India ranks third in LEED outside America

According to the latest US Green Building Council report India has been ranked third in leadership in energy and environmental design (LEED) outside America. Canada tops the list, with 17.74 million followed by China with having 14.30 million GSM (gross square meters) of LEED space.

Other Asian nations in the top 10 included South Korea at number four with 3.84 million GSM of LEED-certified space and Singapore at number with 2.16 million GSM.

In Europe, Germany and Finland secured the sixth and tenth spot respectively -- Germany with 2.90 million GSM of LEED-certified space and Finland with 1.45 million.

In South America, Brazil stood at number 7 on the list, with 2.85 million GSM while the United Arab Emirates represented green building success in the Middle East at Number 9 with 1.82 million GSM of LEED-certified space.

Other Asian nations in the top 10 included South Korea at number four with 3.84 million GSM of LEED-certified space and Singapore at number with 2.16 million GSM.

In Europe, Germany and Finland secured the sixth and tenth spot respectively. In South America, Brazil stood at number 7 on the list while the United Arab Emirates represented green building success in the Middle East at Number 9 with 1.82 million GSM of LEED-certified space.

Other Asian nations in the top 10 included South Korea at number four and Singapore at number fifth with 2.16 million GSM.

The report said the list demonstrates the global adaptability of the world's most widely used and recognised system guiding the design, construction, operations and maintenance of green buildings that benefit the planet and its people.

According to Rick Fedrizzi, president, CEO and founding chair of USGBC "LEED's success across a wide variety of cultures, climates and communities represents not only a growing recognition of its demonstrated benefits for human health and operational cost savings, but also its unparalleled potential to be part of the solution to a warming planet and rising sea levels".

India ranks 83rd in Networked Readiness Index

A World Economic Forum recently released its 13th edition of Global Information Technology Report. In the report’s networked readiness index Scandinavian countries dominated the top 10, with Finland grabbing the top spot, followed by Singapore, Sweden, the Netherlands, Norway, Switzerland, the United States, Hong Kong, Great Britain  and the Republic of Korea.

The U.S. moved up two spots this year, while Hong Kong leaped six spots, and Korea inched up one spot. The U.K. fell 2 spots, while the other top six countries held their rankings. In the developing world, China fell four spots to No. 62, Brazil fell nine spots to No. 69 and India dropped 15 spots to No. 83 in terms of leveraging information and communications technologies for growth and well being.

According to the report little progress has been made in bridging the gap between the world's most networked economies and the rest of the world. It also said that large organizations, in particular governments and corporations, may be tempted to abuse the power of the data that they hold. To address this concern, World Economic Forum advocates establishing best practices that are in the interest of both large organizations and individuals. Besides it also recommends to categorise the large data systems by type (e.g., financial vs. health) and real-world categories (e.g., individual vs. corporate). And a department should be created as custodian of these data.

UN, IOC sign pact on sport for peace

A historic deal was signed between the United Nations (U.N.) and the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to channelize the power of sports to promote peace and economic development.

The agreement calls for joint sporting initiatives between the IOC, national Olympic committees, international sports federations, organizing committees and international athletes and the 193 U.N. member states, U.N. agencies, envoys and goodwill ambassadors.

Under the agreement two organizations will endeavour to promote education for youth through sport without discrimination of any kind, access to sport for all communities especially the most disadvantaged and marginalized, healthy lifestyles and peace-building and community dialogue.

Sports teach values such as teamwork, fairness and respect for opponents and the rules of the game which are useful to lead successful personal and professional lives. Hence, U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon stressed the importance of sport in reducing stigma and increasing the social and economic integration of marginalized people and in bridging cultural, religious, ethnic and social divides.

India bags 8 medals in USA Open Karate Championships

India's 8 member team consisting of six players and two coaches returned with eight medals comprising two gold and six bronze in the USA Open Karate Championship held at Las Vegas from April 18 to 21. Karl Vatcha of Mumbai won one gold and one bronze medal while Toyesha Khatau of Mumbai bagged one gold and three bronze medals in the women's category. Pranay Sharma of Delhi and Mumbai's Akash Samir Shah pocketed the other two bronze medals. More than 3,000 players from 15 countries participated in the event.

