Genesis-September 2015 Issue I PDF

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The Genesis
September 2015-Issue-I
Current Affairs
NationalSportsAwards;GallantryAwards
India,States
5,11
World
12
Sports
16
Economy
19
Corporate
22
CyberBuzz
29
Science&Technology
31
People
Faces:DonaldTrump
15
BusinessBiography:OmPrakashMunjal
21
National Awards: 3
Sania Mirza has been chosen
for the award given for the
spectacular
and
most
outstanding performance in
the field of sports by a
sportsperson over a period of
four years
Knowledge Corners
RecentReleases:AlibabasWorld,TurningTheTide
32
GD:CanOneRankOnePensionschemebejustified?
33
Crossword
34
Sudoku
34
Doyouremember?
35
CorporateKnowledgeQuiz
38
PointCounterpoint
41
Group Discussion: 33
The
government
has
announced
the
implementation of the onerank, one-pension scheme,
generally referred to as
OROP. It will ensure that all
those retired members
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THE GENESIS
National Sports Awards conferred; Gallantry Awards announced
Sania is the second tennis player after Leander Paes to bag the coveted Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award
President Pranab Mukherjee presented the Rajiv Gandhi
named for the top award in 1996. The 28-year-old Sania

won three mixed doubles Grand Slams in her career.
Arjuna Award
This award is given for consistently outstanding
performance for four years preceding the year of award.
This year 17 sportspersons have been selected for the
award. Arjuna Awardees receive statuettes, certificates
and award money of Rs. five lakh each.
2015 winners: Naib Subedar Sandeep Kumar (archery),
M.R. Poovamma (athletics), Kidambi Srikanth
Nammalwar (badminton), Mandeep Jangra (boxing),
Rohit Sharma (cricket), Dipa Karmakar (gymnastic),
Sreejesh P.R. (hockey), Manjeet Chhillar (kabaddi),
Abhilasha Shashikant Mhatre (kabaddi), Sawarn Singh
(rowing), Anup Kumar Yama (roller skating), Jitu Rai
(shooting), S. Sathish Kumar (weightlifting), Bajrang
(wrestling), Babita Kumari (wrestling), Yumnam
Sanathoi Devi (wushu) and Sharath M. Gayakwad (paraswimming).
Dronacharya Award
This Award, instituted in 1985, are given to honour
eminent Coaches who have successfully trained
sportspersons or teams and enabled them to achieve
outstanding results in international competitions.
Khel Ratna, Arjuna Awards and Dronacharya Awards to
sportspersons and coaches on the National Sports Day on
August 29. The awards are given every year to recognize
and reward excellence in sports.
Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award

Tennis player Sania Mirza has been chosen for the award
given for the spectacular and most outstanding
performance in the field of sports by a sportsperson over a
period of four years immediately preceding the year
during which award is to be given. She receives medal,
certificate and award money of Rs. 7.5 lakh.
Sania, currently ranked world number one in womens
doubles, scripted history by becoming the first Indian to
win a womens doubles Grand Slam title when she and
Martina Hingis clinched the 2015 Wimbledon trophy. She
is only the second tennis player after Leander Paes to be
2015 winners are: Naval Singh (Athletics-Para-sports),

Anoop Singh (Wrestling), Harbans Singh (AthleticsLifetime), Swatantar Raj Singh (Boxing- Lifetime), Nihar
Ameen (Swimming-Lifetime). Anoop has guided top
grapplers such as Sushil Kumar, Yogeshwar Dutt,
Satyawart Kadian, Bajrang and Amit Dahiya.
Dronacharya Awardees receive statuettes, certificates and
award money of Rs.5 lakh each.
Dhyan Chand Award

The Award for Lifetime Achievements in Sports and
Games, instituted in the year 2002, is given to honour
those sportspersons who have contributed to sports by
their performance and continue to contribute to the
promotion of sports even after their retirement from
active sporting career. Dhyan Chand Awards 2015
winners are: Romeo James (Hockey), Shiv Prakash
Mishra (Tennis), T.P.P. Nair (Volleyball). Dhyan Chand
THE GENESIS

Awardees receive statuettes, certificates and award money
of Rs.5 lakh each.
4
peacetime equivalent of the Maha Vir Chakra. It is second
in order of precedence of peacetime gallantry awards; it
comes after Ashoka Chakra and before Shaurya Chakra.
Tenzing Norgay National Adventure Award

The 2014 winners are: Arunima Sinha: Land Adventure,
Jot Singh: Land Adventure, Wg. Cdr. Paramvir Singh:
Water Adventure, Lt. Col. (Retd.) Satyendra Verma: Air
Adventure, Col. (Retd.) Satish Chander Sharma: Life
Time Achievement
SHOURYA CHAKRA
Maulana Abul Kalma Azad Trophy

The 2014-15 winner is Punjabi University, Patiala.
Rashtriya Khel Protsahan Puruskar

This award was introduced in 2009 and is given to
entities, both in public sector and private sector and nongovernmental organizations, with a view to recognizing
the contribution made to sports development. Rashtriya
Khel Protsahan Puruskar has four categories. The 2015
winners are (categorywinner): Identification and
nurturing of budding/young talentDirectorate General of
Military Training; Encouragement to Sports through
Corporate Social ResponsibilityCoal India Limited;
Employment of Sportspersons and Sports Welfare
MeasuresHaryana Police; Sports for Development
Sports Coaching Foundation, Hyderabad.
GALLANTRY AWARDS
As many as 67 personnel
from Army, Navy, Air
Force, Coast Guard, Police
and Paramilitary forces were
announced as winners of the
Independence Day Gallantry
Awards by President Pranab
Mukherjee on August 14.
Besides two
there were 10 Shaurya Chakras, one Bar
(Gallantry), 49 Sena Medals (Gallantry),
Medals (Gallantry) and three Vayu
(Gallantry).
Kirti Chakras,
to Sena Medal
two Nao Sena
Sena Medals
KIRTI CHAKRA
The Kirti Chakra is a military decoration awarded for
valour, courageous action or self-sacrifice away from the
field of battle. It may be awarded to civilians as well as
military personnel, including posthumous awards. It is the
Lt Col Nectar Sanjenbam of the 21 Parachute Regiment

got the Kirti Chakra along with Naib Subedar Rajesh
Kumar (posthumous) of Mahar Regiment, 30 Rashtriya
Rifles, who was killed in an operation against terrorists in
Jammu and Kashmir in October 2014.
10 personnel got the Shaurya Chakra.

Those from the Army are: Havildar Tanka Kumar Limbu
of the 21 Parachute Regiment; Col Munindra Rai, Gorkha
Rifles, 42 Rashtriya Rifles (Posthumous); Major Tanuj
Grover, ARMD, 22 RR; Captain Varun Kumar Singh,
Rajput, 44 RR and Havildar Man Bahadur Chhetri, 44
Assam Rifles (Posthumous).
From the Navy, Commodore Milind Mokashi won the
Shourya Chakra.
From the Air Force, Wing Commander Sandeep Singh
Flying (Pilot) won the Shourya Chakra.
CRPFs martyred Second-in-Command rank officer Hira
Kumar Jha became the lone paramilitary officer to have
been decorated with the Shaurya Chakra, a military
medal, for displaying gallant action in Bihar in 2014 to
eliminate some top Maoist leaders.
Two Jammu and Kashmir police constables Mohd Shafi
Sheikh and Reyaz Ahmed Lone have been decorated with
the Shaurya Chakra posthumously for undertaking
action against militants in the Valley.
VAYU SENA MEDAL

Squadron Leader S Selvakumar, Flight Lieutenant
Gandikota Jagan Mohan and Sergeant Mukesh Kumar
Tiwari got the Vayu Sena Medal for Gallantry.
SPECIAL MENTION
The President has also awarded 20 Mention-inDespatches to Army and Para Military personnel for their
significant contributions in different military operations
which include three for Operation Meghdoot, 12 for
Operation Rakshak, one for Operation Orchid, one for
Operation Hifazat and three for Operation Rhino.
THE GENESIS
Current Affairs: India

HAPPENINGS
Smart cities nominatedI: The list of 98 cities that will now
compete for the second stage of the smart cities challenge to secure
funding from the Centre was released by Minister for Urban
Development M Venkaiah Naidu in August. Uttar Pradesh and Tamil
Nadu have bagged the lions share with 12 cities each, followed by
Maharashtra with 10. The government will release Rs. 2 crore for each
of these 98 cities for preparation of smart city proposals to compete in
the second stage. Proposals will be judged by the Centre on credibility
of implementation, city vision and strategy, economic and
environmental impacts, cost effectiveness, innovation and scalability
and processes followed, including citizen implementation.
Smart cities nominatedII: Top 20 scoring cities in the first round of the second stage will be chosen by
December and Rs. 200 crore per city will be provided by Centre in the first year, followed by Rs. 100 crore each year for
the next three years. The remaining cities will be asked to address deficiencies before participating in second and third
rounds of the challenge. Naidu informed that two more cities would be announced in due course since J&K sought more
time to make up its choice while additional information was sought from UP regarding the 13th smart city slot allotted to
that State. Core elements of smart: Adequate water supply Assured electricity supply Efficient urban mobility and
public transport Affordable housing Robust IT connectivity and digitalisation Safety and security of citizens.
RGI releases Census 2011 data on ReligionI: The Registrar General and Census Commissioner of
India released the data on Population by Religious Communities of Census 2011 in August. The distribution is total
population by six major religious communities namely, Hindu, Muslim, Christian, Sikh, Buddhist, Jain besides Other
Religions and Persuasions and Religion not stated. Total Population in 2011 is 121.09 crores ; Hindu 96.63 crores
(79.8%); Muslim 17.22 crores (14.2%); Christian 2.78 crores (2.3%); Sikh 2.08 crores (1.7%); Buddhist 0.84 crores
(0.7%); Jain 0.45 crores (0.4%), Other Religions & Persuasions (ORP) 0.79 crores (0.7%) and Religion Not Stated 0.29
crores (0.2%).
RGI releases Census 2011 data on ReligionII: The growth rate of population in the decade 2001-2011
was 17.7 %. The growth rate of population of the different religious communities in the same period was as Hindus:
16.8%; Muslim: 24.6%; Christian: 15.5%; Sikh: 8.4%; Buddhist: 6.1% and Jain: 5.4%. Sex ratio: Sikhs have the worst
sex ratio while the Christians have the best with women outnumbering males in the community. Sikhs: 47.4 per cent,
Christians: 52.55 per cent, Hindus: 48.4 per cent, Muslims: 48.7 per cent, Buddhists: 49.11 per cent, Jains: 48.8 per cent
50th anniversary of 1965 IndoPak War observed: The President paid tribute at the Amar Jawan
Jyoti, a memorial dedicated to martyred Indian soldiers at India Gate in Central Delhi, on August 28 to commemorate
50th anniversary of 1965 Indo-Pak War. The war started following Pakistans Operation Gibraltar, which was started to
infiltrate forces into Jammu and Kashmir to precipitate an insurgency. India retaliated by launching a full-scale military
attack on West Pakistan. The seventeen-day war caused thousands of casualties on both sides. The hostilities between the
two countries ended after a ceasefire was declared following diplomatic intervention by the Soviet Union and USA and
the subsequent issuance of the Tashkent Declaration.
Political parties cant be under RTI Act Centre tells SC: Political parties should not be brought
under the ambit of Right to Information (RTI) Act by terming them public authorities, government told the Supreme
Court in August. When the RTI Act was enacted, it was never visualised that political parties would be brought within
the ambit of the transparency law, the government said in an affidavit in the apex court. The affidavit said there were
provisions in Representation of the People Act (RPA) 1951 and the Income Tax Act which brought necessary
transparency about the financial aspects of a political party. The governments affidavit came in response to a notice
THE GENESIS
issued to it on a plea to declare all national and regional political parties, including BJP, Congress and Left parties among
others, public authorities to bring them under the ambit of the RTI Act.
GSLV launches communication satellite GSAT6: ISROs GSLV-D6 (Geosynchronous Satellite

