Padma Awards 2011

Padma Awards 2011

Padma Awards are the country's highest civilian awards. It is conferred in three categories, namely, Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan and Padma Shri.Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan and Padma Shri are given for exceptional and distinguished service in any field including service rendered by Government servants. The awards are given in all disciplines/ fields of activities, viz. art, social work, public affairs, science and engineering, trade and industry, medicine, literature and education, sports, civil service, etc. 'Padma Bhushan' for distinguished service of high order and 'Padma Shri' for distinguished service in any field. The recommendations for Padma Awards are received from the State Governments/Union Territory Administrations, Central Ministries/Departments, Institutions of Excellence, etc. which are considered by an Awards Committee. On the basis of the recommendations of the Awards Committee, and after approval of the Home Minister, Prime Minister and President, the Padma Awards are announced on the occasion of Republic Day every year.

Padma Vibhushan Award 2011Winners

Here is the list of the recipients of the Padma Vibhushan Award 2011.

Art

Kapila Vatsyanan
Hommi Vyarawalla
A.Nageshwara Rao

Public Affairs

Parasaran Kesava Iyengar
Akhlaq-ur-Rehman Kidwai
Vijay Kelkar
Montek Singh Ahluwalia
Late L.C. Jain

Science & Engineering

Palee Rama Rao

Trade and Industry

Azim Premji

Civil Service

Brajesh Mishra

Literature and Education

Ottaplakkal.N.V. Korup
Sitakant Mahapatra

Padma Bhushan Award 2011

Here is the list of the recipients of the Padma Bhushan Award 2011.

Art

Satya Dubey
Dwijen Mukherjee
Late Dashrat Patel

Music

M.Zahur Khayyam(Khayyam)

Cinema

Shashi Kapoor
Waheeda Rehman

Dance

Madhavur Vasudevan

Painting

Krishen Khanna
Arpitha Singh

Music

Rudrapatna Krishna S Srikantan

Playback Singing

S.P Balasubramanyam

Classical Dance

C.V. Chandrasekhar
Social Work
Rajashree Birla
Shobhana Rande

Science and Engineering

Suryanarayanan Ramachandran

Trade and Industry

Kris GopalaKrishnan
Yogesh Chander Deveshwar
Chanda Kochhar
K.Anji Reddy
Rajendra Singh Pawar
Gunapathi V.Krisha Reddy
Ajai Chaudhary

Civil Serices

Surendra Sighh
M.N Buch
Syam Saran

Literature

Thayil Jacob Sony George
Ramdas Madhava pai
Sankara Ghosh

Medicine-Ayurveda

Late K Raghavan Thirumulpad

Medicine

Dr.Keki Byram Grant

Padma Shri Award 2011

Here is the list of the recipients of the Padma Sri Award 2011

Art

Neelam Mansingh Chaudhry
Sahji Neelakandan karunMakar Dhwaja Darogha
Girish Kasaravalli
Jiya Soma Mase
Mahasundari Devi
Gajam Govardhana
Perumvanam Kuttan Marar
Dadi Dorab Pudumjee

Cinema

Tabbusum H.Khan alias Tabu
Jayaram Subramaniyam
Kajol
Irfan Khan

Dance

Guru(ms) M.K Saroja
Sunayana Hazarilal
Kalamandalam K.Pavithran

Music

Pandit Ajoy Chakraborty
Usha Uthup

Carnatic Vocal Music

S.R Janakiraman

Traditional Music

Khangembam Mangi Singh

Folk Mucis

Prahlad Singh Tipaniya

Social work

Mamraj Agarwal
Jockin Arputham
Nomitha Chandy
Sheela Patel
Anitha Reddy
Kanubhai Hasmukhbai Tailor
Azad Moopen (UAE)
Martha Chen (U.S)

Public Affairs

Anant Dharshan Shankar
Upendra Baxi(U.K)

Science and Engineering

Prof.M.Annamalai
Mahesh Haribhai Mehta
C.Naraya Rao
Suman Sahai
Prof.E. A Siddiq
Mani Lal Bhaumik (U.S)
Subra Suresh(U.S)

Architecture

Gopalan Nair Shankar

Trade and Industry

Kailasam Raghaveendra Rao
Satpal Khattar (Singopore)

Civil Services

Narayan Singh Bhati
P.K Sen

Sports

Shital Mahajan
Naneirakpam Kunjarani Devi
Sushil Kumar
V.V.S Lakman
Gagan Narang
Krishna Poonia
Harbhajan Singh

Mountaineering

Pukhraj Bafna

Medicine

Nasoor Hasan
Shayama Prasad Mandal
Sivapatham Vittal
Madanur Ahmed Ali
Indira Hinduja
Jose Chacko Periappuram
A.Marthanda Pillai