Philippines & US sign security Pact

The U.S. and Philippines signed a defence pact to promote peace and security in the region. The Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement will give American millitary temporary access to selected military camps and allow them to preposition fighter jets and ships. It will also allow the military of both the nation to respond faster to disasters and other contingencies.

Under the 10-year agreement the U.S. military will not pay rent for local camp areas; and the Philippines will own buildings and infrastructure to be built or improved by the Americans and reap economic gains from the U.S. presence. Further, the agreement says the U.S. will not establish a permanent military presence or base in the Philippines in compliance with Manila's constitution. And Filipino base commander will have access to areas to be shared with American forces.

But the agreement is not clear about the number of additional US troops would be deployed on temporary and rotational basis. It said the number would depend on the scale of joint military activities to be held in the camps.

The Philippines signed the pact with the intention to strengthen its pitiful military, while US has signed the deal as it is looking for a re-entry to Asia, where its superpower status has been put in doubt. Hence, the convergence could work to prevent China’s growing maritime presence in disputed South China Sea. But, the deal could further provoke Beijing as it is averse to Philippine government’s initiative to involve the US in its security agenda. This, in turn, may encourage china to intensify its massive military buildup.

American military have been deployed in the southern Philippines since 2002 to provide counterterrorism training and serve as advisers to Filipino soldiers, who have battled Muslim militants for decades. But this time the Philippines government sought US help to tackle external threats as its territorial spat with China in the potentially oil-and gas-rich South China Sea heated up in recent times.

List of IIFA Awards 2014 Winners

The IIFA Awards have been announced. The winners are:

● Best Film : Bhaag Milkha Bhaag
● Best Director : Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra for Bhaag Milkha Bhaag
● Best Actor : Farhan Akhtar for Bhaag Milkha Bhaag
● Best Actress : Deepika Padukone for Chennai Express
● Best Entertainer of the Year : Deepika Padukone
● Best Debutant : Dhanush for Raanjhanaa
● Best Supporting Actress : Divya Dutta for Bhaag Milkha Bhaag
● Best Supporting Actor : Aditya Roy Kapur for Yeh Jawani Hai Deewani 
● Best Male Playback Singer : Arijit Singh for Tum Hi Ho from Aashiqui 2
● Best Female Playback Singer : Shreya Ghoshal for Tum Hi Ho from Aashiqui 2
● Best Lyrics Writer : Mithoon for Tum Hi Ho from Aashiqui 2
● Best Story : Prashoon Joshi for Bhaag Milkha Bhaag
● Best Performance in a Comic Role : Arshad Warsi for Jolly LLB
● Best Performance in Negative Role : Rishi Kapoor for D Day 
● Outstanding Contribution to Indian Cinema : Shatrughan Sinha
● Best Cinematography : Binod Pradhan for Bhaag Milkha Bhaag 
● Best Screenplay : Prasoon Joshi for Bhaag Milkha Bhaag 
● Best Dialogue : Prasoon Joshi for Bhaag Milkha Bhaag 
● Best Editing : P S Bharti for Bhaag Milkha Bhaag 
● Best Production Design : Wasiq Khan for Goliyon Ki Rasleela- Ramleela 
● Best Choreography : Remo D'souza for Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani 
● Best Action : Sham Kaushal and Tony Ching Siu Tung for Krrish 3
● Best Sound Design : Nakul Kamte for Bhaag Milkha Bhaag 
● Best Song Recording : Vinod Verma for Lungi Dance
● Best Sound Mixing : Anup Dev for Chennai Express, Debajit Changmai for Bhaag Milkha Bhaag 
● Best Background Score : Shankar-Ehsaan- Loy for Bhaag Milkha Bhaag 
● Best Special Effects : Keitan Yadav & Haresh Hingorani - Red Chillies VFX
● Best Costume Designing : Dolly Ahluwalia for Bhaag Milkha Bhaag 
● Best Make-up : Vikram Gaikwad for Bhaag Milkha Bhaag

SEBI issues detailed corporate governance norms

With the aim to encourage companies to adopt best practices on corporate governance the Security and Exchange Borad of India (SEBI) came out with detailed corporate governance norms for listed companies. The guidelines provide for stricter disclosures and protection of investor rights, including equitable treatment for minority and foreign shareholders.

