India Prepares - October 2011 (Vol.1 Issue 1)

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INDIA PREPARES

IndIa PrePares

Volume 1 Issue 1October 2011

Title Code : DELENG18052

Owner, Printer and Publisher: Atul Kumar Garg

Editor: Sonal Vats

Editorial Team : Sudhanshu Gupta Neelam Nandan Raghunath Panigrahi Niraj Kumar Surendra Pandey

Designing and Grahics Ranvir Singh

Place of Publication: A-3/6, 2nd floor, Mianwali Nagar Paschim Vihar, New Delhi-110087 Phones : 09810949873, 9899751545, 9873304730 Email: [email protected]

Printing Press: M/S Rolleract Press Services C-163, Ground Floor, Naraina Industrial Area Phase - I, New Delhi-110028

For Advertisement Enquiry Contact Atul Garg : 09810949873 or mail @ [email protected]

HELP MAIL SERVICE [email protected]

CONTENTS

1. THE uNFOLDING The Road Ahead For CSAT..................................................... 4

2. NATIONAL BuLLETIN Soumitra Sen’s Impeachment and Tainted Judiciary .............. 8 National News.......................................................................... 9

3. INTERNATIONAL BuLLETIN Arab Uprising and Libyan Crises............................................. 12 International News................................................................... 16

4. BILATERAL BuLLETIN PM’s Visit to Bangladesh : ...................................................... 19 Bilateral News.......................................................................... 25

5. ECONOMY@ IP US Debt Crisis: An analysis of the impact............................... 27 Economy News........................................................................ 29

6. SCIENCE SPECTRuM Nanotechnology: Alternatives to Fossil Fuels......................... 32 Chandrayaan-2 ....................................................................... 34 Science News........................................................................... 35

7. PERSPECTIVES Indian Unrest............................................................................ 38

8. INSPIRATIONS Kingdom Of Dreams................................................................ 41

9. THINKER’S ARENA Crony Capitalism and Post-Liberalisation India ................... 43

10. MOSAIC Indian Cinema.......................................................................... 48

11. KNOW IT ALL...................................................................... 52

12. QuESTIONS@ IP Current affairs questions........................................................... 59 CSAT Model Paper................................................................... 65

13. CL INTERVIEW.................................................................... 76

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INDIA PREPARES

EDITOR’S NOTE

“Blessed is the man who, having nothing to say, abstains from giving wordy evidence of the fact.” - George Eliot

Unfortunately, such people are in short supply. We hope that we do not indulge in vacuous verbose in the exercise of introducing this publication – an exercise , which like introducing ourselves, is fraught with the danger of overstating your case.

In these fast changing times of the present era, where Central and State Commissions are adjusting the exam patterns according to the modern needs, we present to you ‘INDIA PREPARES’.

Civil Services’ examination is going through a transition period. Its not just the syllabus that has been changed but also the skills and abilities tested in the exam that have undergone a change. It is no longer a recognition based test but one, which requires a basic clarity of concepts and understanding on the part of students. This publication is a humble effort to bring diverse and informed perspectives on some of the seminal issues which emerge from the immediate context of public discourse, flux of events and developments, and wanderings in the unending realms of ideas.

In doing so, care has been taken to facilitate the understanding of the context and content of the news/discourse for beginners also - through explanations wherever required. Facts and the information have been taken from highly authentic sources. Instead of using a single lens, every news/issue is presented from multiple perspectives to widen the horizons of students’ understanding. These are meant not just for mains’ writing but will also help at the interview stage.

The magazine is divided into different sections to make it more readers friendly. Apart from the regular sections on current news, many new sections have been added to make the magazine updated as per the current developments and requirements of Civil Services’ examination. Efforts have been made to remove all grammatical mistakes and errors and to use good vocabulary. With the introduction of CSAT in civil services exam, it is important that students generate good vocabulary, correct usage and understanding of proper words.

It will be our constant endeavor to cover each and every area pertaining to the preparation. Attempts have been made to break free from all stereotypes and traditional styles of writing and to give a fresh whiff of perspective to the examination and its preparation.

The publication is in its infancy, and may have some teething problems. But that is no excuse for the mistakes and shortcomings that might have crept in. Though constant efforts will be made to improve the publication in all aspects, your feedback will be appreciated and can act as timely reminders.

Following are the sections (with a brief layout) which will feature in INDIA PREPARES.

THE UNFOLDING: ‘The Unfolding’ or the cover story deals with a seminal issue of the month. The story will be presented from multiple perspectives and dimensions. The topic need not be limited to the current news and happenings but can pertain to other major activities and developments happening in the field of Civil Services’ examination. For example cover story for the first issue is ‘The Road Ahead For CSAT’. Stress would be given to not just factual information but also to an over-all analysis of the topic. Idea is to give readers something which is exclusive.

THE NATIONAL BULLETIN: This section involves all current happenings in India including polity.

THE INTERNATIONAL BULLETIN: This section will cover the developments from around the world with an Indian perspective.

Its structure will be same as that of ‘The National Bulletin’. Special care will be taken while filtering the data as it is often found that large amount of data is there but very less is actually important from civil services point of view.

THE BILATERAL/MULTILATERAL BULLETIN: This section will include India’s bilateral and multi-lateral relations with other countries. Special focus will be there on south Asia and its structure will be like the previous two sections only.

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PERSPECTIVES: Perspectives is a section that aims at enhancing the analytical understanding of the readers. A seminal issue of the month would be debated from multiple perspectives.

MOSAIC: This unique section being introduced by India Prepares will endeavor to help aspirants on two fronts. This section will take one topic from diverse fields like art, culture, sports or any popular hobby and will give detailed analysis of the same. This section would be of particular relevance at the interview stage where one is asked various kinds of questions about the hobbies mentioned.

Also, one information box prepared by the experts will be added so as to tell students, which are the major areas where they should work, what all information they need to collect and what are the most asked questions from that field.

ECONOMY @ IP: Economics has always been a matter of concern with most of the civil services aspirants. Often it is considered as a tough nut to crack. This is largely because of false stereotypes and mindset that aspirants create in their mind. Our objective will be to deconstruct these myths by presenting this section in such a manner that it not just clarifies the concept but provide basic, relevant data as well. This section will include economy based news at national, international and bilateral levels.

SCIENCE SPECTRUM: In last few years, it is this section which has gained maximum importance by taking a big portion of question paper. But it is this section which has often been a nightmare for majority of the students. Our aim will be to make things simple and interesting for them. Comprehensive coverage will be given to this part. 2-3 articles and other short news capsules will be included covering almost every development in the field of science and technology.

THINKER’S ARENA: Thinker’s arena is a section especially for those candidates whose exposure to social sciences is very less and whose concepts are often clouded with doubts. Every month we’ll take a topic which is seminal and intrinsic to national developments. Basics will be discussed to break the misconceptions and clarify the doubts. This section will be prepared by subject specialists and references will be given for further reading.

INSPIRATIONS @ IP: Preparing for civil services is a long process. One has to delay every rectification and it requires a consistent flow of energy. Any form of motivation is important in such situation. Inspiration section provides you with this only. It contains short stories to lighten the mood and essays written by students themselves who share their experiences while going through these examinations. This section will also include interviews of successful candidates and stories of those whose life in itself is an inspiration for others.

KNOW-IT ALL: This section will cover general knowledge and current events from various fields like sports, awards, appointments, books released etc. Newness in this section is not in what we are offering but how the material is selected. There is always abundance of data in the areas mentioned above and to differentiate between what to retain and what to leave is a big problem. It is this problem that we endeavor to deal with. Data for this section is selected in an objective manner and according to the trend of civil services examination.

QUESTIONS @ IP: Every month one model paper on CSAT will be given. It is seen that the CSAT paper of preliminary stage is abstract and general in nature and no special preparation can be done for it. The only way to score good marks in CSAT is through rigorous and continuous practice, which can be done through model papers. These tests are prepared with special care. Questions designed and passages taken are also from current developments, thus making it more useful for the aspirants.

In addition 50 questions will be given every month on current affairs which will help in revision and consolidation of facts and data.

HEPLMAIL SERVICE: We are starting with a nationwide e-mail service which will provide individual consideration to every student’s problems. These problems can be of any nature like subjects, coaching institutes, lodging, books, strategy, study material, so on and so forth. Aspirants just have to mail their queries to the given e-mail id and personalized attention would be given to it by the experts.

SONAL VATS Editor

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Vol.1 Issue1 October 2011The Unfolding

The Road Ahead For CSAT

June 2011 fi nally brought curtains down on all the anxiety surrounding Civil Services Aptitude Test (CSAT), the new examination pattern introduced by the UPSC at the preliminary stage of the Civil Services exam. Despite the fact that UPSC had announced the syllabi and the pattern as early as September ’10, no one knew anything for sure and everyone was conjecturing and speculating all kinds of things in regard to the exam. When the paper was out, for many it was a welcome change. They found the exam pretty much easy. There were others, however, who found it only ‘seemingly easy’ and were not so happy with the change. The surprise did not end there. The results brought in with it many more shocks and surprises.

There were stories and speculations about possible changes in the civil services exam for quite a long time. Many committees, panels and 2nd ARC report, all recommended an Aptitude test in place of the existing memory and recognition based test pattern where a student chooses an optional subject out of the 23 options given by the UPSC. In March ’10, Prithvi Raj Chavan, the then Minister of State for Personnel, told the Lok Sabha, that Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had approved the proposal for the introduction of CSAT according to which the candidates will have to appear in two objective-type papers having special emphasis on testing their “aptitude for civil services” as well as on “ethical and moral dimension of decision-making”. After months of deliberations and working, September fi nally saw UPSC posting the CSAT syllabi on its website.

The road has been laid down for CSAT. And now, it will only be a march forward. To ensure both safety and success of aspirants, India Prepares conducted interviews with various institutes like Vajiram & Ravi, RAU’S Study Circle and Rising IAS. A questionnaire was

developed after an extensive session with a large group of students preparing for the exam which was then sent to the heads of these institutes. We are highly grateful to Mr. Brijendra Singh, Mr. V.P. Gupta, Mr. Ravi R. Chokkalingam and Mr. Harsh V. Singh for taking time out of their busy schedule to give us their valuable insights.

Months preceding the exam were clouded by lot of ambiguity in regard to the paper expected. The seven sectioned syllabi [Comprehension; Interpersonal skills including communication skills; Logical reasoning and analytical ability; Decision-making and problem solving; General mental ability; Basic numeracy (numbers and their relations, orders of magnitude, etc.) (Class X level), Data interpretation (charts, graphs, tables, data suffi ciency etc. - Class X level) and English Language Comprehension skills (Class X level)] posted by the UPSC had given, only the basic outline of the exam leaving the structure and the relative proportion of each section to students’ fancy.

In the absence of any clear contours, most of the coaching institutes went in for a detailed, all encompassing, wholistic approach leaving no section untouched. When asked, if there has been a rethinking on the strategy for the exam preparation in the light of a tangible question paper in hand, Mr. Brijendra Singh, head of CSAT faculty at Vajiram & Ravi, said that the reason behind a broad-based strategy (giving students exposure to as many different areas and question types as possible) was simple-to avoid any nasty surprises on the day of the exam. He further added- ‘However, with the UPSC confi ning the range of questions in CSAT 2011 to only a select few domains, the logical course of action would be to focus primarily on these areas. For instance, there is no escaping the primacy of Reading Comprehension, regardless of whether or

not one is comfortable with it. The CSAT will certainly increase the scope and depth of its questions but it is likely that it will do so only in a gradual, phased manner. Thus, the CSAT in each successive year should bear a direct refl ection of the previous year’s papers.’

Also, he cautioned students not to ignore any area completely as the inevitability of new questions remains embedded within UPSC’s disclaimer. Mr. V.P. Gupta, Director of Rau’s IAS Study Circle, also defended their “comprehensive approach so that we did not lose sight of any topic of the new Civil Services Aptitude paper while maintaining special focus on Comprehension of topics from General Studies.” He added that their strategy will remain more or less same this year as well. Rising IAS’ faculty credits itself of having predicted the new paper well, with the only exception of comprehension questions, which they were expecting between 15-25. However, according to them the number of questions on comprehension is expected to go down in the coming years.

CSAT 2011 was perceived as pretty much easy by many students. The new syllabi and the pattern brought with it many fears and anxieties. But when students saw the question paper, for majority, it was rather simple. When asked, what are the expectations for CSAT 2012, Mr. Brijendra Singh said that the CSAT Paper II might have appeared a cakewalk to many, however the marks scored by the students tell a very different story. According to him “The build-up to the Prelims 2011 was dominated by an uneasy excitement about the possible pattern of the CSAT. Students spent more time deliberating upon what might be asked in the exam than in actually preparing for it. Consequently, when the questions were not as tough as was feared, it gave way to the current perception of the CSAT being a cakewalk.”

THE UNFOLDING...

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About the diffi culty level of the questions, he added that “despite the seemingly rudimentary level of the questions, very few have been able to achieve a healthy score in the paper. A closer examination of the questions would reveal that there were many questions that lured a student into attempting them, only to realise that the answer was not as obvious as expected. But having already invested a couple of minutes into the exercise, it then became very hard to pass up the temptation to mark an answer. And for the vast majority, all this earned was negative marks.” He further suggested that, the CSAT is likely to experience a gradual escalation in the types of questions and their level of diffi culty. The UPSC has explicitly stated their right to include any form of questions that they deem fi t. Although this will not happen in an abrupt manner and although the changes will be incremental, the CSAT certainly will experience novel questions and modes of testing in each subsequent year.

About the general perception of the exam being simple, Mr. V.P. Gupta cautions students against any kind of complacency. To him, it was only “seemingly easy”. He gives a detailed, section wise analysis to elaborate on this.

Regarding questions on Comprehension

If you analyze this year’s questions in Comprehension, you will realize that the answer choices were seemingly similar; however, there was only one right answer to each question. Comprehension questions based on given text test how good a candidate is at fact-fi nding, sifting through information, interpreting text, concluding from given information and discerning between stated and implied meaning of the given information. Understanding of vocabulary, rhetorical tools, hunting for the required information while keeping the holistic picture in mind, etc are essential comprehension skills at play in this area. This topic has a lot of scope for testing of the moral and ethical dimension of decision making.

Regarding questions on English

The English questions are not easy rather they are seemingly easy. If you compare English with say an area like Maths, then the differences are stark. Candidates from our Indian schooling systems have to do a lot of Maths in their syllabi. Parents, teachers and students work hard on Maths, but except for the initial focus on English during primary schooling, at later stages from standard 5 to 12 students are just handed a mandatory English reader (book), which has a few stories followed by some questions. Students can recall that during the high school and later stages they could study English for a few days before exam and could secure the desired score in English subject. So if you analyze, English is an area where our foundation is weak and candidates will have to put in an extra effort to match the standards of testing.

Regarding questions on Quantitative ability

CSAT, by virtue of being an Aptitude Test for Civil Services, will test students for their ability to play with numbers but not higher level Maths. A candidate who has passed 10th standard knows more Maths than is needed by the CSAT. Understanding and practicing various types of questions that can come in the exam is required initially, while later a candidate can focus on fi nding out what type of questions they most frequently make mistakes on and correcting themselves is required for the fi nal honing of quantitative skills.

Ravi R. Chokkalingam at Rising IAS, argues differently. He says-“It was a competition with relatively more proportion of easy questions rather than an easy exam. This competition is never going to be easy, as no. of people clearing PT to those having applied is still less than 3 per 100 applications and in a situation where a larger portion of questions are relatively easy, what matters is attempting the most relevant ones and the fi nal differentiator is the no. of questions done out of the ones that were not easy, as everyone is expected to solve more or less same no. of easy questions. So a strategy is needed for this competition rather than just thinking of

it as an exam like the college exam where everyone can have very good results if the paper is easy.”

“As far as the paper goes the diffi culty level was only as expected, because, Firstly, the syllabus is basically of class 10th level. Secondly, this exam is intended for aspirants of different socio-economic and educational back ground for a government service, rather than an elitist exam looking for only convent educated, English speaking and career-wise professionally trained urban class as in case of CAT, GMAT,GRE etc. Thirdly, this was fi rst time UPSC was introducing this exam, so it was very conventional in setting the paper as is refl ected by diffi culty level of questions and content sourcing for the comprehension questions which were mostly nationally recognized books and sources like – Complete works of Mahatma Gandhi, The Discovery of India by Jawahar Lal Nehru, Economic Survey, articles from The Hindu newspaper and standard reference books on Indian Society etc. Lastly, this is not a test for a straightforward business management job dealing only with production, fi nances and sales marketing where much more quantitative and english language aptitude is required but for a diverse bouquet of careers ranging in administration, law and order, diplomacy, and various other civil services set in the socio – economic and political environments. So based on all this, expectation for next year’s prelims are on the same lines as this year’s with the analytical - aptitude diffi culty level gradually increasing by 15 -20 %.”

When UPSC announced aptitude testing at the preliminary stage of the Civil Services examination, many students from the humanities background complained that this step would put them at disadvantage in comparison to students from engineering and commerce stream. We asked these faculty members if the perception has changed after the exam and almost everyone refuted the highly misplaced fears and perception of the students at the fi rst place itself.

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According to Mr. Brijendra Singh, CSAT has tried to create a level playing fi eld for all aspirants, regardless of their background. However irrespective of the stream, there are two categories of students who need to exercise caution- those who come from a non-english speaking background and those who do not have access to adequate study material. Success in an aptitude test depends upon diligent practice and regular testing. And this comes from having the right quality and an adequate quantity of exercises to train oneself through. Unfortunately, most of the literature available in the markets seeks to test a student’s knowledge rather than aptitude. This misplaced locus of efforts can be potentially fatal.

For those who have not been exposed to aptitude tests, it would be advisable to procure the right study material, practice diligently and if possible, have someone to not just cross-check their answers with but also to learn effective tips to save time and improve accuracy from.

Ravi R. Chokkalingam also agrees with the argument. He says that the only needed change was in the attitude towards preparing for this exam as that is the change they expect to see in the fi nally selected candidates. In the earlier format, one was only supposed to recognize the answer based on her/his memory. The present format needs one to work around the given condition by analyzing it properly and solving the problem then and there and come up with the answer. This requires one to change the way one works with her/his mind. So it is a test of one’s ability or potential to work around different situations which one is expected to face in a career in civil service.

Mr. V.P. Gupta told us that they faced the same problem at their institute and made every possible attempt to dispel such myths and assumptions from the students’ minds. “We advised aspirants to sift through the chaff and understand what direction to take. One of the myths we tried to dispel then was that the Maths of CSAT will be diffi cult and will give an undue advantage to candidates with a

interpretation. Thus, what is critical in Maths is speed and what is critical in English is accuracy. For English, students should start by incorporating a new dimension in their daily reading of the newspaper-read the editorial carefully, take note of the new words that you are unfamiliar with and summarize the editorial in your own words. This will go a long way in overcoming the impediments of a restricted vocabulary as also the mental-block we face while reading a piece from a new subject area.

For Mathematics, start again with the basics-memorize multiplication tables and the roots/cubes/fractions/percentages etc. to gain speed in calculations. Next, revise the basic formulae and commit them to memory. Learn not just their derivation and their application but also the shortcuts that help avoid needlessly lengthy calculations. And then, practice!”

For Ravi R Chokkalingam, strategy is important. “Prepare a strategy for the competition. Know your strong & weak areas, prepare the content only as per the limits of the syllabus, but emphasis should be on knowing ways to solve questions fast as only answers are needed and not the whole solution. Know which questions to attempt and which to leave.”

CSAT might have been introduced this year, but the General Studies paper which is called CSAT Paper I in the new exam scheme has been witnessing changes for last few years. It no longer tests the memorizing or recognition skills of the students, rather emphasizes an analytical approach. Also it is important to note that UPSC, along with the introduction of the Aptitude Paper at the Preliminary Examination, also made the following inclusions to the General studies paper:-General issues on Environmental ecology, Bio-diversity and Climate Change, and the Sustainable Development. According to Mr. V.P. Gupta, a closer look at last few years’ question papers will make us “realize that the questions are becoming more practical in nature and being increasingly based on knowledge of current affairs and general

Maths/Engineering background or put aspirants from humanities background at a disadvantage. Now, post the preliminary exam 2011, we have seen aspirants from Humanities stream clear and composed while handling Aptitude questions in class.”

CSAT PAPER-2011

Area No. of questions

Comprehension 27

English Comprehension 9

Basic Numeracy & Data 19 Interpretation

Verbal Reasoning 4

General Mental Ability 13

Decision Making 8

Total 80

To score well in the CSAT paper, he further adds that in light of the Paper II - 2011, it has become even more important to have a wide range of knowledge on various subjects and themes. In order to gain that, read voraciously and analytically through newspapers and magazines. In order to be good at Comprehension, a candidate must have the ability to understand the basic information given to solve a question / problem on the basis of some rules.

Overall, since Paper II is not theoretical in nature, practice regularly, to clear your concepts, handle different type of questions with equal ease and improve your speed (reading as well as question solving speed).

Mr. Brijendra Singh also emphasizes that ‘practice’ is the key to success in paper II. “ Practice. And then practice some more. The domain of the syllabus does not exceed the requirements of a matriculate exam. But since all the questions are application-based and also since there is a constant paucity of time, the foremost need is to learn how to get to the correct solution in the shortest time possible.

Maths is based on pure logic while English, being a language, is based upon

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awareness (which can only be acquired from voracious reading of newspapers and magazines). Such questions may require application of more than one concept/fact. Aspirants should develop an application based approach to do well in General Studies paper.”

Mr. Ravi R. Chokkalingam also concurs that “G.S. is becoming more analysis based and with practical application orientation. Current affairs with much fi ner analysis is becoming more and more relevant from exam perspective as was visible in this year’s Prelims paper 1 also. G.S. preparation and objective analysis will prepare one, even for comprehension as passages there are taken from sources of relevance to GS. Practical application based approach is decreasing the importance of history, and Statistics, as was visible in last Mains paper. Such an approach is becoming more and more relevant even in mains optional papers. “

Mr. Brijendra Singh, Vajiram & Ravi

adds an interesting point while keeping the relevance of G.S. intact. He says- “General Studies continues to command the lion’s share of a student’s attention, effort and time. Its direct correlation with the Mains ensures that its relevance can never be undermined. However, regardless of a student’s calibre and the sincerity of his efforts, the sheer vastness of the GS syllabus makes it practically impossible to attempt more than 50% of the questions with confi dence. Add to that the penalty accrued by a wrong answer and the net score in the paper falls to a very modest level.

In sharp contrast is the CSAT. The syllabus is well-defi ned, limited in scope and the level of diffi culty is moderate. Attempting even two-thirds of the questions with full accuracy is not a big task. What this then translates to is that even if the GS paper goes off at an average level, one can more than make up for it through the CSAT. This holds especially true for those sitting for their fi rst

attempt, where a crucial hurdle in the GS is being able to identify the right sources to study from. Using the CSAT as a much-needed relief, one can catapult oneself from the ocean of aspirants sitting for the Prelims to the more exclusive group that get to write the Mains. The commensurate benefi ts in terms of confi dence, a sense of purpose and having come one step closer to achieving your dream can hardly be overemphasized.”

The journey has just begun for CSAT. And we know it’s a long road ahead. We hope that this small endeavor by the team of India Prepares will prove highly helpful to the aspirants to prepare successfully for civil services examination. I would also like to thank all the students who participated in our workshop and whose opinions and concerns provided valuable inputs to this article. We wish all the students and aspirants Good Luck and success in life.

[email protected]

SEE BACK COVER

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National Bulletin Vol.1 Issue1 October 2011

Soumitra Sen’s Impeachment And The Tainted Judiciary

Justice Soumitra Sen saved himself the ignominy of being the country’s fi rst judge to be impeached. Following the overwhelming approval of Impeachment motion against him by Rajya Sabha, the SC judge resigned from his post just before the motion was to come up in the Lok Sabha and with that the matter came to an abrupt end.

Impeachment literally means being charged for misconduct. Under the Indian Constitution, judges and chief justices of the Supreme court and the High courts can be removed only on the grounds of a) proved misbehaviour and b) incapacity [Art.124(4)]. According to the [Art.124(4)] and the Judges Inquiry Act, 1968, following procedure is to be observed for the removal of a judge-

1) A motion addressed to the President signed by atleast 100 members of the Lok Sabha or 50 members of the Rajya Sabha is delivered to the Speaker or the Chairman.

2) The motion is to be investigated by a Committee of three (two SC judges and a distinguished jurist).

3) If the Committee fi nds the Judge guilty of misbehaviuor or that he suffers from incapacity the motion together with the report of the committee is taken up for consideration in the House where the motion is pending.

4) If the motion is passed in each Huse by majority of the total membership of that House and by a majority of not less than two-thirds of that House present and voting the address is presented to the President.

5) The Judge will be removed after the President gives his order for removal on the said address.

Soumitra Sen of the Calcutta High court is the second judge after Justice V. Ramaswamy in 1993, to have

faced Impeachment proceedings. In Ramaswamy’s case the motion fell in the LS because the ruling Congress abstained from voting.

Indian Judicial system seems to be going the way of the Indian Political system. In Nov 2010, SC Justice Makandey Katju said ‘There is something rotten in the Allahabad high court.” In the wake of recent exposes abt various tainted judges and lawyers, this statement could well be used for the entire system. Justice Dinakaran of the Sikkim High court, Justice Nirmal Yadav, former CJI, K.G. Balakrishnan, to name a few are all facing corruption charges of various kinds. There is also the Rs 23-crore Ghaziabad PF scam in which a Supreme Court judge (since retired), seven Allahabad High Court judges, 12 judges of the subordinate courts and six retired High Court judges are allegedly involved. The key accused, Ashutosh Asthana, died in jail mysteriously in October, 2009. He had provided vital documents to the CBI that established connivance of these judges.

Corrupt judges in the higher judiciary can be removed only by impeachment. However, this method is cumbersome. The problem is not just a question of devising proposals for removal. The Judges (Inquiry) Act, 1968, prefaces impeachment by judicial inquiry. In Supreme Court Judge Justice V. Ramaswamy’s case, the inquiry indicted him but the impeachment motion fell through in Parliament.

The need for an institutional mechanism to deal with cases of misconduct against a High Court judge as also the question of interim arrangements on whether the judge be assigned work pending investigation has long been felt. A beleaguered judge continuing in offi ce smacks of grave impropriety. Remember how Karnataka High Court Chief Justice P.D. Dinakaran continued to attend court, took decisions on the administrative

side and even delayed his departure for Gangtok?

The government should fast-track all cases of moral turpitude, corruption and nepotism. The process of impeachment of a judge should be speeded up with a time limit for obtaining the President’s sanction and impeaching him/her.

The Centre’s decision to set up a National Judicial Oversight Committee (NJOC) to look into complaints against Supreme Court and High Court judges and impose “minor penalties” or recommend their removal is welcome. This has been provided for in the Judicial Standards and Accountability Bill 2010 tabled in the Lok Sabha in Dec 2010. Signifi cantly, the Bill is aimed at replacing the Judges (Inquiry) Act, 1968.

There is a need to change the method of selection of judges. The collegium system has failed to attract persons of impeccable integrity. The country deserves a more credible, transparent and broad-based institutional mechanism for selecting judges. As the UK Supreme Court had done last year, our apex court, too, should advertise vacancies in the Supreme Court and High Courts in the newspapers.

NATIONAL BULLETIN...

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Triumph for Anna as Parliament backs key demandsIn a historic gesture, the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha unanimously resolved to endorse three key ideas that social activist Anna Hazare had insisted be included in the draft Lokpal Bill, now being considered by Parliament. The ‘sense of the House’ resolution adopted on 27th August night represented a stunning triumph for the fasting anti-corruption crusader who, just 12 days ago, had been arrested and jailed by a government fearful of the protest he was about to embark upon.

The Parliamentary motions — adopted by the traditional thumping of desks rather than a formal vote — were preceded by an extraordinary debate on the issues related to corruption. The identically worded resolutions, which were read out by Union Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee at the end of the debate, said: “The House discussed various issues relating to the setting up of a strong and effective Lokpal. This House agrees in principle on the following issues: (a) Citizens Charter, (b) Lower bureaucracy also to be under Lokpal through appropriate mechanism, (c) Establishment of a Lokayukta in the States; And further resolves to transmit the proceedings to the Department-related Standing Committee for its perusal while formulating its recommendations for a Lokpal Bill.”

According to media reports on 27th of august 2011, “the Lok Sabha Speaker has clarifi ed that thumping of desks conveys voice vote as well”; “If the House was unanimous in passing the resolution, there is no need for a vote. Nobody abstained, nobody disagreed.” Thus, the Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee made a statement in the Lok Sabha which did not require any voting since it was agreed upon by all the parliamentarians by thumping of desks and hence this statement was adopted as a “sense of the house” resolution.

Leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha Arun Jaitley has said that though the ‘sense of the House’ resolution passed by Parliament on the three demands of Team Anna is not binding on the Standing Committee, it is unlikely to reject it.

He said, “It is a commitment before the whole country. The chances of the House going back on it normally do not arise.” Maintaining that it was only an “in-principle” acceptance of the three points raised by Team Anna, Mr. Jaitley said there was “no proposer, no seconder, and no voting” as was normally the case when a resolution was passed.

Government empowers the Nuclear Safety Regu-latory AuthorityThe government has decided to empower the Nuclear Safety Regulatory Authority (NSRA), which is being formed to regulate safety from nuclear radiation, with wide-ranging powers to

NATIONAL NEWS

conduct investigations, inspect, search and seize documents and objects from the sources of such radiation.

The NSRA Bill 2011 gives the authority sweeping powers to carry out inspection or inquiry as may be necessary, and enter any building or place where the inquiry may lead to. It will enable establishment of a Council of Nuclear Safety (CNS), under the Prime Minister’s chairmanship, to oversee and review the policies relating to radiation/nuclear safety.

The decision to form a powerful NSRA — with a chairperson (Supreme Court Judge or the Chief Justice of a High Court), two full-time members (eminent nuclear/atomic scientists) and four part-timers — was taken by the union cabinet. The authority will replace the existing Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB) and is in line with the government’s commitment to create an “independent” regulator in the wake of the Fukushima nuclear disaster.

Cabinet nod for land acquisition BillUnion Cabinet has approved the National Land Acquisition and Rehabilitation and Resettlement Bill and its introduction in Parliament during the current monsoon session. The Bill proposes to give a much better deal, including higher compensation, to landowners. The proposed law seeks to replace the 117-year-old Land Acquisition Bill, 1894 and for the fi rst time integrates both land acquisition and Rehabilitation and Resettlement package.

Nevertheless, the States have been allowed to frame their own laws and if they so desire are free to improve upon the provisions stipulated under the proposed Bill. It allows for fl exibility to the State government on whether or not to intervene on behalf of private players for making land acquisition.

The Bill now allows acquisition of multi-cropped irrigated land for linear projects of the government and up to fi ve per cent of the irrigated land in a particular district. In the earlier version the government had proposed a total ban on acquisition of irrigated land. Now farmers will get only four times the market price in the rural areas as against the earlier provision where they were supposed to be given six times the market price, while in urban areas it will be double the market price.

The bill, among other things, makes it mandatory for private parties buying 50 acres in urban areas to fi le intimation with the district collectors on “the intent to buy the land, the purpose of purchase and the particulars of the land to be bought.” The new bill would give enhanced compensation and relief and rehabilitation (R&R) package to displaced persons. The ‘public purpose’ has been tightly defi ned to curb whimsical acquisitions. In any case, the R&R package will be applicable only when the private parties acquire 100 and more acres of land in the rural areas and 50 acres in urban areas.

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Even Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes communities too have been affected in the latest draft which stipulates that 2.5 acres of land be given to members of these communities for each acre acquired from them. The provision is diluted in that earlier for each acre fi ve acres had been stipulated as compensation.

The promised R&R for those surviving on the acquired land will now be applicable only to those who had been eking out a livelihood for at least three years on the said piece of land. Earlier all those sustaining themselves on the acquired piece of land were made eligible for compensation.

In the eventuality of the acquired land not being put to use for the defi ned purpose within 10 years of acquisition, the same would now be transferred to the State land bank. The earlier proviso was to return the land to the farmer if the slated project failed to come up within fi ve years of acquisition.

While the purpose for acquisition can’t be changed, the Bill, however, now allows transfer of land with the approval of the State government and if the transfer is effected without the development of land then the farmers will have to be paid 20 per cent of the appreciated value.

The Bill specifi es timelines for the payment of compensation. The price of land has to be paid within three months of the award, the other monetary compensations within six months and the infrastructure entitlements under the R&R package within 18 months. Penalties will be levied on violation.

The rural development ministry draft has relaxed its earlier proposal for total ban on acquisition of multi-crop land. Now, a maximum of 5% multi-crop land can be acquired in a district on the condition that equal area of degraded land would be developed. If net sown area is less than 50% of total land in a district, then only 10% of such land is open for acquisition for different projects.

Nod for Academy of Scientifi c and Innovative Research BillThe Lok Sabha has passed a Bill that will enable the Council of Scientifi c and Industrial Research to start an academy to award post-graduate and doctoral degrees. The Academy of Scientifi c and Innovative Research (AcSIR) Bill, 2010, was introduced in the Lok Sabha in July last year. The proposed legislation aims to establish the academy for advancement of learning and promotion of research in the fi eld of science and technology in association with the CSIR. The objective is to stem the growing shortage of skilled manpower in the science and technology industry and the dwindling number of PhDs. The Academy is expected to produce 1,000 PhDs in science and technology and around 120 PhDs in engineering annually from the fi rth year onwards.

Centre drafted Bill to regulate higher education’Director of the National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) H.A. Ranganath said that the Centre has drafted

the National Accreditation Regulatory Authority for Higher Educational Institutions Bill, 2010. To maintain academic quality, the Bill seeks to make it mandatory for every higher educational institution to be accredited by an independent accreditation agency. The Bill is now before Parliament. Prof. Ranganath said that at present, 162 universities and 5,000 colleges in the country had been accredited by the NAAC, an autonomous institution of the University Grants Commission.

12th Plan: focus on energy conservationInaugurating the National Energy Effi ciency Summit-2011, organised by the Confederation of Indian Industry, Ajay Mathur, Director General, Bureau of Energy Effi ciency (BEE) said the Centre had suggested to all States to fully implement energy conservation measures to bridge the gap between demand and supply to some extent. He said that it would be a big challenge for power utilities in the next fi ve years to meet the ever-increasing demand in various sectors. The Union government is contemplating to lay special focus on energy effi ciency and conservation in the 12th fi ve-year plan.

Power of PM, CM in granting relief upheldThe Supreme Court has upheld the discretionary power of the Prime Minister and Chief Ministers in granting relief to victims from the Prime Minister’s Relief Fund or the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund. It, however, noted that reasonable standards must be applied in exercising such discretion. A Bench of Justices R.V. Raveendran and A.K. Patnaik said that when calamities, disasters, heinous and dastardly crimes occurred, and there was need to immediately respond by providing relief, regular governmental machinery may be found to be slow and wanting, as they were bound down by rules, regulations and procedures. Special circumstances may warrant emergent fi nancial assistance. It was also possible that the existing laws may not provide for grant of relief in some circumstances to the needy victims. It was in such circumstances, the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund was necessary and useful.

The Bench said these relief funds were different from secret funds. The infl ow into the relief funds and the disbursals were fully accounted. The funds were regularly audited. The purposes for which such funds could be utilized were clearly laid down, subject to the residuary discretion vested in the Prime Minister/Chief Minister to grant relief in unforeseen circumstances. They were given the discretion to choose the recipient of the relief, the quantum of relief, and the timing of grant of such relief. Unless such discretion was given, in extraordinary circumstances not contemplated in the guidelines, the relief fund in the hands of a Chief Minister may be useless and meaningless.

Orissa becomes OdishaOrissa will hereafter be called ‘Odisha and the Oriya language will be known as ‘Odia’ with Parliament giving approval to amendment of the Constitution and also passing the related Bill. The Lok Sabha on 6th September made minor amendments to the Orissa (the Alteration of Name) Bill and the Constitution

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(113th) Amendment Bill, which have already been approved by the Rajya Sabha.

Council to promote research in humanities mootedA two-member Review Committee on the Indian Council of Philosophical Research (ICPR) has suggested the setting up of a separate council for the promotion of research in humanities, including philosophy, and subsequent merging of the ICPR into it. The committee, comprising Mrinal Miri and Rajeev Bhargava, in its report, said philosophy’s rejuvenation may well begin with its coming into interactive proximity with literature and other disciplines, including history, literature and literary studies, linguistics, political thought and anthropology.

The ICPR was established in 1977 by the then Union Ministry of Education (now Human Resource Development Ministry) as an autonomous organisation designed to bring back the entire tradition of Indian philosophy to its pristine and original form and provide required impetus to nurture and promote new thinking through its intensive programmes of research.

India’s 2nd sea-bridge to come up in MumbaiIndia’s second major bridge across the sea - the Mumbai Trans Harbour Link (MTHL) - has been accorded formal approval by Maharashtra Government. The MTHL, estimated to cost around Rs.10, 000 crore, will connect Mumbai island with the mainland at Raigad district, adjoining the metropolis and shall be implemented by the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA). The eight-lane MTHL would be the second sea-link in the country, after the fi ve km long Rajiv Gandhi Bandra-Worli Sea Link, inaugurated two years ago. There are two similar bridges, including the 36-km long Hangzhou Bay Bridge in China and the 26-km long King Fahd Causeway in Saudi Arabia.

Tripartite agreement for Suspension of Opera-tions (SoO) signed with ULFAIn the fi rst step towards fi nding ways for ushering in permanent peace in Assam, a tripartite agreement for Suspension of Operations (SoO) was signed among the Centre, the Assam government and the outlawed United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA). The ULFA had earlier agreed to abjure violence and fi nd a solution to the problems as perceived by the outfi t through peaceful negotiations with the Union government and the Assam government. The meeting deliberated in detail on various aspects of the ground rules of the SoO and how to maintain peace in Assam. Members of the rebel group will be put in special camps which will be called “nabanirman kendras.”

