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UPSC PORTAL

NATIONAL EVENTS

APRIL 2011 

• Census 2011 puts India's population at 1.21 billion
• SAARC sanitation meet opens  
• How are Koya Commandos appointed, asks Supreme Court
• Hazare ends fast, says fight has begun
• IRRI to set up molecular centre for rice  
• Reprieve for 44 deemed universities
• Government to issue biometric PAN cards to taxpayers
• DGCA teams to check 40 flying schools
• Home Ministry studying Shunglu report on CWG scam
• India has highest number of stillbirths: Lancet report
• Binayak Sen gets bail in Supreme Court
• India's population to surpass China's by 2025
• Stamp out khap panchayats: court
• Nod for e-district project
• Double fortified salt mandatory in midday meal
•  ‘Centre will await ICMR report on endosulfan'
• Panel to probe Tawang helicopter crash
• Centre informs Supreme Court of the high level committee to probe black money cases
• PAC draft report puts 2G loss at Rs.1.90 lakh crore
• Court appoints expert to inspect Polavaram dam 

JULY 2011

• • Expansion of Central List of OBCs
  • Legislation to Curb Honor Killings
  • Remote Sensing Data Policy
  • Criticizes of State Governments for Misusing Provisions of Land Acquisition
  • Extension of the RSBY Scheme
  • National Mission for Justice Delivery and Legal Reforms
  • High-powered Task Force of Defense Management
  • Salwa Judum is Illegal and Unconstitutional
  • India International Institute of Democracy and Election Management
  • Centre for Social Research Report
  • India Signed Three Agreements with the World Bank for Cleaning the anga River
  • Pension Age-limit for BPL to 60
  • Navodaya Vidyalayas outside the ambit of RTE Act
  • CCS Gave Nod for National Intelligence Grid
  • Janani-Shishu Suraksha Programme
  • MPLAD Scheme Revised
  • Security Audit of Nuclear Stations
  • 20 More Districts in the Naxal-hit states
  • Diesel is dearer by Rs 3 a liter & Kerosene by Rs 2 a liter
  • Grievance Redressal Portal for Insurance Policy Holders
  • NAC directed the Tribal Affairs Ministry to consult Jarawas
  • The Survey of India Report Submitted
  
  
  INTERNATIONAL EVENTS 
  APRIL 2011
  
  
  
  • China to reinforce trust with neighbours
  • UPA government not to ban book on Gandhiji
  • Row over huge death toll in Ivorian town
  • Nazarbayev re-elected
  • Laurent Gbagbo captured
  • Nigeria votes on accidental leader
  • Cuba marks Bay of Pigs
  • Iran-Saudi Arabia rift widens over Bahrain
  • Martelly wins Haiti run-off
  • Thailand, Cambodia exchange fire
  • Russia offers to mediate on Libya
  • Russia proposes global nuclear safety plan
  • U.N. panel accuses Colombo, LTTE of war crimes
  • Libyan battles spill into Tunisia; clashes in syria
  • Russia celebrates conquest of space 
  
  
  
  JULY 2011
  
  
  • Germany to Shut its Nuclear Plants
  • Amendments to Swiss Banking Secrecy Laws
  • French Nationals to Sue Sarkozy over Crimes in Libya
  • Constitution (15th Amendment) Bill, 2011 passed in Bangladesh
  • 10th SCO Summit
  • UN launched Drive for Sustainable Sanitation
  • Pakistan gets Chinese Aid Against the US Raids
  • Yingluck Shinawatra to Become the PM of Thailand
  • Arrest Warrant for Muammar Gaddafi
  • President of Yemen Left Country
  • IAEA Called for Action on Nuclear Safety
  • US Decided to pull-out Troops from Afghanistan
  • Syria's President Recommended Reforms
  • Germany Announced Easing of Export Control Laws for India
  • Approval of the Constitutional Reforms Moroco
  • The UN-HABITAT Report
  • The World in 2050 Report
  
  
  ECONOMY
  
  
  APRIL 2011
  
  
  