Launch Vehicle-D6), equipped with the indigenous Cryogenic Upper Stage (CUS), successfully launched the 2117 kg
GSAT-6, the countrys latest communication satellite, into a Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit (GTO) on August 27. The
launch took place from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre SHAR (SDSC SHAR), Sriharikota.
The Google Cultural Institute unveiled: Tourism Minister Mahesh Sharma unveiled new online content
on The Google Cultural Institute, an initiative to make Indias heritage accessible for global audiences and to preserve it
digitally for generations to come, in August. The collection of the Google Cultural Institute showcases a wide range of
treasures that embody the countrys unique heritage, from ancient architecture to modern day contemporary art.
NCRB report released: The latest report of the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) titled Crime in India,
2014 was released in August 2015. Murder, kidnapping, sexual harassments, dowry deaths, child rapes, dacoity and
cheating come under the Indian Penal Code (IPC) classification while explosive, gambling, immoral trafficking and
cybercrime are covered under Special and Local Laws (SLL) crime. Madhya Pradesh tops the cognisable crime chart
accounting for 9.6% of the total crimes reported in the country followed by Maharashtra. Crime against women across
the country increased by 9.16% in 2014 with Uttar Pradesh topping the list followed by West Bengal. The maximum
number of sexual offence cases was registered in MP followed by Maharashtra. West Bengal leads in the number of
foreigners arrested in the country, accounting for 46% of such cases.
Monsoon Session of Parliament concludes: The Monsoon session of Parliament ended on August 13.
The proceedings in both the Houses were drowned during the entire session in slogan-shouting by Congress members
who were pressing for resignation of External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara
Raje over Lalit Modi controversy and ouster of Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan over VYAPAM
scam. The confrontation escalated when Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan on August 3 suspended 25 of the 44
Congress members for five days for continuously disrupting the House and displaying placards.
Low output marks Monsoon Session of Parliament: No bill could either be introduced or passed in
the Rajya Sabha while 10 Bills were introduced and 8 passed in the Lok Sabha. Responding to a question on the tit-fortat strategy of disruption of Parliament as claimed by some parties, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley stressed that the issues
that were chosen for disrupting this Monsoon session were not equivalent to the issues of corruption raised in Parliament
in recent years. He elaborated that issues relating to 2G Spectrum and coal blocks allocation were taken up in the past
further to submission of CAG Reports, Supreme Court Judgement and filing of FIRs etc., and the revenues generated
through auctioning of coal blocks proved that CAG estimates of loss of revenue were an under estimate.
Lok Sabha passes Bill to repeal 295 obsolete Acts: A bill seeking to scrap a set of 295 obsolete Acts
dealing with several issues including changes in marriage laws and cement hoarding was passed by Lok Sabha in August.
The Repealing and Amending (Fourth) Bill, 2015, pertains to annulling 295 Acts, several of them over 30 years old,
which have been declared as redundant by respective central ministries. The measures seek to repeal enactments which
have ceased to be in force or have become obsolete or their retention as separate Acts has become unnecessary. Such bills
are also used to correct defects or flaws detected in laws.
Mysore tops Swachh Bharat rankings: Mysore in Karnataka has topped the Swachh Bharat Rankings of
476 cities in the country with three more from the State figuring in the top 10. West Bengal does well with 25
cities/towns from the State finding a place in the top 100 cities. The rankings released by the Ministry of Urban
Development in August are based on the extent of open defecation and solid waste management practices in these cities.
Mysore leads the cities with minimal open defecation and extensive adoption of solid waste management practices.
Top & bottom 10 cities in Swachh Bharat: Mysore, Tiruchirappalli (Tamil Nadu), Navi Mumbai, Kochi
(Kerala), Hassan, Mandya and Bengaluru from Karnataka, Thiruvananthapuram (Kerala), Halisahar (West Bengal) and
THE GENESIS
Gangtok (Sikkim) in that order. Damoh (Madhya Pradesh) came at the bottom of 476, preceded by Bhind (MP), Palwal
and Bhiwani, both in Haryana, Chittorgarh (Rajasthan), Bulandshahr (UP), Neemuch (MP), Rewari (Haryana), Hindaun
(Rajasthan) and Sambalpur in Odisha at 467th rank.
Nai Manzil launched: The Minority Affairs Ministry launched a new Central Sector Scheme Nai Manzil in
August to address educational and livelihood needs of minority communities in general and Muslims. Nai Manzil will
target out of school/dropped out students and those studying in Madrasas. Such students dont get formal Class XII and
Class X Certificates rendering them ineligible for employment in the organised sector. The scheme will provide distance
education courses enabling them to get these certificates. It will also provide them trade basis skill training in courses
such as manufacturing, engineering, services and soft skills. The scheme will cover people in between 17-35 age group.
Comics on gallantry award winners launched: Indian Army released a new series of Amar Chitra
Katha and Aan Comics in August. The book on inspirational stories of 21 Param Vir Chakra Awardees is a tribute to the
recipients of the highest gallantry award in India. The all-colour illustrated comic tells the story of each heros life from
childhood to the battle in which they proved themselves victors over incredible odds. Four Aan Comics were also
released based on the heroics of four war heroes who fought in 1965 Indo Pak war and were awarded Maha Vir Chakra
which is the second highest gallantry award.
PM launches StartUp India: During his second Independence Day address to the nation on August 15,
Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the Start-Up India initiative, which would encourage entrepreneurship
among the youth of India. He said, Start-up India; Stand up India will promote bank financing for start-ups and offer
incentives to enhance entrepreneurship and job creation. In another initiative, Modi said that the Agriculture Ministry
will be renamed as the Ministry for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare with a view to take care of farming community
needs, Modi announced during his speech.
Webbased portal for education loans launched: A web-based portal, Vidya Lakshmi
(www.vidyalakshmi.co.in) has been launched by the government for the benefit of students seeking educational loans.
The portal has been developed and maintained by NSDL e-Governance Infrastructure Limited (NSDL e-Gov). In Budget
2015-16, the Finance Minister had proposed to set-up a fully IT-based Student Financial Aid Authority to administer and
monitor scholarship as well as educational loan schemes, through the Pradhan Mantri Vidya Lakshmi Karyakram
(PMVLK). The Portal is a first of its kind portal providing single window for students to access information and make
application for educational loans provided by banks as also government scholarships.
Aadhaar shall remain optional: SC: Leaving the decision to sign up for Aadhaar entirely to citizens, the
Supreme Court ordered in August that balance of interest was better served if obtaining the unique identity number was
made optional and not mandatory. The court said that production of an Aadhaar card would not be a condition for
obtaining any benefits otherwise due to a citizen. It also directed the government that an Aadhaar card would not be used
for any purpose other than the PDS Scheme, particularly for distribution of foodgrains and cooking fuel such as kerosene.
It should also be used for the LPG distribution scheme.
Film based on Tagores novel Shesher Kobita released: Rabindranath Tagores Bengali novel
Shesher Kobita, a love story adapted into a feature film jointly produced by National Film Development Corporation of
India (NFDC) and the Culture Ministry to commemorate the 150th birth anniversary of the Nobel Laureate, was screened
in New Delhi in August marking its commercial release. Directed by Suman Mukhopadhyay, the Bengali film Shesher
Kobita (The Last Poem) is an iconic love story set in Shillong.
Govt reviews blocking of websites; lifts ban on nonporn sites: Facing flak over blocking of
857 websites, the government decided to lift ban on those sites which did not contain pornographic material in August.
The decision follows a review of the earlier order, wherein the Department of Telecom had asked Internet service
providers (ISPs) to block a total of 857 websites, although some websites were later found to be hosting jokes, memes
and other humorous content without any pornography. The directive has sparked a raging debate on social media and
other platforms with the government being accused of indulging into Internet censorship.
THE GENESIS
AWARDS
Maharshi Ved Vyas award: Anand Kumar, founder of Bihar-based Super 30 educational programme, was
honoured with the Maharishi Ved Vyas national award by Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan in
Bhopal in August. The award is given annually by state government for outstanding contribution and creativity in the
field of education. Under Kumars innovative educational programme, 30 meritorious students from the economicallybackward sections of the society are selected every year and are trained to crack the countrys prestigious IIT exams.
The students are offered free coaching, food and lodging facilities under Super 30.
P.N. Bhagwati Award: C. Raj Kumar, the founding vice chancellor of the O.P. Jindal Global University (JGU)
was conferred the Capital Foundation Justice P.N. Bhagwati Award in recognition of his outstanding contribution to
human rights, legal education and institution building in New Delhi in August. Kumars recent book on Corruption and
Human Rights published by Oxford University Press got excellent reviews in the Yale Journal of International Law.
Ramanujan Prize: The Ramanujan Prize for 2015 has been won by mathematician Amalendu Krishna of the Tata
Institute of Fundamental Research, Mumbai. The prize is awarded jointly by Italy-based International Centre for
Theoretical Physics (ICTP), Indias Department of Science and Technology, and the International Mathematical Union
(IMU) to a person under 45 working in a developing country. Instituted in 2005, the Ramanujan Prize carries a citation
and a cash of $15,000. The winner is invited to give a talk at the ICTP.
Sunhak Peace Prize: Noted Indian agriculture scientist Dr Modadugu Vijay Gupta, who has done pioneering
work in aquaculture in India and several other countries, was awarded the first Sunhak Peace Prize which he shared with
the President of Kiribati Islands in South Korea in August. Gupta, 76, shared the USD 1 million prize with President
Anote Tong in Seoul. Tong, 63, the head of the Pacific Ocean island nation which is facing dire prospects of being
engulfed by rising sea waters, was chosen for the award for his dogged fight to end the carbon emissions which are
spelling doom for small island nations.
Election Commissions award: Reaching out to remote areas and convincing people, especially women, to
play their role in democracy has fetched former Jalore Electoral Officer Rajan Vishal, the Election Commissions Zonal
award under the Best Electoral Practices Award 2014. Vishal, who is now District Collector of Nagaur, was the District
Electoral Officer of Jalore during the Lok Sabha elections in 2014 and had taken initiatives to increase voters
participation through education and awareness campaign which resulted in about 22 per cent increase in voters.
Gujar Mal Modi Award: The Gujar Mal Modi Award For Innovative Science And Technology was presented to
Professor Mustansir Barma, a distinguished Professor and former Director, Tata Institute of Fundamental Research,
Mumbai in August for his immense contribution in the field of Statistical Physics in India. The award is given by the
Gujar Mal Modi Foundation.
Kuvempu National Award: The 2015 Kuvempu Rashtriya Puraskar, the national award instituted in memory of
the famous poet Kuvempu, was awarded to Marathi writer Prof Shyam Manohar in August. The award was announced
by the Kuvempu Pratishtana at the Karnataka Sangha in New Delhi in August. Meanwhile noted Urdu litterateur Shamim
Hanfi was chosen for the first Jnangarima Manad Alankaran award, instituted by the Bharatiya Jnanpith.
Prem Bhatia Awards: Suhasini Haidar, Diplomatic and Strategic Affairs Editor at The Hindu, was awarded the
Prem Bhatia Memorial Award for Excellence in Political Reporting and Analysis in New Delhi in August.
PERSONS IN NEWS
Om Prakash Rawat: Om Prakash Rawat, a former Madhya Pradesh cadre IAS officer who till recently was
Secretary at the Centre, was appointed as the new Election Commissioner in August. An EC or a CEC has a tenure of six
years in office or till he or she attains the age of 65 years, whichever is earlier. With Rawats appointment, the sole
vacancy in the three-member poll body has been filled. While Naseem Zaidi is the Chief Election Commissioner, Achal
Kumar Joti is the other Election Commissioner.
THE GENESIS
Ram Nath Kovind, Acharya Dev Vrat: Senior BJP leader Ram Nath Kovind and educationist Acharya Dev
Vrat were appointed as Governors of poll-bound Bihar and Himachal Pradesh, respectively in August. Also in the same
month, Dr. Girish Sahni assumed charge as the next Director General of the Council of Scientific & Industrial Research
(CSIR) and Secretary, Department of Scientific & Industrial Research (DSIR), Ministry of Science & Technology.
Chetan Bhagat: Topics related to disruptions in Parliament, democratic deadlock and poignant questions of what
can be done to make the country become better marked the launch of the second non fiction by Chetan Bhagat in New
Delhi in August. In Making India Awesome the eight book so far by Bhagat, the author attempts to analyse and
provides inspired solutions to the countrys most intractable problems - poverty, unemployment, corruption, violence
against women, communal violence, religious fundamentalism and illiteracy.
Rani Gaidinliu: Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated an event to mark the hundredth birth anniversary of
Naga freedom fighter Rani Gaidinliu in New Delhi on August 24. Gaidinliu, who was born in 1915 and died in 1993 in
Manipur, led an armed uprising against the British in the state as well as in neighbouring districts in Nagaland and
Assam. She was imprisoned from 1932 to 1947 in several jails across the Northeast. Modi released coins of
denominations of Rs. 100 and Rs. 5 with Gaidinlius image at the event.
Dr B R Ambedkar will be the first Indian to have an entire home dedicated to his memory in London after India
sealed a 3.1-million deal to acquire a bungalow where the Dalit icon and architect of Indian Constitution lived as a
student in the 1920s. In August, the Maharashtra government completed the formalities to acquire the 10 King Henrys
Road townhouse in north London, where he lived in 1921-22 when he was studying at London School of Economics
(LSE). The three-storey home will now be transformed into a memorial. Ambedkar, who died in 1956 aged 65 was
posthumously conferred with the Bharat Ratna, Indias highest civilian award, in 1990.
Adnan Sami: Famous Pakistani singer Adnan Sami has been allowed to stay in India on humanitarian grounds by the
government from August. The singer was exempted from deportation proceedings under the Foreigners Act. Sami, who
came to India on a visitors visa, had been staying in India since March 2001. His visa was extended from time to time,
but as his passport expired in May this year and the Pakistani government refused to renew it, he was forced to request
the Indian authorities to legalise his stay in the country on humanitarian grounds.
OBITUARIES
President Pranab Mukherjees wife Suvra Mukherjee passed away in New Delhi on August 18 at the age of 74. She
founded the Geetanjali Troupe, whose mission is to propagate Rabindranath Tagores philosophy as expressed through
his songs and dance-dramas. Eminent Urdu writer Hamida Salim passed away in New Delhi on August 16 at the age of
93. Eminent painter Sunil Das, awarded Padma Shri in 2004, passed away in Kolkata on August 10 at the age of 76.
Veteran photo-journalist Manojit Chanda passed away in Kolkata on August 13 at the age of 87. Ghaziabad Mayor and
BJP leader Teluram Kamboj passed away in Ghaziabad on August 9 at the age of 76.
EXTERNAL RELATIONS
UAE: The UAE agreed to increase investments in India to $75 billion (about Rs 5 lakh crore) including through a
dedicated UAE-India Infrastructure Investment Fund, while the two nations will raise their bilateral trade to $100 billion
in five years. The two countries also agreed for strategic partnership in the energy sector, including through UAEs
participation in petroleum sectors in India and tie-ups in the third countries following talks between Prime Minister
Narendra Modi and Crown Prince Mohamed Bin Zayed AI Nahyan in Abu Dhabi in August. In UAE, Modi visited the
historic Sheikh Zayed Grand mosque in Abu Dhabi, and took a tour of the Masdar City, a hub of cleantech and science
and technology innovation. The UAE decided to allot land for building a temple in Abu Dhabi, the first in the Emirati
capital during the visit.
PAKISTAN: Pakistan on August 20 announced the cancellation of Commonwealth Parliamentary Union meeting that
was scheduled in September after a row with India over its refusal to invite the Speaker of Jammu & Kashmir Assembly
for the conference. India had threatened to boycott the event to be held in Islamabad from September 30 to October 8
THE GENESIS
10
after Islamabad refused to invite J&K Assembly Speaker for the event. Meanwhile India called off the NSA level talks
with Pakistan after the latter decided to go ahead with talks with Kashmiri separatist leaders. National Security Advisers
Ajit Doval of India and Sartaj Aziz of Pakistan were to discuss terrorism related issues in New Delhi on August 23-24.
AFGHANISTAN: The almost complete Salma Dam in Afghanistans eastern Herat province will now be called the
Afghan-India Friendship Dam, President Ashraf Ghanis office declared in a statement after a cabinet meet in Kabul in
August. The dam is Indias single biggest developmental project in the war-ravaged nation that is expected to irrigate
80,000 hectares. Rebuilt by India at a cost of Rs 1,800 crore, it is expected to produce 42MW power..
MALDIVES: The Sixth Joint Military Training Exercise between the Indian Army and the Maldives National Defence
Forces called EXERCISE EKUVRIN VI was conducted in Kerala in August-September. The bilateral annual exercise,
which commenced in 2009, is alternately held in India and Maldives with the aim of enhancing military cooperation and
interoperability between the two countries and increased understanding between both armies.
SEYCHELLES: President of the Seychelles James Alix Michel came on an official visit to New Delhi in August. The
two nations exchanged five documents, including one on exchanging tax information and a Memorandum of
Understanding (MoU) for providing a Dornier maritime surveillance aircraft. During Modis visit to Seychelles in March
2015, both countries inked an agreement to develop infrastructure on Assumption Island, which lies 1,140 km southwest
of the mainland of Mahe. Seychelles, an archipelago of 115 islands, has a total land area of 455 square km spread over an
exclusive economic zone (EEZ) of 1.3 million square km.
ITALY: The Supreme Court suspended all judicial proceedings against the two Italian marines accused of killing Indian
fishermen off the Kerala coast in 2012 after the Indian and the Italian governments jointly informed it in August that an
international tribunal had asked for status quo till it cleared the air on which country had the jurisdiction to try the duo.
The International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS) had on August 24 directed for a stay on the proceedings.
FIPIC: India hosted the second edition of the Forum for India-Pacific Islands Cooperation (FIPIC) in Jaipur on August
21, with all 14 countries of the region participating. Indias increasing engagement with the 14 Pacific Islands underlines
their growing geo-strategic importance as the countries lie at the centre of a key maritime route rich in resources. The 14
island nations - Cook Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, Nauru, Kiribati, Vanuatu, Solomon Islands, Samoa, Niue, Palau,
Micronesia, Marshall Islands, Fiji and Papua New Guinea - although small, also have a vote each in international fora which holds immense strategic weight for New Delhi as it seeks to play a larger international role.
MOZAMBIQUE: India and Mozambique decided to ramp up economic engagement, particularly in the energy sector
with Prime Minister Narendra Modi saying the African nation can be a large source of coal and natural gas to drive the
growth of Indian economy during his wide-ranging talks with President Filipe Nyusi in New Delhi in August.
USA: The US government extended the generalised system of preferences (GSP) for Indian exporters in August,
enabling duty-free entry of 3,500 product lines till December 2017. The move is expected to benefit exporters of textiles,
engineering, gems and jewellery, and chemical products, among others, as their biggest market is the US. In the GSP a
wide range of industrial and agricultural products originating in certain developing countries are given preferential access
to American markets. This is given in the form of reduced or zero rates of customs duties.
CHINA: For the first time ever, the Chinese Peoples Liberation Army (PLA) hosted an Indian Army delegation in the
Daulat Beg Oldie (DBO) area along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in Ladakh sector of Jammu & Kashmir in August.
The border personnel meeting (BPM) was organised on the occasion of PLA Day. Indian and Chinese troops were in late
2014 locked in an over three-week long stand-off in eastern Ladakh which was resolved by way of an understanding
reached between the two sides to carry out disengagement and redeployment of border troops to restore the status quo
ante.
THE GENESIS
11
Current Affairs: States

MAHARASHTRA: The state has declared the 17 square km area along Thane Creek as Flamingo Sanctuary in
August. The state has selected 40 youth for its unique Chief Minister Internship Programme to assist in effective
implementation of governments flagship programmes. Taking a cue from the Pradhan Mantri Adarsh Gram Yojana,
Maharashtra will have its own Amdar Adarsh Gram Yojana (MLA model village scheme) under which state legislators
would adopt and develop a village of their choice, said Rural Development Minister Pankaja Munde in August. The state
has accorded the status of adventure sport to the human pyramids of Govindas which are formed during the Dahi
Handi festival but said those below 12 years wont be able to participate in it. A contingent of CISF took over the
security of RSS headquarters in Nagpur from August. Bachchan has agreed to become the states tiger ambassador.
GUJARAT: The state has decided to slap a fine of Rs 100 on registered electors who fail to cast their vote in the local
body polls in the state without providing a valid reason for missing out from August. BJP MLA from Choryasi assembly
constituency in Surat district, Rajendra Patel, passed away in Mumbai on August 5 at 60. The state government has
decided to convert 196 villages from forest area in the tribal belt of the state into revenue villages, enabling tribals to get
ownership rights of their land in August.
BIHAR: Union Food Minister Harsimrat Kaur Badal laid the foundation stone of the Mega Food Park at Khagaria in
August to reduce wastage of agriculture produce at each stage of supply chain with particular focus on fruits and
vegetables. 36 constituencies in Bihar will have Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) armed with the voter-verified paper
audit trail (VVPAT) during the forthcoming Assembly polls. In a move which will empower people to seek redressal of
their grievances in a time-bound manner by government officials, the state legislative Assembly passed the Bihar Public
Grievance Redressal Bill, 2015 in August 4. Fledgling Hindustani Awam Morcha (HAM) of former CM Jitan Ram
Manjhi has been allotted telephone as a symbol by the Election Commission.
DELHI: Delhi government launched Chief Ministers Super Talented Children Scholarship scheme in August under
which students studying in Class 11 and 12 will be provided free coaching classes to crack various engineering and
medical entrance exams. A bill to reduce the workload of the Delhi High Court by enhancing the pecuniary jurisdiction
of civil suits from the existing Rs 20 lakh to Rs 2 crore was passed by Parliament in August. The Centre and the Delhi
Government agreed in August to setup a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) to clean and rejuvenate river Yamuna.
HARYANA: To ensure transparency in disbursement of pension, the Haryana government launched the Thari Pension
Thare Pass of paperless transfer of pension into the accounts of beneficiaries from August. The state has decided to issue
photo identity cards (IDs) to people who had suffered during the days of the Emergency to enable them to travel free of
cost in Haryana Roadways buses.
KERALA: Kerala High Court quashed a government order forming new village panchayats by carving out parts of 84
villages in August. Jawahar Thayankari, the snake boat owned by Kumarakom Vembanad Boat Club, lifted the 63rd
edition of the prestigious Nehru Trophy Boat Race at the Vembanad Lake in Alappuzha district in August. The state
Kerala government decided to name the gold trophy for the winners of the state school science festival Sasthrolsavam,
after former president late A P J Abdul Kalam in August.
TELANGANA: Ensuring a people friendly approach by enforcing officers towards traffic violators, the Hyderabad
Traffic Police launched Body Worn Cameras for the first time in the country in August to improve transparency and
accountability in Traffic Management.
TAMIL NADU: CM Jayalalithaa inaugurated rooms in bus terminals across the state to help lactating mothers feed
their newborns and also inaugurated Mothers Milk Banks in seven government hospitals.
ASSAM: The State Assembly unanimously passed the Assam Witch Hunting (Prohibition, Prevention and Protection)
Bill, 2015 in August making any offence under the Act as non-bailable, cognizable and non-compoundable with an aim
to eliminate the superstition from society. The National Green Tribunal restrained Numaligarh Refinery Limited from
carrying out any construction activity in the No-Development Zone in Kaziranga National Park in August.
THE GENESIS
12
Current Affairs: World

