Current Affairs

Current Affairs-
Nobel Prize 2007 Winner-
1.PEACE-Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change(IPCC)-Ai Gore(USA)
2.ECONOMICS-Eric S. Maskin(USA), Leonid Hurwicz(USA), Roger B.Myerson(USA).
3.PHYSICS-Albert Fert(France), Peter Gruenberg(Germany)
4.MEDICINE-Mario R.Capecchi(USA), Oliver Smithies(USA), Sir Matrin J.Evans(UK)
5.CHEMISTRY-Gerhard Erti(Germany)
6.LITERATURE-Doris Lessing(UK).
US Open 2007 Winners-
1.Men’s Singles-Roger Federer(Switzerland)
2.Men’s Double-Simon Aspelin(Sweden)&Julian Knowle(Austria)
3.Women’s Singles-Justine Henin(Belgium)
4.Women’s Double-Nathalie Dechy(France)&Dinara Safina(Russia)
5.Mixed Doubles-Victoria Azarenka(Belarus)&Max Mirnyi(Belerus)
AUSTRALIAN Open 2007 Winners
1.Men’s Singles-Roger Federer(Switzerland)
2..Women’s Singles-Sarena Williams(US)
*Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna, Arjuna & other Awards-
The Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna, Arjuna and other awards for 2006, the country’s highest sporting honours, were presented by Hon’ble President Ms. Pratibha Patil in a glitterning ceremony in New Delhi on August 29,2007. Ace shooter Manavjit Singh Sandhu was given the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award for the year 2006 for winning Gold Medal at the 49th World Championships inn Zagreb (Croatia) in July 2006.
Arjuna Awards-P.Harikrishana(chess), K.M. Binu(Atheletics), Vijender(Boxing), Anjum Chopra9Women’s Cricket), Jyoti Sunita Kullu(Women’s Hockey), Chetan Anand(Badminton), Jayanta Talukdar(Archery), Navneet Gautam(Kabaddi), Vijay Kumar(Shooting), Saurav Ghosal(Squash), Subhajit Saha(Table Tennis), Geeta Rani(Women’s Weight Lifting), Geetika Jhakar(Women’s Wrestling) and Rohit Bhakaar(Sport for Physically Challenged).
Dhyan Chand Award-Varinder Singh(Hockey), Shamsher Singh(kabbadi), Rajendra Singh(Wrestling).
Dronacharya Award:R.D.Singh (Athletics), Damodaran Chandralal(Boxing), and Koneru Ashok(Chess).
Tenzing Norgay Adventure Award-Palden Giachho (Earth), Mottuku Indrakant Reddy(Air), Tapas Choudry(Water) and Gurdyal Singh(Lifetime Achievement).
Maulana Abul Kalam Azad Trophy: Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar.
National Award for Child Welfare(2006): Bachan Bachao Andolan Leader Ghuran Mahto, Popularly known as ‘Ghuran Master’ was awarded the National Award for child Welfare for 2006 on Nov.14,2007 for his 16 years of relentless effort in resuing child lobourers.
Sue M. Cobb Award for Exemplary Diplomatic Service-The US Ambassador to India David c. Mulford was awarded the US State Department’s Sue M. Cobb Award for Exemplary Diplomatic Service on Nov.13 for his efforts to raise bilateralties between India and the US to a higher plane.
Marian Anderson Humanitarian Award-Richard Gere, who has donated time and money to the cause for Tibetan independence and HIV/AIDS care, was awarded thje Marian Anderson Humanitarian Award on Nov,12. The Award carries a prize of US $ 1,00,000.
Miss Earth(2007)-Miss Canada Jessia Nicole Trisko was crowned the 2007 Miss Earth 2007 at the Miss Earth Beauty Pagaent in Manila on Nov.11. Silvana Santaella Arellano from Venezuela was named Miss Earth-Water, While India’s Pooja Chitgopekar was adjudged Miss Earth-Air. Agela Gomez from Spain was decleared Miss Earth-Fire.
K.Subrahmanyam Award for Excellence in Strategic Studies-Vice- President Hamid Ansari presented the first K.Subrahmanyam Award Excellence in Startegic Studies to distinguished scholar of international affairs Ms.Sudha Mahalingam on Nov.10. The Award has been instituted in recongnition of the servicee of K.Subrahamanyam, one of India’s foremost strategic experts and a former Director of the Institute for Defence Studies and Analysis(IDSA). It carries a prize of Rs.50,000.
