Bharat Ratan and other awards for 2008 Part 1

Bharat Ratan and other awards for 2008

Indian classical vocalist Pandit Bhimsen Joshi has been announced for Bharatha Ratna, the highest civilian award of the country. The award was announced after lapse of a long period from 2001. Previously this award was announced to Ustad Bismillah Khan, Classical Shehnai Maestro in 2001.
Bharat Ratna the highest civilian award was constituted by the first president of India Shri Babu Rajendra Prasad on January 2, 1954 for the highest degrees of national service. The services include artistic, literacy, scientific achievements and well recognition of public service.
The award is conferred to forty four persons so far. Sir Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan was the first man was honoured with Bharath Ratna in 1954.
The award is conferred to forty four persons so far. Sir Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan was the first man was honoured with Bharath Ratna in 1954. The award was conferred to two non Indians and naturalized Indian citizen so far. Tamil Nadu and Uttar Pradesh are recorded with highest recipient of Bharath Ratna (eight each). It was conferred to twelve persons posthumously including Subhash Chandra Bose in 1992. Later it was withdrawn due to legal technicality. The Award Committee could not give conclusive evidence of Bose’s death and thus it invalidated the “posthumous” award. Shri Abul Kalam Azad freedom fighter and first education minister had declined to receive the award as he was one of the members of selection committee. He was honoured with Bharath Ratna posthumously in 1992. Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan (1987) and Nelson Mandela (1990) were the two non Indians received the awards.

Mohammad ElBaradei has been named for Indira Gandhi Prize for Peace 2008:

Mohammad ElBaradei, Director General of International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), has been named for Indira Gandhi Prize for Peace 2008.
The International Jury of the Prize of the prize, headed by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, decided to confer the honour on ElBaradei for "his impassioned opposition to the use of nuclear energy for military purposes and his steadfast espousal of the peaceful uses of nuclear energy, sustained over many years." ElBaradei played an important role in India clinching the Safeguards Agreement with the IAEA, a prerequisite for New Delhi's re-entry in international nuclear commerce.

Indian writer Aravind Adiga won the Booker for 2008:

Indian writer Aravind Adiga won the Booker for 2008: The book “The White Tiger” written by Aravind Adiga won the prestigious “The Man Booker Prize for Fiction” commonly known as Booker Prize for the year 2008. Mr. Aravind will receive $87K as prize money. The White Tiger is the first book of Mr. Aravind. Indian writer Mr. Amith Ghosh was also competed for the award.
“The White Tiger” was the story of a person who lived in a remote village in India and grown up as top business man.
Aravind Adiga was born in 1974 in Chennai. He studied at Oxford University in Colombia. He worked as journalist for India in Time Magazine. His articles were published in many magazines.

Ramon Magsaysay Award 2008

Prakash Amte and his wife Mandakini are jointly selected for Ramon Magsaysay Award 2008 in the category Community Leadership for their philanthropic work with the Madia Gonds in Gadchiroli district of Maharashtra and the neighbouring states of Andhra Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh. The couple is running a hospital and school in Hemal Kasa village in Vidharba for decades. They worked for the welfare of tribals “Madia and Gondu” in Hemal Kasa. He obtained a medical degree from GMC, Nagpur
He started Lok Biradari Prakalp, a project for the development of tribal people in the forests of Gadchirolli district in 1973. The project seeks to improve health and educational services for tribals in this district.
Prakash Amte is son of Baba Amte who was also received Magsaysay Award in 1985. Dr. Dighant and Dr. Aniketh are sons of Prakash Amte are also walking on the path of their parents.
The other winners of the award are Grace Padaca – Philippines, Therdchai Jivacate – Thailand, Akio Ishii – Japan, Ahmad Syafii Maarif – Indonesia, Ananda Galappatti - Sri Lanka and one organization Center for Agriculture & Rural Development Mutually Reinforcing Institutions (CARD MRI) – Philippines

Jampa Lahiri won the Franc Ocaner Prize: Indian origin American Author Ms. Jampa Lahiri won the prestigious Franc Ocaner Prize for her writing “Un accustom Earth”. It is the highest prize for small stories. She will be awarded 27000 pounds (Rs.2.31 Lakhs). Her writing was unanimously elected for prize.

Nepal Moavoist Leader Prachanda has been conferred with Nepal Peace Award:Nepal Mavoist Party Chairman Pushpa Kumar Dahol alias Prachanda has been conferred with countries top Napal Peace Award, along with former US president Jimmy Carter. Mahathma Gandhi and former president Nelson Mandela were the previously recipients of this award. Shri Prachanda has been conferred with this award for his contribution in restoration of peace in the country, establishment of federal democratic republic of Nepal.