The norms issued by SEBI are aligned with the new the Companies Act.

Finer points of the guidelines are:

• The new rules would be effective from October 1.
• Companies are required to get shareholders' approval for related party transactions, establish whistle blower mechanism, elaborate disclosures on pay packages and have at least a woman director on their boards.
• The maximum number of boards an independent director can serve on listed companies be restricted to 7, while the directorship would be capped at three if the person is serving as a whole time director in any listed company.
• SEBI has amended clauses -- 35B and 49 -- of the listing agreement. Now, under changed 35B norms, listed companies are required to provide the option of facility of e-voting to shareholders on all resolutions proposed to be passed at general meetings.
• Under clause 49, pertaining to corporate governance, listed entities have to get shareholders' nod for related party transactions. 
• Apart from providing adequate and timely information to all shareholders, listed companies should also facilitate the exercise of voting rights by foreign shareholders.
• It provides for expanded role of audit committee and enhanced disclosure of remuneration policies.

ISRO successfully launched IRNSS 1B from Sriharikota

Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) launched India’s 2nd regional navigational satellite, IRNSS 1B from Sriharikota Space Station of Andhra Pradesh on 4th April. The launch of IRNSS series would enable India to have its own reliable and independent navigational resources for itself. The satellite was lifted off by the Polar Satellite Vehicle (PSLV) C 24 at 5.14 pm. IRNSS (Indian Regional navigational satellite) was injected by the launch vehicle after four stages of 19 minutes of its take off from Sriharikota. 

This launch of IRNSS 1B is the 25th successful launch of the PSLV series by ISRO. This launch of the satellite had brought India close to join the group of selected nations namely US, Russia, China, Japan and European countries. IRNSS series launch will benefit India from its applications including terrestrial, aerial and marine navigation, disaster management, vehicle tracking and fleet management. It will also provide visual and voice navigation for hikers and travelers. 

Sikkim adjudged Best in Policy Effectiveness Index

India Public Policy Report, 2014, released by the Oxford University Press, measured for the first time state-level performance of policy effectiveness and its impact on growth. The report revealed that in the policy effectiveness index Gujarat showing a marked decline dropping from 11th position in 2001 to 16th in 2011. Except infrastructure development, Gujarat has been found lagging behind on most other parameters.

On Gujarat's deterioration in rank, Abhijit Sen, member of 14th Finance Commission who released the report, said: "This was due to the infrastructure index. This happened not because Gujarat did poorly on infrastructure but because other states, which had poor infrastructure to begin with, showed marked improvement."

Along with Gujarat, Kerala was another surprise -- having slipped from 24 to 29 during the 1981-2011 period.

While states like Jammu and Kashmir and some other small states have improved their rank considerably, the top five and the bottom three states in the ranking have, by and large, remained the same over the three decades of the analysis presented in the report.

The top five states on the policy effectiveness index (PEI) in 2011 are Sikkim, Mizoram, Goa, Punjab and Delhi. At the bottom of the table are Odisha, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Assam and West Bengal.

PEI is a multi-dimensional and a multi-indicator measure and comprises four component indices that reflect human well-being from being able to enjoy: livelihood opportunities; a socially meaningful life; security of life and rule of law; and amenities for a sustained improvement in living standards

The report, compiled by Rajeev Malhotra, executive director, Centre for Development and Finance, Jindal School of Government and Policy (JSGP), observed that geographically smaller states performed better than larger ones, although they offered lesser employment opportunities compared to the larger ones. 

It further said that states which have been bifurcated from a bigger state were found to be doing consistently better than their parent states. Significantly, Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand were found to be performing better than Madhya Pradesh and Bihar respectively.

