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BBC banned for five years from filming in Tiger reserves

BBC banned for five years from filming in Tiger reserves The National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) in last week of February 2017 banned British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) from filming in all Indian tiger reserves for five years. It also imposed a ban on BBC’s journalist Justin Rowlatt for the same period.   As per a report published in a national daily, the ban was imposed on the network after BBC via a documentary, One World: Killing for Conservation, questioned India’s aggressive policy and protection measures to protect endangered rhinos at Kaziranga national park in Assam. Issuing the ban on the network, NTCA directed all chief wildlife wardens of all tiger range states of India as well as field directors of tiger reserves to disallow filming permission to BBC for five years. NTCA that governs all tiger reserves of India. One-Horned Great Indian Rhinoceros Population Increased in Kaziranga Despite Poaching: Census The documentary shot by Justin Rowlatt came into criticism from the union environment ministry for being wrong. Through the documentary, Rowlatt claimed that forest guards in Kaziranga were given powers to shoot and kill anyone they think was a threat to rhinos. Through the documentary, the maker of the documentary said, this shoot-at-sight policy led to the killing of some 23 people by forest guards. The documentary was aired on 11 February 2017. Later on 14 February 2017, the NTCA issued a notice to BBC against airing the programme without any approval. It also threatened the network to cancel all future permits to BBC, if it fails to remove the documentary from different online portals with immediate effect. NTCA via a memorandum issued on 27 February 2017 said BBC had failed to submit the documentary to Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) and Ministry of External Affairs for mandatory previewing. It would have helped the ministries to remove the deviations and achieve a balanced and accurate exposition of the theme. Poachers killed a Rhino in Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary of Assam Kaziranga National Park Kaziranga National Park is a national park in the Golaghat and Nagaon districts of Assam. The sanctuary, a World Heritage Site, is a house of two-thirds of the world's great one-horned rhinoceroses. At present, the national park is a house of around 2400 one-horned rhinos. Besides, Kaziranga is also a home to the highest density of tigers among protecting areas in the world. It was declared as a Tiger Reserve in 2006. It also houses several species like elephants, swamp deer and wild water buffalo among others. The park was established in 1905 as a reserve forest. Click below to see the complete story

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Manchester United beat Southampton to win 2016-17

Manchester United beat Southampton to win 2016-17 EFL Cup Manchester United on 26 February 2017 defeated Southampton 3-2 to grab the 2016–17 EFL Cup. The final match was played in London, United Kingdom. Manchester United’s star striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic scored twice, including an 87th-minute winner, to lock the win of the club. It is fifth League Cup for the Manchester United. About Manchester United • Manchester United Football Club is a professional football club. • It is based in Old Trafford, Greater Manchester, England. • The club competes in the Premier League, the top flight of English football. • The club is nicknamed as "the Red Devils." • The club was founded as Newton Heath LYR Football Club in 1878. In 1902, its name was changed to Manchester United. • The club has won a record 20 League Titles, a joint-record 12 FA Cups, five League Cups and a record 21 FA Community Shields. • It has also won three European Cups, one UEFA Cup Winners' Cup, one UEFA Super Cup, one Intercontinental Cup and one FIFA Club World Cup. • In 1998–99, it became the first football club in the history of English football to achieve the treble of the Premier League, the FA Cup and the UEFA Champions League. • For 2015-16, the club was the highest-earning football club in the world, with annual revenue of 689 million euro. About EFL Cup • The EFL Cup is also known as the League Cup. • It is an annual knockout football competition in men's domestic English football. • It is organised by the English Football League (EFL). • The competition is open to any club within the top four levels of the English football league system. • The competition was first held in 1960–61 as the Football League Cup. • It is one of the three top domestic football competitions in England, alongside the Premier League and FA Cup. • Manchester City was the winner of the 2016 League Cup.