Taslima conferred Simon de Beauvoir honour: Hounded out of Kolkata for her allegedly anti-Islamic writings, Bangladeshi author Taslima Nasreen has been chosen for the prestigious Simon de Beauvoir feminist award in recognition of her writing on rights for women. This honour coming on Beauvoir's 100th birth anniversary gives solace at this period. She is honored in France for her writings and views while facing harassment in Bangladesh and India. Beauvoir, a hallowed name for her views on feminist issues, wrote the much discussed 'Second Sex' in the 1960s.
Irish Peace Prize: Smt. Benazir Bhutto who was assassinated was selected for Irish Peace Prize for the year 2007. She was honored for her efforts to restore the democracy in Pakistan.
Invisible wings bagged the Golden Elephant: 15th Children Film Festival concluded at Lalitha Kala Thoranam, Hyderabd. China Film “Invisible Wings” won the Golden Elephant. The movie was directed by Pheng Jhen Jhi. The story was about a girl who lost both her hands. She never looses her confidence and got success in the life. Amount of Rs.2 lacs is given with the award. 120 movies from the 30 countries are shown in the festival in 9 theatres for a week.

Noble Awards- 2008

Noble Awards- 2008

Chemistry:
Osamu Shimomura, Martin Chalfie and Roger Y. Tsien:

For the discovery and development of the green fluorescent protein, GFP"
Physics:
Yoichiro Nambu, Makoto Kobayashi and Toshihide Maskawa:

For discoveries concerning nature's broken symmetry.
Medicine:
Harald zur Hausen, : For his discovery of human papilloma viruses causing cervical cancer.

Françoise Barré-Sinoussi and Luc Montagnier: For their discovery of human immunodeficiency virus.
Literature:
Jean-Marie Gustave Le Clézio: Author of new departures, poetic adventure and sensual ecstasy, explorer of a humanity beyond and below the reigning civilization
Peace:
Martti Ahtisaari, Finland has been named for Nobel Prize for Peace for his important efforts, on several continents and over more than three decades, to resolve international conflicts.
Economics:
Paul Krugman has been selected for Noble Prize in economics for his analysis of trade patterns and location of economic activity.

Current Affairs 2

What is the Height Of Mt Everest?
its not 8848mt from level but 8850Mt from Sea level
Who is current ISI Chief of Pakistan?
Ahmed Suja pasha
A President who became prime minister of the country after a new president is elected recently..
Vladimir Putin former President of Russia appointed as prime minister when new President
Dmistry Medvedev , elected as Presisent of Russia.
Which country recently launched space shuttled carrying taikonauts? (25th September, 2008)
China
What is the full name of ASEM?
Asia-Europe Meeting
Where is Nabin Chandra Bordoloi Indoor Stadium?
Gauhathi
Who is selected for the Dada Saheb Falke Award for 2006?
Tapan Sinha
Who is present Vice President of India?
Hamid Ansari
Who made the word record of winning 14 Grand Slams?
Pete Samprass
Which of the following is being constructed to be the largest port in India?
Krishna Patnam
Who among the following is president of Indian Olympics Association?
Suresh Kalmadi
Who was crowned Miss Universe for the year 2008?
Dayana Mendoza
Who was crowned Miss World for the year 2008?
Ksenya Sukhinova
Who among the following was honored with "Agri Cola Award" by the UNO?
Man Mohan singh
On which day at 5.00 p.m. inflation rate is released?
Thursday
Between which of the following countries a five day war was placed?
Russia and Georgia
Who was the first Indian had scored century in ODI?
Kapil dev
Who is selected for Nobel Prize 2008 for peace?
Martti Ahtisaari
Who is the present Chief Justice of India?
K.G. Bala Krishna