EC issues new norms to tackle ‘paid news’The Election Commission has asked the Chief Electoral Offi cers of States and Union Territories to obtain the standard advertisement rate cards of television and radio channels and the print media six months before the Lok Sabha/Assembly elections so as to check ‘paid news’ and the misuse of the media by political parties. The Commission said this was to ensure uniformity

while dealing with ‘paid news,’ even when no consideration of cash and kind was involved in giving the candidates publicity. The new guideline would deal with advertisements taken out by candidates on television and cable channels owned by political parties or their functionaries and offi ce-bearers.

Government would consider Kakodkar panel sug-gestions on IITs: PM Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said that the government would consider recommendations of the Anil Kakodkar committee on the functioning of IITs after a council of the premier institutes looks into them.

“EIR 21” coal-and-steam-powered loco hit the rails once moreAt the age of 156, the world’s oldest steam locomotive showed heritage buffs in Chennai why she is no mere showpiece. The “EIR 21” coal-and-steam-powered loco hit the rails once more to turn the clock back to a bygone era during a heritage run organised by Southern Railway to mark Independence Day.

National Cyclone Risk Mitigation Project: Rs 1500 crore Approved for Cyclone Tracking in Coastal StatesThe Center has Okayed Rs 1,500 crore for a national cyclone risk mitigation project for coastal states for building up a network of apt forecasting apart from cyclone tracking and warning systems. The fi rst phase of the project will be implemented in the next fi ve years and will be piloted from Andhra Pradesh and Odisha to start with. Important milestones in the project will involve upgraded cyclone forecasting system and capacity building in multi-hazard risk management.

Bihar Information Technology Policy: Government Plans to go Paperless by 2016The much awaited Information Technology policy of Bihar, which aims to make all government departments paperless by 2016 among other objectives, has been approved by the state cabinet. The Bihar Information Technology Policy 2011 addresses the larger objective of developing information technology in the state to attract investment and promote IT related subjects in education and governance. To make all departments paperless by 2016, the policy mandates the earmarking three percent of the total planned expenditure for IT. Now all ordinances, forms and tenders will be available on government portals.

Maharashtra Government to introduce tree cred-its, village forests to improve green coverThe Maharashtra government will soon introduce the concepts of ‘tree credit’ and ‘village forests’ to improve green cover in the state. Both initiatives will be implemented by the social forestry department (SFD). Elaborating on both concepts, Nitin Raut, minister for EGS and water conservation, said that Maharashtra would be the fi rst state to introduce them. These concepts aim to improve the green cover of the state.

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Vol.1 Issue1 October 2011International Bulletin

ARAB UPRISING AND LIBYAN CRISES

Arab upheaval took everyone by surprise- Arab nations, its people and the world. The political tremors that started off from Tunisia rocked many a nations with political changes already visible in many of them. Soon enough it engendered a hope of a spring, an “Arab spring”. People could see a phoenix that will rise from its own ashes. However the ripples set off by the uprisings on the street of Tunis have yet to reach the shore. The latest developments have raised genuine concerns whether actual structural changes for society and economy will arise of it beyond the cosmetic surgery.

Little did Mohamed Bouazizi know that his act of self immolation would unleash a wave of rebellion engulfi ng the entire Middle East. The anger and frustration against state’s economic policies that sparked the revolt soon turned into mass protests against autocratic rule, rampant corruption and suppression of human rights. Tunisian grit and determination in the face of bullets and police repression eventually paid off and Ben Ali was forced to fl ee the country. The story unfortunately doesn’t end here. Ben Ali might have left but the vestiges of his rule remain fi rmly entrenched. Mohamed Ghannouchi, his right hand man is at the helm of affairs presently. Whether free and fair elections under his caretaker government can be conducted raises serious doubts. Another thing to be factored in is what the ‘Big Bosses’ in the West have ‘thought’ out for the African nation. Ben Ali was their ‘strong man’ in the region. He unquestioningly implemented the policies of the IMF and the World Bank, which led to the impoverishment of his people and encouraged crony capitalism.

The state that became in true sense the epicenter of uprising was Egypt. Cairo’s Tahrir Square saw hundreds of thousands of men and women stand in unison to demand the end of Hosni Mubarak’s

30 year rule. And just like Tunisia, the revolution did succeed in toppling the dictatorial regime. However, Egypt’s post revolutionary road hasn’t been smooth and looks equally smoked in the context of recent attack on the Israeli embassy and the violence that ensued.

The army that stepped in to fi ll the vacuum hasn’t really been successful in claiming the mantle of being the pro people force. Despite efforts at dialogue with the disparate political groups that led Egypt’s revolution, the army, well funded by U.S since 1979, has often appeared reluctant to move except to stave off renewed protests.

The army is a respected institution and its status was enhanced when commanders made early decisions not to move against the protesters. But pro-democracy activists are perfectly aware that the military is acting in its own interests, just as it did when propping up Mr Mubarak for a generation. The mob attack on the Israeli Embassy in Cairo - which led to a military evacuation by Israel of its diplomatic staff - has raised concerns about whether Egypt’s military-led transitional government can maintain law and order. .Later on, the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces (SCAF) and Prime Minister Essam Sharaf’s cabinet reactivated the emergency law that had been suspended in the wake of the 18-day uprising.

The General Committee for Human Rights (GCHR), an affi liate of the Lawyers’ Syndicate, denounced the authority’s reactions to controversial attacks on the Israeli and Saudi embassies as well as the Giza security headquarters, pointing especially to the reactivation of the contentious emergency law. The GCHR said re-activating the emergency law constitutes a step back on the road to progress spurred on by the events of 25 January. The committee also lamented the decision to hold exceptional trials,

arguing Egypt would thus slide back into the draconian order which stifl ed the country for several decades.

The wave of Arab unrest that started with the Jasmine revolution (another name for Tunisian Revolution) of January 2011 reached Syria in mid-March, when residents of a small southern city took to the streets to protest the torture of students who had put up anti-government graffi ti. President Bashar al-Assad, who inherited Syria’s harsh dictatorship from his father, Hafez al-Assad, at fi rst wavered between force and hints of reform. But in April, just days after lifting the country’s decades-old state of emergency, he launched the fi rst of what became a series of withering crackdowns, sending tanks into restive cities as security forces opened fi re on demonstrators.

Neither the violence nor Mr. Assad’s offers of political reform — rejected as shams by protest leaders — has brought an end to the unrest. Similarly, the protesters have not been able to withstand direct assault by the military’s armored forces. The confl ict is complicated by Syria’s ethnic divisions. The Assads and much of the nation’s elite, especially the military, belong to the Alawite sect, a small minority in a mostly Sunni country. Also, Syria is another state where West is eyeing a regime change. They want to replace the chair in Damascus which could then lead to breaking the Syria-Iran nexus and also cutting off the relations with Hizbollah movement in Lebanon.

What started off as tribal tensions in Libya and which were conveniently tagged as another wave of revolt against the longstanding monarchy have fi nally come to an end with the ravaged nation in the throes of blood, chaos and anarchy and yes, of course, freed from Qaddafi ’s 42 yr old dictatorial rule. The fall of Tripoli at the hands of rebel fi ghters is being widely seen as birth of ‘free Libya’. However, going by

INTERNATIONAL BULLETIN...

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International Bulletin Vol.1 Issue1 October 2011

the reports of widespread looting and mayhem that ensued, one sees another Iraq or an Afghanistan in the making. After the rebels and their NATO military advisers marched into Tripoli on August 21, the capital has been without essential supplies, including drinking water and electricity. Places of worship, including the oldest Greek Orthodox Church in North Africa, have been ransacked. Hundreds of bodies have been left rotting on the streets and in hospitals. Hospitals have been bereft of essential equipment and medicines. The rebel forces have gone on a looting spree while NATO helicopters and planes continued attacking pro-government holdouts in the capital until late August.

The African Union and many leading countries in the world have not recognized the rump government that NATO seeks to put in place in Tripoli. Only 40 countries had recognized the NTC, which consists of former close associates of Qaddafi ’s, Western intelligence assets and Islamists, as of early September. The A.U. issued a statement in the last week of August calling for the setting up of an “inclusive transitional government” that would include representatives from the previous government. The A.U. had repeatedly called for peaceful negotiations to end the fi ghting ever since the NATO-instigated war started.

The Venezuelan president Hugo

Chavez termed the war as “imperial madness” after the fall of Tripoli and once again accused the U.S. and European countries of fomenting internal confl ict to seize control of the country’s oil riches. Since the imposition of no-fl y zone over Libya, there were little doubts, if any, about West’s intentions. The aerial attacks and covert ground activities were focused entirely on regime change with France and U.K. having their sights on lucrative oil contracts and multi billion dollar defence deal.

Muammar Qaddafi may have gone but there aren’t any tangible signs of leadership as yet. During Muammar Gaddafi ’s 42-year rule, Libya had made great strides socially and economically thanks to its vast oil income. Women in Libya are free to work and to dress as they like, subject to family constraints. Life expectancy is in the seventies. And per capita income - while not as high as could be expected given Libya’s oil wealth and relatively small population of 6.5m - is estimated at $12,000 (£9,000), according to the World Bank. Illiteracy has been almost wiped out, as has homelessness - a chronic problem in the pre-Gaddafi era, where corrugated iron shacks dotted many urban centres around the country. Guns, not civilian politics, are currently determining Libya’s future, and could yet precipitate a squabble for the country’s tantalizingly rich resources.

The task of proving that the Arab world without its dictators is a better place may yet be a tortuous struggle.

Yemen and Jordan, where the rate of unemployment is the highest, also witnessed big anti-government demonstrations but to no big overhauls. It is interesting to note that the revolt in the Arab world was not merely against a resident dictator but a worldwide economic tyranny designed by the US Treasury and imposed by the US Agency for International Development, the IMF and World Bank, which had ensured that rich countries like Egypt are reduced to vast sweatshops, with half the population earning less than $2 a day. The fi ght was as much for bread as it was for freedom from dictatorship. If issues like poverty, unemployment, high prices and recession are slipped under the cover, the entire revolution would mean little.

The revolution sparked by Bouazizi’s death is far from over. Regimes might have been toppled but democracy is yet to see the light of the day. Poverty, unemployment, corruption, high prices are the factors that will defi ne and direct these insurrectionary currents in the long and stable terms. And to free themselves from the clutches of Western Corporate plunder would be a more arduous task for these nations than the political turnovers.

The series of protests and demonstrations across the Middle East and North Africa has become known as the “Arab Spring”,and sometimes as the “Arab Spring and Winter”,”Arab Awakening”or “Arab Uprisings”even though not all participants in protests identify as Arab.

MOROCOO

ALGERIA

TUNISIA

LIBYA

SYRIA

JORDAN

EGYPT

SAUDI ARABIA

BAHRAIN

IRAQ

OMAN

YEMEN

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Vol.1 Issue1 October 2011International Bulletin

EGYPT Hosni Mubarak became head of Egypt’s semi-presidential republic government following the 1981 assassination of President Anwar El Sadat, and continued to serve until 2011. Mubarak’s 30-year reign made him the longest serving President in Egypt’s history, with his National Democratic Party (NDP) government maintaining one-party rule under a continuous state of emergency. Basic resons for the protests were-Police brutality; Corruption in government elections and offi cials; Restrictions on free speech and press; Demographic, economic and poor living challenges

25-01-2011 Revolution on 11 February 2011

Protests ongoing

• Ousting of President Mubarak and Prime MinistersNazif and Shafi k;

• Assumption of power by the Armed Forces;

• Suspension of the Constitution, dissolution of the Parliament;

• Disbanding of State Security Investigations Service;

• Dissolution of the NDP, the former ruling party of Egypt and transfer of its assets to the state[

• Prosecution of Mubarak, his family and his former ministers.

Revolution

Revolution

Summary of protests by country

COUNTRY REASON FOR PROTESTS DATE OF PRESENT STATUS OUTCOME SITUATION

AND DATE OF STARTING STARTING

TUNISIA The demonstrations were precipitated by high unemployment, food infl ation, corruption, lack of freedom of speech and other forms of political freedom, and poor living conditions.

18-12-2010 Revolution on 14 January 2011

Protests subdued since March 2011

• Ousting of President Ben Ali and Prime Minister Ghannouchi

• Dissolution of the RCD, the former ruling party of Tunisia and liquidation of its assets

• Release of political prisoners

• Elections to a Constituent Assembly on 23 October 2011.

LIBYA Muammar Gaddafi was the de-facto ruler of Libya since he led a military coup that overthrew King Idris I in 1969. He abolished the Libyan Constitution of 1951, and adopted laws based on his own ideology. A leaked diplomatic cable describes Libyan economy as “a kleptocracy in which the government – either the al-Qadhafi family itself or its close political allies – has a direct stake in anything worth buying, selling or owning”. Gaddafi amassed a vast personal fortune during his 42-year rule. An estimated 20.74% of Libyan citizens were unemployed, and about one-third lived below the national poverty line.

17-02-2011 Ongoing • Overthrow of Gaddafi ; Gaddafi ’s whereabouts are currently unknown.

• Opposition forces seize control of numerous Libyan cities, including the capital, Tripoli. • Formation of the National Transitional Council

• UN-mandated NATO, Jordanian, Qatari, Swedish, and Emirati military intervention

Ongoing civil war

YEMEN Demonstrators initially protested against governmental proposals to modify the constitution of Yemen, unemployment and economic conditions, and corruption, but their demands soon included a call for the resignation of President Ali Abdullah Saleh, who had been facing internal opposition from his closest advisors since 2009.

03-02-2011 Ongoing • Resignation of MPs from the ruling party

• On 4th June, President Ali Abdullah Saleh and 35 members of his family, as well as the prime minister and the Speaker of the Yemeni parliament, leave Yemen for Saudi Arabia. As of 31 August, Saleh has not returned to Yemen.

• Vice President Abd al-Rahman Mansur al-Haditakes over as Acting President on 4 June 2011.

Sustained civil disorder and governmentalchanges

SYRIA Protesters have been calling for political reforms and the reinstatement of civil rights, as well as an end to the state of emergency which has been in place since 1963.Brutality by Syrian security forces

15-03-2011 Ongoing • Release of some political prisoners;

• End of Emergency Law;

• Military action in Hama, Daraa and other areas;

Sustained civil disorder and governmental changes

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OMAN Demanding salary increases and a lower cost of living and an end to corruption and better distribution of oil revenue.

17-01-2011 Ended may 11 • Economic concessions by Sultan Qaboos;

• Dismissal of ministers; • Granting of lawmaking powers to

Oman’s elected legislature

Protests and governmentaldisorder

SAUDI ARABIA In Saudi Arabia hundreds of people protested against the poor infrastructure in Jeddah following fl ooding. At the same time, an online campaign began calling for major political and economic changes. On 5 February, forty women demonstrated for the release of prisoners held without trial.

21-01-2011 Subdued since June 2011

• Economic concessions by King Abdullah;

• Male-only municipal elections to be held 22 September 2011

Protests

JORDAN Against economic policies of the government

14 January 2011

Ongoing • King Abdullah II dismisses Prime Minister Rifai and his cabinet;

Protests and governmenta l changes

MOROCCO Demand for political reforms and King Mohammed to relinquish some of his power.

20-02-2011 Limited after 1 July 2011

• Political concessions by King Mohammed VI;

• Referendum on constitu-tional reforms;

• Respect to civil rights and an end to corruption

Protests and governmental

changes

• Resignation of the Government

• Small defections within Syrian army and clashes among soldiers

• Formation of The National Council of Syria

14-01-2011 Ongoing

Ongoing

BAHRAIN The 2011 protests in Bahrain were initially aimed at achieving greater political freedom and respect for human rights, and later on intended to end the monarchy.

• Economic concessions by King Hamad;

• Release of political prisoners;

• GCC intervention at the request of the Government of Bahrain

Sustained civil disorder and governmenta l changes

IRAQ Hundreds of protesters gathered in several major urban areas (notably Baghdad and Karbala) on 12 February, demanding a more effective approach to national security, to the investigation of federal corruption cases, as well as increased government involvement in making public services fair and accessible.

10-02-2011 • Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki announces that he will not run for a 3rd term in 2014;

• Resignation of provincial governors and local authorities

Major protests.

ALGERIA Protests began in Algiers over the lack of housing, quickly escalating to violent confrontations with the police.

28-12-2010 Subdued since April 2011

• Lifting of the 19-year-old state of emergency

Major protests

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INTERNATIONAL NEWS

Bhattarai is new Nepal Prime Minister Prime Minister Jhalanath Khanal resigned on August 14, 2011, in accordance with the fi ve-point agreement signed among the top political parties in May. After this, Nepal’s legislature-parliament elected, a 57-year-old scholar who has done his doctorate in Jawaharlal Nehru University, Baburam Bhattarai, Vice-Chairman of the Unifi ed Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist), as new Prime Minister. The Maoists were supported by the United Democratic Madhesi Front (UDMF), an alliance of fi ve Madhesi parties. In the House of 594 MPs, 575 members participated in the election and around 340 voted for Dr. Bhattarai, helping him secure a simple majority. The other candidate, Nepali Congress Parliamentary Party leader Ram Chandra Poudel, got 235 votes.

Sri Lanka lifts state of emergencySri Lanka announced the lifting of the state of emergency imposed nearly 30 years ago to confront the threat from the Tamil Tigers. The announcement was made by President Mahinda Rajapaksa in Parliament. The island nation has been under a state of emergency since 1983, when the LTTE under its late commander Velupillai Prabhakaran was posing a threat to the country’s government and forces.

Yoshihiko Noda- Japan’s New PM Prime Minister Naoto Kan announced that he was resigning after almost 15 months in offi ce amid plunging approval ratings over his government’s handling of the tsunami disaster and nuclear crisis. Mr. Kan said he was stepping down as chief of the ruling Democratic Party of Japan, effectively ending his tenure as leader of the country. The decision was widely expected because in June, Mr. Kan had promised to quit once lawmakers passed three key pieces of legislation. The fi nal two bills cleared the parliament. Now, Finance Minister Yoshihiko Noda, a fi scal hawk, has become Japan’s sixth Prime Minister in fi ve years after winning a ruling party vote, an outcome likely to please investors worried about a bulging public debt. Noda, 54, who defeated Trade Minister Banri Kaieda in a run-off vote, must cope with a resurgent yen that threatens exports; forge a new energy policy while ending the worst nuclear crisis since Chernobyl, and fi nd funds to rebuild from the March 11 tsunami at a time when huge public debt has already triggered a credit downgrade.

Lumbini project: An initiative of chinaA Chinese foundation’s plans to build a “special development zone” to transform the town of Lumbini into a Buddhist “Mecca” have been cast in further doubt after a United Nations agency, thought to be backing the project, stressed it had no involvement in the plan.

Lumbin is a Buddhist pilgrimage site in the Rupandehi district of Nepal. It is the place where Queen Mayadevi gave birth to Siddhartha Gautama, who as the Buddha Gautama founded the Buddhist tradition. The Buddha lived between roughly 563 and 483 BCE. Lumbini is one of four magnets for pilgrimage that sprang up in places pivotal to the life of the Buddha, the others being at Kushinagar, Bodh Gaya, and Sarnath.

A Non-governmental organization called “Asia Pacifi c Exchange and Cooperation Foundation” (APECF) backed by the Chinese government and a UN group called “United Nations Industrial Development Organization” (UNIDO) tried to sign a deal to develop Lumbini into a “special development zone” with funds worth $3 billion. The venture was a China-UN joint project.

Nanmadol hit Taiwan & China Typhoon Nanmadol headed to southeastern China after dumping more than 20 inches, or 0.5 meter, of rain in southern Taiwan, where wide swaths of agricultural land were fl ooded and some 8,000 people evacuated. The storm skirted Taiwan’s southwest, remaining over the island for only a few hours. Its intensity had already diminished after pummeling the Philippines, where at least 16 people died and eight were missing. In Taiwan, there were no immediate reports of casualties. However, disruption to everyday life was extensive.

Pak-China discuss rail line to connect PoK with XinjiangPakistan and China have started discussion on building a cross-border railway linking northern areas of Pakistan-occupied-Kashmir (POK) with Kashgar, an old Chinese Silk road town in the restive north-western Xinjiang province.

Mandarin to be mandatory in Sindh schools from 2013Demonstrating ever-growing linkages with China, Pakistan’s Sindh province has decided to make Mandarin a compulsory subject from Class VI in all schools from 2013. The decision is part of the various socio-cultural and people-to-people initiatives being undertaken to mark the 60th year of bilateral relations, which both countries are calling the “Year of Friendship.” Given the various levels of linkages between the two countries, the move is apparently aimed at equipping the coming generation with Mandarin skills to be able to benefi t from the economic growth of China.

China Maps Tibetan Plateau: Sources of Brahma-putra, Indus River FoundChinese scientists have completed a fi rst of its kind study to

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pinpoint the sources of the Brahmaputra and Indus rivers using satellite images, and have found that the length and drainage areas of both rivers exceeded earlier estimates. Researcher form the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), an offi cial think-tank in Beijing, used remote-sensing satellite images and data from several expeditions to the Tibetan plateau to map the sources of the Brahmaputra, Indus, Salween and Irrawaddy rivers.

They located the source of the Brahmaputra, or Yarlung Tsangpo as it is known in Tibet, on the Angsi glacier on the northern side of the Himalayas, in the Tibetan country of Burang. The source of the river was earlier thought to be on the Chemayungdung glacier, further south. Indus river’s headstream was mapped near Mount Kailash in Tibet, 30 km away from where its source was earlier thought to be. The team used remote-sensing images provided by the U.S. Landsat satellite and the French SPOT satellite to map the Qinghai-Tibet plateau.

Russia pumped “technical” gas into undersea pipelineRussia pumped the fi rst “technical” gas into a new undersea pipeline to Germany that will increase Europe’s dependence on Russian natural gas and drastically cut Moscow’s reliance on transit countries. Prime Minister Vladimir Putin pressed the “start” button to launch the fi lling of the Nord Stream pipeline at a ceremony in Vyborg, near St. Petersburg, the starting point of the $12.5 billion 1,220-kilometre pipeline built across the Baltic Sea to Germany. Nord Stream is the fi rst Russian export pipeline that bypasses transit countries. The pipeline will greatly reduce Russia’s dependence on Ukraine, which currently carries 80 per cent of Russian gas to Europe through Soviet-era pipelines.

Crash wiped out Russia ice hockey teamA Russian passenger jet carrying a top ice hockey team crashed during takeoff in western Russia, killing 43 people and leaving two critically injured. The Yak-42 plane crashed immediately after taking off from an airport near the city of Yaroslavl, on the Volga River about 240 km northeast of Moscow. The plane was carrying the Lokomotiv ice hockey team from Yaroslavl to Minsk, Belarus, for the opening game of the season. Lokomotiv is one of Russia’s best hockey team, which placed third last year in the championship of the Continental Hockey League (KHL) of former Soviet states. This is the fi fth air crash in Russia this year.

Hugo Chavez announces nationalization of coun-try’s gold industryHugo Chavez has announced that he will nationalize Venezuela’s gold industry to boost the country’s reserves. “The area is run by the mafi a,” he said. “We’re going to nationalize gold. We can’t keep allowing them to take it away.” The biggest gold miner is Rusoro, a Canadian-listed company controlled by the Russian Agapov family. The move comes after Rusoro and others complained that Caracas prevents them from selling enough gold abroad.

Iran unveiled new cruise missiles, claims U.S. bases in rangeIran unveiled a new cruise missile which it said has the capability to strike at warships at a range of 200 km, including U.S. bases in the Persian Gulf region. The missile designed for sea targets was put on display at a ‘defence marine show’ inaugurated by President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, Iranian TV reported. The missile called “Qader” (Able) is built indigenously by Iranian scientists and has a high destructive ability against coastal targets and warships, the state run TV said. It said, that Mr. Ahmadinejad also made public a new torpedo system called “Valfair”, fi red from submarine. Both the weapon systems were tested successfully.

Bushehr connected to power gridOvercoming repeated setbacks, Iran has connected its fi rst nuclear plant at Bushehr to the country’s national electricity grid with an initial contribution of 60 megawatts of power. On August 17, the completion of the Bushehr atomic project, which had commenced prior to the Islamic Revolution of 1979, has faced repeated delays. After the revolution, Iran signed in 1995, a deal with Russia for the completion of the plant in the next four years. But the facility could be eventually completed after a delay of three decades. Iran has allayed fears that the Bushehr facility can be misused for making bombs. Iran will return to Russia all the spent fuel — the material generated by the reactor that can be potentially used for making weapons.

Tony Tan elected Singapore PresidentSeasoned politician Tony Tan, of the ruling People’s Action Party, was elected Singapore’s President. The 71-year-old banker took just over 35 per cent of the vote, well below the 60 per cent garnered by the ruling People’s Action Party (PAP) in general elections in May, when the party had its worst showing of 52 years in power.

After Irene, storm Lee lashed USTropical Storm Lee crawled onto southern Louisiana’s coast as New Orleans prepared for one of the biggest tests of its fl ood defences since Hurricane Katrina devastated the city in 2005. The National Hurricane Center said Lee’s center was about 200 km west-southwest of New Orleans, with maximum sustained winds of 72 kph.

IAEA states adopt nuclear safety action plan The U.N. atomic agency’s 35-nation board adopted an action plan to strengthen global nuclear safety in the wake of Japan’s Fukushima accident, despite criticism from several states that the proposals had been watered down. The governing board approved by consensus the document put forward by Director General Yukiya Amano of the International Atomic Energy Agency ( IAEA), setting out a series of measures aimed at enhancing standards worldwide.

France faced a blast in nuclear plant

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France went into damage-limitation mode following a blast at a nuclear re-processing plant, which killed one person and injured four. France is one of the world’s leading exporters of nuclear technology and authorities were quick to minimize the seriousness of the explosion.

N. Korea Seizes S. Korean Assets at Joint ResortNorth Korea has seized a resort jointly run with South Korea. North Korea has asked all South Korean to leave the Mount Kumgang resort and has said it was taking control of all assets here.

Turkey-Israel row escalating sharplyThe row between Turkey and Israel has escalated as Turkey decided to expel the Israeli ambassador from the country. Turkey’s decision to downgrade diplomatic ties followed Israel’s refusal to apologise for its deadly May 2010 raid on a Gaza

bound aid ship, Mavi Marmara. In that assault, one Turkish origin American and eight Turkish activists were killed. Turkey also opposes a deal between Cyprus and Israel to drill off-shore for natural gas with the participation of some American companies. Turkey wants the project to be put on hold till the Cyprus issue, which has deep historical roots, is resolved.

Israeli embassy in Cairo stormed Israel’s Ambassador accompanied by some of diplomats, staff and families have hastily evacuated from Egypt following the storming of the embassy in Cairo by demonstrators who gave vent to their pent up fury that had been sparked last month by the border killing by Israeli troops of fi ve Egyptian soldiers. The Israeli embassy had become the target of Egyptian youth’s ire following the killing on August 18 of fi ve Egyptian soldiers by Israeli forces.

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Vol.1 Issue1 October 2011Bilateral/Multilateral Bulletin

PM’s Visit to Bangladesh : Teesta didn’t happen, but a lot else did.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s visit to Bangladesh (6-7 September 2011), the fi rst bilateral visit by an Indian Prime Minister in 12 years to the neighbouring country, carried a heavy load of expectations. The previous bilateral visit by an Indian Prime Minister to Dhaka was in 1999 when Atal Behari Vajpayee went over to inaugurate the Dhaka-Kolkata bus service.

But not since the visit of Indira Gandhi has there been a sojourn to Dhaka by an Indian Prime Minister with such an impressive menu on the consolidation and expansion of bilateral relations as Dr Singh’s in September 2011.

It is, therefore, all the more unfortunate that the last-minute hitch in an agreement on sharing the Teesta’s waters (and the withdrawal of the West Bengal chief minister from the Prime Minister’s team) should have inevitably engaged the primary attention of the media.

Understandable in terms of “news worthiness”, it detracted attention from the 10 agreements and Memorandum of Understandings (details in box) which were signed during the visit along with the 65-clause joint statement that details the steps taken by the countries in the fulfi lment of their commitments and the appreciation of each for the steps taken by the other.

Summary of the joint statement is as follows: • Prime Minister’s visit to Bangladesh

followed the landmark January 2010 visit of the Prime Minister of Bangladesh. Since the January 2010 visit of the Prime Minister of

Bangladesh, several agreement of importance to India, viz, Agreements on Mutual Legal Assistance on Criminal Matters, Transfer of Sentenced Persons, On Combating International Terrorism, Organised Crime and Illicit Drug Traffi cking, have been ratifi ed and are now in force.

• The two Prime Ministers noted with satisfaction that the following decisions fl owing from the Joint Communiqué of January 2010 had been implemented:

a) Dredging of the river Ichhamati along the common reach between Angrail and Kalanchi bridges has been completed;

b) The river bank protection works along Mahananda, Karatoa, Nagar, Kulik, Atrai, Dharla, Punarbhaba, Feni, Khowai, Surma etc. are being carried out in phases.

• The Prime Minister of India reiterated the assurance that India would not take steps on the Tipaimukh

project1 that would adversely impact Bangladesh.

• The offi cial talks between Bangladesh and India were held on 6 September 2011 in an extremely warm, cordial and friendly atmosphere. During the offi cial talks, the Prime Minister of India was assisted by External Affairs Minister, Shri S M Krishna, Chief Minister of Assam, Shri Tarun Gogoi, Chief Minister of Meghalaya, Dr. Mukul Sangma, Chief Minister of Mizoram, Shri Lal Thanhawla, Chief Minister of Tripura, Shri Manik Sarkar, National Security Advisor, Shri Shivshankar Menon, Foreign

Secretary, Shri Ranjan Mathai, High Commissioner of India to Bangladesh, Shri Rajeet Mitter, Secretary Ministry of Water Resources, Shri Dhruv Vijai Singh and other senior offi cials.

• The two Prime Ministers welcomed that there has been progress on the principles and modalities of interim agreements on sharing of waters of Teesta and Feni Rivers on fair and equitable basis. They directed the concerned offi cials to work towards concluding the agreements at the earliest.

• The Prime Minister of India, on behalf of the Government and people of India, conveyed appreciation to the Government of Bangladesh for conferring the Bangladesh Swadhinata Sammanona (Bangladesh Freedom Honour), the highest Award of Bangladesh for foreign nationals, on former Prime

1. The Tipaimukh Hydroelectric Project is being constructed near the confl uence of Barak and Tuivai rivers, in Manipur, India and within 100km of Bangladesh border. The 164 meter high dam will have a fi rm generation capacity of 401.25MW of electricity.While Hydroelectric projects are typically considered greener than other power generation options in short term, it has signifi cant long-term impact to the environment like changes in the ecosystem, destroying nearby settlements and changing habitat conditions of people, fi sh and wildlife. Especially in the densely populated countries like India and Bangladesh, where rivers are lifelines, projects like Tipaimukh will create adverse effect to a huge number of population and their habitats. No wonder right from the start this project faced protests from potentially affected people in India, and from the downstream neighbour Bangladesh.

BILATERAL/MULTILATERAL BULLETIN...

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Bilateral/Multilateral Bulletin Vol.1 Issue1 October 2011

Minister of India, Smt. Indira Gandhi, for her extraordinary contribution to the historic Liberation War of Bangladesh.

• The Prime Ministers noted that the Joint Rivers Commission (JRC), Secretary and technical level meetings were discussing various aspects relating to sharing of waters of the Manu, Muhuri, Khowai, Gumti, Dharla and Dudhkumar rivers.

• The two Prime Ministers underscored the need to conclude an Extradition Treaty between the two countries.

• Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina expressed deep appreciation of the Government of Bangladesh for facilitating 24-hour unfettered access to Bangladesh nationals

through the Tin Bigha Corridor1.

• The Prime Ministers agreed to promote trade, investment and economic cooperation in a sustainable manner and facilitate trade by road, rail, inland waterways, shipping and air. Both sides underscored the need to increase trade volumes and address trade imbalance. Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh announced the decision of the Government of India to remove all forty six textile lines which are of interest to Bangladesh from India’s Negative List for LDCs under the provisions of SAFTA, thereby reducing the applicable duty rate to zero with immediate effect. Bangladesh has long complained that trade with India was grossly unequal with India selling about $ 3 billion in goods to Bangladesh against the latter’s export of about $ 400 million business in jute, ammonia and garments. Bangladesh’s industry chambers claim they face high Indian non-tariff barriers, including compulsory testing of all exports, delays and poor infrastructure at border crossings, limited transport routes and hassles in obtaining

1. The Tin Bigha Corridor is a strip of land formerly belonging to India on the West Bengal–Bangladesh border which has been leased indefi nitely to Bangladesh so that it can access its Dahagram–Angarpota enclaves. The corridor was previously open for 12 daylight hours only, causing major distress including death of the inhabitants of the enclave, given the fact that the enclave has no hospitals or law enforcement facilities.

Indian business visas, which increase business costs for them. Earlier attempts to accede to Dhaka’s request had been stalled by the Indian textile mills, most of them located in the Tirupur-Coimbatore-Salem-Erode in Tamil Nadu and Ludhiana in Punjab.

• The two Prime Ministers welcomed the opening of Banglabandha-Fulbari Land Port for bilateral trade between Bangladesh and India. They also expressed satisfaction at the Indian initiative to develop seven Integrated Check Posts (ICPs), and noted that this would facilitate trade between the two countries. Banglabandha is a major inland port in northern Bangladesh established to provide a trade link with India, Nepal and Bhutan. The three nations are separated by 52 km of Indian Territory, known as the Siliguri Corridor.

• The Indian Prime Minister appreciated the announcement of the Bangladesh PM regarding the establishment of a Special Economic Zone for Indian investments.

• The Prime Ministers noted with satisfaction the operationalisation of Ashuganj and Silghat as additional Ports of Call under the bilateral Inland Water Transit and Trade Protocol.

• Also they expressed satisfaction at the programmes orgainsed for the joint celebrations to commemorate the 150th birth anniversary of Rabindranath Tagore. They directed offi cials of both sides to remain engaged in the joint effort and take it to a successful conclusion in May 2012. It was agreed that the 90th Anniversary of the publication of Bidrohi by Poet Nazrul Islam would be jointly celebrated. Bangladesh PM conveyed her intention to set up a Bangladesh Bhaban in Shantiniketan as a resource centre

for use of the visiting academicians and researchers from Bangladesh.

• The Prime Ministers expressed satisfaction at the utilisation of the US$ 1 billion Line of Credit extended by India and noted that it would signifi cantly enhance infrastructure and capacities in Bangladesh. The credit would fi nance a number of projects identifi ed by Bangladesh, including for supply of BG locomotives, tank wagons, passenger coaches and infrastructure projects such as Khulna-Mongla rail line and rail bridges over Titas and Bhairab rivers for strengthening Bangladesh Railways, purchase of buses for Dhaka city public transportation and dredgers for capital and maintenance dredging of Bangladesh rivers.

Issues which remained unresolved No transit agreementIt was even before the visit of Indian PM, that Bangladesh ruled out inking any transit agreement with India, even as it said a major treaty on rail and waterways will be signed to increase connectivity.

According to Mr Gowher Rizvi (Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s foreign affairs adviser), no transit agreement was needed to be signed since Bangladesh and India already had bilateral trade agreement of 1974 that envisaged transit facilities through rail, road and water ways.

Asked about the tentative time to allow India to use the transit facility he said “at this moment our roads are not all ready. First, transit through waterways will be operationalise, then railway and later on road.” “What Bangladesh now needs is to construct infrastructure, roads, rail tracks, bridges and expansion of ports facilities and fi xed the transit fees. We are now working on modalities of the transit,” he said.

Regarding the transit fees he said a committee of experts has submitted its

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report to the government but declined to elaborate on it immediately.

Transit through Bangladesh, remained to be a contentious issue as BNP and its rightwing allies were opposed to the facility for “security and economic concerns”, an argument rejected by mainstream fi nancial and security analysts. Off late, BNP, however, apparently softened its stance saying they were not opposed to the connectivity if it did not compromise the country’s interest but all transit related deals have to be made public and discussed in parliament.

Begum Khaleda Zia, the Bangladeshi opposition leader, is against giving India a “corridor” to the states and the right to use the ports because she feels it would give India “an upper hand” over Bangladesh.

India, in July 2011, pressed Bangladesh for transit rights to its landlocked north-eastern states. “There is nothing to be feared by giving these transits. Transit is only for peaceful purposes”, India’s External Affairs Minister, SM Krishna said at the Bangladesh Institute of International and Strategic Studies during his 3 day visit to Bangladesh in July 2011.

He assured that if Bangladesh gave connectivity to India through its territory it could gain market access to the northeastern Indian states. Bangladesh also suspects that India would use the transit rights to ferry weapons to north-eastern states to combat insurgency.

l Water DisputesBangladesh, a country, surrounded on three sides by India, is a gigantic delta formed by the alluvial deposits of the three rivers: the Ganges, the Brahmaputra and the Meghna. There are more than 300 rivers in Bangladesh of which 57 are trans-boundary Rivers. Out of the 57 trans-boundary rivers, 54 are common with India and remaining 3 with Myanmar.

It was over the fi nal draft of the Teesta water sharing agreement that the West Bengal’s chief minister Mamata

Banerjee refused to accompany PM Manmohan Singh to Bangladesh.

River Teesta, which begins its journey in Sikkim, fl ows through north Bengal before entering Bangladesh. The other river on the India-Bangladesh discussion table is the Feni.