Literature

Mahim Bora
Pulella Srirama Chandruth
Pravin Darji
Chandra Prakash Deval
Balraj Komal
Rajni Kumar
Devanooru Mahadeva
Barun Mazumder
Avvai Natrajan
Bhalchandra Nemede
Koneru Ramakrishna Rao
Buangi Sailo
Devi Ditt Sharma
Nilamber Dev Sharma
Urvashi Bhutalia
Ritu Menon
Krishna Kumar
Deviprasad Dwivedi
Mamang Dai
Karl Harrington Potter(U.S)
Granville Autin(U.S)

Pujabi Literature

Riyaz

Heritage- Conservation

Madhur Keshav Dhavalikar

Nursing

Shanty Teresa Lakra

Handicrafts Promotion

Gulshan Nanda

NASA marks 25th anniversary of Challenger disaster

The U.S. space agency paused to remember the deadly explosion of the space shuttle Challenger 25 years ago on Friday.

The shuttle broke up just after launch on January 28, 1986, killing all seven astronauts on board. The disaster was watched on live television by many Americans, including schoolchildren turned in to see the first teacher-astronaut travel into space.

A memorial service was planned at the Kennedy Space Centre in Florida.

NASA Administrator Charlie Bolden marked an annual Day of Remembrance for astronauts killed in service on Thursday by placing wreath at Arlington National Cemetery outside Washington.

The day is also used to honour three astronauts killed in a fire aboard Apollo I on January 27, 1967 and the seven crew members killed when the shuttle Columbia disintegrated on re-entry into Earth’s atmosphere on February 1, 2003.

“Throughout history, however, we have seen that achieving great things sometimes comes at great cost and we mourn the brave astronauts who made the ultimate sacrifice in support of NASA missions throughout the agency’s storied history,” President Barack Obama said in a statement.

“Through triumph and tragedy, each of us has benefited from their courage and devotion, and we honour their memory by dedicating ourselves to a better tomorrow. Despite the challenges before us today, let us commit ourselves and continue their valiant journey toward a more vibrant and secure future.”

Apple iPad launched in India

Apple's much-awaited gadget — iPad — on Friday made its official debut in India. Available in six variants, iPad will come in the price range of Rs.27,900 (16 GB, Wi-Fi) and Rs.44,900 (64 GB, Wi-Fi+3G, 64GB).

iPad, which was so far being available through overseas markets or in the grey market, is likely to gain popularity in India as more private operators introduce their 3G services, providing better Internet surfing and downloads speeds for the gadget users.

Apple would also provide its various applications and accessories for the iPad users in India, where it would available through exclusive Apple stores, multi-brand retailers and resellers.

3G service providers are likely to announce various schemes for iPad users. For instance, BSNL has already announced dedicated 3G plans for the iPad at Rs.999 (unlimited monthly usage), Rs.599 (6GB free a month, 1p/10 kb after free usage) and Rs.99 (unlimited daily usage).

Economic model an environmental threat: UN chief

"We need a revolution," the secretary-general of the U.N. told a panel at the World Economic Forum on how best to make the global economy sustainable. "Climate change is also showing us that the old model is more than obsolete."

The world’s current economic model is an environmental “global suicide pact” that will result in disaster if it isn’t reformed, U.N. chief Ban Ki-moon warned on Friday.

Mr. Ban said that political and business leaders need to embrace economic innovation in order to save the planet.

“We need a revolution,” the secretary-general of the U.N. told a panel at the World Economic Forum on how best to make the global economy sustainable. “Climate change is also showing us that the old model is more than obsolete.”

He called the current economic model a recipe for “national disaster” and said, “We are running out of time. Time to tackle climate change, time to ensure sustainable ... growth.”

Mixed reaction

His words received a mixed reception from fellow panellists including Mexico’s President Felipe Calderon, Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, Walmart CEO Mike Duke and Microsoft’s Bill Gates.

Jim Balsillie, Co-CEO of BlackBerry maker Research in Motion, said technology alone wouldn’t solve the problem of how to sustain economic growth while reducing its impact on the environment.

“We have to fundamentally rethink economics,” he said, suggesting a new model needed to be found to hold business to account for its impact on the planet.

Mr. Yudhoyono, whose country is often labelled a keeper of one of the world’s last major rain forests, said Indonesia was trying to plant one billion trees a year. But he pushed back against the suggestion that developing countries should give up on their aspiration to achieve the same level of wealth as the rich world.

This view was partly shared by Mr. Bill Gates, who told the panel that “you cannot have a just world by telling people to use less energy than the average European.”

Bill Gates' solution

His solution! One way to cap the world’s consumption and carbon emissions would be to invest in family planning said Mr. Gates, who has invested much of his fortune in health projects in the developing world.

The annual meeting of business and political leaders in Davos has been accused by some of producing little more than hot air.

The panel moderator, the columnist Thomas Friedman, said he hoped next year participants would return to the Swiss ski resort “and be able to say that a molecule of CO2 was actually affected by what we say and do here.”