  • Prepare for long-term climate change impacts on food production: FAO
  • FDI norms fine-tuned to attract more investment
  • 100 % FDI allowed in some areas of farm sector
  • GoM to decide Cairn-Vedanta deal
  • TRAI proposes Rs.1-lakh cr infrastructure investment
  • ADB meet to focus on food, fuel prices
  • Mini Ratna status for Pawan Hans
  • Indian handicrafts to take part in Hong Kong fair
  • Exports jump 37 % to $246 billion in 2010-11
  • Poverty rate declines from 37.2% to 32%
  • 12th Plan to target 9-9.5% growth
  • Discovers gas in Cauvery-Palar basin
  • Inter-ministerial group to examine FDI in pharma
  • SEBI to set rules for art funds, antique investments
  • Record food production in 2010-11
  • DGH to probe decline in gas output from KG-D6 fields
  • RBI moots deregulation of savings bank interest rate
  
  JULY 2011
  
  
  
  • India-Malaysia CECA
  • Chinese Currency Renminbi in Srilanka
  • Christine Lagarde is Chief of IMF
  • Golden Peacock Environment Management Award for 2011 to SAIL
  • Delhi Cabinet Waived VAT on Increased Price of Diesel
  • India’s Rating for Foreign & Local Currency Debt Outlook upgraded
  • RBI extended 10 % Ceiling of Bank Investment in Liquid Schemes of Mutual Funds
  • FDI in May 2011 Inflows Jumped 111 per cent at $4.664 Billion
  • Recommendation to Make CEIB a Nodal Agency
  • 25 Lakh Penalty on Citibank
  • RBI permitted Re-financing of Foreign Currency Convertible Bonds
  • Buyback of Foreign Currency Convertible Bonds Extended
  • Machendranathan Committee Suggestions
  • Extension for Tax Incentive Scheme for Exporters
  • New Food Security Bill in line with NAC’s Recommendation
  • Gopinath Committee Suggestions
  • Committee on Natural Resources Allocation called for Creation of National Coal Market
  • Guidelines for Public Financial Institutions
  • Google Launched its Mapping Service Street View in Bangalore
  • Ambuja Cements Acquired 85 per cent stake in Nepal’s Dang Cement
  • Wipro Technologies Won A Contract from Chaucer Syndicates
  • HMV Saregama India Bought 10% stake in Timbre Media
  
  
  INDIA AND THE WORLD
  
  
  APRIL 2011
  
  • Top SAARC police officers discuss drug trafficking and terrorism
  • Jahangir portrait sold for Rs. 10 crore at London auction
  • India signs chemicals test data-sharing pact
  • West Asia imparts political colour to BRICS summit
  • Chernobyl-like rating for Fukushima accident
  • BRICS panel to intensify economic links
  • BRICS nations make the first move with local currencies
  • Foothold for India in oil-rich Kazakhstan
  • India, Kazakhstan sign pact on nuclear cooperation
  • TAPI talks deadlocked on gas price, transit fee issues 
  JULY
  
  • India and Uzbekistan Signed 34 Agreements
  • India Extended Duty-free Market Access to Afghanistan
  • India and ADB Signed Agreement
  • India and Japan Signed Agreement
  
  
  SCIENCE 
  APRIL 2011
  
  
  • Ministry finalises National Health Research Policy
  • Navy preparing for takeover of Vikramaditya
  • Nagpur to be promoted as tiger capital: Jairam
  • Jairam says ‘no' to Ken-Betwa river link project
  • Stockholm Convention discuss global ban on endosulfan
  • PSLV-C16 puts 3 satellites in orbit
  • Resourcesat-2 will beam back huge data on resources
  • ISRO to build orbiter for NASA
  • Green technology to tackle water pollution
  • India seeks postponement of decision on Endosulfan ban at Geneva
  • Contact Group recommends global ban on endosulfan
  • Bamboo is liberated, says Jairam Ramesh
  • U.S. “deeply disappointed” by thumbs down to fighter jets
  • Stockholm Convention approves recommendation for ban on Endosulfan
  
