Year 2011 Review

News effect to the World 

January

January 1 – Estonia officially adopts the Euro currency and becomes the seventeenth Eurozone country
January 9–15 – Southern Sudan holds a referendum on independence. The Sudanese electorate votes in favour of independence, paving the way for the creation of the new state in July.
January 11 – Flooding and mudslides in the Brazilian state of Rio de Janeiro kills 903.
January 14 – Arab Spring: The Tunisian government falls after a month of increasingly violent protests; President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali flees to Saudi Arabiaafter 23 years in power.
January 24 – 37 people are killed and more than 180 others wounded in a bombingat Domodedovo International Airport in Moscow, Russia.

February

February 11 – Arab Spring: Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak resigns afterwidespread protests calling for his departure, leaving control of Egypt in the hands of the military until a general election can be held.
February 22 - March 14 – Uncertainty over Libyan oil output causes crude oil prices to rise 20% over a two-week period following the Arab Spring, causing the 2011 energy crisis.

March

March 11 – A 9.1-magnitude earthquake and subsequent tsunami hit the east of Japan, killing 15,840 and leaving another 3,926 missing. Tsunami warnings are issued in 50 countries and territories. Emergencies are declared at four nuclear power plants affected by the quake.
March 15 – Arab Spring: Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, King of Bahrain declares a three-month state of emergency as troops from the Gulf Co-operation Council are sent to quell the civil unrest.
March 17 – Arab Spring and the Libyan civil war: The United Nations Security Council votes 10-0 to create a no-fly zone over Libya in response to allegations of government aggression against civilians.
March 19 – Arab Spring and the Libyan civil war: In light of continuing attacks on Libyan rebels by forces in support of leader Muammar Gaddafi, military intervention authorized under UNSCR 1973 begins as French fighter jets make reconnaissance flights over Libya.

April

April 11 – Former Ivorian President Laurent Gbagbo is arrested in his home in Abidjan by supporters of elected President Alassane Ouattara with support from French forces thereby ending the 2010–2011 Ivorian crisis and civil war.
April 29 – An estimated two billion people watch the wedding of Prince William, Duke of Cambridge and Catherine Middleton at Westminster Abbey in London.

May

May 1 – U.S. President Barack Obama announces that Osama bin Laden, the founder and leader of the militant group Al-Qaeda, has been killed during an American military operation in Pakistan.
May 16 – The European Union agree to €78 billion rescue deal for Portugal. The bailout loan will be equally split between the European Financial Stabilisation Mechanism, the European Financial Stability Facility, and the International Monetary Fund.
May 26 – Former Bosnian Serb Army commander Ratko Mladić, wanted for genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity, is arrested in Serbia.

June

June 4 – Chile's Puyehue volcano erupts, causing air traffic cancellations across South America, New Zealand, Australia and forcing over 3,000 people to evacuate.
June 5 – Arab Spring: Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh travels to Saudi Arabia for treatment of an injury sustained during an attack on the presidential palace. Protesterscelebrate his transfer of power to his Vice-President Abd al-Rab Mansur al-Hadi.
June 12 – Arab Spring: Thousands of Syrians flee to Turkey as Syrian troops lay siege to Jisr ash-Shugur.

July

July 7 – The world's first artificial organ transplant is achieved, using an artificial windpipecoated with stem cells.
July 9 – South Sudan secedes from Sudan, per the result of the independence referendumheld in January.
July 20 Goran Hadžić is detained in Serbia, becoming the last of 161 people indicted by theInternational Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia. The United Nations declares a famine in southern Somalia, the first in over thirty years.
July 21 – Space Shuttle Atlantis lands successfully at Kennedy Space Center after completingSTS-135, concluding NASA's space shuttle program. July 22 – 76 people are killed in twin terrorist attacks in Norway after a bombing in the Regjeringskvartalet (the government center in Oslo) and a shooting at a political youth camp in the island of Utøya.
July 31 - September 24 – Arab Spring: Because of the uncertaintities associated with a clamp-down of the free press, there is believed to be at least 121 people killed in a Syrian Army tank raid on the town of Hama and over 150 people are reportedly killed across the country. The total dead throughout Syria may never be known, but an estimate as of September 24 is 3,000.

August

August 5 NASA announces that its Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter captured photographic evidence of possible liquid water on Mars during warm seasons. Juno, the first solar-powered spacecraft on a mission to Jupiter, is launched from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station.
August 20–28 – Arab Spring and the Libyan civil war: In the Battle of Tripoli, Libyan rebels took control the nation's capital effectively overthrowing the government of Muammar Gaddafi.

September

September 5 – India and Bangladesh sign a pact to end their 40-year border demarcation dispute.
September 10 – Zanzibar ferry sinking: The MV Spice Islander I, carrying at least 800 people, sinks off the coast of Zanzibar, killing 240 people.
September 12 – Approximately 100 Kenyans die after a petrol pipeline explodes in Nairobi.
September 19 – With 434 dead, the United Nations launches a $357 million appeal for victims of the 2011 Sindh floods in Pakistan.

October

October 4 2011 Mogadishu bombing: 100 people are killed in a car bombing in the Somali capital Mogadishu. In Thailand, 657 people are killed by floods during a severe monsoon season, with 58 of the country's 77 provinces affected. The death toll from the flooding of Cambodia's Mekong River and attendant flash floods reaches 207.
October 18 – Israel and the Palestinian militant organization Hamas begin a major prisoner swap, in which the captured Israeli Armysoldier Gilad Shalit is released by Hamas in exchange for 1,027 Palestinian and Israeli-Arab prisoners held in Israel, including 280 prisoners serving life sentences for planning and perpetrating terror attacks.
October 20 Arab Spring and the Libyan civil war: Former Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi is killed in Sirte, with National Transitional Council forcestaking control of the city, and ending the war. Basque separatist militant organisation ETA declares an end to its 43-year campaign of political violence, which has killed over 800 people since 1968.
October 23 – A magnitude 7.2 Mw earthquakes jolted eastern Turkey near the city of Van, killing 604 people, and damaging about 2,200 buildings. October 27 – After an emergency meeting in Brussels, the European Union announced an agreement to tackle the European sovereign debt crisis which includes a writedown of 50% of Greek bonds, a recapitalisation of European banks and an increase of the bailout fund of the European Financial Stability Facility totaling to €1 trillion.

October 31

Date selected by the UN as the symbolic date when global population reaches seven billion. UNESCO admitted Palestine as a member, following a vote in which 107 member states supported and 14 opposed.

November

November 26 – The Mars Science Laboratory rover Curiosity, the most elaborate Martian exploration vehicle to date, is launched from the Kennedy Space Center. It is slated to land on Mars on August 5, 2012.  

December

• December 15 – The United States formally declares an end to the Iraq War.
• December 16 – Russia becomes WTO 153rd member.

News effect to the India

January

• January 1
• Union Home Ministry winds up the Srikrishna committee on Telangana following submission of its report
• Arabinda Rajkhowa, chairman of ULFA, released on bail from the Guwahati central prison
• India and Pakistan exchange the annual lists of their nuclear installations and facilities under the Agreement on the Prohibition of Attack against Nuclear Installations, which was signed on December 31, 1988.
• Nagesh Pydah assumes charge as Chairman and Managing Director of Oriental Bank of Commerce

April

• April 2 – India wins the 2011 Cricket World Cup.
• April 30 – Dorjee Khandu, Chief Minister of Arunachal Pradesh since 2007, dies in a helicopter crash.

May

• May 20 – Mamata Banerjee was sworn in as the first woman and 11th Chief Minister of West Bengal.
• May 25 – Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh announced of Rs. 22,500 Crores for African countries to develop infrastructure facilities on the eve of IInd Indo-Africa summit.

June

• June 11 – Senior journalist and investigations editor with English newspaper 'Mid-Day', J Dey, is shot dead in Mumbai.

July

• July 13 – 2011 Mumbai bombings

October

• October 30 – 2011 F1 Race comes to India

Deaths

• January 2 – Bali Ram Bhagat, 88, former Lok Sabha Speaker.
• January 10 – Vivek Shauq, 47, actor, comedian.
• January 17 – Gita Dey, 79, actress.
• January 21 – E. V. V. Satyanarayana, 54, film director.
• January 24 – Bhimsen Joshi, 88, musician.
• January 28 – Sushil Kumar Dhara, 99, revolutionary.
• February 3 – Machan Varghese, 50, Malayalam film actor.
• February 12 – Vipindas, 72, cinematographer and director.
• February 19 – Suresh Babu, 58, athlete.
• February 20 – Malaysia Vasudevan, 66, actor and playback singer.
• February 21 – Aranmula Ponnamma, 96, Malayalam film actress.
• February 23 – Mullapudi Venkata Ramana, 79, screenwriter and film producer.
• February 24 – Anant Pai (Uncle Pai), 81, educationalist and comics writer.
• March 1 – Fateh Singh Rathore, 72, wildlife conservationist.
• March 3 – Goga Kapoor, 70, film actor.
• March 4 – Arjun Singh, 80, politician.
• March 10 – Baliram Kashyap, 74, politician.
• March 12 – Kumar Indrajitsinhji, 73, cricketer.
• March 19 – Navin Nischol, 65, actor.
• March 20 – Bob Christo, Indian actor of Australian origin.
• April 1 – Varkey Vithayathil, 83, cardinal and religious leader.
• April 3 – Rafique Alam, 81, politician.
• April 5 – Sujatha, 58, actress.
• April 12 – Sachin Bhowmick, 80, screenwriter.
• April 17 – Bhawani Singh, 79, titular Maharaja of Jaipur.
• April 22 – Madhava Gudi, 72, Hindustani classical vocalist.
• April 24 – Sathya Sai Baba, 84, Guru, spiritual leader & educator.
• April 30 – Dorjee Khandu, 56, politician, Chief Minister of Arunachal Pradesh
• May 13 – Badal Sarkar, 85, dramatist
• May 15 – Mahendra Singh Tikait, 76, leader of farmers, President of the Bharatiya Kisan Union
• June 3 – Bhajan Lal, 80, two-time Chief Minister of Haryana
• June 7 – Nataraja Ramakrishna, 88, dance guru.
• June 9 – M. F. Husain, 95, painter
• June 11 – Jyotirmoy Dey, 55, journalist
• June 14 – Asad Ali Khan, 74, musician
• June 18 – John Perumattam, 89, Catholic hierarch
• June 21  – Kothapalli Jayashankar, 76, educator and politician
• Suresh Tendulkar, 72, economist
• June 29 – K. D. Sethna, 106, scholar and writer
• July 2 – Chaturanan Mishra, 86, politician and union leader.
• July 6 – Mani Kaul, 66, film director
• August 14 – Shammi Kapoor, 79, actor
• August 18 – Johnson Master, 58, musician
• September 22 – Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi, 70, cricketer
• October 10 – Jagjit Singh, 70, singer
• November 5 – Bhupen Hazarika, 85, singer
• November 9 – Har Gobind Khorana, Indian-born American Nobel biochemist
• November 27 – Ustad Sultan Khan, 71, musician
• December 4 – Dev Anand, 88, actor and director

News effect to the Archaeology

• January : Teams commence a survey of the World War II Auxiliary Units headquarters site at Coleshill on the Oxfordshire/Wiltshire border in England.

