1. Indian-American author Akhil Sharma won The Folio Prize 2015 for novel Family Life
Indian-American author Akhil Sharma won The Folio Prize 2015 for his novel Family Life.
He was presented with the winner trophy by Jean-Marc Rathe of The Folio Society and a cheque of 40000 pound at the awards ceremony held in London.
He was selected for the award by the five-member judging panel for The Folio Prize 2015 chaired by William Fiennes.His novel Family Life was one among the eight books shortlisted from 80 works of fiction and was chosen as the best fiction published in the UK in 2014 by the 235 writers and critics who constitute the Folio Academy.
2. Dolly Shivani Cherukuri became the youngest Archer to enter India Book of Records
Three-year-old archer Dolly Shivani Cherukuri of Andhra Pradeshentered the India Book of Records. She entered the list of records by scoring 388 points in the recurve segment in two distances, seven and five meters, at the Volga Archery Academy in Vijayawada.
At the time of entering the India Book of Records, she was nine days less than three years.She shot 36 arrows each from five metres and seven metres to score 388 points in presence of judges from the India Book of Records and the Archery Association of India (AAI).
India Book of Records adjudicator and chief editor Biswaroop Roy Choudary handed over a trophy, medal and a certificate to Shivani.
Shivani is the youngest sister of Cherukuri Lenin, former international archery champion and archery coach, who died in a road accident in 2010. She was trained at the Volga Archery Institute run by her father Cherukuri Satyanarayana.
3. Artist Bharti Kher conferred with the Knight of the Order of Arts and Letters of France
Artist Bharti Kher of India was conferred with the Knight of the Order of Arts and Letters (Chevalier dans l’Ordre des Arts et des Lettres). This is the highest cultural award of France.She was awarded for her contribution in contemporary art landscape. Kher's artworks span several mediums like painting, sculpture and installation.
Her An Absence of Assignable Cause which is a 14-feet- high sculptural interpretation of the heart of the blue sperm whale is among the finest works from the experiment.
The artist is renowned for her remarkable experimentation with bindis that have over time come to be recognised as her signature style.
The French government distinction Chevalier des Arts et des Lettres (Knight of the Order of Arts and Letters) is conferred on persons who have distinguished themselves by their creativity in the field of art, culture and literature or for their contribution to the influence of arts in France and throughout the world.
4. Amitav Ghosh among the 10 finalists shortlisted for 2015 Man Booker International Prize
Indian author Amitav Ghosh was shortlisted for the 2015 Man Booker International Prize. He is the only Indian among the 10 finalists shortlisted for the prize.
58-year-old, Ghosh was chosen for his contribution to the English language writing. Earlier in 2008, he was shortlisted for the prize his work Sea of Poppies but he missed the prize narrowly.
The name of the 10 finalists was announced at the University of Cape Town in South Africa by writer and academic Professor Marina Warner, chair of the five-person judging panel.
5. RBI signs $400-mn currency swap pact with Sri Lanka
The RBI today signed a $400-million currency swap agreement with the Central Bank of Sri Lanka for three years that will allow the island nation to draw the amount in dollars or euros in multiple tranches.
“The Central Bank of Sri Lanka can make drawals of US dollar or euro in multiple tranches up to a maximum of $400 million or its equivalent,” RBI said in a statement.
The agreement, which will be valid for three years, is expected to further economic co-operation between the two countries, it added.
The arrangement will also further financial stability in the region, RBI said.The swap arrangement is intended to provide a backstop line of funding for SAARC member countries to meet any balance of payments and liquidity crises till long-term arrangements are made.The facility is available to all South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) member countries. Besides India, other members of SAARC are: Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka.
6. 18th Round of Talks between India and China on the Boundary Question held in New Delhi
18th round of talks between the Special Representatives of India and China on the Boundary Question was held in New Delhi on 24 March 2015.The India was represented by National Security Adviser Ajit Doval and China was represented Yang Jiechi, State Councillor of China.
Main highlights of the 18th Round of Talks
• India and China agreed to maintain peace along their Himalayan border till an amicable solution to pending border disputes is found.