  
  JULY 2011
  • The Universe May Bave Been Born Spinning
  • Discovery of Natural Antibody Brings a Universal Flu Vaccine a Step Closer
  • Spermocomet
  • Our Milky Way in Midst of Life Crisis
  • Indian communication Satellite GSAT-8 Successfully launched
  • Hubble Observes Aftermath of Possible Asteroid Collision
  • Drug Shield for Bacteria
  • Best-Performing Machine of the World
  • Anti Mosquito Gas
  • Cure for Glaucoma
  • First Ever Drug to Treat Celtic Gene
  • Werewolf Gene Discovered
  • Hereditary Disease Idiopathic Infantile Hypercalcemia
  • Laser Light Created with Living Biological Material
  • Scientists Set New Data Speed Record
  • WASP-17b Moves Opposite
  • Cure for Prostrate Tumors Found
  • Exemestane
  • 17 Lost Pyramids Found
  • Flexible Solar Sheet Developed
  • Juno Mission: Gas Giant Spacecraft All Gassed Up
  • Herschel Helps Solve Mystery of Cosmic Dust Origins
  
  
  AWARDS
  APRIL 2011
  
  
  • Nisha Rajagopal, first recipient of The Hindu Saregama M.S. Subbulakshmi Award
  • Indian wins Indu Sharma Katha Samman  
  • Indian-American doctor's book on cancer bags the Pulitzer
  • 2011 Pulitzers spread out
  • Indian mathematician wins Knuth Prize
  • Dadasaheb Phalke Award for K. Balachander 
  
  JULY 2011
  
  • G. D. Birla Award for Scientific Research
  • Dadasaheb Phalke Award
  • Anuvrat Ahimsa International Peace Award
  • Crans Montana Forum Award
  • Meghdoot Awards
  • Jawaharlal Nehru Award for International Understanding for 2009
  • Hindi Academy Shalaka Samman
  • 12th IIFA Awards
  • Education in Excellence Award-2011
  • International Merlin Award
  • INSEAD Honoured Sunil Bharti Mittal
  • Man Booker International Prize 
  •  
  •  
  • PERSONS
  
  
  
  • Sundari Mani passes away
  • Jacob Mathew elected WAN-IFRA president
  • Legendary archaeologist Lewis Binford passes away
  • Mohandas Pai steps down
  • Nawang Gombu passes away 
  •  
  • Smriti Irani
  • Devendra Pal Singh Bhullar
  • Controversial' Birs
  • Ashok Gehlot
  • Syed Saleem Shahzad
  • Sushma Swaraj
  • Gopal Subrahmaniam
  • Piyush Guha
  • News of the World
  • Mohan Kohali
  • Khodorkovsky
  • Nobel winner Blumberg dies
  • Daulaire new U.S. Rep at WHO
  • Tendulkar & Durrani
  • Shahid Afridi
  • Baba Ramdev
  • Salman Taseer
  • Vikram Pandit
  • K.G. Bhaskaran
  • Lalit Modi
  • Maqbool Fida Hussain
  • Dayanidhi Maran
  • Jyotirmoy Dey
  • Delhi University
  • Ranjan Mathai
  • Nandan and Rohini Nilekani
  • Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple
  • N. Murali
  • Bhupen Hazarika
  • The 25 paise coin
  • Amartya Sen
  • Akhil Gogoi
  
  
  SPORTS
  • India Takes The World Cup in Grand Style
  • Paes - Bhupathi duo wins title, becomes No. 1
  • Invincible Djokovic vanquishes Nadal
  • Duncan Fletcher appointed coach 
  • Cricket
  • Badminton
  • Tennis
  • Chess
  • Hockey
  • F1 European Grand Prix
  
  
  
  

janLOKPAL and Anna Hassare

The Jan Lokpal Bill 

The Jan Lokpal bill is a draft anti corruption bill put forwarded by a prominent civil society activists group India Against Corruption (IAC) to set up a Jan Lokapal, which is an independent body that would investigate corruption cases, complete the investigation within a year and envisages trial in the case getting over in the next one year.
Justice Santosh Hegde (former Supreme Court Judge and former Lokayukta of Karnataka), Prashant Bhushan (Supreme Court Lawyer) and Arvind Kejriwal (RTI activist) are the major players behind the draft Bill. It develops a system which will send a person to jail within two years of the complaint being made against him proved true and his ill-gotten wealth being confiscated. It also seeks power to the Jan Lokpal to prosecute politicians and bureaucrats without government permission. Later noted personalities like
Kiran Bedi (Retired IPS officer)  Swami Agnivesh, Sri Sri Ravi Shankar and Mallika Sarabhai were became a part of the movement which commonly called India Against Corruption.