Excavations

• Spring: Excavation of unused British escape tunnel "George" (c. September 1944) at the site of the Stalag Luft III camp in Żagań (present-day Poland) by a British team.

Publications

• Robert Van De Noort - North Sea Archaeologies: a maritime biography 10,000 BC–AD 1500 (Oxford University Press).
• February 16 - Scientists from the Natural History Museum publish an analysis of human skulls from 14,700 years BP found at Gough’s Cave in Cheddar Gorge, England, around 1987, which they believe were deliberately fashioned into ritual drinking cups. Human bones butchered and discarded nearby also suggest the practice of cannibalism.
• March - Archaeologists writing in Science argue that 15,500 BP finds from near Austin, Texas overturn the theory that the Clovis culture represents the earliest settlers in North America.

Finds

• January 11: An article in Journal of Archaeological Science reveals the discovery of the earliest known winemaking equipment in caves in Armenia, from 6,000 years BP.
• February 11 - Marine archaeologists from the United States National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration announce the discovery of artefacts from the whaling ship Two Brothers which sank off the French Frigate Shoals atoll in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands on February 11, 1823 under Captain George Pollard, Jr.
• March 10 - English archaeologists report finding one of the earliest complete Neolithic pots in the country on a housing development in Didcot. It is thought to be about 5,500 years old.
• March 25 - The discovery of the Jordan Lead Codices, a series of codices from a cave in Jordan, is announced. The books, which reportedly contain early Christian symbols are purportedly around 2,000 years old. The authenticity of the codices is doubted.
• October 19 - The discovery of the United Kingdom mainland's first fully intact Viking ship burial site, at Ardnamurchan in the western Scottish Highlands, is announced.

Miscellaneous

• February 11 - The Pergamon Museum in Berlin stages a major exhibition of reconstructed Neo-Hittite sculpture and other material from Max von Oppenheim's collection (largely destroyed in 1943).
• July - The site of Venta Icenorum in Norfolk, England, is taken into public ownership.

Deaths

• February 19 - Anson Rainey, author and Professor Emeritus of Ancient Near Eastern Cultures and Semitic Linguistics at Tel Aviv University (b. 1930).
• April 11 - Lewis Binford, known for his development of processual archaeology.
• June 2 - Philip Rahtz, English archaeologist (b. 1921).

News effect to the Literature

Tomas Tranströmer wins the 2011 Nobel Prize in Literature.
Jennifer Egan wins the 2011 Pulitzer Prize for Fiction for her novel “A Visit From the Goon Squad”.
Julian Barnes wins the 2011 Man Booker Prize for fiction for his novel “The Sense of an Ending”.

Book Published in 2011
Literature

• T.C. Boyle – When the Killing's Done
• Geraldine Brooks – Caleb's Crossing (novel)
• Bonnie Jo Campbell – Once Upon a River
• Patrick deWitt – The Sisters Brothers
• E. L. Doctorow – All the Time in the World
• Steve Earle – I'll Never Get Out of This World Alive
• Jeffrey Eugenides – The Marriage Plot
• Jonathan Evison – West of Here
• Robb Forman Dew – Being Polite to Hitler
• Charles Frazier – Nightwoods
• James Frey – The Final Testament of the Holy Bible
• Benjamin Hale – The Evolution of Bruno Littlemore
• Ron Hansen – A Wild Surge of Guilty Passion
• Chad Harbach – The Art of Fielding
• Mat Johnson – Pym
• Haruki Murakami – 1Q84
• Téa Obreht – The Tiger's Wife
• Michael Ondaatje – The Cat's Table
• Ann Patchett – State of Wonder
• Chuck Palahniuk – Damned
• Tom Perrota – The Leftovers
• Arthur Phillips – The Tragedy of Arthur
• Karen Russell – Swamplandia!
• John Sayles – A Moment in the Sun
• Colm Tóibín – The Empty Family
• David Foster Wallace – The Pale King
• Daniel Woodrell – The Outlaw Album

Non-fiction

• Peter Bergen – The Longest War: The Enduring Conflict between America and Al-Qaeda
• Mark Bowden – Worm: The First Digital World War
• Frank Brady – Endgame: The Spectacular Rise and Fall of Bobby Fischer
• David Brooks – The Social Animal
• Brian Christian – The Most Human Human
• Richard Dawkins – The Magic of Reality: How We Know What's Really True
• Douglas Edwards – I'm Feeling Lucky
• T.J. English – The Savage City: Race, Murder and a Generation on the Edge
• Tina Fey – Bossypants
• Joshua Foer – Moonwalking with Einstein
• James Gleick – The Information: A History, a Theory, a Flood
• Geoffrey Gray – Skyjack
• Brian Greene – The Hidden Reality
• Louis Hyman – Debtor Nation
• Steve Inskeep – Instant City
• David King – Death in the City of Light: The Serial Killer of Nazi-Occupied Paris
• Erik Larson – In the Garden of Beasts: Love, Terror, and an American Family in Hitler's Berlin
• Joseph Lelyveld – Great Soul: Mahatma Gandhi and His Struggle With India
• Steven Levy – In The Plex: How Google Thinks, Works, and Shapes Our Lives
• Charles C. Mann – 1493: Uncovering the New World Columbus Created
• David McCullough – The Greater Journey
• Ben Mezrich – Sex on the Moon
• Scott Miller – The President and the Assassin
• Errol Morris – Believing is Seeing
• Grant Morrison – Supergods
• Joyce Carol Oates – A Widow's Story
• Patton Oswalt – Zombie, Spaceship, Wasteland
• Dana Priest – Top Secret America
• Annie Proulx – Bird Cloud: A Memoir
• Janet Reitman – Inside Scientology: The Story of America's Most Secretive Religion
• Tom Scocca – Beijing Welcomes You
• Tom Shales & J.A. Miller – Those Guys Have All the Fun
• Sarah Vowell – Unfamiliar Fishes
• Matt Welch and Nick Gillespie – The Declaration of Independents
• Daniel Yergin – The Quest
• Mitchell Zuckoff – Lost in Shangri-La

Poetry

• Rae Armantrout, Money Shot (February)
• Susan Howe, That This (February)
• Alice Notley, Culture of One (March)
• Billy Collins, Horoscopes for the Dead (April)
• Michael Palmer, Thread (May)
• Sarah Palin (edited by Michael Solomon), I Hope Like Heck (June 21)

Science Fiction and Fantasy

• Joe Abercrombie – The Heroes
• Daniel Abraham – The Dragon's Path
• Daniel Abraham (writing as James S.A. Corey) – Leviathan Wakes (with Ty Franck)
• Ann Aguirre – Aftermath
• Greg Bear – Halo: Cryptum
• Lauren Beukes – Zoo City
• Alex Bledsoe – Dark Jenny
• Alex Bledsoe – The Hum and the Shiver
• M. M. Buckner – The Gravity Pilot
• Robert Buettner – Undercurrents
• Jack Campbell – The Lost Frontier: Beyond the Frontier: Dreadnought
• Orson Scott Card – The Lost Gate
• Michael Crichton & Douglas Preston – Micro
• Ian Douglas – Center of Gravity
• David Anthony Durham – The Sacred Band
• Greg Egan – The Clockwork Rocket
• Kate Elliott – Cold Fire
• C.S. Friedman – Legacy of Kings
• Steven Gould – The 7th Sigma
• Michael Grant — Plague
• Mira Grant – Deadline
• Lev Grossman – The Magician King
• Stephen Hunt – The Rise of the Iron Moon
• N. K. Jemisin – The Kingdom of Gods
• Richard Kadrey – Aloha from Hell
• Stephen King — 11/22/63
• Sharon Lee & Steve Miller – Ghost Ship (novel)
• Pittacus Lore — The Power of Six
• Richard Matheson – Other Kingdoms
• George R. R. Martin – A Dance with Dragons
• Jack McDevitt – Firebird
• China Mieville – Embassytown
• Karen Miller – A Blight of Mages
• Richard K. Morgan – The Cold Commands
• Joseph Nassise – Eyes to See
• Terry Pratchett – Snuff
• Cherie Priest – Ganymede
• Hannu Rajaniemi – The Quantum Thief
• Brian Ruckley – The Edinburgh Dead
• Brandon Sanderson – The Alloy of Law
• John Scalzi – Fuzzy Nation
• Dan Simmons – Flashback
• Neal Stephenson – Reamde
• Charles Stross – Rule 34
• Michael Swanwick – Dancing with Bears
• Catherynne M. Valente – Deathless
• Vernor Vinge – The Children of the Sky
• Jo Walton – Among Others
• David Weber – How Firm a Foundation
• Robert Charles Wilson – Vortex
• Daniel Wilson – Robopocalypse
• Gene Wolfe – Home Fires