Keywords: World economic model, disaster warning, economic innovation cal

Bolt to run 100 at Golden Gala in Rome

Golden Gala organizers have announced that world record-holder Usain Bolt will run the 100 meters at the meet in Rome on May 26.

It will mark Bolt’s first Diamond League meet of the season, with the Jamaican also committed to run the 200 in June at the Bislett Games in Oslo.

Rome officials also announced at a news conference Friday that 800-meter world record-holder David Rudisha will be at the Golden Gala, which is held annually at the 80,000-seat Stadio Olimpico.

The stadium is often half empty for the meet, but organizers are hoping more fans show up this year.

Paes-Bhupathi misses Australian Open title again

The Australian Open trophy continued to elude Leander Paes and Mahesh Bhupathi as the re-united ‘Indian Express’ could not stop Mike and Bob Bryan from scoring a hat-trick of titles at the Melbourne Park here on Saturday.

The third seeded Indian pair, which united after nine years with an aim to complete their career Slam, lost 3-6 4-6 to the top seeded American twins in the summit clash of the men’s doubles event which lasted a little over one hour.

The Bryan brothers won their fifth Australian Open trophy but it slipped out of the hands of Paes and Bhupathi for the second time, having lost the title clash back in 1999.

They reached the final here with different partners after separating but neither of the two players could complete the career Slam.

Paes made the final with Czech Republic’s Martin Damm in 2006 while Bhupathi ended runners-up with Bahamas’ Mark Knowles in 2009.

However, it is a fabulous start for the Indian pair in the 2011 season as they had won the Chennai Open early this month.

Paes and Bhupathi last played at a Grand Slam together in 2002 when they lost in the second round.

Bhupathi said he would continue playing with Paes in the remaining season.

“There is a reason why Mike and Bob are number one team. When they have a first serve percentage of 83, it is impossible to beat them. I thank my partner (Paes), it took the best team in the planet to stop this train. Looking forward to playing with you a lot more this year,” Bhupathi said.

In today’s final, the Bryan brothers dominated as they served well and were miser on the unforced errors’ count but had the Indians converted the break chances in the very first game of the match, it might have been different.

Left-handed Bob served extremely well after being down 0-40 to lead 3-2 on serve.

The sixth game, in which the two pairs played a stunning 20-shot rally, turned the tide in favour of the defending champions as the Americans converted their first of the two break chances off Paes’ serve.

It was easy for the Americans from there on as Bob served out the set after just 29 minutes of play.

The Indian duo did well to save a breakpoint in the fifth game of the second set but Bhupathi dropped his serve in the ninth game to hand the Americans the advantage.

Bob served out the set, match and the championship in the next game after saving another breakpoint.

Clijsters wins Australian Open title over Li

Kim Clijsters won her second straight Grand Slam title and the fourth of her career, struggling early before beating Li Na 3-6, 6-3, 6-3 Saturday in the Australian Open final.

The result ended the outstanding run of Li, who became the first Chinese player to reach a Grand Slam singles final.

Li appeared to become upset with some of the Chinese spectators in the crowd in the third set, and asked the chair umpire to intervene. She later complained about the flashes from photographers at centre court.

U.S. Open champion Clijsters’ win came in her likely last appearance at Melbourne Park, she said that 2011 could be her last full year on the tour.

Japan sinks Australia to win Asian Cup

AP Japan's Makoto Hasebe holds up the AFC Asian Cup trophy surrounded by teammates after winning the final against Australia in Doha.

Japan on Saturday won an unprecedented fourth Asian Cup title after beating Australia 1-0 after extra-time in the final played in the Khalifa Stadium.

Substitute Tadanari Lee scored the only goal of the match for the Japan.

Although both sides played a cautious game, there were scoring opportunities throughout the match, with Japanese goalkeeper Eiji Kawashima pulling off a number of excellent saves.

Australian substitute Robbie Kruse nearly gave his side the lead in the first-half of extra-time with a header, but Kawashima did well to palm the ball away.

Japan coach Alberto Zaccheroni brought on Lee in the 98th minute for only his second appearance of the tournament, having previously played as a second-half substitute in Japan’s opening 1-1 draw against Jordan.

The Sanfrecce Hiroshima striker scored with a beautiful volley from a Yuto Nagatomo cross in the 119th minute to give his side their second triumph after 1992, 2000 and 2004.