The Feni, which fl ows 135 km south of Tripura capital Agartala, has been in dispute since 1934. In a total catchment area of 1,147 square km of the river, 535 sq km falls in India and the rest in Bangladesh.

India and Bangladesh have 2,979 km of land border and 1,116 km of riverine boundaries. The Indian states of West Bengal, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Assam and Tripura share the 4,095-km border with Bangladesh.

Final analysisIf what is said is converted into action, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s visit to Dhaka, can be a new beginning for the eastern sub-region of South Asia including Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal and India (BBNI). Indeed, the Dhaka visit could well become this year’s most important foreign policy initiative by Dr Singh.

While relations and connectivities between the people of the two countries, as also trade, have fl ourished over the years, that between governments have often verged on being frosty. India’s chief concern has been the use of Bangladeshi territory by North-eastern insurgents, often believed, with the collaboration of state agencies. On this issue, the Awami League government has sought to both provide assurances and take action to allay Indian concerns.

The issue of “jihadi” terrorism has also been a concern for India, though of this, Bangladesh itself has been a victim, even if the coalition compulsions of past governments of Dhaka made it look the other way.

Insurgents operating in Indian’s north-east have tended to fi nd a safe haven in Bangladesh for some decades now but the Hasina government has

taken a tough stance against them, satisfying one of India’s major long-standing demands.

India, for its part, has also given strong instructions to its Border Security Force against shooting unarmed Bangladeshi civilians along the border areas even if they were found crossing the borders illegally.

By restoring trans-border connectivity via the northeast, India and Bangladesh will be laying the groundwork for larger regional economic integration involving Nepal, Bhutan and Myanmar.

The Awami League government of Bangladesh appeared genuinely keen to forge a relationship of trust and co-operation with India. The joint statement issued after Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s visit to India in January 2010 was remarkable in the range of issues and subjects covered. Both countries have worked assiduously to provide substance to the expectations aroused and India appeared to have been roused from its non-productive pre-occupation with Pakistan and willing to engage meaningfully with its eastern neighbour.

The positives from Singh’s Dhaka visit are substantial. Much baggage from the past has been frontally tackled and disposed of. The vexed and unseemly question of access across Tin Bigha has been fi nally been put to rest. The issues of adverse possession, enclaves and boundary demarcation have been resolved, making possible the ratifi cation of the Indira-Mujib land boundary agreement of 1974 and providing, at last, relief to the thousands who have been virtually stateless for decades.

Regrettably, the many positive gains from the visit were overshadowed by the last-minute deletion of the sharing of the Teesta waters from the agenda. This, in turn, led to lack of progress on transit.

Foreign policy is not fashioned in the abstract and its primary function has to be the protection and promotion of national interests. In this case, preserving West Bengal’s interests in the fl ows of the Teesta has to be taken into account by

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the central government in any steps, it might wish to take.

There is, however, another consideration that is, equally to be kept in mind. Teesta is an international river and India cannot take the view that it has an absolute right over its fl ows to the exclusion of the interests of others. This would be morally repugnant and legally non-sustainable, even if there may not be any binding treaties on the sharing of river waters.

As the combined requirements of India and Bangladesh are clearly in excess of the current dry season fl ows, a formula has to be evolved which seeks to share the shortage until such time as the fl ows can be augmented, if that were

possible.

As the Indian state with the longest border with Bangladesh, besides many other connectivities, West Bengal has a direct stake in fostering close relations between India and Bangladesh. It cannot, of course, be expected to ignore the interests of its own farmers. But one may hope that in the discussions to follow in the coming days, the shortfalls and requirements on the other side of the border would be duly considered.

Prime Minister Singh’s visit has sought to lay the foundation of a new edifi ce of relationship between India and Bangladesh by rebinding the historic links. It has envisaged partnership in a broad sweep of interests. The agreements

and declarations hold out the possibility of good neighbourly relations on a scale as yet unmatched in South Asia. It would be critically important to ensure that these ideas are matched by sustained engagement and delivery.

References

1. Beginning with Dhaka, August 31, 2011, Indian Express: C. Raja Mohan

2. Ministry of external affairs website

3. Big gains in Dhaka, over to Bengal for Teesta, September 10, 2011 Telegraph: Deb Mukharji,

4. Press Trust of India Website

5. A visit that failed to achieve its promise, Harsh V Pant.

Agreements and Memorandum of UnderstandingsDuring the visit, the following Agreements and Memorandum of Understandings were signed:

1) Framework Agreement on Cooperation for Development;

Under this landmark agreement, both the countries have agreed to:

• Take steps to narrow trade imbalances, remove progressively tariff and non-¬tariff barriers and facilitate trade by road, rail, inland waterways, air and shipping. Both Parties will encourage the development of appropriate infrastructure, use of sea ports, multi-modal transportation and standardization of means of transport for bilateral as well as sub-regional use.

• Enhance cooperation in sharing of the waters of common rivers. Both parties will explore the possibilities of common basin management of common rivers for mutual benefi t. The Parties will cooperate in fl ood forecasting and control. They will cooperate and provide necessary assistance to each other to enhance navigability and accessibility of river routes and ports.

• Develop mechanisms for technical cooperation and exchange of advance information with respect to natural disasters.

• Establish arrangements for cooperation in generation, transmission, and distribution of electricity, including electricity from renewable or other sources.

• Develop and implement programmes for environmental protection and responding to the challenges of climate change through adaptation.

• Establish a Joint Consultative Commission for effective and smooth implementation of this agreement that shall meet once a year.

2) Protocol to the Agreement Concerning the Demarcation of the Land Boundary between India and Bangladesh and Related Matters;

India and Bangladesh fi nally resolved the six-decade-old humanitarian and political ordeal of the 162 enclaves, they have had in each other’s territories. “Stateless” through decades and generations, the inhabitants of these enclaves have to cross the international border daily to cultivate their land or visit a hospital — all the while being denied state benefi ts, such as healthcare and education, in the country where they actually live. Having clamoured and begged for either nation’s citizenship for long, and of late agreeing to be absorbed as citizens wherever they are, these people are also being given the option to migrate should they so choose. Most strikingly, in 1952, when what was then East Pakistan and India agreed to impose passport and visa controls for the fi rst time, the two states forgot about the people living in the enclaves. Not much changed after Bangladesh’s independence from Pakistan in 1971. The Indira-Mujib Land Boundary Agreement in 1974 was meant to change all that. In it, the two countries resolved to exchange enclaves “expeditiously”, and India agreed to forgo compensation for the additional area going to Bangladesh. Bangladesh’s parliament ratifi ed the treaty; India’s never did. The area of Indian enclaves on Bangladeshi territory is nearly 70 square kilometres; Bangladesh’s add up to 28 square kilometres. The agreed transfer simplifi es the messy boundary but means a 40-square-kilometre net loss for India.

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It might seem that this is a small price to pay for India to fi x its wonky border. Sorting out the border between India and Bangladesh, particularly making the West Bengal-Bangladesh border contiguous, brings practical benefi ts to both nations and irons out irritants which had persisted in bilateral dealings since 1974. As Dr Singh emphasised in his Dhaka University speech, the “destinies of the nations of South Asia are interlinked” and the future should bring “common prosperity and fulfi lment”. But for that, the “sovereign reality” of our borders must be turned into “frontiers of hope and opportunity”, and effective border management remains the biggest bilateral challenge. So, “a defi ned and peaceful boundary”, as the enclaves agreement seeks to demarcate, is the stepping stone to the essential stability for cross-border cooperation.Enclave: In political geography, an enclave is a territory whose geographical boundaries lie entirely within the boundaries of another territory.For example, Dohala Khagrabari, is an Indian enclave in Bangladesh’s Nilphamari district and Dohogram–Angorpotha, a Bangladeshi enclave in Lalmonirhat zila of West Bengal. There are 111 Indian enclaves inside Bangladesh and 51 Bangladeshi ones inside India with a combined population of 51,000.

3) Addendum to the MOU between India and Bangladesh to Facilitate Overland Transit Traffi c between Bangladesh and Nepal;

On August 15, 1978, India and Bangladesh entered into a MOU to facilitate overland transit traffi c between Bangladesh and Nepal. Both countries under the addendum (Something added or to be added, especially a supplement to a book) to this MOU have agreed to add new rail routes for facilitating overland transit traffi c between Bangladesh and Nepal. Accordingly:

• “Traffi c in Transit” to/from Nepal and Bangladesh shall move through Indian territory by rail using Singhabad Railway station in India and Rohanpur Railway station in Bangladesh with their existing facilities.

• The existing rail route through Radhikapur Railway station in India and Birol Railway station in Bangladesh which has been suspended shall be brought into operation by converting Bangladesh portion into broad gauge. In this case, both the routes (proposed and the existing) shall be used for Nepal Transit Traffi c by rail for additional operating convenience.

4) MOU on Renewable Energy Cooperation;

Cooperation under this Memorandum of Understanding may take the following modalities:

• Exchange and training of scientifi c and technical personnel;

• Exchange of scientifi c and technological available information and data;

• Development of joint research or technical projects on subjects of mutual interest;

• Exchange visit of Government offi cials and technical experts for sharing of experiences on renewable energy practices, policies, framework, incentive and technologies with fi nancing mechanism;

In order to coordinate the above-mentioned activities and decide upon project proposals related to design and development of various new and renewable energy technologies such as, but not restricted to, Solar Energy, Wind Energy and Bio-Energy, the Parties intend to establish a “Joint Working Group”.

5) MOU on Conservation of the Sunderban;

Both the Governments are parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity 1992 and are contracting parties to the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands 1971 and the Sundarban of India and Bangladesh represent a single ecosystem divided between the two countries. The wildlife sanctuaries of the Sundarban located in both countries is recognized as UNESCO’s World Heritage Site and in Bangladesh as Ramsar site as well.

The MOU basically pertains to the monitoring, conservation and protection of the rich biodiversity of the region and also to encourage mangrove regeneration, habitat restoration and rehabilitation programs, which would eventually increase the potential for carbon sequestration.

A Working Group will be set up to defi ne activities, responsibilities, time, and resources involved, according to the activities established as per this Memorandum.

6) Protocol on Conservation of the Royal Bengal Tigers of the Sunderban;

Sunderban, is an excellent tiger habitat and the largest sanctuary for the Royal Bengal Tiger in the world. It is necessary to intensify the efforts for the safety of the species. Therefore, India and Bangladesh have agreed to following points:

• Both countries will undertake bilateral scientifi c and research projects to promote their understanding and knowledge of the Sunderban’s Royal Bengal Tiger including habitat and will develop information systems, share research data and conduct joint research;

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• Will undertake patrolling of the Sunderban waterways on their respective sides to prevent poaching or smuggling of derivatives from wildlife;

• A special committee will be constituted in each country to examine human casualties that take place in the Sunderban by tiger attacks with a view to sharing experiences from either side, and to act in consultation with the other side, if necessary.

7) MOU on Cooperation in the fi eld of Fisheries;

Ministry of Agriculture of India and the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock of Bangladesh, have agreed to promote development of co-operation in fi sheries, aquaculture and allied activities between the two countries through joint activities, programmes, exchange of scientifi c materials, information and personnel.

A Joint Working Group (JWG) shall be formed to provide guidance, review the progress of activities and to facilitate co-operation under this Memorandum. The Joint Working Group Meeting shall be arranged every year alternately in India and Bangladesh.

8) MOU on Cooperation on Mutual Broadcast of Television Programmes;

Both countries have agreed on the following points:

Doordarshan, India and Bangladesh Television (BTV) of National Broadcasting Authority (NBA), will enter into detailed agreement to make available for mutual broadcast of general programmes.

Doordarshan and BTV of National Broadcasting Authority (NBA) may broadcast live, any specifi c event such as visit of High Dignitaries or any cultural event of bilateral importance through an arrangement of sharing of signals. They may also exchange programmes on Education either free of cost or on fi nancial terms agreed between the Parties.

9) MOU between Jawaharlal Nehru University and Dhaka University;

Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, (hereinafter called JNU) and University of Dhaka (hereinafter called DU) established, under this MOU a formal understanding to cooperate in following areas:

• Exchange of faculty members;

• Exchange of students;

• Joint research activities;

• Exchange of academic materials and other information;

• Special short-term academic programmes;

• Joint cultural Programmes.

10) MOU on Academic Cooperation between National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT), India and Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) Institute of Fashion Technology (BIFT)

The objective of this agreement is to encourage international cooperation, and strengthening two institutes in the following areas:

• NIFT will provide a semester study for BIFT students while BIFT will facilitate NIFT students to carry out Internship and Graduation Project/ Research Project in Apparel Industry in Bangladesh;

• Faculty training program for BIFT;

• Exposure to workshops, exhibitions and conducting special lectures;

• Joint industrial projects and joint research activities.

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Bilateral/Multilateral News

India- South Korea Cooperation: India to Reopen CEPA Days after having inked a civil nuclear agreement with South Korea, India will reopen the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) to make it more contemporary and further strengthen trade ties with the East Asian tiger.

The fi rst round of talks on “upgrading” the CEPA will begin soon, with an Indian team due to visit Seoul. Since 2009, when the India-South Korea CEPA was sealed, both countries have shed their cautiousness and offered better terms to other nations. India has offered lower tariffs to other countries with which it has made similar agreements, while South Korea too has been more liberal in offering access to other countries.

Trade with South Korea stood at $7.1 billion in 2006. The CEPA propelled it to $17.5 billion in 2010 — an increase of 46 per cent over the previous year, with growth rates of exports being the same for both countries. The expectation from bilateral trade this year is $21 billion — very much on course to touch the target of $30 billion set for 2014.

CIVIL NUCLEAR AGREEMENTEven as the government reopens the CEPA, it is keeping its eyes fi xed fi rmly on the civil nuclear agreement signed during President Pratibha Patil’s recent visit to Seoul. The text of the civil nuclear agreement was frozen at next February and offers India another option for setting up civil nuclear plants besides the three big boys of this sector — the U.S.-Japan, France and Russia. A high-level visit from Seoul later this year will help bring more depth to the agreement, said the sources.

The intention is to forge a healthy all-round relationship with this crucial country on the periphery of the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN). Besides agreeing on an annual meeting between Finance Ministers that would resolve trade-related irritants at the political level, India has also signed a defence cooperation agreement and a social security agreement.

Pakistan ready to confer MFN status on India’Pakistan has indicated to confer the most favoured nation (MFN) status to India. Followed by the parliamentary ratifi cation of the EU-Pakistan Third Generation Trade Cooperation Agreement, trade offi cials at the European Commission are closely watching the trade relations between India and Pakistan. Pakistani mission to the Geneva-based World Trade Organisation (WTO) has also recently advised the government that there is no harm in giving MFN status to India and ‘‘it is the time to move forward positively on this issue’’. Pakistan’s permanent representative in the WTO, Dr Manzoor Ahmed, according to the European offi cial, had also assured the EU trade commissioner that Pakistan would

shortly take the necessary initiative in opening up trade with India. India has offi cially ruled out moving to the WTO against Pakistan for not granting MFN status as Indian diplomats have informed the European trade offi cials that India wanted Islamabad to do so without any ‘‘external pressure’’

India Invited to ‘Friends of Libya’ MeetIndia is among the group of countries which were invited to attend an international conference on Libya, which French President Nicolas Sarkozy had hosted in Paris to discuss the future of the North African nation after the overthrow of the Muammar Qadhafi regime. The conference of the “friends of Libya” was intended to speed up humanitarian aid, medical supplies, rehabilitation and other immediate assistance for the war-torn nation as well as to work out a long-term plan for the reconstruction of a new independent Libya.

Indo-Georgia Tax treaty signedIndia and Georgia signed a double taxation avoidance agreement (DTAA) for exchange of banking information and to prevent tax evasion. The DTAA with Georgia, a former Soviet Republic located south of Russia, provides for taxing business profi ts in the source state if the activities of an enterprise constitute a permanent establishment (PE) there. It also provides for sharing information with other agencies with the consent of the supplying state. “The agreement incorporates provisions for effective exchange of information between tax authorities of the two countries in line with best international standards, including exchange of banking information and supplying of information without recourse to domestic interest,” a Finance Ministry statement said.

Also, Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee told the Lok Sabha in August 2011 that India was awaiting Switzerland’s ratifi cation of the Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement (DTAA), which would enable it to get information relating to bank deposits there.

India has entered into the Tax Information Exchange Agreement (TIEA) with four sovereign entities that serve as tax havens for black money; the agreement with the Cayman Islands is yet to come into force. The country is negotiating with 12 other countries to sign the TIEA.

Known Sikh social worker to head inquiry into London riotsA well-known Sikh social worker Darra Singh is to head a four-member panel appointed to inquire into the riots that shook London and other British cities causing several deaths and damage to property worth millions of pounds. Bradford-born Mr. Darra Singh, currently is chief executive of the government employment agency JobCentre Plus. The riots, which were

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sparked by the death of an Afro-Caribbean youth in a police shoot-out in the north London suburb of Tottenham, quickly spread to other areas London and then to several cities.

House of Lords to have fi rst turbaned Sikh peerA leader of Britain’s Sikh community is to become the fi rst turbaned member of the House of Lords. Indarjit Singh, director of the Network of Sikh Organisations, who will sit as Independent, made it clear that he did not intend to be a “token Sikh.” Dr. Singh, 79, who is also vice-chairman of the Inter Faith Network UK that promotes inter-faith understanding, became the fi rst Sikh to address a major conference at the Vatican in 2008. He was given the UK Templeton Award for promoting religious understanding in 1989.

New Indian ambassador assumes offi ce in Nepal The new Indian ambassador to Nepal, Jayant Prasad, assumed offi ce on 26th August. He succeeded Rakesh Sood whose tenure drew the ire of the Maoists. Prasad is the son of former Indian ambassador to Nepal Bimal Prasad (1991-1995) who was appointed by then Prime Minister Chandrashekhar. Prasad said it would be his constant endeavour to ‘nurture a strong, productive and mutually benefi cial relationship’ between India and Nepal.

Foreign Secretary Mathai undertakes fi rst offi cial visit - meets King of Bhutan

Foreign Secretary Shri Ranjan Mathai, was in Bhutan (17-19 August 2011), on his fi rst offi cial visit abroad after assuming charge on August 1, 2011 with a two year term. Prior to this assignment, he served as the Indian Ambassador to France. Ranjan Mathai is a 1974 batch Indian Foreign Service Offi cer. He succeeds Nirupama Rao, who is now India’s Ambassador to the United States of America. He has served in Indian Embassies in Vienna, Colombo, Washington, Tehran and Brussels.

Indian troops complete joint training exercise on Salisbury Plain in the UKIt was the culmination of a month of Company Level fi eld exercises on Salisbury Plain Training Area for the soldiers of 3rd Bihar Regiment who arrived in the UK from their base in Rajasthan at the beginning of August for four weeks of training alongside British troops from 19 Light Brigade in the bilateral military Exercise ‘Ajeya Warrior’. According to General Jha: “Exercise AJEYA WARRIOR has been simulating a scenario where both nations are working together on a joint operation. The British and Indian Armies have developed a close relationship over the past three years – Indian soldiers exercised with British troops in 2008 in the UK and last year a reciprocal Company exercise took place in India.”

NATO offers missile defence cooperation to IndiaIn a move that holds great strategic signifi cance, NATO has

offered to share its missile defence technology with India to build its capability to shoot down incoming enemy missiles, realizing the commonality of threats faced by the 28-nation grouping and South Asia’s pre-eminent power.

India, thus, becomes the only nation, apart from Russia, outside of the NATO that the US-led military alliance is willing to work in the critical missile defence technology sector.

The NATO missile defence project, launched in May 2001, aims to work with member-countries to meet the group’s responsibility of defending itself from missile attacks. India too is in the process of developing its own ballistic missile defence system based on its Prithvi ballistic missile platform considering the missile threats it faces from rivals in the region.

India’s BMD programme, launched in the middle of the previous decade, is a two-tiered shield system consisting of two interceptor missiles -- the Prithvi Air Defence (PAD) missile for high altitude interception, and the Advanced Air Defence (AAD) missile for lower altitude interception. It tested the PAD for the fi rst time in November 2006 and the AAD in December 2007.

With these tests, India became the fourth country to have successfully tested the anti-missile system after the US, Russia and Israel. However, the Indian BMD, mainly focusing to counter missiles with less than 5,000-km range, is far from being perfected and further tests of the BMD system are being planned.

South Asia Forum calls for regional economic union Members of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC), at the inaugural South Asia Forum held in New Delhi in September 2011, called for removing tariff and non-tariff barriers to boost regional trade and investment and prepare a road map for regional economic union. The theme of the meeting is ‘Integration of South Asia: Moving towards a South Asian Economic Union’.

“A range of tariff and non-tariff barriers, that have been erected in our region in the early years of our respective independence prevented businesses from developing value in the neighbourhood,” Planning Commission Deputy Chairman Montek Singh Ahluwalia said in his address on behalf of the Indian government.

SAF was mooted at the 16th SAARC summit in Thimphu in April 2010 — to promote the idea of a South Asian Economic Union. SAF is created to bring together leaders from government, industry, business, scholars, civil society, youth, women and media to exchange ideas on a common South Asian future and to serve as a bridge between SAARC and stakeholders outside.

SAARC has eight members - India, Pakistan, Nepal, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Maldives, Bhutan and Afghanistan. Afghanistan is the newest member of the grouping, being admitted in the regional grouping in 2007.

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Economy@IP Vol.1 Issue1 October 2011

US Debt Crisis: An analysis of the impact

The US managed to pull back from the brink of bankruptcy, saved by a last-ditch effort to raise the debt ceiling. The danger is not over as the shadow of a possible downgraded credit rating, and further indebtedness, threaten to affect global stability.

The start of August saw a fl urry of activity taking over the US Congress as the administration of President Barack Obama battled to save the American economy from defaulting on its ballooning debt. On the other side were the Republicans, who felt that the Democrat proposal for monetary salvation would further thrust the embattled US into the throes of debt.

In the past decade, involvement in the Middle East, cuts from the previous administration, and government rescue packages stemming from the sub-prime mortgage crisis, had all contributed signifi cantly to the burgeoning US debt. This led to the Treasury announcement that it would run out of money to pay its bills unless the debt ceiling was raised by midnight of 2 August, 2011.

What It Could Have Been

On the eve of the deadline, Obama announced a bipartisan compromise – in exchange for raising the US borrowing limit through to 2013. Government spending would be slashed by up to two trillion dollars over the next decade, with a committee set up to explore further ways to reduce the budget defi cit. The Republican-dominated House of Representatives had backed the measure by a 269-161 margin, allowing for its approval by the Democrat-led Senate, staving off the crisis, temporarily.

Had the US economy defaulted on its debts, it essentially meant the US would have gone bankrupt. The implications are enormous: It would have further stressed the already weakened Eurozone and pulled down the emerging economies. It

would have also adversely affected the Asia-Pacifi c economies, all of which are dependent on the world economy, which in turn is intertwined with US economic fortunes.

United States

In addition, crucial US involvement in other areas of the world would be curtailed drastically, affecting security and humanitarian concerns. Indeed, if there was logic to the ‘too big to fail’ thesis, it would be self-evident in the case of the US.

Implications For US

The US compromise was crucial, as an acrimonious split in both parties over how to handle the debt crisis had resulted in an impasse. Still there are concerns over whether the deal would be suffi cient to fi x the problems of the budget defi cit. A credit rating downgrade soon followed when Standard and Poor’s cut the US standing by a notch from AAA to AA+. This was an unprecedented development widely seen as damaging to the US economy.

The downgrade would see US borrowing costs rise, further weakening the economy, as well as scaring off potential investors. With unemployment at about 9.2 percent, a credit rating downgrade would worsen prospects of an economic recovery and impede measures by the government to stimulate employment and spending. With federal debt expected to be at about 70 percent by the end of this year, the strain of the demands on government spending is expected to grow.

Implications For Global Economy

The deal calls for several key measures, notably spending cuts in discretionary and defence spending; the raising of the debt limit; a call for an amendment to the US Constitution that requires a balanced budget; as well as the setting up of a powerful committee to debate

further possible cuts in all aspects. This was to ensure that at least US$2.1 trillion in defi cit reduction would be saved by 2021.

Although it seems the US is ‘too big to fail’- being the world’s largest economy, its currency the world’s reserve, and its bonds used throughout the banking system as a proxy for cash – its rating being downgraded casts a long shadow. Economists have judged that the current deal ‘falls short of the optimal outcome’ and that a downgraded credit rating would hurt, although how deeply remains to be seen. Some lessons could, however, be learned from the past: in 1998, when Japan lost its AAA rating from Moody’s, the yen fell less than 1 percent, raising the possibility that global markets may be able to accommodate a change in the US credit rating after all.

Effect In Asia

Already the impact of the debt crisis has been felt in Asia. Currencies such as the Japanese yen have strengthened in turn, as investors looked to the continent as the potential balancer. This is a worry for the Japanese due to fears over the impact on its export sector, leading to Tokyo’s decision to devalue the yen. Billions of dollars were also wiped off the stock markets in the aftermath, leading to some analysts to call it as ‘fl ashback to the 2008 recession’.

Elsewhere, the central bank in South Korea increased the amount of gold it bought for the fi rst time in 13 years, citing the need to diversify away from the greenback and towards ‘an investment class widely considered a safer bet during crises’. In Singapore, Deputy Prime Minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam has warned of a ‘tough 3 to 4 years ahead’ with sluggish growth and possible recession expected.

What these events highlight is the persistent inter-dependence of the

ECONOMY@IP...

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Vol.1 Issue1 October 2011Economy@IP

global economy, with the health of the US economy a critical factor. Japan, still recovering from the consequences of the nuclear fallout in March, can ill-afford to have a trade imbalance to add to its woes. Secondly, the world’s reserve currency has lost credibility, with South Korea’s actions suggesting an erosion of confi dence in the greenback, and a need for stability in the market to prevent further landslides.

The scenario of a fi nancial domino effect worldwide is threatening to become reality. A crashing US economy would not only hurt other individual economies but also have implications for overall global stability. The question is whether there will be alternatives to stem the tide of possible fi nancial disarray.

Effect on dollar

World trade is now a game in which the US produces dollars and the rest of the world produces things that dollars can buy. All the central banks need to accumulate dollars to sustain their undervalued currency and comparative advantage in trade. So what happens if the federal government goes bankrupt and the dollars become worthless?

This is really a wakeup call to all. The

world needs to decouple its well being from the US defi cit. We can’t delay the inevitable forever, or else next time it will be more than just a close call.

We need to be prepared for a world without the dollar as the dominant reserve currency and global vehicle currency, and without the US consumption economy as the vital export growth engine. We need the Euro to step up and take more responsibilities over from the dollar; we need China to unleash a consumer economy to help solve the grievous global imbalance.

Otherwise the world economy will continue functioning by inertia until the dollar and the US consumer economy won’t support the weight placed on them no more.

The world has prospered on the debt-fueled credit binge in the US for decades. All good things come to an end.

In fact, the dollar hegemony has become increasingly fi scally and monetarily unsustainable to the US itself.

The dollar hegemony will come to an end by either a forceful market correction or a knowingly gradual reconstruction of global reserve currency system. The best

candidate in this reconstruction is Euro.

It is of course possible that Europe will survive its current sovereign debt crisis, but it is diffi cult to imagine that the currency of a continent so battered will be strong enough to replace the dollar at the world’s reserve currency any time in the near- or medium-term — though stranger things have happened.

For the foreseeable future, RMB has no way joined in the race to be a world reserve currency in a foreseeable future and at best it can act as a regional invoicing currency among trading partners, because China has some insurmountable fl aws when it comes to the candidacy of a world reserve currency: a political structure sharing no aspiration with the democratic economies, powerful state control on the economic issues, over-manipulated exchange rate, impotent law system to protect property rights, and fragile diplomatic relationships with many trading partners.

In the absence of a meaningful alternative, the global currency system will in all likelihood continue to hobble along using the wounded dollar until the fi nal day of reckoning.

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Economy News

Wipro Rural BPO: Rural Center Opened in Tamil NaduWipro BPO, the business process outsourcing arm of Wipro Technologies, has opened its fi rst rural center at Manjakkudi village in Tiruvarur district of Tamil Nadu. It has a population of about 2,500. This location had been selected due to the relatively high level of investment in education in the region. The center has a capacity of 120 seats, and will open with a 50-seat pilot project for an international client in the retail sector.

Moody’s Downgrades Japan’s Debt RatingMajor ratings agency Moody’s Investors Service has downgraded Japan’s sovereign debt rating by one notch. Moody’s said it was cutting Japan’s government bond rating to Aa3 from Aa2 citing the large budget defi cits and the buildup in Japanese government debt since the 2009 global recession. The downgrade puts Moody’s on a par with other major ratings companies Standard & Poor’s and Fitch Ratings, both of which rate Japan’s sovereign debt at AA-with a negative outlook. Moody’s last changed Japan’s rating in May 2009, when it raised it from Aa3.

IIM-A Launches Rs 100 crore Clean Energy FundThe Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad (IIM-A) has launched a Rs 100 crore fund to support innovative and commercially viable ventures in clean energy. The fund is being set up in collaboration with the Ministry of New Renewable Energy (MNRE), Technology Development Board, and British Petroleum.

Indian Bank wins ‘Best Risk Master Award’Indian Bank has received the ‘Best Risk Master Award’ in public sector bank category, in FICCI-IBA conference (FIBAC) 2011. The evaluation was done, based on complex parameters and statistical evaluation matrix prepared by Boston Consultancy Group (BCG). Indian Bank has been rated as the best risk master public sector bank in loan appraisal standards, loan portfolio management, NPAs and restructured loan book management and having highest earning on assets.

M&M Topples Tata Motors as Biggest AutomakerMahindra & Mahindra Ltd, India’s largest maker of sport utility vehicle (SUV), toppled Tata Motors Ltd as the nation’s biggest automaker by market value.

ICRA to Set Up Credit Rating Agency in NepalICRA Ltd has been granted a letter of intent (LoI) by the Securities Board of Nepal (SEBON) to establish a Credit Rating Agency in the Himalayan nation.

RBI prescribes Rs.500 crore minimum capital for new private banksThe Reserve Bank of India has released the draft guidelines

for licensing of new banks in the private sector. The norms stipulate a minimum capital requirement of Rs.500 crore and limited the new banks’ non-resident shareholding at 49 per cent. New banks will be set up only through a wholly owned non-operative holding company (NOHC) to be registered with the Reserve Bank as a non-banking fi nance company (NBFC), which will hold the bank as well as all other fi nancial companies in the promoter group,” the RBI’s draft guidelines said. The NOHC would hold a minimum 40 per cent of the paid-up capital of the bank for fi ve years from the date of licensing of the bank. Shareholding by NOHC in excess of 40 per cent would be brought down to 20 per cent within ten years and to 15 per cent within 12 years from the date of licensing of the bank.

Entities/groups in the private sector, owned and controlled by residents, with diversifi ed ownership, sound credentials and integrity and having successful track record of at least ten years will be eligible to promote banks. However, entities or groups having signifi cant (10 per cent or more) income or assets or both from real estate construction and/or broking activities individually or taken together in the last three years will not be eligible.

At least 50 per cent of the directors of the NOHC should be independent directors. The corporate structure should be such that it does not impede effective supervision of the bank and the NOHC on a consolidated basis by the RBI.

The RBI further stipulated: The bank shall get its shares listed on the stock exchanges within two years of licensing; it shall open at least 25 per cent of its branches in un-banked rural centres (population up to 9,999 as per 2001 census); and existing NBFCs, if considered eligible, may be permitted to either promote a new bank or convert themselves into banks.

India-South Africa CEO Forum MeetBusiness leader of India and South Africa met at India-South Africa CEO Forum and pledged that trade between the two countries would touch the $15 billion mark much before the 2014 deadline. The CEOs Forum, the second meeting, of the two countries led by its two chairpersons Ratan Tata, Chairman, Tata Sons, and Patrice Motsepe, Executive Chairman, African Rainbow Minerals, met. The fi rst meeting of the Forum was held in Johannesburg last year. The CEOs met with the objective to give a boost to the growing bilateral economic relations between the two nations and fi nd ways and means to promote bilateral trade and investment. The meeting also addressed the challenges and constraints hampering the growing economic partnership.

Atul Kumar Rai The Supreme Court has issued notice to the Union government on a public interest writ petition that questioned the appointment of IES offi cer Atul Kumar Rai as CEO and MD of the

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Vol.1 Issue1 October 2011Economy@IP

Industrial Finance Corporation of India Ltd. (IFCI) in violation of all norms. The petition was fi led by the Centre for Public Interest Litigation. Holding that the induction of Mr. Rai as whole-time member in the IFCI Board was completely mala fi de, the petitioner sought a direction to remove him from the post.

NTPC, CEB to fl oat 500 MW plantThe State-run National Thermal Power Corporation Ltd (NTPC) has embarked on its fi rst global venture by signing a pact with Sri Lanka-based Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) to set up a 5oo mw (2x250 mw) coal-based power station at Sampur, Trincomalee. The proposed project will be operational in 2016. The plant is estimated to see an investment of up to $700 million. While 70 per cent of the cost is to be generated through external sources, CEB and NTPC would bear the balance cost. A joint venture company (JVC) will be incorporated in Sri Lanka with an equal equity (50:50) by NTPC and CEB.

UNCTAD Report: Third world may not be spared by recession The Trade and Development Report 2011: “Post-crisis Policy Challenges in the World Economy” released by UNCTAD on September 6th, warns that fi scal tightening only addresses the symptoms of the problem, leaving the basic causes unchanged. A fi scal policy that supports growth is more likely to reduce fi scal defi cit and to curb public debt ratios than a restrictive fi scal policy is, the report said.

Arguing that a shift from fi scal stimulus towards fi scal tightening is self-defeating, especially in the most developed economies that were severely hit by the fi nancial crisis, the report points out that in such a situation, a restrictive fi scal policy may reduce GDP growth and fi scal revenues, and is therefore counterproductive in terms of fi scal consolidation. The report says that after a rapid post-crisis recovery, the world economy is slowing down from about 4 per cent GDP growth in 2010 to around 3 per cent in 2011.

According to the report, developing countries, having recovered pre-crisis growth trends, could now be affected by recession in developed economies as the initial impulses from the inventory cycle and fi scal stimulus programmes in the developed countries gradually disappear and fundamental weakness of the recovery comes to the fore.

Private demand alone is not suffi ciently strong to maintain the momentum of recovery, as unemployment remains high and wages are stagnating. Moreover, household indebtedness continues to be high and banks are reluctant to provide new fi nancing. Developing economies like India which have sustained their strong growth path mainly based on domestic demand face the risk of fi nancial instability and speculative capital fl ows generated in developed economies and are not likely to be spared by a new recession in the North.

Switzerland tops, India, US slide in competitivenessThe annual Global Competitiveness Report (GCR) of the World Economic Forum (WEF) continues to slot Switzerland as the most

competitive country globally, with the United States falling to the 5th position. The report states that over the past fi ve years several countries in the Asian Pacifi c regions, including China, Indonesia, Vietnam and Sri Lanka, have made important strides in the GCI rankings. Singapore is the 2nd most competitive country. India’s performance is however disappointing and it has fallen 5 notches since last year from 51 to 56 out of 142 economies. China is ranked 26th, improving it’s score and rank since 2005.

India’s supply of transport, ICT, and energy infrastructure remains largely insuffi cient and ill adapted to the needs of business (89th). The report paints a similar picture in India’s health and basic education (which is 101st) pillar. The apparent inability of the government to provide a more conducive environment for business has been growing. This discontent is fuelled by corruption (India is listed as 99th) and its burdensome regulations. India has dropped from rank 37 to rank 69 in the Institution pillar. It lost 11 places since the previous year. India’s macroeconomic environment is rated low down at 105, for its continued large and repeated public defi cit and high debt-to-GDP ratio.

However, the reports state that the positive strengths of India are in its more advanced and complex drivers of competitiveness. It can rely on a well-developed and sophisticated fi nancial market (21st) that can channel fi nancial resources to good use, and it boasts of reasonably sophisticated (43rd) and innovative (38th) businesses.

India to cut tariff lines by 20 % under SAARC pactIndia has said India would meet its commitment of reducing tariff lines under sensitive list by 20 per cent for all by next month. India will meet this commitment under the South Asian Free Trade Area (SAFTA) agreement signed by South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) member countries. Union commerce minister Anand Sharma clarifi ed this on the occasion of the fi rst meeting of the South Asia Forum in New Delhi, hosted jointly by Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) and Ministry of External Affairs (MEA).

India is consistently bringing down the peak tariffs under SAFTA for imports from Pakistan and the peak rates would be 8 per cent. As per the minutes of the meeting of India-Pakistan Joint Working Group on Economic Commercial Cooperation and Trade Promotion held on August 23-24 in New Delhi the peak tariff rates would be 8 per cent by January1, 2012 and 5 per cent by January 1, 2013. India has already allowed zero duty access for the SAARC least developed countries (LDCs), for almost 97 per cent of the total tariff lines.

India’s trade with SAARC stands at a mere $13 billion at a time when India’s global trade has expanded to cross $600 billion. Indian companies have stepped out and were engaged in foreign shores investing over $100 billion and more than 90 per cent of this investment has been outside South Asia. India investment fl ows into SAARC have been around $10 billion. So

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it is imperative to create a more conducive investment climate in South- Asia.

The Forum is driven by focused discussions and active sharing of experiences and best practices among South Asia’s diverse public and private stakeholders, for charting out the future course of SAARC and recommend if required, necessary improvements in the existing mechanisms.

G7 fi nance ministers meet to discuss debt crisis, global growthThe fi nance ministers and central bank chiefs of the Group of Seven (G7) leading industrialized countries discussed ways of preserving the tenuous global recovery at a meeting on 9th September in the French city of Marseille. The debt crises in the euro zone and United States and concerns about the health of European banks dominated the meeting.