Khursheed A Ganai appointed as the Chief Information Commissioner of Jammu and Kashmir

Khursheed A Ganai appointed as the Chief Information Commissioner of Jammu and Kashmir Retired IAS officer Khursheed A Ganai was appointed as the Chief Information Commissioner (CIC) of Jammu and Kashmir on 27 February 2017. His appointment will take effect from the date he assumes charge of the post. Ganai’s appointment to the post was approved by the State Governor NN Vohra in the exercise of the powers vested in him under Section 12(3) of the Jammu and Kashmir Right to Information Act, 2009 (Act No. VIII of 2009). His name was recommended to the governor on 21 February 2017 by a selection panel headed by the Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti. Other members of the panel were former Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and Deputy Chief Minister Dr Nirmal Singh. Ganai succeeds GR Sufi, who retired as CIC of the state on 29 February 2016. The state’s information commission had been non-functional since November 2016 after the retirement of its two information commissioners. The two Information Commissioner were Dr SK Sharma and Nazir Ahmed and they retired from the office in October 2015 and November 2016, respectively. Jammu and Kashmir Information Commission The State’s Information Commission was set up by the state government under the provisions of Jammu and Kashmir Right to Information Act, 2009. The commission was established in February 2011 as a three-member commission. About Khursheed A Ganai • He in an IAS officer of 1982 batch. • In February 2016, he was appointed as Advisor to State Governor when Governor Rule was imposed in the state following the death of then Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed. • Earlier, Ganai has held several positions in the state as well as the central bureaucracy like home affairs and Information & Broadcasting.

Gopal Baglay appointed as new spokesperson of MEA Gopal Baglay

Gopal Baglay appointed as new spokesperson of MEA Gopal Baglay, a senior diplomat was appointed as the new spokesperson of the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on 27 February 2017.  He will be succeeding Vikas Swarup, who was appointed as India’s new High Commissioner to Canada. Commenting on his appointment Baglay stated that he was delighted to take over his new role and hoped to have full support and cooperation in continuing the high traditions set by his predecessors.  Aside from holding the position of the spokesperson of MEA, Baglay would also be serving as the Joint Secretary of External publicity. Khursheed A Ganai appointed as the Chief Information Commissioner of Jammu and Kashmir About Gopal Baglay • He joined the Indian Foreign Service in 1992. • He has previously held several key positions including that of Director, Joint Secretary, Director PAI and Indian Deputy High Commissioner to Pakistan. • He served as the Deputy High Commissioner to Islamabad from 2011 to 2014. • He also served as the Joint Secretary (states) from October 2014 to December 2015 and was given the responsibility of creating a separate department in the ministry to facilitate international outreach of the Indian states. • Since 2015, he was handling the sensitive division of Pakistan-Afghanistan-Iran in the MEA. The division will now be led by Deepak Mittal.

Andaman’s Radhanagar beach featured in top 10 beaches of World TripAdvisor

Andaman’s Radhanagar beach featured in top 10 beaches of World TripAdvisor, an American travel website, in February 2017 ranked Radhanagar beach of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands among top 10 beaches in the world. The beach on the Havelock Island in the Andamans has secured the 8th position in the world in TripAdvisor's 'World's Travellers' Choice Award-Winning Beaches' In addition, the Radhanagar beach has notched the top position in TripAdvisor's list of the top spot in Asia.TripAdvisor has honoured 343 beaches, including the top 25 in the world. Winners were determined based on the quantity and quality of traveller reviews and ratings for beaches on TripAdvisor, gathered over a 12-month period. The Baia do Sancho Fernando de Noronha in Brazil topped the list and was followed by Grace Bay Providenciales in Turks and Caicos, Eagle Beach in Aruba. Top 10 beaches in the world ranked by TripAdvisor are • Baia do Sancho: Fernando de Noronha, Brazil • Grace Bay: Providenciales, Turks and Caicos • Eagle Beach: Palm - Eagle Beach, Aruba • Playa Paraiso: Cayo Largo, Cuba • Siesta Beach: Siesta Key, Florida • La Concha Beach: San Sebastian - Donostia, Spain • Playa Norte: Isla Mujeres • Radhanagar Beach: Havelock Island, Andaman and Nicobar Islands • Elafonissi Beach: Elafonissi, Greece • Galapagos Beach at Tortuga Bay: Puerto Ayora, Ecuador Besides, the TripAdvisor has also released the list of the top beaches in Asia. The list features two Indian beaches among the top five Asia list and they are Radhanagar (No 1) and Agonda Beach in Goa (No 5). Top 5 beaches in Asia are • Radhanagar Beach: Havelock Island, Andaman and Nicobar Island • White Beach: Boracay, Aklan Province • Ngapali Beach: Ngapali, Myanmar • Nai Harn Beach: Rawai, Thailand • Agonda Beach: Agonda, India Radhanagar Beach Radhanagar beach is situated 12 km from Havelock's ferry pier. Also known as Number 7 Beach, the Radhanagar beach is located on the western coast and was named as the Best Beach in Asia by Time in 2004. The beach with fine white sand, turquoise blue waters and more is not a huge island with an overall length of 2kilometers and with of 30 to 40 meter

