Ex-finance minister Arun Jaitley passes away at 66

Former Union Minister, ex-finance minister and BJP’s stalwart Arun Jaitley died on August 24, 2019 after a period of illness. He was 66. Jaitley, who has been running unwell for a long time, breathed his last at AIIMS Hospital.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, President Ram Nath Kovind, Vice President Venkaiah Naidu, BJP President and Home Minister Amit Shah, Congress party's Sonia Gandhi were among a gamut of leaders who expressed their grief and offered condolences to the bereaved family.

Source: PIB

From August 9, Jaitley was admitted to the All India Medical Sciences Institute (AIIMS) in New Delhi and handled by a multidisciplinary team of senior physicians.

☞ Read this also: What is Gig Economy?

Jaitley was a Politician, Lawyer, Cricket administrator, Raconteur and the Quintessential Delhi insider. He was the man who articulated the party line best, in both Hindi and English, the rather affable public face of the party.

Under the Modi government, he held as many portfolios including finance, defence, corporate affairs and information and broadcasting, although he lost the only Lok Sabha poll he ever contested, from Amristar, in 2014. As Finance Minister, his achievements include the implementation and the Goods and Services Tax (GST) regime. He was also at the helm when the controversial decision to demonetise high value currency notes was taken in November 2016.

☞ Read this also: What is Free Trade?

Journey At A Glance:

• He was graduated from Shri Ram College of Commerce of Delhi University in 1973.

• In 1975, he was detained for 19 months in Tihar jail during emergency.

• He joined the BJP in 1980, later rose to head of the youth wing as its president.

• In 1989, he was appointed as Additional Solicitor General of India.

• He got membership into the National Executive of the BJP in 1991.

• He was the Minister of Law and Justice and Company Affairs in the Vajpayee government in 2000.

• He appointed as General Secretary of the BJP in 2002.

• Again, in 2003 became the Minister of Commerce and Industry and Law & Justice in the Vajpayee government.

• Became the leader of opposition in Rajya Sabha in 2009.

• In 2014, he appointed as Minister of Finance, Defence and Corporate Affairs.

• Due to health issues he opted out of Modi’s  cabinet in 2019.

☞ Read this also: Former Foreign Minister SushmaSwaraj died at 67

Read More

4 New Products get GI Tag

Recently, the Geographical Indication (GI), under the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade has registered 4 new GIs.

PalaniPanchamirtham from Palani Town in Dindigul District of Tamil Nadu, Tawlhlohpuan and Mizo Puancheifrom from Mizoram and Tirur Betel leaf from Kerala are the latest additions to the list of registered GIs.

PalaniPanchamirtham (Tamil Nadu)

• It is an abishegaPrasadam, from Palani Town is one of the main offerings in the Abisegam of Lord Dhandayuthapani Swamy, the presiding deity of Arulmigu Dhandayuthapani Swamy Temple, situated in palani Hills, Palani Town in Dindigul District of the state.

• It is a combination of five natural substances, namely, banana, jaggery sugar, cow ghee, honey and cardamom in a definite proportion.

• It is prepared in a natural method without addition of any preservatives or artificial ingredients and is well known for its religious fervour and gaiety.

• This is the first time when a temple ‘Prasadam’ from Tamil Nadu has been bestowed with the GI tag.

☞ Read this also: 4 नये उत्पादों को मिला जीआई टैग (GI Tag)

Tawlhlohpuan (Mizoram)

• It’s a medium to heavy, compactly woven, good quality fabric from Mizoram is known for warp yarns, warping, weaving & intricate designs that are made by hand.

• In Mizo language, Tawlhloh, means 'to stand firm or not to move backward’.

• Tawlhlohpuan is produced throughout the state of Mizoram, Aizawl and Thenzawl town being the main centre of production.

• It holds high significance in the Mizo society.

☞ Read this also: केरल के इडुक्की के “मरयूर गुड़” को मिला जीआई (GI) टैग

Mizo Puanchei (Mizoram)

• It is a colourful Mizo shawl or a textile, from Mizoram.