• The two sides also discussed the issue of counterterrorism, maritime security, climate change, reform of the United Nations and civil nuclear energy cooperation.
• Also, the two Special Representatives emphasized the importance of high-level exchanges for strengthening bilateral ties.
• The two sides also agreed to build on the momentum provided by the Chinese President Xi Jinping’s visit to India in September 2014 to further expand bilateral relations in areas such as railways, smart cities, vocational education, skill development, clean and renewable energy and manufacturing sector.
• Both sides also agreed that growing linkages between Indian States and Chinese Provinces through sister-city and sister-province mechanism plays an important role in deepening bilateral ties.
The framework of talks between Special Representatives between India and China on Boundary Questions was adopted in 2003.
India-China Border dispute
The border dispute between India and China is related to disagreement over the 4056 kilometers Indo-China border which is also called Line of Actual Control (LoAC).
China claims more than 90000 sq km in the eastern sector of the Himalayas which is disputed by India. Much of that forms the Indian state of Arunachal Pradesh, which China calls South Tibet.
India claims that China occupies 38000 square km of its territory on the Aksai Chin plateau in the west.
Also, under a China-Pakistan boundary agreement signed in March 1963, Pakistan illegally ceded 5180 sq. km of Indian Territory in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir to China, an area north of the Siachen glacier.
7. Veteran poet Neeraj gets national Kavi Pradeep award
Bhopal: Noted Hindi poet Gopaldas Neeraj has received the first National Kavi Pradeep Samman at a function held here. The award was presented to the 90-year-old poet by Madhya Pradesh Culture Minister Surendra Patwa last evening at Shaheed Bhawan here. It carries a cash prize of Rs two lakh, a shawl and a citation.
On the occasion, Neeraj mesmerised the audience by reciting some of his select poems.
The award has been instituted by the Madhya Pradesh government in the memory of Kavi Pradeep, the renowned poet and songwriter who is best known for his patriotic song 'Aye Mere Watan Ke Logo' written as a tribute to the soldiers who had died defending the country during the Sino-Indian War.
8. Maharashtra govt sanctions Rs 2,000 cr aid for drought-hit farmers
The Maharashtra government has given a go ahead to disburse Rs 2,000 crore compensation to farmers affected by drought during the 2014 Kharif season.Forty per cent of the amount will be distributed with immediate effect.
“Large number of crops have been destroyed in the drought during the Kharif 2014. Villages whose paisewari (value of crops) is below 50 paise, will be given an input subsidy by the state according to the request received by the District Collectors,” a Government Resolution (GR) issued recently stated.
“Rs 2,000 crore have been sanctioned for the affected farmers, out of which 40 per cent will be disbursed immediately, and the rest will be given once the initial amount is spent,” it said.
The regional revenue departments will be given the task of disbursing the financial aid, and 0.50 per cent of the amount will be utilised for administrative purposes, half of which will be given at the ‘talathi’ level to be spent for administrative purposes.
“The financial aid will be given to farmers only in their bank accounts. No cash will be given. If farmers do not have bank accounts, a zero balance account will be opened under the Jan Dhan Yojana and money will be deposited in that,” the GR said.
However, the Congress hit out at the state government saying that farmers from the ‘suicide belt’ of Maharashtra will not get the real help.
“The government will be providing compensation to farmers for maximum two hectares of land. But the land holding in Marathwada and Vidarbha region is larger than that in the western region. Therefore, what relief will the farmers in the most affected regions (Marathwada and Vidarbha), who grow cotton, soyabean or rice will get?” Mahrashtra Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) chief Manikrao Thakre asked.
The government is also yet to waive crop loan interest for the 2014 kharif season, he said.
Indian-American author Akhil Sharma won The Folio Prize 2015 for his novel Family Life.
He was presented with the winner trophy by Jean-Marc Rathe of The Folio Society and a cheque of 40000 pound at the awards ceremony held in London.He was selected for the award by the five-member judging panel for The Folio Prize 2015 chaired by William Fiennes.His novel Family Life was one among the eight books shortlisted from 80 works of fiction and was chosen as the best fiction published in the UK in 2014 by the 235 writers and critics who constitute the Folio Academy.