Former Union Minister P. Shiv Shankar passes away

Former Union Minister P. Shiv Shankar passes away Former Union Minister P. Shiv Shankar passed away on 27 February 2017 after a prolonged illness. He was 87. In his political career spanning over three decades, P. Shiv Shankar served as External Affairs and Human Resource Development Minister. About P. Shiv Shankar • Born on 10 August 1929, P. Shiv Shankar obtained his bachelor’s degree from Hindu College, Amritsar. He earned a degree in LL.B. Law College, Osmania University, Hyderabad. • In 1979, he was elected to 6th Lok Sabha from Secunderabad. He was elected again from the same constituency in 1980. • In 1980, he was made Union Minister of Law and Justice. • In 1985, he was elected to Rajya Sabha from Gujarat. He remained in Rajya Sabha till 1993 for two terms. He was made Union Minister of External Affairs and Minister of Human Resource Development during these terms. • From 1987 to 1988, he served as the Deputy Chairman of Planning Commission. • From 1988 to 1989, he became Leader of the House in Rajya Sabha. • He served as the Governor of Sikkim from 21 September 1994 to 11 November 1995. • He also served as the Governor of Kerala from 1995 to 1996.

Bihar government presented Rs 1.60 lakh crore budget Abdul Bari Siddiqui

Bihar government presented Rs 1.60 lakh crore budget Abdul Bari Siddiqui, the finance minister of Bihar, on 27 February 2017 presented the annual state budget of 2017-18 in the legislative assembly. The size of the budget for the fiscal year 2017-18 is Rs 160085 lakh crore. The state government has not introduced any fresh tax. The budget expenditure for 2017-18 is around Rs 15389 crore more than the running 2016-17 budget estimate of Rs 144696.27 crore. While presenting the budget, Siddiqui said no fresh tax was imposed in the budget as the GST will be introduced from July 2017. Gujarat State Budget for FY 2017-18 presented Highlights of the budget • Maximum allocation of budget has been made to Education department followed by Rural Development and Rural works department. • The budget proposes to open three universities in the fiscal year 2017-18. The three universities will be named as Purnia University, Pataliputra University and Munger University. • Bihar budget 2017-18 has an emphasis on Chief Minister Nitish Kumar's 'Saat Nischay' (seven resolves). An adequate allocation was made in respective to departments to which the seven resolves schemes are linked. Jharkhand annual state Budget 2017-18 presented Highlights of major allocations in the 2017-18 Bihar budget • Education: Rs 25251.39 crore • Energy: Rs 10905.03 crore • Health: Rs 7001.52 crore • Road and Infrastructure: Rs 6635 crore The budgetary allocation for education was increased by Rs 3354 crore. In the fiscal year 2016-17, the education department was allocated Rs 21897.02 crore. On the other hand, the allocation for energy was reduced by Rs 3462.81 crore. In fiscal 2016-17, the department was allocated a budget of Rs 14367.84 crore. Jammu and Kashmir State Budget 2017-18 presented At the same time, the allocation in the field of health was also reduced by 1233.18 crores. In the fiscal year 2016-17, health department’s allocation was Rs 8234.70 crore. The revenue receipts of the state were estimated at Rs 137158.41 crore in 2017-18, which is Rs 12568.17 crore more than Rs 124590.24 crore for 2016-17. Revenue receipts include state’s share in central taxes along with state’s own tax and non-tax revenue. Get the complete Bihar Budget 2017-18 in pdf format