The G7 comprises the United States, Canada Japan, Germany, France, Italy and Britain. On 10th September, Russia joined the meeting to discuss the Deauville Partnership — a multi-billion-dollar programme of aid and credit to Egypt and Tunisia that was agreed at a G8 summit in Deauville in May.

The talks came amid growing fears of a slide back towards recession, following disappointing second-quarter growth fi gures from the United States, Germany, France and other major economies, and concerns that austerity programmes in Europe could act as a brake on the global economy.

RBI agrees to dip into forex for energy fundKeen to ensure energy security as it strives for double-digit growth, the government has fi nally decided to take forward its long pending plan to set up a sovereign wealth fund. The fund is likely to have a corpus of $10 billion, though government sources indicated that its size could be reviewed in view of the soaring global crude oil prices. A sovereign wealth fund (SWF) is a state-owned vehicle which is used to invest in assets abroad and have been set up by a number of countries including China, Singapore, Saudi Arabia, Norway, Kuwait and Russia.

Govts debt crossed $41 trillion globally in 2010The total amount of debt incurred by governments across the world jumped to a staggering $41.10 trillion last year, accounting for 69 per cent of the global GDP, because of stimulus packages and anaemic economic growth, says a report. Many governments, especially in the developed world, have resorted to massive stimulus measures to bolster their economies since the 2008 global fi nancial meltdown. “Public debt outstanding (measured as marketable government debt securities) stood at $41.10 trillion at the end of 2010, an increase of nearly $25 trillion since 2000. “This was the equivalent of 69 per cent of global GDP, 23 percentage points higher than in 2000. In just the past two years, public debt has grown by $9.4 trillion — or 13 percentage points of GDP,” global consultancy McKinsey said.

Centre to divest 10 % in HALDefence public sector undertaking Hindustan Aeronautics

Ltd. (HAL) would begin the process of disinvesting with the government deciding to offl oad 10 per cent of its holding in the next fi ve years.

IDRBT and ISACA signed MoU for benefi t of In-dian banking and Financial SectorThe Institute for Development and Research in Banking Technology (IDRBT), the premier Institute of Banking Technology in India, established by Reserve Bank of India, and ISACA (formerly the Information Systems Audit and Control Association), the international body that promotes and cultivates expertise in the area of Information Systems Control, Audit, Security and Governance, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), to carry out joint activities that will benefi t the Indian Banking and Financial Sector.

Foreign tourist arrivals up by 5.3% in a yearContinuing with the growth trajectory, the ‘Incredible India’ campaign has attracted more than four lakh foreign tourists last month, marking an increase of 5.3 per cent over the same period in 2010. A total of 38.19 lakh foreign tourists visited the country during January-August 2011 with a growth of 10.2 per cent, compared to 34.67 lakh during January-August 2010.

Cabinet note moved on $90 billion DMIC projectThe Commerce and Industry Ministry has moved the Cabinet note for the $90 billion Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor (DMIC) project for the approval of Union Council of Ministers. The project, being implemented in collaboration with Japan, was conceived some fi ve years ago and envisages setting up of industrial corridor along the Delhi-Mumbai stretch. It will comprise seven new cities, nine industrial parks, three ports, six airports and a 1,483 km high-speed rail and road line will be developed as a trading hub. The project, spanning six States, will seek to create a business model out of urbanization. The States covered by the project include Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh. The project aims to create a strong economic base with a globally competitive environment and state-of-the-art infrastructure to activate local commerce, enhance foreign investment, create employment opportunities, enhance exports and attain sustainable development. The government has 49 per cent stake in the DMIC project, while Infrastructure Leasing and Financial Services has 41 per cent and Infrastructure Development Finance Company 10 per cent.

Most valued company: Coal India beats RILState-run Coal India toppled Reliance Industries as the country’s most valued company, ending billionaire Mukesh Ambani-led corporate giant’s over four-year reign at the top of the market valuation charts. With an over two per cent gain in its share price, the public sector coal giant achieved a market value of Rs 2,51,296 crore, which was over Rs 4,000 crore more than that of private sector energy giant Reliance Industries Ltd (RIL).

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Science Spectrum Vol.1 Issue1 October 2011

With the uncertainty about supply of crude oil, as well as high prices, other sources of fuel are now a hot topic. In order to understand how nanotechnology and alternative energy are related, we must fi rst understand the individual terms. Nanotechnology is the “engineering of functional systems at the molecular level.” Simply put, it is the ability to build things starting at the molecular level and working your way up. We all of course know about alternative energy. Great strides are being made in the development of alternative energy systems by using nanotechnology.

Gathering Rays from All Angles

Solar power is power generated by rays from the sun. This technology has been limited and sometimes ineffi cient. The problem has been the ability of solar panels to capture and convert the energy made by sun into something that we can use. Because the panels have to be pointed directly at the sun, effi ciency throughout the day has been the major issue.

Scientists are now saying that they have developed a coating using nanotechnology to eliminate this problem. The coating is made of “nanorods” which act as funnels redirecting the angle that the sunlight hits the panels, to increase effi ciency. What does this mean for solar power? Now, rather than dealing with ineffi cient systems that don’t absorb all the sunlight they should, or having to install machines to rotate the panels, they can simply be placed where you want them and they will fi lter the sunlight and redirect it for maximum absorption. The technology is still extremely expensive but, with time, it should decrease.

There is also the issue of manufacturing the solar panels themselves. Traditionally, the cells had to be put in a vacuum chamber and have the semiconductor material injected while in the vacuum.

Nanotechnology offers Alternatives to Fossil Fuels

This process is one of the main reasons that solar energy is still so expensive. The process is long, diffi cult, and expensive, not to mention the equipment needed. With the nanotechnology, the semiconductor is a spray that can be applied to rolls of thin foil. This is much less expensive, less time consuming, and more effi cient.

Faster Rotations

Scientists have also made a connection between nanotechnology and alternative energy such as wind power. By covering the blades of turbines with a thin layer of chemicals that contain nano particles, effi ciency and durability are increased. The coating makes the blades smoother. This cuts out friction, increases water and ice runoff, as well as inhibits the growth of fungi and aging caused by UV rays and weather conditions. The chemical is also ecologically and environmentally safe.

Easier Commercial Access

Geothermal related nanotechnology and alternative energy development has also been highly successful. Using nanotechnology, lower temperature sources can be used to collect power. Since lower power sources are closer to Earth’s surface, installing them causes less chance of adverse effects such as earthquakes than the deeper geothermal energy collectors.

Ethanol and Nanotechnology

Ethanol is currently made from plants such as corn and sugar cane. Companies and universities are working to develop a process for producing ethanol from many other types of plant material; which may signifi cantly increase the amount of ethanol available as fuel. Nanotechnology may be of help in this effort.

Currently ethanol used in gasoline in the US (about 5 billion gallons a year) is produced from corn. The starch in the corn kernels is converted to sugar using enzymes. This starch is then fermented

to make ethanol. However in order to make a useful reduction in the US consummation of crude oil, one need to up that production signifi cantly. The goal set recently by the US government is to produce 35 billion gallons of ethanol a year within the next ten years.

The corn stalk is composed of a material called cellulous which is not converted to sugar by the enzymes used in the current ethanol producing process. To increase production of ethanol several companies and universities are trying to use the cellulous portions of the corn plant, such as the stalk, along with other plants that are currently thrown away. Nanotechnology is helping this effort by allowing researchers to study the molecular structure and function of bacteria and enzymes. This enables them to either select enzymes capable of converting cellulous to sugar or to modify enzymes to make them useful in the conversion process. Being able to use cellulous material such as wood chips, grasses, and corn stalks (in fact, most plant material) would increase the amount of feedstock available for ethanol production.

In another proposed method cellulous is heated and converted into carbon monoxide and hydrogen gas. A bacteria is then used as a catalyst in the conversion of the gas to ethanol. Nanotechnology may help this process both through genetic engineering of the bacteria to improve its performance as a catalyst and by providing alternative catalysts. For example, researchers have found that carbon nanotubes containing rhodium (Rh) nanoparticles act as very effective catalysts for the conversion of the gas to ethanol.

The US Department of Energy is a believer in cellulous feedstock for ethanol production. It has provided grants to six companies to help fund pilot production plants for the conversion of cellulous

SCIENCE SPECTRUM...

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feedstock to ethanol using both the methods described here.

Researchers at Michigan State University are trying a neat trick. They are genetically engineering corn to include the needed enzyme. The plan is to make the enzyme inactive until triggered by high temperatures. When the cellulous part of the corn, such as the stalk, is processed, the high processing temperatures would activate the enzyme and convert the cellulous to starch. This would avoid the added cost of producing the enzyme separately.

Researchers at the University of Rochester are studying how bacteria choose a particular enzyme, or enzymes, to break down at particular type of plant or other bio mass. They hope to generate enzymes that can convert cellulous to ethanol in one step, rather than the two steps used by the existing processes.

There is obvious cost savings of using yard waste to fuel our cars, and ethanol

has a head start as an alternative fuel in that over 5 million cars in the US have already been equipped by the vehicle manufacturer to run either on regular gasoline or an 85% ethanol/15% gas mixture. These so-called Flex Fuel vehicles represent a portion of cars manufactured over the last several years. Manufacturers have done this in exchange for being allowed to produce other vehicles with low gas mileage. If cellulous-based ethanol production is shown to be economical, there are already cars on the road that could use the fuel.

The advantage of cars that can be fi lled up with either gasoline or ethanol has been demonstrated in Brazil which uses much of its sugar cane crop to produce ethanol. Drivers with Flex Fuel cars are able to chose their fuel depending upon which is less expensive at the time, and most cars sold in Brazil are capable of using either fuel.

Using nanotechnology/genetic

engineering to produce ethanol from cellulous has the potential to make a serious dent in our consumption of crude oil. However we do need to keep an eye on some safety issues. For example precautions must be taken to insure that a built-in enzyme is only activated in the processing plant, not while the crop is in the fi eld, and that corn with the special enzyme is not mixed with crops grown for human consumption. We can hope that corporations and universities will make public the steps they take to insure that the methods they use to simplify the conversion of cellulous to ethanol do not endanger food crops or forests.

Conclusion

All of the signs are pointing towards nanotechnology and alternative energy viability increases in the future. Increased effi ciency, durability, and manufacturing options are all becoming reality, cutting costs for the average person, and making the dependence on fossil fuels look more likely to end.

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India’s space program has come a long way since it was established in 1962 as the Indian National Committee on Space Research (INCOSPAR). Its successor, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), was set up in 1969, and six years later their fi rst satellite, Aryabhata, was launched. Since then ISRO has matured into one of the “Big Three” Asian space agencies, alongside China’s CNSA and Japan’s JAXA. It is a signifi cant partner in many international space projects.

The fi rst ISRO Moon probe, Chandrayaan-1, was an important step away from ISRO’s previous focus on practical space technology applications, such as remote sensing, communications, distance learning, telemedicine, and security. These efforts were all aimed at supporting India’s national development goals. For many years the feeling was that everything they did had to have a direct payoff for the people and particularly for the impoverished masses. The mission was the fi rst pure space science mission the Indian agency had even done.

The INSAT series of communications satellites and the unique weather sensors that they carry are a good example of ISRO’s traditional approach. These satellites were at fi rst launched mostly by Europe’s Ariane and are now being put into orbit by India’s own Geosynchronous Space Launch Vehicle (GSLV). The technology for the spacecraft themselves was almost entirely homegrown. ISRO’s policy was to use as little foreign input as possible, both in order to develop their own industrial base and—so they claimed—to hold down costs.

Chandrayaan-2 and the Evolution of India’s Space Program

Chandrayaan-1 represented a major break from that tradition. It incorporated instrument packages from Britain, Germany, Russia, Sweden, and the US, as well as from India itself. This represented a major step forward in India-US cooperation. Overcoming the bureaucratic and political obstacles that have long stood in the way of such bilateral programs was a major achievement for all involved. On the US side breaking through the International Traffi c in Arms Regulations (ITAR) restrictions was only accomplished with a lot of hard work on the part of both NASA and the State Department. It would never have been possible without a commitment from the highest levels of government: former President George W. Bush and former Prime Minister A.B. Vajpayee deserve a lot of credit in this regard. In their joint November 2001 communiqué they announced that they had “…agreed to initiate discussions on Civil Space cooperation.”

Chandrayaan-2, scheduled for launch in 2014, is a Lander/rover mission that ISRO is developing with some technological input from Russia. This summer they plan to ask the international scientifi c community proposals for sensors and experiments to include on the rover. This may be diffi cult because the fi nal confi guration of the mission has not yet been determined. The rover may weigh anywhere from 30 to 100 kilograms. Obviously there is quite a bit of “trade space” so the proposals, or at least the early ones, will have to include more than a bit of guesswork.

To meet the anticipated launch date India and its partners will have to work within some serious time constraints. By space mission standards 2014 is right around the corner and system integration has got to start as soon as possible. The Indian government has approved funding for the mission and for the advanced version of the GLSV launcher needed to get the probe onto the lunar surface.

Along with their recently announced independent manned space exploration program the Chandrayaan series of science missions show that India is determined to be a space power in the full sense of the term. This fl ows naturally from India’s emergence as a global economic and political power. Over many decades hundreds of thousands of high-quality scientists and engineers have been trained in Indian universities. These men and women have helped propel India to its new status, and giving them challenging and fascinating new space projects is a way for the Indian government to keep this talent at home and busy.

It will be interesting to see how ISRO uses the Russian technology that they are getting for Chandrayaan-2. One should also keep an eye on the laser imaging system that is being developed for the rover. Integrating these systems into the mission is not going to be easy, but if India pulls it off it will be an even more impressive achievement than Chandrayaan-1.

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Science News

T-50 stealth fi ghter makes public debutThe Sukhoi fi fth-generation stealth fi ghter made its public debut at a Moscow air show in august 2011. The new fi ghter is being jointly developed by India and Russia under the 2007 FGFA agreement signed by Defence Minister AK Antony during his Moscow visit.

Under the agreement, India will get up to 200 T-50 fi ghters, while the Russians are planning to order 150. The T-50 jets are being developed at an estimated cost of USD 10 billion of which India would invest USD 600 million.

But even taking into cost of escalation, Russian media said the new stealth fi ghters would be far economical than the US made F-22 Raptor and the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter.

The T-50 resembles Russia’s best-selling Su-30 fi ghter jet but will have all its weapons hidden inside its body and wings to avoid radar detection and will fl y at supersonic cruising speeds. The aircraft also boasts of ultra manoeuvrability and high-technology avionics.

It is India’s biggest-ever defence project and its largest defence deal with Russia. India and Russia are jointly designing two versions of the plane — a single-seater for the Russian Air Force and a two-seat version for the IAF. The Indian Air Force will “acquire 50 single-seater fi ghters of the Russian version” before the two seat FGFA is developed. India will contribute about 30 per cent of the total design in the project, including composite components with the stealth function and some avionics, electronic warfare systems and cockpit displays.

A fi fth-generation jet fi ghter is a fi ghter aircraft classifi cation used in the United States, encompassing the most advanced generation of fi ghter aircraft. Fifth-generation aircraft are the most advanced as of 2011, designed to incorporate numerous technological advancements over the class similarly dubbed fourth generation, including all-aspect stealth even when armed, Low Probability of Intercept Radar (LPIR), high-performance air frames, advanced avionics features, and highly integrated computer systems capable of networking with other elements within the theatre of war in order to achieve an advantage in situational awareness. The only currently combat-ready fi fth-generation fi ghter, the Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor, entered service with the U.S. Air Force in 2005.

INS Satapura: Navy commissions Stealth Frigate The Indian Navy on 20th August commissioned its new stealth frigate INS Satpura. The warship is the second of its kind to be built indigenously at Mazagon Dockyard Ltd, Mumbai under Project-17. The warship is the largest of its kind in the world. INS Satpura along with INS Shivalik will be deployed in Bay of Bengal and Indian Ocean region. The fi rst ship of Project-17, INS Shivalik was commissioned last year and the last of the series, INS Shayadari will become operational by next year.

INS Satapura is a stealth warship equipped with advanced stealth features to dodge enemy’s radar and packed with potent fi repower. It is designed to have low signatures so that they remain undetected to enemy electronic sensors of other navies. It’s shape is designed to evade detection by radar; it is engineered to give off minimal infra-red (IR) emissions and every piece of equipment on board is designed to work silently so that the ship cannot be heard by enemy’s sonar and acoustic sensors. It is equipped with state-of-the-art defence against nuclear, biological and chemical attack. Satapura is also equipped with a mix of imported and indigenous weapon systems and sensors, including Barak surface-to-air missiles and Russian made Klub cruise missiles, ‘shtil’ air defence system etc.

INS Karuva: Navy Commissions Water Jet Fast Attack Craft Indian Navy has commissioned a water jet fast attack craft (WJFAC) INS Karuva at the naval base in Visakhapatnam. INS Karuva will strengthen Navy’s coastal patrolling, anti-pirate, anti-smuggling, search and rescue operations. INS Karuva, last of the 10 such vessels built by the Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE) of Kolkata with 90 per cent indigenous content, was commissioned by Commander-in-Chief of the Strategic Forces Command Air Marshal K.J. Mathews. Incidentally, it was for the fi rst time that an Air Force offi cer commissioned a naval ship. The ship would be under INS Kadamba at Karwar under the operational control of the Western Naval Command and deployed along the Konkan coast and Lakshadweep. INS Koswari, commissioned on July 12, is also based at Karwar. INS Karuva is named after an island in Kerala.

Lockheed delivers fi fth C130J to Indian Air ForceThe fi fth of the six C-130J Super Hercules, an advanced transport aircraft, ordered by the Indian Air Force has been delivered, its American manufacturer Lockheed Martin said. India’s sixth C-130J will be delivered in October, it said.

The six C-130Js will give the Indian Air Force new special operations capabilities using the world’s most advanced airlifter, it said.

The C-130J is a comprehensive update of the venerable Lockheed C0-130 Hercules, with new engines, fl ight deck, and other systems. The Indian Air Force purchased six C-130J-30s in early 2008 at a cost of up to $ 1.059 billion.

IIT-K plans to launch nano satellite ‘Jugnu’ in SeptemberIIT-Kanpur’s indigenously built nano satellite ‘Jugnu’ is likely to be launched by the end of September from Sriharikota, an offi cial of the institute said. “ISRO scientists have given the green signal to the engineering model, while the fl ight model is being assembled in Bangalore,” said IITK Registrar Sanjeev

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Kashalkar. “Over 62 students and faculty members of the institute worked hard to built ‘Jugnu’ weighing 3 kg,” he said. On being asked about the delay in the project, he said it took some time for the faculty members and students as it was an indigenously built satellite.

‘Rudra’ to join Army soonThe Army’s aerial fi repower capabilities will soon get a boost, with the induction of the attack version of indigenously built Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH) ‘Rudra’. The ‘Rudra’ is the fi rst weaponised chopper built in the country and will be inducted into the Army Aviation Corps in the current fi nancial year. ‘Rudra’ is an armed variant of ALH Dhruva chopper.

Vultures fl ourish in Sathyamangalam forestThere is good news for bird lovers and environmentalists. While the country has lost more than 90 per cent of its vultures, the small population of these scavenger birds in Moyar river valley in Sathyamangalam forest remains healthy and stable. Recent studies and fi eld observation made by the Forest Department reveal that the white-rumped and long-billed vulture birds are seen in Moyar River in Thengumarada and Bhavanisagar forest areas.

Manali to get modern monal breeding centreFormer state bird of Himachal, monal (impeyan pheasant), an endangered species, will soon get an advanced breeding centre in Manali. The Central Zoo Authority (CZA) has approved the proposal for it and designs for the centre been fi nalized. At present, the Manali centre has 5 pairs of monal while Himachal has about 5,000.

Darkest exo-planet spotted by astronomersA dark alien world, blacker than coal, has been spotted by astronomers. The Jupiter-sized planet is orbiting its star at a distance of just fi ve million km, and is likely to be at a temperature of some 1200C. The planet may be too hot to support refl ective clouds like those we see in our own Solar System, but even that would not explain why it is so dark. The research will be published in the journal Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society. The planet, called TrES-2b, is so named because it was fi rst spotted by the Trans-Atlantic Exoplanet Survey in 2006. It is about 750 light-years away, in the Draco constellation.

LHC slowly closing in on existence of ‘God particle’Scientists are hoping that the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) will fi nally nail Higgs boson — the “God particle” which theoretically endowed every other particle with mass, but has proved elusive to date. The discovery of Higgs boson is one of the chief goals of the LHC, the most powerful particle accelerator on Earth and perhaps the most complex scientifi c endeavour ever attempted.

Technology to improve bio-safety of GM cropsA research group in the Madurai Kamaraj University has successfully developed a technology to improve the bio-safety

of Genetically Modifi ed (GM) crops. The novel technology was fi rst developed in rice plants and it can be readily applied for all other crops also so that it would have ‘enormous impact’ in improving the bio-safety value. The university’s research group has, through its research initiatives, now developed ‘Selectable Marker Elimination’ technology and it was successful in coming out with marker-free GM rice with sheath blight disease resistance.

Eucalyptus gall disease spreads in PunjabForest Research Institute (FRI), Dehradun, is for the past one year, trying to fi nd a way to control the gall disease that has affected almost 50 per cent of the eucalyptus trees being grown in the North’s forest region as well as those grown by private persons. More than three lakh trees in Kandi area of Punjab alone are under the attack of Leptocybe Invasa, a gall insect, which causes swelling in the veins of the leaves of young trees and hampers their growth.

Earth ‘home to 8.7 million species’Earth is a home to 8.7 million species, but 90 per cent of them are yet to be discovered, according to new estimates. Previous guesses had put the total number of different types of plant and animal on earth at anywhere between three million and 100 million. Now, a new calculation, based on the way in which life forms are classifi ed, puts the estimate at 8.7 million.

The lion-tailed macaque faces habitat destructionNelliampathy, the second biggest abode of the most endangered lion-tailed macaque after the famous Silent Valley National Park, is facing destruction of its habitat due to “unregulated plantation activities, fragmentation and conversion of forest land.” A recent study on “ecology and behaviour of the arboreal mammals of Nelliampathy” found a total of 13 lion-tailed macaque troops with 200 individuals in the area. Thus it is the second biggest population of one of the most endangered primates. The Silent Valley has 250 members of the species.

First black child diagnosed with ageing diseaseThe elfi n child with the big personality and bright smile calls herself “the fi rst lady”. Doctors say 12-year-old Ontlametse Phalatse has only another couple of years to live. Ontlametse is the fi rst black child diagnosed with progeria, a rare, fatal genetic condition that accelerates the aging process, the Progeria Research Foundation said.

Pipavav to build warships with Mazagon DockIn the fi rst public-private participation in the defence sector, Nikhil Gandhi-owned Pipavav Defence and Offshore Engineering Company, (earlier Pipavav Shipyard) has entered into a joint venture with Mazagon Dock to build warships for the Indian Navy.

Thought-controlled robot avatars to help disabledResearchers have developed robots that can be controlled by the user’s thoughts and will be provide help for disabled people in future.

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Paul Wilford, a senior research director at New Jersey’s Bell Labs, has developed a “telepresence” project called NetHead that will one day help the disabled to participate in meetings, join community groups, attend school functions, and even work in an offi ce -- all from a remote computer.

Robert Oschler, a freelance computer programmer, is developing a robot for the disabled. The project, called Robodance 5, uses the Emotiv EPOC EEG headset to read facial movements, jaw clenches, and track eye movements. “I trained the Emotiv system to react to my head and facial movements,” said Oschler. “

Other robotic systems are already helping those with disabilities. In the UK, a robot avatar named KASPAR (Kinesics and Synchronization in Personal Assistant Robotics), developed at the University of Hertfordshire, interacts with kids who have autism.

Planet orbiting two suns discoveredAstronomers claim to have discovered a planet which orbits two suns, like the fi ctional planet Tatooine featured in the sci-fi fi lm series Star Wars.

An international team, which made the fi nding through NASA’s Kepler spacecraft, says the planet, called Kepler-16b, is about 200 light years from Earth and is believed to be a frozen world of rock and gas, about the size of Saturn.

It orbits two stars that are also circling each other, one about two-thirds the size of our sun, the other about a fi fth the size of our sun. Each orbit takes 229 days; the stars eclipse each other every three weeks or so.

Over 50 new exo-planets discovered, some potentially habitableAstronomers have discovered more than 50 new exoplanets, including 16 super—Earths, one of which orbits at the edge of the habitable zone of its star, thanks to ESO’s world—leading exoplanet hunter HARPS.

By studying the properties of all the HARPS planets found so far, the team has found that about 40 percent of stars similar to the sun have at least one planet lighter than Saturn.

The HARPS spectrograph on the 3.6—meter telescope at ESO’s La Silla Observatory in Chile is the world’s most successful planet fi nder. The discovery by HARPS team, led by Michel Mayor (University of Geneva, Switzerland), is the largest number of such planets ever announced at one time.

The new fi ndings are being presented at a conference on Extreme Solar Systems where 350 exoplanet experts are meeting in Wyoming, USA.

Oceansat-2 ground station inaugurated in HyderabadA state-of-the-art Oceansat-2 ground station was inaugurated in September 2011 at the Indian National Centre for Ocean

Information Services (INCOIS) in Hyderabad.

The Department of Space and INCOIS established the ground station to receive and process data from Ocean Colour Monitor (OCM) on-board the Indian Remote Sensing Satellite Oceansat-2 in real time.

The Oceansat-2 ground station, fi tted with a 7.5 m diameter antenna, could cover an area of 5,000 km diameter circle, covering the Bay of Bengal on the east and the Arabian Sea on the west, a note issued by INCOIS on the occasion said.

INCOIS said, the 7.5 meter diameter antenna system at the new ground station could also be used to receive data from satellites launched by ISRO in the future study of oceans.

The chlorophyll data received from OCM at the ground station would be integrated with Sea Surface Temperature from NOAA satellites for providing the Potential Fishing Zone (PFZ) advisory services.

The PFZ advisories generated by INCOIS using Oceansat-2 data advise fi shermen on the optimal locations for fi shing.

INCOIS said an estimated 65,000 users regularly access the PFZ service, thereby benefi ting by 60-70 per cent reduction in search time for fi sh shoals and 2-3 times increase in net profi t.

“The recent study, carried out by National Council of Applied Economic Research, on the socio—economic benefi ts of PFZ advisory services and ocean state forecasts, has estimated the net annual benefi ts to be in the range of Rs 34,000 to Rs 50,000 crore due to scientifi c identifi cation of PFZs based on satellite information,” INCOIS said.

India to have one more satellite launch siteAmid requests from various countries for launch of their satellites, India has decided to set up one more launch site to expand its capacity in this aspect.

At a meeting held by the Prime Minister’s Principal Secretary T.K.A. Nair to review performance of the Department of Space, it was decided that a feasibility study would be conducted for a new site, sources said.

The decision to fi nd a new site was taken after the meeting was told that ISRO has only two satellite launch pads, both of which are affected during the cyclone season, the sources said.

The two launch pads are located at Sriharikota High Altitude Range (SHAR).

During recent years, there have been requests from a number of countries for launching their satellites in India.

The meeting was also informed that despite successful launch of GSAT-8 and GSAT-12 satellites, there is shortage of transponders primarily due to DTH and communication requirements.

It was decided that steps should be taken to meet the gap within two years, the sources said. At present, Department of Space is leasing transponders and using foreign launch vehicles to meet the needs.

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Perspectives Vol.1 Issue1 October 2011

Indian Unrest

Now that the resolution conveying the sense of the house on the Lokpal Bill has been passed and the veteran Gandhian, the Saviour of our times has broken his 12 days old fast, its time we ask some tough questions. We all know ‘what’ happened and ‘why’ it happened. However what requires serious consideration and attention is the way it all happened. Was this the only option left with the civil society to register its protest? Does end justify the means? How this movement is different from those that went before like JP movement or Narmada Bachao Andolan? What future repercussions can/will it entail?

The all pervading corruption has undoubtedly crippled all our social and political institutions. There is a widespread feeling of lack of social justice and accountability. However if your house is infested with rats, you don’t put the house on fi re to get rid of them. Our government might have failed to deliver on its promises and responsibilities but does that give right to a bunch of self appointed people claiming to ‘represent’ the civil society to undermine Constitution or its basic structure. If Government acted authoritarian by arresting Anna in the early hours of 16th Aug, Team Anna acted no different in the subsequent days. Ramchandra Guha aptly called Anna behaving as a ‘village patriarch’. The claim of Team Anna that they represent the Indian public was nothing but dictatorial. “Anna is India and India is Anna” reminds us of the authoritarian era of Indira Gandhi.

It was indeed disheartening to see a man of Anna’s experience, understanding and capability setting such a dangerous

precedent in front of a billion plus people. One of it was well showcased by Baba Ramdev- a sure shot formula to garner headlines. Tomorrow if I believe, strongly believe that something is ‘right’ and needs to be done, I surely know the way to get it done. Team Anna unwittingly conveyed a message that only coercive and unconstitutional methods work. There have been movements before but they all were based on constitutional methods like rallies, demonstrations, advocacy etc but Anna Hazare knew only one way- his own. It is my way or the high way. Experience with constitutional means shows that civil society activists, through their constant struggles, have persuaded the two successive United Progressive Alliance governments to acknowledge several basic rights and convert these into laws. The right to employment through the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), the right to information, rights under the Forest Act, the right to education, and now the right to food, are some of the revolutionary measures that civil society has been able to accomplish through constitutional methods. Anna’s anti-corruption movement at many times seemed more like an anti-government protest. The fast was for something but their adamant and stubborn position conveyed something otherwise.

It was a sea of humanity at Ramlila maidan. People braved both heavy rains and hot Sun to express their solidarity with the 74 yr old Gandhian. However those who had an in depth understanding of the issue about which they were protesting were very few. Such a big stage could well have been used as a forum to

educate and enlighten the people about the nuances of the various versions of the bill. Sadly nothing like this happened. For many it was another picnic spot to have fun, enjoyment with an added opportunity to be on national TV.

The Lokpal bill is too important a legislation to be passed under coercion or threats. Blaming all politicians and government offi cials for all the corruption in the society is turning a Nelson eye to the real problem. Fixing the blame outside themselves and a constant harping against political class can hardly lead to any solution. ‘Be the change you want to see there’. There is a need for self introspection on everyone’s part. Bribe is more often than not ‘offered’ than ‘demanded’. Legislations alone cannot bring any social change. If that could be the case then words like dowry deaths, communal riots, discrimination would have long been part of our history books and not everyday existence. Corruption breeds from inside us. We need to change our mind sets fi rst and only then can a Lokpal help us in uprooting corruption completely.

Coming to the main object of contention – Lokpal or the Jan Lokpal bill. If government’s version is defective, toothless and a mere sham then Anna’s proposed draft is overboard, impractical and gigantic to an extent of being preposterous. It’s like a Leviathan. In words of Social activist Aruna Roy, a monolithic, humongous institution with so much power is “impractical”, “complicated”, and a “threat to democracy”. She further added that Jan Lokpal was impossible to implement and that it derails the checks and balances

Monsoon 2011 saw an unprecedented downpour of humanity at Ramlila maidan and various other places in India to protest against the rampant corruption. Anna Hazare, a 74 yr old social activist from Ralegan Siddhi undertook a fast unto death to press the government to pass a strong and effective Lokpal Bill in the Parliament. While the fast and the movement got mass support from the people and the media, many criticized it for being coercive and deploying ‘my way or the highway’ formula. Grammar of Anarchy and Enabling Democracy look at this recent mass movement from these two perspectives.

GRAMMAR OF ANARCHY

PERSPECTIVES...

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Vs

between the Judiciary, executive and other organs of the democratic structure. “The Jan Lokpal is a threat to democracy as a powerful, non-elected agency can lead to abuse of power and abuse of authority. Power corrupts”. The massive organisational setup suggested in the Jan Lokpal would lead to corruption and ineffi ciency, she said. “You may be able to fi nd 11 Lokpal members of integrity, but it is diffi cult to create a clean set-up of thousands of staffers and hold them accountable”. More importantly, a single

Lokpal body cannot fi ght corruption alone. We need many other reforms like electoral, judicial, police reforms and administrative reforms to make this process comprehensive.

The criticism against media for playing the Hazare campaign over the board isn’t unjustifi ed too. Media cannot wash of their hands by saying that they merely ‘presented’ what was happening. If that is the case, what about Irom Sharmila’s marathon fast to get AFSPA repealed, the farmers’ agitation in Noida

or Bhopal tragedy victims’ agitation etc. They did not get half the number of lenses or perhaps a tenth of the total time that our reporters devoted at Ramlila maidan. The fourth estate has to share some measure of blame of having failed to fulfi ll its responsibility. The media should have highlighted the issue in a sustained campaign years ago, pressurizing the political classes into action. They paid scant attention to the culture of corruption that grew and slowly engulfed everyone.

Had it not been for Team Anna, with special mention to Arvind Kejriwal, we would have continued living our routined, resigned lives to corruption. Thanks to their efforts, people have fi nally been jolted out of their slumber to not only exercise their political right but also to shoulder the responsibility of a true citizen. Anna Hazare, with the massive support from his middle class army and intellectuals fi nally succeeded in bringing the government to pass a resolution for a strong and an effective Lokpal.

Legislations cannot be enacted on the streets. True! But are they being enacted where they should? Try recalling the last meaningful debate or discussion during a parliament proceedings. Bills languish in committee for years until parliament is dissolved, and the process starts from the beginning in the next parliament. Four decades have passed since the Lokpal bill was fi rst tabled in the Parliament. Attendance is often so low as to be a mockery of the intent of our constitution. It was against this backdrop that a Retd. Army man with a bunch of people from civil society stood up to make “deafs hear”. Though the means and ways adopted to protest by Team Anna can always be debated but a warrior seldom looks beyond his enemy. In this case a duo- rampant corruption

ENABLING DEMOCRACY

in all spheres of human existence and an indifferent, tainted political class. What does one do in the face of a ruling class with a spate of scandals and scams behind its name, one which takes months to arrest the likes of Kalmadi and Raja but puts the 74 year old anti graft crusader in jail on dubious charges of threatening peace and order of the state. The way the government handled/mishandled the entire episode displayed a clear want of political imagination and statesmanship. There wasn’t a single leader of stature that could put forward government’s arguments ( even legitimate ones) with conviction.

Lokpal/Jan Lokpal bill is no magic wand that will end corruption overnight. Honestly speaking, I don’t even buy the 65% claim made by Anna himself. Instead, it’s a beginning. A renewed promise to ‘redeem the pledges, we have so often taken’. The movement needs to be seen as aiming for social, political and moral regeneration of our state and society. Words like justice, people’s rights, representative and participative democracy have lost much of their meaning and content. A common man fi nds himself both handicapped and helpless amidst the politico-beauracratic-criminal nexus. It is to this nameless common man, Anna has given a face and a voice. Ironically, we saw many politicians

bragging about supremacy of Parliament and the Constitution to counter Anna Hazare’s demands of passing the bill. Had these men, the so called ‘elected’ representatives of people worked to uphold the ideals and principles of our Constitution or genuinely represented the concerns of their people in the parliament, they would not have found themselves amidst this political turmoil.

Some people are calling this movement as India’s own version of Arab Uprising. While the people in the Arab world rose in unison to replace autocracy with democracy, back home the unrest and the uprising was to ‘enable’ and emancipate that democracy, to restore people’s faith back in it. That the protest did not witness any violence or bloodshed speaks volume about the character and the nature of this movement. The young and old, rich and poor, without apparent political affi liations, took to the streets in a rare voice of solidarity.

Many critics of Team Anna questioned the timings of his movement. True, the massive protest came on the back of various high profi le exposes and indeed there are many more issues that need equal attention, if not more. But how does all this diminish the importance of this movement. Corruption, hitherto seen as an inseparable part of our daily

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LOKPAL-FACT FILE

The Jan Lokpal Bill, also referred to as the citizens’ ombudsman bill, is a proposed independent anti-corruption law in India. Anti-corruption social activists proposed it as a more effective improvement to the original Lokpal bill, which is currently

being proposed by the Government of India.

The Jan Lokpal Bill aims to effectively deter corruption, redress grievances of citizens, and protect whistle-blowers. If made into law, the bill would create an independent ombudsman body called the Lokpal (Sanskrit: protector of the people). It would be empowered to register and investigate complaints of corruption against politicians and bureaucrats without prior government approval.

The word Lokpal was coined in 1963 by L.M.Singhvi, a Member of Parliament during a debate in Parliament about grievance redressal mechanisms. His son Dr. Abhishek Singhvi is now the head of the Parliamentary Standing Committee reviewing the bill.

The Lokpal bill was fi rst introduced by Shanti Bhushan in 1968 and passed the 4th Lok Sabha in 1969. But before it could be passed by Rajya Sabha, Lok Sabha was dissolved and the bill lapsed. The subsequent versions were re-introduced in 1971, 1977, 1985, 1989, 1996, 1998, 2001, 2005 and in 2008, but none of them got passed.

While the central government is still debating the institution of this body, many states have already set up the institution of Lokayukta. Lokayukta institution has come into existence in different years, in different States in India. Orissa was the fi rst state to present a bill on establishment of Lokayukta in 1970; however, Maharashtra was the fi rst state to establish the institution in 1972. Thereafter, this institution was established in different States in different years namely: Maharashtra (1972), Bihar (1974), Uttar Pradesh (1977), Madhya Pradesh (1981), Andhra Pradesh (1983), Himachal Pradesh (1983), Karnataka (1984), Assam (1986), Gujarat (1988), Delhi (1995), Punjab (1996), Kerala (1998), Chhattisgarh (2002), Uttaranchal (2002) and West Bengal (2003) and Haryana (2004). The structure of the Lokayukta is not uniform across all the states.