HAPPENINGS
Swift Response 15: The United States organised Swift Response 15 the biggest allied airborne drills in Europe
since the Cold War ended in August-September 2015. Nearly 5,000 soldiers from 11 NATO allies participated in four
weeks of simultaneous multinational airborne operations across Germany, Italy, Bulgaria and Romania. Swift
Response 15 is designed to help allied high-readiness forces act as one and demonstrate the alliances capacity to
rapidly deploy and operate in support of maintaining a strong and secure Europe.
Blast rocks Brahma temple in Bangkok: 27 people, including four foreigners, were killed and 117 others
injured in a powerful bomb blast inside a hugely popular Lord Brahma temple in a crowded area in Bangkok on August
17 in the first such attack in the Thai capital. The blast occurred inside Erawan Shrine dedicated to Lord Brahma in the
downtown Chidlom district, creating panic as people fled the place where cars and motorcycles exploded in the impact.
Melbourne is worlds most liveable city: Melbourne, Australia, is the worlds most liveable city,
according to the annual Liveability Ranking study of 140 cities, conducted by the Economist Intelligence Unit, ahead of
Austrian capital Vienna and Vancouver, Canada. The survey scores cities on five categories: stability; healthcare; culture
and environment; education and infrastructure. The study concluded that global centres such as London, New York, Paris
and Tokyo suffered overstretched infrastructure and higher crime rates as a result of their size. Tokyo was ranked at 15,
Paris at 29, London at 53 and New York at 55.
US institutions dominate China ranking of universities: US universities ruled the top 10 spots in a
global ranking conducted by a Chinese research centre with Harvard taking the crown while Stanford and MIT coming in
second and third. The Academic Ranking of World Universities were released by the Shanghai Jiaotong University in
August. University of Cambridge and University of Oxford, the only two non-American universities in the top 10, were
fifth and 10th. The Center of World-Class Universities of Jiaotong surveyed 1,200 universities.
Japan restarts nuclear power generation: Japan restarted its first nuclear reactor under new safety rules
following the 2011 Fukushima disaster. All Japans nuclear plants were gradually shut down after a series of meltdowns
at the Fukushima plant sparked by the tsunami and earthquake. But after passing stringent new safety tests, Kyushu
Electric Power restarted the number one reactor at its nuclear plant at Sendai in Miyagi Prefecture in August. Prime
Minister Abe said on August 10 that the reactors had passed the worlds toughest safety screening.
China devalues currency: Faced with sluggish economic growth and dwindling exports, China devalued its
renminbi (yuan) currency twice in August, sending fresh shockwaves through global markets and fuelling fears of a
currency war as jittery Asian neighbours came under pressure to devalue as well. Meanwhile the Peoples Bank of China
(PBOC), the central bank, said the rate changes are normal, as it shows a more market-based system and the decisive role
that the supply-demand relationship plays in determining the exchange rate.
Nepal parties agree on new constitution: Nepals four major parties CPN-UML, Nepali Congress,
Unified CPN-Maoist and Madhesi Peoples Rights Forum Democratic (MPRFD) reached a landmark deal to divide the
country into six provinces, each sharing its border with India, resolving contentious issues of federalism under the new
constitution. The four major parties also agreed to incorporate in the citizenship clause the provision of allowing children
to acquire citizenship certificate in the name of either father or mother.
85 dead in Tianjin port blasts in China: As many as 85 died from an inferno and huge explosions in the
Chinese port city of Tianjin. A rapid succession of explosions on August 12 one equal to 21 tons of TNT were
sparked by a fire at shipping containers containing hazardous material at a warehouse. Tianjin, with a population of about
15 million, is being promoted by the Chinese government as a center for finance and high-tech industry. Local officials
have been hard-pressed to explain why authorities permitted hazardous goods warehouses so close to residential
complexes and critical infrastructure.
THE GENESIS
13
Russian expands food embargo to cover nonEU nations: Russia broadened a food embargo
imposed in retaliation to Western sanctions over Ukraine to include Iceland, a significant fish importer, as well as
Montenegro, Albania and Liechtenstein. PM Dmitry Medvedev said Ukraine will be added to the embargo from January
1, 2016 when a landmark EU-Ukraine trade deal enters force. Moscow said the decision to extend its blacklist to include
the non-EU nations was due to the degree of involvement of these countries in the sanctions regime.
NZ parliament passes law to change flag: The New Zealand Parliament passed a law in August that will
enable a referendum to be held on changing the nations flag. The first part of the referendum is expected to be held later
this year, when voters will pick their favourite of four proposed flag designs which will be announced by mid-September.
Kazakhstan to host nuclear fuel bank: Kazakhstan and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)
signed a deal in capital Astana in August to create the first internationally-controlled uranium bank aimed at guaranteeing
supplies for power plants and curbing nuclear proliferation. The bank will contain low-enriched uranium (LEU). It would
provide IAEA member states with safe access to fuel for their nuclear power plants.
Ancient Syrian temple blown up by IS: Islamic State militants have destroyed ancient Temple of
Baalshamin in Palmyra, Syria. IS took control of Palmyra in May which is considered one of the ancient worlds most
important cultural centres. The ancient city, which is a UNESCO World Heritage site, is famed for its well-preserved
Greco-Roman ruins, and the Baalshamin temple, built nearly 2,000 years ago, is one of the citys best-known buildings.
Nepal bans surrogacy services: Nepals Supreme Court ordered a halt to commercial surrogacy services in
the Himalayan nation in August until it rules on the legality of the practice. Nepal has become a destination for foreigners
seeking to have children through surrogate mothers. The practice is controversial, with critics saying it exploits the
poverty of women.
Exercise Kowari held: China, Australia and the US conducted trilateral military Exercise Kowari in AugustSeptember in Darwin, Australia.
Pakistan becomes associate member of CERN: Pakistan has become the associate member of the
European Organisation for Nuclear Research (CERN) in August, making it the first non-European country to achieve the
status. This will allow Pakistani industry to bid for CERN contracts, thus opening up opportunities for industrial
collaboration in areas of advanced technology.
Pak to buy helicopters from Russia: Russia has agreed to sell four MI 35 attack helicopters to Pakistan, the
government said in Islamabad in August, the first major defence deal between the two Cold War-era adversaries. The
agreement comes amid improving ties between the two nations after the Cold War period and the Afghan war in 1980s
when Soviet Russia had banned the sale of military hardware to US-allied Pakistan.
Mountain Echoes organised in Bhutan: The sixth edition of Mountain Echoes literary festival in Bhutans
capital Thimphu was organised from August 19 to 22. The festival is an initiative of the India Bhutan Foundation in
association with Siyahi and supported by the government of Rajasthan.
IMPORTANT DAYS
Hiroshima Day: August 6, International Day of the Worlds Indigenous Peoples: August 10, World Bio Fuel Day: August
10, International Day of Youth: August 12, World Elephant Day: August 12, Earth Overshoot Day: August 13, World
Organ Donation Day: August 13, International Lefthanders Day: August 13, World Humanitarian Day: August 19,
World Photography Day: August 19, World Mosquito Day: August 20, International Day for the Remembrance of Slave
Trade and its Abolition: August 23, International Day of the Victims of Enforced Disappearances: August 30, World
Coconut Day: September 2, International Literacy Day: September 8

THE GENESIS
14
AWARDS
Mackler Award: A Syrian-based journalist who has trained citizen reporters in the war-ravaged country has been
named the recipient of the 2015 Peter Mackler Award for Courageous and Ethical Journalism, in Washington in August.
The prize given by Reporters Without Borders and Agence France-Presse was awarded to Zaina Erhaim, who lives and
works in Aleppo, Syria. The award, named for the late Agence France-Presse journalist Peter Mackler, was created in
2008 to honour the memory of Mackler, who died that year at the age of 58.
Alison Des Forges Award: Four advocates for human rights are the 2015 recipients of the Alison Des Forges
Award for Extraordinary Activism given by Human Rights Watch in August. The winners, leading voices for justice in
their countries, are Nisha Ayub of Malaysia, Yara Bader of Syria; Khadija Ismayilova of Azerbaijan and Nicholas Opiyo
of Uganda. The award is named for Dr. Alison Des Forges, senior adviser at Human Rights Watch, who died in 2009.
Cabot Prize: Five journalists won this years Maria Moors Cabot Prize announced by the Columbia Universitys
Graduate School of Journalism in August. The awards, which recognize excellence in coverage of Latin America and the
Caribbean, have been won by Mark Stevenson of the AP, Simon Romero of The Times, Lucas Mendes of GloboNews
and Raul Penaranda of Pagina Siete. The Cabot Prize was founded in 1938.
Solidarity Prize: The journalist daughter of slain Russian opposition politician Boris Nemtsov received a millioneuro (USD 1.1 million) Polish prize for championing democracy and human rights in August. Zhanna Nemtsova, 31,
picked up the annual Solidarity Prize at a ceremony in Warsaw. Nemstov, a vocal critic of Russian President Vladimir
Putin, was gunned down on February 27 in Moscow in an assassination the opposition blamed on the Kremlin.
PERSONS IN NEWS
Ranil Wickremesinghe, 66, of United National Party (UNP) was sworn as Sri Lankas Prime Minister as
President Maithripala Sirisenas Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) backed his national unity government in Colombo in
August.
Akihito: Japans emperor Akihito, 81, said on August 15 that he felt profound remorse over World War II - a
conflict that Tokyo fought in the name of his father Hirohito - on the 70th anniversary of the wars end. Akihitos
comments come as Japan faces criticism from neighbours China and South Korea which said Prime Minister Shinzo Abe
failed to properly apologise for Tokyos imperial march across Asia and wartime atrocities in a speech on August 14.
Alexis Tsipras: Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras resigned in August clearing the way for early elections on
September 20. Tsipras effectively lost his parliamentary majority after a rebellion by hardliners in his leftist Syriza party
who oppose a bailout agreement struck with international lenders. He decided seek early elections hoping to quell a
rebellion in his party and seal support to implement a tough bailout programme.
Anupam Kher: Veteran actor Anupam Kher was appointed a UN Ambassador for the HeforShe campaign for
gender equality in August. The HeforShe campaign has been initiated by UN Women. Its goal is to engage men and
boys as agents of change for the achievement of gender equality and womens rights, by encouraging them to take action
against inequalities faced by women and girls.
OBITUARIES
Pakistans hardline Islamist general Hamid Gul, known for nurturing militants in Kashmir and Punjab and Afghanistan
during his stint as chief of the powerful Inter Services Intelligence (ISI) in the late 80s and early 90s, died at 78 on
August 15. Julian Bond, a US civil rights activist and long-time board chairman of the NAACP, a group that fights
discrimination against black people, died at age 75 in Fort Walton Beach (US) on August 15. Gen Manuel Contreras,
who headed the Chilean governments feared spy agency during the military dictatorship of General Augusto Pinochet in
1973-90, died in Santiago on August 8 at 86.
THE GENESIS
15
Faces
Donald Trump: The Outlier
The maverick businessman turned politician is leaving no stone unturned in having a go at the
Republican nomination for contesting the 2016 Presidential election to succeed Obama
The US presidential elections are still over a year away,

but they are already capturing headlines.
The reason is that the two main parties,
Republicans
and
Democrats,
are
experiencing strong and unusual challenges
from fringe candidates. Real estate tycoon
Donald Trump is actually the poll leader on
the conservative side with more than double
the figures of Jeb Bush, the person expected
to emerge as the Republican candidate.
Donald John Trump is a real-estate
developer who amassed vast hotel, casino,
and other real-estate properties in the New
York City area and around the world. He sought the
Republican Party nomination for president in 2016.
The son of a wealthy apartment-building developer in
New Yorks Queens borough, Trump graduated from the
University of Pennsylvanias Wharton School of Finance
in 1968. He went to work in his fathers company, the
Trump Organization, and worked to expand its holdings
of rental housing. In the 1970s he made a series of shrewd
property purchases in Manhattan, obtaining generous tax
concessions from the city, which was eager for new
investment at a time of severe fiscal crisis. Trump bought
and renovated several aging hotel complexes and
apartment towers in Manhattan and built new ones there
as well. By the 1990s Trumps business empire
encompassed a number of high-rises, including the
Empire State Building, hotels, condominiums, and Trump
Tower (opened 1983); more than 25,000 rental and co-op
apartment units in Queens and Brooklyn; and several
hotel-casino complexes in Atlantic City, New Jersey.
In 1989 Trump had bought an East Coast air shuttle
service from American Airlines. During his period of
financial difficulties in 1991 it was taken over by USAir.
Though Trump had been caught in the real-estate
downturn at the end of the 1980s, and in June 1990 he
missed payments to banks and bondholders, he was able
to secure additional loans and thereby avoid bankruptcy.
Estimates of his personal fortune during that period
ranged from $2 billion to zero. His fortunes rebounded
with the strong economy of the 1990s. In 1996 Trump
partnered with NBC to purchase the Miss Universe
Organization, which produces the Miss America, Miss

USA, and Miss Teen USA beauty
pageants.
By the early 21st century Trump had begun
developing several major hotel and
residential complexes around the world. In
addition, in 2004 Trump premiered a
reality television series, The Apprentice,
which featured contestants competing in
various challenges to become one of his
employees. The Emmy-nominated series,
in which Trump starred, popularized the
phrase Youre fired and solidified
Trumps reputation as a shrewd outspoken businessman.
In 2008 the show was revamped as The Celebrity
Apprentice, with newsmakers and entertainers as
contestants.
Trump marketed his name as a brand in various business
ventures including Trump Financial, a mortgage
company, and the Trump Entrepreneur Initiative
(formerly Trump University), an online education
company focusing on real-estate investment and
entrepreneurialism. He also coauthored a number of
books, including Trump: The Art of the Deal (1987),
Trump: The Art of the Comeback (1997), Why We Want
You to Be Rich (2006), Trump 101: The Way to Success
(2006), and Trump Never Give Up: How I Turned My
Biggest Challenges into Success (2008).
Trump was also active in politics. In 1999 he switched his
voter registration from Republican to the Reform Party
and established a presidential exploratory committee.
Though he ultimately declined to run, he set forth his
socially liberal and economically conservative political
views in The America We Deserve (2000). Trump later
rejoined the Republican Party, and he maintained a high
public profile during the 2012 presidential election
gaining much attention for questioning the citizenship of
President Barack Obamabut did not run. In 2015,
however, Trump announced that he was entering the U.S.
presidential election race of 2016. His campaign platform
emphasized job creation, the replacement of the Patient
Protection and Affordable Care Act, and improved
foreign relations, among other issues.
THE GENESIS
16
Current Affairs: Sports