सरकार की ढिलाई से विदेशी बैंकों में फंसे हैं भारत के 71 लाख करोड़

स्विट्जरलैंड और लिचटेंस्टाइन जैसे देशों में जमा भारतीयों का कालाधन देश में बड़ा राजनीतिक मुद्दा बन गया है। दावा किया जा रहा है कि पिछले कई दशकों में देश के करीब 71 लाख करोड़ रुपये इन देशों के बैंकों में जमा हैं। यह राशि भारत के कुल जीडीपी से कहीं ज़्यादा है। अगर भारत इस राशि का 25 फीसदी भी हासिल करने में कामयाब हो जाता है तो देश में बुनियादी ढांचे की जरूरत पूरी हो जाएगी और देश विकास के रास्ते पर तेजी से दौड़ने लगेगा।

सरकार का तर्क और विशेषज्ञों की काट
सरकार गोपनीयता और स्विटजरलैंड के कानूनों का हवाला देकर असमर्थता जताती रही है। वह समझौतों की बंदिश का हवाला देकर खाताधारकों के नाम बताने से भी इनकार रही है। वित्‍त मंत्री प्रणब मुखर्जी ने कहा कि डबल टैक्सेशन अवॉएडेंस ट्रिटी के चलते हम खाताधारकों के नाम सार्वजनिक नहीं कर सकते। इससे पहले प्रधानमंत्री डॉ. मनमोहन सिंह भी इसी समझौते के हवाले से यह कहते रहे हैं कि काला धन जमा करने वाले भारतीयों के नाम सार्वजनिक नहीं किए जा सकते हैं, क्योंकि ऐसा करने से अंतरराष्ट्रीय समुदाय में भारत की छवि खराब होगी और देश अलग-थलग पड़ जाएगा। हालांकि सरकार इसके साथ यह भी कहती रही है कि स्विस बैंकों में जमा काले धन को देश में लाने की कोशिश की जाएगी। लेकिन ज़्यादातर लोग यह मानते हैं कि इस मुद्दे पर सरकार का रुख ढीलाढाला है नहीं तो काले धन की वापसी का रास्ता बहुत मुश्किल नहीं है। सरकार का स्विस बैंक खातों की गोपनियता का तर्क भी पूरी तरह से सही नहीं है। स्विस बैंकिंग एसोसिएशन और वहां के जानकारों का कहना है कि बैंक खातों की गोपनियता अंतिम नहीं है। उनके मुताबिक इसकी भी सीमाएं हैं। अपराध, आतंकवाद और कर घपले जैसे मामलों में इस्तेमाल और कमाए गए पैसे की जानकारी स्विस सरकार दे सकती है।

कैसे वापस आ सकता है काला धन
सरकार को देश के कई कर विशेषज्ञ काला धन वापस लाने के लिए सलाह देने को तैयार हैं। ऐसे तमाम कदम हैं जिनसे भारत का काला धन देश में वापस आ सकता है।

अंतरराष्ट्रीय स्तर पर पहल
तेजी से आर्थिक तरक्की कर रहे दुनिया के 20 विकसित और विकासशील देशों के संगठन जी-20 का भारत सदस्य है। विशेषज्ञों का मानना है कि भारत काले धन का मुद्दा जी-20 के मंच पर रख सकता है। भारत अपनी बढ़ती आर्थिक हैसियत और अमेरिका वगैरह के सहयोग से स्विट्जरलैंड जैसे देशों पर राजनयिक दबाव बना सकता है। जानकार यह भी कहते हैं कि भारत इस मुद्दे को अंतरराष्ट्रीय मॉनेटरी फंड (आईएमएफ) में भी रख सकता है। भारतीय प्रबंधन संस्थान (आईआईएम), बेंगलुरु के प्रोफेसर आर. वैद्यनाथन के मुताबिक आप विभिन्न अंतरराष्ट्रीय मंचों पर यह मामला रख सकते हैं और अपनी आर्थिक और राजनयिक रसूख का इस्तेमाल कर अंतरराष्ट्रीय बिरादरी के सामने मसले को रख सकते हैं।

टैक्स से जुड़े कानून में बदलाव भी एक रास्ता
भारत इनकम टैक्स के पूर्व चीफ कमिश्नर केवीएम पाई की ओर से सुप्रीम कोर्ट में दाखिल याचिका में कहा है कि आम माफी के जरिए भी काले धन को देश में वापस लाया जा सकता है। इसके तहत देश के कर कानूनों में संशोधन करके 30 फीसदी कर और ब्याज की रकम वसूल कर काला धन जमा करने वालों को माफ किया जा सकता है। २००९ के लोकसभा चुनाव से पहले पाई ने इस बाबत एक चिट्ठी केंद्रीय प्रत्यक्ष कर बोर्ड (सीबीडीटी) और प्रधानमंत्री कार्यालय को लिखा था। याचिका में पाई ने काले धन को देश में लाने और इसके देश से बाहर जाने पर रोक लगाने के लिए कई उपाय सुझाए हैं। पाई की पेशकश की खास बात यह है कि इसमें कहा गया है कि इनकम टैक्स रिटर्न भरते समय करदाताओं के लिए यह जरूरी किया जाए कि वे विदेशी खातों में जमा रकम का ब्योरा दें। गौरतलब है कि भारत के सीबीडीटी के तर्ज पर अमेरिका की इंटरनल रेवेन्यू सर्विस ने अमेरिका के कर देने वाले सभी नागरिकों के लिए यह जरूरी कर दिया है कि वे विदेश में चल रहे बैंक खातों की जानकारी दें।

