February CA- Pratyogita Darpan [International]

Yoweri Museveni recently won the Presidential election of UgandaUganda's long time President Yoweri Museveni won second term by getting 68% votes in Presidential election on February 18, 2011. The challenger Kizza Besigye got just 26% votes and was defeated in the poll.

The world-renowned footballer who announced his retirement from International Football isRonaldoBrazil's Ronaldo Luiz Nazario de Lima on February 14,2011 confirmed his retirement from International Football.

The Egyptian President who stepped down from his position isHosni MubarakEgyptian President Hosni Mubarak on February 11, 2011 stepped down from his position following violent protests against him.

The Laureus World Sportsman of the Year for 2011 is Rafael NadalSpain's World Tennis No. 1 Rafael Nadal has been named Laureus World Sportsman of the year for 2011 for his remarkable 2010 winning three Grand Slam Events--at Roland Garros.

The Laureus World Team of the Year 2011 is Spain Football TeamThe Laureus Team of the year Award for 2011 has been won by the Spain World Cup Team following their victory in South Africa in World Cup Football 2010.

The Laureus World Sportswoman of the Year 2011 is Lindsey VonnAmerica's Lindsey Vonn has been chosen the Laureus World Sportswoman of the Year Award for 2011 after she secured her third straight skiing World Cup and the Olympic Downhill gold medal.

The winner of Allan Border Medal this year is Shane WatsonShane Watson won his second Allan Border Medal in Melbourne on February 7, 2011. He got 295 votes to Michael Hussey's 195 votes.

The country where quake struck recently is New ZealandA powerful quake hit New Zealand last week of February 2011 killing large number of people. One of the biggest cities of New Zealand Christchurch was ruined with buildings, churches and shops being badly hit.

The quake even shook a massive chunk of ice from New Zealand's biggest glacier.

UNO recently approved curbs on LibyaUnited Nations Security Council unanimously approved curbs on Libya on February 27, 2011. The curbs have been put on travel, freezing of financial assets, weapon sales and a reference to the International Criminal Court (ICC) India also voted in favour of sanctions against Libyan leader Muammar Qadhafi, his relatives and associates.

The movie which won best film award at 83 Oscar Awards isThe King's SpeechBritish historical drama The King's Speech was crowned with the best film Oscar award at the 83rd Oscar Academy Awards on February 27, 2011.

The best actor award at 83rd Oscar Awards has been bagged by Colin FirthHampshire born film star Colin Firth was crowned with best actor award at the 83rd Oscar Awards on February 27, 2011 for his role in smash hit royal drama The King's Speech.

February CA- Pratyogita Darpan [National]

National The New SEBI Chief is U. K. SinhaUpendra Kumar Sinha on February 18, 2011 took charge as the Securities and Exchange Board of India's Chairman from the outgoing Chief C. B. Bhave.

The Government recently annulledAntrix-Devas DealThe Union government on February 17, 2011 annulled the controversial deal between Indian Space Research Organisation's commercial arm Antrix Corporation and Bangalore based Devas Multimedia making it clear that the government will not be able to provide the orbit slot in S-Band to Antrix for Commercial purposes including for its existence contractual obligations in view of strategic requirements.

Japan will extend aid to India worth Rs. 2,557 croreAs per the statement released by Finance Ministry of India Japan will extend Rs. 2,557 crore (Yen 46·401 billion) to India for three projects through its Overseas Development Assistance (ODA) window.

The Malabar series of naval exercises to be held in April 2011 will includeJapan-India-USAThe Japanese Navy for the second running year will take part in the joint naval exercise by India and United States namely the Malabar Series of Exercises to be held from April 2 to April 10, 2011. These exercises will beheld off the Okinawa coast having the highest concentration of US Marines in the region.

The Railways has declared the year 2011-12 The year of Green EnergyThe Railway Ministry has declared the year 2011-12 as the year of green energy.

The winner of Duleep Trophy is South ZoneSouth Zone lifted the Duleep Trophy (Cricket) after beating North Zone by seven wickets on February 5, 2011 in Visakhapatnam.

Avantha Masters title of golf has been clinched by S.S.P. ChowrasiaKolkata's S.S.P. Chowrasia clinched 1·8 million Avantha Masters title on February 20, 2011 in Gurgaon.