Young Adult

• Cynthia Hand — Unearthly (January 4)
• Courtney Allison Moulton — Angelfire (February 15)
• Gordon Korman, Peter Lerangis, Rick Riordan, and Jude Watson – Vespers Rising (April 5)
• Josephine Angelini — Starcrossed (April 5) (Spain release)
• Kelley Armstrong — The Gathering (April 12)
• K. A. Applegate – Re-release of Animorphs books
• Rick Riordan – The Throne of Fire (May 3)
• Rick Riordan – The Son of Neptune (October 4th)
• Anthony Horowitz — Scorpia Rising
• Christopher Paolini — Inheritance

Crime and Thriller

• Jeff Abbott – Adrenaline
• Ace Atkins – The Ranger
• Kate Atkinson – Started Early, Took My Dog
• Steve Berry – The Jefferson Key
• James Lee Burke – Feast Day of Fools
• Lee Child – The Affair
• Edward Conlon – Red on Red
• Michael Connelly – The Fifth Witness
• John Connolly – The Burning Soul
• Jeffrey Deaver – Carte Blanche
• Ted Dekker and Tosca Lee – Forbidden
• Ted Dekker – The Priest's Graveyard
• Sue Grafton – V is for Vengeance
• John Grisham – The Litigators
• Morag Joss – Among the Missing
• Stuart M. Kaminsky – A Whisper to the Living
• Henning Mankell – The Troubled Man
• Jo Nesbo – The Snowman
• T. Jefferson Parker – The Border Lords
• George Pelecanos – The Cut
• Ralph Peters – The Officers' Club
• James Rollins – The Devil's Colony
• John Sandford – Buried Prey
• Marcus Sakey – The Two Deaths of Daniel Hayes
• Bernard J. Schaffer – Whitechapel
• Duane Swierczynski – Fun and Games
• Guillermo del Toro & Chuck Hogan – The Night Eternal
• Nicolaas Vergunst – Knot of Stone
• S.J. Watson – Before I Go to Sleep

News effect to the Art

• April 3 – The Chinese artist and dissident Ai Wei Wei is arrested and detained and his studio sealed off, by the government of the Peoples Republic of China, during an apparent crackdown by the regime on activists and dissidents. The PRC government later states that Wei Wei is being held while investigated for economic crimes.
• April 16 – Turner Contemporary art gallery, designed by David Chipperfield, opens in Margate, Kent, England.
• May 1 - UK publication of @earth
• May 21 – The Hepworth Wakefield art gallery, designed by David Chipperfield, opens to the public in West Yorkshire, England.
• June 22 – The Chinese legal authorities release Ai Weiwei on bail after three months detention, after being charged for alleged tax evasion. His incarceration was widely viewed as an attempt to silence a prominent critic while authorities had time to decide on legal grounds for prosecuting him, and his detention prompted condemnation of the Chinese government from some corners of the globe.[2] According to the China's Foreign Ministry, he is prohibited from leaving Beijing without permission for one year. After his release Ai declined to give interviews saying that he is not allowed to talk.
• September – firstsite's new art gallery, designed by Rafael Viñoly, opens in Colchester, England.
• October 28 – ArcelorMittal Orbit, designed by Anish Kapoor, erected at Olympic Park, London.
• November 8- Rhein II by the German photographer Andreas Gursky sells for $4.3m (£2.7m) at Christies, New York becoming the most expensive photograph ever sold.
• November 15- Ai Weiwei pays 8.45 million Yuan in taxes after receiving a large number of donations from supporters who believe the debt was politcially motivated because of his criticism of the Chinese government.

Exhibitions

• Thomas Lawrence: "Regency Power and Brilliance", Yale Center for British Art, February 24 – June 5, 2011
• “Picasso and Marie-Thérèse Walter: L’amour Fou”, curated by John Richardson and Dianne Widmaier Picasso, Gagosian Gallery 522 West 21st Street New York City, April 14 – July 15, 2011
• Julian Schnabel: "Permanently Becoming and the Architecture of Seeing" curated by Norman Rosenthal , the Museo Correr Venice, Italy, June 4 – November 27, 2011
• "Twombly-Poussin Arcadian Painters" at the Dulwich Picture Gallery, London, June 29 – September 25, 2011

Awards

• The Venice Biennial :
• The Lion d'or (Golden Lion) for best national pavilion-Germany exhibiting the work of Christoph Schlingensief
• The Lion d'or for lifetime achievement – Franz West and Sturtevant
• The Lion d'or for best artwork in the main exhibition – Christian Marclay
• The Silver Lion for most promising new artist – Haroun Mizra
• The Archibald Prize 2011- Ben Quilty

Deaths

• January 4 – B. H. Friedman, 84, writer, author of the first biography on Jackson Pollock
• January 5 – Malangatana Ngwenya, 74, Mozambican painter and poet
• January 9 – Makinti Napanangka, 80s, Australian Papunya Tula artist
• January 11 – Won-il Rhee, 50, South Korean digital art curator
• January 13 – Ellen Stewart, 91, Founder of La MaMa E.T.C., New York, designer
• January 20 – Alan Uglow, 69, British-born American painter
• January 21 – Dennis Oppenheim, 72, American sculptor
• February 8 – Charles O. Perry, 81, American sculptor
• February 11 – Roy Gussow, 92, American sculptor
• February 25 – Suze Rotolo, 67, American book artist
• March 10 – Gabriel Laderman, 81, American painter
• March 13 – Leo Steinberg, 90, American art historian and critic
• March 27 – George Tooker, 90, American painter
• March 30 – Jorge Camacho, 77, Cuban Painter
• April 8 – John McCracken, 76, American sculptor and painter
• April 8 – Hedda Sterne, 100, Romanian born, American painter
• April 12 – Miroslav Tichý, 84, Czech photographer
• May 13 – Stephen De Staebler, 79, American sculptor and printmaker
• May 18 (body found on this date) - Wlodzimierz Ksiazek, 60, Polish born American painter
• May 25 – Leonora Carrington, 94, British born, surrealist painter, who lived in Mexico
• June 4 – Claudio Bravo, 74, Chilean painter
• June 9 – M. F. Husain, 95, Indian painter
• June 16 – Twins Seven Seven, 67, Nigerian painter and sculptor
• June 20 – Thomas N. Armstrong III, 78, American curator and museum director (Whitney Museum of American Art and the Andy Warhol Museum)
• June 22 – Robert Miller, 72, American gallerist
• July 5 – Cy Twombly, 83, American painter
• July 17 – Alex Steinweiss, 94, American graphic designer, inventor of the album cover
• July 20 – Lucian Freud, 88, British painter
• July 31 - John Hoyland, 76, British painter
• August 6 - Roman Opalka, 79, French-born Polish painter
• August 21 - Budd Hopkins, 80, American painter
• August 23 - Jeanette Ingberman, 59, American curator co-founder of Exit Art
• September 5 - Vann Nath, 66, Cambodian painter
• September 13 - Richard Hamilton. 89, British painter
• September 16 - Stephen Mueller, 63, American painter
• October 24 - Bruno Weber, 80, Swiss artist and architect
• November 13 - Pat Passlof, 83, American painter
• November 23 - Gerald Laing, 75, British painter and sculptor
• November 26 - Manon Cleary, 69, American painter
• December 8 - Jerry Robinson, 89, American comic book artist and reputed creator of The Joker

Setting up of Welfare Boards

The Government has enacted the Building and Other Construction Workers (Regulation of Employment and Conditions of Service) Act, 1996 and the Building and Other Construction Workers’ Welfare Cess Act, 1996 with a view to regulating the employment and conditions of service of building and other construction workers and provide for their safety, health and welfare measures etc. Under the Building and Other Construction Workers (Regulation of Employment and Conditions of Service) Act, 1996, every State Government has to constitute a State Building and Other Construction Workers Welfare Board. The functions of the Board include providing welfare and social security measure such as immediate assistance to a beneficiary in case of accident, payment of pension to the beneficiaries who have completed the age of 60 years, loan and advances for construction of house, paying amount in connection with premia for Group Insurance Scheme etc.

As per the information received from the States/UTs, 33 States/UTs have constituted the Welfare Boards. The Central Government has issued directions to the concerned State Governments/UTs to set up the Welfare Board under Building and Other Construction Workers (Regulation of Employment and Conditions of Service) Act, 1996.
Under the Building and Other Construction Workers’ Welfare Cess Act, 1996, a cess @ 1% of the construction cost is collected by the State and given to the respective Welfare Boards for meeting the expenses on welfare of construction workers. As per information received from States/UTs total amount of cess collected up to 30.6.2011 is Rs. 5265.57 Crore (approximate).

District GRAMSAT Scheme

The respective state governments incur expenditure on GRAMSAT Scheme. The contribution of Indian Space Research Organization is to provide the necessary bandwidth for GRAMSAT project. The estimated value of this bandwidth is Rs 3 Crores per year. The GRAMSAT Scheme includes the tribal areas like Jhabua, Dhar and Barwani districts in Madhya Pradesh; Chamarajnagar District in Karnataka; Kalahandi-Bolangir-Koraput (KBK) region in Orissa; Panchmahal, Dang, Sabarkantha and Banaskantha districts in Gujarat. The objectives of GRAMSAT schemes are currently pursued under EDUSAT programme.

Employment Information Centers in Villages

Employment Market Information (EMI) Programme provides information on quarterly basis in public and private sectors including urban areas to monitor changes in the levels of employment. The data collected under EMI programmes covers only the organized sector of the economy which inter-alia covers all establishments in the public sector irrespective of their size and non agricultural establishments in the private sector employing 10 or more persons while the information from non-agricultural establishments in the private sector employing 25 or more persons is collected under the provisions of Employment Exchanges (Compulsory Notification of Vacancies) Act, 1959. Data from the establishments employing 10-24 persons are collected on a voluntary basis.

The Employment Exchanges prepare Area Employment Market Reviews to indicate employment situation in the organized sector within the District. State Directors of Employment also prepare State Level Employment Reviews showing employment situation prevailing at the state level. Ministry of Labour & Employment has not urged the State Governments to set up Employment Information Centers in every village. However, common service centers have been set up in the rural areas by Department of Information Technology which can be used as outreach centers for Employment Exchanges for online registration by job seekers. The Employment Exchanges are already performing this activity of collecting data on vacancies or establishments under the provisions of Employment Exchanges (Compulsory Notification of Vacancies) Act, 1959.

