Trade Deficit for April-September, 2013-14 Estimated at 80126.24 Million US Dollars

As per the data released by Ministry of Commerce and Industry, India's Exports during September, 2013 were valued at 27679.33 million US dollars (176461.53 crore rupees) which was 11.15 per cent higher in Dollar terms (29.77 per cent higher in Rupee terms) than the level of 24902.00 million US dollars (135978.63 crore rupees) during September, 2012. Cumulative value of exports for the period April-September 2013 -14 was 152105.40  million US dollars ( 901194.97 crore rupees) as against 144673.91 million US dollars (790838.40 crore rupees) registering a growth of 5.14 per cent in Dollar terms and growth of 13.95 per cent in Rupee terms over the same period last year.

Imports
Imports during September, 2013 were valued at 34439.50 million US dollars (219559.04 crore rupees) representing a negative growth of 18.10 per cent in Dollar terms and a negative growth of 4.38 per cent in Rupee terms  over the level of imports valued at 42051.45 million US dollars (229624.04 crore rupees) in September 2012. Cumulative value of imports for the period April-September 2013-14 was 232231.64 million US dollars (1365699.30 crore rupees) as against 236493.90 million US dollars (1292490.99 crore rupees) registering a negative growth of 1.80 per cent in Dollar terms and growth of 5.66 per cent in Rupee terms over the same period last year.

Crude Oil And Non-Oil Imports
Oil imports during September, 2013 were valued at 13196.5 million US dollars which was 5.94  per cent lower than oil imports valued at 14029.5 million US dollars in the corresponding period last year. Oil imports during April-September, 2013-14 were valued at 82876.1 million US dollars which was 3.58 per cent higher than the oil imports of 80011.6 million US dollars in the corresponding period last year.
Non-oil imports during September, 2013 were estimated at 21243.0 million US dollars which was 24.19 per cent lower than non-oil imports of 28022.0 million US dollars in September, 2012. Non-oil imports during April-September, 2013-14 were valued at149355.5 million US dollars which was 4.55 per cent lower than the level of such imports valued at 156482.3 million US dollars in April-September 2012-13.                                                                      

Election Commission Appointed 42 Awareness Observers for Assembly Polls in 5 States

The Election Commission on 8 October 2013 appointed 42 awareness observers for assembly polls to be conducted in five states- Delhi, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Mizoram and Rajasthan. These awareness observers will oversee the management of electoral process as well as help in increasing the voter turnout. In the meanwhile, the awareness observers will also keep an eye on the paid news.

Highlights of the appointment of awareness observers

• Majority of the awareness observers have been posted in Madhya Pradesh followed by 11 in Rajasthan. 
• Nine of these have been posted in Chhattisgarh, while Delhi has three and Mizoram two. 
• The awareness observers comprise of public relations and information service. 
• All these awareness observers were given the training on their roles and functions on 8 October 2013. 

The Election Commission, for the first time, also decided to appoint the central awareness observers during the upcoming assembly elections. Each of the central awareness observers will have to take care of the three districts. These central awareness observers will see the level of information, motivation and facilitation of voters by the Election Commission. 

Role and Responsibilities of the awareness observers

• The awareness observers will be deployed in the five states in two phases of seven days each. 
• They will also observe the interventions undertaken by the poll machinery in order to overcome the gap of people's participation in the electoral process, primarily in the area of voters’ turnout. 
• Their purpose will also be to monitor the media-related aspects of the Representation of People Act 1951, while at the same time, also observing the mechanism directed by the Commission at district levels on the area of Paid News. 
• All these observers will also have the responsibility of interacting with the district electoral officers as well as bringing the problems to their notice. 
• They will also interact with SVEEP nodal officers and district SVEEP committees.
• Their role will also be to oversee the effective functioning of Medical Certification and Monitoring Committees (MCMCs) which are formed in each district for checking the media-related violations as well as paid news.