US Tech Award for Innovation(2007)-Former SEBI Chairman and Chief and Chief Patron of Bhagwan Mahavir Viklang Sahayta Samiti,D.R.Mehta was awarded the US Tech Award for Innovation for the benefit of humanity for 2007 on Nov.7 in recognition of his contribution for spreading the activities of the Jaipur-based philanthropic organization to many parts of the world including the strife-torn Afghanistan, Sri Lanka and African countries. Instituted by Tcch Museum Innovation Organisation of the US, the award carries a cash component of $ 50,000.
Sanskriti Awards(2007)-The Sanskriti Awards for 2007 were awarded to young talents(25-35 years in age) to the following on Nov.2:Assamese Literature:Jyotshana Kolita; Journalism:K.A.Shafi;Art:K.P.Reji; Performing Arts,Dance:Bijayine Satpathy; Cultural Achievement, Film making:Vipin Vijay.
African Leadership Prize-Former President of Mozambique, Joaquim Chissano was awarded the African Leadership Prize on Oct.22 for good governance in leadership. The prize instituted by Mo Ibrahim, a Sudanese Businessman and philanthropist, is claimed to be the largest individual prize comprising $ 5 million over 10 years and $ 2,00,000 annualy for life there after. Another $200,000 a year for 10 year will be given to pay for the winner’s public interest activities and good causes.
King Charles II Medal-President of the Royal Society, Lord Martin Rees presented the King Charles II Medal to the former Presidented APJ Abdul Kalam on Oct.22 for his outstanding contribution to the practice and promotion of science in India.Kalam is only the second leader to receive the coveted award which was constituted in 1997, the first being Emperor Akihito of Japan in 1998.
Indira Gandhi Award for National Intergration-Ram Puniyani and Juzar Salehbhai Bandukwalla were awarded the Indira Gandhi Award for National Integration on Oct.31 for their distinguished academic career to enter the often turbulent arena of public action after the Mumbai riots in 1993 and the Gujrat carnage of 2002, respectively.
Dr. Rajinder Prasad Samman-R.K. Tandon, manager of Trinity Institute,was awarded the Dr.Rajendra Samman on Oct. 31 for his contribution in the field of education.
Man Booker Prize(2007)-Little known Irish writer Anne Enright was awarded the highest history award of the U.K., man Booker Prize for 2007 on Oct.16 for her book. The gathering. She is the second Irish writer to win the prize in the last three years after John Banville’s The sea in 2005. The prize carries a cheque for US$ 100,000.
Jamnalal Bajaj Awards 2007-
Communal Harmony : Yashpal Mittal.
Application of Science and Technology for Rural Development : Dr.Anand Karve Upliftment and Welfare of women and Children: Ms. Ashok Gupta
International Award for Promoting Gandhian Values Outside India: Prof. Michael Nagler
Award Prize-Rs. 5 lakh
Padma Shri Awards
Koneru Humpy – the youngest female player in the history of Chess. Arjuna Awardee (2004) and first to win a Gold in the Asian Games.
Ace Gofler Jeev Milkha Singh-CNN-IBN Indian- Arjuna Award Winner (2000)
ICC Women’s Cricketer Of The Year
JHULAN GOSWAMI On Sept.10,2007 in Johannesburg (South Africa)
53rd National Film Awards
Best Feature Film-Kaalpurusb-Memories in the Mist directed by Buddhadev Dasgupta (Bengali Film)
Best Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment –Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra directed Rang De Basanti
Best Director – Rahul Dholakia (Parzania)
Best Actor-Amitabh bachchan(Black)
Best Actress-Sarika(parzania)
Best Supporting Actor:Nasseeruddin Shah For Iqbal
Best supporting Actress:Urvashi for Acbbuvinte Amma(Malayalam)
.Killings in Nadigram
.Killings continued unabated in Nadigram as armed suspected CPI-M cadre fired bullets indiscriminately at a pease rally organized by Bhumi Ucched Protirodh Committee (BUPC) at Maheshput in Nadigram on Nov.10.The death toll is as high as 35 with bodies being fished out of a canal , police would comfirm only two person , incluing , a women , having lost their lives and at lest 13 others having been injured.
70000 INDIANS LEAVE UAE UNDER AMNESTY
out of the 286000 illegal workers in the United Arab Emirates 70000 Indians On Nov.10,07 left the Country.