Anna Hassare

The movement really got an impetus when Anna Hazare, anti-corruption crusader joined with IAC. He was a social activist not so popular outside Maharasthra. A Gandhian, now 71 successfully came forefront with the demand of a strong Jan Lokpal to curb corruption and he went on a fast-unto-death in April, demanding that this Bill, drafted by the civil society, be adopted. Four days into his fast, the government surrendered under Hazzare and agreed to set up a joint committee with an equal number of members from the government and civil society. But the confrontation between Government and IAC had been strengthening due to the differences in the bill. The government has introduced a bill in the Parliament which was against the views of Anna Team.  Governmnet resisted the intention of JanLokpal that make Judiciary and Prime Minister under the ambit of Lokpal.

The proposed bill of Anna Hassare has the following features.  

1.  An institution called LOKPAL at the centre and LOKAYUKTA in each state will be set up
2. Like Supreme Court and Election Commission, they will be completely independent of the governments. No minister or bureaucrat will be able to influence their investigations
3. Cases against corrupt people will not linger on for years anymore: Investigations in any case will have to be completed in one year. Trial should be completed in next one year so that the corrupt politician, officer or judge is sent to jail within two years.
4. The loss that a corrupt person caused to the government will be recovered at the time of conviction.
5. Its members will be selected by judges, citizens and constitutional authorities through a completely transparent and participatory process.
6. Any complaint against any officer of Lokpal shall be investigated and the officer dismissed within two months.
7. It will be the duty of the Lokpal to provide protection to those who are being victimized for raising their voice against corruption.

In the back ground of Government opposition Anna decided to start fasting and call for a second independence war. People from all walks of life joined united under the voice of Anna and Government forced to control the situation. But the action of Delhi Police to stop Hassare made the situation worst. Arrest of Anna and related incidents got global attention and foreign media celebrated it as a serious tension in India. Later UPA understood that this will not be a similar situation like the incident of Irom Sharmila, who has been on fast (but forcefully fed by government) for the past 10 yras demanding the repeal of the Armed Forces Special Power Act in Manipur).

Lok Pal and Anna Hassare – A criticism

Observers clearly worried about the threat of an indefinite fast becoming an instrument of blackmail in the hands of a self styled civil society leaders.  It is true that if 1,456 Lac Crores black money comes back to India, it will be sufficient to wash out whole poverty from our nation. So the intention of Hazzare to curb corruption is most welcoming but his strategy to black mail Parliament by a most renowned and ethical method – Sthyagraha still stands as a question? Satyagraha is a last resort after exhausting all alternatives. But Hazzare suddenly initiated his fast without waiting the governments request for consultation and NAC’s recommendations. Thus Anna breached the basic principle of a Satygrahi – Tolerance/Patience.

The constitution gives autonomy to judiciary and executives, means both are independent. The authority to make law vested on Parliament. Government approved all the six demands of Anna Team and requested them to wait for the review. It was for the first time in the history of independent India that civil society representatives have been included in the drafting committee of a bill.  Breaching the law, Anna started unwanted fasting and demanded Janta Mantir as his venue for fasting. The draft Jan Lokpal Bill developed by Anna Team seeking to bring the Prime Minister, MPs and judges under the ambit of Lok Pal is a fraught with danger to the very existence of parliamentary democracy under which Legislature and Judiciary were most sacrosanct. And any unwanted allegations against Prime Minister will affect the ruling party and even ruling government. Subsequent to this that will lead to national unrest and instability. So the suggestion by the Parliament to bring PM under Lokpal after his tenure is most suited. Another observation which we have is, all the PM’s of India so far are not much corrupted and it is a strategy of the ruling party to keep their image. Regarding judiciary, there is strong bill called Judiciary Accountability Bill which waits for approval in Loka sabha can effectively control judiciary. Additionally, public servants can be prosecuted for corruption under the Indian Penal Code and Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988. In short, this is’ a movement to overrun Indian Parliament democracy’. 

The bill was for the first time presented during the fourth Lok Sabha in 1968, and was passed there in 1969. It was revived in 1971, 1977, 1985, 1989, 1996, 1998, 2001, 2005 and 2008.and it is a question why Anna had been silent all the times. Adding vigor to his doubtful intention, he praised Narendra Modi – the brain behind Godra incident (how Modi’s criminal masterminding of the 2002 communal riots in Gujarth would be worthy of emulation) and another BJP Leader Notish Kumar.A leading members of IAC, Shanti Bhushan was a former central minister of law, BJP member. Prasanth Bhushan his son also in the same committee, critics called it as an instance of nepotism. There are so many allegations against him also.