Supreme Court Directed Election Commission to Install VVPAT System in EVMs for 2014 Polls

The Supreme Court of India on 8 October 2013 directed the Election Commission of India to introduce Vote Verifier Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) system in EVMs in phased manner for the next general elections in 2014. 

The Supreme Court also directed the Centre to provide financial assistance for introducing Vote Verifier Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) system. The Supreme Court bench also stated that VVPAT in EVMs will ensure free and fair polls and will help in sorting out disputes.

The poll panel had also informed the SC bench that VVPAT can be introduced in a phased manner and cited administrative and financial reasons for it.  It had stated 13 lakh VVPAT machines would be needed for general elections. 

The Election Commission had stated approximately 1500 crore Rupees would be required for procuring VVPAT and installing it at all polling booths across the country for 2014 Lok Sabha polls and there are only two state-owned companies Bharat Electronic Ltd (BEL) and Electronics Corporation of India Ltd (ECIL)  which manufacture the machines. 

The Election Commission had earlier informed the court that VVPAT was successfully and satisfactorily utilised at 21 polling stations in Nagaland during the Assembly elections in February 2013.

The Supreme Court's order came on a plea of BJP leader Subramanian Swamy seeking a direction to the Election Commission to ensure EVMs have a paper trail and issue a receipt to each voter.

Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail System (VVPAT)
• The VVPAT system is a new initiative of the Election Commission to ensure free and fair elections.
• The VVPT will enable electors to see a printout of their ballot -displaying the name, election symbol and serial number of the chosen candidate. However the voter cannot take the printout home. 
• In case there is a dispute about the voting and a petition is filed, the votes can be tallied electronically and physically with the ballot slips that fall into the compartment.
• The cost of each VVPAT, manufactured by Bharat Electronic Ltd and Electronics Corporation of India (ECIL) is estimated at about 12000 rupees.
• At present, EVMs are used for voting and counting is based on the results in the machines. In comparison the VVPAT will print a voter’s selection, thus also allowing for physically verification of the vote.

Election Commission of India with an objective of free and fair polls, the VVPAT System is introduced. This new voting system is a step towards winning the public trust in election process.

VVPAT system will also help to resolve the election disputes by providing physical verification of the votes in EVMs.

EC would take the decision depending on feedback from the by-polls of Nagaland and it will expand the VVPAT System in a graded and phased manner throughout the country. For introducing VVPAT systems throughout the country would cost around 2000 to 3000 crore rupees.

Election Commission of India
Under article 324, the Constitution of India has vested in the Election Commission of India the superintendence, direction and control of the entire process for conduct of elections to Parliament and Legislature of every State and to the offices of President and Vice-President of India.

Election Commission of India is a permanent Constitutional Body. The Election Commission was established in accordance with the Constitution on 25 January 1950.

UK Researchers Revealed that Aircraft Noise Led to Increased Risk of Heart Problems

The researchers from the Imperial College London and the King's College London, in the second week of October 2013 revealed that a lot of aircraft noise can increase the risks of circulatory, heart and stroke diseases. The study was conducted on 3.6 million residents near Heathrow Airport. The study suggested that the risks of these people increase by 10-20 percent with the highest levels of aircraft noise.

However, the researchers agreed that noise was not the only reason to blame and that further research was required in this area. The research suggested highest risk for the hospital admissions as well as deaths from the stroke, circulatory diseases or heart diseases for the 2 percent of study. This meant that around 70000 people were at an increased risk in UK where the aircraft noise was the loudest. 

The lead author, Dr Anna Hansell, from Imperial College London explained that louder aircraft noise can contribute to other factors such as rising blood pressure because of disturbance in the people’s sleep. This can lead to a startle reaction to the loud noise, which in turn can lead to other factors. 

In the study, the data about the noise levels in 2001 from the Civil Aviation Authority was used. This data covered 12 London boroughs and nine districts outside of London where the noise exceeded 50 decibels.