The analysis undertaken for the period 1981 to 2011 provides evidence for some commonly made observations on India's development process and some other less recognised outcomes. The IPPR finds that at the all-India level there is a gradual, but only a marginal, improvement in the policy effectiveness index over the three decades. It is being compromised by a near stagnancy in expansion of livelihood opportunities and deterioration in law and order and justice dispensation environment in the country.

The IPPR was a first of its kind report that sought to create an independent platform for bringing together state-of-the-art policy, research and analysis on issues of policy relevance of India.

86th Oscar Awards

Here are the winners announced so far at the 86th Academy Awards

● Best Picture : 12 Years A Slave
● Best Director : Alfonso Cuaron (Gravity)
● Best actress : Cate Blanchett
● Best actor : Matthew McConaughey
● Best supporting actor : Jared Leto, Dallas Buyers Club
● Best supporting actress : Lupita Nyong'o, 12 Years a Slave
● Best animated feature : Frozen
● Best foreign language film : The Great Beauty (Italy)
● Best visual effects : Gravity
● Best film editing : Gravity
● Best cinematography : Gravity
● Best sound mixing : Gravity
● Best sound editing : Gravity
● Best costume design : The Great Gatsby
● Best production design : The Great Gatsby 
● Best make-up and hairstyling : Dallas Buyers Club
● Best animated short film : Mr. Hublot
● Best live action short film : Helium
● Best documentary feature : 20 Feet from Stardom
● Best documentary short : The Lady in Number 6: Music Saved My Life
● Best Original Score : Gravity
● Best Original song : Frozen for Let It Go
● Best adapted screenplay : 12 Years a Slave
● Best original screenplay : Her

An Analysis of the Indian Electorate from 1998 To 2014

A comparison of the electoral data as per the final publication of summary revision 2014 (released by the Election Commission of India on 14^th February, 2014) with that of last four General Elections (from 1998 onwards) shows that the total electorate size of the country grew by 34.45% from 605,880,192 electors in 1998 to reach 814,591,184 in 2014. This growth was 21.31% relative to an electorate size of 671,487,930 in 2004. Among the 28 states and 7 union territories, Dadra & Nagar Haveli at 53.9% registered the highest rate of growth in electorate size during the period from 2004 to 2014, next followed by Puducherry at 39.1%. Among states, West Bengal registered the highest rate of growth at 31.7%. Among all states and UTs, Andaman & Nicobar Islands registered the lowest rate of growth at 6.7%, next followed by Jammu & Kashmir at 8.9%. In absolute numbers, Uttar Pradesh registered the highest growth in electorate size relative to 2004, while Lakshadweep the lowest.

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Cabinet approved the setting up Equal Opportunities Commission

Union Cabinet approved the setting up of an Equal Opportunities Commission (EOC) on 20 February 2014. The proposal for EOC was made by the Union Ministry of Minority Affairs on the recommendations of the Justice Sachar Committee on Social, Economic and Educational Status of Muslim Community in India.

The Equal Opportunities Commission will address the grievances of people from the minority communities when minorities are discriminated against by government agencies. Its role is advisory in nature and will have no jurisdiction over private agencies.

EOC is a three-member body and will be headed by a retired judge of the High Court. It will not have any powers to impose penalties.

Cabinet approved Odia as Classical Language

Union Cabinet on 20 February 2014 gave its nod for classifying Odia, the official language of Odisha as a classical language to give impetus to scholarships in the language. Odia is the first language from the Indo-Aryan linguistic group to be billed in the list of classical language. The proposal to give Odia a status of classical language was moved by the Culture Ministry.

Odia being one of the oldest languages has been declared as classical language because of the demands and also because it has no resemblance to Hindi, Bengali, Telugu and Sanskrit. Odia is the sixth language to become the classical language of the country.Other languages that have been declared as the classical languages are Tamil in 2004, Sanskrit in 2005, Telugu in 2008, Kannada in 2008 and Malayalam in 2013 of which four are Dravidian languages.