In the midst of these struggles, foreign media has colored it very well with most suitable captions. Pakistan is celebrating and US alarming that India in a hangover of Middle East tension. There was another argument that, it was motivated by US to deteriorate the world largest democratic country and its democratic values. 

Can we assure that Anna Hazzare is a representative of civil society and India Against Corruption (IAC) is an authoritative system to represent common people? Is it a unanimous voice of 125 lakhs people? And if ‘yes’ , better is Anna and his team should come through the process. Then only they can clearly claim as representative of mass.

I think the statement of Prime Minister is sufficient to answer all our questions on Anna Hassare and his effort. “However, I am not aware of any constitutional philosophy or principle that allows anyone to question the sole prerogative of Parliament to make a law. But differences of opinion must be resolved through dialogue and consensus. Those who believe that their voice — and their voice alone — represents the will of 1.2 billion people should reflect deeply on that position. They must allow the elected representatives of the people in Parliament to do the job that they were elected for.”

Lastly, India is a country with an elaborate, comprehensive and all inclusive constitution and a penal code. And who knows the Lok ball committee will be corruption free even if it will be selected by supreme powers. The huge man power requirement for the setting up of Lok Janpal Team will be burden to Government and People.
At the same time corruption is very rampant from bottom to top. What we need is responsible citizens with courageous mind, vibrant and alert attitude. Act against corruption in each incident even it is painful (think about any situations that we have responded with vigor)  . There is no other magic wand to dominate this evil and remember that Jan Lokapal is not a magical instrument to curtail all the corruption in India. 

I love my India and love to see a corruption free India. Hats off to Anna Hassare if he genuinely represent people without any external influences and unwanted intentions. Thanks to know he eases his stringent stand that was forcing PM and Judiciary to comes under the ambit of Jan Lokpal.     

Lets unite for a corruption free India and work for the same... not globally but locally. Not through great words but through small actions.

E .. Money

The issue of black money becomes very rampant in these days and it gets more worsened when the keepers of exchequer caught red handed. Recent flow charts like Kalmadi, A.R.Raja, Kamimozhi, Maran, Yeduriyappa etc. It now reaches Kerala and is apparent when the raid ended in the houses of film stars Mohanlal and Mammooty. It is an unacceptable truth to realize corruption, bribery and black money a widespread syndrome and people are now more courage to evade tax. Lok Janapal, Lokapal and the Lokayuktha together work for curbing corruption but it is not yet reached any conclusion. The menace of corruption remain exists as an unanswerable question. When the report of Swizz bank assumes a deposit around $2.5 billion from India and it augments only when it revises. It is heartening to know, poverty in India can washout if whole black money deposited by India people in Swizz bank withdraws. 

Technology develops and even now it fails to control corruption. But still it is capable to curb corruption effectively. This is possible only through technology that can control, monitor and assess the flow of money. In order to find a solution to this issue, Government shall introduce the concept E-money. Electronic money is broadly defined as an electronic store of monetary value on a technical device that may be widely used for making payments to undertakings other than the issuer without necessarily involving bank accounts in the transaction, but acting as a prepaid bearer instrument. People shall be provided with a ‘card’ so that they can use it whenever they require any transaction or money deal. A system shall be installed in shops and offices to make it practical. The same transaction can be recorded through a centralized system. Government should withdraw all the currency above 100 denominations from the market and it can be limited with a denomination of maximum 200. So people will require more space to accommodate/transfer/transport​ huge amount of money. It itself will diminish the chance of keeping black money. For the convenience of poor people Government can print money below 200 denominations and it should stop after a period of time. So that, gradually our economy shall reach a point called ‘zero currency economy’.
Addition to this Government can gazette that all the denominations above 200 should deposit in bank within 6 months and people can collect card. It will entrap those who keep black money with them.
So a systematic and effective use of technology is the only solution to arrest frauds and bribery. The facts discussed above it prove that E- Money can control it successfully.