However, the researchers explained that other factors can also contribute towards the risks of heart disease and heart stroke. These included smoking-related factors, South Asian ethnicity and deprivation. 

The UK Government spokesman also explained that the number of people affected by the noise around the Heathrow Airport was falling considerably in recent years because of the improvements in the aviation technology as well as better planning of the flight paths. In the meanwhile, in next few months, the Public Health England will recruit experts in order to examine the public health issues around the exposure of the noise.

Autobiography of Malala Yousafzai entitled I am Malala Released

I Am Malala: the Girl Who Stood Up for Education and was Shot by the Taliban
The autobiography of Malala Yousafzai, the Pakistani schoolgirl who was shot by the Taliban for supporting girls’ education released on 8 October 2013 in London.

Malala Yousafzai’s story is detailed in I Am Malala: The Girl Who Stood Up for Education and was Shot by the Taliban, co-written with British journalist Christina Lamb, and tells of the day two Taliban gunmen boarded her school bus on 9 October 2012, and shot her in the head.

The autobiography talks about Yousafzai’s life as an activist under the Taliban's brutal rule in northwestern Pakistan in the mid-2000s, when the group banned female education and bombed local schools. The book also hints at her ambition to enter Pakistani politics, and talks about her father's brief flirtation with Islamic fundamentalism as a youngster.

Malala Yousafzai now lives in Birmingham, where she received specialist medical treatment after the shooting. The book also tells of her homesickness and her struggle to adjust to life in England.

Malala Yousafzai has also been nominated for 2013's Nobel Peace Prize.

About Malala Yousafzai

Malala Yousafzai is a Pakistani school pupil and education activist from the town of Mingora in the Swat District of Pakistan's northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. Malala Yousafzai was shot in the head by a Taliban militant in October 2012 after she campaigned for girls' right to education.

India and Japan Signed MoU for Feasibility Study of High Speed Railway System

India and Japan signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on 7 October 2013 to undertake a joint feasibility study of High Speed Railway system on the Mumbai-Ahmedabad route.

The MOU was signed by Katsuo MATSUMOTO, Director South Asia Division Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) from the Japanese side and Girish Pillai, Adviser Infrastructure, Ministry of Railways from the Indian side.

Highlights of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) 
• The MoU provided that the India and Japan will co-finance a joint feasibility study of Mumbai- Ahmedabad High Speed route.
• The mainobjective of the Joint study is to prepare a feasibility report of High Speed Railway system on the Mumbai-Ahmedabad route with speed of 300-350kmph. 
• The study will do traffic forecasting, alignment surveys and undertake comparative Study of High Speed Railway Technology and System.
•A Joint Monitoring Committee shall be established comprising of the Ministry of Railways, Planning Commission, the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of External Affairs for the Indian side and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA), the Ministry of Economy Trade and Industries (METI), the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT), the Ministry of Finance (MOF), Embassy of Japan (EoJ) in India)and JICA for the Japanese side.
• The cost of the study will be shared 50:50 between India and Japan.

AIAI and FPCCI Signed MoU for Promotion of Indo-Pak Trade

All-India Association of Industries (AIAI) on 8 October 2013 announced that it entered into an agreement with the Federation of Pakistan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) in order to promote the trade between India and Pakistan. For this purpose, a memorandum of understanding was signed with a purpose of enhancing the trade and investments between the two nations.

The MoU also seeks to enhance the collaborations, joint ventures as well as technology transfers via an exchange of the business proposals. Apart from this, the MoU also aims to offer the mutual help in organisation of and participation in trade fairs and exhibitions.

The MoU was signed between President of FCPPI Zubair Ahmed Malik and with senior AIAI officials. With this, the AIAI’s list of the agreements like this with the fellow lobbies increased to 205.

Foreign Minister Salman Khurshid Concluded Two Day Visit to Sri Lanka

Minister of External Affairs of India Salman Khurshid visited Sri Lanka on 7-8 October 2013.The main issues discussed in the meeting were process for solving the problems of the minority Tamil community, the issue of detention of Indian fishermen etc.