2. Dolly Shivani Cherukuri became the youngest Archer to enter India Book of Records
Three-year-old archer Dolly Shivani Cherukuri of Andhra Pradeshentered the India Book of Records. She entered the list of records by scoring 388 points in the recurve segment in two distances, seven and five meters, at the Volga Archery Academy in Vijayawada.
At the time of entering the India Book of Records, she was nine days less than three years.She shot 36 arrows each from five metres and seven metres to score 388 points in presence of judges from the India Book of Records and the Archery Association of India (AAI).
India Book of Records adjudicator and chief editor Biswaroop Roy Choudary handed over a trophy, medal and a certificate to Shivani.
Shivani is the youngest sister of Cherukuri Lenin, former international archery champion and archery coach, who died in a road accident in 2010. She was trained at the Volga Archery Institute run by her father Cherukuri Satyanarayana.
3. Artist Bharti Kher conferred with the Knight of the Order of Arts and Letters of France
Artist Bharti Kher of India was conferred with the Knight of the Order of Arts and Letters (Chevalier dans l’Ordre des Arts et des Lettres). This is the highest cultural award of France.She was awarded for her contribution in contemporary art landscape. Kher's artworks span several mediums like painting, sculpture and installation.
Her An Absence of Assignable Cause which is a 14-feet- high sculptural interpretation of the heart of the blue sperm whale is among the finest works from the experiment.
The artist is renowned for her remarkable experimentation with bindis that have over time come to be recognised as her signature style.
The French government distinction Chevalier des Arts et des Lettres (Knight of the Order of Arts and Letters) is conferred on persons who have distinguished themselves by their creativity in the field of art, culture and literature or for their contribution to the influence of arts in France and throughout the world.
4. Amitav Ghosh among the 10 finalists shortlisted for 2015 Man Booker International Prize
Indian author Amitav Ghosh was shortlisted for the 2015 Man Booker International Prize. He is the only Indian among the 10 finalists shortlisted for the prize.
58-year-old, Ghosh was chosen for his contribution to the English language writing. Earlier in 2008, he was shortlisted for the prize his work Sea of Poppies but he missed the prize narrowly.
The name of the 10 finalists was announced at the University of Cape Town in South Africa by writer and academic Professor Marina Warner, chair of the five-person judging panel.
5. RBI signs $400-mn currency swap pact with Sri Lanka
The RBI today signed a $400-million currency swap agreement with the Central Bank of Sri Lanka for three years that will allow the island nation to draw the amount in dollars or euros in multiple tranches.
“The Central Bank of Sri Lanka can make drawals of US dollar or euro in multiple tranches up to a maximum of $400 million or its equivalent,” RBI said in a statement.
The agreement, which will be valid for three years, is expected to further economic co-operation between the two countries, it added.
The arrangement will also further financial stability in the region, RBI said.The swap arrangement is intended to provide a backstop line of funding for SAARC member countries to meet any balance of payments and liquidity crises till long-term arrangements are made.The facility is available to all South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) member countries. Besides India, other members of SAARC are: Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka.
6. 18th Round of Talks between India and China on the Boundary Question held in New Delhi
18th round of talks between the Special Representatives of India and China on the Boundary Question was held in New Delhi on 24 March 2015.The India was represented by National Security Adviser Ajit Doval and China was represented Yang Jiechi, State Councillor of China.
Main highlights of the 18th Round of Talks
• India and China agreed to maintain peace along their Himalayan border till an amicable solution to pending border disputes is found.
• The two sides also discussed the issue of counterterrorism, maritime security, climate change, reform of the United Nations and civil nuclear energy cooperation.
• Also, the two Special Representatives emphasized the importance of high-level exchanges for strengthening bilateral ties.