• It is considered as the most colourful among the Mizo textiles. It is an essential possession for every Mizo lady and an important marriage outfit in the state.

• It is also the most commonly used costume in Mizo festive dances and official ceremonies.

• The weavers insert the designs and motifs by using supplementary yarns while weaving to create this beautiful and alluring textile.

☞ Read this also: 5th National Handloom Day

Tirur betel Vine (Kerala)

• It is mainly cultivated in Tirur, Tanur, Tirurangadi, Kuttippuram, Malappuram and Vengara block panchayaths of Malappuram District.

• It is valued both for its mild stimulant action and medicinal properties. 

• Even though it is commonly used for making pan masala for chewing, it has many medicinal, industrial and cultural usages.

• Tirur betel Vine is considered as a remedy for bad breath and digestive disorders.

☞ Read this also: UPPSC Released New Exam Calendar for 2019-2020

What is Geographical Indication (GI) Tag?

It is an indication used on products that have a specific geographical origin and possess qualities or a reputation that are due to that origin. Such a name conveys an assurance of quality and distinctiveness which is essentially attributable to its origin in that defined geographical locality.

GI products can benefit the rural economy in remote areas, by supplementing the incomes of artisans, farmers, weavers and craftsmen. India’s rural artisans possess unique skills and knowledge of traditional practices and methods, passed down from generation to generation, which need to be protected and promoted.The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade has taken several initiatives in this regard and is actively involved in promotion and marketing of GIs.

Read More

Former Foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj died at 67

Sushma Swaraj, the former foreign minister of India and a senior member of the governing Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), died at the age of 67 on August 6, 2019. Approximately 9:30pm, the senior BJP leader was brought to AIIMS and taken to the emergency ward after a huge cardiac arrest.  

Swaraj was renowned for her active social media presence, often responding to Indians abroad's demands for assistance. 

Sushma Swaraj cremated 'People's Minister' with full state honors as nation mourns loss. Hundreds of individuals bade goodbye, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, BJP chairman Amit Shah and veteran party leader Lal Krishna Advani.

                                   

Leader of the opposition Congress Party Rahul Gandhi described Swaraj as "an extraordinary political leader, a talented orator and an exceptional parliamentarian with party-wide friendship."

Politicians, celebrities, and normal Indians went to Twitter to express their grief about the death of Swaraj and pay homage.

National President of Jamaat Ulama-e-Hind Molana Suhaib Qasmi, who came with a group of people from the Nizamuddin area, said, "Her death is a great loss for the party and the country. As a foreign minister, she had helped so many distressed people in the diaspora, whether they were in Saudi Arabia or Iraq or Yemen. She lifted the stature of India as the minister of foreign relations. Her death shocks us, "he said.  

She thanked Modi in her last tweets for introducing a contentious measure to India's parliament to revoke the unique status of India-administered part of the disputed Kashmir territory, a move that came after New Delhi imposed a Muslim-majority clampdown. 

Swaraj graduated from law and in the 1970s started her political career strongly connected with socialist rulers.

She actively opposed the Congress Party's 1975 emergency rule enforced by then-Prime Minister Indira Gandhi.

She entered the BJP later and grew to become one of its top rulers, last serving as India's foreign minister, only the second female in the post-Indira Gandhi position.

From 2014 to 2019, she was Minister of Foreign Affairs in the cabinet of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. 

Read More

ISRO Successfully Launches RISAT-2B Surveillance Satellite, can pierce cloud cover

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), on May 22, 2019 scripted history by successfully launching the  RISAT-2B Earth Observation Satellite that would enhance the country’s surveillance capabilities among others. This launch of the PSLV also marked the third launch in 2019. The other two were the PSLV-C45/EMISAT mission, on April 1, and the PSLV-C44, on January 24.   