The institution of Ombudsman was fi rst created in Sweden in 1809. ‘Ombud’ is a Swedish term and refers to a person who acts as the representative or spokesperson of another person. The Swedish ombudsman is a constitutional authority which keeps a watch over all public offi cials which includes all civil, judicial and military offi cials. Wide powers are given to him and its functions are comprehensive making it a potent weapon for fi ghting corruption.

From Sweden, the institution of Ombudsman spread to other Scandinavian countries- Finland ( 1919), Denmark (1955) and Norway (1962). New Zealand was the fi rst commonwealth country in the world to have adopted the institution of ombudsman in the form of parliamentary commissioner for investigation in 1962.

The United Kingdom adopted the ombudsman like institution called parliamentary commissioner for administration in 1967. However in the United Kingdom, the Ombudsman usually investigates complaints referred to him or her by a Member of Parliament, where there has been evidence of “maladministration” having occurred which has resulted in an “unremedied injustice”. The scope of jurisdiction and authority of the British parliamentary commissioner is much more restricted when compared to the Swedish ombudsman.

Since then, more than 40 countries of the world have adopted the ombudsman like institutions with different nomenclature and functions.

In Pakistan, the establishment of Ombudsman is a part of the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan by virtue of Article 270-A. It started functioning on 8 August 1983.The Ombudsman in Pakistan is called “Wafaqi Mohtasib”, (English: “Federal Ombudsman”) with its headquarters in Islamabad.

The Government of Sri Lanka has designated several ombudsmen for the redress of grievances and complaints from individuals in the banking, insurance and other sectors being serviced by both private and public bodies and corporations.

existence, has crippled all forms of human lives and institution. This 74 yr old social activist inspired millions to stand up and be counted in the fi ght against

corruption. These mass protests of non-violent nature point to the dynamic evolution of Parliamentary democracy. What does one do in the face of a ruling

class which is ready to backtrack at the fi rst available opportunity. It is time we break the status-quo and rediscover our lost principles and ideals.

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Inspirations@IP Vol.1 Issue1 October 2011

I wanted to be a politician when I was twelve. The year next, inspired by my school counseling teacher, the dream was to become a counselor. Then a doctor, then a journalist, an academician, a civil servant and today-well I am still in the process of fi guring out, “what next?”. Some of these were pure ‘wishes’, I worked on few others, didn’t succeed and moved on. And of course some are still in harness.

We spend a major part of our life working, so it becomes important to make sure that what we do is fulfi lling and worthwhile and that we fi gure out right option(s) for ourselves. If something is worth striving for, striving is its own reward. We shouldn’t worry about the outcome. Ultimately, all sense of victory and loss are personal. The poet Longfellow puts it best: “Not in the clamour of the crowded street, / Not in the shouts and plaudits of the throng, / But in ourselves, are triumph and defeat.” We often misconceive our means to be the goals and get entrapped. There are several alternative ways to reach there. One just needs to breakfree from such illusory trappings.

Most of us go to our graves with our music still inside of us because we never let the strings go loose. Hell bent upon having a ‘sure thing’ career with fi xed pay-cheques, remunerations, pen-surance schemes, we often let our callings go unheard, stopping way short of ‘constructing’ a future with our own vision. One of my university professor always used to say, ‘Find something you love to do and then live a life that shows it’. Its never too late. Everything you ever dreamt of, all the things you thought of doing one day- from climbing a mountain or taking a detour to offi ce or

playing a harmonium to working in paddy fi elds, acting on a stage or writing for a journal- try it. Sometimes it takes a push like a lay-off or a big setback to move in the right direction. Say a Yes and Start.

Our aspirations, dreams are not isolated events. They are very much located within the social, political, economic and spatial parameters. Global meltdown and recession has given a new whiff of perspective to public sector. More and more people are trying their hands at the safe harbours of government jobs. Similarly, a recent employment trends’ survey by Ma Foi Randstad revealed that the organized sector in India will create nearly 1.6 M jobs in sectors like healthcare, hospitality, real estate, media and entertainment, education etc. Its not diffi cult to fi nd one’s space of glory if one is perceptive to the changing currents in both personal and socio-economic realm. There is nothing ‘settling’ about fi nding a job and neither it ever should be. After doing my masters in literature, I realized that I don’t want to pursue academics. Not clearing my civils’ entrance was d i shea r t en ing but I learnt s o m e t h i n g important. As human beings, we are capable of facing and

bearing anything. No dream is bigger than my life and every dream is worth living a life for.

Our dreams are not just about the goal-posts. They are as much about the lush meadows and the dark, tranquil valleys that we traverse through, as about the horizons sought. Also, they enable you to lay the road to your destination, to plan all the moves, digressions and detours. Unfortunately, all people do not have such engagements. Children from lower rungs of the society, the underprivileged, undernourished never get to enter this Kingdom of Dreams. For them little exists beyond today or concerns of daily survival. This defi cit is a cumulative effect of biological, economical, nutritional, cultural and education related reasons.

Education provides that fertile

Kingdom of DreamsI have become my own version of an optimist. If I can’t make it through one door, I ‘ll make it through another door- or I ‘ll make a door. Something terrifi c will come no matter how dark the present.” - Rabindranath Tagore

INSPIRATIONS@IP...

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Inspirations@IP Vol.1 Issue1 October 2011

ground that lets a sapling grow into a big tree. Ask a child who has never seen a school, whom you see everyday at the road crossings, begging for a penny or the one who cleans your car every morning, what does he want to become when he grows old? Chances are bleak that you will get an answer. These children don’t know that each one of them is a reservoir of talents, that their imagination holds the key to a bright future, a small lane out of the vicious circle. Education provides a child with that key to unlock the gates

of his/her imagination, to realize his/her potential, to think beyond today and to realize the innate ‘self’. Is education in our schools doing the needful or not is perhaps food for thought for some other day.

It doesn’t matter what you have been through, where you come from, who your parents are- nor your social or economic status. None of that matters. What matters is how you choose to dream, how you choose to express that

dream through your work, through what you have to give to the world…..

Till the time the boat of our dreams is rowing, there is always a hope to fi nd an anchorage. It took the master batsman Sachin Tendulkar 22 long years to hold the coveted World Cup. Going might be tough at times, things may not just work, they may fail. Don’t stop. Don’t be scared. Fear is ‘thief of dreams’. It hinders us in our journey towards success by drilling us into inaction and pulling us back.

DREAM ON DREAMER , ITS ALRIGHT, FEEL ALIVE….

Mood to retireAn elderly carpenter was ready to retire. He told his employer-contractor of his

plans to leave the house building business and live a more leisurely life with his

family. He would miss the pay check, but he needed to retire. They could get by.

The contractor was sorry to see his good worker go and asked if he could build

just one more house as a personal favour. The carpenter said ‘yes’, but in time

it was easy to see that his heart was not in the work. He resorted to shoddy

workmanship and used inferior materials. It was an unfortunate way to end a

dedicated career. When the carpenter fi nished his work, the employer handed

the front door keys to the carpenter. “This is your house,” he said, “my gift to

you”. The carpenter was shocked! If he had only known he was building his own

house, he would have done it all so differently.

So it is with us. We build our lives, a day at a time, often putting less than our

best in the building. Then with a shock we realise we have to live in a house

we have built. You are the carpenter. Life is a “do it yourself” project, someone

has said. Your attitudes and the choices you make today, build the house, you

live in tomorrow.

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Thinker’s Arena Vol.1 Issue1 October 2011

Crony Capitalism and Post-Liberalisation India : Understanding the Symptoms of an Infected Political Economy

“Crony capitalism is a danger that we must guard against” — Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh

(At an interactive session with a group of newspaper editors, September 6, 2010.)

It is ironical that the Prime Minister and other advocates of the liberal economic regime are advising precaution against a disease which, some believe, is intrinsic to the capitalist anatomy of economic liberalisation in India. The recent revelations about a slew of corruption scams and seedy patronage patterns- ranging from 2G spectrum allocation scam to the dubious S- band spectrum deal and from Commonwealth Games scam to the Adarsh Housing Society scam, and various irregularities in awarding mining leases and land allotments – have set the alarm bells ringing for the government.

If the analogy of the Frankestein sounds too clichéd, one would be allowed to borrow the eloquent metaphor of a ‘spectre’ that Marx and Engels used in the Manifesto of the Communist Party. Thus, in a different context, we may say : a spectre is haunting India - the spectre of crony capitalism.

Crony capitalism has been the term most frequently used to explain the structural issues that have emerged from the recent scams. But what is crony capital? How have the different streams of economic and political thought interpreted crony capitalism and the nature of state- capital relations? How crony capitalism has got entrenched and reinforced systemic corruption in post-liberalisation India and what are the perspectives offered by some commentators on this issue?

Here an attempt has been made to briefl y address some important aspects

of these questions. Thus, it entails the following:

(1) Defi ning crony capitalism

(2) (a) A synoptic view of how the liberal thought has responded to the state-capital relations and crony capitalism,

(b) A brief commentary on the liberal view

(3) (a) Outlines of how the Marxist thought has responded to the state- capital relations and crony capitalism,

(b) Some later developments in the Marxist thought on the state-capital relations

(c) The response of the Marxist institutional politics in India to crony capitalism

(4) (a) Disillusionment : Corruption and Cronyism in Post Liberalisation India

(b) Some Perspectives on the nature of state – capital relations and the crony capitalism in Post Liberalisation India

(1) Defi ning Crony CapitalismSimply defi ned, crony capitalism refers to a particular form of capitalist economy in which favoritism and nepotism are entrenched and success in business is dependent on the close relationships between the businessmen and the state functionaries-the powerful politicians and the bureaucracy. This involves a subversion of market norms and misuse of discretionary powers of the state

for favouring the crony capitalists with concessions, licences, contracts, special tax breaks, monopoly rights, subsidies, government grants, sweetheart deals in disposing off public properties, illegal avenues of money laundering, etc.

In addition to these, the presence of crony capitalism in the fi nancial market of an economy has also been identifi ed, as Alan Greenspan (in his testi-mony before the U.S. House of Representatives on January 30, 1998)1 observed that purchasing the stocks and granting loans on the basis of association, and not the economic value of the stocks, illustrates the working of crony capitalism in the fi nancial market.

The discretionary channels of state patronage and the competition among the capita-lists to win favours from the government have made crony capitalism a breeding ground for corruption.

(2) (a) A synoptic view of how the liberal thought has responded to the state-capital relations and crony capitalism Any study of the liberal approach to crony capitalism has to begin with the classical school which advocated the laissez faire policy - favouring a free market economy and non-intervention by the state in the sphere of economic activities. Following Adam Smith, the classical economists were consistent in their assumption that the invisible hand of the market could help the economy in achieving all kinds of effi ciency, be it allocative or distributive. Any interference in the working of

Classical school (liberal): It refers to the early liberal economists and thinkers who advocated the laissez faire policy - favouring a free market economy and non-intervention by the state in the sphere of economic activities.

Neo- Classical school (liberal): It refers to a contemporary school of liberal economists who support the view of the classical school on the importance of free market economy.

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free market would lead to sub-optimal outcome or the less desirable one.

Carrying this argument to the issue of crony capitalism, the classical economists were of the view that crony capitalism would lead to sub-optimal outcome because the market forces would be guided by the collusive interests of the government and the the favour seeking business houses, rather than by the free interplay of the market forces. This would ultimately hinder the growth of the economy.

The neo-classical economists have arrived at similar conclusions regarding crony capitalism.

The Keynesian school emerged as an important strand in the broadening of the liberal approach. Responding to the great depression of the 1930s , the Keynesian school supported the government intervention for overcoming the market imperfection and smooth running of the economy. However, it would be superfi cial to assume any resemblance between this argument of the Keynesian school and crony capitalism. Though both seek government intervention , the difference lies in the objectives they intend to achieve. While the Keynesian school advocates government intervention for developmental purposes and for correcting market imperfection, the crony capitalism uses government intervention for collusive rent seeking.

However, the recent developments in liberal economics have seen the emergence of institutional economics which is premised on the belief that those institutions of an economy evolve over the period of time which results in reduction of the transaction cost and increases the effi ciency of the economic system2. It has sought to analyse crony capitalism in a different perspective. It begins its inquiry with a general statement that that crony capitalism is often seen as an impediment to economic growth because it implies decisions based on non-market principles, increases transaction costs, impedes effi ciency, involves rent-seeking, distorts

economic incentives, and makes exchange between economic actors more diffi cult.3

Interestingly, it has examined the different responses to the role of crony capitalism in different economies. It considers the economic setting where: (a) legal, political and economic institutions are weak, as in most developing countries, information about market conditions and possibilities is both scarce and diffi cult to obtain, and investments and property rights may be insecure.(b) long-term commitments of any type are more diffi cult because political and economic conditions and actors can change rapidly. (c) capital markets do not function as effectively in developing countries, and political and economic decision making is subject to greater uncertainty than in developed and democratic systems (d) for businessmen and politicians, the transaction costs of making and keeping agreements and securing property rights can be prohibitively high.

Under these conditions, the institutional economics argues that cronyism can: (a) reduce transaction costs, because actors have deep and enduring contact with and knowledge of each other and are able to make nuanced judgments about each other’s credibility and integrity (b) can make monitoring easier, because all parties know each other and actors with long-term, close, and overlapping personal ties can sanction each other and spread information more easily.

The empirically tested case study of South Korea is cited to illustrate a situation of cronyism-facilitated growth. Despite extensive crony capitalism in South Korea, corruption was constrained by mutual hostages between the business class and a coherent state. Both these actors benefi ted from the close relationship with the other, but neither gained the upper hand. Business and government elites needed each other and relied upon each other, and stability allowed for long-term investment resulting in growth.4

Conversely, the case study of Philippines is cited to illustrate how crony capitalism can cripple growth, as it can result in exorbitant transaction cost and low economic growth. In Philippines, the business groups competed with each other over the spoils of the state, with power shifting rapidly between groups. Both property rights and elites were not stable. Business was not able to organize itself and therefore, it had no coherent voice with which to press the government for consistent policies; and more signifi cantly, business devoted a lot of resources to competing among themselves for securing government favour.5

2 (b) A brief commentary on the liberal view

Some economists and commentators have sharply criticised the use of term crony capitalism in the arguments of the liberal approach, and they have interpreted it as a conceptual device for hiding the basic contradictions of the capitalist system. Moreover, some economists like Joseph Stiglitz and Paul Krugman and other commentators have attacked the apparent tendency of identifying the presence of crony capitalism only in non-American and non-European economies.

In an editorial comment, the Indian journal The Economic and Political Weekly has trenchantly criticised the hypocrisy and the blinkered agenda that are embedded in the explanations given by the liberal economists.6

The following are some of the aspects of the critical evaluation offered by the editorial comment in the journal:

• The journal observes that the term crony capitalism came to prominence in the late 1990s for explaining the Asian fi nancial crisis. The objective of the liberal economists was to ‘‘explain the economic crisis in terms which would not implicate capitalism as such.’’

• The journal remarks that the supporters of the free market economy were arguing that- ‘‘while

Keynesian School: It refers to a school of economic thought which is infl uenced by the work of British economist J M Keynes who believed that government intervention becomes necessary for correcting market imperfections.

Rent – Seeking : It refers to an activity in which an individual, organisation or fi rm seeks economic gain by using its resources to manipulate or exploit the existing economic or political structures, and not by creation of wealth or contributing to the economy.

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the market economy based on private property and profi t-seeking had led to the economic miracle of south-east Asia, the existence of cronies (friends and relatives) between business and government led to a breakdown of checks and balances . The invisible hand of the free market was shackled by cronyism which led to a lack of checks and balances ….and encouraged the growth of ineffi ciencies, through political patronage, resulting in the economic crisis.’’ Thus, the journal has analysed that the implicit objective of such argument was to defend the basic tenets of free market economy.

• It has observed that the recent global fi nancial and economic crisis which gathered momentum from New York (the centre of global capitalism) was not associated with crony capitalism, despite the fact that easy fl ow of personnel between business and government was evident and close relations between the business class and the politicians are endemic in the United States and other developed countries.

• The journal has also attacked the hypocrisy involved in the selective use of the term and insulating non-American and non-European market economies from any association with crony capitalism. It has observed that the recent global fi nancial and economic crisis which gathered momentum from New York (the centre of global capitalism) was not associated with crony capitalism, despite the fact that easy fl ow of personnel between business and government was evident and close relations between the business class and the politicians are endemic in the United States and other developed countries. The journal sarcastically comments : ‘ clearly, crony is an adjective to be used for the developing world .Or perhaps it carries a racial code where non- white societies , even if with a successful capitalism as Japan has, were tarred

with this disfi gurement to show-up their irrational side.’

Well known economists Joseph Stiglitz and Paul Krugman have also brought to fore the hypocrisy of the US government in lecturing the world on crony capitalism while promoting the entrenched structures of crony capitalism in the American economy. In some of their works, they have cited many examples to argue that US economic policy regarding various sectors – energy, defence, fi nance, etc., have been used to protect and promote the interests of the politicians and their cronies in big business corporations7.Krugman has also critically analysed manipulation of the environment policy in the US for favouring vested business interests.8

3 (a) Outlines of how the Marxist thought has responded to the state- capital relations and crony capitalismThe Marxist approach has tended to demolish the conceptual core of crony capitalism in a very holistic sense. Marx himself never considered crony capitalism as a distinct system deserving theoretical attention. The classical Marxism has viewed the modern state as a bourgeois(capitalist) institution and this view is cogently expressed in the Manifesto of the Communist Party , as Marx and Engels wrote : “The executive of the modern state is a committee for managing the common affairs of the whole bourgeoisie.’’ Though Marx gave indications of further developing his formulations on the state in his later work The 18th Brumaire of Louis Bonaparte , he never moved away from the essence of his argument which defi ned the modern state as a bourgeois institution.

Thus, in classical Marxism, it can be inferred that the concept of crony capitalism becomes irrelevant because it asserts that state itself has a capitalist character.

3(b) Some Later developments in the Marxist thought on the state- capital relations Some later strands in the Marxist approach

have sought to analyse the relation between the state and the capitalists in a different framework. The relative autonomy approach and the subsequent Poulantzas-Miliband debate on the nature of relative autonomy are relevant in this context. The relative autonomy theory conceded a limited degree of autonomy to the state but argued that such autonomy of the state is relative to the restrictions defi ned by the socio-economic structures within which the state exists and which the state functions to uphold.

Nicos Poulantzas considered the separation between the capitalist state and capitalist production as the basis of the relative autonomy, through which state serves the interests of the capitalists without making the capitalist class direct participants in the state apparatus, and in the process gains popular legitimacy. However, he argued that the objective place of the state in a capitalist society determines the capitalist character of the state, irrespective of who controls the state apparatus.

Ralph Miliband offered a different explanation of the capitalist nature of the state and he disagreed with the structural limits that Poulantzas had applied to the concept of state autonomy. Miliband’s simple assertion was that the capitalist nature of the state was determined by the pro-capitalist forces9 which control the state apparatus and not by the state’s objective place in a capitalist society. Thus, Miliband attributed greater degree of autonomy to the state. It could be inferred that he took notice of the possibility of shaping and reshaping of the class character of the state through class struggle.

It is relevant to note here that some Indian neo- Marxists, like Pranab Bardhan, have used the concept of state autonomy to analyse the Indian political economy. Pranab Bardhan argues that in certain historical cases, as in the case of India, the state is an autonomous actor and plays an important role in shaping and moulding the class power rather than being defi ned by the class power.10 Interestingly, some scholars , like Achin Vanaik, are of

Classical Marxism: The tradition of Marxist thought which is originally rooted in the writings of Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels, and precedes later developments in Marxism.

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the view that Pranab Bardhan’s approach is closer to Skocpol’s concept of potential autonomy than to the different concepts of relative autonomy found in the works of Poulantzas and Miliband.11

The Relative Autonomy of the State: It refers to a later development in Marxist theory of the state which concedes a limited degree of autonomy to the state from the capitalist economy which the state sustains. It argues that autonomy of the state is relative to the restrictions defi ned by the socio-economic structures within which the state exists and which the state functions to uphold.

The Potential Autonomy of the State: It refers to a concept developed by Skocpol who argued that the states had the potential for autonomy and ‘society centric’ studies had ignored such autonomy. She premised her argument on her observation that the state system and the economic system worked on the basis of different sets of principles and dynamics.

Tautology: It refers to a statement in which the same thing is said twice in different words, when it is unnecessary.

3 (c) Response of the Marxist institutional politics in India to crony capitalismThe institutional form of Marxist politics in India (the political parties which form the Indian left) has viewed crony capitalism as an integral part of capitalism, and hence, it has found the term obfuscating and contrived. Sitaram Yechury, Politburo member of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) has called crony capitalism ‘a tautology’. He has argued that capitalism inherently breeds cronyism, as he wrote in his recent newspaper column:

“Capital in its urge to maximise profi ts invariably seeks to bend, if not violate, all rules and regulations. The capitalist State puts in place certain rules and institutionalises regulators to ensure adherence to these rules in order to provide a level playing fi eld for the capitalists. However, given the fundamental nature of capitalism, where the big fi sh eat the small ones, these rules and regulations are pushed to the

limits of violation. Capitalism inherently breeds cronyism” .12

(4) (a) Disillusionment : Corruption and Cronyism in Post Liberalisation India

In India, the recent instances of corruption involving politicians , business entities, bureaucrats, lobbyists and a section of the media have brought the issue of crony capitalism in post liberalisation India to the centre of public discourse. Eminent journalist P Sainath has observed that these revelations are reinforcing what some people have believed (or rather suspected), for the last 20 years of economic reforms in India.13 Such evidence of the entrenched tentacles of crony capitalism and rampant corruption have led to disillusionment, because reducing corruption was one of the key promises made by the proponents of economic liberalisation in India.

It is apparent that the liberal policy regime in India has not kept its word on reducing corruption and ensuring transparency. Statistical study done by the international advocacy group Global Financial Integrity (GFI) , also shows a dismal state of affairs, as it has found that India has lost billions of dollars because of corruption, tax evasion and trade mispricing over past years( particularly in the post liberalisation period). For instance, the GFI report has noticed the upsurge in tax evasion and resultant transfer of illicit money abroad, as it observes : “68 per cent of India’s aggregate illicit capital loss occurred after India’s economic reforms in 1991, indicating that deregulation and trade liberalisation actually contributed to/accelerated the transfer of illicit money abroad.”

It could be inferred that the failure of economic liberalisation in bringing transparent governance stands exposed. Some commentators have observed that liberalisation has only given a different form to the state patronage for the favoured capitalists and corruption continues to thrive relentlessly, as economist C P Chandrasekhar has remarked:

“Advocates of liberalisation have always argued that by reducing state intervention and increasing transparency, economic reform will reduce corruption. The allegations of and evidence on large-scale corruption show this is not true. In fact, they make it clear that liberalisation does not mean that the state withdraws from intervention but merely that there is a change in the form of its intervention, which also enables the state to deliver illegitimate gains to individuals and private players.”14

4. (b) Some Perspectives on the nature of state – capital relations and the crony capitalism in Post Liberalisation IndiaSome commentators are of the opinion that in the post liberalisation period , cronyism has sprung from a race among private capitalists to manipulate the state and the public policy to suit their interests. But this is a two- way traffi c because the state functionaries are also demanding a share for acting as facilitators of private capital. As former bureaucrat S P Shukla has explained, the nature of corruption in the post liberalisation period has been defi ned by the entry of market interests into the functioning of the government to such an extent that ‘corporate houses have started deciding policies and price of government transactions.’15

Arguing that the liberal policy regime has tended to legitimise the conversion of state into a site for the primitive accumulation of capital, C P Chandrasekhar has identifi ed two ways in which the Indian state and the capital are forming a collusive pattern- (a) the state promotes private investment and helps it to grow in new areas and to expand its activities (b) those capitalists ,who draw benefi t from state support ,are asked to share the a part of the monetary returns that they receive with the decision-makers involved. 16

It has been noticed that crony capitalism also gets sustenance from the procedural aspects of transition to a liberal regime (the process of liberalising the economy), for instance,

Neo- Marxism: It is a term for referring to a number of new approaches that developed within contemporary Marxist thought (mostly in twentieth century) as some Marxist thinkers attempted to either extend or revise Marxism, by engaging with other intellectual traditions.

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the undervaluation of public assets and favouritism in disposing off public properties to the private players. Sitaram Yechury cites the example of dubious deals struck in disposing of public sector unit Balco and Centaur Hotel (Juhu, Mumbai) as part of the disinvestment policy of NDA government(1998-2004).17

Establishing a clear link between liberalisation and corruption, The Economic and Political Weekly has remarked in its editorial comment: “ Historical experience suggests that as India continues to liberalise controls on capital and privatise its resources , there will be a corresponding increase in corruption and a further growth in nexus between business and politics.’’ The strapline of the editorial tersely states: “Corruption and cronyism are integral to capitalism; they are not a curable deviation’’.18

Apart from the Indian capitalist class, globalisation and the arrival of foreign capital in the Indian market have also opened some new spheres of engagement between the Indian state and capital . Some scholars , like Aseema Sinha ,have noted that in the context of these new elements emerging in the relation between the politics-business interaction in India , a more systematic study is required.19

There have also been attempts to analyse the structural issues concerning crony capitalism from a different perspective. Eminent political scientist Pratap Bhanu Mehta has sought to explain crony capitalism in terms of the vulnerability and even surrender of the Indian capital to the power of Indian state. He has made following observations in this context:

(a) “The state still has inordinate power over capital. Business is vulnerable at the hands of the state at so many levels: at every moment it is taxed, licensed, stamped, assessed, audited, authorised, given permission. Liberalisation and reform have helped alter the structure of corruption in some sectors. But the blunt truth is that the state has such an extraordinary ability to convert even basic procedural rights into

discretionary entitlements.”

(b) “One larger consequence of this is how timid Indian capital still is in relation to the state. The horror is not whether a particular industrialist was lobbying for a particular minister; the deeper horror is how the private sector is still so vulnerable, at every level, to the state.”

(c) “The picture that has emerged is not one of capital buying out the state, it is still one of capital in an abject state of dependence, where their very life depends upon getting politics right.”

Conclusion

The different perspectives on the structural and systemic aspects of crony capitalism and public corruption should not ignore the crucial subtext : corruption is an issue of moral reasoning. In the fi nal analysis, the greed and pull of materialist gratifi cation, that is driving the murky side of the capital-state relations, have to be made accountable to the individual value system and moral fi bre of the society. The issues of governance, public policy, legislation and basic contradictions of the political economy are also premised on larger questions of public morality, probity, welfare and egalitarian values. But to fi nally use a cliché, you cannot legislate for virtue.

References 1. David C.Kang, Transaction Cost

and Crony Capitalism in East Asia, Comparative Politics, Vol.No-4 , July 2003

2. Oliver E. Williamson, The Economic Institutions of Capitalism, The Free Press, New York, 1985; Barry Weingast, ‘Constitutions as Governance Structures: The Political Foundations of Secure Markets’, Journal of Institutional and Theoretical Economics, March 1993

3. Paul Krugman, ‘What Happened to Asia?’,Manuscript, Massachusetts Institute ofTechnology, 1998

4. Kunio Yoshihara, ‘The Rise of Ersatz Capitalism in South-East Asia’ ,Oxford University Press, Kuala Lumpur ,1988 cited in E T Gomez and K S Jomo,Malaysia’sPoliticalEconomy:Politic

s, Patronage and Profi ts, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, 2nd edition, 1999

5. Karl Fields, ‘Strong States and Business Organization in Korea and Taiwan,’ in Sylvia Maxfi eld and Ben Ross Schneider (edited), Business and the State in Developing Countries, Cornell University Press, Ithaca , 1997

6. Editorial comment ‘Capitalism, Cronyism, Corruption’, The Economic and Political Weekly, December 25, 2010

7. J Stiglitz, ‘The Roaring Nineties: Seeds of Destruction, Allen Lane, 2003

8. P Krugman, The Great Unravelling: From Boom To Bust in Three Scandalous Years, Penguin, 2003

9. Bob Jessop, ‘Poulantzas, Nicos’ in Tom Bottomore, Laurence Harris, V G Kiernan and Ralph Miliband ( edited) A Dictionary of Marxist Thought, Blackwell , 1983

10. Pranab Bardhan, The Political Economy of Development in India, Oxford University Press, Delhi, 1984

11. Achin Vanaik ,‘The Social Character of the Indian State’ in Zoya Hasan (edited)‘ Politics and the State in India’, Sage Publications, Delhi, 2000

12. Sitaram Yechury, ‘ It’s pay back time’, The Hindustan Times, 22 November 2010

13. P Sainath, ‘The republic on a banana peel’, The Hindu, 3 December, 2010

14. C P Chandrasekhar, ‘Capital Gains’, Frontline, 17 December, 2010

15. Venkitesh Ramakrishnan, ‘Tainted System’, Frontline, 17 December 2010

16. C P Chandrasekhar, op.cit.

17. Sitaram Yechury, op.cit.

18. The Editorial comment in The Economic and Political Weekly, op.cit.

19. Aseema Sinha, ‘Business and Politics’ in Niraja Gopal Jayal and Pratap Bhanu Mehta (edited), The Oxford Companion to Politics in India, Oxford University Press, Delhi, 2010

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Mosaic Vol.1 Issue1 October 2011

Indian Cinema

A fi lm, also called a movie or motion picture, is a series of still or moving images. It is produced by recording photographic images with cameras, or by creating images using animation techniques or visual effects. The process of fi lmmaking has developed into an art form and industry. The history of fi lm spans over 100 years, from the latter part of the 19th century to the present day. Motion pictures developed gradually from a carnival novelty to one of the most important tools of communication and entertainment, and mass media in the 20th century and into the 21st century.

Pre-cinema ageTelling stories from the epics using hand-drawn tableaux images in scroll paintings, with accompanying live sounds have been an age old Indian tradition. These tales, mostly the familiar stories of gods and goddesses, are revealed slowly through choreographic movements of painted glass slides in a lantern, which create illusions of movements. And so when the Lumire brothers’ representatives held the fi rst public showing at Mumbai’s (Bombay) Watson’s Hotel on July 7, 1896, the new phenomenon did not create much of a stir here and no one in the audience ran out at the image of the train speeding towards them, as it did elsewhere. The Indian viewer took the new experience as something already familiar to him.

Harischandra Sakharam Bhatwadekar, who happened to be present for the Lumiere presentation, was keen on getting hold of the Lumiere Cinematograph and trying it out himself rather than show the Lumiere fi lms to a wider audience. The public reception accorded to Wrangler Paranjpye at Chowapatty on his return from England with the coveted distinction he got at Cambridge was covered by Bhatwadekar in December 1901- the fi rst Indian topical or actuality fi lm was born. The

fi rst short fi lms in India were directed by Hiralal Sen, starting with The Flower of Persia (1898). The fi rst full-length motion picture in India was produced by Dadasaheb Phalke, a scholar on Indian languages and culture, who brought together elements from Sanskrit epics to produce his Raja Harishchandra.

Dada Saheb PhalkeDhundiraj Govind Phalke (1870 - 1944) affectionately called Dadasaheb Phalke is considered as the ‘father of Indian Cinema’. Central in Phalke’s career as a fi lmmaker was his fervent belief in the nationalistic philosophy of swadeshi, which advocated that Indians should take charge of their own economy in the perspective of future Independence.

Phalke, with his imported camera, exposed single frames of a seed sprouting to a growing plant, shot once a day, over a month-thus inadvertently introducing the concept of ‘time-lapse photography’, which resulted in the fi rst indigenous ‘instructional fi lm’- The Birth of a Pea Plant (1912) - a capsule history of the growth of a pea into a pea-laden plant. This fi lm came very handy in getting fi nancial backing for his fi rst fi lm venture.

Inspired from an imported fi lm - Life of Christ - Phalke started mentally visualising the images of Indian gods and goddesses. What really obsessed him was the desire to see Indian images on the screen in a purely Swadeshi venture. He fi xed up a studio in Dadar Main Road, wrote the scenario, erected the set and started shooting for his fi rst venture Raja Harishchandra in 1912. The fi rst full-length story fi lm of Phalke was completed in 1912 and released at the Coronation cinema on April 21, 1913, for special invitees and members of the Press. The fi lm was widely acclaimed by one and all and proved to be a great success.

Regional CinemaThe fi rst fi lm in Southern India was

made in 1916 by R Nataraja Mudaliar- Keechaka Vadham. As the title indicates the subject is again a mythological from the Mahabharata. Another fi lm made in Madras - Valli Thiru-Manam (1921) by Whittaker drew critical acclaim and box offi ce success. Hollywood returned Ananthanarayanan Narayanan founded General Pictures Corporation in 1929 and established fi lmmaking as an industry in South India and became the single largest producer of silent fi lms. Kolhapur in Western Maharashtra was another centre of active fi lm production in the twenties. In 1919 Baburao K Mistry - popularly known as Baburao Painter formed the Maharashtra Film Co. with the blessings of the Maharaja of Kolhapur and released the fi rst signifi cant historical - Sairandhari (1920) with Balasheb Pawar, Kamala Devi and Zunzarrao Pawar in stellar roles. Because of his special interest in sets, costumes, design and painting, he chose episodes from Maratha history for interpreting in the new medium and specialised in the historical genre. The exploits of Shivaji and his contemporaries and their patriotic encounters with their opponents formed the recurring themes of his ‘historicals’ which invariably had a contemporary relevance to the people of a nation, who were fi ghting for liberation from a colonial oppressor. The attack against the false values associated with the Western way of life and their blind imitation by some Indians was humorously brought out by Dhiren Ganguly in his brilliant satirical comedy - England Returned (1921) - presumably the fi rst ‘social satire’ on Indians obsessed with Western values. And with that another genre of Indian cinema known as ‘the contemporary social’ slowly emerged. Baburao Painter followed it up with another signifi cant fi lm in 1925 - Savkari Pash (The Indian Shylock) - an attempt at realistic treatment of the Indian peasant exploited by the greedy moneylender.

MOSAIC...

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In Bengal, a region rich in culture and intellectual activity, the fi rst Bengali feature fi lm in 1917, was remake of Phalke’s Raja Harishchandra. Titled Satyawadi Raja Harishchandra, it was directed by Rustomjee Dotiwala. Less prolifi c than Bombay based fi lm industry, around122 feature fi lms were made in Calcutta in the Silent Era. The fi rst feature fi lm in Tamil, also the fi rst in entire South India, Keechakavatham was made during 1916-17, directed by Nataraja Mudaliar.

Cinema in IndiaThe fi rst Indian chain of cinema theaters was owned by the Calcutta entrepreneur Jamshedji Framji Madan, who oversaw production of 10 fi lms annually and distributed them throughout the Indian subcontinent. During the early twentieth century cinema as a medium gained popularity across India’s population and its many economic sections. Tickets were made affordable to the common man at a low price and for the fi nancially capable additional comforts meant additional admission ticket price. Audiences thronged to cinema halls as this affordable medium of entertainment was available for as low as an anna (4 paisa) in Bombay. The content of Indian commercial cinema was increasingly tailored to appeal to these masses. Young Indian producers began to incorporate elements of India’s social life and culture into cinema. Others brought with them ideas from across the world. This was also the time when global audiences and markets became aware of India’s fi lm industry.

After Indian independence the cinema of India was inquired by the S.K. Patil Commission. S.K. Patil, head of the commission, viewed cinema in India as a ‘combination of art, industry, and showmanship’ while noting its commercial value. Patil further recommended setting up of a Film Finance Corporation under the Ministry of Finance. This advice was later taken up in 1960 and the institution came into being to provide fi nancial support to talented fi lmmakers throughout India. The Indian government had established a Films Division by 1949 which eventually

became one of the largest documentary fi lm producers in the world with an annual production of over 200 short documentaries, each released in 18 languages with 9000 prints for permanent fi lm theaters across the country.

Today, the technology of fi lm-making in India is perhaps the best among all developing countries though the fi lms themselves remain mostly repetitive in storyline and content. Superior movies, in thematic and creative terms, are made in many developing countries with less sophisticated technologies.

According to unoffi cial estimates available in January 2010, the Indian fi lm industry has an annual turnover of Rs. 300 billion (approximately US$6.8 billion) including Music Industry. It employs more than 8 million people, most of whom are contract workers as opposed to regular employees. The above statistics cannot however be used to calculate the movie industry’s share in the GDP or employment generation. This is because a vast proportion of the turnover takes place outside the legal economy.

Though India’s overall entertainment industry is taking on professional colours (with the rise of TV production companies), India’s movie industry per se remains highly informal, personality-oriented and family-dominated. Until the late 1990s, it was not even recognised as an industry. Even though it has since been recognised as an industry, banks and other fi nancial institutions continue to avoid the industry due to the enormous risks involved in the business. Two banks, Canara Bank and Indian Bank, have reportedly lost heavily by fi nancing fi lms.

However, the prospects of bank fi nancing and risk insurance are becoming brighter. The provision of 100% foreign direct investment has made the Indian fi lm market attractive for foreign enterprises such as 20th Century Fox, Sony Pictures, Walt Disney Pictures and Warner Bros. As a result Indian fi lm industry is fast turning professional and it adds to India’s tremendous soft power.

Cinema today is considered as one of most important Indian export to the world.