MAJOR GAIN FOR 10000 INDIAN doctors in UK
Attack on Benazir Bhutto at Rawalpindi and shot dead by using AK-47 relates to PPP.
On Dec.27,2007.
PRATIBHA PATIL: FIRST WOMAN PRESIDENT OF INDIA-
Smt. Pratibha Patil has become the first woman President of India. She swore in as the 12th Head of state on July 25. In the 13th Presidential election UPA-LEFT nominee 73 years old Pratibha Patil defeated BJP- backed independent nominee Vice-President Bhairon Singh Shekhawat. Patil got a vote value of 6,38,116 while Shekhawat secured 3,31,306 in the electoral College of 10.98 lakh.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
Smt. Pratibha Patil: President
THE UNION COUNCIL OF MINISTERS-
1.Dr. Man Mohan Singh: Prime Minister, Personal, Public Grievances & Pensions, Planning, Atomic Energy, Space and all other Ministers/Departments that are not allocated to other Ministers.
2.Pranab Mukherji : External Affairs.
3.A.K.Anthony: Defense.
4.Arjun Singh: HRD.
5.Sharad Pawar: Agriculture, Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution.
6.Lalu Prasad: Railways.
7. Shivraj Patil: Home.
8. Ram Vilas Paswan: Chemicals & Fertilizers and steel.
9.Jaipal Reddy: Urban Development.
10.P.Chidambaram: Finance.
11.Kamal Nath: Commerce & Industry.
12.Raghuvansh Prasad Singh: Rural Development.
13.Mani Shankar Aiyar: Panchayati Raj, Youth Affairs and Sports, North-East Developmant..
14.Anbumani Ramdoss: Health & Family Welfare.
15.Sis Ram Ola: Mines.
16. Murli Deora: Petroleum and Natural Gas.
17. Sushil Kumar Shinde: Power.
18.H.L.Bhardwaj: Law and Justice.
CHIEFS OF ARMED FORCES-
Supreme Commander: President Ms. Pratibha Patil.
Chief of the Army Staff-General Deepak Kapoor.
Chief of the Naval Staff-Admiral Sureesh Mehta.
Chief of the Air Staff-Air Chief Marshal Fali H.Major.
Comandar-in-chief, Strategic Forces Command: Vice- Admiral Raman Puri.
Chief of Intergrated Defence Staff-Vice-Admiral Raman Puri.
JUDICIARY
Mr. K.G. Balakrishan:Chief justice of India.
Mr.Milon Kumar Banerjee: Attorney General of India.
Mr. Justice Ashok Agarwal: Chairman. Central Adminiatrative Tribunal(CAT).
Mr. Goolam E.Vahanvati: Solicitor-General of India.
Mr. Vikas Singh: Additoonal Solicitor General of India.
Mr. Gopal Subramaniam: Additional Solicitor- General.
HEADS OF IMPORTANT OFFICES-
Mohammad Hamid Ansari: Chairman, Rajya Sabha
Mr.K.Rahman Khan: Deputy Chairman, Rajya Sabha.
Dr. Somnath Chatterjee: Speaker, Lok Sabha
Mr. Charanjit Singh Atwal: Deputy Speaker, Lok Sabha.
Dr. Man Mohan Singh: Chairman., Planning Commission.
Mr. A.B.Vajpayee: Chairman, BJP Parliamentary Party.
Mr. L.K.Advani: Leader of opposition(Lok Sabha).
Mr. Jaswant Singh: Leader of opposition(Rajya Sabha).
Mr.N.Gopalaswamy: Chief Election Commissioner.
Mr.Navin B. Chawla:Election Commissioner.
Mr.Navin B.Chawla:Election Commissioner.
Mr.S.Y.Quraishi:Election Commissioner.
Mr.V.N.Kaul:Comptroller and Auditor-General of India.
Mr.K.M.Chandrasekhar:Cabinet Secretary.
Mr.T.K.A.Nair:Principal Secretary to Prime Minister.
Mr.Kamal Pande:Secretary,Inter-State Council.
Mr.Justice S. Ratnavel Pandian:Chairman, National Commission for Backward Classes.
Mr. Shanta Sinha-Chairperson, National Commission for protection of Child Rights.
Dr.Buta Singh-Chairman,National Commision for Scheduled Castes.
Mr.Kunwar Singh-Chairman,National Commission for scheduled Tribes.
Mr.Gurbachan Jagat:Chairman ,UPSC.