CRICKET
India win Lanka Test Series 21: India broke a 22-year-old jinx on Sri Lankan soil with a 117-run win over
the hosts in the third and final cricket Test at the Sinhalese Sports Club in Colombo on
September 1. After setting a victory target of 386, India managed to dismiss Sri
Lankan for 268 despite a valiant century by captain Angelo Mathews. Cheteshwar
Pujara was Man of the Match for his 145 not out in first innings while Ravichandran
Ashwin was declared Man of the Series for his 21 wickets the highest in the series.
Sri Lankan captain Angelo Mathews was the best batsman in the series with 339 runs.
Scores: India 312 and 274; Sri Lanka 201 and 268 (85 overs, target: 386). Lanka had
won the first test played at the Galle International Stadium by 63 runs on August 15. India levelled the series 1-1 with a
278-run win in the second test at P. Sara Oval, Colombo on August 24. Indias previous series win in Sri Lanka was
under captaincy of Mohammed Azharuddin in 1993. It is also the first series win for new test captain Virat Kohli.
England win Ashes Series 32: Michael Clarke-led Australia won the fifth and final test of the Ashes series
against arch rival England by 46 runs at The Oval in London on August 23 but lost the series 2-3. The Alistair Cookcaptained England, following-on, were dismissed for 286 in their second innings. In the first test at Sophia Gardens,
Cardiff, England beat Australia by 169 runs on July 11. Australia beat England by 405 runs in second Test at Lords to
level the 5-match series 1-1 on July 19. England won the fourth Test at Trent Bridge, Nottingham by an innings and 78
runs and regained the Ashes from Australia. Chris Rogers (Australia) and Joe Root (England) were Man of the Series.
Australias Steven Smith was the best batsman with 508 runs in five matches while Englands Stuart Broad was the best
bowler with 21 wickets in 5 tests.
Kumar Sangakkara retires: Former Sri Lanka captain Kumar Sangakkara retired from international cricket on
August 24. Sangakkara was one of the leading cricketers in world cricket for the last 15 years during which played in 134
Tests (scoring 12,400 runs, 182 catches (131 catches as a wicket-keeper) as well as 20 stumpings), 404 ODIs (14,234
runs, 402 catches (383 as wicket-keeper) and 99 stumpings) and 56 T20Is (1,382 runs, 26 catches as wicket-keeper and
20 stumpings). He also led Sri Lanka in 15 Tests, 45 ODIs and 22 ODIs. Sangakkara won the prestigious Sir Garfield
Sobers Trophy for the ICC Cricketer of the Year in 2012. In 2014, he became just the second player (after Graham
Gooch) to score a triple century and a century in the same Test. The high esteem in which he is also held by his peers is
emphasised by the fact that he was invited to deliver the prestigious 2011 MCC Spirit of Cricket Cowdrey Lecture at
Lords, becoming the first active player to do so.
Michael Clarke retires: Australia sent captain Michael Clarke ended his test career with a win at The Oval on
August 23. Clarke made 8643 runs at an average of 49.10 in his 115 tests. He made 28 centuries and 27 fifties with a top
score of 329 not-out. He also took 31 wickets. He captained Australia in 47 tests, won 24 and lost 16. In ODIs, Clarke
made 7981 runs in 245 matches at an average of 44 with 8 hundreds and 58 half centuries. He also took 57 wickets. He
captained Australia in 74 ODIs, won 50 and lost 21.
Rahane takes record 8 catches: Indias Ajinkya Rahane became the first fielder in Test history to take eight
catches, achieving the feat in first cricket match against Sri Lanka in Galle on August 14. Rahane took three in first and
five in second inning to enter the record books after going past five players. Yajurvindra Singh (India), Greg Chappell
(Australia), Hashan Tillakaratne (Sri Lanka), Stephen Fleming (New Zealand) and Mathew Hayden (Australia), have
taken 7 catches in a match. Among wicket-keepers, Englands Jack Russell (1995) and South Africas AB de Villiers
(2013) have 11 dismissals each in a Test match.
Kaushal reported for suspect action: Sri Lankan off-spinner Tharindu Kaushal has been reported with a
suspected illegal bowling action after the conclusion of the test series against India in September. Kaushal, who has
played six Tests and one ODI international for Sri Lanka, claimed 13 wickets at an average of 38.15 in the series. The 22www.endeavorcareers.com
THE GENESIS
17
year-old will be required to undergo a test on his action at an ICC-accredited facility within 14 days and, during this
period, Kaushal is permitted to continue bowling in international cricket until the results of the testing are known.
Ban on tainted Pak cricketers expires: The International Cricket Council (ICC) confirmed that the
sanctions against tainted Pakistani cricketers Mohammad Asif, Salman Butt and Mohammad Amir expired on September
1 and they are now eligible to return to competitive cricket. The three were found guilty of various offences of corrupt
behaviour relating to the Lords Test between England and Pakistan in August 2010 by the independent Anti-Corruption
Tribunal in 2011. Amir delivered pre-arranged no balls at Lords in a plot that also saw Asif and captain Butt banned.
ExAussie batsman Arthur Morris dies: Former Australian opener Arthur Morris, a member of Don
Bradmans 1948 team, died aged 93, on August 22. Morris made his Test debut against England during their tour of
Australia in 1946-47. At his retirement, aged 34, the occasional Test captain had scored 3,533 runs at 46.48 in 46 Tests,
with a highest score of 206 against England in Adelaide in 1950-51.
India A clinch ODI triseries: India A beat Australia A by four wickets in the final to clinch the 50-over triseries that also featured South Africa A. Chasing Australia As score of 226/9, India A overhauled the target with 39
balls to spare at the M.A. Chidambaram stadium in Chennai in August 14. Gurkeerat Singh top scored for the Indians
with an unbeaten knock of 87 while Ashton Agar bagged the best bowling figures for the tourists -- 2/39.
MISC: Opener Akhil Herwadkar and captain Aditya Tare shone with the bat as Mumbai beat TNCA Districts XI by six
wickets and clinched the Buchi Babu Memorial Trophy in the All India invitation cricket tournament in Chennai on
September 1. The BCCI and Cricket South Africa announced in August that they will title all future bilateral series
between the two countries as The Mahatma GandhiNelson Mandela series. Test series between the respective
countries will be played for the Freedom Trophy.
TENNIS
Rogers Cup: Belinda Bencic of Switzerland capped off her Rogers Cup debut with a 7-6 (5), 6-7 (4), 3-0 victory over
Simona Halep of Romania in Toronto in August while in the Mens section of the tournament in Montreal, Andy Murray
defeated Novak Djokovic 6-4, 4-6, 6-3 to win the title.
Road to Wimbledon: Indias Mahak Jain and Sacchitt Sharma emerged champions at the Road to Wimbledon
event, winning the girls and boys titles respectively at the UKs national grass court championship in London in August.
All India Tennis Association has tied up with the Wimbledon Foundation for the Road to Wimbledon programme.
Cincinnati Masters: Roger Federer won the Mens Singles title at the Cincinnati Masters with a 7-6 (7/1), 6-3 win
over Novak Djokovic in the final in August while Serena Williams beat Romanias Simona Halep 6-3,7-6 (3) to win the
Womens Singles title at the same event.
UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador: Serbian tennis player Novak Djokovic was appointed UNICEF Goodwill
Ambassador in August and in his new role he will focus on childrens rights and access to early childhood care and
development. He joins other UNICEF Goodwill Ambassadors such as ex-footballer David Beckham, actor Orlando
Bloom, singers Katy Perry and Shakira and tennis star Serena Williams.
Washington Open: Japans Kei Nishikori has won the final of Washington Open by defeating American John
Isner 4-6, 6-4, 6-4 in Mens Singles in August.
RACING
Force Gurkha Rainforest Challenge: Malaysian driver Tan Eng Joo (co-driver Tan Choon Hong) clinched
the Force Gurkha Rainforest Challenge (RFC) India title in Morlem (Goa) on July 31. The RFC is an off-road motorsport
event where drivers have to fight rain, manoeuvre through changing paths, mud, steep slippery slopes, deep ruts, gullies,
THE GENESIS
18
flooded rivers and landslides in their modified 4X4 All-Terrain Vehicles (ATV). This is the second season of the event.
Cougar Motorsport was the event organiser.
Monsoon Scooter Rally: Experienced rider Shamim Khan of Nashik, atop a Mahindra Rodeo, overcame a strong
field that included a host of former champions and tough conditions, to emerge triumphant in the Gulf Monsoon Scooter
Rally, organised by Sportscraft for the fourth time in Mumbai on August 9. The Team Mahindra rider, rode judiciously
over the dirt tracts of Navi Mumbai to win the gruelling 35-km race.
Belgian Grand Prix: Lewis Hamilton claimed a near-flawless victory ahead of Mercedes team-mate Nico Rosberg
in the Belgian Grand Prix at Spa-Francorchamps on August 23.
HOCKEY
Spain, France Test Series: Indian hockey team ended their European tour on a high as they comfortably beat
hosts Spain 4-2 in the final encounter to win the three-Test series by 2-1 margin, at Terrassa on August 13. India had won
the second match of the series 2-0 on August 12 after a 0-4 defeat in the first match on August 10. Before touring Spain,
India won a 2-test series in France 2-0.
Guru Tegh Bahadur Hockey: Star-studded Air India regained the Guru Tegh Bahadur Hockey title after seven
years when they prevailed over defending champions Army XI 3-1 via the penalty shoot-out after the two teams were
deadlocked goalless in regular play in the final in Mumbai in August.
ATHLETICS
Sebastian Coe is new IAAF President: Former British athlete Sebastian Coe, who won gold medals in 1500
m in 1980 and 1984 Olympic Games, was elected President of the International Association of Athletics Federations
(IAAF) in Beijing in August. Sergey Bubka, the former pole vault champion from Ukraine, was re-elected as IAAF vicepresident along with Qatari Dahlan al-Hamad, Cameroons Hamad Kalkaba Malboum and Cuban Alberto Juantorena.
Indias former 100 m national champion Adille Sumariwalla was elected as Member of the Council of the IAAF.
Dutee Chand allowed to run: Indian sprinter Dutee Chand, 19, who has been at the center of the gender
controversy, has been allowed to race after International Association of Athletes Federations (IAAF) made a landmark
ruling questioning the validity of the gender tests around naturally high testosterone levels in female athletes.
BADMINTON
World Badminton Championships: China won three out of six titles at the 22nd BWF World Badminton
Championships organised in Jakarta in August. Carolina Marin of Spain managed to defend her Womens Singles title by
beating Indias Saina Nehwal 21-16, 21-19 in the final. Chinas top seed Chen Long retained his Mens Singles crown
after beating Malaysias Lee Chong Wei in straight games 21-14, 21-17. Other title winners were: Mens Doubles:
Mohammad Ahsan and Hendra Setiawan (Indonesia), Womens Doubles: Tian Qing and Zhao Yunlei (China) and Mixed
Doubles: Zhang Nan and Zhao Yunlei (China)
MISC
U Mumba captained by Anup Kumar defeated Bengaluru Bulls led by Manjeet Chhillar 36-30 in the final to win Pro
Kabaddi League at the NSCI Stadium in Mumbai in August. Indias Surya Shekhar Ganguly won the silver medal in
the Asian Continental Chess Championship in Al Ain (UAE) in August while the gold was won by AR Salem
Saleh of UAE and in womens section, Mitra Hejazipour of Iran won the gold. Australian golfer Jason Day won the US
PGA Championship at Whistling Straits while Indias Anirban Lahiri finished fifth in August. Indias Pankaj Advani
won the World 6Red Snooker Championship in Karachi by defeating Chinas Yan Bingtao 6-2 in the final played at
Karachi in August. FC Barcelonas striker Pedro Rodriguez scored an injury time winning goal to help the Spanish
football giants claim the European Super Cup in a thrilling 5-4 triumph against Sevilla at Tbilisi (Georgia) in August.
THE GENESIS
19
Current Affairs: Economy

73k comments on net neutrality received: As the deadline for comments on Net neutrality ended on
August 20, as many as 73,326 people posted their views on the DoT report on mygov.in, The government had sought
public comments following a controversy on zero-rated plans that are seen to be discriminatory. It will firm up
regulations after taking into consideration the public opinion and regulator TRAIs suggestions. Most people who shared
their views have lent their support to Net neutrality, which means equal treatment for all Internet traffic, without
discrimination or priority for any person or company. DoT panel has proposed regulation of domestic calls through
Internet-based apps like Skype, Whatsapp and Viber by putting them on par with services offered by telecom operators.
However, it suggested a liberal approach to app-based international calls.
Foodgrain output fell 4.66% in 201415: Indias foodgrain production is estimated to have declined 4.66
per cent to 252.68 million tonnes (MT) in 2014-15 crop year due to poor monsoon and unseasonal rains. The country had
registered a record foodgrain production of 265.04 MT in 2013-14 crop year (July-June). Production of kharif (summersown) crops during 2014-15 suffered due to bad monsoon. Unseasonal rains and hailstorm during February-March 2015
had a significant impact on production of rabi (winter-sown) crops crops. India had received 12% deficient rains from the
South-West monsoon in 2014. This was disclosed in data released by the Agriculture Ministry on August 17.
PMJDY completes one year: The Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY), launched on August 28, 2014
completed its first year. Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said that with close to 18 crore bank accounts have been opened
under the PMJDY. For nearly every household having a bank account, wage payments and subsidies were being directly
routed to bank accounts. As a next step, the government plans to utilize these accounts for extending insurance, pension
and credit facilities to those who are currently excluded from these benefits. The scheme has been started with a target to
provide universal access to banking facilities starting with Basic Saving Bank Account with an overdraft upto
Rs.5000 subject to satisfactory operation in the account for six months and RuPay Debit card with inbuilt accident
insurance cover of Rs. 1 lakh and providing social security schemes i.e., Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana
(PMSBY), Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana (PMJJBY) & Atal Pension Yojana (APY) .
Atal Pension Yojana made more attractive: Pension scheme Atal Pension Yojana (APY) has been
modified in August to make it more viable and acceptable for informal sector workers with intermittent incomes. The
provision of mandatory monthly contributions and penal provisions for non-contribution towards the scheme by
subscribers have been removed and the new rules allow individual subscribers to make monthly, quarterly or half yearly
contributions instead. Premature exit from the scheme before 60 years of age has also been allowed. A subscriber can
voluntarily exit from the scheme and receive his contribution along with the interest earned on it after deduction of
account maintenance charges. However, the governments co-contribution along with the interest earned on it will not be
paid. Launched in May, the APY aims to provide a minimum monthly guaranteed pension to subscribers upto Rs.5,000.
Panel favours cash transfer for kerosene, food subsidy: The government appointed Expenditure
Management Commission headed by former RBI Governor Bimal Jalan is in favour of extending the cash transfer
scheme to kerosene and food in three years for directly helping beneficiaries. The Commission is making a case for
including food and kerosene in the DBT (Direct Benefits Transfer) scheme over the next three years. DBT is being used
to transfer subsidy on LPG cylinders and other welfare schemes into bank accounts of beneficiaries. Pruning of subsidies
is high on economic agenda of the government and it plans to cut the fiscal deficit to 3.9 per cent of the GDP in the
current year and further to 3 per cent by 2017-18. It was 4 per cent in the last fiscal.
Govt approves spectrum sharing: In a bid to ease telecom congestion, the government allowed companies
to share airwaves in the same band so as to reduce call drops from August but did not allow leasing of spectrum. At
present, telecom operators are allowed to share passive infrastructure like mobile towers only. Now they will be able to
share their unused spectrum thereby enhancing network quality and reducing operational costs.
PAHAL gets Guinness recognition:
The Pahal (Pratyaksh Hanstantarit Labh) scheme has been

acknowledged by the Guinness Book of World Records for being the largest cash transfer program (households) in
THE GENESIS
20
August. LPG consumers who join the PAHAL scheme will get the LPG cylinders at market price and receive LPG
subsidy (as per their entitlement) directly into their bank accounts. This scheme has enabled substantive savings in
subsidy.
Ajit Kumar Seth is new PSEB head: Former Cabinet Secretary Ajit Kumar Seth was appointed as the
Chairman of the Public Enterprises Selection Board (PESB), the governments head-hunter in August. PESB is entrusted
with selection and placement of the posts of chairman, managing director or chairman-cum-managing director and
functional director in central public sector enterprises, among others.
Turkmengaz to lead TAPI gas pipeline consortium: The four nations involved in the TurkmenistanAfghanistan-Pakistan-India (TAPI) gas pipeline have decided to start the project with Turkmenistans state company
TurkmenGaz making majority investment. The work on the pipeline is yet to commence as the four nations have not
succeeded in finding a reputed international firm that could lead the consortium to construct and operate the 1,800-km
long pipeline. This was decided at the meeting of energy ministers of the TAPI nations in Ashgabat in August. The TAPI
pipeline will carry gas from Turkmenistans Galkynysh field and pass through Afghanistan and Pakistan before ending at
Fazilka (Punjab) in India.
SEBI notifies fasttrack route for share sales : To boost fund raising from markets, the Securities and
Exchange Board of India (SEBI), notified new norms in August, which will provide all listed companies a fast-track
route for share sales. Under the fast-track route, a listed company would not be required to file any draft offer document
for its follow-on public offer (FPO) or rights issue and they can proceed with fund-raising programme without
necessarily getting observations from SEBI. As per the new norms, companies in which public shareholders own stocks
worth Rs.1,000 crore will now be able to access this route through a FPO. The minimum public holding requirement for a
rights offer is Rs.250 crore.
National Remote Sensing Day observed: The government launched new application services of Bhuvan
Geospatial platform of ISRO, in an event organized in New Delhi on August 12 on the occasion of National Remote
Sensing Day which is celebrated on the birth anniversary of Prof. Vikram Sarabhai. These include more than one million
satellite images for more than 300 cities in the country, a toll information system for NHAI, a national database of
national highways and Toll plazas and a countrywide groundwater maps, with state-wise access to the online services for
drinking water and recharge structures.
India loses solar case at WTO: India has lost a case against the US at WTO as the body ruled that Indias
domestic content requirements under its solar power programme were inconsistent with the international norms. India
will now appeal against the ruling of WTOs dispute panel. The US had dragged India to WTO on Jawaharlal Nehru
National Solar Mission. The US alleged that it discriminated against the US solar equipment by requiring solar energy
producers to use locally manufactured cells and by offering subsidies to those developers who use domestic equipment. It
also alleged that forced localisation requirements restricted US exports to Indian markets.
Indradhanush launched for PSBs: The government announced a seven-point action plan, Indradhanush to
infuse professionalism and fresh capital in to public sector banks. It includes the infusion of Rs.70,000 crore capital into
banks over the next four years. High bad debts and lower profit margins of PSBs are a cause for concern, besides the
need for more support from the government.
Suraksha Bandhan launched: In order to build on the response to insurance schemes, namely the Pradhan
Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana that provides accident and disability cover of up to Rs.2 lakh at an annual premium of
Rs.1 2 and the Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana that gives a term life cover of Rs.2 lakh at an annual premium
of Rs.330, a special enrolment drive called Suraksha Bandhan was launched by participating Banks and Insurance
Companies in the months of August-September, in the backdrop of the forthcoming festival of Raksha Bandhan.
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21
Business Biography
Om Prakash Munjal: Moving India
His visionary leadership made Hero Cycles the largest bicycle manufacturer by volume in the world
Industrialist Om Prakash Munjal, Chairman