The first Indian woman to get first Sena Medal (gallantry) isMajor Mitali MadhumitaMajor Mitali Madhumita became the first woman on February 25, 2011 to receive a gallantry award in the army in Hissar. She became the first woman officer to get the Sena Medal (Gallantry) for acts of bravery and distinguished service. She was honoured along with 21 Army personnel.

The Delhi Airport has been ranked Fourth Best in the WorldIndira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport has been ranked the fourth best airport in the world in the 25 million to 40 million passenger per annum category according to the 2010 Airport Service Quality rankings of Airport Council International. The IGI Airport is now among the top 10 airports in the Asia-Pacific region.

The Government recently constituted JPC for enquiring into2G Spectrum IssueFinance Minister Pranab Mukherjee on February 24, 2011 moved a motion in the Lok Sabha for the appointment of a 30 member Joint Parliamentary Committee to go into 2G spectrum issue. The 20 members are from the Lok Sabha while the ten members are from the Rajya Sabha.

The Economic Survey for 2010-2011 has projected Growth rate of 9% for next fiscal year 2011-12The Economic Survey for 2010-11 presented in the Lok Sabha on February 25, 2011 has projected a robust Gross Domestic Product of 9% for next fiscal year 2011-12.

India recently adopted New CPI SeriesIndia on February 18, 2011 adopted the new Consumer Price Index (CPI) reflecting the actual movement of prices at the micro-level. As per the new series, the CPI has increased to 106 in January from a base of 100 in 2010. The series was introduced by the Central Statistics Organisation (CSO) Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation.

The team which emerged best and received highest number of medals in 34th National Games isServices Services emerged as the best and top sporting unit in 34th National Games in Ranchi with a whopping haul of70 gold, 50 silver and 42 bronze medals for a total of 162--a tally that surpassed its previous best of 59-46-37achieved at the last Games in 2007.

The man who was adjudged best male athlete in 34th National Games isVirdhawal Khade Poster boy of Indian swimming Virdhawal Khade of Maharashtra grabbed eight golds all of them with Gamesrecord timings as he hauled 12 medals including two silver and two bronze was adjudged the best maleathlete of 34th National Games held in Ranchi in February 2011.

The woman who was adjudged best female athlete in 34th National Games isRicha Mishra Delhi's swimmer Richa Mishra grabbed 11 gold medals out of the 17 individual swimming competitions inwhich she competed including finishing second in four and third in one. Her 11 gold medals catapulted Delhito a sixth place finish with 32 gold, 26 silver and 41 bronze medals.

Highlights of Railway Budget

No increase in passengers fares or freight rates.

Earnings for 2010-11 set to exceed Rs. 1 lakh crore.

Working expenditure during 2011-12 estimated at Rs. 87,000 crore.

Outlay of Rs. 57,630 crore for 2011-12, the highest investment in one year.

Rs. 10,000 crore to be raised through railway bonds.

Budget combines strong economic focus with inclusion.

Will develop business-oriented policies to aid industry.

85 public-private partnership proposals received.

Single-window system to take the forward.

Decided to set-up rail-based industries.

Passing through a difficult phase.

97 per cent increase in expenditure in 2010-11 due to implementation of Sixth Pay Commission report.

Loss of Rs. 3,500 crore in 2010-11.

Ten-year backlog of 1·75 lakh jobs being addressed; 16,000 ex-servicemen to be given jobs in railways.

Safety first priority; accident rate has come down.

Anti-collision device, successful in North West Frontier Railway, to be extended to three more zonal railways.

Railways always been a soft target but law and order a state subject. If railways are blocked in one region, this has a snowballing effect in other parts of the country.

Will add 180 km of rail lines in 2011-12.

All-India security helpline set up.

Centre for excellence in software to be set up at Darjeeling.

Fund to be created for socially desirable projects.

Rail linkage to Gujarat from Delhi-Mumbai freight corridor.

Integrated suburban network to be set up in Mumbai, Chennai, Ahmedabad and other cities; suburban system of Hyderabad to be strengthened.

Mumbai suburban system's EMU coaches to be increased from 9 to 12.

Pradhan Mantri Rail Vikas Yojana to be launched.

Industrial park to be set up in Nandigram, West Bengal.

Railways to set up factory in Jammu and Kashmir.

To set up Metro coach factory at Singur, West Bengal.

Work on upgrading 442 stations to be completed by March 31.

Work on wagon factory in Orissa to begin after land is acquired.

Manipur capital Imphal to be soon connected to railway network.