Highlights of the visit
• Salman Khurshid first day met the President of Sri Lanka Mahinda Rajapaksa and he emphasized the need to restart the dialogue process for solving the problems of the minority Tamil community in the Sri Lanka and for ensuring a meaningful devolution of power within a united Sri Lanka.
• Salman Khurshid also met the first Tamil Chief Ministe, CV Wigneswaran of Northern Province (is one of the nine provinces of Sri Lanka) in Jaffna. Both were discussed regarding the 13 amendment.
• CV Wigneswaran thanked India for playing a key role in ensuring that elections were held in the province. 
• External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid also met Governor of Northern Province GA Chandrasiri at the Governor’s Secretariat on 08th October 2013. They discussed a number of issues of mutual interest with the underlying objective of developing strategies for the two countries to coordinate more closely towards further strengthening relations. Their discussion also focused on development activities carried out all over the province and the newly elected Provincial Council of Northern Province.

About India and Sri Lanka bilateral Relations
• India is Sri Lanka's closest neighbour. The relationship between the two countries is more than 2500 years old and both sides have built upon a legacy of intellectual, cultural, religious and linguistic intercourse. 
• Relations between the two countries have also matured and diversified with the passage of time, encompassing all areas of contemporary relevance. 
• In recent years, the relationship has been marked by close contacts at the highest political level, growing trade and investment, cooperation in the fields of development, education, culture and defence, as well as a broad understanding on major issues of international interest. 
• India-Sri Lanka relationship is strong and poised for a quantum jump by building on the rich legacy of historical linkages and strong economic and development partnerships that have been forged.

Union Cabinet Approved Special Board for Hyderabad-Karnataka Region

The Union Cabinet on 8 October 2013 approved a notification for issuing Presidential order to establish a separate development board for Hyderabad-Karnataka region in Karnataka.

Article 371-J of the Constitution grants special status to six backward districts in Hyderabad- Karnataka region, with provision for reservation in education and jobs for locals.

Under the Article 371-J, the President is empowered to entrust the state Governor to establish a separate board to ensure equitable allocation of funds in the state's budget to meet the development needs of the region. Six backward districts of North Karnataka - Gulbarga, Yadgir, Raichur, Bidar, Koppal and Bellary - fall in the region.

The Development Board will ensure

• Equitable allocation of funds to meet the development needs of the region from the State Budget. 
• Promote employment from the region by providing for local cadres in service.
• Provide for reservation in educational and vocational training institutions.

Hyderabad-Karnataka region was given a special status under Article 371 J of the Constitution by the parliament on 20 December 2012. A new Article 371 J was inserted in the Constitution through the Constitution (Ninety-Eighth Amendment) Bill, 2012.

Turkey Lifted a Ban on Women Wearing the Islamic Head Scarf

Turkey on 8 October 2013 lifted a ban on women wearing the Islamic head scarf in state institutions. It is considered as a part of a package of reforms introduced by the government. The new rules, however will not apply to the judiciary or the military.

The current government package is aimed at bolstering the rights of Turkey's Kurdish community. It included changes to the electoral system, the broadening of language rights and permission for villages to use their original Kurdish names. It also put an end to state primary school children reciting the oath of national allegiance at the start of each week, a deeply nationalistic vow.

The Turkey government in 1925 had introduced a series of clothing reforms meant to discard off overt symbols of religious affiliation for civil servants.

Pranab Mukherjee Conferred the Presidential Awards for Classical Tamil

The President of India, Pranab Mukherjee conferred on 9 October 2013 the Presidential Awards for Classical Tamil 2009-10 and 2010-11 to scholars who have made outstanding contribution to the development of Classical Tamil language and literature.

The Tolkappiyar Award for lifetime achievement in Classical Tamil was awarded to Dr. Iravatham Mahadevan for 2009-10 and Prof. Tamizhannal Periakaruppan for 2010-11.