current Affairs 1

How many times Mr. Viswananth Anand won the World Chess Champion Title?
3
Who had announced retirement from India Cricket Team after Ganguly?
Anil Kumble
Who is present Chief Election Commissioner?
B.B. Tondon
Who is present Prime Minister of Nepal
Pushpa Kamal Dahal
What is the event recently celebrated in Indian cricket history?(18-06-08)
Celebration of Silver Jubilee winning World Cup
Who won the Wimbledon (M) Tennis Title 2008?
Nadal Rafel
Who is present governor of RBI?
Shri Duvvuri Subba Rao
Who is selected for Jnana Peeth Award 2004?
Rehman Rahi
What was the major issue for the Left Parties (CPI and CPM) to withdraw support to UPA Government?
Against the Nuclear Treaty with USA
Who won the World U-20 Girls Chess Championship for the year 2008?
Dronavalli Harika
Who received the "Indian News Broadcasting" life time achievement award? (22-08-08)
Ramoji Rao, E TV and Eenadu
What was the head quarters of NSG?
No head quarters
Which of the following movie was selected by Film Federation of India for Oscar Awards 2008?
Tare Zamin Par
Which of the following vehicle carried the Chandrayan-I?
PSLV-C11
Which country has joined in ASEM with the 7th ASEM summit 2008
India and pakistan
How many telephone connections including mobile phones were in India at the end of September, 2008?
31.53 crores
Which movie received the Golden Pea Cock award for the year 08?
Tulpan
State Bank of India has recently arrived at an agreement with an insurance company. What was that Insurance company?
Insurance Australia Group
Who among has been named for Indira Gandhi Prize for Peace 2008?
Mohammad ElBaradei
Whose name was announced for the Bharatha Ratna Award for 2008?
Pandit Bhimsen Joshi

Books for Gegraphy

REFERENCE BOOKS FOR PRELIMINARY EXAMINATION :
1. 9th to 12th NCERT Books for Geography.
2. Certificate of Physical Geography - Goh Cheng Leong.
3. Physical Geography -Savindra Singh
4.Physical Geography - Made simple series - Rupa Publications
5. Economic & Commercial Geography - Made Simple Series - Rupa Publications.
6. Human and Economic Geography - Leong & Norgan
7. Human Geography - Majid Hussain.
8. Geographical thoughts - Majid Hussain.
9. Field Work - 11 th NCERT.
10. Cartography - R.L. Singh
11. Geography of India - Gopal Singh
12. Economic & Commercial Geography of India - C.B. Memoria
13. Orient longman or oxford - Atlas.
14. TTK - Atlas
15. Dictionary of Geography - Penguin or K siddhartaha
16. Spectrum guide for Geography.
17. Siddhartha - Preliminary Question Bank.

REFERENCE BOOKS FOR MAINS EXAMINATION :
Paper - I
Physical geography - Savinder Singh
The Earth's dynamic surface - K. Sidhartha
Physical geography - Strahler & Strahler
Climatology - D.S. Lal
Physical geography made simple - Rupa
Oceanography - Sharma & Vital
Biogeography - Savinder Singh
Evolution of geographical thoughts - Majid Hussain and Adhikari
Economic geography - K. Sidhartha
Economic and social geography made simple - Rupa
Urban geography - K. Sidhartha
Human geography - Majid Hussain
Geography of population - R.C. Chandra
Regional Planning in India - hand & Puri
Political geography - Dixit Paper - II
Physical environment - NCERT
NCERT Class XII
India: Physical aspects - K Sidhartha
Geography of India - Mamoria
Agricultural geography - Majid Hussain
Agricultural problems in India - Sadhu and Singh
Economic & Commercial geography of India - Mamoria
India's urbanisation and urban systems - R. Ramachandran
Regional planning in India - Chand and Puri
Political geography - Dixit
India: political aspects - K. Sidhartha
REFERENCE BOOKS OVERALL :PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY
NCERT Vol -1
Physical Geography - Bunnett
Certificate physical and human geography - Goh, Cheng Leong
Physical Geography made simple HUMAN AND ECONOMIC GEOGRAPHY
Human and Economic Geography - NCERT
Economic Geography, Economic and Social Geography made simple
Penguim masters studies on geography
The Cultural Landscape - Rubeistein

INDIAN GEOGRAPHY
Indian geography - Rammorthy Gopalakrishnan
Physical geography of India - S.M. Mathur
General geography - NCERT
Mineral of India - NBT (Wadia)
Resources and regional development - NCERT
Catography - R.L. Singh
World regional geography - Fellnan
Work book - K. Siddhartha and S. Mukherjee