“RISAT-2B” (Radar Imaging Satellite-2B), launched from the first launch pad of the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota. The mission has a life of 5 years, will be used in the fields of agriculture, forestry and disaster management support.

 Important points:

• It would replace the RISAT-2, which was successfully launched in 2009.
• RISAT-2B is the third satellite in the series. The first, RISAT- 2 was launched in 2009 followed by RISAT-1 , a microwave remote sensing satellite, on April 26, 2012 from Sriharikota.
• The 615 kg satellite was launched into space on-board the PSLV-C 46. It was the 48th flight of PSLV.
• RISAT-2B, meant for application in fields such as surveillance, agriculture, forestry and disaster management support, was released into the orbit around 15 minutes after the lift-off.
• It was the 72nd launch vehicle mission from Sriharikota and also marked the 36th launch from the first launch pad.

Read More

‘Game of Thrones’ hits record 19.3 million views for Finale episode

Despite fan backlash, the final episode of “Game of Thrones” sets new record in terms of rating. Almost 19.3 million viewers tuned in to watch the series finale on May 19, 2019. The finale episode “The Iron Throne” broke the record of last week’s episode “The Bells”. “The Bells” had 18.4 millions viewers.

The record was previously held for a short time by the season’s penultimate episode, which drew in 12.48 million viewers when first aired and a total of 18.4 million during its first night.

According to HBO, the average viewers per episode for Game of Thrones is 44.2 million including delayed viewing. The eighth and the last season of “Game of Thrones,” premiered in 2011, had high viewership.

Each year “Game of Thrones” has seen its audience grow, a rarity for television shows. Typically, a series will lose viewership over the course of a run. The first six seasons all contained 10 episodes, season seven was comprised of only 7 and season eight had only 6.

One of the finale plot points that stuck with most people was that Bran Stark, aka Bran the Broken, became king of the six kingdoms, with his sister Sansa taking lead of the seventh kingdom, the North.

The previous HBO series finale with the most viewers was “The Sopranos,” with 11.9 million viewers, though that was in 2007, before streaming and other digital services took off. 

Read More

Mumbai Indians clinch the IPL-2019 title after defeating Chennai Super Kings

Mumbai Indians clinch the IPL-2019 title after defeating Chennai Super Kings

Mumbai Indians (MI) won the 2019 Indian Premier League (IPL) after defeating Chennai Super Kings (CSK) by 1 run in a nail-biter to clinch their fourth IPL title on May 12, 2019. The final match was played at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad.

With this Rohit Sharma became the most successful captain in the history of Indian Premier League after leading Mumbai Indians to their record 4th title.

Important Points:

• Mumbai Indians defeated Chennai Super Kings by 1 run in a nerve-wracking last-ball thriller.
• MI are now the first team to win the Indian Premier League 4 times while defending champions CSK were left true a few close chances.
• Jasprit Bumrah, Rahul Chahar and Lasith Malinga play starring roles as Rohit Sharma's men defend moderate total by one run.
• Rohit Sharma became the only player to win 5 IPL titles. Harbhajan Singh and Ambati Rayudu are 2nd on the list with 4th titles each.
• Rohit won his first title with Deccan Chargers in 2009. In 2013, Rohit won his first title as captain when he led Mumbai Indians to their first title. After that, he repeated the feat in 2015, 2017 and 2019 and maintained a perfect record in the IPL final.
• Mumbai Indians’ Kieron Pollard has been fined 25 per cent of his match fee for showing dissent at an on-field umpiring decision during the IPL 2019 final.
• Mahela Jayawardene, the Mumbai Indian team coach collects the winners' award from the BCCI treasurer.
• The umpires Nigel Llong, Nitin Menon, Ian Gould, Nandan and match referee Javagal Srinath collect mementos.