• The two sides also agreed to build on the momentum provided by the Chinese President Xi Jinping’s visit to India in September 2014 to further expand bilateral relations in areas such as railways, smart cities, vocational education, skill development, clean and renewable energy and manufacturing sector.
• Both sides also agreed that growing linkages between Indian States and Chinese Provinces through sister-city and sister-province mechanism plays an important role in deepening bilateral ties.
The framework of talks between Special Representatives between India and China on Boundary Questions was adopted in 2003.
India-China Border dispute
The border dispute between India and China is related to disagreement over the 4056 kilometers Indo-China border which is also called Line of Actual Control (LoAC).
China claims more than 90000 sq km in the eastern sector of the Himalayas which is disputed by India. Much of that forms the Indian state of Arunachal Pradesh, which China calls South Tibet.
India claims that China occupies 38000 square km of its territory on the Aksai Chin plateau in the west.
Also, under a China-Pakistan boundary agreement signed in March 1963, Pakistan illegally ceded 5180 sq. km of Indian Territory in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir to China, an area north of the Siachen glacier.
7. Veteran poet Neeraj gets national Kavi Pradeep award
Bhopal: Noted Hindi poet Gopaldas Neeraj has received the first National Kavi Pradeep Samman at a function held here. The award was presented to the 90-year-old poet by Madhya Pradesh Culture Minister Surendra Patwa last evening at Shaheed Bhawan here. It carries a cash prize of Rs two lakh, a shawl and a citation.
On the occasion, Neeraj mesmerised the audience by reciting some of his select poems.
The award has been instituted by the Madhya Pradesh government in the memory of Kavi Pradeep, the renowned poet and songwriter who is best known for his patriotic song 'Aye Mere Watan Ke Logo' written as a tribute to the soldiers who had died defending the country during the Sino-Indian War.
8. Maharashtra govt sanctions Rs 2,000 cr aid for drought-hit farmers
The Maharashtra government has given a go ahead to disburse Rs 2,000 crore compensation to farmers affected by drought during the 2014 Kharif season.Forty per cent of the amount will be distributed with immediate effect.
“Large number of crops have been destroyed in the drought during the Kharif 2014. Villages whose paisewari (value of crops) is below 50 paise, will be given an input subsidy by the state according to the request received by the District Collectors,” a Government Resolution (GR) issued recently stated.
“Rs 2,000 crore have been sanctioned for the affected farmers, out of which 40 per cent will be disbursed immediately, and the rest will be given once the initial amount is spent,” it said.
The regional revenue departments will be given the task of disbursing the financial aid, and 0.50 per cent of the amount will be utilised for administrative purposes, half of which will be given at the ‘talathi’ level to be spent for administrative purposes.
“The financial aid will be given to farmers only in their bank accounts. No cash will be given. If farmers do not have bank accounts, a zero balance account will be opened under the Jan Dhan Yojana and money will be deposited in that,” the GR said.
However, the Congress hit out at the state government saying that farmers from the ‘suicide belt’ of Maharashtra will not get the real help.
“The government will be providing compensation to farmers for maximum two hectares of land. But the land holding in Marathwada and Vidarbha region is larger than that in the western region. Therefore, what relief will the farmers in the most affected regions (Marathwada and Vidarbha), who grow cotton, soyabean or rice will get?” Mahrashtra Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) chief Manikrao Thakre asked.
The government is also yet to waive crop loan interest for the 2014 kharif season, he said.
9.Twitter Samvad launched for direct communication between Government and Citizens
Union Government launched new platform named Twitter Samwad that facilitates direct communication between leaders, government agencies and citizens. This platform was launched in association with social networking service Twitter. Through this, the government bodies can have a direct communication with citizens on a daily basis via Tweets and SMS on their mobile devices
The service was launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his meet with Twitter Chief Executive Dick Costolo in New Delhi. The service is aimed to boost the nation's e-governance plans.
As of now, 16 government offices, including the Prime Minister's Office, Ministry of railways, the Bengaluru Police and the Chief Ministers of Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal are participating in Twitter Samvad, which is powered by Bengaluru-based ZipDial, which was recently acquired by Twitter.