मुकदमा और कानूनी कार्रवाई भी एक जरिया
कई कर विशेषज्ञों का कहना है कि भारत से बाहर काला धन ले जाने वाले ज्‍यादातर लोग सिर्फ टैक्स चोरी के आरोपी नहीं हैं। इनमें से ज़्यादातर ने मनी लॉन्डरिंग और हवाला जैसे आर्थिक अपराध किए हैं। भारत ऐसे लोगों के खिलाफ मुकदमा दायर कर स्विस सरकार के सामने पेश कर सकता है। स्विस कानूनों के मुताबिक अगर वहां के बैंकों में जमा धन किसी आतंकवादी या आपराधिक गतिविधि के जरिए कमाया गया है या फिर उसके ऐसे इस्तेमाल की गुंजाइश है तो वहां की सरकार भारत की मदद कर सकती है। कर विशेषज्ञ और आयकर अधिकारी रहे विश्वबंधु गुप्ता का कहना है कि भारत विदेशों में काला धन जमा करने वाले लोगों का मामला इंटरपोल के हवाले करे और उन्हें सबूत मुहैया कराए। उनके मुताबिक इंटरपोल इस मामले को देख सकती है।

स्वैच्छिक आय घोषणा योजना का विकल्प
1997 के स्वैच्छिक घोषणा योजना (वीडीआईएस-97) की तर्ज पर एक योजना की घोषणा का भी सुझाव सरकार के सामने है। गौरतलब है कि वीडीआईएस-97 के जरिए देश को 10,500 करोड़ रुपये अतिरिक्त कर मिला था। कई कंपनियों के बोर्ड ऑफ डाइरेक्टर में शामिल, एनसीपी के कोटे से राज्यसभा सदस्य और वरिष्ठ कर अधिवक्ता वाईपी त्रिवेदी ने सरकार के सामने यह सुझाव रखा है। त्रिवेदी के इस प्रस्ताव के मुताबिक सरकार टैक्स रिलीफ बॉन्ड खरीद सकता है। इसके जरिए वह फेमा के तहत प्रत्यक्ष और अप्रत्यक्ष कर कानूनों के तहत माफी का फायदा उठा सकता है। उन्होंने इस उपाय के तहत दूसरे केंद्रीय और राज्य स्तरीय टैक्सों में भी छूट दिए जाने की वकालत की है। इसके अलावा उन्होंने बॉन्ड पर ब्याज लगाने की बात भी कही है। उनके प्रस्ताव के मुताबिक पांच साल के बॉन्ड पर 4 फीसदी, 10 साल पर 5 फीसदी, 15 साल पर 6 फीसदी और 20 साल के बॉन्ड पर 7 फीसदी ब्याज वसूलने का प्रस्ताव सरकार को भेजा है। उनके मुताबिक इस योजना में सभी भारतीय, प्रवासी भारतीय और भारतीय मूल के विदेशी नागरिक शामिल होंगे। इस योजना की अवधि छह महीने रखी जाए। साथ ही आयकर विभाग यह तय करे कि वह ऐसे बॉन्ड खरीदने वाले से आय का स्रोत न पूछे। जानकारों का मानना है कि ऐसी योजना से भी देश से काला धन बाहर ले जाने वाले लोग उस पैसे को देश में वापस लाएंगे और इसके लिए भारत को किसी दूसरे देश से मदद की जरूरत भी नहीं पडे़गी। हालांकि, इससे ७१ लाख करोड़ रुपये की कुल रकम काली कमाई का कुछ हिस्सा ही भारत के सरकारी खजाने में जाएगा।

क्या स्विस सरकार सहयोग करेगी?
आईआईएम के प्रोफेसर आर. वैद्यनाथन मानते हैं कि भारत का नहीं बल्कि अमेरिका का दबाव स्विट्जरलैंड को सहयोग करने पर मजबूर कर देगा। कई जानकारों का मानना है कि यूरोपियन यूनियन समेत कई अंतरराष्ट्रीय संगठनों और समूहों के बीच भारत की बढ़ती साख भारत के कानूनी रूप से जायज मांग को पुख्ता करती है। ऐसे में जानकार मानते हैं कि स्विट्जरलैंड सरकार इस मामले में भारत को सहयोग दे सकती है। स्विट्जरलैंड के बैंकिंग कानूनों के कई जानकारों का मानना है कि ऐसे मामलों में स्विस सरकार भारत की मदद कर सकती है। लेकिन इसके लिए भारत को औपचारिक निवेदन करना होगा। स्विट्जरलैंड बैंकिंग एसोसिएशन (एसबीए) का साफ तौर पर कहना है कि अगर भारत सभी केसों में मौजूद सबूत और कानून तोड़ने का ब्योरा स्विस सरकार को सौंपे तो वहां की सरकार भारत की मदद करेगी। लेकिन इसके लिए भारत को पूरा होम वर्क करना होगा। एसबीए के जनसंपर्क प्रमुख नेसन ने एक निजी भारतीय समाचार चैनल से बातचीत में कहा है कि स्विस सरकार जल्द ही एक ऐसा संशोधन करने जा रही है, जिसके बाद टैक्स चोरी जैसे मामलों में भी स्विस सरकार ब्योरा देगी। भारत और स्विट्जरलैंड ने अगस्त, २०१० में डबल टैक्सेशन अवॉएडेंस अग्रीमेंट में संशोधन के लिए एक समझौता किया था। इस समझौते के बाद उम्मीद जताई गई थी कि इससे भारत काले धन की जानकारी आसानी से हासिल कर सकता है और इस पैसे को वापस लाया जा सकता है।