Dr.M.S.Swaminathan:Chairman, National Commission on Farmers.
Mr.M.K.Narayanan:National Security Adviser and Special Adviser to PM(Internal Security).
Mr.Vijay Nambiar:Deputy National Security Adviser.
Mr.J.P.Batra:Chairman,Railway Board.
Mr,Yogendra Narain:Secretary-General,Lok Sabha.
Mr.P.D.T.Achary-Secretary-General,Lok Sabha.
Mr.P.C.Haldar-Director-General, CRPF.
Mr.Ashish Kumarr Mitra-Director General Border Police(BSF).
Mr.Ranjeet Kumar Das-Director-General,Railway Protection Force.
Mr.V.K.Joshi-Director-General,Indo-Tibetan Border Police.
Vice-Admiral Rustom Faramroze Contractor:Director-General,Coast Guard.
Lt.Gen.Avtar Singh:Director-General,Defence Intelligence Agency.
Mr.Sukhadeo Throat-Chairman, UGC.
Dr.R.Chidambaram:Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government.
Mr.M.Natrajan-Scientific Advisor to Defence Minister and Secretary, Defence Researchh & Development Organisation.
Mr.G.Madhavan Nair-Chairman,Space Commission and ISRO.
Mr. B.K.Mishra-Chairman,SSC.
Mr..Anil Kumar:Chairman,Telecom Commission.
Mr.Justice(Retd.)B.N.Kirpal:Chairman,Telecom Commission.
Mr.Anil Kakodkar:Chairman,Atomic Energy Commission and Secretary,Dept. of Atomic Energy.
Mr.Nripendra Mishra:Chairman ,Telecom Regulatory Authority of India.
Dr.Amrita Patel: Chairperson, National Dairy Development Board(NDDB).
Lt.Gen.Ranjit Singh:Director-General Border Roads organization.
Dr.Nirmal Kumar Ganguly:Director-General,Indian Council of Medical Research.
Mr.R.S.S.L.N.Bhaskardu-Chairman,Public Enterprises Selection Board.
Mr.Prahlad Basu:Chairman,Board for Reconstruction of Public Sector Enterprices.
Mr.D.K.Sikri:Registrar-General of India and Census Commissioner.
Mr.Justice D.P.Wadhwa:President,National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission.
Mr.A.R.Lakshmanan-Chairman Law Commission
Mr.Y.V.Reddy-Governer ,RBI.
Mr.Ravinder Verma-Chairman National Commission of Labour.
Mr.Justice G.N.Ray-Chairman, Press council of India.
Mr. Ajit Bhattacharjea-Director,Press Insitute of India.
Mr.Anil Kapoor-Chairman,Audit Bureau of Circulations.
Mr.Ravinder Kumar-Chairman,United News of India.
Mr.Hormusji Nusserwanji Cama-President,Indian Newspaper Society.
Mr.R.Lakshmipathy-Chairman,PTI.
Mr.C.S.Rao-Chairman,Central Board of Excise& Customs.
Mr.Sushil Kumar Roongta-Chairman,SAIL.
Mr.S.K.Garg-CMD,NHPC.
Mr. R.S.Sharma-CMD,ONGC.
Mr.U.D.Choubey-CMD,GAIL.
Mr.S.Behuria-Chairman,IOC.
Mr.Prabir Sengupta-Director-General,Indian Insitute of Foreign Trade.
Mr.M.R.Pasrija-CMD,Oil India Ltd.
Mr.Ashok Ganguly-Chairman,CBSE.
Mr.M.Damodaran-Chairman,Securities& Exchange Board of India.
Mr.Y.S.P.Throat-Chairman,NABARD.
Mr.O.P.Bhatt-Chairman,SBI.
Mr.R.H.Patil-Chairman,UTI Asset Management Company.
Mr.V.P.Shetty-Chairman,IDBI.
Mr.T.S.Vijayan-Chairman,LIC.
Mr.Justice Ajay Kumar Banerji-Chairman,Company Law Board.
Ms.Kapila Vatsayayan-President,Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts(IGNCA).
Mr.Nirupam Sen-India’sPermanent Representative to UN.
Dr.Mangla Rai-Director-General,Indian Council of Agricultural Research.
Mr.R.Jeyasheelam-Chairman,Central Water Commission.
Ms.Girija Vyas-Chairperson,National Commission for Woman.
Dr.C.Rangarajan-Chairman,12th Finance Commission.