1. Indian-American author Akhil Sharma won The Folio Prize 2015 for novel Family Life
Indian-American author Akhil Sharma won The Folio Prize 2015 for his novel Family Life.
He was presented with the winner trophy by Jean-Marc Rathe of The Folio Society and a cheque of 40000 pound at the awards ceremony held in London.
He was selected for the award by the five-member judging panel for The Folio Prize 2015 chaired by William Fiennes.His novel Family Life was one among the eight books shortlisted from 80 works of fiction and was chosen as the best fiction published in the UK in 2014 by the 235 writers and critics who constitute the Folio Academy.
2. Dolly Shivani Cherukuri became the youngest Archer to enter India Book of Records
Three-year-old archer Dolly Shivani Cherukuri of Andhra Pradeshentered the India Book of Records. She entered the list of records by scoring 388 points in the recurve segment in two distances, seven and five meters, at the Volga Archery Academy in Vijayawada.
At the time of entering the India Book of Records, she was nine days less than three years.She shot 36 arrows each from five metres and seven metres to score 388 points in presence of judges from the India Book of Records and the Archery Association of India (AAI).
India Book of Records adjudicator and chief editor Biswaroop Roy Choudary handed over a trophy, medal and a certificate to Shivani.
Shivani is the youngest sister of Cherukuri Lenin, former international archery champion and archery coach, who died in a road accident in 2010. She was trained at the Volga Archery Institute run by her father Cherukuri Satyanarayana.
3. Artist Bharti Kher conferred with the Knight of the Order of Arts and Letters of France
Artist Bharti Kher of India was conferred with the Knight of the Order of Arts and Letters (Chevalier dans l’Ordre des Arts et des Lettres). This is the highest cultural award of France.She was awarded for her contribution in contemporary art landscape. Kher's artworks span several mediums like painting, sculpture and installation.
Her An Absence of Assignable Cause which is a 14-feet- high sculptural interpretation of the heart of the blue sperm whale is among the finest works from the experiment.
The artist is renowned for her remarkable experimentation with bindis that have over time come to be recognised as her signature style.
The French government distinction Chevalier des Arts et des Lettres (Knight of the Order of Arts and Letters) is conferred on persons who have distinguished themselves by their creativity in the field of art, culture and literature or for their contribution to the influence of arts in France and throughout the world.
4. Amitav Ghosh among the 10 finalists shortlisted for 2015 Man Booker International Prize
Indian author Amitav Ghosh was shortlisted for the 2015 Man Booker International Prize. He is the only Indian among the 10 finalists shortlisted for the prize.
58-year-old, Ghosh was chosen for his contribution to the English language writing. Earlier in 2008, he was shortlisted for the prize his work Sea of Poppies but he missed the prize narrowly.
The name of the 10 finalists was announced at the University of Cape Town in South Africa by writer and academic Professor Marina Warner, chair of the five-person judging panel.
5. RBI signs $400-mn currency swap pact with Sri Lanka
The RBI today signed a $400-million currency swap agreement with the Central Bank of Sri Lanka for three years that will allow the island nation to draw the amount in dollars or euros in multiple tranches.
“The Central Bank of Sri Lanka can make drawals of US dollar or euro in multiple tranches up to a maximum of $400 million or its equivalent,” RBI said in a statement.
The agreement, which will be valid for three years, is expected to further economic co-operation between the two countries, it added.
The arrangement will also further financial stability in the region, RBI said.The swap arrangement is intended to provide a backstop line of funding for SAARC member countries to meet any balance of payments and liquidity crises till long-term arrangements are made.The facility is available to all South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) member countries. Besides India, other members of SAARC are: Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka.
6. 18th Round of Talks between India and China on the Boundary Question held in New Delhi
18th round of talks between the Special Representatives of India and China on the Boundary Question was held in New Delhi on 24 March 2015.The India was represented by National Security Adviser Ajit Doval and China was represented Yang Jiechi, State Councillor of China.
Main highlights of the 18th Round of Talks
• India and China agreed to maintain peace along their Himalayan border till an amicable solution to pending border disputes is found.