Gepgraphy : Upsc Syllabus

Preliminary Examination of Civil Services Exam
Section- A
Physical Geography
i) Geomorphology Origin of the earth; Geological Time Scale; Interior of the earth; Types and characteristics of rocks; Folding and Faulting; Volcanoes; Earthquakes; Weathering; Landforms caused by fluvial, aeolian and glacial actions.
ii) Climatology Structure and composition of atmosphere; Temperature; Pressure belts and Wind systems; Clouds and rainfall types; Cyclones and anti-cyclones; Major climatic types.
iii) Oceanography Ocean relief; Temperature; Salinity; Ocean deposits; Ocean currents, El Nino and La Nino; Waves and tides.
iv) Biogeography Origin and types of soils; Major biomes of the world; Ecosystem and food chain; Environmental degradation and conservation.
Section-B
Human Geography i) Man and Environment Relationship Growth and development of Human Geography; Concepts of Determinism and Possibilism.
ii) PopulationRaces of mankind and tribes; growth and distribution of world population; migration; population problems of developed and developing countries.
iii) Economic ActivitiesFood gathering and hunting; pastoral herding; fishing and forestry; Types of agriculture-shifting, subsistence, commercial and plantation; Mining, Power; Manufacturing -locational factors of textile, iron and steel, sugar and fertilizer industries; Tertiary activities-trade, transport, communication and services.
iv) SettlementsOrigin, types and patterns of rural settlements; Processes of urbanisation; morphology and functional classification of towns; million-cities and mega-cities.
Section-C
Geography of the World
i) Major Natural Regions : Characteristics, economic base and human adaptation.
ii) Regional Geography of Developed Countries : Canada, U.S.A., Western Europe, Russia, Japan, Australia and New Zealand.
iii) Regional Geography of Developing Countries : S.E. Asia, S.W. Asia, China, Southern Africa and Brazil.
iv) Regional Geography of South Asia. Section-DGeography of Indiai) Physical Setting Landforms, drainage, climate, soils and natural vegetation.
ii) Economic BaseMinerals & energy resources, aquatic resources, forest resources; irrigation, agriculture and industries; trade and commerce.
iii) PopulationGrowth, distribution and density; demographic characteristics.
iv) Environmental problems, developmental issues and regional planning.
Section-E
Geographical Thought
i) Ancient Period : Contributions of Indians, Greeks, Romans and Arabs.
ii) Pre-Modern Period : Contribution of Verenius, Kant, Humboldt and Ritter.
iii) Modern Period : Dichotomy of determinism and possibilism; contributions of Ratzel, Semple, Huntington and La Blache.
iv) Recent Period : Quantitive Revolution; Radicalism, Behaviouralism and Humanism.
Section-F
Techniques of Geographical Analysis
i) Maps : Scale and types, uses.
ii) Diagrams : Types and uses
iii) Projections : Types, characteristics and uses.
iv) Remote sensing and geographical information system (GIS) : Aerial photographs and imagery, GIS.
Examination of Civil Services Exam
Paper-I
Principles of GeographySection-A
Physical Geography
i) Geomorphology : Factors controlling landform development; endogenetic and exogenetic forces; origin and evolution of the earth’s crust; physical conditions of the earth’s interior; geosynclines; continental drift; isostasy; sea-floor spreading; plate tectonics; mountain building; volcanicity; earthquakes; concepts of geomorphic cycles; landforms associated with fluvial, arid, glacial, coastal and karst cycle; groundwater; Applied Geomorphology.
ii) Climatology : Temperature and pressure belts of the world; heat budget of the earth; atmospheric circulation; planetary and local winds; monsoons and jet streams; air masses and fronts; temperate and tropical cyclones; types and distribution of precipitation; Koppen’s and Thornthwaite’s classification of world climate; hydrological cycle; climatic change.
iii) Oceanography : Bottom topography of the Atlantic, Indian and Pacific Oceans; temperature and salinity of the oceans; ocean deposits; ocean currents and tides; marine resources–biotic, mineral and energy resources; coral reefs; sea-level changes.
iv) Biogeography : Genesis of soils; classification and distribution of soils; soil profile; soil erosion and conservation; factors influencing world distribution of plants and animals; problems of deforestation and conservation measures; social forestry, agro-forestry.
v) Environmental Geography : Human ecological adaptations; transformation of nature by man; environmental degradation and conservawtin; ecosystems and their management; global ecological imbalances–problems of pollution, global warming, reduction in bio-diversity and depletion of forests.
Section-B
Human Geography
i) Perspectives in Human Geography : A real differentiation; regional synthesis; dichotomy and dualism; environmentalism; quantitative revolution and locational analysis; radical, behavioural, human and welfare approaches; cultural regions of the world human and welfare approaches; cultural regions of the world; human development indicators.
ii) Economic Geography : World economic develpment–measurement and problems; world resources and their distribution; energy crisis; the limits to growth; world agriculture–typology of agricultural regions; agricultural inputs and productivity; food and nutrition problems; famine–causes, effects and remedies; world industries–location patterns and problems; patterns of world trade.
iii) Population and Settlement Geography : Growth and distribution of world population; demographic atrributes; causes and consequencies of migration; concepts of over–, under– and optimum population; world population problems. Types and patterns of rural settlements; hierarchy of urban settlements; concept of primate city and rank-size rule; functional classificatipn of towns; sphere of urban influence; rural-urban fringe; satellite town; problems of urbanisation.
iv) Regional Planning : Concept of a region; types of regions and methods of regionalisation; growth centres and growth poles; regional imbalances; environmental issues in regional planning; planning for sustainable development.
v) Models, Theories and Laws in Human Geography : System analysis in Human Geography; Malthusian, Marxian and Demographic Transition models; Central Place theories of Christaller and Losch; Von Thunen’s model of agricultural location; Weber’s model of industrial location; Rostov’s model of stages of growth. Heart-land and Rimland theories; laws of international boundaries and frontiers. Note : Candidates will be required to answer one compulsory map question pertinent to subjects covered by this paper.