Prof.Suresh D.Tendulkar-Chairman,National Statistical Commission.
Mr.V.Rajagopalan-Chairman,Central Pollution Control Board(CPCB).
Ms.Sharmila Tagore-Chairperson,Central Board of Film Certification.
Ms.Nasifa Ali-Chairperson,Children Film Society of India.
Mr.C.Babu Rajeev-Director-General,Archaeoligical Survey of India.
Mr.Habil Khorakiwala-President,FICCI.
Mr.R.S.P.Sinha-Chairman,MTNL.
Mr.R.N.Dass-Director,Enforcement Directorate.
Mr.D.Swarp-Chairman,Pension Fund Regulatory & Development Authority.
Mr.Pratyush Sinha-Central Vigilance Commissioner.
Mr.S.Banerjee-Director,Bhabha Atomic Research Cehtre.
Mr.Wajanat Habibullah-Chief Information Commissioner.
Mr.Pradeep Kumar-Chairman,NHAI.
Ms.Rajni Patil-Chairperson,Central Social Welfare Board.
Mr.Suresh Kalmadi-President,Indian Olympic Association.
Prof.Krishan Kumar-Director,NCERT.
Mr.Sunil Bharti Mittal-President,CII.
Mr.Sam Pitroda-Chairman,National Knowledge Commission.
Mr.M.V.Kamath-Chairman,Prasar Bharti Board.
Mr.Ratan Tata-Chairman,Investment Commission.
Mr.N.Lakshami Narayan-Chairrman,NASSCOM.
Mr.Anil K.Agarwal-President,ASSOCHAM.
Mr.Manmahan Shetty-Chairman,National Film Development Corporation.
Mr.Tripuri Sharan-Director,Film & Televison Insitute of India(FTII)
Mr.V.Thulasidas-CMD,Air India.
Mr.V.Trivedi-CMD,Indian.
Mr.A.K.Puri-CMD,BHEL.
Mr.Ram Niwas Mirdha-Chairman,Sangeet Natak Akademi.
Dr.Karan Singh-President,ICCR.
Mr.Andre Beteille-Chairman,ICSSR.
Dr. Ishar J.Ahluwalia-Chairperson,ICRIER.
Mr.Kumarmangalam Birla-Chairman,Board of Trade.
Mr.Mathew Varghese-Chairman,GIC.
Indian Mythological Characters
1. Abhimanyu-The heroic son of Arjuna, the central figure of the Mahabharata, by his wife Subhadra.
2. Adhiratha-Foster father of Karma.
3. Aditi- Daughter of Daksa Prajapati. Devas are soh born to Kasyapa by Aditi and hence they are known as Aditeyas also.
4. Ahalya- A Princess of the Puru ynasty, Who was turned into s stone by the curse of her husband, Gautama.
5. Anasuya-Wife of sage Atri, son of Brahma.
6. Angiras-Harmit born from the mind of Brahma. Six mind-born sons (Manssa-Putras) were born to Branma, known as Marichi, Angiras, Atri, Pulastya, Pulaha and Kratu.
7. Anjana-Mother of Hanuman. Wife of Kesari, the noble monkey and daughter of Kunjara, the monkey leader.
8. Arjuna-The third of the Pandavas.
9. Arundhati-Wife of sage Vasishtha. She was born as the daughter of Kardamma Prajaoati and Devahuti.
10. Asvapati-Father of the most chaste woman Savitri.
11. Asvathama-Son of Drona and krpi.
12. Agneyi-Wife of Kuru, mother of Manu.
13. Balabhadra(Balarama,Baladeva)-The elder brother of Lord Krishna and the eighth incarnation of Mahavishnu.
14. Bali(Mahabali)-An Emperor of the Asuras. He was the son of Virochana and the grandson of Prahlada.
15. Bharata-Son of Dasaratha.
16. Bhima-Bhimsena,one of the five Pandavas.
17. Bhishma-Eighth son of Santanu,a king of lunar dynasty and Gangadevi.
18. Brihaspati-The teacher of Devas(Gods).
19. Bhursravas-Son of Satyaki who was killed by Satyaki when he was sitting in a yogic position.
20. Damayanti-Daughter of Bhima,the king of Vidarbha. The famous hero Nala is her husband.
21. Dasaratha-A famous king of the Ikshvaku dynasty,father of Sri Rama.
22. Devayani-Sukracharya’s daughter.
23. Dharmaputra-The eldest of the Pandavs.
24. Dhrishtadyumna-The son of king Drupada. He was the brother of Panchali .
25. Dhitrashtra-Father of Kauravas.
26. Drona-The teacher in archery of the Pandavs and Kauravs.
27. Duryodhana-Villian ih the Mahabharata story, the eldest of the Kauravs.
28. Dussala-The only daughter of Dhritarashtra by Gandhari.
29. Gandhari-Wife of Dhritarashtra.
30. Ghatotkacha-Son born to Bhima and Hidimbi.
31. Harishchandra-A king of the solar dynasty very much reputed for his unique truthfulness and integrity. He was the son of the famous Trisanku.