A boy from the hinterlands of a rural village

A boy from the hinterlands of a rural village

Mr. Paul V Mathew was born as child to Annamma Mathew and V. P. Mathai—on 18^th December 1986.  He was a boy from a small and beautiful rural village in Kerala called Kinginimattam. Poverty and hunger was a part and parcel of his life. Even though his parents were very loving and caring, he was a naughty boy in his school days and was a creator of nuisances and a blemish in the eyes of teachers, relatives and neighbors. It added the hate of friends and teachers in all the way. He always kept the back bench not only in the class but also in marks. Every time he has got last position in exams.  He reminds his childhood days that every day a parent will approach either a teacher or his parents with some serious complaints against him. Once he made some malpractices in the exam with an intention to cease his study. He was that much lazy and careless in studies.

Experiences mold a man

He believes that experiences teach lessons of life that paves way for right approach. He was beaten callously three times. Jokingly, once he picked few coconuts from the nearest estate on his way from the school that made his parents angry. His father had been beating him from his residence to the house of the estate owner until he returned it. That incident created a sore in the heart of this kid that persuaded him to take a decision, “will not steal anything”.    Similarly he was beaten very hard by his grandparent when he wrote some abusive words in the wall of his house. His grandparent had been beating him till he washed it out completely. At the very same day he decided to keep him away from abusive words. In addition to this he realized that ability to choose ‘right’ from the mix of good and bad is most important, imitation is the symbol of limited imagination and only right friends can  help us to find the essence of life.   He had a habit of use/work/repair whatever he sees, not only in his house but in others too. On one occasion his uncle advised him in this matter followed with a similar incident. He successfully convinced Paul.  It helped him to think, “‘other’ is more important than ‘self’ and face of ‘others’ make me responsible”.  Addition to this, one time he was beaten ruthlessly by his teacher and harassed badly. He was compelled to walk around the school with ‘chutti’ in head and ‘kolu’ in hand as punishment for playing ‘chutti and kolu’ game in the class room. He was totally embraced in front of his friends. That incident made him to think about the purpose of life and tears of his mother touched him deeply. His teacher once explained about the power of time, the ideology of ‘time management’ triggered a fire in his tender mind. He accepted the fact ‘it never comes back”.    At the same time, he read a booklet with a title ‘Orange’ which was a story of a similar boy, but the attitude of teacher made him to think in a different way. Similarly, the biography of Thomas Alwa Edison inspired him a lots. He realized the truth, “Work more than anyone, Know more than anyone and Expect less than anyone”. Motivated by the life of Gandhi, he decided to stop malpractices in the exam and work for a better future. Once a teacher was showing the answers for students in a lab exam, but he closed his eyes for the triumph of truth. Even though he was not scored very high in that exam, later he realized the truth; “Victory goes with the truth”.

While leaving from the school, he was the topper with the honor of ‘Award for Merit’ and the ‘Award for Best Student’.  While using the used articles of his uncle/neighbor, he earnestly desired for new dresses, bags and chapels. His first experience with ‘chicken biriyani’ was a ridiculing because of his voracious eating. In the midst of hardships, he strived to find the essence of life. “It is not experiments but experiences mold men”. He says.

To a mature youth

All the activities at the college could not keep his dynamic mind from looking for ways to improve his knowledge.  During this never-ending quest, the young boy joined in National Cadet Corps (NCC) and National Service Scheme (NSS). It sprouted a fire in his mind for social as well as national development. Along with the study, he worked as rubber tapper, cleaner, painter, manual worker and writer to connect both ends of life and to lend a helping hand to his parents. This helped him to realize the worth of work and money. The book ‘Ignited Minds’ absolutely ignited his mind and the book ‘Wings of fire’ gave strong wings to his dreams. Thanks to Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalm. Three key words ‘Dreams, Thoughts and Actions’ triggered a punching flame in his life. After completing the degree he joined for Master of Business Administration. That was the first time he supposed to speak English and at the time of interview he realized the power of English. As advised by the Professor, he started reading English Newspaper regularly. Unfortunately he didn’t understand anything but it never stopped him. He had been following the habit along with noting and learning difficult words. Later he realized the power of perseverance that made him to stand erect in front of other.