India declares itself bird flu-free

India has declared itself free from bird flu (Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza). The declaration was made here on December 29, 2011, and notified to the OIE (Office International des Epizooties, which later became the World Organisation for Animal Health). However, states have been advised to keep up the vigil, according to the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying. If there is no outbreak of the disease for three consecutive months, a country can declare itself free from bird flu.

Country's first online Braille library launched

The visually impaired students can now 'flip' through the pages of multilingual study books with the launch of the country's first online Braille library. Union Minister of Social Justice and Empowerment, Mukul Wasnik yesterday launched the library at an event organised by the National Institute for Visually Handicapped (NIVH) at the Ali Yavar Jung National Institute for the Hearing Handicapped in suburban Bandra to commemorate the birth anniversary of Louis Braille. The library provides access to 12,000 books in 10 different languages in a user-friendly format. This will make education easier for persons with visual impairment, NIVH director Anuradha Mohit said. The online library is dedicated to students with visual impairment, pursuing higher education in numerous colleges and universities. By offering the accessible format, the library will cater to students in subjects ranging from Information Technology to Literature, Wasnik said, adding persons with visual impairment must benefit from this technological accessibility for information. The Srimad Bhagwat Maha Puraan and Holy Quran in Braille produced at Dugganji Braille Press at the city-based National Association for the Blind were also released by the minister on the occasion. The link to the online Braille library is: http://www.oblindia.org An exhibition of the technology and utility devices for the visually challenged at the venue, showcased gadgets like "picture-in-flash" device to print tactile diagram, a "talking" ATM, talking labeler, weighing scale, color recognizer, talking blood pressure meter and talking physiotherapy.

Various Programs, Initiatives and acts related to Environment and Ecology in 2011

The following are the various programs, initiatives, draft acts and policies of Environment & Forest Ministry:

India Launches Major New Study For Valuation Of Its Natural Capital And Ecosystem Services

The Ministry of Environment and Forests has initiated a major new programme to value the immense wealth of natural resources and biodiversity in India. Collaborating with The Economics of Ecosystems and Biodiversity (TEEB) study, the Ministry has begun the process of valuating its natural capital and ecosystem services in terms of economic value.

India participates in the 10th CoP of Migratory Species of Wild Animals

India made impressive presence in the 10th Conference of Parties of Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals Held at Bergen, Norway during November 20-25,2011: Nominated as Member of the Standing Committee of CMS.

The Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (also known as CMS or Bonn Convention) aims to conserve terrestrial, aquatic and avian migratory species throughout their range. It is an intergovernmental treaty, concluded under the aegis of the United Nations Environment Programme, concerned with the conservation of wildlife and habitats on a global scale.

Minister inaugurates the first Indian Forest Congress, 2011

Mrs. Jayanthi Natarajan appealed for more scientific analysis of the issues relating to forest management in the country in the midst of ever increasing pressure on the forests and climate change threat. Inaugurating the first Indian Forest Congress,2011 in New Delhi today, she urged for developing reliable data at the state level on forest biomass, increment, Non-timber Forest Products, Eco-tourism, etc.

Draft Bio-Medical Waste (Management & Handling) Rules, 2011

The MoEF has notified the new Draft Bio-Medical Waste (Management & Handling) Rules, 2011 under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 to replace the earlier Rules (1998) and the amendments thereof. The darft Rules are notified for information of the public and suggestions and comments are invited within 60 days.

Draft Animal Welfare Act 2011

The importance that India accords to the protection of animals and their rights is reflected in the fact that the Constitution of the nation recognizes the need for their protection. Article 51A (g) enshrines and casts upon every citizen of India, the duty to have compassion for all living creatures, as a Fundamental Duty. In keeping with this commitment, India was also one of the first countries to enact a law on the subject of animal cruelty being the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960.

India has one of the most comprehensive laws on the subject of Wildlife Protection but unfortunately domesticated animals do not enjoy specific protections under the same.

There is therefore a need for a comprehensive and holistic legislation to address this issue. Acknowledging this need, the Hon’ble Minister for Environment and Forests, gave a categorical assurance on the floor of the Lok Sabha on August 11th, 2010 that the Ministry would enact a law titled the Animal Welfare Act that would provide, among other things, for steeper penalties for animal cruelty.

This law intends to modify the approach of our authorities in dealing with animal protection by moving from a defensive position to a positive, welfare and wellbeing oriented approach through the Draft Animal Welfare Act, 2011. Some of the salient features of the draft enactment are:

• Augmenting animal welfare and wellbeing ;
• Strengthening animal welfare organizations, and conscientious citizens who wish to espouse the cause of animal welfare and wellbeing ;
• Enhancing penalties for animal abuse ;
• Altering and enlarging the definition of animal abuse, in keeping with the times, and in keeping with judicial pronouncements.

The Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960, shall stand repealed when this Act comes into force, but all actions already taken under the same, and Rules and Regulations already framed, shall be saved to the extent and in the manner indicated in the Draft Animal Welfare Act, 2011.

SICOM and MSSRF join hands for Vedaranyam, sign MoU

On the occasion of the 80th Anniversary of the “Salt Satyagraha”, the Ministry of Environment and Forests initiated the conservation and development of Vedaranyam Coastal Zone project based on Gandhian Principles. The above project is being undertaken by Society of Integrated Coastal Management (SICOM) under the World Bank assisted Integrated Coastal Zone Management project. This project would be implemented by M.S. Swaminathan Research Foundation (MSSRF), Chennai under the Chairmanship of Prof. M.S. Swaminathan.

The above project includes, restoration and conservation of the coastal resources, promote scientific management of land and water resources and promote community based joint management and implementation of the coastal zone management programme.

Under the project the Vedaranyam swamp which has a vast mangrove, salt marsh and migratory bird population will be restored, income generating activities for the local communities would be taken up. The project was officially announced on 26th December, 2010. The Memorandum of Understanding was signed between Society.

Report on the All India Tiger Estimation (2010) and MEE of Tiger Reserves

28th July, 2011, New Delhi, India: The detailed report on the All India Tiger Estimation (2010) along with the outcome of Management Effectiveness Evaluation (MEE) of Tiger Reserves were released today.

(i) Detailed report on the All India Tiger Estimation (2010)

A detailed report on the 2010 assessment relating to status of tigers, co-predators and their prey is a sequel to the outcome released in March this year. This study reports a countrywide increase of 20% in tiger numbers in 2010 with an estimated number of 1706 (1520-1909).

The 2006 estimation was 1411 (1165 – 1657) tigers. This country level assessment is done once in every four years, and is a collaborative initiative between the NTCA, WII, tiger States and outside expertise. There is a decline of 12.6% in tiger occupancy from connecting habitats.

This has happened in peripheral and dispersal areas having low densities outside tiger reserves and tiger source populations. The increase in tiger numbers is due to the fact that tiger populations in Uttarakhand, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra and Karnataka have shown an increase in tiger density. The inclusion of Sunderbans, some portions of North East and parts of Maharashtra have also contributed to the increase. The methodology consisted of a double sampling approach – Phase I by Forest departments generate indices of abundance, Phase II – Remotely sensed information on landscape characteristics in a GIS, Phase III – research biologists sample areas with remote cameras and modern technology to determine tiger abundance. There has been an unprecedented effort of about 477,000 man days by forest staff, and 37,000 man days by professional biologists. A total effort of 81,409 trap nights yielded photo-captures of 635 unique tiger from a total camera trapped area of 11,192 km2 over 29 sites.

Tiger occupied forests in India were classified into 6 landscape complexes: (a) Shivalik Hills and the Gangetic Plain, (b) Central India (c) Eastern Ghats, (d) Western Ghats, (e) North-Eastern Hills and Brahmaputra Plains, and (f) Sunderbans.

The report is not about tiger numbers alone and gives invaluable information on connectivity, corridors and habitats.

(ii) Management Effectiveness Evaluation (MEE) of Tiger Reserve

The MEE report contains the second round of independent assessment based on refined criteria done in 2010-11 for 39 tiger reserves. This assessment is based on the globally used framework, as adapted to Indian conditions. Five independent teams conducted the evaluation using 30 indicators. The framework consists of 6 elements: context, planning, inputs, process, outputs and outcomes.

The 39 tiger reserves were grouped in same landscape clusters as done in tiger estimation. An additional category comprising of tigers in ‘red corridor’ has been included, besides a separate category for reserves where tigers have gone locally extinct. Out of 39 tiger reserves, 15 were rated as ‘very good’, 12 as ‘good’, 8 as ‘satisfactory’ and 4 as ‘poor’.

28 tiger reserves were compared with the MEE ratings of 2005-06. It is inferred that the ‘very good’ category increased by 4%, ‘good’ category increased by 3% and ‘satisfactory’ decreased by 7%.

Extensive Study carried using satellite-based inventory and monitoring methods on ‘Snow and glaciers of the Himalayas’.   Clickhere to View Full Report>>

Minister reviews plan for strengthening the Indian Forest Service- 30^th June 2011

The Indian Forest Service (IFS) came into being in 1966, to manage, conserve and develop the forest and wildlife resources of the country. However, a lack of long-term planning on annual recruitment, skill building and training in the past has been a cause for concern.

A five-member committee constituted by the Ministry in 2010, headed by Shri J.C.Kala, Former DG Forests, undertook an exercise to draw up a comprehensive recruitment plan for the next 20 years. The report of the Committee is available on the Ministry’s website.

Highlights Of 4th National Report Submitted To Unccd Secretariat – 20^th June 2011

·         About 69 percent of India is dry land – arid, semi-arid and dry sub-humid
o   These areas are heavily populated
o   Degradation has severe implications for livelihood and food security for millions of people living in these areas
·     An estimated 32 percent of India’s total land area is affected by land degradation (of which desertification is a major component)
·     81.45 million hectares, or 24.8 percent of the country’s geographic area is undergoing desertification
·  Water and soil erosion are major causes of land degradation; water erosion is most prominent in agricultural regions
·   The key anthropogenic factors resulting in degradation are unsustainable agricultural practices; diversion of land to development programmes; industrial effluents; mining and deforestation
·     Unsustainable resource management practices drive desertification, and accentuate the poverty of people affected by desertification
·    Land rehabilitation has been a major priority since Independence, and several policies and government agencies address desertification and degradation.

