase the targets in range of 150 to 250 kilometers by carrying payloads of one ton. Prithvi was developed with sole technology of D.R.D.O. Liquid fuel is used in Prithvi and also can be used with solid fuels. It can be easily transported by vehicles to the borders.