At the end of 2010 it was reported that in terms of annual fi lm output, India ranks fi rst, followed by Hollywood and China. Enhanced technology paved the way for upgrading from established cinematic norms of delivering product, altering the manner in which content reached the target audience, as per regional tastes. Indian cinema found markets in over 90 countries where fi lms from India are screened

Modern Indian cinemaSome fi lmmakers such as Shyam Benegal continued to produce realistic Parallel Cinema throughout the 1970s, alongside Satyajit Ray, Ritwik Ghatak, Mrinal Sen in Bengali cinema; Adoor Gopalakrishnan and G. Aravindan in Malayalam cinema; and Ketan Mehta, Govind Nihalani and Vijaya Mehta in Hindi cinema. The 1970s did, nevertheless, see the rise of commercial cinema in form of enduring fi lms such as Sholay, Deewar (1975), the devotional classic Jai Santoshi Ma was also released in 1975. Long after the Golden Age of Indian cinema, South India’s Malayalam cinema of Kerala experienced its own ‘Golden Age’ in the 1980s and early 1990s. Some of the most acclaimed Indian fi lmmakers at the time were from the Malayalam industry, including Adoor Gopalakrishnan, G. Aravindan, T. V. Chandran and Shaji N. Karun. Adoor Gopalakrishnan, who is often considered to be Satyajit Ray’s spiritual heir, directed some of his most acclaimed fi lms during this period, including Elippathayam(1981) which won the Sutherland Trophy at the London Film Festival, as well as Mathilukal (1989) which won major prizes at the Venice Film Festival. Commercial Hindi cinema further grew throughout the 1980s and the 1990s with the release of fi lms such as Ek Duuje Ke Liye (1981)Mr India (1987), Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak (1988), Baazigar (1993), Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge.

In the late 1990s, ‘Parallel Cinema’ began experiencing a resurgence in Hindi cinema, largely due to the critical and

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commercial success ofSatya (1998), a low-budget fi lm based on the Mumbai underworld, directed by Ram Gopal Varma and written by Anurag Kashyap. The fi lm’s success led to the emergence of a distinct genre known as Mumbai noir , urban fi lms refl ecting social problems in the city of Mumbai. Later fi lms belonging to the Mumbai noir genre include Madhur Bhandarkar’s Chandni Bar (2001) and Traffi c Signal (2007), Ram Gopal Varma’sCompany (2002) and its prequel D (2005), Anurag Kashyap’s Black Friday (2004), Irfan Kamal’s Thanks Maa (2009), and Deva Katta’sPrasthanam (2010).

Infl uencesThere have generally been six major infl uences that have shaped the conventions of Indian popular cinema. The fi rst was the ancient Indian epicsof Mahabharata and Ramayana which have exerted a profound infl uence on the thought and imagination of Indian popular cinema, particularly in its narratives. The second infl uence was the impact of ancient Sanskrit drama, with its highly stylized nature and emphasis on spectacle, where music, dance and gesture combined “to create a vibrant artistic unit with dance and mime being central to the dramatic experience.”

The third infl uence was the traditional folk theatre of India, which became popular from around the 10th century with the decline of Sanskrit theatre. The fourth infl uence was Parsi theatre, which “blended realism and fantasy, music and dance, narrative and spectacle, earthy dialogue and ingenuity of stage presentation, integrating them into a dramatic discourse of melodrama.

The fi fth infl uence was Hollywood, where musicals were popular from the 1920s to the 1950s, though Indian fi lmmakers departed from their Hollywood

counterparts in several ways. “For example, the Hollywood musicals had as their plot the world of entertainment itself. Indian fi lmmakers, while enhancing the elements of fantasy so pervasive in Indian popular fi lms, used song and music as a natural mode of articulation in a given situation in their fi lms.

The sixth infl uence was European cinema: Indian Parallel Cinema was also infl uenced by European cinema (particularly Italian neorealism and French poetic realism) rather than Hollywood

Cinema and CultureCinema, popular or parallel, a visual art of story–telling with rich inputs of music, screenplay, cast and script, mirrors the contemporary society in which it functions. From emotional dramas to candy-fl oss romances to action-thrillers, cinema derives its sustenance, ideas and imaginations from its surroundings. The images cinema creates, surreal or tangled wave of deceit, need to be in sync with societal aspirations and basic urge of humanity to recreate and have fun and entertainment. In its long journey of more than a century, cinema has transformed itself from being a taboo and absolute no-no to a virtual way of life.

In India, popular cinema is that which addresses an audience whose concerns and anxieties are understood by the fi lm-maker. If you follow successful fi lms over a period of time, there is some kind of natural Darwinian selection which ensures that only those fi lms that successfully address the concerns of the public at a subliminal level are hits. By studying these popular, successful fi lms, one can understand how the audience addresses its own self in some way. Film-makers are only tools in this exercise of movie-

making, and they cannot even articulate sometimes why they make successful fi lms.

From Dadasaheb Phalke to Farhan Akhtar, every decade of Bollywood has refl ected various hues and aspects of real life on reels of cinema. When Dadasaheb integrated centuries old mythological narratives with emerging medium of cinema in forms of fi lms like Raja Harishchandra and Kaliya-Mardan, it was instantly lapped up by audience and showed spiritual bent of mind of society of those times. Ashok Kumar starred Kismet, released during Quit India Movement, was a cinematic rendition of resistance against imperialistic British by Indians.

Post independence Nehruvian socialist era was time of Guru Dutts, Satyajit Rays and Bimal Roys, ruthless perfectionists, who vividly captured the growing pains of infant democracy and universality of human emotions in their fi lms. During the time of 70s and 80s, with fi lms like Ankur, Manthan etc, art cinema fi nally came of age and showcased common man’s struggle with the system and striving for basics of life. Post 90s, when Indian society woke up to globalisation and liberalisation, new-age cinema makers too broke traditional Bollywood ’s defi nitive cinematic boundaries.

Thus we see that Films are cultural artifacts created by specifi c cultures, which refl ect those cultures, and, in turn, affect them. Film is considered to be an important art form, a source of popular entertainment and a powerful method for educating – or indoctrinating – citizens. The visual elements of cinema give motion pictures a universal power of communication.

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Expert AdviceHobby is taken as a cliché term by the students, a struck part; but is it so? Certainly not. Hobbies are the mirror to your unexplored, unsaid character. So, this aspect is like manna for the interviewer enabling them to cut through the outer veils of your personality and to discover the depths.

Questions about your hobby are actually the most enjoyable part of the whole process. I know and can tell it with certainty how I used to get amazed at the way those learned people tried to ‘unravel’ me.

It is also true that questions about your hobby are the deciding factor, so to speak pragmatically, of the whole interview.

Truth and only truth is expected out from you, which means that ‘manufacturing’ hobbies while you fi ll the form for mains exam, so, that easy questions come up, can prove quite fatal. Just explore the deepest part of you and what you do the best. Ask what makes you even oblivious of spatio-temporal limitations and what you get as answer, is your hobby. It can be anything. Write that word and come out successful.

CinemaMoving picture is the best way through which humans has ever come closer in recreating reality. Most of us, in fact all of us cannot forget the nights when we traded our sleep with the Amitabh starrer and yes, felt grumpy in the morning.

Cinema is an art where science collaborates with our human vision limitation to create an aura of its own world- ‘avataar’ to speak in today’s lingo.

‘Watching fi lms’ as a hobby is the most ordinary and general personality trait that anyone can have. However, a creative approach can make this ordinary trait quite ‘extraordinary’. An inherent inquisitiveness must be developed so that when someone gets to know (or reads in the form) that cinema is your hobby, then one must be able to truly justify that.

Knowing, some “initials” of your hobby (mostly of academic value and that, which justify your inquisitiveness) is ‘a-must’. For eg. Cinema came in, as a machine patented in the United States that showed animated pictures or movies with a device called the “wheel of life” or “zoopraxiscope”. Patented in 1867 by William Lincoln, moving drawings or photographs were watched through a slit in the zoopraxiscope. However, this was a far cry from motion pictures as we know them today. Modern motion picture making began with the invention of the motion picture camera.

The Frenchman Louis Lumiere is often credited with inventing the fi rst motion picture camera in 1895. But in reality, several others had made similar inventions around the same time as Lumiere. What Lumiere invented was a portable motion-picture camera, fi lm processing unit and projector called the Cinematographe, three functions covered in one invention (such specifi cities might not be so important but they do boost your confi dence.)

Apart from this, you must also know the journey of cinema in India (Indian connection or angle should be explored in details in any hobby). Some of the most common names like Dhundiraj Govind aka Dada Saheb Phalke must be known to you ‘inside out’; so, that you carry that whiff of confi dence with the interviewer.

In any fraternity there are many ‘fi rsts’ attached to it. Cinema is no different, so, you should also know things like, the fi rst moving picture made in India, to give you an example. There could be many ‘fi rsts’ of this type; all this is nothing for a person who truly relishes cinema. Besides all this factual information, with a hobby like cinema, other things like- cinema’s social and cultural impact and relevance, its various genres, various commissions, boards, your preferences and its reasons etc becomes quite signifi cant. Reading all this about something you like to do becomes quite an interesting journey in itself.

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Vol.1 Issue1 October 2011Know it all

KNOW IT ALL...

SPORTS

CRICKET

• India’s worst defeat in England since 1959: India’s horror run in the Test series against England came to a tame end at The Oval as England completed a 4-0 whitewash by taking seven wickets in the post-Lunch session on day fi ve to beat the visitors by an innings and eight runs. The Indian cricket side’s performance in England this summer ranks as their worst in England after the 5-0 whitewash in 1959 - which included three innings defeats and others by 171 runs and eight wickets.

• Rahul Dravid: Indian batsman Rahul Dravid has hit his 35th Test century surpassing Sunil Gavaskar’s mark of 34 hundreds. He is now the fourth batsman in the world having most Test centuries after Sachin Tendulkar (51), Jacques Kallis (40) and Ricky Ponting (39). Dravid achieve this feat during the fi rst innings of the fourth Test between India and England at Oval.

• Tendulkar and Zaheer Khan in ICC Test Team of the Year: Indian cricketers Sachin Tendulkar and Zaheer Khan earned a place in the ICC Test Team of the Year, chosen by a specially appointed selection panel headed by West Indian legend Clive Lloyd. ICC Test Team of the Year: Alastair Cook (Eng), Hashim Amla (SA), Jonathan Trott (Eng), Sachin Tendulkar (Ind), K. Sangakkara (SL, wicketkeeper/captain), A.B. de Villiers (SA), Jacques Kallis (SA), Stuart Broad (Eng), Graeme Swann (Eng), Dale Steyn (SA), James Anderson (Eng). 12th man: Zaheer Khan (Ind). Tendulkar made the side for the third year in a row, having appeared in the ICC World Test Team of the Year in 2009 and 2010.

• Dhoni got Spirit of Cricket Award & Trott is cricketer of the year: The Indian skipper M.S. Dhoni won the ‘Spirit of Cricket Award’ at the annual International Cricket Council (ICC) awards function in London. Jonathan Trott, the England batsman, has been named the Cricketer of the Year for 2011, the ICC’s top accolade. He received the Sir Garfi eld Sobers trophy at the annual ceremony in London, after his team-mate Alastair Cook had won the Test Cricketer of the Year award. Also De Montfort University in Leicester has conferred an honorary degree of Doctor of Law on MS Dhoni.

• Four more inducted into Hall of Fame: The International Cricket Council (ICC) announced its latest inductees into its Hall of Fame. Alan Davidson, Belinda Clark, Curtly Ambrose and the late Frederick Spofforth joined the earlier list of 64, fi nalised over the years.

The ICC Cricket Hall of Fame “recognises the achievements of the legends of the game from cricket’s long and illustrious history”. It was launched by the International Cricket Council (ICC) on 2 January 2009, in association with the Federation of International Cricketers’ Associations (FICA), as part of the ICC’s centenary celebrations. The initial inductees were the 55 players included in the FICA Hall of Fame which ran from 1999 to 2003, but further members are added each year during the ICC Awards ceremony.

• David Boon: David Boon will make his debut as a member of the Emirates Elite Panel of ICC match referees when he will offi ciate in the series between Zimbabwe and Pakistan starting on September 1 in Bulawayo. Boon, who played 107 Tests and 181 ODIs for Australia replaced compatriot Alan

Hurst, who retired on July 9 after the fi fth and last ODI between England and Sri Lanka in Manchester, in the elite panel after joining the panel in April 2004.

• Lasith Malinga: Lasith Malinga grabbed a record third hat-trick in the fi fth and fi nal ODI against Australia in Colombo. The paceman dismissed Mitchell Johnson, John Hasings and Xavier Doherty in his eighth over to become the fi rst bowler to take three hat-tricks in one-dayers.

• Museum in UK County honours former Indian cricketer Ranji: Authorities in England’s Hove city dedicated a portion of the Sussex Cricket Museum in the memory of late cricketer, K. S. Ranjit Singh Ji. This section of the museum was inaugurated by acting Indian High Commissioner to U.K., Rajesh Prasad. Ranjit Singh was an Indian prince and a test cricketer who played for the English cricket team and county cricket for Sussex. He has been credited for bringing an unconventional technique of batting backed with fast reactions; he brought a new style to batting that revolutionised the game.

• Ponting celebrated 100 Test wins: Ricky Ponting became the fi rst cricketer to play in 100 Test wins after Australia defeated Sri Lanka by 125 runs in the fi rst Test in Galle.The former skipper was already Test cricket’s most successful captain with 48 wins.

FOOTBALL

• FIFA has banned Syrian national football team from the 2014, World Cup qualifi ers for fi elding an ineligible player.

• Brazil has lifted the Under-20 Soccer World Cup defeating Portugal by 3-2 in the Colombian capital of Bogota.

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Know it all Vol.1 Issue1 October 2011

Brazilian player Oscar scored hat-trick goals in the match. The match was sent to extra-time after the full-time saw the deadlocked at 2-2. With this win Brazil won the U-20 World Cup for the fi fth time. Earlier Mexico has beaten France 3-1 in the third-place play-off.

• Bhaichung Bhutia: Bhaichung Bhutia, the only Indian footballer to play more than 100 international matches, has announced his retirement after serving the country for 16 years. The 34-year-old soccer player is better known as the “Sikkimese Sniper” for his extraordinary shooting skills. During his international career spanning across 1995-2011 he played 110 matches and scored 43 goals. He was born on 15 December, 1976 at Tinkitam in Sikkim. He made his debut in 1995 in Santosh Trophy under captainship of Tanumoy Bose. His fi nal appearance came in January this year in the Asian Cup contest against South Korea in Doha. Bhutia was a much decorated player. The Padma Shri in 2008 followed the Arjuna Award in 1998. He was the AIFF player of the year twice in 1995 and 2008. He also won the Golden Boot in the National League (1996-97), Federation Cup (1995, 1996, and 2006), LG ASEAN Cup (2003) and the Calcutta League (1994). He played for football clubs like East Bengal, JCT Mills and Mohun Bagan.

• Lionel Messi has won the inaugural UEFA Best Player in Europe award for the 2010-11 season. Messi beat his Barcelona teammate Xavi Hernandez and Cristiano Ronaldo of Real Madrid in a poll of journalists from across Europe. Messi scored 53 goals, as he and xavi led Barcelona to the Champions League and Spanish titles.

• Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata hosted the FIFA international friendly between Argentina and Venezuala on September 2. In this match, Argentina was defeated by a solitary goal.

TENNIS

• Cincinnati Masters Title: In men’s single event, World No.4

England’s Andy Murray has won the ATP’s Cincinnati Masters title for the second time as World No. 1 Serbia’s Novak Djokovic retired injured while trailing 6-4, 3-0. Djokovic conceded just his second defeat of the season against 57 victories.

Fourth-seeded Russian Maria Sharapova won the women’s single title prevailing over Serbia’s Jelena Jankovic by 4-6, 7-6(3), 6-3.

In the doubles fi nal, Indian pair of Leander Paes and Mahesh Bhupati won their third title of the season and fi rst at Cincinnati after 10 years, following a hard fought win over Michael Llodra and Nenad Zimonjic. This is the third title of the season for the ‘Indian Express’ as they had triumphed at the Sony Ericsson Open and Chennai Open.

• US Open The US Open, formally the United

States Open Tennis Championships, is a hard court tennis tournament which is the modern iteration of one of the oldest tennis championships in the world, the U.S. National Championship, which for men’s singles was fi rst contested in 1881. Since 1987, the US Open has been chronologically the fourth and fi nal tennis major comprising the Grand Slam each year; the other three are the Australian Open, French Open and Wimbledon. The main tournament consists of fi ve different event championships: men’s and women’s singles, men’s and women’s doubles, and mixed doubles, with additional tournaments for senior, junior, and wheelchair players. Since 1978, the tournament has been played on acrylic hard courts at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center at Flushing Meadows-Corona Park in Queens, New York City.

The US Open has tie breaks in every set, including the last set. The other

three Grand Slam tournaments have tie breaks in every set other than the last set (i.e. the fi fth set for men and third set for women), and therefore their last set continues indefi nitely until a two-game lead is reached.

List of 2011 US Open Winners

Men’s Singles: Novak Djokovic won his sixth consecutive tournament fi nal match over second ranked Rafael Nadal, the defending champion. Djokovic overcame a stern fi ve set test from third seed Roger Federer in the semifi nals and defeated Nadal 6-2, 6-3, 6-7 (3), 6-1 in a rousing fi nal. The win marks Djokovic’s 3rd Grand Slam of the Year.

Women’s Singles: Samantha Stosur staked claim to her fi rst Grand Slam Title in a stunning upset of bookmaker and media favorite Serena Williams. After a string of upsets in the bottom half of the draw Stosur, the ninth seed, served and played perfectly against the stronger Williams and denied the American her 14th Grand Slam. The 6-2, 6-3 fi nal was a convincing victory, featuring another Serena controversy at the US Open.

Men’s Doubles: Austrian Jurgen Melzer and German Phillip Petzchner downed Poland’s Mariusz Frystenberg and Marcin Matkowski 6-2, 6-2 to complete an upset prone draw. The heavily favored Mayer brothers were bounced in the fi rst round. Melzer and Petzchner were the ninth seeds.

Mix Doubles: Melanie Oudin & Jack Sock (USA) defeated Gisela Dulko & Eduardo Schwank (ARG) by 7-6, 4-6, 1-0

Women’s doubles: Liezel Huber (USA) and Lisa Raymond (USA) defeated Vania King (USA) and Yaroslava Shvedova (KAZ) by 4-6, 7-6, 7-6.

Boys’ Singles: Great Britain’s 13th seed Oliver Golding downed top seed Jiri Vesely. 2011 has been a strong season for UK juniors on the male and female side. Golding showed sound ground strokes and a determined will to win in coming back after dropping the fi rst set.

Girls’ Singles: Grace Min gutted out a tense upset of France’s top seed Caroline Garcia. The unseeded Min marched

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through the lower bracket to notch a series of upsets before putting away the popular Garcia, who gives France another solid female prospect.

HOCKEY

• India beat Pakistan, takes trophy in inaugural Asian Champions Hockey Tournament

India defeated Pakistan 4-2 in the penalty shootout in a nerve-wrecking fi nal to clinch the inaugural Asian Champions Trophy hockey tournament in Ordos (China). Indian goalkeeper S Sreejes was the star for India as he saved twice in the shoot-out to ensure India won the Trophy in september 2011. Rajpal Singh, Danish Mujtaba, Yuvraj Walmiki and Sarvanjit Singh scored for India in the penalty shootout while Muhammad Rizwan and Waseem Ahmed sounded the board for Pakistan after both the sides were locked goalless in the regular and extra time.

• Two-year bans for Sardara, Sandeep: Sardara Singh and Sandeep Singh have been handed two-year bans from international hockey on disciplinary grounds. The two, members of the Indian team to play in the Asian Champions Trophy, had left the training camp in Bangalore recently without permission. The team was scheduled to leave for China on 28th August. Sardara and Sandeep had fi rst made themselves unavailable for the Azlan Shah tournament by opting to play in the Belgium league. Then they left the camp to attend an event organized by the Indian Hockey Federation (IHF) in Mumbai. This was the fi nal act that landed the two key players in a tough spot. Sardara and Sandeep, according to Batra, would not be allowed to take part in any Hockey India-organised tournament. They, however, were free to play in any hockey league overseas and in the World Series Hockey to be held late this year.

OTHER SPORTS

• New records in World athletics championship, 2011

An eight-member Indian team have participated in the World athletics championships, held in Daegu, Korea, from August 27 to September 4. In this meet Jamaica’s Yohan Blake won the World championships 100m fi nal after red hot favorite and defending champion Usain Bolt was sensationally disqualifi ed after a false start and Oscar Pistorius’ history-making participation at the world championships is at an end after the South African double amputee failed to make the 4x400m relay team for fi nal. The controversial ‘Blade Runner’, who runs with carbon fi bre prosthetic running blades and was the fi rst amputee to compete at the worlds, fi nished last in his semifi nal heat in the individual 400m. But Bolt has got his chance in 200m sprint. The 25-year-old Jamaican defending champion and World record-holder crushed the fi eld in the 200m, winning in the fourth fastest time ever run — 19.40 seconds at the world championships in Daegu. And he also brought the World athletics championships to a thrilling climax as his Jamaican team smashed the 4x100m relay World record in Daegu. It was Bolt’s second gold of the World championships after winning the 200m crown.

• Deepika wins gold

India’s Deepika Kumari has won the junior recurve individual women’s gold medal getting the better of South Korean top seed Kim Minjung 6-2 in the fi nal at Legnica in Poland. This is for the fi rst time an Indian archer is winning a back-to-back world title. Deepika, 17, had won the cadet recurve individual crown in 2009 at Ogden (US). The Tata Archery Academy cadet had won the 19th Commonwealth Games women’s recurve individual event last year for her fi rst individual gold medal in the senior section.

• India wins title

The Indian senior team has won the President’s Cup international volleyball tournament, beating Tunisia in the fi nal held at Almaty, Kazhakstan.

• Narang receives Khel Ratna award

Ace shooter Gagan Narang has received the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna award from the President Pratibha Patil, at the Rashtrapati Bhawan. Narang had also been bestowed with the honour of Padma Shri.

This year number of Arjuna awards was increased to 19. This includes Virdhawal Khade (swimming), Suranjoy Singh (Boxing), Preeja Sreedharan (Athletics), Tejaswini Sawant (shooting), Rajpal Singh (Hockey), Sunil Chhetri (Football), Rahul Banerjee (archery), G. Jwala (badminton), Rakesh Kumar and Tejeswini Bai (kabaddi), Sanjay Kumar (volleyball), Ravinder Singh (wrestling), K. Ravikumar (weightlifting), Sandhyarani Devi (wushu), Prasanta Karmakar (paralympics) Somdev Devvarman (Tennis), Vikas Gowda (athletics), Ashish Kumar (gymnastics) and Zaheer Khan (cricket).

Coaches Kuntal Kumar Roy (athletics), I. Venkateshwara Rao (boxing), Devender Kumar Rathore (gymnastics), Rajinder Singh Jr. (hockey) and Ram Phal (wrestling) received the Dronacharya award. Shabbir Ali (football), Sushil Kohli (swimming) and Raj Kumar (wrestling) were presented the Dhyan Chand award. Reena Kaushal, Mamta Sodha, Dilip Donde and Balwant Singh Sandhu (posthumous) were presented the Tenzing Norgay national adventure award. The Petroleum Sports Promotion Board was presented the ‘Rashtriya Khel Protsahan Puraskar’.

Quite notably the Maulana Abul Kalam Azad trophy, given to the best University for its sports achievements in an academic year, was not presented for the fi rst time in 54 years since its inception, as the Association of Indian

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Universities (AIU) had reportedly failed to fi nalize the winner.

• Indian wrestlers win nine medals

Indian wrestlers won nine medals, including gold, in the World cadet wrestling championships at Szombathely, Hungary. India bagged six medals in freestyle and three in women’s section. However, the Greco Roman wrestlers returned empty-handed.

The medallists: Freestyle: Gold: Ashish (58kg). Silver: Bajrang Singh (54kg), Dinesh Kumar (69kg). Bronze: Mangal Kadyan (42kg), Devi Singh (50kg), Praveen (63kg). Women: Silver: Pooja Dhanda (56kg). Bronze: Ritu (46kg), Lalita (52kg)

• Madhumita Bisht

Former national champion Madhumita Bisht will be the new Indian badminton coach for the upcoming China Master’s Super Series (13-18 September). She will act as coach in the place of chief national coach Pullela Gopichand, who will not accompany her to China.

• India won team medal at Nomura Cup after 18 years

A brilliant performance by teenager Khalin Joshi helped the Indian golf team to end an 18-year long medal drought with a bronze in the team championships of the Asia-Pacifi c Golf championships for Nomura Cup at Denarau, Fiji. Australia won the Nomura Cup for a record ninth time.

• Krishna Poonia won discus title

Commonwealth Games gold medalist Krishna Poonia won the discus title in the Portland annual athletics meet in Portland, U.S., with a season best 58.88 metres. She had registered her previous season best of 56.23m while fi nishing fourth in the Asian championships in Kobe, Japan, last month. Poonia is training in Portland under the guidance of former Olympic champion Mac Wilkins. The ‘qualifi cation’ standard is 59.50m, a mark that Poonia and the other leading discus thrower in the country,

Harwant Kaur, should be capable of achieving.

• Advani falters in fi nal again

Indian cueist Pankaj Advani faltered in the fi nal as England’s Mike Russell successfully defended his point-format title in the IBSF World billiards championship being played in Carlow, Ireland. In a repeat of last year’s fi nal in the point-format, former champion Advani went down 3-6 to ten-time World champion Russell in the summit clash.

AWARDS • Lifetime award for Shahryar

Eminent Urdu poet, academician and Hindi fi lm lyricist A. M. K. Shahryar has been honoured with the Sir Syed Lifetime Achievement Award by the Aligarh Alumni Association, New York Tristate, US, for his outstanding contribution to Urdu language and literature.

• Southern sweep at the National Film Award

K. Balachander, doyen of Tamil cinema, was honoured with the Dadasaheb Phalke Award by President Pratibha Patil at the 58th edition of National Film Awards 2010 function at Vigyan Bhawan. It was a southern sweep as Malayalam fi lm Adaminte Makan Abu bagged the Swarna Kalam for the best feature fi lm. For the same fi lm, versatile Malayalam actor Salim Kumar collected the Rajat Kamal.

• Sahitya award for Kashmiri author

Noted Kashmiri writer and poet Gulam Nabi Aatish’s book Nov Kehtsha Mentsha has bagged the prestigious Sahitya Akademi Award in the children’s literature category.The award comprises a cash prize of Rs.51,000, a citation and a robe of honour.

• TBGRI scientists won Sethi award

A team of researchers from the Tropical Botanic Garden and Research Institute (TBGRI) have won the Dr. P.D. Sethi Award-2010 for their analysis of herbs

using high-performance thin-layer chromatography. The work has been done on an Indian medicinal plant, Centella asiatica, commonly known as Indian Pennywort (Kodangan in Malayalam). The study has helped detect elite types from 60 varieties of the plant collected from South India and the Andaman islands.

• Top China honour for Indian

China has conferred its highest literary award on Prof B R Deepak for his translation of classical Chinese poems into Hindi. Deepak, who is from Centre of Chinese and Southeast Asian Studies, JNU, is the fi rst Indian to receive the ‘Special Book Award’ for his contribution to Chinese studies and culture.

• Lata Mangeshkar

Lata Mangeshkar has been honoured with the Pazhassi Raja Sangeetha Ratna award by the Maharashtra Governor for her contribution to music industry.

• Gulshan Grover

Gulshan Grover has been honoured with the best actor international award at the New York City International Film Festival for his performance in Hollywood fi lm ‘Desperate Endeavours’.

APPOINTMENTS • Four new Governors appointed

The Union government formally announced the appointment of the former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister, K. Rosaiah, as the Tamil Nadu Governor. He is among four new Governors, whose appointments were announced by the Rashtrapati Bhavan. The former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister, Ram Naresh Yadav (83), was appointed the Madhya Pradesh Governor and the former Kerala Assembly Speaker, Vakkom Purushothaman, has been named as the Governor of Mizoram. Syed Ahmed, a former Maharashtra Minister, has been appointed Jharkhand Governor.

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• R.A Mehta New Lokayukta of Gujarat: Modi Government Challenges its Constitutionality

Gujarat Governor Kamala Beniwal has appointed R.A Mehta, a retired judge of the Gujarat High Court, as the state Lokayukta. Justice Mehta’s name was recommended by Chief Justice of Gujarat High Court, S J Mukhopadhyaya and was approved by the Congress. The announcement on the appointment was made by Leader of the Opposition in the Assembly Shaktisinh Gohil. Earlier Gohil had requested the Governor to appoint a Lokayukta, arguing that the government had failed for the past seven-and-a –half years to fi ll the post in keeping with its constitutional obligations. 75-year-old Mehta had served as a judge of the High Court from 1982 till his retirement in May 1998 and has also held the post of the Acting Chief Justice several times. However, the Narendra Modi government has accused the Governor of bypassing the government and has moved to the High Court challenging the constitutional propriety of the appointment.

• Allahabad High Court gets 9 new judges

Nine judicial offi cers, mostly from the district courts, have been promoted as judges to the Allahabad High Court. They will take oath following which the total number of judges in the high court will go up to 71. The high court, including the Lucknow bench, has a sanctioned strength of 160 judges, but has been working with a depleted staff.

• Supreme Court judges sworn in

President Pratibha Patil has appointed the Chief Justice of the Gujarat High Court, S.J. Mukhopadhaya; the Chief Justice of the Karnataka High Court, J.S. Khehar; and Justice Ranjana Desai of the Bombay High Court as Supreme Court Judges. They were sworn in by Chief Justice of India S.H. Kapadia on September 13 in his court hall. Justice Desai is the second woman

Judge in the Supreme Court. In its sanctioned strength of 31 judges, Justice Gyan Sudha Misra is the only woman judge now.

• Khanduri replaces Pokhriyal as Uttarakhand Chief Minister

Uttarakhand Chief Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank has been asked by the Bharatiya Janata Party high command to put in his papers. The State legislature party is to meet in Dehradun to elect B.C. Khanduri to replace Mr. Pokhriyal as Chief Minister of the hill State.

• Lamine Diack

Senegal’s Lamine Diack has been re-elected President of the International Association of Athletics Federation (IAAF). Diack received 173 of 200 votes at the governing body’s congress in balloting. The 78-year-old was expected to make the four-year term his fi nal one after serving as the federation’s top offi cial since November 1999. Diack, the former Dakar mayor, came to power after the death of iron-fi sted IAAF leader Primo Nebiolo.

• M P Veerendrakumar

M P Veerendrakumar, CMD of the Mathrubhoomi group of newspapers, has been elected Chairman of the Board of Directors of Press Trust of India.

OBITUARY • Jehangir Sabavala passed away

Well-known painter Jehangir Sabavala, 89, passed away. He had been suffering from lung cancer for the past two years.

• Veteran trade unionist, CPI(M) leader M.K. Pandhe passed away

In the passing away of veteran trade unionist and CPI(M) Polit Bureau member Madhukar Kashinath Pandhe, 86, the party has lost one of its foremost leaders who worked for the welfare of the working class for more than seven decades. One of the central themes of his work was to bring about

unity among various trade unions and among other Left organisations. A measure of success came recently when the Congress-backed Indian National Trade Union Congress joined hands with other organisations to pressure the government to secure the rights of workers and highlight common issues like price rise.

• Harischandra Prasad dead

Mullapudi Harischandra Prasad (91), a doyen of industry in Andhra Pradesh, passed away. A fi rst generation entrepreneur, Harischandra Prasad was born in an agricultural family in 1921. A leading light in the State’s industrial history, named as ‘Andhra Birla’ of yesteryears, Prasad ventured into the sugar industry by setting Andhra Sugars in 1947 in Tanuku to help sugarcane growers.

• Economist D.U. Sastry passed away

D.U. Sastry, eminent industrial economist, passed away. He was 81. Professor Sastry’s career started with a short stint at the Indian Institute of Economics in Hyderabad. He then moved to the Institute of Economic Growth in Delhi, then headed by V.K.R.V. Rao, in 1961.

• Ganapati Sthapati dead

V. Ganapati Sthapati, the architect of modern-day wonders such as the 133-foot Thiruvalluvar statue in Kanyakumari, Valluvar Kottam in Chennai and the Kannagi and Madhavi statue in Poompuhar, died. He was 84. He was a winner of various awards including the Padma Bhushan. A documentary — The Living Tradition - Shilpi Speaks — was made on the shilpaic tradition as enunciated by him and won the President’s Award for the best documentary in 1992.

• Ram Sharan Sharma

Eminent Marxist historian and Indologist Ram Sharan Sharma known for his trenchant observations on institutions in ancient Indian society and his report on Bihar-Bengal boundary has passed away. He was 92. He was a stalwart among the

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Delhi Group of Historians. His 1977 book, ‘Ancient India’ ran foul of the Morarji Desai-led Janata government, and it was banned the following year. The book courted controversy for Dr Sharma’s views on the historical role of Krishna in the Mahabharata. He was the founding Chairman of Indian Council of Historical Research (ICHR) in 1972. He also served as President of the Indian History Congress in 1975. He was the recipient of Jawaharlal Nehru award in 1989.

REMOVALS Deven Sharma

Deven Sharma, Indian-American president of credit rating agency Standard & Poor’s, has resigned less than three weeks after his company found itself at the receiving end of the Obama administration’s ire following its downgrade of the United State’s credit rating from AAA to AA+.

S&P’s downgrade of the U.S.’s debt from AAA to AA+ on August 5, based on its perception that the defi cit reduction measures agreed by the administration were insuffi cient to stabilize national debt.

Douglas Peterson, chief operating offi cer of Citibank N.A. would be its next President effective September 12. Mr Sharma will take on a special assignment working on the Company’s strategic portfolio review until the year’s end.

Steve Jobs step down as Apple CEO

Legendary technology entrepreneur Steve Jobs has logged out as CEO of Apple Inc., a company that started form the garage of his family home about 35 years ago. Mr Jobs is the main force behind iconic brands like Macintosh and iPad computers, iPod music players and iPhone mobiles. It was long anticipated because of his bad health. Mr Jobs was diagnosed with cancer in 2003 and aloes went for liver transplant in 2009, when he had taken a break from the company. He has passed on the baton to run Apple to 50-year-old Tim Cook. While Mr Cook has now become the CEO Mr Jobs has assumed the role of Chairman with immediate effect.

REPORTS • UNAIDS Report

The new report of Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) has said that the Asia and Pacifi c region has seen a 20 per cent drop in new HIV infections since 2001 and a three-fold increase in access to antiretroviral therapy since 2006, but its progress is threatened by inadequate focus on key populations at higher risk of HIV infection and insuffi cient funding from domestic and international sources. Launched at the 2011 International Congress on AIDS in Asia and the Pacifi c (ICAAP), the report, titled ‘HIV in Asia and the Pacifi c Getting to Zero’ found that most of the countries in the region are a long way from achieving universal access goals for HIV prevention, treatment, care and support.

The AIDS response in Asia and the Pacifi c is underfunded, the report found. In 2009, as estimated $ 1 billion was spent of AIDS response in 30 countries across the region- approximately one third of the funding needed to achieve universal access goals to HIV services. Though China, Malaysia, Pakistan Samoa and Thailand are funding the bulk of their HIV responses from domestic resources, many countries in Asia and the Pacifi c depend heavily on foreign funds, particularly for the provision of antiretroviral therapy. Funding cutbacks from international donors also threaten progress in the regional AIDS response. In 2009, international assistance for the global AIDS response leveled off for the fi rst time in a decade, and in 2010 it declined.

According to the report, investments to protect key populations from HIV remain insuffi cient. Among countries reporting detailed expenditure data in 2010, only 8 per cent of total AIDS spending in South Asia and 20 per cent in Southeast Asia focused on HIV prevention among key populations at higher risk of HIV infection. An

estimated 4.9 million people were living with HIV in Asia and the Pacifi c in 2009, a fi gure that has remained relatively stable since 2005. The majority of people living with HIV in the region are in 11 countries: Cambodia, China, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Thailand and Vietnam.

• Mytheen Kunju Commission

Justice Mytheen Kunju Commission, which probed into the Thekkady boat tragedy on September 30, 2009 resulting in the loss of 45 lives, has indicted many persons including the boat driver in the list of guilty and recommended awarding apt punishment in accordance with law. The Thekkady tragedy occurred when the boat ‘Jalakanyaka’ which was on a cruise, overturned 2 km away from the boat landing point. The vessel sank after the boat driver reportedly took a sharp turn in the waters to facilitate the tourists view wild animals on the shores from a close range. Most of the victims were from outside the state.

MISCELLANEOUS • Jharkhand women scale peak in

Karakoram Range

Binita Soren and Sheelarani Mahato, who hail from Jharkhand, have become the fi rst women mountaineers to climb Mt. Saser Kangri IV in the Eastern Karakoram Range of Himalayas in Ladakh. The expedition, sponsored by the Tata Steel Foundation between July 10 and August 21, is considered to be one of the toughest in India.

• Jammu & Kashmir

The Jammu & Kashmir State Human Right Commission (SHRC) has created ripples by revealing that 2,156 unidentifi ed bodies are lying in mass graves in three districts of north Kashmir. The special investigation team of SHRC revealed 2,730 unidentifi ed bodies had been buried in 38 sites in north Kashmir’s Baramulla, Bandipore and Kupwara districts.

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These were claimed to be the bodies of unidentifi ed militants by the police and handed over to local people for burial in various unmarked graveyards of north Kashmir. Subsequently, 517 bodies were identifi ed.

• Gerlinde Kaltenbrunner

Austrian climber Gerlinde Kaltenbrunner become the fi rst woman to conquer all fourteen 8,000 meter summits without artifi cial oxygen, when she reached the top of the K2 on 23rd August. Ms. Kaltenbrunner, is the third woman only to climb all 14 highest summits but the fi rst to do so without artifi cial oxygen. She had already attempted the 8, 611 meter K2 six times before but had to turn back each time before the summit. This recent victory marks the end of Ms. Kaltenbrunner 8-000-meter summits race that began in May 1998 with her escalation of Cho Oyu on the border between Nepal and Tibet. The fi rst person to scale the world’s 14 highest peaks in 1986 was the Italian Reinhold Messner.