In to the action

Mahatma Gandhi was his whole time hero and he realized the power of his word; “Soul of India lives in villages and its self sufficiency is the utmost priority”. The book ‘My Experiments with Truth’ written by Gandhi and ‘Un to the Last’ written by Ruskin Bond inspired him. He thrilled by the success story of Bill Gates, Warren Buffet, Ford, Einstein and Newton. He loved students and nature. Either a mentor or an educated parent is very important to inculcate right missions and visions for their children for a bright future. Unfortunately it lacked in his village.  In keeping with his vision of contributing to national development and knowing that every great journey begins with a step, he formed a student organization in the village named ‘Navajeevan’ (New Life). With the motto ‘we serve’; this is an organization which fully owned and organized by around 50 students in the village. It aims for the physical, mental and overall development of students. A hand script and the first anniversary edition with myriad of creations of students of has received wide appreciation. The household organic farming competition organized for students was honored with State Level nomination. In order to raise the English speaking skill of students he has initiated a regular training in the village and so that many students got use of it.  Some of the important programs organized so far are;

·        Quiz Programs

·        Motivational Exercises

·        Reading competition

·        Games

·        Carols

·        Cultural events

·        Essay writing

·        Seminar on learning techniques

·        Subject Oriented Work shops

·        Cleaning Drive

·        Environmental and Cleaning and Campaigns

·        Village path Construction

·        Personality Development Classes

·        AIDS Awareness

·        Oratory Training

·        Hygiene Seminar

·        Debates and Discussions

·        Medical Camp

·        Public Waiting Centre Maintenance

·        Orphanage Visit

·        Career Guidance/Assistance

·        Festival Programs

·        Observing days with National and International Importance

The book he published recently under the banner of Navajeevan - ‘Poothrikka Gramam Nalvazhikalilode’ is a comprehensive document which mentions the profile, history, time lines, developments, institution and leaders of the village. Addition to this, he has made a lead role in the establishment of a Library named ‘Hakemo’ (Ocean of Knowledge) which aimed to raise knowledge and moral of people.

He believes in visions and says “Right vision and visionaries are the need of this hour. Only Right visionaries can inculcate right visions, missions and goals to this young generation. Impart the same to the coming generation will lead to a big leap in the society. Life without aim never creates any purpose.”

Career

Immediately after his post graduation, he joined as the State Team Leader of Responsible Tourism, one of the Social Projects of Kerala Tourism. Currently he works as the Asst. Professor and Coordinator of Corporate Social Responsibility initiatives of MACFSAT College, Tiruvalla. The Community Radio he worked aims for bridging knowledge divide in the society and the project he undertaken – Clean and Green Tiruvalla envisions a paradigm shift in the attitude of community towards social responsibility. The research he pursues is a concept called ‘Community Social Responsibility’ envisages designing a new frame work in social development.

His uncle, an IAS officer was a source of inspiration. While inching towards the same he realizes the obstacles he covered and efforts he put. A boy from a sore situation grabbed it even in the presence of fire lamps, only because of his hard work in hardships, determination and focused approach. While reiterating “education enlightens”; he says “Nothing is impossible in this world if we have a readiness in mind. When we come out with good work, God will come with fruitful fortunes.” Now his motto is ‘Right Vision, Right Work and Right Determination’ and wants say one thing, “Prayarize, Visualize, and Actualize”. 

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'Rays of love' - the spectrum of light widens

The term 'Students Initiated Campus' comes true, when students initiate their hands to raise their care through Rays of Love

 

When to call a spade a spade 'the actions for proclaiming humanity getting the glimpse of hope'. It sprouts and spreads like a wildfire in the mind of every human.  When we open our eyes to see the real world, really a feeling of 'giving up' of our greed. It was an outstanding day in all sense. The team 'Rendezvous' colored this day  with love,wisdom, humanity and brotherhood with a good mix of entertainment.  The movie that shown in this Wednesday gathering crumpled and augmented the beats of hearts which persuaded us '"Give your eyes to light our world" .

`Service to humanity is service to God’ came true here in MACFAST by distributing 'Gifts' - our symbol of care and love to the students of Government School, Kuttoor. It pronounces the duty bestowed on us - 'Open our eyes and ease our hands to offer care'. When students of MACFAST released their hands to offer care and love, it reiterates that it is our duty and  responsibility to work for a better world. " 'Share' - when we share, it multiplies" - the words of Santhosh (Coordinator, Rays of Love) call us for  gripping our foots to move with great pace in promulgating humanity; through small but great actions. Responding to the caring hands of 'Rays of Love', one of the teachers (Kuttoor Government school) commented - " What we are lacking in this world; the real lacuna - Love and Humanity - You -'Rays of Love' now in the path to fill this gap. Thanks for the helping hand" 

Encouraged by the inspiring initiative of Rays of Love, Fr. Pradeep (Principal, MACFAST) offered 14  kits for students which augmented his charisma.