Emeritus of Hero Cycles and one of the
founders of the Hero Group, passed away in
Ludhiana on August 13 at the age of 87. Munjal
had retired from active role in the business in
July 2015 and his son Pankaj Munjal succeeded
him as the Chairman and Managing Director of
the Hero Motors group.
and set up bicycle parts unit in

Ludhiana. He had before him the
formidable challenge of providing a low
cost means of transportation at an
affordable cost for the common man. He
achieved that successfully.
Om Prakash Munjal along with his three

brothers Brijmohan Lall Munjal (owns twowheeler company Hero MotoCorp), Dayanand
Munjal and Satyanand Munjal started bicycle spare parts
business in Amritsar in 1944. Subsequently they moved
their base to Ludhiana naming the company Hero and
set up Indias first bicycle manufacturing unit in 1956.
The story of Om Prakash and his three brothers was not
quite one of rags to riches their father was a wholesaler
in Kamalia in what is now Pakistan. But it is a tale of
dedication and salesmanship that helped the family to
overcome the chaos of Indias partition in 1947 as well as
the licence Raj that subsequently throttled entrepreneurs
with bureaucracy and protectionism.
Born on August 26 1928, Om Prakash was no ordinary
businessman obsessed by spreadsheets or profit margins.
Known as Chotte Bauji (literally little dad, because he
was the youngest of seven siblings) and more generally
just as OP, he wrote poetry in Urdu and inspired
adoration for his generosity and hospitality.
Pankaj tells how his father once travelled to England in
the 1950s only to be insulted by the person he had gone to
see about acquiring bicycle technology. The man laughed
at the idea of Indians being able to manufacture cycles.
OP returned home determined that his family would do
the work themselves. That inspired him, says his son.
O.P Munjal has been truly a visionary and a first
generation entrepreneur. He has spearheaded the entire
initiative of transforming Hero Cycles from a local player
to an international brand.
Munjal started Hero Cycles with limited resources and no
technical qualification. He had migrated from Pakistan
The Hero Cycles factory was set up with

a capacity for producing 25 cycles a day.
It now produces nearly 19,000 cycles
daily. Listed in the Guinness Books of
World Records in 1986 as the largest
bicycle manufacturer in the world in 1986, Hero Cycles
commands nearly 48 percent of market share in the
countrys cycle market.
Inspite of rapid industrialization he maintained Hero
Cycles as a labour intensive unit since for him the
employees were an extended family. Most of them have
joined and retired from Hero Cycles.
The growth and prosperity of Hero Cycles was not just
restricted to the promoters but was shared with the
vendors, dealers and other associates. The loyalties
developed are mutual and everlasting. Today Ludhiana is
synonymous with Hero Cycles and a large population is
dependant either directly or indirectly on Hero Cycles.
As part of corporate social responsibility Munjal is known
for his highest contribution to the exchequer of the Punjab
State Govt. He has been accredited with the Samman
Patra for his contribution made to the state for several
years.
Munjal has made significant contribution to the society by
establishing many schools, colleges/institutions and
hospitals benefiting the society at large. CSR activities of
his companies have nurtured schools and institutions in
and around Ludhiana - over 20,000 children get education
every year. There are concessions for students from
economically weaker sections and their employees.
He has set up a world class medical facility in the name of
Dayanand Medical College (DMC) where a dedicated
team of doctors to provide high quality treatment at an
affordable cost.
THE GENESIS
22
Current Affairs: Corporate

HAPPENINGS
CCI fines Hyundai Rs.420 crore: The Competition
Commission of India (CCI) has levied a penalty of Rs.420.26 crore on
car manufacturer Hyundai Motor India Ltd for violating antitrust laws in
the supply of genuine spare parts and diagnostic tools. CCI also found
Mahindra Reva Electric Vehicles, a subsidiary of Mahindra and
Mahindra Ltd, and Doshi Holding-promoted Premier in violation of
competition laws. Genuine spare parts of automobiles manufactured by
these companies were not made available in the open market, which
affected services of independent mechanics to compete with authorised
service stations. Hyundai and Reva earned a high mark-up on spare parts sourced from original equipment suppliers and
the price at which they were made available to consumers.
McCann wins Incredible India contract: The Tourism Ministrys Incredible India advertising campaign
has been bagged by advertising agency McCann India for a period of three years. The incumbent agency is Ogilvy India.
The Ministry said McCann was chosen because of its unique consumer understanding, intrinsic reflection of the social
conscience cultural insight and superlative creative work. Prasoon Joshi is the Chairman, Asia Pacific, CEO and Chief
Creative Officer of McCann India. McCann has also been responsible for the set of four commercials on Atithi Devo
Bhava, from the Tourism Ministry, which is currently playing on air, and which feature superstar Aamir Khan.
India foils MNCs bid to patent ayurvedic mix: India has foiled an attempt by a foreign company to
take patent on a medicinal composition for treating hair loss. India was successful in protecting its traditional knowledge
by preventing an attempt made by Europes Pangaea Laboratories to take patent on a medicinal composition containing
turmeric, pine bark and green tea for treating hair loss. Traditional Knowledge Digital Library (TKDL), a unit of CSIR,
filed pre-grant opposition along with evidences proving that turmeric, pine bark and green tea, are being used as a
treatment for hair loss, since long in Indian systems of medicine like Ayurveda and Unani.
Reliance to launch telecom venture with 1,000+ stores: Reliance Industries Ltd will launch its
ambitious 4G telecoms venture in December through a direct physical presence in over 1,000 Jio Centers and will also
sell self-branded devices under its retail unit. The energy conglomerate run by the countrys richest man, Mukesh
Ambani, re-entered the telecoms sector in 2010 and has already invested over $15 billion in building the countrys largest
4G broadband network, with commercial operations expected to start in December.
KVB unveils new logo: Karur Vysya Bank (KVB) kick-started its centenary celebrations by unveiling a
centenary logo recently followed by the rollout of new products and services such as KVB Centenary Prepaid Card,
Aadhar-enabled Rupay Card, KVB Rupay Kisan Card and KVB Mithra Health Card. Promoted by late A Venkataraman
Chettiar and late Adhi Krishna Chettiar, KVB had commenced operations in 1916, from the textile hub of Karur.
Raymond to cut out Makers brand: Textile major Raymond is planning to put its mass market brand
Makers on the back burner. In a bid to trim its losses over the past few quarters, the company has decided to let go of
Makers in favour of premium offerings in its portfolio to drive margins and profitability. Makers sells for under Rs. 300
per metre. Raymonds high-margin segments such as the Made to Measure personalised clothing stores witnessed good
growth in recent times.
Paytm is new title sponsor for BCCI: One97 Communications, owners of Paytm, acquired the title
sponsorship rights for Indias domestic and international cricket matches at home for a period of four years in August
with a bid price of Rs. 203.28 crore. From now on, the domestic Ranji competition will be known as the Paytm Ranji
Trophy. Vijay Shekhar Sharma is the Founder & CEO of Paytm.
THE GENESIS
23
VW ahead of Toyota in JanuaryJune car sales: Toyota has fallen behind Volkswagen in the race for
the worlds biggest automaker title, in the first half of 2015. While Toyota sold 5.02 million vehicles worldwide between
January and June, Volkswagen was ahead with 5.04 million units. US-based General Motors was sitting in third spot with
4.86 million in sales. In 2012, Toyota overtook its Detroit rival, which sells the Chevrolet and luxury Cadillac brands, to
grab the top spot globally. The Japanese automaker sold a record 10.23 million vehicles in 2014.
Toyota Kirloskar wins Golden Peacock Award: For improving health and safety of its employees,
Toyota Kirloskar Motor (TKM) was recently bestowed with Golden Peacock Award for its excellence in Occupational
Health and Safety (GPOHSA) by the Institute of Directors.
Norwegian company creates worlds tallest icecream cone: Norwegian ice-cream company
Hennig-Olsen has scooped a Guinness World Records title after creating the worlds tallest ice-cream cone ever with a
whopping 3 metre high confectionary construction recently. The previous record of the tallest ice-cream cone was held
since 2011 by a 2.81 metre tall ice-cream cone, made by Mirco Della Vecchia and Andrea Andrighetti in Italy.
PERSONS IN NEWS
Lord Balaji: The Dalal Street got its priciest member with
Lord Balaji of the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam (TTD)
opening a demat account in August. TTD said that it will
accept shares and securities as donations from devotees. TTD
has started its account in Stock Holding Corporation of India
Limited (SHCIL). Shares and securities are held electronically
in a dematerialised (or Demat account) instead of the
investor taking physical possession of certificates. Lord Balaji
temple in Tirupati is one of the richest temples in the country.
PS Reddy, MD and CEO of Central Depositories Service
(CDSL), said that the innovative move by TTD was primarily
aimed at addressing the hassles pertaining to transferring the physical share certificates.
Jerome Kohlberg Jr., who orchestrated the creation of the leveraged-buyout (LBO) powerhouse Kohlberg Kravis
Roberts & Co (todays KKR & Co) only to walk away following a bitter struggle with his two younger partners Henry
Kravis and George Roberts, died at the age of 90 on July 30 in New York. The spiritual father of the LBO industry, as
Fortune magazine called him, Kohlberg set out in 1976 to create an investment firm based not on earning commissions
but on taking controlling equity stakes in companies at crossroads.
Bill Gates: Microsofts Bill Gates was the richest global tech billionaire with an estimated worth of $79.6 billion,
trailed by Oracle founder Larry Ellison at $50 billion in the Forbes survey released in August. Laurene Powell Jobs,
widow of Apple co-founder Steve Jobs was the richest woman at $21.4 billion. The youngest is Snapchat founder Evan
Spiegel, who at age 25 is worth an estimated $2.1 billion. The oldest is Intel cofounder Gordon Moore, 86, whose
estimated worth is $6 billion.
Mahendra Singh Dhoni: Indias ODI cricket captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni has been named as the ninth most
marketable sportsperson in the world in a power list prepared by London School of Marketing and topped by Swiss
Roger Federer in August. While compiling the list, LSM researchers looked at the brand value of the individuals along
with their current income from sponsorship and the percentage of their total earnings it accounted for as well as their
social media presence.
Terry Gou, who heads Foxconn, gives interviews very rarely, but when he addresses large gatherings, his
pronouncements are usually grand. Gous crowded press conference in New Delhi in first week of August 2015
conformed to that pattern of headline-grabbing. Foxconn, he said, was considering opening 10 to 12 factories and data
THE GENESIS
24
centres in India on a ten-year time frame. The Taiwan-based company is worlds largest contract electronics
manufacturer that employs about 1 million workers in China.
Rahul Dravid has announced the launch of second edition of the Aditya Birla Financial Services Group Presents
Rahul Dravid Athlete Mentorship Programme, aimed at offering mentorship to talented athletes. The Athlete Mentorship
Programme, aimed to engage athletes from Olympic, Paralympic and Special Olympic disciplines, is being executed by
Dravid in association with the GoSports Foundation.
Shruti Haasan: Bollywood actress Shruti Haasan has launched her production house named Isidro, which will focus
on short, digital and musical and multimedia content. Shruti has worked in Hindi, Tamil and Telugu cinema besides
having a career in singing. She will be next seen in Welcome Back, Rocky Handsome and Yaara.
Yusuffali M.A, NRI and head of Abu Dhabi-based retail and hospitality conglomerate Lulu Group International,
announced a deal to develop a luxury hotel on the site of the original Scotland Yard Police Station in London for 110
million pounds ($171 million).
Pandia Rajan: Noted industrialist and a sitting MLA in the Tamil Nadu Assembly K Pandia Rajan, who forayed
into the HR services under the Ma Foi Management Consultants in 1992, re-entered the business with the launch of CIEL
HR Services Ltd in August 2015.
APPOINTMENTS: Tapan Kumar Chand was appointed as Chairman-cum-Managing Director of PSU National
Aluminium Company (NALCO) in August. Gujarat Cooperative Milk Marketing Federation (GCMMF), which sells milk
products under the Amul brand, re-elected Jethabhai Patel, the head of Sabarkantha District Cooperative Milk
Producers Union, as its Chairman in August. E-commerce major Snapdeal appointed Amit Maheshwari as the Chief
Executive Officer of the recently acquired online premium fashion destination, Exclusively.Com.
Sourav Ganguly: Beverage maker Coca-Cola India has roped in cricketer turned-commentator Sourav Ganguly as
its social ambassador for a three-year deal ending in 2017, replacing Sachin Tendulkar whose contract ended last year.
Coca-Cola is a partner of the 2017 FIFA Under-17 World Cup football tournament to be held in India. Coca-Cola already
has Deepika Padukone and Kareena Kapoor endorsing its brands. Ganguly, 43, co-owns the Atletico de Kolkata football
team, a franchise of the Indian Super League, which won the inaugural season in 2014.
BRAND AMBASSADORSI: Raymond Groups FMCG company, JK Helene Curtis (JKHC), has signed up actordirector Farhan Akhtar to push sales of its Park Avenue brand of deodorants. Smartlink Network Systems has roped
in actress Sonakshi Sinha as a national brand ambassador for the Digisol range of wireless and networking products. The
Indian arm of Dutch consumer and healthcare electronics giant Philips has entered the Rs.1,900-crore modular
switches market with actor Ranbir Kapoor as its brand ambassador for its marketing campaign.
BRAND AMBASSADORSII: French auto major Renault has signed Bollywood star Ranbir Kapoor as its brand
ambassador to promote its range of vehicles in India, including the upcoming entry level small car Kwid. Actress
Shraddha Kapoor has been roped in as the brand ambassador of AkzoNobel-owned Dulux Paints which already has
actor Farhan Akhtar as its promoter. Ranveer Singh was roped in as the brand ambassador of Quikr for its Aasan hai
badalna campaign. Eyewear retail chain Titan Eye Plus has roped in actress Kangana Ranaut to endorse their new
collection that goes with the tag line Come, fall in love in August.
OTHERS: Music composer A.R. Rahman launched the first video of his new band NAFS that will be
powered by an online multi-channel network Qyuki founded by Rahman, Shekhar Kapur and Samir
Bangara. Madhuri Dixit launched her own clothing brand Madz in August. The first line under the
venture is the DWM (Dance With Madhuri) sports apparel line designed keeping dancers and athletes
in mind.
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25
LAUNCHES
Goldilocks India: Usha International has set up an in-house advertising company called Goldilocks India to take
care of all the creative mandates of the companys various
business verticals. The 100 per cent subsidiary will also
function as an independent firm like any other conventional
advertising agency. Anju Munjal, Vice President, Usha
International, said: The setting up of an in-house agency is
aimed to provide better focus and timeline adherence to the
advertising, marketing and brand communication of the company.
IIMB launches financial intelligence programme for CBI: IIM Bangalore has launched a unique
course -- a certificate programme in Financial Intelligence and Analytics -- for officers of CBI. The programme,
delivered by faculty members of IIMB, seeks to provide CBI officers with knowledge in wide ranging areas of financial
management, and financial operations and markets. For practical insights, guest speakers from audit firms, consulting
firms, and organisations such as SEBI and RBI will also be invited to address the participants.
Dengue Care: Apollo Munich launched an exclusive health insurance plan against dengue in August. The Dengue
Care product entails one time payment of Rs 444 and provides Rs 50,000 inpatient and Rs 10,000 OPD (outpatient
department) coverage.
Femina Flaunt: Fashion retailer Shoppers Stop and Bennett, Coleman & Co. Ltd. (BCCL) have signed a strategic
partnership. The media company will extend Femina, one of its flagship magazines, into the consumer products space.
BCCL will license Femina Flaunt to Shoppers Stop, to design, develop, and retail the brand, exclusively across all its
stores, in the core fashion categories - apparel, footwear, accessories and bags.
India Art House: E-commerce major Flipkart launched India Art House, an exclusive online store offering sellers a
platform to promote regional products, in August. Through this store, customers can shop from a range of crafts, home
decor and furnishings, paintings and handloom items.
Findmystyle.in: Domestic e-commerce platform Snapdeal launched visual-algorithm based micro site
findmystyle.in where users will be able to discover products of choice while saving time and effort. The micro site will
act as a feedback system for the original website and will help the company understand more about consumer behaviour.
Women Techmakers: Googles Developer Group joined hands with Kochi-Based Startup Village in August to
launch Women Techmakers (WTM), a global programme and brand for women in technology. The programme aims at
building a platform for young women entrepreneurs where they can connect, be inspired and encourage each other. Our
aim is to promote gender equality to women in technology entrepreneurship. The programme is aimed at giving more
confidence and exposure to young women entrepreneurs and students through Google programmes, said Startup
Village.
FINANCIAL SERVICES: Citibank India and MasterCard have
launched a digital wallet called Citi MasterPass for both debit and
credit card customers to shop online at over 250,000 e-commerce
merchants in August. HDFC Bank has launched Dhanchayat, an
educational film to raise awareness on the dangers of borrowing money from unorganised sources such as moneylenders.
IFC issued a 5-year Green Masala bond on the London Stock Exchange, the first such bond issued in the offshore
rupee markets in August that will fund private sector investments in renewable energy and energy efficiency projects,
mainly in the solar and wind sectors.
FOOD: Dabur has forayed into ready-to-drink beverage segment with the launch of latest its product Hajmola
Yoodley in variants such as Awaara Aam Panna, Nimboora Shikanji, Go Goa Guava, Jhakaas Jaljeera, Golmaal
THE GENESIS
26
Golgappa and Kabhi Kala Kabhi Khatta. Mondelez India launched Cadbury Dairy Milk Silk Bubbly, an aerated
chocolate bar and priced at Rs. 70 and Rs. 160 recently.
Lakshya: Larsen and Toubro (L&T) has licensed the technology for producing Lakshya unmanned drone for the
armed forces from the DRDO in August. This is the first time that such a technology has been transferred. We will
deliver the requirements to the IAF and work on improving the product constantly, said L&T in a statement.
GADGETSI: Pune-based tablet and mobile phone maker Swipe Technologies has launched its online-only sub-brand,
Elite, in August. US-based technology major Motorola Mobility, which is now owned by Lenovo, launched the next
generation of the Moto G smartphone at a price of Rs.11,999 in an exclusive partnership with Flipkart in August.
Panasonic India launched of its new smartphone Love T10 that supports 21 Indian regional languages recently priced at
Rs. 3,690. OnePlus announced the launch of OnePlus 2 smartphone that comes with fingerprint scanner and is priced at
Rs. 24,999 and is available on Amazon through the invite-only model from August. InFocus launched four new
smartphones M812, M808, M550-3D & M370 ranging between Rs 5,999 and Rs 19,999 in August.
GADGETSII: Domestic handset manufacturer Intex Cloud 4G Star smartphone in August. Gionee has rolled out
its Marathon M4 smartphone in India priced at Rs 15,499 which comes with a 5000mAh battery. Samsung launched its
new Grand Prime 4G smartphone, priced at Rs.11,100, that comes equipped with long-term evolution (LTE)
capability in August. Home grown brand Karbonn launched Titanium Mach Five smartphone for Rs 5,999 that can
also double up as remote control for modern television sets, air-conditioner and set top box in August. Philips India
launched two new smartphones - Xenium I908 and the S309 - priced Rs.11,799 and Rs.4,999 respectively in August.
Moto Xpress: Mobile handset maker Motorola launched a pilot Moto Xpress project in August offering customer
care service at the doorstep of consumers across Delhi-NCR. The home pickup and drop service will rectify software and
accessory related issues, on the spot within an hour and hardware issues will be resolved within 5 working days. The
service will be available for Rs 199 per service.
APPS: Yahoo! has launched an app Livetext that allows people to chat without actually talking, instead sending video
feeds and messages in text. The app works by showing a video of the person that youre chatting with but instead of
talking to them which wouldnt be heard the app pops up a chat box where users can send messages or emoji.
Amazon has introduced the Bookerly font to replace Caecilia on its Kindle reading devices.
Thomson, a mass-market brand of the over $3.6-billion French media technology conglomerate Technicolor,
announced in August that it has re-entered the Indian consumer electronics and durables market with the roll-out of
Thomsons first LED TV range in the country.
OTHERS: American Tourister has launched its Disney & Marvel Collection of bags and backpacks for children
featuring characters such as Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Cinderella, Belle, Rapunzel and superhero Spider-Man in
August. Godrej Consumer Products Ltd (GPCL) launched Nupur Coconut Henna Crme Hair Colour brand in
August.
VEHICLESI: Mahindra Group company Mahindra Reva Electric Vehicles unveiled its all-electric, fully automatic,
zero-emission car Mahindra e2o in Hyderabad in August priced at Rs 5.59 lakh under the Governments FAME
(Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of Electric Vehicles) subsidy scheme. Mercedes-Benz India launched three new cars
the S500, S63 AMG, G63 AMG Crazy Colour Edition in India in August. Suzuki Motor Company unveiled its
premium hatchback Baleno at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September. Land Rover, which already sells Range Rover,
Range Rover Sport, Discovery 4 and Range Rover Evoque in India, launched the Discovery Sport in September.
VEHICLESII: Fiat India has launched the limited edition Elegante version of its only sedan in the country, the
Linea. Priced at Rs. 9.99 lakh recently. California T, a convertible from Ferrari, was launched at priced at Rs 3.3
crore (ex-showroom Mumbai) in August. Italian-American auto major Fiat Chrysler Automobiles launched its premium
sports hatchback Abarth 595 Competizione priced at Rs 29.85 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi) in August. Maruti Suzuki
THE GENESIS
27
India (MSI) launched its crossover vehicle SCross at an introductory price range of Rs 8.34 lakh and Rs 13.74 lakh (exshowroom Delhi) in August for sale through its newly launched Nexa chain of showrooms.
VEHICLESIII: Yamaha Motor India Group launched its new 321cc engine sports bike YZFR3 priced at Rs 3.25
lakh (ex-showroom price Delhi) in August. Kawasaki launched its Ninja H2 bike costing Rs. 29 lakh in Chennai in
August. Two-wheeler major Honda Motorcycle and Scooter India (HMSI) introduced five new motorcycles - CBR
650F, CB Hornet, LIVO, new CBR 250R and 150R, across various segments in the Indian market in August. UKbased Triumph Motorcycles launched Tiger 800 XR bike in India priced at Rs 10.5 lakh in August. French tyre maker
Michelin has launched its made in India tubeless truck radial range Michelin X Multi in August.
BUSINESS BOOKS: Making the Elephant Dance: The Tata Way to Innovate, Transform and Globalize by Sunil
Mithas.
MERGERS & ACQUISITIONS