Paper-II
Geography of India
Section-A.
i) Physical Setting : Space relationship of India with neighbouring countries; structure and relief; drainage system and watersheds; physiographic regions; mechanism of Indian monsoons; tropical cyclones and western distrubances; floods and droughts; climatic regions; natural vegetation, soil types and their distributions.
ii) Resources : Land, surface and groundwater, energy, minerals, and biotic resources, their distribution, utilisation and conservation; energy crisis.
iii) Agriculture : Infrastructure–irrigation, seeds, fertilizers, power; institutional factors–land holdings, land tenure and land reforms; agricultural productivity, agricultural intensity, crop combination, land capability; agro-and social forestry; green revolution and its socio-economic and ecological implications; significance of dry farming; livestock resources and white revolution; blue revolution; agricultural regionalisation; agro-climatic zones.
iv) Industry : Evolution of industries; locational factors of cotton, jute, iron and steel, fertiliser, paper, drugs and pharmaceutical, automobile and cottage indusries; industrial complexes and industrial regionalisaiton; new industrial policy; multinationals and liberalisation.
v) Transport, Communication and Trade : Road, railway, waterway, airway and pipeline networks and their complementary roles in regional development; growing importance of ports on national and foreign trade, trade balance; free trade and export promotion zones; developments in communication technology and its impact on economy and society.
Section-B
i) Cultural Setting : Racial and ethnic diversities; major tribes, tribal areas and their problems; role of langague, religion and tradition in the formation of cultural regions; growth, distribution and density of population; demographic attributes–sex-ratio, age structure, literacy rate, work-force, dependency ratio and longevity; migration (inter-regional, intra-regional and international) and associated problems, population problems and policies.
ii) Settlements : Types, patterns and morphology of rural settlements; urban development; census definition of urban areas; morphology of Indian cities; functional classification of Indian cities; conurbations and metropolitan regions; urban sprawl; slums and associated problems; town planning; problems of urbanisaiton.
iii) Regional Development and Planning: Experience of regional planning in India; Five Year Plans; integrated rural development programmes; panchayati raj and decentralised planning; command area development; watershed management; planning for backward area, desert drought-prone, hill and tribal area development; multi-level planning; geography and regional planning.
iv) Political Aspects : Geographical basis of Indian federalism; state reorganisation; regional consciousness and national integration; international boundary of India and related issues; disputes on sharing of water resources; India and geopolitics of the Indian Ocean.
v) Contemporary Issues : Environmental hazards–landslides, earthquakes, floods and droughts, epidemics; issues related to environmental pollution; changes in patterns of land use; principles of environmental impact assessment and environmental management; population explosion and food security; environmental degradation; problems of agrarian and industrial unrest; regional disparities in economic development; concept of sustainable growth and development.
Good Luck............

Geography- 1

Eutrophication is an increase in chemical nutrients -- compounds containing nitrogen or phosphorus -- in an ecosystem, and may occur on land or in water. However, the term is often used to mean the resultant increase in the ecosystem's primary productivity (excessive plant growth and decay), and further effects including lack of oxygen and severe reductions in water quality, fish, and other animal populations.
The Sahel or Sahel Belt (from Arabic shore, border or coast of the Sahara) is a semi-arid tropical savanna ecoregion in Africa, which forms the transition between the Sahara to the north and the slightly less arid savanna belt to the south, known as the Sudan (not to be confused with the country of the same name).
Hachures are an older mode of representing relief. They show orientation of slope, and by their thickness and overall density they provide a general sense of steepness. Being non-numeric, they are less useful to a scientific survey than contours, but can successfully communicate quite specific shapes of terrain. They are a form of shading, although different from the one used in shaded maps.