अमेरिका ने हासिल किए थे 4,000 खातों की जानकारी
स्विट्जरलैंड के बैंक यूबीएस ने 2009 में 4,000 अमेरिकी खातों की जानकारी अमेरिकी सरकार को टैक्स चोरी के आरोपों की जांच के लिए दी थी। अमेरिका ऐसे 52,000 ग्राहकों के खातों का ब्योरा जानना चाहता है। 19 फरवरी, 2009 को स्विस बैंक यूबीएस ने 78 करोड़ अमेरिकी डॉलर का काला धन अमेरिका को सौंपने के अलावा करीब 20 अरब डॉलर की संपत्ति का भी ब्योरा अमेरिका को दिया था। अमेरिका की इंटरनल रेवेन्यू सर्विस ने काले धन को देश में लाने के लिए जो कानून बनाया उसके मुताबिक अमेरिकी लोगों को विदेशी बैंकों में किसी एक खाते में जमा अधिकतम रकम का 20 फीसदी, छह सालों में उस राशि पर लगने वाला कर और ब्याज चुकाना होता है। अमेरिकी कानूनों के मुताबिक अगर अमेरिका का नागरिक देश से बाहर भी पैसा कमाता है तो उसे कर चुकाना होता है। अगर अमेरिकी नागरिक की आय पर दूसरा देश कर लेता है तो कानूनों के आधार पर अमेरिका उसे कर में छूट भी देता है। लेकिन भारत में सरकार सिर्फ भारत में रहने वाले लोगों से ही कर की मांग करता है।

Prize for worst company awarded at Davos

Campaigners awarded a prize for corporate malfeasance on Friday to South Africa-based gold miner AngloGold Ashanti for its operations in Ghana as top executives met at the World Economic Forum.

The award, organised by Greenpeace and Swiss left-wing group the Berne Declaration, went to the world's third-largest gold mining firm, which they accused of mistreating people in Ghana and polluting rivers.

"The shortlisted cases presented here, one must say, are only examples for the countless, often undocumented monstrosities to raise shareholder value, to bring us consumers from wealthy countries cheap goods," Bruno Heinzer from Greenpeace Switzerland told a news conference near the WEF.

The organisers of the award, called "Public Eye", showed a clip from YouTube showing young men on crutches along with trucks driving in open-pit mines. "It is a paradox for some of us that a country can have such mineral endowment," said Daniel Owusu-Koranteng, president of the Ghanaian organisation WACAM, which nominated AngloGold.

"But the country is not growing in terms of economic development and we have poverty." AngloGold spokesman Alan Fine said he did not know what criteria were behind the organisation's selection, adding the group never contacted AngloGold for comment.

"As far as we can ascertain, the vast bulk of what they refer to were events and things that happened a long time before AngloGold became active in Ghana in 2004," he said.

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon called on more companies to clean up their act as he launched a network of 54 big firms on Friday that pledged to do more to fight corruption, protect the environment and promoting human and labour rights.

"The premise is simple. When companies promote human rights, labour standards, environmental stewardship and anti-corruption measures throughout the organisation, it is good for business and it is good for society," Ban told a news conference.

"More companies should take up the sustainability challenge for their own good and for the good of the world."

Another award, determined by voting on Public Eye's website, was given to Finland's Neste Oil, which it said damages rain forests in Malaysia and Indonesia by using palm oil in its biofuels.

The biofuel-maker beat out several other companies including oil giant BP, which had been shortlisted for the Gulf of Mexico oil spill. Simo Honkanen, Neste Oil's senior vice president for sustainability, said he was surprised by the award as he said independent bodies had praised the company's approach. "We believe that we are one of the world's most responsible companies buying palm oil today," he said.

Important Days of the year.

January 12 : National Youth Day.

January 15 :Army Day.

January 26 :India's Republic Day and International Customs day.

January 30 :Martyrs' Day

February 24 :Central Excise Day.

February 28 :National Science Day.

March 8 :International Women's Day.

March 15 :World Disabled Day.

March 21 :World Forestry Day.

March 21 :International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination.

March 23 :World Meteorological Day.

April 5 :National Maritime Day.

April 7 :World Health Day.

April 18 :World Heritage Day.

April 22 :Earth Day.