There were plenty of awards to be given away after 48 match days and 60 matches. Here are the list of Awards IPL-2019:

• Player of the Match in the Final: Mumbai Indians’ Jasprit Bumrah (2 for 14) became the Man of the Match.
• Most Valuable Player: Andre Russell (KKR), became the Most Valuable Player with 510 runs, 11 wickets.
• Fairplay Trophy: Sunrisers Hyderabad win the award for Fair Play Trophy.
• Orange Cap: David Warner (SRH), wins the Orange Cap for scoring 692 runs at an average of 69.

• Purple Cap: Imran Tahir (CSK), collects the Purple Cap with 26 wickets. Imran Tahir, who became the oldest player to feature in an IPL final, is only the 2nd spinner after Pragyan Ojha to win the Purple Cap.
• Fastest Fifty of the Season: Hardik Pandya (MI)
• Emerging Player Award: Shubhman Gill (KKR) became the Emerging Player of IPL 2019.
• Perfect Catch of the Season: Kieron Pollard (MI) gets the award for the season's best catch.
• Super Striker of the Season: Andre Russell (KKR), wins the award for best strike-rate of 204.81.
• Stylish Player of the Season: KL Rahul (KXIP) became the Stylish Player of the IPL-2019.  
• Game Changer of the Season: Rahul Chahar (MI).
• Best Ground and Pitch at IPL 2019: Punjab Cricket Association and Hyderabad Cricket Association win the award for best ground and pitch at IPL 2019. They will share Rs. 25 lac.

(All the award winners were given a cheque of Rs 10 lakh each)

Read More

Loksabha Elections 2019: 60.21% voter turnout in Delhi

Loksabha Elections 2019: 60.21% voter turnout in Delhi

The National Capital Territory of Delhi logged 60.21 per cent voting in phase 6 of Lok Sabha elections 2019.

The highest polling was registered in North East Delhi at 63.45 per cent, followed by Chandni Chowk with 62.69% and East Delhi with 61.95%.

The turnout in other constituencies was West Delhi 60.64 per cent, New Delhi 56.47 per cent, South Delhi 57.3 per cent and North West Delhi 58.99 per cent.

A turnout of 60.21 per cent was recorded in elections for Delhi's seven parliamentary constituencies on May 12,  2019, down from 65% in 2014. Instances of EVM glitches and missing voter names reported from various areas. Former cricketer Bishan Singh Bedi's name was also missing from the voters list.

No effect of Ramazan:

Despite the intense heat and Ramzan, when Muslims observe a total fast, coincided with the polling in Delhi but did not seem to deter voters in the city. However, as the day progressed, people came out to cast their votes and numbers started increasing in the evening.

Delhi’s Senior citizens were elated to exercise their franchise despite the intense heat. Delhi's oldest voter, 111-year old Bachan Singh cast his vote at a polling booth in West Delhi's Tilak Nagar.

Delih CM Arvind Kejriwal voted with his wife after urging voters to reject "hatred", Rahul Gandhi, after casting his ballot in the New Delhi constituency. While, President Ram Nath Kovind, UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi, Union Minister Sheila Dikshit, Congress President Rahul Gandhi, his sister and Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi were among the other prominent figures who voted in the sixth and penultimate round of the Lok Sabha elections 2019.

Read More

Sri Lanka’s performance analyst Sanath Jayasundara Charged Under ICC Anti-Corruption Code

Sri Lanka’s performance analyst Sanath Jayasundara Charged Under ICC Anti-Corruption Code

The International Cricket Council (ICC) on May 11, 2019 has charged Sri Lankan performance analyst Sanath Jayasundara with two counts of breaching the ICC Anti-Corruption Code.

According to an ICC media release, Jayasundara has been provisionally suspended with immediate effect. He has 14 days to respond to the charges.

The Charges are:

Former Sri Lanka national team analyst Jayasundara, who was employed at the SLC Brain Center, was charged under Article 2.1.3 for offering a bribe or other reward to the Sri Lankan sports minister to contrive in any way or otherwise influence improperly the result, progress, conduct or any other aspect of an international match

or (in the alternative)

Under Article 2.1.1 for contriving in any way or otherwise influencing improperly the result, progress, conduct or any other aspect of an international match.