32. Indra-Son of Kashyapa and Aditi.
33. Indrajit-Ravana’s sonMeghanada.
34. Indrani-Wife of Ihdra.
35. Iravan-Son of Arjuna and the Naga Princess Uloopi. He was killed by the rakashasa Alambasa.
36. Jahnu-A hermit king born in the family of Puru. He swallowed the river Ganga and later released it through its ears.
37. Jambavan-A monkey of extraordinary might. He was the minister of Sugriva.
38. Jambavati-Daughter of the famous Jambavan.
39. Kaikwvi-One of the wives of Dasaratha. Who had three wives, Kausalya, Kaikeyi,and Sumitra.
40. Kaitava-Another name of Uluka, the son of Sakuni.
41. Kamsa-Son of Ugrasena, king of Mathura, and an incarnation of an Asura called Kalanemi.
42. Karna-The eldest son of Kunti. Though he was the brother of the Pandavs he joined the sides with the Kauravas and became the king of Anga.
43. Krishna-Born in the Yadava dynasty as the son of Vasudeva and Devaki; the ninth of the incarnations of Mahavishnu.
44. Kunti-Wife of king Pandu and the mother of Pandavas.
45. Kusa-One of the two sons of Srirama, the other being Lava.
46. Lakshmana-Son born to Dasaratha by Sumitra.
47. Lopamudra-Wife of Agastya.
48. Madri-The second wife of Pandu was the mother of Nakulaa and Sendeva. Pandu expired when he embraced his wife Madri.
49. Maitreyi-Wife of the sage Yajnavalkya.
50. Mandavi-Wife of Bharata.
51. Mandodari-Wife of Ravana.
52. Panchali-Draupati: wife of the Pandavs.
53. Parasara-Sakti,son of Vasishta begot of his wife Adrsyanti the son named Parasara.
54. Parasurama-an incarnation of Mahavishnu,as man.
55. Parikshit-Grandson of Arjuna and son of Abhimanyu.
56. Parvati-Wife of Shiva.
57. Prabhanu-A son born to Srikrishna by his wife Satyabhama.
58. Pradyumna-A son born to Srikrishna of his wife Rukmini.
59. Prahalad-Son of Hiranyakasipu and Kayadhu.
60. Radha-Srikrishna’s dearest consort.
61. Rama-The seventh incarnation of Maha Vishnu.
62. Ravana-The Rakahasa king of Lanka who had ten Heads.
63. Rudrani-Another name of Parvati.
64. Rukmni-Ruler of Bhojakata who offered his services to the both the Pandavs and Kauravs-only to be rejected by both.Brother of Srikrishna’s wife Rukmani.
65. Sakuni-The notorious uncle of Durodhana.
66. Sarasvati-Goddess of learning.
67. Savitri-The wife of Satyavan.
68. Shalya-Commander-in-chief of the Kauravs forces after Karna’s death.Madri,wife of Pandu was Shalya’s sister.
69. Sikhandi-Rebirth of Amba,daughter of the king of Kasi.
70. Siva-One of the Trinity,the other two being Brahma and Vishnu.
71. Srutakirti-Wife of Satrugna.
72. Srutayudha-Son of Varuna by Parmasa. He was killed when he angrily threw his magic race at a noncombatant Krishna,at which the weapon recoiled upon him.
73. Subhadra-Sister of Srikrishna and wife of Arjuna.
74. Sudama-The real name of Kuchela,who was the friend of Srikrishna in boyhood.
75. Sudeshna-The wife of Virata,the king of Matsya.
76. Sugriva-Son born to the Arunil.
77. Sukracharya-Precepter of the Asuras.
78. Sumaha-The charioteer of Parasurama.
79. Sumantra-A minister of king Dasaratha of Ayodhya.
80. Svaha-A daughter of Brihaspati.
81. Trisanku-A celebrated king of the Solar dynasty.
82. Ugrasena-Father of Kamsa.
83. Urmila-Wife of Lakshmana.
84. Vaisampayana-A prominent disciple of Vyasa. It was Vaisampayana who told the story of Bharata composed by Vsyasa,king Janemejaya.