The Kural Pitam Award was awarded to Dr. Jaroslav Vacek for 2009-10and Dr. John Ralston Marr for 2010-11.

Dr. Iravatham Mahadevan received Tolkappiyar Award for his immense contribution in the area of Epigraphy.

President also conferred Young Scholar Awards to Dr. T. Suresh, Dr. S. Kalpana, Dr. R.Chandrasekaran, Dr. Vaani Arivaalan and Dr. C.Muthamizhselvan for showing excellence in Tamil studies.

About the Presidential Awards for Classical Tamil

• The Presidential Awards for Classical Tamil have been instituted by the Ministry of Human Resources Development to give recognition to distinguished scholars who have made outstanding contribution to the development of Classical Tamil language and literature.
• The Presidential Awardees are presented with a citation and shawl apart from a cash award of 5 lakh Rupees for Tolkappiyar and Kural Peedam awardees and 1 lakh Rupees for young Scholar Awardees.

Karnataka to implement the Second Phase of Forest Project

The Karnataka government on 8 October 2013 approved the implementation for the second phase of the Karnataka Sustainable Forest Management and Biodiversity Conservation Project (KSFMBC). It is aimed at expanding forests, over the next eight years. The project will cost around 1899.72 crore rupees. It will be implemented with the help of 1701.98 crore rupees from the Japan International Co-operation Agency (JICA), with the remaining share contributed by state government. It will run from 2013-14-2020-21.

The project is helpful in expanding forests so that ecological restoration could take place. It will also facilitate livelihood improvement of inhabitants of the villages by afforestation.

The first phase of the KSFMBC was executed between 2005 and 2012. Its cost was 745 crore rupees. The project would cover all 30 districts such as Bhramagiri, Cauvery Wildlife Sanctuaries, Daroji Bear Sanctuary, Shettyhalli-Sharavathi Sanctuary, Ranebennur Blackbuck Sanctuary, Talacauvery, Bhimgad Wildlife Sanctuary and Kudremukh National Park.

Government proposed to Set up Plastic Parks

The Government of India on 9 October 2013 proposed to support setting up of Plastic Parks for the promotion of downstream plastic processing industries. The Scheme to be implemented by the Department of Chemicals and Petrochemicals envisages setting up of a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV), which would provide infrastructure and common facilities for the industries. State Government or its agency, which would set up such SPV, will have to mandatorily have equity participation in it. Share subscription agreements between the SPV and its members will have to be executed. The contribution of the members will have to be at least 20 percent of the total equity, including the cost of the land.

The Government of India would provide a Grant-in-Aid to the extent of 50 percent of the project cost, not exceeding 40 crore rupees per SPV to be set up for the purpose. The remaining contribution in the SPV will be from the State Government, its agencies, beneficiary industries or loan from financial institutions. The release of funds will be based on identification of milestones and time limits set for each such milestone to be decided at the time of the project approval by a Scheme Steering Committee (SSC) in the Department of Chemicals and Petrochemicals. The proposals are to be made by the State Governments.

The Scheme is aimed at increasing investment in the sector for additions in capacity and for increased exports in the sector. Adopting a clustered development approach, the scheme aims to achieve environmentally sustainable growth through innovative methods of waste management, recycling etc.

Currently the share of India in world trade for plastics is very low. The industry in the country is very large but highly fragmented with the dominance of tiny, small and medium units.

Michael Levitt, Martin Karplus and Arieh Warshel Won the Nobel Prize in Chemistry 2013

Michael Levitt, a British and US citizen of Stanford University, US-AustrianMartin Karplus of Strasbourg University and US-Israeli Arieh Warshel of the University of Southern California share The Nobel Prize in Chemistry 2013 on 9 October 2013.

While announcing their names Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences told that the Nobel Laureates in Chemistry 2013 have made it possible to map the mysterious ways of chemistry by using computers.

Why they awarded Nobel Prize in Chemistry 2013?