Kohli named captain of the year at ESPNcricinfo awards

Kohli named captain of the year at ESPNcricinfo awards Indian national cricket team captain, Virat Kohli was named the ‘Captain of the Year’ at the 10th annual ESPN cricinfo awards. The winners were decided by an independent jury comprising some of the world renowned former cricketers including Ian Chappell, Aakash Chopra, Mahela Jayawardene, Iain O'Brien, Courtney Walsh, Ramiz Raja and the Editor-in-chief, Assistant editor and senior correspondents of ESPNcricinfo. Oscar Awards 2017: La La Land won maximum awards While Kohli won the esteemed title for his impressive tally of leading India to nine wins from a total of 12 tests, England’s Ben Stokes won the title of ‘Test Batting Performance of the Year’ for his incredible innings of 258 runs off 198 balls against South Africa in Cape Town. Another English player, Stuart Broad was honoured with the ‘Test Bowling Performance of the Year’ award for the second year in a row for taking 6 wickets and giving away just 17 runs in England’s third test against South Africa in Johannesburg. Further, the ‘Debutant of the Year’ title very deservingly went to Mehedi Hasan Miraz, a young Bangladeshi bowler who took 19 wickets in just two test matches against England. Following is the full list of winners: Award Winner Test batting winner Ben Stokes Test bowling winner Stuart Broad ODI batting winner Quinton de Kock ODI bowling winner Sunil Narine T20I batting winner Carlos Brathwaite T20I bowling winner Mustafizur Rahman Captain of the year Virat Kohli Debutant of the year Mehedi Hasan Associate batting winner Mohammad Shahzad Associate bowling winner Mohammad Nabi Women's batting winner Hayley Matthews Women's bowling winner Leigh Kasperek

Mayan Jade pendant with unique inscription found in Belize

Mayan Jade pendant with unique inscription found in Belize A group of scientists unearthed a large piece of carved jade pendant inscribed with a historical text describing its first owner. The pendant once belonged to an ancient Maya king. The T-shaped pendant is remarkable for being the second largest Mayan jade found in Belize to date. The jewel, a jade pendant worn on a king’s chest during key religious ceremonies, was first discovered in the year 2015 in Nim Li Punit in southern Belize. Key highlights • The pendant measures 7.4 inches in width, 4.1 inches in height and 0.3 inches in thickness. • The pendant is the only one known to be inscribed with a historical text. • On the back of the pendant, 30 hieroglyphs about its first owner are carved. • The front of the pendant is carved with a T. It is the Mayan glyph “ik” which stands for “wind and breath.” • The pendant was buried in a T-shaped platform. • A vessel with a beaked face, probably a Maya god of wind, was also unearthed with the pendant. Researchers estimated that the pendant was buried as a dedication to the wind god.  About Maya Civilization • The Maya civilization was a Mesoamerican civilization developed by the Maya peoples. • The civilization is noted for its hieroglyphic script, which is the only known fully developed writing system of the pre-Columbian Americas. • The civilization is also known for its art, architecture, mathematics, calendar and astronomical system. • The Maya civilization developed in an area that covers southeastern Mexico, all of Guatemala and Belize, and the western portions of Honduras and El Salvador. • The Preclassic period (2000 BC to 250 AD) saw the establishment of the first complex societies in the Maya region. • The first Maya cities developed around 750 BC. These cities possessed monumental architecture by 500 BC.