Milestones of Defence in India in 2011 with Full details

The Following are the Complete List of all the successful tests of 2011 collected from various newspapers for students appearing for civil service examinations and other competitive examinations.

• Initial Operational Clearance Ceremony to LCA (Tejas) at Bangalore on January 10, 2011.  Defence Minister Shri AK Antony formally handed over the release to service certificate of Tejas Aircraft to the chief of Air Staff, Air chief Marshal PV Naik. Read More>>

• Successful launch of Dhanush and Prithvi Missiles by the Strategic Forces Command from Interim Test Range, Chandipur, Orissa and a warship off Orissa Coast on March 11, 2011. Read More>>

• Kaveri engine being developed by the DRDO for the indigenous Light Combat Aircraft successfully completed the first phase Flying Test Bed trials mounted on a modified IL-76 aircraft in Russia during April.

• Indian Naval crew began training in Russia in April aboard the new Aircraft Carrier Admiral Gorshkov, being rechristened INS Vikramaditya, to be inducted into the Indian Naval fleet. Read More>>

• The Nuclear-capable, Prithvi-II surface-to-surface missile was successfully test-fired for its full range of 350 km on 9th June, 2011 by the personnel of Strategic Force Command as part of a regular user training exercise.
  The nine-metre tall missile was picked up randomly from the production lot and test-fired by the SFC personnel, while the logistics were provided by DRDO scientists.

  The missile, fired from a mobile launcher at the Integrated Test Range (ITR), Chandipur, off the Orissa Coast at 9 a.m, achieved a high-degree accuracy, according to Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) sources. After a flight duration of about 8 minutes, the indigenously-built missile impacted the target in the Bay of Bengal with a single-digit accuracy of less than 10-metres of CEP (Circular Error Probability).

  A battery of state-of-art radars, electro-optical telemetry stations and a ship located near the target point tracked the entire event.

  The single-stage, liquid fuelled Prithvi-II is capable of carrying payloads ranging from 500-1,000 kg and was already inducted by the Armed Forces. It is equipped with a high-accuracy inertial navigation system with sophisticated on-board control and guidance. Prithvi-II's mobile launcher has user-driven features and the road mobile system could be launched from anywhere in the country.

• Defence Minister Shri AK Antony inaugurated the DRDO’s state-of-the-art composite propellant processing facility – ACEM (Advanced Centre for Energetic Materials) at Nasik in Maharashtra on Wednesday, Jun 29, 2011. Read More>>

• Successful launch of new Surface to Surface Tactical Missile ‘PRAHAAR’ by DRDO on Thursday, July 21, 2011. Read More>>

• Successful flight test of the 700- km range SHOURYA Missile from Launch Complex III of Integrated Test Range (ITR), Chandipur off OrissaCoast on Saturday, Sep 24, 2011. Read More>>

• India's nuclear capable Prithvi-II ballistic missile was successfully test-fired, with a range of 350 kms, as part of user trial by the Armed Forces from Chandipur off Orissa coast, about 15 km from here.
  The indigenously developed surface-to-surface missile was flight tested at around 8.50 a.m. from a mobile launcher from the Integrated Test Range launch complex-III.
  The test firing of the short-range ballistic missile, which has already been inducted into the Armed Forces, was a ‘user trial’, defence sources said.
  The sleek missile is “handled by the specially raised strategic force command”, they said, adding the missile has a length of 9 metres and is one metre in diameter. It is propelled by two engines than run on liquid fuel.
  Prithvi, the first ballistic missile developed under the country’s prestigious Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme (IGMDP), has the capability of carrying 500 kg of warhead. The missile uses advanced inertial guidance system with manoeuvring trajectory.

• LCA Tejas (Navy) made successful Ground Run at Bangalore on Tuesday, Sep 27, 2011. Read More>>

• Surface to Surface Strategic Missile AGNI (A-II)

   India successfully flight-tested Intermediate range, nuclear weapons-capable Agni-II surface-to-surface missile for its full range of over 2,000 km from Balasore, Orissa on 30th September which is a hat-trick of achievements in the past one week. The missile was fired from a rail mobile launcher by the Army’s Strategic Force Command personnel at 9.30 a.m. as part of a training exercise after it was picked up from the production lot. After a 10-minute flight, the 21-metre tall Agni-II reached the pre-defined target in the Bay of Bengal with precision and accuracy. Two naval ships located near the target point, electro-optical and telemetry systems tracked the missile’s flight path and its final moments.
  

  
  

  Scientific Advisor to Defence Minister V.K. Saraswat described it a dream launch and one of the finest copy-book launches of Agni-II. All the performance parameters of the mission such as velocity, terminal phase, trajectory and destruction of the warhead went as per copybook profile.
  India successfully flight-tested Intermediate range, nuclear weapons-capable Agni-II surface-to-surface missile for its full range of over 2,000 km from Balasore, Orissa on 30th September which is a hat-trick of achievements in the past one week. The missile was fired from a rail mobile launcher by the Army’s Strategic Force Command personnel at 9.30 a.m. as part of a training exercise after it was picked up from the production lot. After a 10-minute flight, the 21-metre tall Agni-II reached the pre-defined target in the Bay of Bengal with precision and accuracy. 

• The DRDO conducted the 5th successful flight of UAV ‘Rustom I’ near Hosur, Karnataka on Friday, Nov 11, 2011. Read More>>

• The Missile reached the target with very high level of accuracy. Radars and electro-optical systems along the Coast of Odisha have tracked and monitored all the parameters of the Missile. Two Indian Naval ships located near the target witnessed the final event.

  AGNI 4 is a new era in the modern Long Range Navigation System in India. This test has paved the way ahead for the success of AGNI-5 Mission, which will be launched shortly.

  The Missile, having capability to carry Strategic Warheads for the Forces, has provided a fantastic deterrence to the country and it will be produced in numbers and delivered to the Armed Forces as early as possible.

  
  

  What's New in AGNI 4?

  
  

  • This missile is one of its kinds, proving many new technologies for the first time, and represents a quantum leap in terms of missile technology. 
  • The Missile is lighter in weight and has two stages of Solid Propulsion and a Payload with Re-entry heat shield. 
  • The Composite Rocket Motor which has been used for the first time has given excellent performance. 
  • The Missile System is equipped with modern and compact Avionics with Redundancy to provide high level of reliability. 
  • The indigenous Ring Laser Gyros based high accuracy INS (RINS) and Micro Navigation System (MINGS) complementing each other in redundant mode have been successfully flown in guidance mode for the first time. 
  • The high performance onboard computer with distributed Avionics architecture, high speed reliable communication bus and a full Digital Control System have controlled and guided the Missile to the target.
  India successfully test fired the most advanced long range missile system Agni-4 on 15th November, 2011. The missile was launched from a Road Mobile System at 9.00 AM from Wheelers’ Island off the coast of Odisha. The missile followed its trajectory, in a text book fashion, attained a height of about 900 kms and reached the pre-designated target in the international waters of Bay of Bengal. All mission objectives were fully met. All the systems functioned perfectly till the end encountering the re-entry temperatures of more than 3000⁰C.

• Sixth successful test launch of Agni-AI Ballistic Missile from WheelerIsland on Dec 1, 2011 by Armed Forces. Read More>>

APPSC SCHEDULE OF RECRUITMENT

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APPSC GROUP-4 EXAM PREPARATION PLAN

APPSC SCHEDULE OF RECRUITMENT

Schedule of Online submission of Applications for various Recruitments

APPSC JUNIOR LECTURERS EXAM PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION SOLVED PAPER (EXAM HELD ON: 03-12-2011)

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GROUP-I SERVICES MAIN EXAMINATION RESULTS

GROUP-I SERVICES MAIN EXAMINATION RESULTS (GENERAL RECRUITMENT)
NOTIFICATION NO. 39/2008 & Supplemental No.10/2009 

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IAS Main Exam 2011 Solved General Studies Paper- I

General Studies Paper – I

1. Answer any three of the following in about 250 words each:         20x3=60

(a) ‘Essentially all that is contained in part IV- A of the Constitution is just a codification of tasks integral to Indian way of life.’ Critically examine the statement.

Answer:

Article 51A of the part IV-A of the Indian Constitution lists the fundamental duties of the citizens which were added to the Indian Constitution by the 42nd Amendment Act. Fundamental duties are restrictions on the citizens, but they are not enforceable in a court of law. They act more like a lighthouse to guide citizens’ conduct and bring it in conformity with the Indian way of life. They include abiding the constitution and respecting its ideals and institutions such as the National Flag and the National Anthem. Fundamental Duties also include cherishing and following the noble ideals that inspired our freedom struggle, upholding the sovereignty and integrity of the nation, rendering national services, promoting harmony and brotherhood, renouncing practices derogatory to the dignity of women, safeguarding public property, developing scientific temper etc.

Incidents like destruction of public property by violent mobs and protestors, delivering of hate speeches to cause disharmony and rift among communities, mounting corruption, declining child sex ratio, reports of practices like sati which still is continuing in some parts of the country point towards the fact that the republic has not succeeded completely in instilling the values contained in part IV-A, in the hearts and minds of the Indian citizens.

These values should be taught from the early childhood through a free, fair, secular, and non-discriminatory education system. The society also needs role models from all walks of life such as politics, business, administration, judiciary, academia etc.  so that national identity becomes paramount and the values are most cherished.


(b) ‘The exercise of executive clemency is not a privilege but is based on several principles, and discretion has to be exercised in public consideration.’ Analyse this statement in the context of judicial powers of the President of India.

Answer:

Article 72 of the Indian Constitution empowers the president to pardon, remit, commute, respite and reprieves a person of any offence. Supreme Court has held that pardoning power of the President is subject to judicial review and it should not be handled dishonestly in the public interest.

The question of executive clemency has come into focus due to the recent decision of the President’s rejecting the mercy plea of those, convicted in the Rajiv Gandhi assassination case and Tamil Nadu assembly’s passage of a resolution over it. The Afzal Guru case has also not yet been resolved which also is giving political colour to the whole issue.