He was also charged under Article 2.4.7 for obstructing or delaying an ACU investigation into possible corrupt conduct under the ICC Anti-Corruption Code.

Jayasundara was sent compulsory leave in January by the Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) on alleged corruption charges.

He was employed at SLC for more than 15 years including a long tenure as the national team’s video analyst before he was assigned to the SLC Brain Center at R. Premadasa Stadium.

Read More

Salman Khan to opt for surrogacy to become a dad???

Guys! Bollywood Superstar and the most eligible bachelor of Bollywood, Salman Khan never fails to surprise his fans and he might do just that yet again. After Shah Rukh Khan, Aamir Khan, Karan Johar, Ekta Kapoor, Tussar Kapoor and other Bollywood Celebs now Superstar Salman Khan might opt for surrogacy. 

Yes, you read that right!

While rumours surrounding his love life are common now, this is the first time something about him planning to become a father has popped up.

Salman Khan is asked often about his wedding plans, it seems is all set to welcome a new member in his family. According to sources, as there is  no marriage plans yet, he has decided to go the surrogacy way.

Everyone knows how much actor Salman Khan is fond of kids and never leaves a chance to spend time with his nephews. Salman had said earlier that if ever he decides to get married, it would only be to have kids. Salman is very close to his family and makes it a point to spend time with them.

Surrogacy is not new to Bollywood celebrities as personalities like Shah Rukh Khan, Karan Johar and Ekta Kapoor among others opted for it and are proud parents to adorable kids.

Read More

Redmi Note 7 Pro

Redmi Note 7 Pro

Redmi Note 7 Pro was launched globally in New Delhi, India on 28 February, 2019. It is an improved version of the Redmi Note 7 from Redmi, the sub-brand of Xiaomi. It comes in four ranges like-

Neptune Blue 6GB+128GB ( ₹16,999);
Nebula Red 4 GB + 64 GB (₹13,999);
Neptune Blue 4 GB + 64 GB (₹13,999);
Space Black 4GB+64GB (₹13,999)

Key Specifications:

• 13MP AI Selfie camera; AI Beautify; AI Portrait mode with single lens; AI Face unlock; 
• Powerful 4000mAh high-capacity battery ; 
• Qualcomm® Snapdragon™ 675 processor ; 
• Supports Qualcomm®️ Quick Charge™️4 ;

• 16cm (6.3) FHD+ Dot Notch Display ; 
• Corning® ️Gorilla® ️Glass 5 ; 
• Type-C charging port ; 
• 48MP + 5MP AI Dual rear camera

Read More

Google “Pixel 3a” & “Pixel 3a XL”

Google Pixel series Phone “Pixel 3a” & “Pixel 3a XL” Release Date, Price and Key Specs.

Google has brought its Pixel camera features to the Pixel 3a and Pixel 3a XL. These are expected to be launched in India on May 15, 2019. The Pixel 3a starts at Rs. 39, 999, while the Pixel 3a XL starts at Rs. 44, 499. It’s available at Flipkart. 

Pixel 3a Key specifications:

• Full-screen 5.6″ display/142.2 mm display
• Operating system: Android 9.0 Pie
• Rear camera: 12.2 MP dual-pixel
• Front camera: 8 MP
• Processor: Qualcomm® Snapdragon™ 670 ; Adreno 615
• RAM : 4 GB LPDDR4x ; 64 GB storage
• 3000 mAh battery
  

Pixel 3a XL Key specifications:

• Full-screen 6.0″ display/152.4 mm display
• Operating system: Android 9.0 Pie
• Rear camera: 12.2 MP dual-pixel
• Front camera: 8 MP
• Processor: Qualcomm® Snapdragon™ 670 ; Adreno 615
• RAM : 4 GB LPDDR4x ; 64 GB storage
• 3700 mAh battery

(Prices & date may vary)

Read More