National Skill Development Agency (NSDA)

The National Skill Development Agency (NSDA) is an autonomous body, with functions, inter-alia, including, taking all possible steps to meet skilling targets as envisaged in the 12th Five Year Plan and beyond and coordinating and harmonizing the approach to skill development in the country. The Agency has undertaken a number of activities, inter-alia, including facilitating the operationalisation of National Skills Qualification Framework; setting up of a committee for rationalisation of Central Government Schemes on skill development; commencing work on creating and maintaining a national database relating to skill development including development of a dynamic labour market informational system and creating online education resources. NSDA is also engaging with States Skill Development Missions for enabling them to converge efforts across State Ministries and advising them to develop their plans for increasing vocational training capacity in the State. 

NSDA is an agency that is mandated to coordinate the skilling effort of the Government of India (GOI). NSDA has informed that a target of skilling 73.42 lakh persons was set for the year 2013-14 by GOI Ministries and the National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) and 49.16 lakh persons have been skilled till December, 2013. 

Afghan capital Kabul reported First polio case since 2001

The Capital of Afghanistan, Kabul, reported its first case of polio since 2001 on 11 February 2014. The three-year-old from a nomadic family living on the northeastern edge of the city contracted the disease.
 After detecting the first case, Afghanistan has launched an emergency polio vaccination campaign in Kabul.
The highly contagious polio virus remains endemic in Pakistan and Afghanistan, but Kabul city has not had reported case since the Taliban regime was ousted by a US-led invasion in 2001. 
The polio strain in the Pakistan and Afghanistan is identical. Around 1.5 million children crossed the frontier every year, which causes cross-border transmission. Nearly all of the cases in Afghanistan in 2013 were in regions close to the Pakistan border.

Since the Afghan Taliban changed their policy, allowing vaccination in recent years, there has been a decline in cases in Afghanistan. Afghanistan has deployed health workers at the border crossings, attempting to monitor all children who cross, and vaccinating those at risk.
Besides Afghanistan and Pakistan, Nigeria is the only other country in the world where polio is still endemic. In all the three countries Islamic extremists have obstructed health workers, preventing polio eradication campaigns from taking place.

Canada announced to open Consulate General in Bangalore

Canada announced to open a Consulate General Office in Bangalore on 11 February 2014. The office of the Consulate General of Canada will be located at the World Trade Centre in the Bangalore.  The office of Consulate General will work on the supervision of Visa and Immigration services. The services will be offered for the entire South India. That is, the new office is supposed to cater to the needs of Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Puducherry. According to officials in the High Commission of Canada, the services are expected to commence by April 2014.   This would be the third office in India; the first two were in Mumbai and Chandigarh. Canada has a consulate in Chennai and trade offices in Ahmadabad, Hyderabad and Kolkata. Canada first established its Trade Office in Bangalore in 1996. The Consulate General is expected to reinforce Canada’s strong commercial relations and make future business easier providing immigration and visa services, according to a statement from the High Commission. Indian citizens have been eyeing at abroad education for higher studies, and thus the new Consulate General would aid the students from South India to come in terms with the admission procedure to Canadian educational institutions. 

India ranked 8th in demand for digital governance

India was ranked 8th in the list of ten countries in terms of digital governance. The report on digital governance was released by Accenture on 11 February 2014.

The list was topped by Singapore followed by Norway and UAE at second and third place respectively.

The report revealed the demand for the digital governance is rising in India and emerging economies which will enhance efficiency and output. In India the Government embarked on e- Governance model and the infrastructure which would pay the dividends in the long run.

The report is based on survey of 5000 respondents in ten countries including Brazil, Germany, India, Norway, Singapore, South Korea, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the UAE, the Unitied Kingdom and the United States.

According to the report, high-performing digital governments are:

• Focusing on their digital strategy, which is deeply embedded in the government agenda and public reforms.
• Continuing long-term investment in key information and communication technology (ICT) assets and the digitalization of core public services, such as taxation, pensions and healthcare.
• Leveraging the power of new technologies, such as social media, mobility, analytics, big data and cloud computing.
• Connected across agency boundaries and have a strong culture of collaboration and data sharing.