• The two sides also discussed the issue of counterterrorism, maritime security, climate change, reform of the United Nations and civil nuclear energy cooperation.
• Also, the two Special Representatives emphasized the importance of high-level exchanges for strengthening bilateral ties.
• The two sides also agreed to build on the momentum provided by the Chinese President Xi Jinping’s visit to India in September 2014 to further expand bilateral relations in areas such as railways, smart cities, vocational education, skill development, clean and renewable energy and manufacturing sector.
• Both sides also agreed that growing linkages between Indian States and Chinese Provinces through sister-city and sister-province mechanism plays an important role in deepening bilateral ties.
The framework of talks between Special Representatives between India and China on Boundary Questions was adopted in 2003.
India-China Border dispute
The border dispute between India and China is related to disagreement over the 4056 kilometers Indo-China border which is also called Line of Actual Control (LoAC).
China claims more than 90000 sq km in the eastern sector of the Himalayas which is disputed by India. Much of that forms the Indian state of Arunachal Pradesh, which China calls South Tibet.
India claims that China occupies 38000 square km of its territory on the Aksai Chin plateau in the west.
Also, under a China-Pakistan boundary agreement signed in March 1963, Pakistan illegally ceded 5180 sq. km of Indian Territory in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir to China, an area north of the Siachen glacier.
7. Veteran poet Neeraj gets national Kavi Pradeep award
Bhopal: Noted Hindi poet Gopaldas Neeraj has received the first National Kavi Pradeep Samman at a function held here. The award was presented to the 90-year-old poet by Madhya Pradesh Culture Minister Surendra Patwa last evening at Shaheed Bhawan here. It carries a cash prize of Rs two lakh, a shawl and a citation.
On the occasion, Neeraj mesmerised the audience by reciting some of his select poems.
The award has been instituted by the Madhya Pradesh government in the memory of Kavi Pradeep, the renowned poet and songwriter who is best known for his patriotic song 'Aye Mere Watan Ke Logo' written as a tribute to the soldiers who had died defending the country during the Sino-Indian War.
8. Maharashtra govt sanctions Rs 2,000 cr aid for drought-hit farmers
The Maharashtra government has given a go ahead to disburse Rs 2,000 crore compensation to farmers affected by drought during the 2014 Kharif season.Forty per cent of the amount will be distributed with immediate effect.
“Large number of crops have been destroyed in the drought during the Kharif 2014. Villages whose paisewari (value of crops) is below 50 paise, will be given an input subsidy by the state according to the request received by the District Collectors,” a Government Resolution (GR) issued recently stated.
“Rs 2,000 crore have been sanctioned for the affected farmers, out of which 40 per cent will be disbursed immediately, and the rest will be given once the initial amount is spent,” it said.
The regional revenue departments will be given the task of disbursing the financial aid, and 0.50 per cent of the amount will be utilised for administrative purposes, half of which will be given at the ‘talathi’ level to be spent for administrative purposes.
“The financial aid will be given to farmers only in their bank accounts. No cash will be given. If farmers do not have bank accounts, a zero balance account will be opened under the Jan Dhan Yojana and money will be deposited in that,” the GR said.
However, the Congress hit out at the state government saying that farmers from the ‘suicide belt’ of Maharashtra will not get the real help.
“The government will be providing compensation to farmers for maximum two hectares of land. But the land holding in Marathwada and Vidarbha region is larger than that in the western region. Therefore, what relief will the farmers in the most affected regions (Marathwada and Vidarbha), who grow cotton, soyabean or rice will get?” Mahrashtra Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) chief Manikrao Thakre asked.
The government is also yet to waive crop loan interest for the 2014 kharif season, he said.
Indian-American author Akhil Sharma won The Folio Prize 2015 for his novel Family Life.
He was presented with the winner trophy by Jean-Marc Rathe of The Folio Society and a cheque of 40000 pound at the awards ceremony held in London.He was selected for the award by the five-member judging panel for The Folio Prize 2015 chaired by William Fiennes.His novel Family Life was one among the eight books shortlisted from 80 works of fiction and was chosen as the best fiction published in the UK in 2014 by the 235 writers and critics who constitute the Folio Academy.