85. Vamana-An incarmation of Mahavishnu.
86. Vasudeva-Father of Srikrishna.
87. Vibhishana-Brother of Ravana.
88. Vidura-Brother of Dhritarashta.
89. Vikarna-One of the hundred sons of Dhritarashtra.
90. Visravas-Father of Ravana.
91. Vishvakarma-The architect of the Devas.
92. Yajnasen-Drupada, the son of king of Pancchala.
Woman Governors in India(1947-2002)
1. Sarojni Naidu-United Provinces/UP.
2. Padmaja Naidu-West Bengal.
3. Vijayalakshmi Pandit-Maharashtra.
4. Sharada Mukherjee-Andhra Pradesh.
5. Jyothi Venkatachalam-Kerala.
6. Kumubden Joshi-Andhra Pradesh.
7. Ram Dulari Sinha-Kerala.
8. Serla Grewal-Madhya Pradesh.
9. Chandrawati-Pondicherry.(UT)
10. Rajendrakumari Bajpai-Pondicherry(UT).
11. Sheila Kaul-Himachal Pradesh.
12. Justice M. Fathima Beevi-Tamilnadu.
13. V.S.Rama Devi-Himachal Pradesh.
14. Rajani Rai-Pondicherry(UT).
15. Pratibha Patil-Rajasthan.
Women Chief Minister in India
1. Sucheta Kripalani-Congress.
2. Nandini Satpaty-Congress.
3. Sashikala Kadokar-Maharashrawadi.
4. Syeda Anwara Taimur Assam-Congress.
5. Janaki Ramachandran-A.I.A.D.M.K.(Janaki).
6. J.Jayalalithaa-A.I.A.D.M.K.
7. Rajinder Kaur Bhattal-Congress.
8. Rabri Devi-R.J.D.
9. Shushma Swarwj-B.J.P.
10. Uma Bharti-B.J.P.
11. Vasundhara Raje-B.J.P.
Sobriquets(Places)
1. Emerald Island-Ireland.
2. Empire City/City of Shyscrapers-New York,USA.
3. Garden City-Banglore.
4. God’s own country-Kerala.
5. Island of Cloves-Zanzibar.
6. Key of the Maditerranean-Gibraltar.
7. Land of Humming Bird-Trinidad.
8. Land of the Golden Pagoda-Myanmar(Burma).
9. Never Never Land-Prairies of N.Australia.
10. Queen of the Adiriatic-Switzerland.
11. Queen of the Arabian Sea-Kochi.
12. Spice Garden of India-Kerala.
13. The Sea of Mountains-British Colombia.
14. The Spice Island of the West-Grenada.
15. Venice of the East-Alappuzha.
16. Venice of the North-Stockholm,Sweden.
17. White City-Belgrade.
18. World’s Breadbasket-Prairies of N. America.
19. World’s Loneliest Island-Triatan da Cunha.

















*A New President for France-Conservative Nicolas Sarkozy, the son of a Hungarian immigrant and tought-talking former interior miniser is the new president of France, defeated Socialist Segolene Roval in the May 2007 election.
*Islamist heads Turkey-Turkey has elected as its 11th President, an economist with a background in Islamic politics. The 56-year old Foreign Minister Abduliah Gul’s was voted in as Head of state In August 2007.
*Its Getting Hotter- These are the findings contained in the latest report of the UN-backed intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change which was realized in February 2007. The Indian environmentalist Dr R.K.Pachauri, the Director-General of The Energy and Resources Institute is the Chairman of the panel. Over the 21st century, with current projections of a global increase of 2.5 F to 10.4 F by 2100.
*A New Job for Tony Blair-Tony Blair bowed out, handing over the post of the British Prime Minister to his Chancellor of Exchequer, Gordon Brown. Immediately after, Blair took over as the special Middle East peace envoy for the so-called quartet(the United States Russia, the European Union and the United Nations). Tony Blair belongs to Labour Party.
*Bangla Begums Sheikh Hasina Wajed Leader of Awamy League and Prime Minister from 1996-2001, Behind Bars in July 2007.