Kabir Bedi appointed as Brand Ambassador of Sightsavers

Kabir Bedi appointed as Brand Ambassador of Sightsavers Noted film actor Kabir Bedi was on 27 February 2017 appointed as the Brand Ambassador of Sightsavers, a global organisation working to prevent avoidable blindness. Kabir Bedi is known in the United Kingdom for his role as villainous henchman Gobinda in 1983 James Bond movie ‘Octopussy'. On the occasion, six blind girls from Madhya Pradesh, who won medals in the 5th National Blind and Deaf Judo Competition in January 2017, were felicitated by Kabir Bedi and and SY Quraishi, Chairman of the India chapter of the Sightsavers and former Chief Election Commissioner of India. About Sightsavers • Sightsavers is an international organisation that works in more than 30 countries to eliminate avoidable blindness and support people with visual impairments to live independently. • The organisation has been working since 1966 to support people who are irreversibly blind or disabled. • Sightsavers has presence in around 13 states of India. Background Sight is fundamental to the functionality of life. The problems of sight need to be taken care of at school level as 80 per cent blindness in the country is avoidable if proper intervention is made. There are 39 million blind people in the world, but 31.2 million people are blind when they need not be.

Neil Gaiman appointed UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador

Neil Gaiman appointed UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in the third week of February 2017 appointed Neil Gaiman as a global Goodwill Ambassador.   Gaiman is an internationally acclaimed author. He had been working closely with UNHCR since 2013. About Neil Gaiman • Neil Gaiman is an English author of short fiction, novels, comic books, graphic novels, audio theatre and films. • He is noted for the comic book series The Sandman and novels Stardust, American Gods, Coraline, and The Graveyard Book. • He is the first author to win both the Newbery and the Carnegie medals for the same work, The Graveyard Book. • In 2013, his work The Ocean at the End of the Lane was voted Book of the Year in the British National Book Awards. About United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees • The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees is a United Nations programme mandated to protect and support refugees. • Its headquarters are located in Geneva, Switzerland. • UNHCR is a member of the United Nations Development Group. • It won two Nobel Peace Prizes, once in 1954 and again in 1981.

National Science Day observed on 28 February

National Science Day observed on 28 February 28 February: National Science Day National Science Day was observed across India on 28 February 2017. The year’s theme for the day is "Science and Technology for Specially Abled Persons”. The day is observed to mark the discovery of the Raman Effect ( a phenomenon of scattering of photons) by Indian physicist Sir Chandrasekhara Venkata Raman on 28 February 1928. National Productivity Day 2017 observed in India For his path-breaking discovery, CV Raman was knighted in 1929 and awarded the Nobel Prize in 1930. This was the first Nobel Prize won by an Indian or any Asian in the field of Science. The second objective behind celebrating 28 February as the National Science Day is to spread a message about science and its importance in the daily life of the people. How the day came into existence? The day came into existence after the National Council for Science and Technology Communications (NCSTC) in 1986 asked the Union Government to designate 28 February as National Science Day. Later in the same year, the government designated 28 February as National Science Day. The first National Science Day was celebrated on 28 February 1987. Central Excise Day celebrated on 24 February 2017 Raman Effect Raman Effect or scattering is a process in which wavelength light changes. The light beam changes its wavelength when its molecules are deflected. The molecules deflect when the light passes through a dust-free, transparent sample of a chemical compound or something else. In this case, a fraction of the light emerges in directions, that is, other than that of the actual beam. Maximum of the scattered light is of unchanged wavelength. The small part of deflected light or the light with a different wavelength from the actual light is the result of the Raman Effect.

Sanjay Menon appointed Managing Director of Sapient India

Sanjay Menon appointed Managing Director of Sapient India Sapient on 28 February 2017 appointed Sanjay Menon as the Managing Director (MD) of its India operations. Menon will take over the new role from Rajdeep Endow. However, Menon will continue to serve as Global Head of Service Lines for SapientRazorfish. Menon will drive the strategy, capability development and growth of Sapient's India presence. He will also maintain its status as hub of the company's globally distributed delivery network. Menon has successfully served in various business and delivery roles including running key account P&Ls, managing global delivery for some of the business units as well as growing digital marketing services capability from India. About Sapient • Sapient is a marketing and consulting company. • It provides business, marketing and technology services to clients. • It operates three divisions: SapientNitro, Sapient Global Markets and Sapient Government Services. • The company was founded on 6 November 1990 by Jerry Greenberg and Stuart Moore. • On 5 February 2015, the company became a fully owned division of French advertising giant Publicis, in a deal valued at USD 3.7 billion. • On 17 November 2016, SapientNitro was merged with sister agency Razorfish to form SapientRazorfish. • The company’s culture has been profiled by case studies within the Harvard and Yale Business Schools as an example of leadership and organizational behavior