Supreme Court in its 1989 judgement laid down several principles or ‘do’s’ and ‘don’ts’ with respect to the executive clemency. The apex court observed that the delay in making a decision on the death penalty leads to adverse psychological impact on the convicted and it amounts to the court’s inhuman and brutal treatment. Thus inordinate delay can form the basis for clemency. It also observed that the nature of crime needs to be taken into consideration before granting executive clemency. The conduct of the convicted cannot form the basis for granting clemency and the time calculated should be from the date the final verdict was given on the case if it needs to form the ground for clemency.

Constitution should be amended to provide the time limits within which mercy petition are to be decided. Importantly, the political parties should restrain from politicising the power of the President which is supposed to be used in the public consideration.


(c) Discuss the extent, causes, and implications of ‘nutrition transition’ said to be underway in India.

Answer:
Nutrition Transition can be referred to as the increased consumption of unhealthy foods compounded with increased prevalence of overweight in middle-to-low-income countries. It has serious implications in terms of public health outcomes, risk factors, economic growth and international nutrition policy.

Extent: As developing societies like India industrialise and urbanise, and as standards of living continue to rise, weight gain and obesity are beginning to pose a growing threat to the health of the citizens. Repeated episodes of malnutrition, followed by nutritional rehabilitation, are known to alter body composition and increase the risk of obesity. Food balance data from the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) show that the change in energy intake in Asian countries has been small, but there have been large changes in consumption of animal products, sugars and fats in countries like India. There is a progressive increase in the intake of protein, and probably fats. The increase in the intake of protein and fats is due to the phenomenal increase in the consumption of milk and milk products and an increase in the intake of animal products. On the other hand consumption of pulses and legumes has fallen drastically in India.

Causes: In India, the demographic and epidemiological transition, the forces of internal migration and urbanisation, the changes in food consumption patterns and low physical activity patterns to an epidemic of obesity and other NCDs (Non-communicable Diseases). There is also a  decrease in the energy expenditure in occupational activities, increased urbanisation, universal use of motor cars, mechanisation of most manual jobs outside the occupational sphere and increasing leisure time have aggravated this trend in India.

Implications: There is a large increase in the non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in the developing countries specially the countries under transition like India. Approximately 40% of the deaths in the developing countries take place due to NCDs.

(d) Bring out the salient features of the PCPNDT Act, 1994, and the implication of its amendment in 2003.

Answer:
Pre Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Technique Act, 1994 was enacted to arrest the declining sex ration. It is a subject of discussion now because; an all-time low child sex ratio of 914 was reported in the 2011 provisional census data.

The main purpose of enacting the act is to ban the use of sex selection techniques before or after conception and prevent the misuse of prenatal diagnostic technique for sex selective absorption.

Offences under this act include conducting or helping in the conduct of prenatal diagnostic technique in the unregistered units, sex selection on a man or woman, conducting PND test for any purpose other than the one mentioned in the act, sale, distribution, supply, renting etc. of any ultra sound machine or any other equipment capable of detecting sex of the foetus.

The act was amended in 2003 to improve the regulation of the technology used in sex selection.

Implications of PCPNDT Act, 1994 amendment:

1. Amendment of the act mainly covered bringing the technique of pre conception sex selection within the ambit of the act

2. Bringing ultrasound within its ambit

3. Empowering the central supervisory board, constitution of state level supervisory board

4. Provision for more stringent punishments

5. Empowering appropriate authorities with the power of civil court for search, seizure and sealing the machines and equipments of the violators

6. Regulating the sale of the ultrasound machines only to registered bodies

2. Answer one of the following in about 250 words:        20x1=20

(a) Trace the salient sequences of events in popular revolt that took place in February 1946 in the then Royal Indian Navy and bring out its significance in the freedom struggle. Do you agree with the views that the sailors who took part in this revolt were some of the unsung heroes of the freedom struggle?

Answer:

Royal Indian Navy revolt of February 1946 took place in the background of Quit India Movement and Second World War. This was a very turbulent phase in India’s freedom struggle. The popular revolt shook the very foundation of British Raj and made it abundantly clear that their time in India was numbered.
In November 1945 some students from Forward Block, Students Federation of India and Islamia College participated in a protest march over the INA trials. They tied together League, Congress and red flag, as a symbol of anti imperialist unity.

In February 1946, Muslim League students took a protest march in which some Congress students also participated against the seven year sentence to INA prisoner Rashid Ali.

In February 1946, naval ratings of HMIS Talwar went on strike to protest against racial discrimination, unpalatable food, INA trials, and abuse by superior officers. This was followed by city people joining in through mass strikes, hartals, meetings, attacks on police stations, railway station etc. Other parts of the country also expressed support in the form of strikes by Royal Indian Forces in Calcutta, Puna and Bombay.

The upsurge showed that the fearless action by the masses, revolt in armed forces had psychological affect on masses and it also prompted British to extend some concessions but above all it marked the end of British rule in India.

Sailors who took part in the struggle were the unsung heroes as they did not get the level of publicity as that of the INA trials and in the pages of history; they remain anonymous and unknown.

(b) Evaluate the influence of three important women’s organisations of the early twentieth century in India on country’s society and politics. To what extent do you think were the social objectives of these organisations constrained by their political objectives?

Answer:

Bharat Stree Mahamandal, All India Women’s Conference and Women’s India Association were some of the important women’s associations of the early twentieth century. Bharat Stree Mahamandal was the first women's organisation in India founded by Sarala Devi Chaudhurani in Allahabad in 1910. One of the primary goals of the organisation was to promote female education which was not well developed at that time. The organisation opened several offices in Lahore, Allahabad, Delhi, Karachi, Amritsar etc. to improve the condition of women all over India.

All India Women’s Conference was founded in 1927 by Margret cousins having Sarojni Naidu, Lady Dorab Tata as its founding members. It worked towards women’s education, abolition of purdah system, legislative reform, abolition of child marriage, harijan welfare, family planning, and rural reconstruction. These women’s organisations worked for a society based on principles of social justice, integrity, equal rights and opportunities.  They wanted security for every human being; the essentials of life not determined by accidental births but by planned social distribution.

Their efforts led to several legislative reforms in Sharda Act (1929), Hindu Women’s Right to Property Act (1937), Factory Act (1947), Hindu Marriage and Divorce Act etc. AIWC efforts also led to setting up of The All India Women’s Education Fund
Association, and Lady Irwin College of Home Science.

Social and educational reforms effort by the women’s associations helped in preparing the Indian women to participate in the freedom struggle. With Mahatma Gandhi women availed an opportunity to get into the scene of freedom struggle.

3. Answer any one of the following in about 250 words:    20x1=20

(a) Critically examine the design of National Rural Livelihood Mission (NRLM) scheme. Do you think it has a better chance of
success than the Swarna Jayanti Swarojgar Yojna(SGSY) in achieving its objectives?

Answer:

NRLM is the rechristened version of Swarna Jayanti Swarojgar Yojna (SGSY). It is a Ministry of Rural Development programme. It aims to reduce poverty by enabling the poor household to access gainful self employment and skilled wage employment opportunity resulting in a sustainable livelihood.

NRLM is based on three pillars

1. Enhancing and expanding the existing livelihood options of the poor

2. Building skills for the job market

3. Nurturing self employed and entrepreneurs

NRLM plans to give special focus on the poorest households who are currently dependent on the MGNREGA. The design of
NRLM is more likely to succeed because its implementation is in a mission mode which enables it shift from the present allocation based approach to demand based approach. This enables the states to formulate their own livelihood based on poverty reduction action plans. It also focuses on targets, outcomes, and time bound strategy. The monitoring would be done against the targets of the poverty outcomes. NRLM will have continuous capacity building, imparting of requisite skills and creating linkages with livelihood opportunities for the poor, including those emerging from the organised sector.

NRLM funds will be directly released to the state level agencies and DRDA based on the detailed district wise annual action plan.  It will involve the Self Help Group in the implementation which increases the likelihood of its success. National Skill Development Council will also coordinate in the skill development part in the implementation of NRLM. In order to ensure institutional arrangement for skill development for self employment and wage employment, dedicated training institute for rural BPL youth i.e Rural Self Employment Training Institutes (RSETIs) are being set up with the aim of having at least one such institution in each district in India. These RSETIs will be set up with the partnership of banks. This will help in achieving the objectives of NRLM.

(b) Highlight the structure, objectives and role of the Advertising Standard Council of India. In what way has the August 2006
government notification made it more effective?

Answer:

The Advertising Standards Council of India (ASCI), established in 1985, is committed to the cause of Self-Regulation in Advertising, ensuring the protection of the interests of consumers. The ASCI was formed with the support of all four sectors connected with Advertising, viz. Advertisers, Ad Agencies, Media (including Broadcasters and the Press) and others like PR Agencies, Market Research Companies etc. Its main objective is to promote responsible advertising; thus enhancing the public's confidence in Advertising. ASCI thus aims to achieve its own overarching goal i.e., to maintain and enhance the public's confidence in advertising.

The Board of Governors (16 members) ensures equitable representation of Advertisers, Agencies, Media and other Advertising Services, the individual member firms being leaders in their respective industries or services. The Consumer Complaints Council (CCC) (21 members) has 12 Non-Advertising professionals representing civil society, who are eminent and recognised opinion leaders in their respective disciplines such as Medical, Legal, Industrial Design, Engineering, Chemical Technology, Human Resources and Consumer Interest Groups; 9 are advertising practitioners from our member firms.

ASCI is represented in all committees working on advertising content in every Ministry of the Government of India. ASCI’s Code for Self-Regulation in Advertising is now part of ad code under Cable TV Act’s Rules. Violation of ASCI’s Code is now treated as a violation of the government’s rules. ASCI’s membership of The European Advertising Standards Alliance (EASA) ensures that it gets valuable advice, learning and even influence at the international level.
The Consumer Complaints Council is ASCI's heart and soul. It is the dedicated work put in by this group of highly respected people that has given tremendous impetus to the work of ASCI and the movement of self-regulation in the advertising.