* Afghanistan was admitted at the 14th SAARC summit in New Delhi in April 2007. Iran is to get this status at the next summit to be held in Maldives in 2008.
• Giving the boost to millions of Indian women, the Congress politician and former Rajasthan Governor Pratibha Patil, 72, became India’s 13th president after winning one of the bitterest political campaigns to the top post.
A lawyer from the small town of Jalgaon in Maharashtra. She won her first election to the Maharashtra legislative assembly in 1962, at the age of 28, and won all the elections she has contested since. She had been the member of Parliament and was deputy chairman of the Rajya Sabha, for a year in 1986-87.
She was a keen sportswoman in her youth and was a table tennis champion. She is married to Devisingh Shekhawat, also a Congress politician.
• Scholar-diplomat Hamid Ansari became the new Vice-President succeeding Bhairon Singh Shekawat, who quit office after his defeat in the presidential election. The 70 year old Ansari is the second diplomat after K R Narayanan to occupy the second highest office in India.
Ansari contested as the UPA-Left nominee and defeated the NDA candidate Najma Heptullah by a big margin of 233 votes.Najma managed 222, and Rasid Masood, the candidate of the grouping of parties, the UNPA, got only 75.
Ansari, a scion of an Utter Pradesh political family is the grand nephew of Dr. Mukhtar Ahmad Ansari who was the President of the Indian National Congress in 1927.
• Digambar Kamat who engineered the downfall of Goa’s BJP government in 2005 and then joined Congress is now the state’s 19th Chief Minister.
• Media called it Maya-magic and Maya-jaal. So stunning was the electoral success achieved by the Bahujan Samaj Party(BIP) led by Mayawati in Uttar Pradesh in May 2007.
The Samajwad Party led by the outgoing Chief Minister Mulayam Singh Yadav was reduced to 97 seats and the two national parties, the BJP and the Congress, got only 51 and 22 seats respectively.
The 51-year old Mayawati became the Chief Minister for the fourth time(the first time with out coalition partners.
• Shiromani Akali Dal chief Parkash Singh Badal, has created history by becoming the Chief Minister of Punjab for the fourth time since August,1947.
• Congress Leader Okram Ibobi Singh who made the history by becoming the first Chief Minister in Manipur to complete a five-year term has return to power for a second successive term.
• A senior retired Army officer and former central minister is the new Chief Minister of Uttarkhand. Major-General(retd) B.C.Khanduri took over the power after leading the BJP to win 34 of the 69 Assembly seats that went to the polls in February 2007.
• The Union Government in August 2007 unveiled a 15-point action plan on the report of the Rajinder Sachar Committee that went into the social, economic, and educational status of the Muslims.
Two expert committees on improving the living standards of minority groups, especially the Muslims were also announced. Other measures included three scholarship schemes exclusively for minorties.
The seven-member-high-level committee headed by justice Rajinder Sachar had submitted its 400-page report in November 2006.
• The Indian media and legal circles were shoked when the Delhi High Court in September 2007, sentenced four journalists of the tabloid Mid-day to four months imprisonment for their alleged depiction of the former Supreme Court Chief Justice Y.K.Sabharwal in scandalous light.
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INTERNATIONAL
G-8 SUMMIT-Heiligendamm statement of non0proliferation issued on June 8, 2007 at the end of G8 summit held at German sea resort of Heilingendamm, apart from a stary reference to the “three pillars” of the Nuclear Non-pro-liferation Treaty(NPT)
NEW CABINET PALESTINE-On June 17, 2007 Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas swore in an emergency Cabinet and outlawed the militia forces of the Islamic Hamas movement, deepening the violent rupture in Palestinian society. The swearing-in ceremony of the new Cabient left the Palestinians effectively with two governments-the Hamas leadership headed by deposed Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh in Gaza and the new Cabinet led by internationally respected economist Salam Fayyad. The small emergency Cabinet is dominatd by independents, including human rights and business people. Only Interior Minister Abdel Razak Yehiyeh, is a member of Abbas’ Fatah movement.
NEW IES WITH SINGAPORE- Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong on June 20 met External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee who was on a 3 day visit to Singapore, and “encouraged” with East Asia, including the 10-member Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN), in a manner that would bring even more mutual benefits. Mukherjee also launched a new outfit, the “India-Singapore CEO Forum” comprising select chief executive officers in the corporate sector. The CEO Forum’s mandate is to make recommendation to the two governments for enhancing bilateral ties.