Teva acquires Allergan Generics: Israeli drug maker major Teva
has acquired Allergan Generics, the maker of Botox which is used by people
to removes wrinkles from the face and look younger, for $40.5 billion. Botox
is injected into muscles and used to improve the look of moderate to severe
frown lines between the eyebrows in people 18 to 65 years of age for a short period of time (temporary)
Thomas Cook acquires Luxe Asia: Travel company Thomas Cook India has acquired Sri Lanka-based
destination management firm, Luxe Asia, for an undisclosed sum in August. Post acquisition Luxe Asia will be operated
as an independent entity. Luxe Asia will continue to focus on its core domain of inbound tourism across key global
source markets, Thomas Cook India Managing Director Madhavan Menon said.
RSA exits Royal Sundaram Alliance Insurance: The UK-based RSA Insurance Group completed the
sale of its 26 per cent stake in Indian insurer Royal Sundaram Alliance Insurance Company to Sundaram Finance in
August after which it has become a 100% subsidiary of Sundaram Finance.
Star India exits Balaji Telefilms: Star India sold off its entire 26% stake in Balaji Telefilms for an estimated
Rs 108 crore in August. Most of the shares were purchased by Balaji Telefilms promoters - Ekta Kapoor and Shobha
Kapoor - and Group CEO Sameer Nair. This is in line with our strategy to focus on core businesses where Star has the
ability to shape and scale the future growth path of its investments, said Star India CEO Uday Shankar.
Hero Cycles acquires Avocet Sports: Pankaj Munjal-led Hero Cycles picked up majority stake in UK-based
Avocet Sports, its first overseas acquisition, to mark entry into high-end bicycle market in Europe in August. Brands
owned by Manchester-based Avocet include Viking, Coyote, Rooster, Ryedale, Lectro, Concept and Riddick. Hero
Cycles has a manufacturing capacity of 7.5 million bicycles per year.
Reliance sells multiplex business to Carnival Group: Anil Ambani-led Reliance MediaWorks Ltd
(RMW) completed the sale of its multiplex business to Carnival Cinemas for Rs 700 crore in August. RMW operated
cinema chains under the brand BIG Cinemas with over 250 screens across the country. The deal has made Carnival the
third-largest multiplex operator with a nationwide presence and over 300 screens.
Pearson sells The Economist: Britains Pearson brought an end to its near 60-year
ownership of The Economist in August by agreeing to sell its 50% stake in a deal that makes
Italys Agnelli family the largest shareholder in the weekly. Earlier Pearson sold the Financial
Times newspaper to Japans Nikkei. The Economist, a famously opinionated advocate of free
markets, said the deal would be structured in such a way as to guarantee its editorial
independence.
THE GENESIS
28
German car companies buy Nokia HERE: Daimler,

BMW and Volkswagens Audi have jointly agreed to buy Nokias
HERE mapping service for $2.74 billion. All the three partners will
hold equal stakes. Nokia invested $8.1 billion in 2008 to acquire USbased Navteq, a company that provided geographic information
systems to be used in the automotive industry. HERE maps have a
vast database of 200 countries and supports 50 languages. These
mapping systems are the very basis on which the future cars will
perform collision detection and other features of self-driving cars.
Thomas Cook acquires Kuonis travel business in India: Tourism firm Thomas Cook India
announced in August that it will acquire the Kuoni Groups travel business in India and Hong Kong for Rs.535 crore.
Canada-based NRI Prem Watsa is the Chairman of Fairfax Holdings, the controlling share holder of Thomas Cook India.
Thomas Cook India has its footprint over 232 locations in 95 cities across India, Mauritius and Sri Lanka.
Hero MotoCorp to buy Erik Buell Racing: An overseas wholly-owned subsidiary of Hero MotoCorp,
Indias largest two-wheeler manufacturer, will acquire ownership of certain tangible and intangible assets of bankrupt US
company Erik Buell Racing for a consideration of $2.8 million.
Rajesh Exports acquires Valcambi: Rajesh Mehta promoted Rajesh Exports announced the acquisition of
Switzerland-based gold refinery Valcambi for USD 400 million to gain access to raw materials at lower prices in August.
AT&T to merge with DirecTV: The No. 2 U.S. wireless carrier AT&T Inc. and the biggest satellite-TV
provider DirecTV became the countrys largest pay-TV company in August, completing their $48.5 billion merger after
receiving regulatory approval. The newly expanded AT&T leapfrogs the biggest U.S. cable company Comcast Corp.
Symantec to sell Veritas: Security solutions provider Symantec announced a deal to sell its Veritas data-storage
and recovery business to a group of investors led by private equity firm Carlyle Group LP for $8 billion in August.
CAMPAIGNS
Bade Sapno ki Sahi Shuruat: To limit people from skipping
breakfasts and build a healthy nation, Kelloggs has launched its campaign
that spells the core objective of Bade Sapno ki Sahi Shuruat with a TVC
featuring Saina Nehwal in August. It is a well versed fact that the most
important meal of the day is our breakfast, yet it is skipped most often owing
to our mundane activities taking precedence. This campaign tells people to
make that first move towards achieving their dreams by starting their day
healthy with a balanced breakfast.
Ek mazboot rishta: Dabur Amla Hair Oil has launched a TVC as part of the Ek mazboot rishta campaign. The
ad film shows a young girl reading a book as she sees her grandmother chasing after her brother to feed him. As the girls
mother enters the scene, she is questioned by the girl if the grandmother loves her brother more. The mother explains that
since all the secret talks and daily oil massages happen between the mother and daughter, the grandmother is obliged to
pay attention to her brother, lest he feel neglected. The film ends with a voice over saying, Banaiye baal aur rishtey
mazboot (Make hair and relationships stronger).
OTHERS: AskmeBazaar has recently launched a new campaign, called Rainovation that aims to rejuvenate the
shopping experience of its customers this monsoon with various offers on appliances, apparels, mobiles, etc. Actress
Aishwarya Rai Bachchan features in the new advertising campaign of LifeCell Indias first stem cell bank
Ayushmaan Bhava that is aimed at creating awareness and increasing uptake for its umbilical cord banking service.
THE GENESIS
29
Cyber Buzz
Facebook unveils Aquila
Facebook has introduced Aquila, an internet drone, which
uses
laser
technology to
deliver
internet to the
developing
world from the
sky.
The
working
model of the
plane is ready and Facebook is going to start testing it.
Facebook said in a blog post that when deployed, it will
be able to circle a remote region for up to 90 days,
beaming connectivity down to people from an altitude of
60,000 to 90,000 feet. It will be powered by solar energy.
Facebook says that it will have lasers on the ground that
can locate the dome-shaped optical head, located on the
bottom of the plane, in the air. The plane will first hone in
on the general location of the laser on the ground,
proceeding to target it further and lock onto the location
so that it can start beaming down the internet. During the
day, when they are fully charged, the planes will fly at an
altitude of 90,000 feet. But at night, in order to conserve
power, they will float down to about 60,000 feet. When
finalized, it will send the data via lasers.
Microsoft rolls out Windows 10: Microsoft

Corporation launched its new operating Windows 10
system
in
August. The
OS has a
redesigned
web browser
called Edge
and Cortana voice activated assistant. Microsoft has
retained some of the features of its unpopular Windows 8,
such as live tiles for touch-based computing. The
company had decided to forego the release of a nith
version and jumped straight to the release of 10. The
company said that its latest operating system had been
designed to work across different hardware platforms,
including personal computers, tablets and smartphones,
its Xbox games console and HoloLens -- Microsofts
holographic headset. Microsoft has followed its
consumers recommendations to bring pack the iconic
Start menu, after the company dropped it from its
previous upgrade. The software update will be free for
one year.
Twitter turns etailer: One can now use online

social networking service Twitter to buy products as well.
Twitter is teaming up with Shopify -- which boasts of
about 100,000 merchants using its software -- and other
e-commerce software companies to expand its range. The
new Buy button allows users to
discover products and make
purchases with just a few clicks.
Users will get access to offers
and merchandise they cant get
anywhere else and can act on
them right in the Twitter apps for
Android and iOS. Twitter said
sellers will gain a new way to
turn the direct relationship they build with their followers
into sales. Twitter said it will not share credit card
information with the merchant without a users
permission. After the first purchase, the users do not need
to re-enter their information for consecutive purchases -unless someone chooses to delete the data from their
account, which a user can do at any time.
Facebook launches Donate Now: Users
would now have the option of a donate button on the
pages of all non-profit organisations and linked
advertisements on Facebook. The social network has
added Donate Now calls-to-action on Pages and link ads
to make those connections easier. Facebook had rolled
out a Donate button in late 2013 with specific partners
like the
American
Cancer
Society
and The
Red
Cross. For
partnering non-profits, the button was integrated into
Pages and the donation took place internally with credit
card info that could be stored on the site. However, now
when one clicks the Donate Now button on an NGOs
page he is first alerted that the organisation is Not
endorsed by or affiliated with Facebook and then is
redirected to the pages external site where one can
complete the donation. So, without the embedded
payment processes, the button is just a call-to-action link.
Yahoo acquires Polyvore: Yahoo has acquired

a social shopping site Polyvore in August. Polyvore made
a name for itself as a type of digital corkboard for picking
and sharing clothing ensembles. It was eventually
THE GENESIS

overshadowed by Pinterest. It also competes with
Wanelo, another social curation site focused on fashion.
Yahoo intends to include some of the fashion collections
curated by Polyvore users in its digital fashion
magazines.
Google Map Maker returns: Google has

released its Map Maker
app
to
45
more
countries including the
US, UK and India. Map
Maker allows anybody
to make changes to
geography and listings
on Google Maps which
is helpful for keeping
local maps up to date but leaves a lot of room for abuse.
Map Maker was shut down in May after a series of
embarrassing user edits began showing up on the public
Google Maps. Google is now leaning on community
moderators in every area that it reopens to. Google now
has regional leads in each country that it reopens to keep
an eye on things, looking to keep any would-be vandals at
bay. Also, the company has disabled one of Map Makers
shape editing tools taking away a major method for
abusing the system. Earlier in August 2015, Map Maker
began opening again in a limited fashion. The service is
now available in over 50 countries.
Facebook launches Live for Mentions:

Facebook has released a new feature in its Mentions app
which is exclusively for
VIPs called Live for
Mentions. The new feature
allows the celebrities to
broadcast live video to their
fans. Facebooks version of
live-streaming app allows
the people to comment on
streams as they are happening, as well as showing the
celeb how many people are watching them at any given
time. Facebook has lined up several celebrities to test the
new app in coming days. The list includes Dwayne The
Rock Johnson, Serena Williams, Luke Bryan, Ricardo
Kaka, Ashley Tisdale and Martha Stewart.
Bata plans online presence: In a bid to

counter the deep discounting strategy of e-tailers,
footwear major Bata India plans to create a portfolio
exclusively for online channels. This means a pair of
shoes available online will not be found in any of its
30
stores. Bata is also planning to launch standalone stores
for its Power brand of shoes. The company has
standalone retail stores for Hush Puppies (premium
segment) and Footin (affordable segment). Bata has also
entered into a tie-up with Walt Disney to roll out a
childrens footwear range by the end of August.
MagicbricksGoogle online homes sale:

Realty portal Magicbricks achieved a sales booking of
over 500 residential properties worth about Rs 300 crore
in its 10-day online home festival organised in
collaboration with Google recently. The Great Online
Homes Festival was organised by Magicbricks, Google
and Group M. Magicbricks is a website that provides a
common platform to property buyers and sellers to locate
properties of interest in India and source information
about all property-related issues.
Google changes logo: Google revealed its new

logo, which keeps the red, blue, yellow and green colours
of the tech giants
original logo but changes
the lettering to a simpler,
rounded Product Sans
font. Until now, the firm
has used a serif typeface
for its logo for more than
16 years. The logo
redesign comes just two
weeks after the firm based in Mountain View, California,
announced the creation of a new conglomerate, Alphabet,
which will include Google and six other companies.
Under the restructuring, Google will keep its search and
YouTube operations, along with most of its biggest
divisions while smaller operations such as Nest home
appliances, life sciences, drone deliveries and venture
capital investments will operate as individual companies.
All of the companies will be overseen by Alphabet,
whose CEO will be Google co-founder Larry Page.
Snapdeal launches Instant: eCommerce firm

Snapdeal has rolled out a new service Snapdeal Instant
to allow delivery of packages to customers as early as
within an hour of placing the order. To start with, the
service would be available in three cities -- Delhi,
Mumbai and Bangalore -- and then extended to eight
major cities in the next two months. Customers will not
have to shell out extra for getting their products delivered
faster, but this service is currently limited to packages
weighing below 5 kg.
THE GENESIS
31
Science & Technology

DRDO ties up with Patanjali Ayurved
Earth has 422 trees per person
One of the Life Science laboratories of DRDO, Defence

Institute of High Altitude Research (DIHAR) has
successfully developed technologies based on
Seabuckthorn that has found to be having high nutritional
values. It can be used as quality food supplements as they
have very high anti-oxidants, vitamins and minerals.
Patanjali Ayurved has taken Transfer of Technologies
(ToT) through a Non Exclusive license from DRDO for
five of the Seabuckthorn based products: Seabuckthorn
Beverage, Seapricot Beverage, herbal Tea, Seabuckthorn
Oil Soft Gel Capsules and Seabuckthorn Jam.
There are more than three trillion trees on Earth - roughly

422 trees per person - but the total number of trees has
plummeted by 46 percent since the start of human
civilisation, reveals a study.
Patanjali Ayurved, well-known for its Ayurved and

natural health products, has an extensive network of
distributors throughout India and can take these products
to the market more effectively. It can further innovate and
find more benefits for these products. These technologies
were earlier given to 2 more companies on Non
Exclusive basis: Pravek Kalp and Ambe Phytoextracts.
To ensure diffusion of DRDO developed spin off
technologies to the civil society, DRDO has entered into
an agreement with FICCI the premier Industry Chamber
of the Country under a joint initiative DRDO-FICCIATAC (Accelerated Technology Assessment &
Commercialisation) Program, the platform created to
commercialise spin off technologies with special focus on
social benefit technologies. Under this program FICCI
facilitates bringing potential industries that can absorb the
technologies from DRDO and helps it in licensing to
industries to manufacture and market.
It is expected that such ToT to the industries will help the
local population living in difficult terrains to derive the
economic benefits through organised farming of local
produce required for these products and the health
products coming out from these industries will benefit the
society at large.
The Leh based DIHAR develops technologies for fresh
food cultivation, processed food, nutraceuticals, poultry,
goat and dairy farming and green house cultivation in
high altitudes where these are major challenges both for
the local populations and for the Armed Forces. Through
its pioneering R&D efforts over the years, DIHAR has
brought about perceptible qualitative and quantitative
changes in agriculture, animal husbandry and cold desert
flora of Ladakh Region.
The study by Yale Universitys school of forestry and

environmental studies (F&ES) highlights how much more
effort is needed if healthy forests are to be restored
worldwide.
The highest densities of trees are found in the boreal
forests in the sub-arctic regions of Russia, Scandinavia
and North America. But the largest forest areas, by far,
are in the tropics, which are home to about 43 percent of
the worlds trees.
Using a combination of satellite imagery, forest
inventories and supercomputer technologies, the
international team of researchers led by Yale University
was able to map tree populations worldwide at the
square-km level. They found that there are seven and a
half times more trees on Earth than previously thought.
For the study, the researchers collected tree density
information from more than 400,000 forest plots around
the world. Using satellite imagery, they were then able to
assess how the number of trees in each of those plots is
related to local characteristics such as climate,
topography, vegetation, soil condition and human
impacts.
The diverse array of data available today allowed them to
build predictive models to estimate the number of trees at
each location around the globe. The resulting map has the
potential to inform scientists about the structure of forest
ecosystems in different regions.
While the negative impact of human activity on natural
ecosystems is clearly visible in small areas, the study
highlights how historical land use decisions have shaped
natural ecosystems on a global scale.
The results, published in the journal Nature in September
2015, provide the most comprehensive assessment of tree
populations ever produced. The study was inspired by a
request by Plant for the Planet, a global youth initiative
that leads the United Nations Environment Programmes
Billion Tree Campaign.
THE GENESIS
RECENT RELEASES
Alibabas World
Alibabas World: How a Remarkable Chinese Company
is Changing the Face of Global Business by Porter
Grossman is a riveting insider account
of the rise, culture and influence of
Alibaba, the Chinese ecommerce giant
that is changing the face of global
business. In Sept 2014, a Chinese
company that most Westerners had
never heard of held the largest IPO in
history - bigger than Google, Facebook
and Twitter combined. Alibaba, now the
worlds largest e-commerce company, mostly escaped
Western notice for over ten years, while building a
customer base more than twice the size of Amazons, and
handling the bulk of e-commerce transactions in China.
How did it happen? And what was it like to be along for
such a revolutionary ride? Author Porter Erisman, one of
Alibabas first Western employees and its head of
international marketing from 2000 to 2008, shows how
Jack Ma, a Chinese schoolteacher who twice failed his
college entrance exams, rose from obscurity to found
Alibaba and lead it from struggling startup to the worlds
most dominant e-commerce player. In this account of
Alibabas extraordinary success, Erisman shares stories
of weathering the dotcom crash, facing down eBay and
Google, negotiating with the unpredictable Chinese
government, and enduring the misguided advice of
foreign experts, all to build the behemoth thats poised to
sweep the ecommerce world today. And he analyzes
Alibabas role as a harbinger of the new global business
landscape-with its focus on the East rather than the West,
emerging markets over developed ones, and the nimble
entrepreneur over the industry titan. As we face this near
future, the story of Alibaba - and its inevitable
descendants - is both essential and instructive.
Empire of Cotton
Empire of Cotton: A Global History by Deckle Edge is
an epic story of the rise and fall of the empire of cotton,
its centrality to the world economy, and its making and
remaking of global capitalism. Cotton is so ubiquitous as
to be almost invisible, yet understanding its history is key
to understanding the origins of modern capitalism. Sven
Beckerts rich, fascinating book tells the story of how, in
a remarkably brief period, European entrepreneurs and
powerful statesmen recast the worlds most significant
manufacturing industry, combining imperial expansion
32
and slave labor with new machines and wage workers to

change the world. Here is the story of how, beginning
well before the advent of machine
production in the 1780s, these men
captured ancient trades and skills in
Asia, and combined them with the
expropriation of lands in the Americas
and the enslavement of African workers
to crucially reshape the disparate realms
of cotton that had existed for millennia,
and how industrial capitalism gave birth to an empire, and
how this force transformed the world.
The empire of cotton was, from the beginning, a fulcrum
of constant global struggle between slaves and planters,
merchants and statesmen, workers and factory owners.
Beckert makes clear how these forces ushered in the
world of modern capitalism, including the vast wealth
and disturbing inequalities that are with us today. The
result is a book as unsettling as it is enlightening: a book
that brilliantly weaves together the story of cotton with
how the present global world came to exist.
Turning The Tide

Fifty years in a nations life is a small period of time.
However, it is quite likely that
collective memory will have faded
about several eventsand so it is with
the 1965 war that India was dragged
into by Pakistans chronic insecurities
and territorial ambitions. This time in
the form of a forcible attempt to annex
Kashmir. Today, the details of the war
that came between the tragedy of 1962
and the triumph of 1971 are hazy in the memory of the
country. But it is a story that needs to be retold. Caught
by surprise at the Pakistani offensive, India, then
struggling as a nation, responded with extraordinary zeal
and turned the tide in a war Pakistan thought it would win
because of its superior weapons and tactics. But as the
outcome of the 1965 war tells us, Pakistan not only failed
to achieve any of its strategic objectives but had to suffer
a massive setback, thanks to a combination of resolute
political leadership, the brave Indian soldiers and
determined citizens. This then is the account of the war
that India has largely forgotten. In this meticulously
researched and fast paced book, journalist and national
security analyst Nitin A. Gokhale, has produced a
formidable and comprehensive evaluation of the events
and aftermath of the ferocious Indo-Pak war of 1965.
THE GENESIS
33
Group Discussion
Can One Rank One Pension scheme be justified?
The government has announced the implementation of the one-rank, one-pension scheme, generally referred to as
OROP. This will ensure that all those retired members of the armed forces who draw a government pension will receive
an amount determined by their last held position, regardless of when they retired.
FOR
AGAINST
Defence Minister Manohar Parrikars announcement that

the government has decided to implement the One Rank
One Pension scheme came as a huge relief to the veterans
of the armed forces and also to those now in the services.
Under OROP all pensioners of the same rank and duration
of service are treated on par and the date at which a
soldier retires is irrelevant in determining pension. Till
now, someone who retired as a major in 1990 might not
have received the same sum as someone who retired as a
major in 2010.
The announcement should be seen as a victory for both
the veterans and the government. It fulfills a justified
demand of veterans that was outstanding for 42 years.
The Prime Minister deserves credit for resolving the
thorny issue which was threatening to balloon into a
major civil-military rift, and was sending ripples of unrest
through the ranks of Indias exemplarily disciplined
armed forces. Modi has demonstrated more political
resolve than his predecessors, and also fulfilled one of his
key election promises in the bargain.
The veterans should not be allowed to become tools in the
hands of the opposition. When it was in power the
Congress-led UPA made promises but failed to
implement OROP citing administrative, technical and
funding difficulties.
It would be a pity if the opportunity is not utilised to close
the perceived gap between the bureaucracy and the armed
services in terms of the compensation package.
OROP is a fair demand. A pension plan based on last
salary drawn is inherently weighted against the services,
where 85 per cent of the force retires before the age of 35,
when the salary level is still quite low, and only one per
cent retires at 60, the age when civil servants retire.
There are cogent reasons to use OROP as the underlying
principle in fixing defence pensions. Soldiering has
unique dimensions which make it imperative for
governments to apply a different yardstick as compared to
other arms of govt ment service. Given the harsh
conditions under which they serve, OROP was a justified
demand.
It can be argued that the promise of OROP was made as

part of the election campaign. This only raises the
question: why was such a patently illogical promise made
in the first place?
The demand for OROP is intellectually unsustainable.
Pension, almost by definition, can only be based on the
last salary drawn and on the length of service. How can a
person be paid a pension on an amount that he did not
earn? There are some other facts to consider. The armed
forces in India are well paid in terms of salaries and the
salaries are backed by elaborate perquisites and subsidies.
(One example of the latter would be cheap commodities
from army canteens, a facility that all members of the
armed forces enjoy even after retirement.)
There are other members of society who are also
providing services to society and are not enjoying such
salaries, perquisites and subsidies. School teachers,
members of the police force and paramilitary forces are
obvious examples. Indeed it could be argued that the
police force is more open to physical danger than most
members of a peace-time armed force. The paramilitary
forces are battling armed insurgencies in border states as
well as the Maoists who have been recognised as Indias
biggest internal security threat. Moreover, if one set of
government employees get OROP why not the others?
The implementation of OROP is a grievous error from the
point of view of sustainable finances as pensions for the
armed forces retirees cannot be considered in isolation.
Today, defence personnel get about 62% of the aggregate
pension payouts of the union government. OROP will
further enhance their share.
The fiscal implications are certainly severe. The PM said
that it would cost about Rs 8,000-10,000 crore every year
and would kept on rising steadily. A Pandoras Box has
been opened and now the government has chosen to sit
down on a fiscal time bomb. Also if a lions share of
defence budget is consumed in pensions and salaries from
where is the money going to come for buying state of the
art weaponry that is so essential to take on the rapidly
moderning arsenal of our hostile neighbours?
THE GENESIS
Crossword:
34
(Solution on page No: 42)
ACROSS:
1. Instrumentalist (6)
4. Crooked, lopsided or off center (5)
7. Derides or makes fun of (6)
13. Collects with some effort and in good numbers (7)
14. Fiji island (3)
15. One giving the guarantee, perhaps? (7)
16. Match-winning off-spinner of yore (4)
17. Crib, small light bed (3)
18. Disturbance created by a mob (4)
21. Compensated for or atoned for (4, 4)
23. Conversion or transformation, in a way? (8)
27. Ecstatic, elated or delighted (9)
29. Thousands of years (9)
31. Precise amount given to bus conductor, perhaps (5, 4)
32. Napoleons empress? (9)
33. Loathes or spurns (8)
37. Refrained, abstained or halted (8)
42. Regional belt (4)
43. No obj. cert. (3)
44. A stupid person (4)
47. Building; structure (7)
48. Boys name (3)
49. Very thin Indian bread, should we say? (7)
50. Male elephant - a good source of ivory (6)
51. The cross pieces over the stumps (5)
52. Bets saw Reg change? (6)
DOWN
1. Cutting edges of tools or knives (6)
2. Elegiac poet (4)
3. Put under bondage (7)
5. Joined pieces of wood, tape etc. In overlapping position (7)
6. Line separating the hemispheres (7)
8. Import duties, etc (7)
9. Rigid, not limp (4)
10. They may be turned to exert pressure? (6)
11. False or insincere, as a prefix (6)
12. ____ Ganguly: Former India batsman and captain (6)
19. Custodian (9)
20. Occurs at the same time or occupies the same space? (9)
22. ___ ___ hill: a tourist spot with just one plant at the peak? (3,4)
24. Typical example (7)
DOWN
25. Their talks cause us to feel weary? (5)
26. A basketball player (5)
28. ___ black: deep, glossy black? (3)
30. Blast result abbr. (3)
34. A side view (7)
35. Indicated, portended or sounded to be (6)
36. Frank and Nancy of musicdom (7)
37. Based on the number ten (7)
38. Entice or lure into committing a sin? (6)
39. Dried fruit or Mogul queen? (7)
40. Brogue, local speech sound (6)
41. Speaks or performs without preparation (2-4)
45. Roy_: famous Lankan batsman of days gone by? (4)
46. A vigil with the dead (4)
Sudoku (Solution on page No: 42)

SUDOKU I
SUDOKU II
THE GENESIS
35
Do you remember?
(All questions based on content of previous issue; Answers on page No: 37)
1. The government has signed a peace accord with which
21. What was launched by the PM in July to help MPs get
Naga militant group in July?