In August 2006, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting issued a notification deeming it necessary for all TV commercials in India to abide by the ASCI code. This effort of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has made the advertising self-regulatory movement in India stronger and more effective.


4. Comment on any five of the following in about 150 words each.    12x5=60

(a) Salient recommendations of the RBI-appointed Damodaran committee on customer service in Banks.

Answer:

The Damodaran Committee on bank customer services has recommended active involvement of the boards of banks to guarantee customer satisfaction. The committee held that customer service and grievance redress should be included as a mandatory parameter in the performance appraisal report of all employees.

The committee has suggested that an agenda on the level of implementation of the Bank's Code of Commitments to Customers and an overview on the grievance redress mechanism in the bank should be placed before the bank every quarter before the Customer Service Committee.

The committee suggets that every board should ensure they have comprehensive policies for customer acceptance, care and severance. The banks should show sensitivity for small customers by ensuring that the pricing (bank charges) does not act as a deterrent for the small person to do banking transactions.

Emphasising on 'customer centricity', the committee recommended that bank boards should evolve human resources policies which should recruit for attitude and train for skills.

(b) Deendayal Disabled Rehabilitation Scheme (DDRS).

Answer:

It is a scheme by the Central Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment. Its funding pattern is up to 90 percent; it is funded by the Central Ministry. The Grant in Aid is released on the basis of recommendations received from the State Government, UTs through State Multi-Disciplinary grant-in-aid committee concerned or any other agency designated by the Ministry. Beneficiary could be an individual, a family, a community, women and Children.

The voluntary organisations are assisted in running rehabilitation centres for leprosy cured persons and also for manpower
development in the field of mental retardation and cerebral palsy. They are also assisted in establishment and development of special schools for major disability areas, viz. Orthopaedic, speech, hearing, visual and mental disability. The NGOs are extended assistance for setting up projects of vocational training to facilitate the disabled persons to be as independent as possible by acquiring basic skills. The Ministry, under the Scheme supports both recurring and non-recurring expenditure of projects by NGOs up to 90 percent.

(c) Evolution of ‘Green Benches’ in our higher judiciary.

Answer:

The Supreme Court of India interpreted Article 21 which guarantees the fundamental right to life and personal liberty, to include the right to a wholesome environment and held that a litigant may assert his or her right to a healthy environment against the State by a writ petition to the Supreme Court or a High Court. Public interest litigation has been used by the higher judiciary to ensure environment protection and safeguard public interest.

Till 1980, not much contribution was made by the courts in preserving the environment. One of the earliest cases which came to the Supreme Court of India was Municipal Council, Ratlam, vs Vardhichand AIR 1980 SC 1622. Thereafter, series of cases were filed before the Supreme Court and there was a dynamic change in the whole approach of the courts in matters concerning environment.
India has now become the third country in the world to start a National Green Tribunal (NGT) which is a judicial body exclusively meant to judge environmental cases. The National Green Tribunal has been established under the National Green Tribunal Act 2010 for effective and expeditious disposal of cases relating to environmental protection and conservation of forests and other natural resources. The Tribunal is mandated to make and endeavour for disposal of applications or appeals finally within 6 months of filing of the same. The predecessor to the NGT, the erstwhile National Environment Appellate Authority has been superseded by the NGT.

(d) Distinction between ‘Department Related Parliament Standing committees’ and ‘Parliamentary Forum’.

Answer:

Departmental Standing Committees were created in 1993 to exercise control over the executive; particularly financial control. There are now 2 such committees having 31 members each; 21 from the Lok Sabha and 10 from the Rajya Sabha. Members from the Lok Sabha are nominated by the Speaker of the Lok Sabha, while members from the Rajya Sabha are nominated by the Rajya Sabha Chairman. A minister cannot be nominated as a member of the committee. These committees consider the demand for grants of the concerned ministry. They submit the reports based on which the discussion on budget takes place.

Parliamentary Forums on the other hand are ad hoc in nature and are constituted for specific issues to make the Members of the Parliament aware of the seriousness of the particular situation and to enable them to adopt a result-oriented approach towards these issues. The Parliamentary fora do not interfere in or encroach upon the jurisdiction of the concerned Departmentally Related Standing Committees or the Ministry/Department concerned. Members of these fora are nominated by the Speaker of the Lok Sabha and the Chairman of the Rajya Sabha, as the case may be.

(e) Benefits and potential drawbacks of ‘cash transfers’ to Below Poverty Line Households.

Answer:

Cash transfer has come into discussion due to the leakages in several government schemes like the Public Distribution System. It has been successful in Latin American countries. Cash transfer has some benefits in terms of better targeting of public subsidy, reducing diversion, preventing corruption, and eliminating wastages in transportation and storage of goods like food grains. It also gives flexibility to the citizens in terms of buying the public goods and services. Cash transfer is also suitable for migrating population that moves in search of work.

Cash transfer on the other hand can only succeed if an appropriate IT infrastructure exits, through which cash can be transferred directly to the account of the beneficiary which becomes a challenge in the poor financial inclusion. Cash can be more prone to diversion if proper safeguards are not taken. Moreover cash transfer can work if the public delivery system is in place for e.g. how giving cash for health services will make any difference if there are no hospitals, medicines and doctors in the villages. Factoring inflation into cash transfer is always been a challenge.

(f) New initiatives during the 11th Five Year Plan in the National Programme for Control of Blindness (NPCB).

Answer:

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) endorsed and approved a budget of INR 12,500 million for the XI five-year (2007-12) plan period. The enhanced funding and financial allocation to the tune of nearly two-thirds of the previous plan period is indicative of the high political commitment accorded to blindness control activities in the India. With the federal nature of the Indian Constitution, the States are largely independent in matters relating to health delivery. The Central Government’s responsibility consists mainly of policy making, planning, funding, guiding, assisting, evaluating and coordinating the work of state health ministries so that health services cover every part of the country and no state lags behind for want of these services. The NPCB is striving to enhance the capacity of health institutions, health personnel and the community at all levels to address issues under the programme. In the approved XI five-year plan period, schemes with existing/enhanced financial allocation are being implemented along with new initiatives to reduce blindness.

5. Examine any three of the following in about 150 words each.        12x3=36

(a) The impact of climate change on water resources in India.

Answer:

The impact of climate change on water resources in India is evident through erratic monsoon, more frequent floods and droughts, stronger cyclones and rivers changing their course frequently. The severity is also due to the prevailing more than 7000km of coastline.

The changed rainfall pattern has adversely affected ground water recharge, wetlands both coastal and terrestrial.  Climate change has resulted in melting of Himalayan glaciers. It has the potential of making the Himalayan Rivers swell first and then turning them into seasonal rivers, threatening the source of freshwater. It can also lead to salt water intrusion and threatening aquaculture and coastal agriculture. 

The impact has been severe also because, India is still an agricultural country with its large population being dependant on weather related livelihood through agriculture, forestry, pisciculture etc.

(b) Measures taken by the Indian government to combat piracy in the Indian Ocean.

Answer:
Indian government has used INS Talwar to foil several bids by pirates near the Gulf of Aden. Indian government is coordinating the anti piracy measures at the international level with China, European countries and with the Gulf countries.
Indian government has placed surveillance radars in countries like Maldives and Srilanka to secure the sea lanes in the Indian Ocean. It has signed agreements with Madagascar, Seychelles and Mauritius for anti piracy measures. Government has also taken measures in strengthening the coastal security by equipping and reforming the coast guards. However, incidents like unmanned vessel drifting in the ocean and reaching the coast of Mumbai have highlighted the holes in our coastal security which needs to be plugged.

Supreme Court has recently asked the Central Government to formulate separate piracy law for trying the pirates and to take care of the compensation to the victim’s family. Currently piracy is being dealt under the provisions of Indian Penal Code.
 
(c) The significance of counter-urbanisation in the improvement of metropolitan cities in India.

Answer:

Counter-urbanisation is a demographic and social process where people move from large urban areas or into rural areas, thereby leapfrogging the rural-urban fringe. It might mean daily commuting, but could also require lifestyle changes and the increased use of ICT (home working or teleworking). It is the process of migration of people from major urban areas to smaller urban settlements and rural areas.  Counter-urbanisation affects the layout of rural settlements. Modern housing estates locate of the edge of small settlements. Industrial units are sited on main roads leading into the settlement.

Counter urbanisation will reduce pressure on the metropolitan cities and its basic amenities like drinking water supply, sewage facilities, continuous supply of electricity, education facilities, etc as people move out due to following

(i) Increase in car ownership enabling their movement, growth in information technology (E-mail, faxes and video conferencing) meaning more people can work from home

(ii) Urban areas are becoming increasing unpleasant place to live. This is the result of pollution, crime and traffic congestion.

(iii) More people tend to move when they retire.

(iv) New business parks being developed on the edge of cities (on Greenfield sites) meaning people no longer have to travel to the city centre. People now prefer to live on the outskirts of the city to be near where they work.

(d) Problems specific to the denotified and nomadic tribes in India.

Answer:
Post Independence the Criminal Tribe Act 1871 was replaced; and criminal tribe nomenclature was replaced with denotified tribe (DNTs) which is still considered derogatory. They have been discriminated; British government included some of the tribes like Gonds, Ho and Santhals under this categorisation as they had rebelled against the British Raj.

A major challenge in the intervention comes due dispersed nature of the tribes and having a nomadic culture surviving on shifting cultivation. This results in health and educational services a challenging task to deliver. It also makes the implementation of nutritional initiative like addressing iodine deficiency a challenging task. Preservation of their culture, script, practices also get hampered due to the same reason. Two different opinions arise with regard to the reservation for the DNTs to raise their social and economic conditions. One view supports providing reservation within existing group of SCs, STs and OBCs while the other view supports creating a new group for the reservation of DNTs.

6. In the context of the freedom struggle, write short notes (not exceeding 50 words each) on the following:    5x3=15

(a) 'Benoy-Badal-Dinesh' martyrdom.

Answer:

On 8 December 1930, Benoy along with Dinesh chandra Gupta and Badal Gupta, dressed in European costume, entered the Writers' Building and shot dead Simpson, the Inspector General of Prisons, who was infamous for the brutal oppression on the prisoners. This inspired further revolutionary activities in Bengal. After Independence Dalhousie square was named B.B.D Bagh-after Benoy-Badal-Dinesh. 