Civil Aviation Minister inaugurated India’s first Integrated Heliport

Civil Aviation Minister inaugurated India’s first Integrated Heliport India’s Civil Aviation Minister, Ashok Gajapathi Raju inaugurated the country’s first integrated heliport at Rohini in North Delhi on 28 February 2017. The minister dedicated the heliport to the nation. The new facility is expected to push India’s aviation sector to new heights. Key Highlights • The heliport has been developed by Pawan Hans, a state-owned helicopter service company. • It is spread over a large area amounting to more than 25 acres with an investment of about Rs 100 Cr. • It consists of a terminal building with a capacity of about 150 passengers, 4 hangars with the parking capacity of around 16 helicopters and nine parking bays. • It also has a maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) facility for the maintenance and repair of the Pawan Hans fleet as well as for third party repair work. • The facility has already been successfully tested in trials conducted in February 2016. The commencement of chopper services from the new heliport is expected to reduce the congestion at the Delhi airport, which currently manages the arrival and departure of around 40-50 helicopters on an average every day. Besides this, the heliport will be used for operating services for disaster management, law and order surveillance and emergency medical services. It will also operate as a centre for skill development of pilots and engineers and will promote regional air connectivity through helicopters in the northern region.

ISRO: What Does The Launch Of 104 Satellites Signify?

ISRO: What Does The Launch Of 104 Satellites Signify? Launch of 104 Satellites On 15 February 2017, India Space Research Organization created a history by launching 104 satellites on a single Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) mission. ISRO’ launch of 104 satellites on a single Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) mission kept the space community breathless and astonished. The whole flight of the PSLV-C37 rocket took nearly 29 minutes. It is just four minutes longer than a regular PSLV that carries one or two satellites. Before this, the highest number of satellites was 37 which were launched in a single mission into  space, in June 2014 by a Russian DNEPR rocket. The PSLV became operational in 1993, and it was its 39th mission. PSLV-C37 was used for this mission that delivered a payload of 1,378 kg into space in its 38th consecutive successful flight. The greatest degree of difficulty in the mission has been attributed to the synchronous release of the satellite payload from the final stage of the PSLV rocket. The description of the satellites which were launched is given below: Indian Satellites Apart from 101 foreign satellites, there were three indigenous  satellites which are ISRO’s earth observation Cartosat-2 satellite (714 kg) and its two “technology demonstration” nano- satellites (INS-1 and 2).  All other satellites were commercial launches for international customers, through agreements with ISRO’s commercial arm Antrix Corporation. Foreign Satellites There were 101 foreign satellites launched by PSLV on this mission. Among them, 96 were from the USA. Out of these, 88 satellites are from the start-up, Planet Labs, a San Francisco-based earth imaging company. And one satellite is from the Netherlands, Switzerland, Israel, Kazakhstan and the UAE each. Except eight of the satellites launched today were meant for commercial applications and belonged to private companies. Among those companies, none of which are Indian.  In Indian laws, privately-operated satellites are still not allowed to offer commercial applications in India. This mission is likely to change this situation now. Similar Experiments in recent past ISRO also holds the record for launching the most number of satellites in one mission between 2008 and 2013. ISRO launched 10 satellites in April 2008 on board PSLV C9. This number was overtaken by NASA with the launch of 29 satellites on the Minotaur 1 rocket, in November 2013.  After this, this record was broken by the Russian space agency Roscosmos State Corporation’s DNEPR rocket in November 2013 and June 2014. It launched 33 and 37 satellites respectively. Earlier, the highest number of satellites launched on a single mission by ISRO was 20 satellites in June 2016. Here, PSLV C34 was used for this mission.  An ISRO statement said “after separation, the two solar arrays of the Cartosat-2 series satellite were deployed automatically and ISRO’s Telemetry, Tracking and Command Network (ISTRAC) at Bangalore took over the control of the satellite,’’ This is the fourth satellite which was launched in ISRO’s Cartosat-2 series. The satellite will be useful for mapping rural and urban regions, management of road networks, water distribution, regulation of coastal land use, and other several other purposes. ISRO’s two Nano -satellites (INS-1 and 2) are taking instruments from its and Laboratory for Electro -Optics Systems (LEOS) and Space Applications Centre (SAC) for experiments. With this landmark launch, the PSLV has put 226 satellites in space, including 46 homegrown ones and 180 foreign satellites. Impact of the launch The impact of this record breaking satellite launching would liberalize the use of satellite services in India. Till date, there are not flexible laws in India which allow the use of the services of private satellites. After this launch, the government of India is ready to clear the application of the first private satellite in India. Around six-year-old application by Hughes Network will launch a communication satellite and provide broadband data services in India. The Hughes Network claims to be the world’s largest provider of broadband networks. It already offers satellite-based internet services in many markets akin to India, including Brazil. A government official said in a statement that the issue of opening the use of private satellites from India was “being considered actively” but it was not specified that when the policy could be changed. The government’s demonetization decision and its push for digitization may work in favor of letting private satellites offer such services. Satellite-based broadband services could be more reliable and several times faster than cabled networks that are available in India. Hughes is not the only company in the line, and internet services are not the only services which can be offered via private satellites. For example, Team Indus, a Bangalore-based corporation that is in a run with four other teams to send a mission to the moon and win the Google XPRIZE competition is planning for a future in which it would be able to send its own satellites for different kinds of applications. It is already in the way of creating a communication satellite of its own. ISRO itself is willing a greater participation from private companies in satellite building as it wants to remain focused on its core area of space research.