2. Dolly Shivani Cherukuri became the youngest Archer to enter India Book of Records
Three-year-old archer Dolly Shivani Cherukuri of Andhra Pradeshentered the India Book of Records. She entered the list of records by scoring 388 points in the recurve segment in two distances, seven and five meters, at the Volga Archery Academy in Vijayawada.
At the time of entering the India Book of Records, she was nine days less than three years.She shot 36 arrows each from five metres and seven metres to score 388 points in presence of judges from the India Book of Records and the Archery Association of India (AAI).
India Book of Records adjudicator and chief editor Biswaroop Roy Choudary handed over a trophy, medal and a certificate to Shivani.
Shivani is the youngest sister of Cherukuri Lenin, former international archery champion and archery coach, who died in a road accident in 2010. She was trained at the Volga Archery Institute run by her father Cherukuri Satyanarayana.
3. Artist Bharti Kher conferred with the Knight of the Order of Arts and Letters of France
Artist Bharti Kher of India was conferred with the Knight of the Order of Arts and Letters (Chevalier dans l’Ordre des Arts et des Lettres). This is the highest cultural award of France.She was awarded for her contribution in contemporary art landscape. Kher's artworks span several mediums like painting, sculpture and installation.
Her An Absence of Assignable Cause which is a 14-feet- high sculptural interpretation of the heart of the blue sperm whale is among the finest works from the experiment.
The artist is renowned for her remarkable experimentation with bindis that have over time come to be recognised as her signature style.
The French government distinction Chevalier des Arts et des Lettres (Knight of the Order of Arts and Letters) is conferred on persons who have distinguished themselves by their creativity in the field of art, culture and literature or for their contribution to the influence of arts in France and throughout the world.
4. Amitav Ghosh among the 10 finalists shortlisted for 2015 Man Booker International Prize
Indian author Amitav Ghosh was shortlisted for the 2015 Man Booker International Prize. He is the only Indian among the 10 finalists shortlisted for the prize.
58-year-old, Ghosh was chosen for his contribution to the English language writing. Earlier in 2008, he was shortlisted for the prize his work Sea of Poppies but he missed the prize narrowly.
The name of the 10 finalists was announced at the University of Cape Town in South Africa by writer and academic Professor Marina Warner, chair of the five-person judging panel.
5. RBI signs $400-mn currency swap pact with Sri Lanka
The RBI today signed a $400-million currency swap agreement with the Central Bank of Sri Lanka for three years that will allow the island nation to draw the amount in dollars or euros in multiple tranches.
“The Central Bank of Sri Lanka can make drawals of US dollar or euro in multiple tranches up to a maximum of $400 million or its equivalent,” RBI said in a statement.
The agreement, which will be valid for three years, is expected to further economic co-operation between the two countries, it added.
The arrangement will also further financial stability in the region, RBI said.The swap arrangement is intended to provide a backstop line of funding for SAARC member countries to meet any balance of payments and liquidity crises till long-term arrangements are made.The facility is available to all South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) member countries. Besides India, other members of SAARC are: Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka.
6. 18th Round of Talks between India and China on the Boundary Question held in New Delhi
18th round of talks between the Special Representatives of India and China on the Boundary Question was held in New Delhi on 24 March 2015.The India was represented by National Security Adviser Ajit Doval and China was represented Yang Jiechi, State Councillor of China.
Main highlights of the 18th Round of Talks
• India and China agreed to maintain peace along their Himalayan border till an amicable solution to pending border disputes is found.
• The two sides also discussed the issue of counterterrorism, maritime security, climate change, reform of the United Nations and civil nuclear energy cooperation.
• Also, the two Special Representatives emphasized the importance of high-level exchanges for strengthening bilateral ties.