• Dick Cheney

Recent book “In My Time: A Personal and Political Memoir”

• Indra Nooyi

Indra Nooyi Chief Executive of Pepsico was ranked ahead of Congress chief Sonia Gandhi by Forbes on their world’s 10 most powerful women list. The other Indians who fi gured in the top 100 list were Chanda Kocchar, CEO ICICI Bank (43) and Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw Founder, Biocon (99).

TOP TEN

1. Angela Merkel, Germany Chancellor

2. Hillary Clinton, US Secretary of States

3. Dilma Rouseff, Brazilian President

4. Indra Nooyi, Pepsico CEO

5. Sheryl Sandberg, COO Facebook

6. Melinda Gates, Co-Founder of Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation

7. Sonia Gandhi, Congress Chief

8. Michelle Obama, US Fist Lady

9. Christine Lagarde, IMF MD

10. Irene Rosenfeld, CEO, Kraft Foods

• Rani Avantika Bai’s life to be part of school syllabus

Human Resource Development Minister Kapil Sibal has assured the Rajya Sabha that a chapter on the life of freedom fi ghter Rani Avantika Bai would be included in school curriculum. Rani Avantika Bai was a Lodhi warrior-queen in princely state of Ramgarh, now in Madhya Pradesh, and had fought against Britishers in 1857 and sacrifi ced her life.

• River Found 13,000 ft Beneath the Amazon

Scientists led by Indian-origin researcher have discovered a huge under-ground river which, they believe, is fl owing some 13,000 feet beneath the mighty Amazon River in Brazil. The researcher at Brazil,s National Observatory (BNO) believe the subterranean river is about 6, 000-km long, about the same length as the Amazon on the surface. The researcher have named the river ’Hamza’ after the team supervisor Valiya Hamza, an Indian-origin scientist who has been studying the region for over four decades.

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Questions@IP Vol.1 Issue1 October 2011

1. Consider following statements:

1) Indian railways use four gauges, among which the Broad gauge is the most predominant gauge.

2) The Kalka-Shimla Railway, the Nilgiri Mountain Railway and the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway are three notable hill lines that use narrow gauge.

3) Approximately 60% of the world’s existing railway lines are built to standard gauge in which the distance between the inside edges of the rails is 1,435 mm.

Which among the following statement/s is/are true?

(a) 1 and 3 (b) 2 and 3

(c) 2 and 1 (d) 1, 2 and 3

2. Match the following cricket umpires with their country and select the correct answer using codes below.

Cricket umpire Country

1. daryl harper A. south Africa

2. billy Bowden B. west Indies

3. billy doctrove C. new Zealand

4. rudi koertzen D. Australia

Options are:

A B C D

(a) 4 3 2 1

(b) 1 2 3 4

(c) 2 3 4 1

(d) 1 4 3 2

3. Which among the following statement is not correct?

(a) Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India is the supreme audit institution for enforcing the fi nancial accountability of the central and state governments.

(b) CAG, at the time of appointment takes an oath similar to that taken by the judges of the Supreme Court.

(c) CAG’s act 1971 lays down a committee procedure for the selection and appointment of CAG.

(d) The role of Indian CAG as comp troller is very limited.

4. Many dormant volcanoes in different

parts of the world became active and erupted in 2011. Which among the following pairs is incorrectly matched?

VOLCANO COUNTRY

(a) Mount Lokon—Central Indonesia

(b) Puyehue volcano—Chile

(c) Loki-fogrufjoll volcano—Iceland

(d) Mount Etna volcano—France

5. Which among the following volcano is not situated Iceland?

(a) katla volcano

(b) hekla volcano

(c) loki-fogrufjoll volcano

(d) soputan volcano

6. Match the following states with their state bird:

State State bird

A. Punjab 1. Baaz ( hawk)

B. Rajasthan 2. Godawan ( great India bustard)

C. Maharashtra 3. Common green pigeon

D. Jammu and 4. Black necked

Kashmir Crane

Options are: A B C D (a) 4 3 2 1 (b) 1 2 3 4 (c) 2 3 4 1 (d) 1 4 3 2


1) National capital territory of Delhi is the largest metropolis by area and the second largest metropolis by population in India.

2) Although technically a federally administered union territory, the political administration of Delhi today more closely resembles that of a state of India.

3) It was King George VI who declared Delhi as the capital of India on December 12, 1912.

Correct statement/s is/are:

(a) 1 and 2

(b) 2 and 3

(c) 3 and 1

(d) 1, 2 and 3

8. Which among the following are the member organizations of international disability alliance?

1) Disabled Peoples International

2) Inclusion International

3) The World Blind Union

4) European Disability Forum

Correct option is:

(a) 1, 2, 3 and 4

(b) 1, 2 and 3

(c) 2, 3 and 4

(d) 3, 4 and 1


1. ‘Prahaar’ is a new quick reaction, 150 km. range, tactical missile which will replace unguided rockets of Indian army.

2. ‘Pinaka’ is a multi barrel rocket launcher with the maximum range of 100 kms and is mounted on ‘Tatra’ trucks for mobility.

3. Prithvi II was successfully test fi red in June 2011 with an increased range of 350 kms. With payload capacity ranging between 500-1000 kg.


(a) 1 and 2 (b) 2 and 3

(c) 3 and 1 (d) 1, 2 and 3

10. According to the proposed rights of persons with disabilities bill, 2011:

1. A person with disability, needing assistance, shall have the right to be accompanied by a service animal by paying an extra charge for the animal.

2. All limited guardians shall operate as plenary guardians and will have to act in close consultation with the person with disability to arrive at legally binding decisions.

3. Six per cent seats to be reserved for the disabled people in all courses of higher education and setting up an Education Reform Commission for advancement of disability rights.

4. Creation of a National Fund for Persons with Disabilities and to resolve any disputes, a National Disability Rights Tribunal to be set up.

CURRENT AFFAIRS QUESTIONS@IPQUESTIONS@IP...

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Correct statements are:

(a) 1,2 (b) 3,4

(c) 2,3,4 (d) 2,3


1. Wimbledon 2011 was the 125th edition of the championship and the third grand slam tournament of the year.

2. Novak Djokovic of Czech Republic won his fi rst wimbledon title in 2011 by beating Rafael Nadal.

3. Petra Kvitova of Serbia won ladies single wimbledon 2011 which is her fi rst grand slam title in singles.


(a) 1 only (b) 2 and 3

(c) 3 and 1 (d) 1, 2 and 3


1. Newly formed Gorkhaland Territorial Administration ( GTA) will be an appointed body for the Darjeeling hill area in west Bengal.

2. With this new setup, Gorkha Janmukti Morcha ( GJM) has given away its demand for a separate state.

3. The demand for a separate administrative unit in this region has existed since 1907 when the Hillmen’s association of Darjeeling submitted a memorandum to Minto-Morley reforms demanding a separate unit.

Incorrect statement/s is/are:

(a) 1 and 2 (b) 2 and 3

(c) 3 and 1 (d) 1, 2 and 3


1. Jaduguda in Singhbhum Thrust Belt (in the state of Jharkhand, formerly part of Bihar) is the fi rst uranium deposit to be discovered in the country in 1951.

2. Recent studies have shown that Tummalapalle in Karnataka could have one of the largest uranium reserves of 49,000 tonnes in the world.

3. At present, india is estimated to have a total reserve of about 1,75,000 tonnes of uranium apart from tummalapalle region.


(a) 1,2,3 (b) 1,2

(c) 2,3 (d) 3,1

14. Consider following statements about 2011 FIFA Woman’s World cup:

1. It was held in Germany

2. Japan won the fi nal against Brazil on a penalty shootout.

3. By wining this cup, Japanese women team has become the fi rst Asian team to win a FIFA world cup.


(a) 1 and 2 (b) 2 and 3

(c) 3 and 1 (d) 1, 2 and 3

15. Which among the following statement is not correct?

(a) The fi rst Lokpal bill was introduced and passed in the fourth lok sabha in 1968.

(b) The last time it was introduced was in fourteenth lok sabha in 2008.

(c) According to the draft Lokpal bill 2010, Lokpal will be an executive body with police powers.

(d) Lokpal has been derived from the institution of Ombudsman which was fi rst created in Swedon.

16. As per recently released WTO report:

1. India emerged as the 10th largest service exporter and the 16th largest merchandise exporter in 2010.

2. India emerged as the third largest importer after US and China.

3. India’s goods exports went up by 46% in 2010, helping the country to expand its market share to 1.4% from 1.2% in 2009.

Which is/are correct?

(a) 1 and 2 (b) 1 and 3

(c) 2 and 3 (d) None of the above.

17. 2nd Administrative Reforms Commission in its 4th report ‘Ethics in Governance’ gave which of the following recomme-ndations:

1. Constitution should be amended to provide for a national ombudsman to be called as Rashtriya Lokayukta.

2. The prime minister should be kept out of the jurisdiction of the Rashtriya Lokayukta.

3. Chairman of the Rashtriya Lokayukta shall be selected by the president on the advice of Council of ministers headed by the prime minister.


(a) 1 and 2 (b) 2 and 3

(c) 3 and 1 (d) 1, 2 and 3


1. 17-30 % rise in wages have been made for over fi ve crore Mahatma Gandhi NREGA workers by linking wage rate with the Consumer Price Index for Agricultural labour (CPIAC) by Ministry of Rural Development.

2. In many states like Arunanchal Pradesh and Nagaland, statutory minimum wage is as low as Rs. 80 and Rs. 81.40 respectively.


(a) 1 and 2 (b) Only 1

(c) Only 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2

19. Consider the following statements about MPLAD Scheme:

1. The Scheme was started in 1993-94 under the Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs for creating durable assets at the grass root level.

2. Member of Parliaments can spend up to Rs. 10 lakh from their MPLAD fund to assist physically disabled people.

3. The annual allocation for each Member of Parliament under the Scheme is Rs. 5 crore.

Which of the above is INCORRECT?

(a) 1 only (b) 2 only

(c) 3 only (d) None of these

20. Consider the following statements:

1. Sushil Kumar Modi has been elected as the Chairman of the Empowered Committee of State Finance Ministers on GST (Goods and Services Tax).

2. The earlier Chairman was former West Bengal Finance Minister, Asim Dasgupta, who quit the post due to poor health.

Which is/are correct?


(c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2


1. Indira Gandhi National Open University received the best public choice award for innovation in vocational education and skills training at the World Education Summit 2011.

2. Jamia Milia Islamia bagged the best

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jury award for ICT enabled higher education institute of the year at the World Education Summit 2011.

Incorrect statement/s is/are:

(a) 1 and 2 (b) Only 1

(c) Only 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2

22. Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between India and Sri-Lanka in July 2011 to resume the passenger’s ship liner service which was discontinued in early 1980’s. This service will be available between which of the following places:

1. Rameshwaram- Talaimannar

2. Tuticorin- Colombo

3. Ennore port- Galle

4. Beypore- Hambantota

Correct option is:

(a) 1, 2, 3 and 4 (b) 1, 2 and 4

(c) 1 and 2 (d) 3 and 4

23. Which among the following statements is not correct?

(a) Mullaperiyar dam has been a bone of contention between Tamil Nadu and Kerala governments.

(b) Thekkady Periyar National park is located around the Periyar reservoir formed by the back waters of this dam.

(c) Periyar is an east fl owing river of kerala state.

(d) None of the above

24. Consider the following statements about Suresh Tendulkar:

1. He was an eminent economist and the chairman of the prime minister’s economic advisory council from 2004 to 2008.

2. He was the chairman of an expert group on the methodology for estimation of poverty constituted by planning commission which submitted its report in November 2009.

3. He was also the part time member of the fi rst disinvestment commission (1996-1999), and the fi fth central pay commission (1994-1997).


(a) 1 and 2 (b) 2 and 3

(c) 3 and 1 (d) 1, 2 and 3

25. Which among the following statements

about M.F. Husain is not true:

(a) He was awarded with Padma Shri in 1955, Padma Bhushan in 1973 and Padma Vibhushan in 1991.

(b) He was nominated to the Rajya Sabha in 1986

(c) Although a Qatari national at the time of his death, he has been widely regarded as the ‘Picasso of India’.

(d) He made his fi rst fi lm, ‘Gaja Gamini’ in the year 2000 and another movie ‘Meenaxi: A Tale of Three Cities’ in 2004.


1. The fi rst test of the series in July 2011 at Lord’s London between India and England was the 2000th test and the 100th between India and England.

2. The fi rst offi cially recognised Test match commenced on 15 March 1877, was contested between England and Australia at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) and the fi rst test played by India was in 1932 at Lord’s London.

3. India recorded their fi rst Test victory against England at Madras (now Chennai) in 1952. Later in the same year, they won their fi rst Test series, which was against Pakistan.

4. The ICC Test Championship is an international competition run by the International Cricket Council in the sport of cricket for the 9 teams that play Test cricket and as of 5 December 2010, India lead the ICC Test Championship with a rating of 129, while the lowest rated team, Bangladesh, has a rating of 7.


(a) 1, 2, 3 and 4

(b) 1, 2 and 3

(c) 1, 2 and 4

(d) 2, 3 and 4

27. Which among the following statements is not true?

(a) NASA’s Space Shuttle program, offi cially called Space Transportation System (STS), was the United States government’s manned launch vehicle program from 1981 to 2011 in which the winged Space Shuttle orbiter was launched vertically into

low Earth orbit (LEO).

(b) The shuttle is the only winged manned spacecraft to achieve orbit and land, and the only reusable space vehicle that has ever made multiple fl ights into orbit.

(c) In 135 missions, six space shuttles have been used from which two shuttles have been destroyed, both with the loss of crew.

(d) The fi rst fully functional orbiter was the Columbia and the last orbiter to be launched was Atlantis which saw the fi nal launching on July 8, 2011.


1. Parliament passed the Benami Transactions (Prohibition) Act in 1988, but it was never implemented as the rules were not framed.

2. According to the Benami Transactions (Prohibition) Bill 2011, Properties held by a coparcener in a Hindu Undivided Family and property held by a person in fi duciary capacity are excluded from the defi nition of benami transaction.

3. The benami transactions are one of the sources of circulation and investment of black money.


(a) 1 and 2 (b) 2 and 3

(c) 3 and 1 (d) 1, 2 and 3

29. Consider the following statements about the ‘World Investment Report 2011’:

1. The report is released by the World Economic Forum.

2. According to the report the Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) infl ows into India declined by about $10 billion to $25 billion in 2010.

3. In terms of ranking India dropped to the 10th position.

4. Last year India’s rank was 8.

Which of the above are correct?

(a) 1, 2 and 3

(b) 2, 3 and 4

(c) 2 and 4

(d) All of the above.


1. The Special Industry Initiative Scheme is a Rs. 1000 crore scheme with 100% Central assistance for

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Jammu and Kashmir only.

2. The scheme will be implemented in partnership with the National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC).

3. The scheme launched is based on the recommendation of the C Rangarajan Committee on Jammu & Kashmir.

4. The target of the scheme is to provide industrial training to 20,000 graduates, post graduates and professional degree holders over a period of fi ve years.


(a) 1, 2 and 3 (b) 2, 3 and 4

c) 2 and 3 d) All of the above

31. Which of the following athletes has decided to return the gold medal she won in the weightlifting in the 58 kg category at the Commonwealth Games in 2010 to the Sports Minister at being ignored for the prestigious Arjuna Award?

(a) Renu Bala Chanu

(b) Kunjarani Devi

(c) Sanamacha Chanu

(d) Laishram Monika Devi

32. Match List 1 with List 2 and select the correct answer using the code given below the Lists:

List 1

A. Pronab Sen Committee

B. M. Damodaran Committee

C. Naresh Chandra Committee

D. Justice Mukul Mudgal Committee

List 2

1. Review security apparatus in the country

2. Doping scandals

3. Defi nition of Slum

4. Customer Service in Banks

Codes:

A B C D

(a) 4 3 2 1

(b) 3 4 2 1

(c) 4 3 1 2

(d) 3 4 1 2

33. Which of the following Projects, launched by Defence Accounts Department (DAD), is/are related to Defence Pensioners?

1. Project ‘SANGAM’

2. Project ‘SUVIGYA’

3. Project ‘AASHRAYA’

4. Project ‘SANKALAN’.

Codes:

(a) 1 only (b) 1 and 2

(c) 1, 2 and 3 (d) 1, 2, 3 and 4

34. Which one of the following statements related to PRHAAR missile is NOT correct?

(a) It is a Surface-to-Surface tactical ballistic missile developed by Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL).

(b) It has a range of 150 km and can carry a payload of 200 kg.

(c) It is a single stage missile based on solid propulsion system.

(d) It is launched from a Road Mobile System developed by Larsen & Toubro.


1. The National Optical Fiber Network (NOFN) has been launched by the Department of Telecommunications (DoT).

2. The Rs. 20, 000 crore scheme aims to provide broadband connectivity to all village panchayats in fi ve years by 2016-17.

3. The Telecom Commission, the highest decision-making body within the department, has said that the network can be fi nanced through the Universal Service Obligation (USO) fund.

4. The USO fund was created by the telecom department to give grants for connecting rural areas.


(a) 1 and 2 (b) 1, 2 and 3

(c) 1, 3 and 4 (d) All of the above


1. Uruguay won the Copa American Cup 2011, defeating Paraguay in the fi nal.

2. Uruguay has won the prestigious Cup 15 times, the highest by any country.

Which is/are INCORRECT?


(c) Both 1 and 2

(d) Neither 1 nor 2


List 1

(Sangeet Natak Akademi fellowship winner)

A. Girija Devi

B. Nataraja Ramakrishna

C. Rahim Fahimuddin Dagar

D. T.K. Murthy

List 2

(Related fi elds)

1. Dhrupad

2. Classical Singing

3. Mridangam

4. Dancing

Codes:

A B C D

(a) 1 3 2 4

(b) 2 4 1 3

(c) 2 3 1 4

(d) 1 4 2 3

38. Which of the following is NOT a Talwar class frigate being jointly developed by India and Russia?

(a) INS Trikhand

(b) INS Teg

(c) INS Tarangini

(d) INS Tarkash

39. Consider the following statements about PSLV-C17:

1. India’s Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV-C17) was successfully launched from Equatorial Rocket Launching Station (TERLS), Thumba.

2. It put the communication satellite GSAT-12 in orbit by using an indigenous computer, Vikram, with advanced software in the rocket’s navigation, guidance and control systems.

3. GSAT-12 was successfully injected into polar sun synchronous orbit with a perigee of 284 km and an apogee of 21,020 km.

4. This is the second time that PSLV has been used to launch a communication

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satellite.


(a) 1, 2 and 3

(b) 3 and 4

(c) 2, 3 and 4

(d) 2 and 4

40. Election Commission of India has signed a Memorandum of Understanding for cooperation in the fi eld of election management with the Election Commission of which of the following countries?

(a) Nepal (b) Mauritius

(c) Egypt (d) Indonesia


List 1

(State)

A. Bihar

B. Delhi

C. Uttar Pradesh

D. Jharkhand

List 2

(Lokayukta)

1. Mr. Justice Ram Nandan Prasad

2. Mr. Justice Manmohan Sarin

3. Mr. Justice Narendra Kishore Mehrotra

4. Mr. Justice Amreshwar Sahay

Codes:

A B C D

(a) 1 2 3 4

(b) 3 4 1 2

(c) 1 2 4 3

(d) 3 4 2 1


1. The Indian Air Force (IAF) has shortlisted the Boeing C 17 Globemaster III as its new Very Heavy Lift Transport Aircraft (VHTAC).

2. India will get ten C-17 Globemaster III at a cost of $ 4.1 billion.

3. The fi rst aircraft, under India’s biggest defence deal with the U.S. , would be delivered during 2013-14.

4. The Indian Air Force (IAF) will induct C-17 Globemaster III at Palam Air Base in Delhi.


(a) 1 and 2 (b) 1, 2 and 3

(c) 1, 3 and 4 (d) All of the above

43. Consider the following statements about the Pranab Sen Committee on Slums:

1. It has defi ned a slum as “a compact settlement of at least 50 households with a collection of poorly built tenements, mostly of temporary nature, crowded together usually with inadequate sanitary and drinking water facilities in unhygienic conditions”.

2. For the Slum Census 2011, the Committee has recommended that for policy formulation purposes it is absolutely essential to count the slum population even in cities having population less than 20000.

3. According to the committee Maharashtra has the highest slum population.

Which of the above are correct? (a) 1 and 2 (b) 2 and 3 (c) 1 and 3 (d) All of the above 44. Consider the following statements: 1. Recently Government of India has

signed a Bilateral Aviation Safety Agreement (BASA) with USA.

2. The “India Aviation-2012”, the 3rd international Exhibition and Conference on Civil Aviation, is being organized by the Ministry of Civil Aviation jointly with the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII).

Which is/are correct? (a) 1 only (b) 2 only (c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2

45. What is the name of the crater that has been picked up by NASA for the $2.5-billion Mars rover, Curiosity, to probe for signs of life when the unmanned vehicle is lowered onto the red planet in 2012.

(a) Eagle (b) Galle

(c) Erabus (d) Gale

46. Which among the following states have already setup the institution of Lokayuktas:

1. Orissa 2. Maharashtra

3. Bihar 4. Rajasthan

5. Uttar Pradesh

Correct option is:

(a) 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5

(b) 1, 2, 3 and 4

(c) 2, 3 and 4

(d) 3, 4 and 1

47. What is ‘Ujjawala’ ?

(a) It is a scheme to check children and women traffi cking and their protection and rehabilitation.

(b) A scheme for adolescent girls.

(c) It is an electrifi cation programme in the rural areas launched by the government of India.

(d) A scheme for children for their education in the rural areas.

48. Vanuatu, a small island nation is set to become the 154th member of the world trade organization (WTO), as the panel overseeing Vanuatu’s membership talks has adopted the fi nal accession package of tariff and rules-related commitments. Vanuatu is situated in

(a) North Pacifi c Ocean

(b) South Pacifi c Ocean

(c) North Atlantic Ocean

(d) South Atlantic Ocean

49. Which are the two main trade economies which are still not the members of WTO?

(a) Russia and Algeria

(b) China and Venezuela

(c) Columbia and Venezuela

(d) Russia and cuba

50. Consider the following statements

1. Union health and family welfare ministry banned the manufacture, sale and distribution of Gatifl oxacin and Tegaserod under the drugs and cosmetics act.

2. Gatifl oxacin is an antibiotic that inhibits the bacterial enzymes DNA gyrase and Topoisomerase IX.

3. Tegaserod is used for the management of irritable bowels syndrome and constipation.


(a) Only 1 (b) Only 2

(c) 1 and 2 (d) 1, 2 and 3

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1. (d) Exp. Indian railways uses four gauges, the 1,676 mm (5 ft 6 in) broad gauge which is wider than the 1,435 mm (4 ft 8 1⁄2 in) standard gauge; the 1,000 mm (3 ft 3 3⁄8 in) metre gauge; and two narrow gauges, 762 mm (2 ft 6 in) and 610 mm (2 ft) . The Narrow gauges are present on a few routes, lying in hilly terrains and in some erstwhile private railways (on cost considerations), which are usually diffi cult

to convert to broad gauge. Broad gauge is the predominant gauge used by Indian Railways. 2. (a) 3. (c) no committee procedure is there. President appoints the CAG. 4. (d) it is in Italy 5. (d) in Indonesia

6. (b) 7. (a) it was King George V who declared Delhi as the capital of India on December 12, 1911.

8. (a). Exp. Established in 1999, the International Disability Alliance (IDA) is the network of global and regional organizations of persons with disabilities (DPOs) promoting the effective implementation of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. IDA currently comprises eight global and four regional DPOs, with two other regional DPOs having observer status. 9. (c) Pinaka has the range of 40 kms.

10. (b). Exp. No charge to be paid for the animal and replacing the existing practice of plenary guardianship with limited guardianship.

A limited guardianship is a system of joint decision-making, which operates on mutual understanding and trust between the guardian and the person with disability, as against the plenary guardianship where the guardian took all the decisions on the presumption that a disabled person was incapable to taking a decision.

11. (a) Novak Djokovic is of Serbia and Petra Kvitova is of Czech Republic

12. (a) Gorkha Janmukti Morcha ( GJM) has not given away its demand for a separate state and view this development as a step towards separate state. GTA will be an elected body.

13. (d). Exp. Tummalapalle is in Andhra Pradesh. 14. (c) Japan won the fi nal against United States. 15. (c) According to the draft Lokpal bill 2010, Lokpal will be an advisory body with no police powers.

16. d. Exp: India is 20th largest merchandise exporter. India emerged as the 5th largest importer after EU, US, China and Japan. India’s goods exports went up by 31% in 2010.

17. (a) Chairman of the Rashtriya Lokayukta shall be selected by a committee consisting of vice president, prime minister, leader of opposition, speaker of the lok sabha and chief justice of India. 18. (a) 19. a. Exp: Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation.

20. a. Exp: Dasgupta had to bow out following his defeat in the Assembly elections.

21. (d). Exp. The event was organised by IGNOU in association with the Centre for Science Development and Media Studies (CSDMS) and Elets Technomedia in july 2011 at new delhi.

22. (c) 23. (c) Periyar is a west fl owing river.

24. (b) died recently, he was only the member and not chairman between 2004-2008. he chaired prime minister’s economic advisory council from 2008-2009 when C. Rangrajan vacated the position to enter the Rajya Sabha.

25. (d) his fi rst fi lm was ‘Through the Eyes of a Painter’ in 1967 which also won a Golden Bear at the Berlin fi lm festival.

26. (a). Exp. ICC Test Championship is notional in the sense that it is simply a ranking scheme overlaid on all international matches that are otherwise played as part of regular Test cricket scheduling.

27. (c) fi ve space shuttle orbiters have been used. They are Columbia, Challenger, Discovery, Endeavour and the Atlantis.

28. (d) all are correct 29. c. Exp: The report is released by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD). India dropped to the 14th position. 30. a. Exp: Target is 40,000. 31. a. 32. d. 33. c. Exp: Project ‘SANKALAN’ is to facilitate dissemination of various orders, instructions and manuals electronically. 34. a. Exp: developed by Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL). 35. c. Exp: The scheme will provide broadband connectivity to all village panchayats in three years by 2014-15. 36. d. 37. b. 38. c. 39. d. Exp: It was launched from Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC) SHAR, Sriharikota and put into sub-Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit (sub-GTO). 40. a.

Note: Election Commission of India has already signed Memorandum of Understanding with United Nations and the Electoral Management Bodies of Ivory Coast, Mexico, Bhutan, Afghanistan, Brazil and Russia.

41. a. 42. b. Exp: They will be inducted at Hindan Air base, Ghaziabad. 43. b. Exp: The minimum number of households is 20. 44. a. Exp: India Aviation-2012 will be organized by the Ministry of Civil Aviation jointly with Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FICCI).

45. d. 46. (a) 47. (a) 48. (b) 49. (a) 50. (d)

ANSWERS

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CSAT MODEL TEST PAPER

Directions for the following 8 (eight) items:

Read each of the following two passages and answer the items that follow. Your answers to these items should be based on the passages only.

Passage 1 (Q. 1 - 4)

Given the enormity of the crisis the world has just gone through, to ask why fi nancial stability is important will sound inane, perhaps even outlandish. But that perception comes from the benefi t of hindsight. Remember fi nancial stability was not on anyone’s radar screen during the period of the Great Moderation. So, let me address the question of why fi nancial stability is important.

That fi nancial stability is important for the macro economy is perhaps obvious. What clearly distinguishes a fi nancial crisis from other types of economic crises, as evidenced by the history of crises since the Great Depression of the 1930s, is that fi nancial crises are deeper, the recovery from them is protracted and they leave behind deep scars by way of output and employment foregone. The Great Recession of 2008/09 bears this out. Global income, trade and industrial production had fallen more sharply in the fi rst twelve months of this crisis than in the fi rst twelve months of the Great Depression. Two years after the crisis, much of the world is still in a recovery phase. And there are apprehensions that there may be a permanent loss of output - a new normal as it were. So, on all parameters, the depth of the crisis, the length of the recovery and its lasting impact, this crisis has taken a devastating toll on global growth and welfare - conclusive evidence of why fi nancial stability is vital from a macroeconomic perspective.

More specifi cally, fi nancial stability is particularly important to central banks because their ability to deliver on the growth and infl ation objectives is conditional on a fi nancially stable environment. At the heart of the monetary policy actions of a central bank is the adjustment of short-term interest rates in the expectation that it will transmit to interest rates at the long end and thereby infl uence aggregate demand and infl ation. The channel for this monetary transmission can get clogged, or in extreme cases even completely choke, if there is no fi nancial stability. Recall that at the depth of this crisis, when credit and money markets went into a seizure, advanced country central banks tested the limits of policy action. Finding that

they were unable to revive market confi dence even after pushing policy interests down to near zero or even zero, they had to top up interest rate action with initiatives variously termed quantitative easing and credit easing. What this experience demonstrated is that fi nancial stability is a necessary pre-condition for monetary policy effectiveness.

1. That fi nancial stability is important for the macro economy is perhaps obvious, why?

a) because macro economy is dependent upon fi nancial stability

b) because macroeconomic stability means long stability of economy

c) because macroeconomic deals with the infl ation and rate of interest

d) because fi nancial sector form the basis of important nominal indicators which affect the macroeconomic stability.

2. How Central banks adjust short term interest rates?

a) through credit requirement ratios

b) through direct action

c) through Liquidity adjustment facility

d) through purchase of excess foreign exchange

3. Why is fi nancial stability a necessary pre-condition for monetary policy effectiveness?

a) because they are inter dependant

b) Because lot of monetary policy tools are indicative and thus work on trust

c) because monetary policy determines the fi nancial stability

d) because fi nancial stability determines the monetary policy

4. Global income, trade and industrial production had fallen during depression, why?

a) because businesses went bankrupt

b) because of bearish expectations about future

c) because banks have gone bankrupt

d) because countries adopted protectionist policies

Passage 2 (Q. 5 - 8)

One of the reasons for low participation of women in the labor force is the non recognition of a number of women centric works as economic activities (such as cooking, collection of fuel and fodder, house and utensils cleaning etc.) Moreover, variety of social and family related constraints compel women to confi ne themselves to household activities at their prime working age. Early exit of women (probably post marital age) from labor market is particularly refl ected in urban areas where women face inadequate social and family support system.

However, it is important to recognize that women participation in labor market has increased in recent years, particularly in urban areas. Further, most of the increase in women participation is contributed by young women in urban areas. Since India is committed to creating a gender friendly labor market environment, there is increasing realization to broaden the defi nition of economic activities on the one hand and to provide a conducive working environment on the other, so that women’s contribution to the national economy is properly recognized.

5. With reference to the above passage, what are the reasons for women absenteeism from the labour market?

1) Most of the women centric work does not come under the tag of economic activities.

2) Due to social and familial constraints, women get confi ned to household chores.

3) Women prefer part time work to full time jobs.

4) Women often fail to fulfi l work related responsibilities on time.

a) 1 only b) 1 and 2

c) 1,2 and 3 d) 1 and 3.

6. Consider the following statements.

1) Women participation in labour market is lower in urban areas than rural areas.

2) Women prefer household activities to outside work.

Which of the statement/s given above is/are correct?

a) 1 only b) 2 only

c) Both 1 and 2 d) Neither 1 nor 2

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7. Which of the following statements convey the main inference of the passage?

a) Women face lot of social and family related problems, thus their low participation in the labour market.

b) There is a demand for women workers in labour market.

c) There is a need to re-defi ne economic activity so that women’s contribution to economic growth could be recognized.

d) Given adequate family support, women participation could be increased considerably.

8. Consider the following statements.

1) Cooking, cleaning, collection of fuel and fodder consume most of women’s day time, leaving little or no time for professional work.

2) Policy interventions can address number of social and family related barriers.


a) 1 only b) 2 only

c) Both 1 and 2 d) Neither 1 nor 2

9. In an examination 70% of the candidates passed in Accountancy, 65% in Economics, 27% failed in both the subject and 248 passed in both the subjects. Find out the total number of the candidates.

(a) 450 (b) 600 (c) 400 (d) 500

10. Find the missing term 6 : 39 : : 12 : ?

(a) 105 (b) 115 (c)149 (d) 150

Directions for question 11 and 12: Refer to the data below and answer that follow.

A, C, D, E, F and G are six members of a family. A is father of C but C is not his son. D is sibling of C. E is D’s brother-in-law. F is G’s grandson. G is D’s mother.

11. How many male members are there in a family?

(a) 3 (b) 2 (c) 4 (d) Either (a) or (c)

12. D is:

(a) F’s uncle (b) C’s sister

(c) G’s grandchild (d) Either (a) or (b)

13. The question below has a few statements, followed by four conclusions numbered I, II, III and IV. You have to consider every given statements as true, even if it goes not conform to the well known

facts. Read the conclusions and then decide which of the conclusions can be logically derived.

Statements:

I. All Apples are Brinjals.

II. All Brinjals are Ladyfi ngers.

III. Some Ladyfi ngers are Oranges.

Conclusions:

I. Some Oranges are Brinjals.

II. Some Brinjals are Apples

III. Some Apples are Oranges.

IV. All Ladyfi ngers are Apples.

(a) None follows

(b) Either I or III follows

(c) All follow

(d) Only I and III follow

Directions: the question given below consists of a statement, followed by three or four arguments numbered I, II, and III. You have to decide which of the argument is/are ‘strong’ argument(s) and which is/are ‘weak’ argument(s) and accordingly choose the answer from the alternative given below each question.

14. Statement: Should administrative offi cers be transferred after one or two years?

Arguments:

I. Yes. They get friendly with local people and manipulated by them.

II. No. By the time policies and schemes start taking shape, they have to leave.

III. No. This will create a lot of administrative hassles and cause a lot of inconvenience to

the offi cers.

(a) Only II. Is strong

(b) Only I and II are strong

(c) Only II and III are strong

(d) Only I and III are strong

15. Two men start together to walk to a certain destination, one at 3 kmph and another at 3.75 kmph. The latter arrives half an hour before the former. The distance is:

(a) 6 km (b) 7.5km

(c) 8 km (d) 9.5 km

16. Mansi has a certain no of mangoes, of which 13% are bad. She gives 75% of the remainder to charity, and then has 261 left. How many did she have initially?

(a) 1300 (b) 1250

(c) 1200 (d) 610

Directions for the following 9 (nine) items:


Passage 1 (Q. 17- 22)

Pakistan is a rare instance of being constantly wooed by the two most powerful countries in the world, the USA and China. And this very unique situation also colours Moscow’s policy toward Islamabad. Shortly after the assassination of Osama bin Laden, the Russian and Pakistani Presidents met and reiterated their resolve to continue to be in close collaboration with each other in combating the two menaces their countries were fi ghting, terrorism and drug traffi cking. In several other ways, such as, regional energy projects like the supply of electricity from Tajikistan to Afghanistan and Pakistan and the Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India gas pipeline, the Russian Government has expressed its interest in seeing these fructify and offered its assistance.

And where does the growing relevance of the Pakistani state leave India? To its infi nite credit, the UPA-II Government has been steadfast in sticking to its time-honoured policy of cultivating better relations with Pakistan. At the same time, it has sought to pressure Islamabad increasingly to honour its commitments to curb terrorism and, specifi cally, to eradicate the anti-Indian jihadist outfi ts from its territory. “We can choose our friends but not our neighbours,” India’s current Defence Minister A.K. Antony was reported to have quipped in explaining Pakistan’s relevance for India. (In fact, the phrase he used was used on earlier occasions by severa of his predecessors as also by various Prime Ministers.) And that about sums up India’ s Pakistan policy.

However, there are still two other factors that doubly strengthen Pakistan’s relevance for the region and the world, its nuclear arsenal and Afghanistan. Like the USA and a host of other countries, India is immensely worried by the apparent expansion of Islamist militancy coupled with the continuing weakening of Pakistan’s state institutions, which also makes it most dangerous country in world. It might sound like a supreme irony but the fact is that it would go against India’s vital interests if the Pakistani military is eventually weakened unless, of course, the democratic institutions like the parliament, judiciary,

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elected government, and civil society are accorded their rightful place in a democracy. In such a scenario, a weakened and chastened military which knows its place in a democracy, would be an asset for Pakistan and no source of nuisance for its neighbours. Unfortunately, not even the most incorrigible optimist in Pakistan can dream of such a scenario at the present juncture.

Almost every option being considered today to ensure an eventual success story in Afghanistan seeks to involve Pakistan, and therefore Islamabad’s response to them engages the immediate attention of the world. Pakistan’s continuing recalcitrance enormously worries the US because the Obama Administration’s plan to begin a gradual withdrawal from Afghanistan cannot be undertaken without a fully responsible Pakistani participation in the post-withdrawal scenario.

Similarly, India is reconciled to its realisation that Pakistan enjoys a special relationship with the Taliban, the very Islamist force that the US and its allies once sought to destroy and now plan to cultivate in order to forge a workable model of governance in Afghanistan so that they can get away without further collateral damage.

Pakistan had traditionally considered India its chief rival in Afghanistan and has till date jealously acted to preserve its relatively superior status among the majority Pushtuns by virtue of its long association with the Taliban. But the situation has slightly eased for India now with the Indian Government’s patient and wise policy fi nally bearing fruit. For, Islamabad has begun to sound as if it gives credence to India’s claim that it is not strategically interested in Afghanistan and wishes to play strictly the role of a responsible regional power.

To sum up, the weaker the Pakistani state grows, the stronger becomes its nuisance value, its capacity to facilitate infl iction of mortal harm to its neighbours and to countries far and near. As the Indian Government and every other government that counts have emphasised time and again, an eventually failed Pakistani state would be a Frankenstein that the world can ill-afford and cannot allow to be a reality.