• They were awarded Nobel Prize in Chemistry 2013 for the development of multi scale models for complex chemical systems. 
• The trio devised computer simulations to understand chemical processes.
• Their research laid the foundations for new kinds of pharmaceuticals. 
• Their research contributed to exploring multiple options in cyber space. 

About the Nobel Prize
• Alfred Nobel signed On 27 November 1895 his last will and testament, giving the largest share of his fortune to a series of prizes in Physics, Chemistry, Physiology or Medicine, Literature and Peace. 
• In 1968, Sveriges Riksbank (Sweden's central bank) established The Sveriges Riksbank Prize in Economic Sciences in Memory of Alfred Nobel.
•The Nobel Prizes are annual international awards bestowed by Scandinavian committees in recognition of cultural and scientific advances.

Trade Deficit for April-September, 2013-14 Estimated at 80126.24 Million US Dollars

As per the data released by Ministry of Commerce and Industry, India's Exports during September, 2013 were valued at 27679.33 million US dollars (176461.53 crore rupees) which was 11.15 per cent higher in Dollar terms (29.77 per cent higher in Rupee terms) than the level of 24902.00 million US dollars (135978.63 crore rupees) during September, 2012. Cumulative value of exports for the period April-September 2013 -14 was 152105.40  million US dollars ( 901194.97 crore rupees) as against 144673.91 million US dollars (790838.40 crore rupees) registering a growth of 5.14 per cent in Dollar terms and growth of 13.95 per cent in Rupee terms over the same period last year.

Imports
Imports during September, 2013 were valued at 34439.50 million US dollars (219559.04 crore rupees) representing a negative growth of 18.10 per cent in Dollar terms and a negative growth of 4.38 per cent in Rupee terms  over the level of imports valued at 42051.45 million US dollars (229624.04 crore rupees) in September 2012. Cumulative value of imports for the period April-September 2013-14 was 232231.64 million US dollars (1365699.30 crore rupees) as against 236493.90 million US dollars (1292490.99 crore rupees) registering a negative growth of 1.80 per cent in Dollar terms and growth of 5.66 per cent in Rupee terms over the same period last year.

Crude Oil And Non-Oil Imports
Oil imports during September, 2013 were valued at 13196.5 million US dollars which was 5.94  per cent lower than oil imports valued at 14029.5 million US dollars in the corresponding period last year. Oil imports during April-September, 2013-14 were valued at 82876.1 million US dollars which was 3.58 per cent higher than the oil imports of 80011.6 million US dollars in the corresponding period last year.
Non-oil imports during September, 2013 were estimated at 21243.0 million US dollars which was 24.19 per cent lower than non-oil imports of 28022.0 million US dollars in September, 2012. Non-oil imports during April-September, 2013-14 were valued at149355.5 million US dollars which was 4.55 per cent lower than the level of such imports valued at 156482.3 million US dollars in April-September 2012-13.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              

Trade Balance
The trade deficit for April-September, 2013-14 was estimated at 80126.24 million US dollars which was lower than the deficit of 91819.99 million US dollars during April-September, 2012-13.

India and Japan Signed MoU to study Mumbai-Ahmedabad Rail Route

India and Japan on 9 October 2013 signed MoU to do a joint feasibility study of High Speed Railway system on the Mumbai-Ahmedabad route. The aim of the Joint study is to prepare a feasibility report of High Speed Railway system on the Mumbai-Ahmedabad route with speed of 300-350kmph. The cost of the study will be shared equally between India and Japan.

The study will take 18 months to complete. The study will include traffic forecasting, alignment surveys and undertake comparative Study of High Speed Railway Technology and System.

India and Japan also decided to set up A Joint Monitoring Committee which comprises the Ministry of Railways, Planning Commission, the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of External Affairs for the Indian side and the MOFA (Ministry of Foreign Affairs), the METI (Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industries), the MLIT (Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism), the MOF (Ministry of Finance), EoJ (Embassy of Japan in India) and JICA from Japan.