May 1 :Workers Day (International Labor Day).

May 3 :Press Freedom Day.

May (2nd Sunday) : Mother's Day.

May 8 :World Red Cross Day.

May 11 :National Technology Day.

May 15 :International Day of the Family.

May 17 :World Telecommunication Day.

May 24 :Commonwealth Day.

May 31 :Anti-Tobacco Day.

June 4 :International Day of Innocent Children Victims of Aggression.

June 5 : World Environment Day.

June(2nd Sunday) : Fathers Day.

June 26 :International day against Drug abuse & Illicit Trafficking.

June 27 :World Diabetes Day.

July 6 :World Zoonoses Day.

July 11 :World Population Day.

August 3 :International Friendship Day.

August 6 :Hiroshima Day,

August 9 :Quit India Day and Nagasaki Day.

August 15 :Independence Day.

August 29 :National Sports Day.

September 5 :Teachers' Day.

September 8 :World Literacy Day.

September 16 :World Ozone Day.

September 21 :Alzheimer's Day.

September 26 : Day of the Deaf.

September 27 : World Tourism Day.

October 1 : International day of the Elderly.

October 3 :World Habitat Day.

October 4 :World Animal Welfare Day.

October 8 :Indian Air Force Day.

October 9 :World Post Office day.

October 10 : National Post Day.

October 13 :UN International Day for National disaster reduction.

October 14 :World Standards Day.

October 15 :World White Cane Day( guiding the Blind).

October 16 :World Food Day.

October 24 :UN Day, World development information Day.

October 30 :World Thrift Day.

November 14 : Children's Day ( in India )

November 20 :Africa Industrialization Day.

November 29 :International Day of Solidarity with Palestinian People.

December 1 :World Aids Day.

December 4 :Navy Day.

December 7 :Armed Forces Flag Day.

December 10 : Human Right Day.

December 23 :Kisan Divas Farmer's Day).

Difference between Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha

1. Members of Lok Sabha are directly elected by the eligible voters. Members of Rajya Sabha are elected by the elected members of State Legislative Assemblies in accordance with the system of proportional representation by means of single transferable vote.
2. The normal life of every Lok Sabha is 5 years only while Rajya Sabha is a permanent body.
3. Lok Sabha is the House to which the Council of Ministers is responsible under the Constitution. Money Bills can only be introduced in Lok Sabha. Also it is Lok Sabha, which grants the money for running the administration of the country.
4. Rajya Sabha has special powers to declare that it is necessary and expedient in the national interest that Parliament may make laws with respect to a matter in the State List or to create by law one or more all-India services common to the Union and the States.

Functions and Powers

The cardinal functions of the Legislature include overseeing of administration, passing of budget, ventilation of public grievances, and discussing various subjects like development plans, international relations, and national policies. The Parliament can, under certain circumstances, assume legislative power with respect to a subject falling within the sphere, exclusively reserved for the states. The Parliament is also vested with powers to impeach the President, remove judges of Supreme and High Courts, the Chief Election Commissioner, and Comptroller and Auditor General in accordance with the procedure laid down in the Constitution. All legislation requires the consent of both Houses of Parliament. In the case of Money Bills, the will of the Lok Sabha prevails. The Parliament is also vested with the power to initiate amendments in the Constitution.

Lok Sabha

Parliamentary institutions in India, with all their modern ramifications, owe their origin to India's British connections. Until 1853, there was no legislative body distinct from the Executive. The Charter Act of 1853, for the first time provided some sort of a legislature in the form of a 12 member Legislative Council. The Indian Independence Act, 1947 declared the Constituent Assembly of India to be a full sovereign body. Apart from being a Constitution drafting body, it also assumed full powers for the governance of the country. With the coming into force of the Constitution on 26 January, 1950, the Constituent Assembly functioned as the Provisional Parliament until the first Lok Sabha, then known as the House of People, and was constituted following General Elections in 1952. Lok Sabha, the Hindi nomenclature was adopted on 14 May, 1954.

The Lok Sabha is composed of representatives of people chosen by direct election on the basis of Universal Adult Suffrage. The Constitution provides that the maximum strength of the House be 552 members - 530 members to represent the States, 20 members to represent the Union Territories, and 2 members to be nominated by the President from the Anglo-Indian Community. At present, the strength of the House is 545 members.

The term of the Lok Sabha, unless dissolved, is five years from the date appointed for its first meeting. However, while a proclamation of emergency is in operation, this period may be extended by Parliament by law for a period not exceeding one year at a time and not extending in any case, beyond a period of six months after the proclamation has ceased to operate.

Rajya Sabha

The origin of Rajya Sabha can be traced back to 1919, when in pursuance to the Government of India Act, 1919, a second chamber known as the Council of States was created. This Council of States, comprising of mostly nominated members was a deformed version of second chamber without reflecting true federal features. The Council continued to function till India became independent. The Rajya Sabha, its Hindi nomenclature was adopted in 23 August, 1954.