Railways Ministry inaugurates Antyodaya Express and Humsafar Express

Railways Ministry inaugurates Antyodaya Express and Humsafar Express Railways Minister Suresh Prabhakar Prabhu on 27 February 2017 flagged off the first Antyodaya clan of trains and the fourth Humsafar clan of trains through video conferencing. Sri Ganganagar - Tiruchirappalli Humsafar Express will pass through Krishnarajapuram, Pune and Ahmedabad. While, Ernakulam - Howrah Antyodaya Express will cross Salem, Katpadi and Visakhapatnam. About Humsafar Express • This fourth Humsafar Express will cross the entire country from North to South. • Humsafar train is a fully Air Conditioned 3 AC service having facilities like GPS based Passenger Information System and Passenger announcement System. • It also features fire and smoke detection and suppression system, CCTVs, comfortable seats, mobile and laptop charging points, integrated Braille display, Fire retardant curtains, etc. • It will have stoppages at 35 stations including Hanumangarh, Bikaner, Jodhpur, Abu Road, Ahmedabad, Vadodara, Surat, Lonavala, Pune, Belgaum, Hubballi, Birur, Arsikere, Krishnrajapuram and Bangerpet. • It's primary maintenance will be held at Sri Ganganagar (NWR). • Till date, 3 Humsafar Express trains have been introduced on Indian Railways. About Antyodaya Express • Antyodaya Express is a long-distance and fully unreserved superfast train service for the common man to be operated on dense routes. • It will have facilities like  Cushioned luggage racks which can serve as seats. • It also features J-Hook near longitudinal luggage racks, multiple unit cables at both ends of the coach, potable drinking water dispenser, mobile charging points, fire extinguisher with anti-theft lock, modular toilets, LED lights, anti-graffiti coating for exterior painting, etc. • Covering one way distance of 2307 km, Antyodaya Express will have stoppages at 23 stations including Kharagpur, Cuttack, Bhubaneswar, Palasa, Srikakulam Road, Vizianagaram, Vijaywada, Ongole, Renigunta, Katpadi, Jolarpettai, Salem, Erode, Coimbatore and Thrisur. • It's primary maintenance will be held at Santragachi on RBPC (SER).