17. Why Pakistan enjoys such a strategic position?

a) because of geographic location

b) because of troubled history with India.

c) because it never had its own

independent foreign policy

d) because Pakistan can easily be used by any country for its strategic purposes.

18. Why is Pakistan being wooed by Russia?

a) because Russia is interested in gaining a foot step into south Asia

b) because Pakistan is a important country to Russia

c) because Russia wants to counters American and Chinese infl uence there

d) all of the above

19. What makes Pakistan on of the most dangerous country in world?

a) it’s nuclear arsenal

b) it’s terrorist outfi ts

c) a,b & d

d) it’s political instability

20. Why is afganistan so important to pakistan’s foreign policy?

a) because Pakistan use it as a buffer territory

b) because Pakistan use the territory there to raise its terrorist groups

c) because Afghanistan is the hub of Al - qaida and thus of premier importance

d) because of lucrative opium trade

21. What is most favourable scenario for India in Pakistan?

a) strong democratic institutions

b) strong civil society & weak military

c) economic development in Pakistan

d) all of the above

22. What is the chief risk involved with USA’s withdrawal from Afghanistan?

a) Re-emergence of Taliban

b) Pakistan will once again gain foothold in territory

c) Afghanistan may witness a civil war and communal strife like 1980’s once again

d) china may use that opportunity to gain foothold in Afghanistan

Passage-2 (23-25)

Our present policies could only be termed richonomics – economics of the rich, by the rich and for the rich. While funds are fl owing like water for building SEZs, malls, and highways and byways, they have no resources

to build food storage warehouses! That is not apriority in their economic policy which works on the principle of “He who hath, shall be given.”

The rich have become richer and they are also immune to many of the societal rules that govern the poor. The gap between the haves and the haves-not has not only widened, the purchasing capacity of the poor has gone down signifi cantly. While the new industrial tycoons get all kinds of incentives, the poor farmer has to pay through the nose for his daily needs with the ever-increasing market value of his produce.

Poverty, in addition, is a double-edged weapon. While poverty is the womb of disease, the poor are also robbed of their daily wage earning when they fall ill. The result is that they pay for their poverty with their own lives.


1) In India, our economic policies are formulated by rich people.

2) Government doesn’t have enough funds for building food storage warehouses.

Which of the statement/s given above is/are correct ?



24. Which statement conveys the message of the passage?

a) Indian economic policies refl ect the concerns of rich only leaving poor people to fend for themselves.

b) Government needs to bridge the gap between rich and the poor by providing poor people subsidies and incentives.

c) There are different norms and rules governing rich and the poor.

d) Budgetary allocation under various heads refl ect their importance in national development.


1) Poverty is the breeding house of diseases.

2) Hospital bills rob them of little money they have, leaving them poorer.




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26. Mr. $ saved ` 4 more each year than the preceding year. If he saved ` 20 in the fi rst year, after how many years he will save ` 1065?

(a) 10 years (b) 12 years

(c) 18 years (d) 19 years

27. Aaditya travelled from a point x straight to y at a distance of 80 meters. He turned right and walked 50 meters, then again turned right and walked 70 meters. Finally, he turned right and walked 50 meters. How far is he from the starting point ?

(a) 70 meters (b) 20 meters (c) 50 meters (d) 10 meters

28. Amit plant his orchard with 625 trees and arranges them so that there are as many rows as trees in a row. How rows are there?

(a) 125 (b)25

(c) 75 (d) None of these

29. A man bought a Mobile set priced at ` 2,000. He was given successive discount of 20% and 10%. The price he paid was:

(a) ` 1200 (b) ` 1224

(c) ` 1440 (d) ` 1152

30. If a person get ` 50 by investing Rs. 5000 for a year, What rate of interest he charge?

(a) 10% (b) 1%

(c) 5% (d) None of these

31. Annual incomes of sunil and Ankur are in ratio 4 : 3 and there expenses, as 3 : 2. If each saves ` 600 at the end of the year, fi nd the annual income of the each.

(a) 1200, 900 (b) 1500, 1125

(c) 2400, 1800 (d) 3600, 2700

32. If 10 men can do a work in 4 days, in how many days can 8 men do it?

(a) 5 days (b) 6 days

(c) 7 days (d) 8 days

33. A Mango costs Rs. 7 each. An apple costs Rs. 5 each. X spends Rs.38 on these fruits. The number of mango purchased is:

(a) 2 (b) 3

(c) 4 (d) Data inadequate

34.

25

64

4

2

8

5

1

X

of monetary policy will likely mean that the impact of policy will be its greatest when the bubble is bursting only adding to the damage. Second, the problem in the current crisis was not that central banks failed to burst bubbles but rather that they created them. If interest rates had not been held so low and we still had bubbles then such a proposal might have merit. But that is not what happened.

Yet another reform, recently suggested by the IMF research department, is that central banks should raise their infl ation targets. The reason is that with the two percent target in policy rules such as the Taylor rule the interest rate would have to go negative in a severe crisis, and this is not possible. But in the current crisis, the Taylor rule has interest rates going close to zero and not remaining there for long. Moreover, raising infl ation targets—especially when government debts are rising and central banks’ balance sheets are expanded— could easily reduce credibility about an infl ation target at all, further damaging central bank credibility. This would be especially inappropriate for central banks in emerging market countries.

For the most part, the policy implications of the crisis are that those central banks that deviated from good policy should get back to what they were doing before the crisis. They need to earn back credibility and preserve their independence. Systematic monetary policies focusing on a credible goal for infl ation worked well in the past and they will work well in the future. For central banks that were following sounder policies—and here credit should be given to the progress made in India and other emerging market central banks—they should continue to do so. There is no reason to change.

But the crisis does reveal some potential new fault lines, largely related to the increased globalization and international connection between fi nancial markets, which was so evident during the panic. These interconnections raise questions about the impact of central banks on each other. In the period leading up to the crisis there is evidence that the European Central Bank and other central banks held interest rates lower than they would otherwise be because the Federal Reserve set its interest rate so low. The reason, of course, is the exchange rate. A large gap between interest rates would cause the exchange rate to appreciate with adverse consequences on exports. And during the panic the shock from the developed world on the developing world was severe and central banks had to cope with this.

From above, value of X is:

(a) 1 (b) 2 (c) 3 (d) 4

Directions for the following 9 (nine) items:


Passage – 1 (Q. 35 - 40)

Reform of fi nancial regulation is clearly in order. Based on recent experience, closing present and future regulatory gaps and de-confl icting overlapping and ambiguous responsibilities would help reduce risk, especially as new instruments and institutions evolve. Examining new instruments, looking for new risks and gaps, and making recommendations for changes in regulations by using the ideas from conferences like this one would also help.

Some have suggested the creation of a new systemic risk regulator, either at the national or international level. However, it is doubtful that such a systemic risk regulator would have prevented the current crisis. It would not have prevented the very low interest rates or the other government actions I have described in this lecture. Moreover, the experience during the panic of fall 2008 raises doubts that such an agency could resolve failing private institutions without causing more systemic risk. It would be helpful if it could warn about the major existing systemic risks, including the exploding debt, central banks’ balance sheet, and the bailout mentality. But groups such as the Financial Stability Board, working along with the IMF and G20, are better suited to that role.

Another suggestion is that central banks, including emerging market central banks—take actions to burst market bubbles in fi nancial or other markets. I do not think that is a good idea. First, the lags in the effect

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Is there a better way? Making the movements in the interest rates less erratic in the developed countries would help the emerging market countries. I note that for the most part deviations from policy rules, such as the Taylor rule, have increased interest rate volatility, so keeping interest rates more on track will have the added advantage of reducing their erratic nature. Another possibility, which I recommended before the crisis, is that we think about a global target for the infl ation rate, or at least a multi-country target, a G20 target perhaps. If there was a multi-country target and this was at least considered in the deliberations of each central bank then there would be a smaller tendency to swing individual interest rates around by large amounts.

35. What is the meaning of regulatory gap here“closing present and future regulatory gaps” ?

a) it means that regulators do not exist for certain sections

b) it means that regulatory bodies are too weak to enforce regulations

c) it means that regulation job is not being done properly

d) it means that watchdogs are either weak or not present in certain sector and sub sectors

36. “With the two percent target in policy rules such as the Taylor rule the interest rate would have to go negative in a severe crisis, and this is not possible”, what is targeted in statement?

a. Interest rate b. Growth Rate

c. Bank Rate d. Infl ation Rate

37. “Making the movements in the interest rates less erratic in the developed countries would help the emerging market countries” Why ?

a) Because emerging markets don’t have strong institutional structure to refl ect policy change quickly

b) because in developed countries governments are too strong

c) because in developing countries governments are too weak

d) Both b) and c)

38. What will be the biggest hurdle in creating the multi country target?

a) Absence of a Common Central Bank

b) Absence of a common monetary policy

c) Absence of a common fi scal policy

d) Absence of a consensus

39. “A large gap between interest rates would cause the exchange rate to appreciate with adverse consequences on exports”, what is the meaning of gap?

a) Gap between interest rates of two countries

b) Gap between interest rates of two Banks

c) Gap between interest rates of two Central Banks

d) Gap between interest rates offered by two different investment streams

40. “These interconnections raise questions about the impact of central banks on each other”, what are these interconnections?

a) interdependence of monetary policy

b) impact of foreign trade

c) impact of FDI

d) All of the above

Passage 2 (41-43)

For some peace activists today, it is enough that hindus and muslims do not kill each other. Many others still seek a reconciliation well beyond this, one that positively builds trust, confi dence and eventually empathy between previously embroiled people; a genuine meeting again of hearts and minds. The path to authentic forgiveness and reconciliation must traverse at least four milestones: acknowledgement; remorse; reparation and justice. The fi rst acknowledgement, is a public acceptance – by direct perpetrators, by State authorities, but also by people and organizations who openly or tacitly ratify the violence or were silent or indifferent as it unfolded. The second, remorse is a public expression of collective sincere regret or contrition for the hate, violence, injustice and suffering that transpired.

Reparation entails adequate and timely assistance to enable victim survivors to rebuild shelters, livelihoods, common resources, habitats and cultural environments that are at levels at least comparable, perhaps better than what they enjoyed prior to the confl ict.

Justice involves application and protection of the law, so that those who committed hate crimes are punished, and public offi cials charged with preventing and controlling communal violence are held accountable. It also entails restoring peace;

a sustainable environment of harmony and amity founded on legal and social justice, guarantees of non-repetition, freedom from fear and distrust between communities, and strengthening of social, economic and cultural bonds between them.

41. With reference to the passage, consider the following statements.

1) Reconciliation between hindus and muslims is important to conserve muslim population

2) Reconciliation is about living together.


a) 1 only b) 2 only

c) Both 1 and 2

d) Neither 1 nor 2

42. Which of the following statement conveys the main inference of the passage?

a) A public acceptance and an apology by the perpetrators are the most important ways to reconciliation.

b) Hindus and muslims need to learn to forgive and forget.

c) Providing victims shelter, livelihood. Resources can effectively compensate their losses.

d) When state, the perpetrator and the survivor all join hands to re-build broken lives and when justice is done and seen to have been done, a way of living together can be rediscovered.


1) Through reparation, we can compensate for the loss of human lives and valued ways of living

2) Punishing the perpetrators and holding state authorities accountable are important to render justice to victims.


a) 1 only b) 2 only

c) Both 1 and 2

d) Neither 1 nor 2

Direction (Question 44 to 48) Study the following information to answer the given questions:

Percentage of different types of employees in an organization

Total employees – 7000

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Out of these Percent of Percent of direct promoter

1. Steno 30 70

2. Assistant 40 60

3. Supervisor 50 50

4. Clerk A 90 10

5. Clerk B 30 70

6. Offi cer A 90 10

7. Offi cer B 70 30

44. What is the difference in direct recruits and promotee assistants?

(a) 210 (b) 280 (c) 180 (d) 110

45. The Promotee Clerk-A is approximately what percent of that of Direct Recruit Clerk-A?

(a) 10 (b) 9

(c) 11 (d) 10.50

46. How many employees are supervisors?

(a) 1050 (b) 1019


47. How many total Direct Recruits among all types of employees are there?

(a) 4000 (b) 3885

(c) 3000 (d) 3115

48. Which type of employees has maximum number of Direct Recruits?

(a) Clerk A-and Offi cer-A

(b) Offi cer-A

(c) Clerk-A

(d) Clerk-B

49. In a class, 30% of the students offered English, 20% offered Hindi and 10% offered both. If a student is selected at random, what is the probability that he has offered English and Hindi?

(a) 2/5 (b) 3/4

(c) 3/5 (d) 3/10

50. A man and his appear in an interview

for vacancies in the same post. The probability of husband’s selection is (1/7) and the probability of wife’s selection is (1/5). What is the probability that only one of them is selected?

(a) 4/5 (b) 2/7

(c) 8/15 (d) 4/7

51. The average rainfall from Monday to Saturday is 0.3 inches, but the average for the whole week is 0.5 inches. What was the rainfall on Sunday?

(a) 1.7 inches (b) 1.8 inches

(c) 1.9 inches (d) 1.6 inches

52. The average marks of 15 students in a class is 145, maximum marks being 150. If the two lowest scores are removed the average increases by 5. Also, the two lowest scores are consecutive multiples of 9. Find out the lowest score in the class.

(a) 126 (b) 117


Directions for the following 7 (seven) items:


Passage - 1 (Q. 53 - 56)

Mumbaikars are naturally overtaken by a mixture of grief, sorrow, anguish and anger. They are sick and tired of hearing hackneyed phrases like the ‘spirit of Mumbai’. Life is back to normal on July 14 after the previous evening’s blasts and the killings that followed. Or so it seems. Actually the citizens have returned to work because they do not have any other option. But deep within, apart from the misery and pain the successive terror strikes have left, there is a silent resolve to bring an end to such terror acts once and for all. This is where the words of BJP patriarch L.K. Advani (‘we must have zero tolerance to terror’) and Shiv Sena supremo Bal Thackery (‘Mumbaikars themselves must ensure their own safety’ without depending on the government) strike the right chord in tune with the current sentiments of the city’s inhabitants. (However, whatever their pronouncements, the ulterior designs of these leaders cannot possibly be overlooked given past experience.)

This is precisely where the sane observation of Dr Farooq Abdullah, the former J&K CM now a member of the Manmohan Singh Cabinet at the Centre, assumes undeniable

importance: “The perpetrators of this heinous crime are those who do not want the India-Pakistan negotiations to succeed.” He did not fail to point to the fact that just as in 26/11 (that is, the direct Pakistan-sponsored terror strikes in Mumbai in November 2008), this time too the terror acts were committed with the objective of foiling the meeting between the two countries’ Foreign Ministers that has been fi xed.

While the authorities are as yet tightlipped on the identity and motivation of the terrorists who struck in Mumbai on July 13, the fresh serial blasts in the city are widely believed to be the handiwork of the Indian Mujahideen whose links with the terror-instigators in Pakistan are quite well known. Even otherwise there is a general view, based on the history of recent terror strikes, that terror attacks in various regions of the country, and Mumbai in particular, have a Pakistani connection given the depths of animosity towards India in the Pakistani military establishment, especially its intelligence wing, the ISI. And as far as the serial blasts in the city on July 13 are concerned, they reveal coordinated strikes—the fi rst explosion at Zaveri Bazar was at 6.45 pm, followed by the second at the Opera House a minute later and the third outside Kabutarkhana at a bus stop in Dadar around 7.00 pm—by high explosive timer devices, similar to the ones carried out and employed by the IM earlier.

53. What is spirit of Mumbai in this context?

a) that mumbai people are insensitive

b) that mumbai people are not afraid of death

c) that mumbai people are too busy to think about terrorism

d) that acts of terrorism doesn’t affect city business and work

54. Mumbaikars are tired of phrases like “spirit of mumbai”, why?

a) because such phrases doesn’t redeem their emotional and fi nancial losses

b) because “spirit of mumbai” phrases by politicians ,is just like making fun of people after their losses.

c) because “spirit of mumbai” is a life’s necessity to run family and not choice.

d) all of the above

55. Why is mumbai targeted repeatedly by terrorists?

Offi c

er A

8%

Offi c

er B

11%

Clerk A 19%

Clerk B 20%

Steno 10%

Supervisor 17%

Assisstant 15%

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a) because it is fi nancial centre of india

b) because it is political centre of india

c) because its centre of media and entertainment industry in india

d) all of the above

56. Why terrorists wants negotiation between india and pakistan to fail?

a) because peace between two countries will render them useless

b) because peace between these two countries will cause legal problems for them

c) because peace between these two countries will defeat their purpose

d) because they want to discourage people and demolish their morale and peace will do opposite to it.

Passage-2 ( 57-59)

Of the several common characteristics that the modern states in the South Asian region shared, their multicultural and multi-religious compositions have been the most conspicuous. They shaped the demographic pattern, infl uenced the course of social relations, defi ned the contours of cultural life and, above all, set certain parameters for the mutual relations of different countries in the region. Given the commonly shared historical experience, particularly of colonial oppression and resistance, the region had the potential to develop a distinct personality in the post-colonial world through cultural solidarity, economic cooperation and political collaboration.

The history of South Asia during the past 60 years, however, did not realize such a possibility. Instead, the relationship between different states was infl uenced more by recriminations of the past rather than the possibilities of the future, leading to mutual suspicion, distrust and occasional hostility and even armed confl ict. Among many reasons that led to such a situation, an important factor was the compulsions of ‘mutual vigil’ undertaken by these states about the conditions of the minorities who were the followers of their religion.

What prompted such an interest and consequent vigil was the nature of distribution of religious communities. The demographic make-up of South Asia has helped reinforce identity politics in each country. For, ‘India’ is present in the communal discourse of

Pakistan and Bangladesh, so are ‘Pakistan and Bangladesh’ in India.


1) Modern states in the South Asia have multi cultural and multi religious populations.

2) Historically, these states were under foreign rule.

3) In the post colonial era, these states developed cultural and political solidarity.

4) Their religious composition has played a crucial role in infl uencing their bilateral relations.

Which of the above statement/s is/are true?

a) 1,2,3 b) 2,3,4

c) 1,2,4 d) All of the above.


1) ‘Mutual vigil’ is the result of concern and anxiety of a cultural or religious group that gets transmitted to their co-religionists in the other countries.

2) This concern often amounts to interference in the internal affairs of the other country.

Which of the above statement/s is/are correct?

a) 1 only b) 2only

c) Both 1 and 2

d) Neither 1 nor 2


1) The relationship between various religious and cultural groups in these countries is marked by mutual confl ict and hostility.

2) Religion and culture compete with national identity of a person.


a) 1 only

b) 2 only

c) Both 1 and 2

d) Neither 1 nor 2

Direction (question 60 to 63) Read the following information to answer the question given below it:

(i) In a family of six persons, there are people from three generations. Each person has separate profession and also they like different colour. There

are two couples in the family.

(ii) R is a CA and his wife neither is a doctor nor likes green colour.

(iii) Engineer like red colour and his wife is a teacher.

(iv) M is mother-in-law of S and she likes Orange colour.

(v) V is grandfather of T and T, who is a principal, likes black colour.

(vi) N is granddaughter of M and she likes blue colour. N’s mother likes white colour

60. Who is Engineer?

(a) N (b) M

(c) S (d) None of these

61. Which is the profession of S?

(a) Engineer (b) Doctor

(c) Teacher (d) none of these

62. How much ladies are there in the family?

(a) Two (b) Three (b) Four (d) Five

63. Which colour is liked by CA?

(a) Green (b) White

(c) Either white or green

(d) Blue

Directions for question 64 and 65: Each question is followed by two statements, I and II. Answer each question using the following instructions:

Choose (a): if the question can be answered by using one of the statement alone, but cannot be answered using the other statement alone.

Choose (b): if the question can be answered by using one of the either of the statements alone.

Choose (c): if the question can be answered by using both of the statements together, but cannot be answered using either of the statement alone.

Choose (d) : if the question cannot be answered even by using both the statement together

64. What is the population of the village?

I. 7/100 of the village comprises of married people.

II. 200 widows comprise 10% of the single population.

65. What would be Amitabh’s share in the profi t of a partnership with Abhishek if they put money in the ratio 7: 3 respectively?

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I. Amitabh put in Rs 2100 for 3 months.

II. Abhishek put in money for 6 months.

66. In the fi gure, AB//DE and AC = 2 cms, CE = 6 cms. And DB =12 cms. Find DC?

(a) 6cm. (b) 9cm.

(c) 12cm. (d) 3cm.

2 cm

A B

C

D E

6 cm

Directions for the following 8 (eight) items:


Passage 1 ( 67-71)

The World Health Organisation’s (WHO) International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) classifi ed RF-EMF as a possible cancer-causing agent in the case of humans, under Group 2B of its classifi cation system of carcinogens.

Mobile phones emit “non-ionising” radiation, which, unlike X-rays or gamma rays, does not strip electrons away from molecules(ionize) in cell tissue and thus cannot damage deoxyribonucleic acid(DNA) and other biomolecules. The energy

Of mobile phone radiation is, in fact, a million times smaller than the energy required to break a chemical bond and cause chemical reactions. However, RF-EMF can cause heating of the material on which it deposits its tiny energy and at high enough levels can damage the cell tissue by thermal effect. In the late 1990s, this resulted in the United States’ Federal Communication Commision (FCC) and the International Commission on Non-Ionising Radiation Protection (ICNIRP) in Europe to set limits on the emitting power of mobile phones in terms of what is called the specifi c absorption rate (SAR), a measure of the energy deposited in biological systems.

SAR is defi ned in watts/kg and is the rate of absorption of electromagnetic energy in a unit mass of tissue. The limits

set by the FCC and the ICNIRP were 1.6W/kg and 2W/kg respectively. The question is whether these standards are suffi cient to protect against health effects owing to long-term exposures. Neither the FCC nor the ICNIRP has recommended any changes in their present standards on the basis of the scientifi c evidence of the adverse effects of RF-EMF available so far. It remains to be seen how these agencies interpret the IARC’s conclusions and act on them.


1) Mobile phone radiations, X-rays and gamma rays are non ionizing.

2) Mobile phone radiation are non harmful to cell tissues.


a) 1 only

b) 2 only

c) Both 1 and 2

d) Neither 1 nor 2


1) Cell phone radiation’s energy is insuffi cient to break a chemical compound.

2) Heating caused by RF-EMF can damage cells.


a) 1 only

b) 2only

c) Both 1 and 2

d) Neither 1 nor 2

69. Which of the given statement/s is/are not correct?

1) Group 2B signifi es elements that are highly carcinogenic

2) Mobile phones with SAR limits 1.6w/kg or 2w/kg are not carcinogenic.

3) FCC and ICNIRP do not feel the need to change the SAR limit.

4) Concrete action on IARC’S fi ndings will require more evidence and time.

a) 2 and 3

b) 2,3, 4

c) 3 only

d) 1, 2 ,3


1) Group 2A for carcinogenic elements include agents that are probably carcinogenic.

2) Group 2B includes agents that are possibly carcinogenic.


a) 1only b) 2 only

c) Both 1 and 2

d) Neither 1 nor 2


1) Radiations that have enough energy to move atoms in a molecule around or cause them to vibrate but not enough to remove electrons are called ‘non-ionizing’ radiations.

2) Sound waves, microwaves are non-ionizing.


a) 1 only b) 2 only

c) Both 1 and 2

d) Neither 1 nor 2

Psaaage-2 (72-74 )

Thomas Hobbes and Jean-Jacques Rousseau were 17th and 18th century philosophers with similar, yet contrasting theories about human nature. Hobbes’ theory is based upon the assumption that human nature is naturally competitive and violent; while Rousseau’s theory about the state of ‘natural man’ is one living in harmony with nature and in a better situation than what he was seeing throughout his life in Europe. Hobbes has been criticized because of his overly cynical view of human nature, whereas Rousseau has been criticized because of his naïve view of human nature.

Hobbes’ theory is based on the notion of ‘individualism’: that society can ‘only be explained in terms of the individuals comprising it.’ Consequently, he claimed that we are all selfi sh and concerned only with our own self-preservation even if it comes at the cost of others. This would result in confl ict, and eventually descent into a ‘State of War’. Self-interest was based upon the theory of ‘psychological egoism’, where the motivation for all actions is benefi t for oneself. Even altruistic actions could be explained in this manner because, according to Hobbes’ theory, our primary desire is self-preservation and in other’s misfortune one’s own plight is foreseen, therefore providing motivation to act in this seemingly unselfi sh manner.

Rousseau’s theory contrasted with that

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of Hobbes, as he thought human nature is largely good. Society is the corrupting force that transforms ‘natural man’ into the self-obsessed beast illustrated by Hobbes. Rousseau does not deny that Hobbes’ account of the ‘State of Nature’ is correct, just that Hobbes did not defi ne the ‘State of Nature’ correctly. For Rousseau, the ‘State of Nature’ is much more than just a removal of government, it is the removal of all ‘cultural clothes’ including beliefs, language and even an understanding of ourselves.

72. Who doesn’t show the signs of pessimistic Darwinian socialism in his analysis of human nature?

(a) Hobbes (b) Rousseau

(c) Both of them (d) None of them

73. What does the Rousseau mean by state of nature?

a) It’s the absence of state

b) It’s the absence of society

c) It’s the absence of entire social and identity system

d) It’s the absence of all type of external perceptions

74. How can altruism be best explained by self-interest?

a) Altruism can become self interest as an act of charity meant for better self perception

b) Altruism can become self interest as an act of charity done for hidden agenda

c) Altruism can become self interest as an act of helping others for expectation of returns later

d) All of the above

Directions: (Q. Nos. 75 to 77) Read the following statements carefully and fi ned answer the question that follow.

Mumbai airport has only one fl ight departing at every 1.5 hours each day. The last fl ight is for Singapore at 7:30 p.m. Flight for Flight for Japan is exactly at 12:00 hours and it is the third fl ight. The maximum time gap between two consecutive fl ights is between that for Singapore and Pakistan. Flight for France is the fi fth fl ight and is followed by Canada. Time gap between France and Nepal is same as that between Australia and Korea.

75. First fl ight is for:

(a) Australia (b) Pakistan

(c) Nepal (d) Korea

76. If the Flight for Nepal is at 10:30 a.m. fl ight for Korea could be at:

(a) 9 a.m. (b) 1:30 p.m.

(c) 4:30 p.m. (d) 3:00

77. Flight for France is defi nitely after:

(a) Australia (b) Korea

(c) Nepal (d) Cannot be determined

78. A labourer work on daily wages at Rs. 180 per day. He works for all 31 days in a months and his salary is cut if he fails to come. Also he has to pay a fi ne of Rs. 5 per day if he is absent for 1 day, Rs. 10 per day if he is absent for two days continuously, Rs. 15 per day if he is absent for three days continuously . He take leaves on following dates of a month 15th, 16th, 18th, 20th , 21st and 22nd. Find the salary he received at the end of the month?

(a) Rs. 4430 (b) Rs. 4400

(c)Rs.4500 (d) Rs.5510

79. A garrison of 500 men had provision for 24 days. However, a reinforcement of 300 men arrived. The food will now last for:

(a) 18 Days (b) 15 Days

(c) 10 Days (d) 16 Days

80. If cash discount is 10%, a pair of shoes bought for Rs. 900 is priced at:

(a) 1100 (b) 810

(c) 1000 (d) 990

1. (d) 2. (c) 3. (b) 4. (b) 5. (b) 6. (d) 7. (c) 8. (b)

9. (c) 400, Solution: Let A & E represents student passed in Accountancy and Economics

n (A U M) = (100-27)% = 73%

n (A U M) = n(A) + n(E) – n(A n M)

73% = 70% + 65% - X%, X% = 62%

62% = 248 Total no. of candidates = 248/0.62 = 400

10. (d) 150, Solution: (n)2 + n/2 = (12)2 + 12/2 = 150

11. (d) Solution: D can be male or female.

12. (d) Solution: D can be F’s uncle if D is male or C’s sister if D is female. Hence, [d]

13. (a) Solution:

None follows

14. (c) 15. (b) Solution: Let the distance be x km. Then,

Lady fi nger

Brinjals

Apples

Orange

ANSWERS

x x 1 3 375 2

3.75 15 50 2

- = < = > 2.5x - 2x = 375 < = > x = = =7.5 km.

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16. (c) 1200, Solution: 25% of the good mangoes represent 261

Total number of good mangoes = = 1044, 87% of the total mangoes is represented by 1044.

Total number of mangoes = = 1200, Hence, [c]

17. (a) 18. (c) 19. (c) a,b & d 20. (a) 21. (d) 22. (a) 23. (d) 24. (a) 25. (a) 26. (d) 19 years

Solutions: a = 20; d = 4; Sn = 1064

Sn = n/2 [2a + (n -1) d]

27. (d) 10 meters

Solution: The movements of Aaditya as shown in fi gure. (X to Y, Y to A, A to B, B to C).

\ Aaditya’s distance from the starting point = XC =(XY – YC) =(XY – BA) = (80 – 70)m = 10m.

X C 80m Y

50m 50m

B 70m A

28. (b) 25 Solution: n2 = 625, n =Ö = 25 Hence, [b].

29. (c) Rs. 1440 Solution: 2000 x 0.8 x 0.9 = 2000 x 0.72 = Rs.1440. Hence [d]

30. (b) 31. (c)

32. (a)

33. (c) 4, Solution (c) Let the number of Mango and Apple are X and Y respectively. Then, 7x +5Y = 38 or 5Y=(38-7X) or Y = (38-7X)/5.

Clearly, Y is a whole no, only when (38-7x) is divisible by 5. This happens when X= 4.

34. (a) 1, Solution: (a) : The two end of each line segment contain a number and its square. So, missing number = 1

35. (d) 36. (d) 37. (a) 38. (d) 39. (a) 40. (d) 41. (d) 42. (d) 43. (b)

44. (a) 210, Solution: Total no. Of assistants = 15% of 7000 = 1050

No. Of direct recruits = 40 % of 1050 = 420

Now no. of promotee assistants = 1050 – 420 = 630

Hence, required difference is = 630 – 420 = 210

45. (c) 11, Solution: Number of clerk-A = 19% of 7000 = 1330

Number of direct recruits = 90% of 1330 = 1197

Now, number of promotes = 1330 – 1197 = 133

Hence, required % = (133/ 1197)x100 = 13000/1200= 11%

46. (d) None of these, Solution: (d) Number of supervisors = 17% of 7000 = (17/100)x7000=1190

47. (b) 3885

48. (c) Clerk-A, Solution: Clerk-A has maximum number of Direct Recruits.

49. (a) 2/5 Solution: P(E)= 3/10, P(H) = 1/5, and P (E n H) = 1/10

P (E OR H) = P(E) + P(H) – P (E n H)

[3/10 +1/5 -1/10] = 2/5

50. (b) 2/7 Solution: A = husband is selected; B = wife selected

P(A) =1/7 , P(A’) 6/7 and P(B) = 1/5, P(B’) = 4/5

P(A).P(B’) + P(B).P(A’) = [(1/7 x 4/5) + (1/5 x 6/7)] = 2/7

51. (a) Solution: Rainfall from Monday to Saturday is 6 x 0.3 = 1.8 inches

Rainfall for the whole week = 7 x 0.5 = 3.5 inches

Rainfall on Sunday = 3.5 – 1.8 = 1.7 inches.

52. (c) Solutions : Total marks of students = 15 x 145 = 2175. Average marks of 15 students (excluding two lowest scores) = 13 x (145+5) =1950.

261 0.25

1044 0.87

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Total of two lowest scores = 2175-1952=225

Give that the two scores are consecutive multiples of 9

We have: 9x+9x+9 = 225

18x = 216

X = 216/18

Lowest score = 9x = 216/18 x 9 = 108.

53. (d) 54. (c) 55. (a) 57. (c) 58. (c) 59. (b) 60. (d) 61. (d) 62. (b) 63. (a)

64. (c) Solution: Statement I : Since 7/11 of the population comprises of marriage people, the single comprises 4/11 of the population. But we cannot say what is the total population.

Statement II: 200 widows comprises 10% of the singles population.

The single population is 2000 people. But we cannot fi nd the total population of the village.

On combining both, 2000 = 4/11 of the population

Whole population = 2000 X 11/4 = 5500

Hence, both statement are required to answer the question.

65. Solution: (c), lets their investment be 7x and 3x respectively. Statement I givens that: 7x = 2100

Hence, we got the value of x. But we cannot get the ratio of division of profi t as we do not know the period of investment of Abhishek.

Statement II : tells us that Abhishek put in money for 6 months. But it does not tell us for how long Amitabh invested his money.

Statements I and II together gives us their respective amounts and investment periods.

Thus, both statements I and II are together required to solve the question.

66. (b) 9cm.

Solution : BC = x, DC = 12 – x

As AB //DE

AC/CE =BC/CD

2/6 = x/12-x

2 (12-x) = 6x = 24 -2x = 6x

8x = 24 = x= 3 cm.

DC = 12 – x = 12-3 = 9cm.

67. (d) 68. (c) 69. (d) 70. (c) 71. (c) 72. (b) 73. (d) 74. (a) 75. (b) 76. (b) 77. (d)

Solution for question 75 to 77

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

9:00 10:30 12:00 1:30 3:00 4:30 6:00 7:30

Pakistan Japan France Canada Singapore

Sol. 75. First fl ight is for Pakistan. Hence (b)

Sol. 76. If fl ight for Nepal is at 10:30 a.m., then fl ight for Korea would be at 1:30p.m. Hence (b)

Sol. 77. Flight for France is defi nitely after two of the three given choice but extra information is not given. Hence (d)

78. (a)

79. (b) 15 Days, Solution = x = 15 days, Hence [b]

80. (c) 1000, Solution Market price is 900/0.90 = RS.1000, Hence [c]

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The Unfolding Vol.1 Issue1 October 2011

INTERVIEW Mr. Vijay Jha, Vice-President, Academics, Career Launcher (CL).

Editor (IP): Sir, how do you see the replacement of optional paper by the CSAT paper in the preliminary examination? Is it a right move on the part of the UPSC?

VP (CL): I consider the step of replacing the optional subject by CSAT a positive one. There were a few things that required immediate attention. First, the preliminary examination is a qualifying examination to select close to 10,000 well-prepared candidates for the main examination. The purpose is also to find people who are good at aptitude so that once they are part of the executive they are in a position to complete the work assigned to them in an efficient and effective manner. It is important to mention here that some types of aptitude testing questions asked in this year’s paper were part of the old format as well, but their number fluctuated between 15 to 20 out of 150 questions. So, it was possible for a candidate to not attempt those questions at all and still clear the preliminary examination. Second, multiplicity of optionals created a lot of problems for the UPSC. The main problem was to put all the subjects at the same level (to provide level playing field). It was almost impossible to make twenty plus papers on different subjects of the same difficulty level. Keeping this in mind, UPSC had to come up with scaling to provide a level playing field. But this system was not foolproof and candidates who opted for less popular subjects were at a loss. Third, most of the candidates who appeared for the examination used to choose a subject, which was common in the preliminary as well as the main examination. So, preliminary examination was repeating the process of checking a test-taker’s knowledge in a particular subject twice (preliminary as well as mains). This is an unnecessary duplication. Hence, the new step from the UPSC is in right direction.

Editor (IP): How CSAT will impact the Civil Services test takers from the rural background? Will the exam now favour aspirants from urban areas?

VP (CL): UPSC is a great leveller. It is a constitutional body and it has shouldered the responsibility of equal opportunity in the matters of public employment in letter and spirit. One can safely assume that it has incorporated aptitude testing to find the people who suit the requirements of the job.

After glancing through the CSAT paper, one can easily make out that it has not favoured anyone or any particular group. The questions were simple and it just required little aptitude and training to attempt the paper and to score 120+ marks in the same. Just as a person prepares for public administration or sociology or geography (without having any formal education in the subject) so he/she can also prepare for aptitude. Moreover, there were only nine questions, which were only in English language; rest of the paper was bi-lingual. So, the test-takers from the Hindi heartland would not find it difficult at all to get good marks in the CSAT paper.

Editor (IP): There was a general perception before the exam that CSAT has put students from humanities background at a disadvantage. Has it changed after the exam? (there were nearly 50% comprehension questions)

VP (CL): Nothing can be further from the truth. Comprehension is one of the most important tools of reading and acquiring knowledge. A test-taker has to read history, geography, polity etc and has to comprehend it at the same time. This comprehension is no different from the comprehension questions that were asked in examination (actually comprehension asked in the examination was much easier). I assume that humanities students have to read a lot and hence they have to comprehend a lot as well. Moreover, humanities students have one advantage over students from other fields. Most of the reading comprehension questions come from polity, economy, sociology, art and culture etc. They already know many things about them and so it is easy for them to comprehend the same. So, to my understanding, the real challenge for most of the students from humanities is from the quantitative ability section and they should work hard on it and this is not a disadvantage; it is a challenge that humanities students should take up.

Editor (IP): What is your advice to the students so that they can score well in CSAT Paper-2?

VP (CL): I will suggest that students should first understand the requirements of the examination and then prepare for it. They should understand the syllabus and the questions that were asked in the examination. One of the observations, after the 2011 preliminary examination, is that the CSAT paper is the deciding factor in the Civil Services Preliminary examination. The reason for this is not very difficult to comprehend. It is very difficult even for a very good candidate to score 90-95 marks in general studies but one can easily score 120+ in the CSAT paper. So the students who are preparing for the next year preliminary examination should take the CSAT very seriously. They should prepare for it well and should practice as much as possible. At the same time they should also sharpen their GS skills/knowledge.

Editor (IP): One last question sir, what are your expectations for next year’s prelims?

VP (CL): I expect that paper will retain the same flavour that was showcased this year. At the same time I expect that topics like interpersonal communication skills, which were missing from this year’s paper, will be there in the next year’s examination.

Editor (IP): Thanks a lot for your valuable time.

Documents

India Prepares - October 2011 (Vol.1 Issue 1)