The Rajya Sabha is to consist of not more than 250 members - 238 members representing the States and Union Territories, and 12 members nominated by the President.

Rajya Sabha is a permanent body and is not subject to dissolution. However, one third of the members retire every second year, and are replaced by newly elected members. Each member is elected for a term of six years.

The Vice President of India is the ex-officio Chairman of Rajya Sabha. The House also elects a Deputy Chairman from among its members. Besides, there is also a panel of "Vice Chairmen" in the Rajya Sabha. The senior most Minister, who is a member of Rajya Sabha, is appointed by the Prime Minister as Leader of the House.

Parliament

Parliament is the supreme legislative body of India. The Indian Parliament comprises of the President and the two Houses-Lok Sabha (House of the People) and Rajya Sabha (Council of States). The President has the power to summon and prorogue either House of Parliament or to dissolve Lok Sabha.

The Constitution of India came into force on January 26, 1950. The first general elections under the new Constitution were held during the year 1951-52 and the first elected Parliament came into being in April, 1952, the Second Lok Sabha in April, 1957, the Third Lok Sabha in April, 1962, the Fourth Lok Sabha in March, 1967, the Fifth Lok Sabha in March, 1971, the Sixth Lok Sabha in March, 1977, the Seventh Lok Sabha in January, 1980, the Eighth Lok Sabha in December, 1984, the Ninth Lok Sabha in December, 1989, the Tenth Lok Sabha in June, 1991, the Eleventh Lok Sabha in May, 1996, the Twelfth Lok Sabha in March, 1998, Thirteenth Lok Sabha in October, 1999, Fourteenth Lok Sabha in May, 2004 and Fifteenth Lok Sabha in April, 2009.

Chief Ministers of States

Andhra Pradesh	Shri Nallari Kiran Kumar Reddy
Arunachal Pradesh	Shri Dorjee Khandu
Assam	Shri Tarun Gogoi
Bihar	Shri Nitish Kumar
Chhattisgarh	Dr. Raman Singh
Delhi	Smt Sheila Dikshit
Goa	Shri Digambar Kamat
Gujarat	Shri Narendra Modi
Haryana	Shri Bhupinder Singh Hooda
Himachal Pradesh	Prof. Prem Kumar Dhumal
Jammu and Kashmir	Shri Omar Abdullah (
Jharkhand	Shri Arjun Munda
Karnataka	Shri B. S. Yeddyurappa
Kerala	Shri V. S. Achuthanandan
Madhya Pradesh	Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan
Maharashtra	Shri Prithviraj Chavan
Manipur	Shri Okram Ibobi Singh
Meghalaya	Dr. Mukul Sangma
Mizoram	Shri Pu Lalthanhawla
Nagaland	Shri Neiphiu Rio
Orissa	Shri Naveen Patnaik
Puducherry	Thiru. V. Vaithilingam
Punjab	Shri Parkash Singh Badal
Rajasthan	Shri Ashok Gehlot
Sikkim	Shri Pawan Chamling
Tamil Nadu	Kalaignar M. Karunanidhi
Tripura	Shri Manik Sarkar
Uttar Pradesh	Kumari Mayawati
Uttarakhand	Shri Ramesh Pokhriyal
West Bengal	Shri Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee

Governer Of States

Andhra Pradesh	Shri E.S Lakshmi Narasimhan
Arunachal Pradesh	General (Rtd.) J.J. Singh
Assam	Shri Janaki Ballav Pattanaik
Bihar	Shri Devanand Konwar
Chhattisgarh	Shri Shekhar Dutt
Goa	Dr. Shivinder Singh Sidhu
Gujarat	Dr. Kamla Beniwal
Haryana	Shri Jagannath Pahadia
Himachal Pradesh	Smt. Urmila Singh
Jammu and Kashmir	Shri N. N. Vohra
Jharkhand	Shri M.O.H Farook
Karnataka	Shri H.R. Bhardwaj
Kerala	Shri R.S. Gavai
Madhya Pradesh	Shri Rameshwar Thakur
Maharashtra	Shri Kateekal Sankaranarayanan
Manipur	Shri Gurbachan Jagat
Meghalaya	Shri Ranjit Shekhar Mooshahary
Mizoram	Lt. Gen. (Retd.) M.M. Lakhera, PVSM,AVSM,VSM
Nagaland	Shri. Nikhil Kumar
Orissa	Shri Murlidhar Chandrakant Bhandare
Punjab	Shri Shivraj Patil
Rajasthan	Shri Shivraj Patil, Governor of Punjab (Additional Charge)
Sikkim	Shri Balmiki Prasad Singh
Tamil Nadu	Shri Surjit Singh Barnala
Tripura	Shri Dnyandeo Yashwantrao Patil
Uttar Pradesh	Shri B.L. Joshi
Uttarakhand	Smt. Margaret Alva
West Bengal	Shri M.K. Narayanan