Union Budget Highlights

Fiscal deficit target at 4·6% for 2011-12, down from 5·1% estimated for 2010-11.

Government expects economy to grow at 9% in 2011-12.

Government debt : About 44·2% of GDP, well below Finance Commission target.

Expenditure up 3% at 12·58 lakh crore in 2011-12.

Gross tax receipt at 9·3 lakh crore.

Personal tax rates : Minimum exemption raised to Rs. 1,80,000 from Rs. 1,60,000.

Windfall for seniors : For those above 80 (known as very senior citizens) income up to Rs. 5,00,000 free from tax.

Senior citizen age entitlement cut from 65 to 60, entitled income upto 2,50,000 free from tax.

Women tax payers tax free income raised to 1,90,000.

Direct Taxes Code implementation from April 1, 2012.

30,000 crore tax-free bonds this year; exemptions for individual investors extended by one more year.

Housing interest rate becomes cheaper with ceiling hiked from 20 lakh to 25 lakh.

Service tax rate retained at 10 per cent.

Service tax on medical treatment in mid and large hospitals (above 25 beds).

No change in fuel prices.

Inflation to ease next year.

IT surcharge : Reduced to 5% from 75% but MAT hiked to 18·5% from 18%.

Air travel : Costlier by 50 ­250 with hike in service tax.

Excise duty unchanged at 10 per cent.

130 items brought under central excise.

Iron ore export duty hiked to 20 per cent.

Auto parts : Duty concession on import of batteries of electric vehicles and critical parts/assemblies of hybrid vehicles.

10% unified rate of excise duty on readymade garments.

`Nutrient-based' subsidy scheme for urea makers to be considered.

Fertilisers : Investment in new fertiliser plants gets tax concession.

Self-assessment scheme for Customs duty payments.

Goods and Services Tax may come in 2011-12.

Disinvestment adds 50 lakh new retail investors.

Disinvestment to raise 40,000 crore.

Mutual funds can accept foreign money.

Foreign investors may directly invest in mutual funds.

Corporate bonds : FII limit hiked for both infrastructure and other categories.

Reducing edible oil imports.

18,000 crore for RIDF-XVII.

More funds for micro and small units.

Relief for indebted handloom weavers.

Boost to rural housing.

Mortgage Risk Guarantee Fund for providing credit to weaker section.

Funds for Self-sufficiency in pulses.

More mega food parks.

Anganwadi worker's salaries doubled.

500 crore to National Skill Development Fund.

Insurance for unorganised sector workers in hazardous mining and associated industries.

400 crore for bringing green revolution in the east.

Defence allocation raised 11·6% to 1·64 lakh crore.

Oscar Awards List

Best Motion Picture of the Year
Winner: The King's Speech (2010) - Iain Canning, Emile Sherman, Gareth Unwin
Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role
Winner: Colin Firth for The King's Speech (2010)
Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role
Winner: Natalie Portman for Black Swan (2010)
Best Achievement in Directing
Winner: Tom Hooper for The King's Speech (2010)
Best Achievement in Music Written for Motion Pictures, Original Song
Winner: Toy Story 3 (2010) - Randy Newman("We Belong Together")
Best Achievement in Editing
Winner: The Social Network (2010) - Kirk Baxter, Angus Wall
Best Achievement in Visual Effects
Winner: Inception (2010) - Chris Corbould, Andrew Lockley, Pete Bebb, Paul J. Franklin
Best Documentary, Features
Winner: Inside Job (2010) - Charles Ferguson, Audrey Marrs
Best Short Film, Live Action
Winner: God of Love (2010) - Luke Matheny
Best Documentary, Short Subjects
Winner: Strangers No More (2010) - Karen Goodman, Kirk Simon
Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role
Winner: Christian Bale for The Fighter (2010)

Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role
Winner: Melissa Leo for The Fighter (2010)
Best Foreign Language Film of the Year
Winner: In a Better World (2010) - Susanne Bier(Denmark)
Best Writing, Screenplay Written Directly for the Screen
Winner: The King's Speech (2010) - David Seidler
Best Animated Feature Film of the Year
Winner: Toy Story 3 (2010) - Lee Unkrich
Best Short Film, Animated
Winner: The Lost Thing (2010) - Shaun Tan, Andrew Ruhemann
Best Achievement in Cinematography
Winner: Inception (2010) - Wally Pfister
Best Achievement in Art Direction
Winner: Alice in Wonderland (2010) - Robert Stromberg, Karen O'Hara