(b) Bharat Naujavan sabha

Answer:

Bharat Naujavan Sabha was an association of Indian youths which was established at a convention held in April 1928 at the Jallianwala Bagh in Amritsar. The aims of the Sabha were to create a youth wing of peasants and workers with a view to usher in revolution in the country and overthrow the British rule. Bhagat Singh was its secretary and principle organiser.

(c) 'Babbar Akali' movement

Answer:

The Babbar Akali movement, which emerged in the wake of the Akali Movement, and was an underground terrorist movement established in the Jalandhar Doab in 1921. Members fought pitched battles with police and committed acts of violence.

7. Comment on the following in not more than 50 words each:             5x6=30

(a) Phase-IV of the tiger monitoring programme in India.

Answer:

Phase-IV of the tiger monitoring programme by by the Wildlife Institute of India (WII) and the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) means initiating intensive, annual monitoring of tigers at the tiger reserve level, across 41 protected areas in India. This programme is to estimate numbers of both tigers and their prey. This programme is planned to be commenced from November 2011.

(b) Why the Central Statistical Office has notified a new series of Consumer Price Index from this year?

Answer:

The Central Statistical Office has notified a new series of CPI with its base year of 2010 for rural, urban areas and for the nation as a whole. It will give a comprehensive picture of inflation at the national level for retail prices. Government also proposes to use it for giving dearness allowance for government employee in the seventh pay commission.

(c) Composition and functions of the National Executive Committee of the National Disaster Management Authority.

Answer:

The National Executive Committee (NEC) of the National Disaster Management Authority comprises the Union Home Secretary as the Chairperson, and the Secretaries to the GOI in the Ministries/Departments of Agriculture, Atomic Energy, Defence, Drinking Water Supply, Environment and Forests, Finance (Expenditure), Health, Power, Rural Development, Science and Technology, Space, Telecommunications, Urban Development, Water Resources and the Chief of the Integrated Defence Staff of the Chiefs of Staff Committee as members.

(d) The Bihar Special Courts Act, 2009 and why it has been in news recently?

Answer:

Bihar Special Courts Act, 2009 provides that the property of corrupt persons can be attached even when the probe is under way, if the authorised officer concludes that the acquisition of the property was the result of the offence committed by the accused. Bihar implemented it and some officials came under this Act. Its constitutional validity was questioned in Supreme Court which refused to stay this act.

(e) The Telecommunications Ministry’s proposed Spectrum Management Commission.

Answer:
Spectrum Management Commission is a new entity to manage and regulate spectrum allocation. The Commission will subsume Wireless Planning Coordination wing of the Department of Telecom and will get wider powers including dispute settlement, pricing and regulations related to spectrum. While the DoT will continue to be the licensor, all issues pertaining to spectrum allocation will be brought under Spectrum Management Commission.

(f) The Community-Led Total Sanitation (CLTS) approach to sanitation.

Answer:
CLTS is an innovative methodology for mobilising communities to completely eliminate open defecation (OD). Communities are facilitated to conduct their own appraisal and analysis of open defecation (OD) and take their own action to become ODF (open defecation free). CLTS focuses on the behavioural change needed to ensure real and sustainable improvements. It invests in community mobilisation instead of hardware, and shifting the focus from toilet construction for individual households to the creation of ’open defecation-free’ villages.

8. Attempt the following in not more than 50 words each.        5x4=20

(a) Distinguish either between the ‘Moatsu’ and ‘Yemshe’ festivals of Nagaland or the ‘Losar’ and ‘Khan’ festivals of Arunachal Pradesh.

Answer:

Moatsu Festival is celebrated in Nagaland by the Ao tribe. It is observed every year in the first week of May. During this Nagaland festival, a number of rituals are performed. After sowing the seeds, the Aos observe Moatsu Mong.

The Pochury Tribe celebrates their greatest festival, Yemshe in the month of October every year. During the Yemshe festival, the arrival of the new harvest is celebrated with full fun & fair. The Losar Festival also called as the New Year Festival and it is the most important festival celebrated in Tawang, Arunachal Pradesh. Losar is celebrated by the Monpas that forms the major portion of population in Tawang, Arunachal Pradesh.
In the Khan festival of Arunachal Pradesh, the social and cultural beliefs of the local tribes can be witnessed. Regardless the different casts and creed, the local tribes unite in the Khan celebration.

(b) Write a sentence each of any five of the following traditional theater forms:

(i) Bhand Pather: It is the traditional theatre form of Kashmir, which is a unique combination of dance, music and acting. Satire, wit and parody are preferred for inducing laughter.

(ii) Swang:
It is a popular folk dance-drama or folk theatre form in Rajasthan, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and Malwa region of Madhya Pradesh. Swang incorporates suitable theatrics and mimicry (or nakal) accompanied by song and dialogue. Swang theatre is
traditionally restricted to men, who also play the female roles.

(iii) Maach:
It is a traditional Hindi theatre form of Madhya Pradesh. It shares the secular nature and characteristics of other north Indian genres like Nautanki and Khyal. Based on religious, historical, romantic, or social themes, it was invented and developed by prominent artists like Guru Gopalji, Guru Balmukund, Kaluram Ustad, and Radhakrishan Ustad.

(iv) Bhaona:
It is a unique festival of Vaishnava theatrical performance in Assam. The performance is marked by a continuous shifting between the classical and the folk, the mundane and the spiritual, providing thousands of spectators a rare aesthetic experience.

(v) Mudiyettu:
It is ritualistic dance drama performed after the harvest of summer crops in Kerala. In 2010, Mudiyettu was included in the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage Lists.

(vi) Dashavatar:
Dashavatar is the most developed theatre form of the Konkan and Goa regions. The performers personify the ten incarnations of Lord Vishnu-the god of preservation and creativity.

(c) What are the major different styles of unglazed pottery making in India?

Answer:

There are three different styles in unglazed pottery making in India. They are - the paper-thin, scrafito and highly polished. Black pottery is another famous form of unglazed pottery in Indian villages and it resembles the Harappan pottery style. In the paper thin pottery, the biscuit coloured pottery is decorated with incised patterns.

(d) List the classical dance forms of India as per the Sangeet Natak Akademy.

Answer:
Sangeet Natak Akademi currently confers classical status on nine Indian dance styles which are Bharatnatyam, Kathak, Gaudiya Nritya, Kathakali, Mohiniyattam, Oddisi, kuchipudi, Sattriya, and Manipuri.

9. Comment on following in not more than 50 words each:        5x5=25

(a) Nisarga-Runa technology of BARC.

Answer:

The Nisarga-Runa technology developed at BARC converts biodegradable solid waste into useful manure and methane. It can be deployed for the dual objectives of waste management as well as for livelihood creation among the urban underprivileged. The 'Nisargruna' technology adopts biphasic reactor system wherein the first reactor is operated under aerobic and thermophilic conditions. As a result of the first feature, the universal problem of odour from waste processing biogas plants is eliminated and the second feature leads to a faster process. Unlike conventional single phase digesters, which take 30-40 days, a 'Nisargruna' plant can digest organic solid waste between 18-22 days.

(b) The first aid that you can safely administer to a person standing next to you at the bus stop who suddenly faints.

Answer:

I would first take the person away from the crowd to an open and safe area. Then I would sprinkle some water on his/her face to bring him/her back to consciousness. If the person does not gain consciousness then mouth to mouth respiration and administering CPR can be considered as the next step. His/her family members or friends should be immediately informed about his/her ill health by a phone call from the contact details from the mobile phone or the purse of the person and can gather information on the person’s medical condition and then accordingly he/she can be taken for medical supervision.

(c) The Kaveri K-10 aero-engine.

Answer:

Kaveri K-10 engine is being developed to be used in the Light Combat Aircraft, Tejas. It is being developed in collaboration of French firm, Snecma.  It will have less weight and more reheat thrust to meet the requirements of the Indian Army.

(d) Molecular Breast Imaging (MBI) technology

Answer:
Molecular breast imaging (MBI) is three times more effective than mammograms, and far less costly than other nuclear-medicine imaging. Molecular Breast Imaging (MBI) uses a dedicated dual-head gamma camera and 99mTc-sestamibi in women having dense breast patterns and additional risk factors for breast cancer.

(e) E-governance initiatives by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC)

Answer:

UPSC has taken the initiative for getting the forms of several examinations like civil services filled online. It also displays the status of the application form for every candidate on its website. UPSC publishes the syllabus and tentative schedules of various UPSC conducted examinations on its website helping students to plan in advance. UPSC also publishes the various court orders and notifications on the web site and information regarding the RTI petitions on its website.

10. Who are the following and why have they been in the news recently? (each answer should not exceed 20 words): 2x7=14

(a) Lieutenant Navdeep Singh

Answer:

Lieutenant Navdeep Singh laid down his life fighting terrorists during an anti-infiltration operation along LOC in Gurez Sector of north Kashmir.

(b) Rahim Fahimuddin Dagar

Answer:

He was an exponent of Dagar vani Dhrupad, which is one of the most pristine and richest forms of Indian classical music. He represented the 19th generation of Dagar Tradition.

(c) Lobsang Sangay
Answer:

He is the Tibetan Prime Minister in exile. He is a Harvard graduate and a political successor of Dalai Lama.

(d) P.R. Sreejesh

Answer:

P.R. Sreejesh is Hockey Goalkeeper in the Indian Hockey team. He is from Kerela.

(e) Nileema Mishra

Answer:

She is one of the Magsaysay Award winners for 2011.. She is a lender to the poorest in Maharashtra. She was recognised for her purpose-driven zeal to work tirelessly with villagers in Maharashtra.

(f) V.Tejeswini Bai

Answer:

Tejeswini is a Kabbadi player from Karnataka who has represented India from 2005 to 2010 and captained Indian team for four years.

(g) Aishwarya Narkar

Answer:

Aishwarya Narkar is a Marathi actress who also works in the Hindi TV serials. She has received National Film Award from the
President of India.