A last word... When we living in a cloud cuckoo land or in cloud nine, realize the feelings of others. Let our hands raise to say thanks to Raise of Love by easing our hands and pockets. 

All the wishes to Rays of Love and Team. We are with you...go ahead with your dreams to light our world.

Ramdev Effect

This is apparent, his gradual move from meditation to politics and he utilized his 'YOGA' for a common cause.   It is a fact; Ramdev Baba plays a crucial game to get a political mileage and nothing to wonder if someone says 'He is an RSS agent’. All the giants like Advani, Modi and different persona came forward to support him blindly. The most remarkable commend of Digvijay Singh is noticeable "Even to teach yoga, he charges Rs 50,000 from those who sit in the front seats, Rs 30,000 for the backseat and Rs 1000 for the last seat. What else is this?"I remained silent for a moment when I heard the statement of a man " I have heard Ms Podar had gifted an British Island as gratitude for reducing her weight by 10 Kgs and made her healthy and fit"

This is because of imitation and if we go for imitation it is our limitation in imagination. Anna Hazzare initiated the fruitful weapon ‘Satygraha’ to fight against corruption and he is a man of great integrity and a deep Gnadhian who follows the principle of Gandhi – Ahmisa, Satyagraha and Truth. The time comes to think about the soul and spirit of true Satyagaraha. The game of Ramdev is an action which degrading the magnificent power of Truth and Styagraha. A person like Ramdev can’t be a Satyagrahi. A man with n number of allegations is in a race to curtail corruption and to uproar against deposits in Swizz bank. It is very funny while hearing; he continued his strike even when government accepted all is demands. The huge shelter, big crowd and all setups were for a common aim – publicity. This is really a folly comedy.

It is very consoling; majority understood the tactical movement of Ramdev and his spiraling of aim in the midst of unhealthy nexus. This is not a Middle east to simply raise tensions in the name of democracy. We are the largest democratic country in the world and if someone simply hindered it with a common cause will not be acceptable. We are supporting Anna Hassare and if Ramdev follows Anna, it’s a good sign. The pride for getting prime is not all pleasing and it should be realized by the common people.

Man with Vision 2025

Man with Vision 2025

Hearty Welcome to Rev. Dr. Abraham Mulamoottil , New Chairman of Pushpagiri – ( Excerpts from an event organized by Merchant Association, Tiruvalla to honor Rev. Dr. Abraham Mulamoottil (chairman and Chief Executive of Pushpagiri Group of Institutions )

 

“We live in 2011, but He lives in 2025. He changed with times, changed with changes and now changing with anticipated future changes” Mr. Salim (President, Merchant Association) remarked about Rev. Dr. Abraham Mulamoottil. “He came to a uneven place for taking break, but he made that in to a highness by establishing MACFAST and Radio MACFAST 90.4. Now they become the pulse of people and prestige for the nation. His visions are outstanding and his missions are appreciable”. Mr. George Varghese Kunjumon said. While addressing the audience, Mr. Lalji projected Rev. Dr. Aabraham Mulamoottil as ‘Man of Integrity’. He said that Fr. Mulamoottil was the key person behind each pace of the developments of Central Travancore. Tiruvalla Pooram was a colorful event among these. 

Reiterating the vision of  Pushpagiri Group of Institutions, ‘We Care God Cures’, Rev. Dr.Abraham Mulamoottil  explained about the significance of services provided by Pushpagiri.  In response to the different views of dignitaries regarding the issue of waste in Tiruvalla, he put forward the concept of NIMBY (Not In My Backyard) Syndrome to IMBY (In My Back Yard) habit. Reiterating the importance of decentralization of waste management, he promised all the support of Clean and Green Tiruvalla project team for reaching an absolute solution to this issue. Addition to this, he suggested a ‘Green Label’ plan for shops which aims to ensure all the shops Clean and Green.

Mr. Mathew T Thomas, MLA, Mr. George, Mr. Shaji and Mr. John spoke.