Current Affairs One liner of the day: 28 February 2017

The one liner of the day covers important happenings that are relevant for competitive exams. Today’s one liners covers events like appointment of MEA spokesperson, Chennai High Court’s order to uproot trees of a species and annual Budget of Bihar for financial year 2017-18 among others.

• This Indian Foreign services officer has been appointed as the new spokesperson of India’s Ministry of External Affairs - Gopal Baglay

• This cricketer was named ‘Captain of the Year’ at the 10th annual ESPNcricinfo awards – Virat Kohli

• This young bowler was given the ‘Debutant of the Year’ title at the ESPNcricinfo awards - Mehedi Hasan Miraz

• This British-born 7 foot 7 inch tall ‘Game of Thrones’ actor passed away at the age of 36 - Neil Fingleton

• Chennai high court has directed the state government to uproot - Neelakaruvelam trees

• Beach in Andaman’s that features in TripAdvisor's 'World's Travellers' Choice Award-Winning Beaches' is - Radhanagar beach on the Havelock Island

• He was appointed as the Chief Information Commissioner (CIC) of Jammu and Kashmir - Khursheed A Ganai

• Size of the annual state budget of Bihar for Financial Year 2017-18 is - Rs 160085 lakh crore

• 2017 Mobile World Congress will be hosted by - Barcelona

• Indian city that was named as the Richest Indian city as per the New World Wealth report 2017 - Mumbai

• State that launched India’s first post office passport service centre - Madhya Pradesh

• Person appointed as the Brand Ambassador of Sightsavers recently - Kabir Bedi

• The football club that won the 2016–17 EFL Cup is - Manchester United

• Former Union Minister P. Shiv Shankar recently passed away. He was first elected to the Lok Sabha from – Secunderabad

• A Mayan Jade pendant with unique inscription was recently found in - Belize

• The author of the book titled ‘The Ocean at the End of the Lane’ who was recently appointed as UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador is - Neil Gaiman

• National Science Day was observed across India on 28 February with the year’s theme - "Science and Technology for Specially Abled Persons”

• National Science Day is annually observed across India on 28 February to mark the discovery of - the Raman Effect by Indian physicist Sir Chandrashekhara Venkata Raman

Indian Railways launches New Catering Policy 2017

Indian Railways launches New Catering Policy 2017 Railways Minister Suresh Prabhakar Prabhu on 27 February 2017 launched New Catering Policy 2017 of the Indian Railways. This new Catering Policy will delink food production and food distribution. Food will be cooked anywhere in the kitchens of IRCTC in a hygienic manner using mechanized system. While, food will be distributed using professionals from the hospitality industry. Highlights of the New Catering Policy 2017 in Mobile Units and Base Kitchens • IRCTC will manage catering service on all mobile units including catering services on all the trains started on short notice. • Pantry car contracts awarded by zonal railways will also be reassigned to IRCTC. • Meals for all mobile units will be picked up from the nominated kitchens that are owned operated and managed by IRCTC. • All four Base Kitchens under departmental operation of Zonal Railways and all kitchen units will be handed over to IRCTC on ‘as is where is basis’.   • Kitchen structures/ land/space will be handed over by Zonal Railways to IRCTC for a period of 10 years which can be extendable for another period of 5 years. • IRCTC will develop the Business model for the kitchens so that they can expand and enhance the service. • IRCTC will determine the menu of standard meals and A-la-carte items. • IRCTC may also involve Self Help groups for providing catering related services. Highlights of the New Catering Policy 2017 in Static Units • Zonal Railways will manage the static units except base kitchens and kitchen units to be handed over to IRCTC. • IRCTC will be responsible for catering services in static units like food plazas, food courts and fast food units. • Allotment of all minor catering units at all category of stations will be done through open tender. • Allotment of Milk Stalls at all stations will be done through open tender system as against calling application. • Tenure of all static units (except kitchen units and food plaza) will be 5 years only.   • 33 per cent sub quota for women in allotment of each category of minor catering units at all category of stations has also been provided.