• The two sides also agreed to build on the momentum provided by the Chinese President Xi Jinping’s visit to India in September 2014 to further expand bilateral relations in areas such as railways, smart cities, vocational education, skill development, clean and renewable energy and manufacturing sector.
• Both sides also agreed that growing linkages between Indian States and Chinese Provinces through sister-city and sister-province mechanism plays an important role in deepening bilateral ties.
The framework of talks between Special Representatives between India and China on Boundary Questions was adopted in 2003.
India-China Border dispute
The border dispute between India and China is related to disagreement over the 4056 kilometers Indo-China border which is also called Line of Actual Control (LoAC).
China claims more than 90000 sq km in the eastern sector of the Himalayas which is disputed by India. Much of that forms the Indian state of Arunachal Pradesh, which China calls South Tibet.
India claims that China occupies 38000 square km of its territory on the Aksai Chin plateau in the west.
Also, under a China-Pakistan boundary agreement signed in March 1963, Pakistan illegally ceded 5180 sq. km of Indian Territory in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir to China, an area north of the Siachen glacier.
7. Veteran poet Neeraj gets national Kavi Pradeep award
Bhopal: Noted Hindi poet Gopaldas Neeraj has received the first National Kavi Pradeep Samman at a function held here. The award was presented to the 90-year-old poet by Madhya Pradesh Culture Minister Surendra Patwa last evening at Shaheed Bhawan here. It carries a cash prize of Rs two lakh, a shawl and a citation.
On the occasion, Neeraj mesmerised the audience by reciting some of his select poems.
The award has been instituted by the Madhya Pradesh government in the memory of Kavi Pradeep, the renowned poet and songwriter who is best known for his patriotic song 'Aye Mere Watan Ke Logo' written as a tribute to the soldiers who had died defending the country during the Sino-Indian War.
8. Maharashtra govt sanctions Rs 2,000 cr aid for drought-hit farmers
The Maharashtra government has given a go ahead to disburse Rs 2,000 crore compensation to farmers affected by drought during the 2014 Kharif season.Forty per cent of the amount will be distributed with immediate effect.
“Large number of crops have been destroyed in the drought during the Kharif 2014. Villages whose paisewari (value of crops) is below 50 paise, will be given an input subsidy by the state according to the request received by the District Collectors,” a Government Resolution (GR) issued recently stated.
“Rs 2,000 crore have been sanctioned for the affected farmers, out of which 40 per cent will be disbursed immediately, and the rest will be given once the initial amount is spent,” it said.
The regional revenue departments will be given the task of disbursing the financial aid, and 0.50 per cent of the amount will be utilised for administrative purposes, half of which will be given at the ‘talathi’ level to be spent for administrative purposes.
“The financial aid will be given to farmers only in their bank accounts. No cash will be given. If farmers do not have bank accounts, a zero balance account will be opened under the Jan Dhan Yojana and money will be deposited in that,” the GR said.
However, the Congress hit out at the state government saying that farmers from the ‘suicide belt’ of Maharashtra will not get the real help.
“The government will be providing compensation to farmers for maximum two hectares of land. But the land holding in Marathwada and Vidarbha region is larger than that in the western region. Therefore, what relief will the farmers in the most affected regions (Marathwada and Vidarbha), who grow cotton, soyabean or rice will get?” Mahrashtra Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) chief Manikrao Thakre asked.
The government is also yet to waive crop loan interest for the 2014 kharif season, he said.
9.Twitter Samvad launched for direct communication between Government and Citizens
Union Government launched new platform named Twitter Samwad that facilitates direct communication between leaders, government agencies and citizens. This platform was launched in association with social networking service Twitter. Through this, the government bodies can have a direct communication with citizens on a daily basis via Tweets and SMS on their mobile devices
The service was launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his meet with Twitter Chief Executive Dick Costolo in New Delhi. The service is aimed to boost the nation's e-governance plans.
As of now, 16 government offices, including the Prime Minister's Office, Ministry of railways, the Bengaluru Police and the Chief Ministers of Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal are participating in Twitter Samvad, which is powered by Bengaluru-based ZipDial, which was recently acquired by Twitter.
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