Former SC Justice Mathur to head 7th Central Pay Commission

Former Supreme Court judge and retired chairman of Armed Forces Tribunal Ashok Kumar Mathur has been appointed as the Chairman of the 7th Pay Commission. The Commission has been mandated to submit its report in 19 months and its recommendations would be put into action from January 1, 2016.

The constitution of the commission will benefit about 50 lakh central government employees, including defence and railways, and about 30 lakh pensioners. But, on the other hand, it would significantly increase the fiscal burden of the centre and state governments. Implementation of the Sixth Pay Commission increased salaries by 21% resulting in an additional annual outgo of nearly Rs.18,000 crore for the Union government, besides a pay out of arrears of Rs.30,000 crore.

Besides Justice Ashok Kumar Mathur, the commission’s full-time member will be Petroleum and Natural Gas Secretary Vivek Rae and part-time member will be Rathin Roy, Director, National Institute of Public Finance and Policy and Meena Agarwal (OSD, Department of Expenditure) its secretary.

The 101st Indian Science Congress begins at Jammu

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh inaugurated the 101st Indian Science Congress held at Jammu University from 3rd to 7th February with focal theme “Innovations in Science and Technology for Inclusive Development”. While inaugurating the five-day event Prime Minister pitches for more funds to promote science. Further he added that the country's annual expenditure on science and technology should be at least two per cent of the GDP.

In his inaugural address at the 101st Indian Science Congress in Jammu, the Prime Minister also said that India is joining the CERN, a premiere European Organisation for Nuclear Research, as an associate member.

The Prime Minister also announced a National Mission on High Performance Computing with an outlay of Rs 4500 crore. To ensure food security and to improve and water productivity, we have to launch a national drive for an ever-green revolution." Singh also announced institution of 25 Jawaharlal Nehru Fellowships, under which eminent scientists from abroad will be invited to work in India for 12 months over a period of three years.

Under this initiative, the government will give 1 lakh USD for three years to the fellows. The government has already selected five scientists, who are also the Fellows of the Royal Society, London, under this scheme.

The Prime Minister also urged scientists to learn from the past and connect with the present and focus on the future.

This is the first time that the Indian Science Congress is being held in Jammu. Delegates from more than 65 countries participated in it along with numerous scientific institutions from across the country.

PM launchesNational Waqf Development Corporation

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh inaugurated National Waqf Development Corporation (NAWADCO) in New Delhi. Government has established NAWADCO for the development of waqf properties for the benefit of the Muslim community.

This Corporation has been established with an authorized share capital of Rs.500 Crore. It will facilitate and mobilize financial resources for setting up of facilities like schools, colleges, hospitals on waqf properties for community purposes in a transparent manner.

NAWADCO will facilitate and mobilize financial resources for the development of Waqf properties for community development purposes in a joint venture with the State / Union Territory Waqf Boards and the Mutawallis. The Waqf Boards and the Muthawallis were not having the financial resources to develop the properties leading to encroachments.

There are more than 4.9 lakh registered waqf properties in India today which fetch an annual income of about Rs.163 crore. Many of these properties have the potential of generating considerable returns, which in turn could be used for the socio-economic development of the Muslim community. As per the estimates of the Sachar Committee, if these properties are properly developed, they could fetch an annual income of about Rs. 12000 crore, assuming an annual return of 10 percent on the value of the property. It is this vast potential that NAWADCO will strive to realize.

Government has also recently amended the Waqf Act. The amendments are expected to bring transparency in administration of waqf properties and provide an enabling environment for the development and utilization of waqf lands to the benefit of the Muslim community.

The amended Act has particularly strengthened the role of Central Waqf Council (CWC), which was established to advise the Government on matters pertaining to the working of State Waqf Boards and proper administration of waqf properties. The Council is now empowered to issue directives to State Waqf Boards on their performance, particularly on their financial performance, survey of waqf properties, maintenance of waqf deeds, and prevention of encroachment of waqf properties.

Keeping in view the need to prevent their alienation, ‘Sale’, ‘Gift’, ‘Mortgage’ and ‘Exchange’ of waqf properties have been made void ab initio. The process of leasing of waqf properties has been made transparent.