SWAT commandos neutralised the terrorists who
attacked Dinanagar town of Punjabs Gurdaspur
district in July. What is the full form of SWAT?
When was the Kargil Vijay Diwas observed in July?
Which scheme to ensure round the clock electricity
supply to farmers and rural households was launched
by the Prime Minister in Patna on July 25?
What was the scheme for rural electrification by the
previous government named?
When was the first National Handloom Day observed
in August?
In which year was the Swadeshi Movement launched
in British India?
Awards named after which social reformer were given
to distinguished handloom workers by the Prime
Minister on National Handloom Day?
Which brand was launched by the Prime Minister on
National Handloom Day in August?
When was the World Hepatitis Day observed in July?
Who won the Nobel Prize for discovering the hepatitis
B virus and its first vaccine?
What initiative was launched by the WHO in Egypt,
Uganda and India to combat the disease on World
Hepatitis Day?
Which employment portal was launched at the Indian
Labour Conference organised in July?
Which are the three distinct groups represented at the
Indian Labour Conference?
Government has extended the deadline for
implementation of CCTNS till March 2017. It is being
implemented to improve police citizen interface and
speed up delivery of public services through police
across the country. Expand CCTNS.
Which British filmmaker made the controversial
documentary Indias Daughter?
AYUSH Minister Shripad Yasso Naik said in July that
Yoga has been made compulsory in CBSE curricula
for Classes XI and XII. What is AYUSH?
What has the National Optical Fibre Network (NOFN)
project been renamed as by the government in July?
Which is the countrywide campaign launched by Food
Minister Ram Vilas Paswan in July to create mass
awareness on safe and hygienic food?
Expand the abbreviations NASVI and VOICE in
context of awareness campaign on safe and hygienic
food launched in July?
expert advise from domain experts on issues and

subjects under consideration of the Parliament?
The Government launched TEEB-India Initiative (TII)
in July to create awareness on the loss of biological
diversity. Expand the abbreviation TEEB.
TII has been implemented under the Indo-______
Biodiversity Programme in technical cooperation with
GIZ (German/French/British/Canadian).
Who is the Editor-in-Chief of Punjab Kesari
newspaper group in news in July for contributing Rs
2.40 crore to PMNRF?
Who is the founder of Punjab Kesari newspaper
group?
The Prime Minister gave away Awards for
Excellence in Journalism in Agricultural Research &
Development at the foundation day of ICAR in July.
The awards are named after which leader?
Who won the Icon award at the Bagri Foundation
London Film Festival in July?
Who was appointed as the Chairman of the Food
Safety and Standards Authority of India in July?
Who was appointed as the Director General of Bureau
of Indian Standards (BIS) in July?
Who are the two persons nominated as members of the
Anglo-Indian Community in the Lok Sabha in July?
In context of journalism, what is IFWJ?
Who replaced R.K. Pachauri as Director-General of
TERI in July?
Which former Chief Minister of Arunachal Pradesh
was given jail term for corruption in July?
Name the President of the AIDS Society of India who
died in Chennai on July 28 at the age of 76.
Vasundhara Komkali died in Dewas (MP) on July 30
at the age of 85. She was known for achievements in
____ (Journalism/Painting/Music/Civil Service).
Name the co-founder of the New Delhi-based Institute
of Peace and Conflict Studies who died on July 25.
Jayalakshmi Alva died in Mangaluru on July 22 at the
age of 81. She was a noted exponent of which dance
form (Odissi/Manipuri/Kuchipudi/Bharatanatyam)?
P. Hariharan died in USA at 89 on July 26. He was an
eminent: (Surgeon/Physicist/Horticulturist/Geologist).
Bijoy Krishna Handique passed away at 82 in Jorhat
on July 26. He represented which party in Lok Sabha?
Odisha MP Kalpataru Das passed away in New Delhi
on July 25 at the age of 65. He represented which party
in Rajya Sabha?
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
18.
19.
20.
22.
23.
24.
25.
26.
27.
28.
29.
30.
31.
32.
33.
34.
35.
36.
37.
38.
39.
40.
THE GENESIS

41. Former Bihar Governor R.S. Gavai died in Nagpur on
42.
43.
44.
45.
46.
47.
48.
49.
50.
51.
52.
53.
54.
55.
56.
57.
58.
59.
60.
61.
July 25 at 86. He was member of which party?

Who was hanged for the 1993 Mumbai blasts at the
Nagpur Central Jail on July 30?
Which social activist runs the NGOs Citizens for
Justice and Peace and Sabrang Trust?
Exercise Indradhanush (Rainbow) was conducted
between air forces of India and which country in July?
Which Indian mathematician is the subject of the film
The Big Day by French director Pascal Plisson?
Which city in Gujarat is the first in India to launch a
picture intelligence unit providing real time facial
recognition and number plate recognition in July?
What is the cash prize Gujarat CM announced for
winners of gold medals in Olympics from the state?
Who is the new Chief of Delhi Commission?
Why was late Dasrath Manjhi of Gaya district in news
in July?
The Bihar government has decided to rename the
Kishanganj Agriculture University after which former
President of India in July?
Where was the Mai Bhago Armed Forces Preparatory
Institute for girls inaugurated in July?
The Tamil Nadu government has decided to observe
whose birth anniversary as Youth Renaissance Day
from this year?
The 12-day-long Godavari Maha Pushkaram
religious festival was organised at which city of
Andhra Pradesh in July?
Which state government has decided to set up a fund
for prevention, rescue and rehabilitation of trafficked
children in July in partnership with Kailash Satyarthi
Childhood Foundation?
Who is the PM of Malaysia and on which island were
the debris of Malaysian Airlines jet MH370 that
disappeared on March 8, 2014 found in August?
Who is the latest entrant to the Eurasian Economic
Union (EEU) comprising Armenia, Belarus,
Kazakhstan and Russia?
Which SAARC countrys Parliament passed a law
allowing foreigners to purchase land for the first time
in July?
Which Asian country neighbouring China announced
in August that it was moving its clocks backwards 30
minutes to create a new time standard?
Which UNSC member vetoed resolution on probe into
2014 Malaysian Airlines flight MH17 crash?
What was the military exercise conducted by troops of
NATO-EU nations in Moldova in July named?
When was the first International Nelson Mandela Day
observed in July?
36
62. Which annual awards were presented by NGO Before
Columbus Foundation in USA in July?

63. Who was re-elected President of Burundi in July and
what is its capital?

64. Owen Chadwick died at the age of 99 in Cambridge on
July 17. He was a noted theologian of ____.

65. Which actor known for the role of Captain von Trapp
in The Sound of Music died at 91 in LA on July 21?

66. Which actor, known for his role as Moe Greene in
The Godfather, died aged 79 on July 18?

67. Which was the first Grand Slam Singles event won by
Serena Williams?
68. Which is the only city in the world to have been
69.
70.
71.
72.
73.
74.
75.
76.
77.
78.
79.
80.
81.
82.
83.
84.
85.
86.
87.
88.
89.
90.
91.
92.
93.
selected as host of Summer as well as Winter Olympic

games?
Who took the least number of balls for 400 test
wickets in July?
Who played the least matches to take 400 test wickets?
Who became the 11th batsman to complete 10,000
runs in one-day international cricket in July?
Ex- South Africa captain Clive Rice died at 66 on July
28. ___ is the only country where he played
international cricket.
Who is the designer of Tokyo 2020 Olympics logo?
Which city will host 2022 Winter Olympic Games?
Where were the Special Olympics World Games held?
Who won the F1 Hungarian GP on July 26?
Who won the Maruti Suzuki Dakshin Dare rally?
Who won Tour de France cycle race? Which team?
Who won the CONACACF Gold Cup?
Expand the abbreviation CONACACF.
Which is world No: 1 ranked football team according
to FIFA rankings in August?
Michel Platini heads which soccer organisation?
The new Chief Coach of the Indian Hockey team is:
Who won the 89th All India MCC Murugappa Hockey
Tournament in Chennai on July 26?
Which event was won by Joshana Chinappa in July?
Ethiopias Genzebe Dibaba created new world record
in which womens athletics event in July?
Who is the author of The Footprints Of Partition?
Who is the CEO of Alphabet Inc. which is the holding
company of Google?
What is the designation of Sergey Brin in Alphabet?
Who is the new CEO of Google?
Smart Thermostat business comes under which
subsidiary of Alphabet Inc.?
Broadband service business comes under which
subsidiary of Alphabet Inc.?
Longevity Research comes under which subsidiary of
Alphabet Inc.?
THE GENESIS
37
Do you remember? Answers

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
18.
19.
20.
21.
22.
23.
National Socialist Council of

Nagaland (Isaac-Muivah)
Special Weapons and Tactics
Team
July 25
Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Gram
Jyoti Yojana
Rajiv
Gandhi
Grameen
Vidyutikaran
Yojana
(RGGVY)
August 7
1905
Sant Kabir
India Handloom
July 28
Professor Baruch Samuel
Blumberg
Global
Injection
Safety
Initiative
National
Career
Service
Portal
Employers, employees and
government
Crime
and
Criminals
Tracking
network
and
Systems
Leslee Udwin
Ayurveda,
Yoga
&
Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha
and Homoeopathy
BharatNet
Surakshit Khadya Abhiyan
Voluntary Organisation in
Interest
of
Consumer
Education;
National
Association of Street Vendors
of India
Speakers Research Initiative
The
Economics
of
Ecosystems and Biodiversity
German
24.
25.
26.
27.
28.
29.
30.
31.
32.
33.
34.
35.
36.
37.
38.
39.
40.
41.
42.
43.
44.
45.
46.
47.
48.
49.
50.
51.
52.
53.
54.
55.
56.
57.
58.
59.
60.
Vijay Kumar Chopra

Lala Jagat Narain
Chaudhary Charan Singh
Mani Ratnam
Ashish Bahuguna
Alka Panda
George Baker & Richard Hay
Indian Federation of Working
Journalists
Ajay Mathur
P K Thungon
Dr. Suniti Solomon
Music
Professor P. R. Chari
Bharatanatyam
Physicist
Congress
Biju Janata Dal
Republican Party of India
(RPI)
Yakub Memon
Teesta Setalvad
UK
Anand Kumar of Super 30
Surat
Rs 5 crore
Swati Maliwal
Manjhi The Mountain
Man movie
APJ Abdul Kalam
Defence Minister
A P J Abdul Kalam
Rajahmundry
Assam
Najib Razak; Reunion Island
Kyrgyzstan
Maldives
North Korea, Pyongyang
Time
Russia
Joint Effort 2015
61.
62.
63.
64.
65.
66.
67.
68.
69.
70.
71.
72.
73.
74.
75.
76.
77.
78.
79.
80.
81.
82.
83.
84.
85.
86.
87.
88.
89.
90.
91.
92.
93.
July 18
American Book Awards
Pierre
Nkurunziza,
Bujumbura
Christianity
Theodore Bikel
Alex Rocco
US Open, 1999
Beijing
Dale Steyn (South Africa)
Muttiah Muralitharan (Sri
Lanka)
Tillakaratne Dilshan
India
Kenjiro Sato
Beijing
Los Angeles
Sebastian Vettel
Sandeep Sharma and Karan
Arya of Team Maruti
Britains Chris Froome, Team
Sky
Mexico
Confederation of North,
Central
American
and
Caribbean
Association
Football
Argentina
UEFA
Roelant Oltmans
Indian Oil Corporation
Womens Singles at Victorian
Open Squash
1500m
Anam Zakaria
Larry Page
President
Sundararajan Pichai
Nest
Google Fiber
Calico
THE GENESIS
38
Corporate Knowledge Quiz

(All questions based on content in this issue & previous issue)
(Answers Key on Page No: 42)
1. Which bank was founded by A. Venkataraman Chettiar

and late Adhi Krishna Chettiar in 1916?
a) Syndicate Bank
b) Karnataka Bank
c) Karur Vysya Bank
d) Federal Mahindra Bank
2. Which Europe-based bank acquired Indias brokerage
firm Sharekhan in August?
a) Banco Santander
b) ABN Amro
c) Societe Generale
d) BNP Paribas
3. Which of the following cashless payment services has
acquired the title sponsorship rights for Indias domestic
and international cricket matches till 2019 from the BCCI
in August?
a) Paytm
b) BillDesk
c) PaySmart
d) PayUMoney
4. Which of the following acquired Sri Lanka-based
destination management firm Luxe Asia in August?
a) Thomas Cook
b) Mahindra Holidays
c) Cox & Kings
d) SOTC
5. Which of the following launched the Tiger 800 XR
motorcycle priced at Rs. 10.5 lakh in August?
a) KTM
b) Ducati
c) Triumph
d) Harley Davidson
6. Which Indian e-commerce company launched the India
Art House, an exclusive online store offering sellers a
platform to promote regional products, in August?
a) Snapdeal
b) Jabong
c) Flipkart
d) Infibeam
7. Which of the following has scooped the Guinness
World Records for creating the worlds tallest ice-cream
cone recently?
a) Ben & Jerrys

b) Hennig-Olsen
c) Daagen Hazs
d) Baskin Robbins
8. Which B-School launched a certificate programme in
Financial Intelligence and Analytics for officers of CBI
recently?
a) FMS, Delhi
b) ISB, Hyderabad
c) JNIBMS, Mumbai
d) IIM, Bangalore
9. Which of the following has launched an exclusive
health insurance plan against dengue named Dengue
Care in August?
a) Apollo Munich Health Insurance
b) National Insurance Company
c) ICICI Lombard General Insurance
d) Bajaj Allianz General Insurance
10. Which of the following was biggest seller of cars in
the first half of 2015 with worldwide sales of 5.04 million
units?
a) Toyota
b) Ford
c) General Motors
d) Volkswagen
11. Which FMCG company owns the Nupur hair colour
brand?
a) Emami
b) Hindustan Unilever
c) Marico Industries
d) Godrej Consumer Products
12. Which of the following is a public sector aluminium
company?
a) Sterlite
b) Hindalco
c) Nalco
d) Alcoa
13. Who owns the Cadbury chocolate brand?
a) Lotte
b) Mondelez
c) Nestle
d) Ferrero Rocher
THE GENESIS

14. Which of the following launched the Disney and
Marvel collection of bags and backpacks for children in
India in August?
a) Wildcraft
b) American Tourister
c) Fastrack
d) Victorinox
15. Which Indian mobile phone company has launched a
sub-brand Elite exclusively for online sales in August?
ambassador.
a) Lava
b) Spice
c) Karbonn
d) Swipe
16. Which automobile company was bestowed with
Golden Peacock Award for its excellence in Occupational
Health and Safety by the Institute of Directors in India
recently?
a) Maruti Suzuki
b) Toyota Kirloskar
c) Ashok Leyland
d) Mahindra & Mahindra
17. Which of the following launched a virtual-reality
camera for professional filmmakers and content creators
under the brand OZO recently?
a) Canon
b) Olympus
c) Nikon
d) Nokia
18. Which of the following was slapped with a fine of Rs.
420 crore by the Competition Commission of India for
violating antitrust laws in supply of spare parts recently?
a) Tata Motors
b) Ford
c) Maruti Suzuki
d) Hyundai
19. Which of the following is known for the cosmetic
prescription medicine Botox that is used by people to
removes wrinkles from the face and look younger?
a) Pfizer
b) Eli Lilly
c) Allergan
d) Merck
20. Ram Sewak Sharma was appointed as the head of
which regulatory organisation by the government
recently?
39
a) IRDAI
b) CERA
c) SEBI
d) TRAI
21. Which of the following acquired Swiss gold refining
company Valcambi for $400 million recently?
a) Kalyan Jewellers
b) Tanishq
c) Gitanjali
d) Rajesh Exports
22. Which among the following former cricketers has
launched an Athlete Mentorship Programme under the
aegis of Aditya Birla Financial Services Group recently?
a) Saurav Ganguly
b) Anil Kumble
c) Rahul Dravid
d) Sachin Tendulkar
23. Which of the following has acquired U.S.-based
motorcycle company Erik Buell Racing (EBR)?
a) Mahindra2Wheelers
b) TVS Motor
c) Hero MotoCorp
d) Bajaj Auto
24. Which of the following has launched solar-powered
drone Aquila to provide internet services in developing
countries?
a) Twitter
b) Microsoft
c) Google
d) Facebook
25. Who is the founder of Snapchat? He is the youngest
tech billionaire according to a recent survey by magazine
Forbes?
a) Mike Krieger
b) Evan Spiegel
c) Reed Hastings
d) Kevin Systrom
26. Which of the following launched its premium
hatchback Baleno recently?
a) Maruti Suzuki
b) Toyota Kirloskar
c) Ashok Leyland
d) Mahindra & Mahindra
27. Which of the following launched its California T
model priced at Rs. 3.3 crore in August?
THE GENESIS
40
a) Ferrari
b) Rolls Royce
c) BMW
d) Mercedes-Benz
a) Arrow
b) Van Heusen
c) John Players
d) Park Avenue
28. Which of the following premium sports hatchback

Abarth 595 Competizione priced at Rs 29.85 lakh in
August?
a) Ford
b) General Motors
c) Fiat Chrysler
d) Jaguar Land Rover
35. Which of the following announced a deal to acquire

the travel business of Kuoni Group in India and Hong
Kong for Rs.535 crore in August?
a) Thomas Cook
b) Expedia
c) Cox & Kings
d) Mahindra Holidays
29. Which of the following sold its HERE mapping

service jointly to Daimler, BMW and Volkswagens Audi
in August?
a) Apple
b) Nokia
c) Cisco
d) Blackberry
36. Which ad agency bagged Tourism Ministrys

Incredible India advertising campaign for a period of
three years in August?
a) JWT India
b) Leo Burnett
c) Ogilvy India
d) McCann India
30. Which of the following has decided to phase out its

mass-market fabric brand Makers?
a) Raymond
b) Grasim
c) Siyaram
d) Bombay Dyeing
37. Which of the following has launched its Bade Sapno

ki Sahi Shuruat TVC featuring Saina Nehwal in August?
a) Marico
b) Kelloggs
c) PepsiCo
d) Britannia
31. Which of the following has set up an in-house

advertising company called Goldilocks India?
a) Videocon
b) Havells
c) Crompton Greaves
d) Usha International
38. Which retailer has licensed the Femina Flaunt brand

from Bennett, Coleman & Co. Ltd. (BCCL) to launch
apparel, footwear, accessories and bags?
a) Raymond
b) Arvind Ltd
c) Pantaloons
d) Shoppers Stop
32. Which Indian e-commerce company has launched a

unique initiative called Sorting Hat, wherein the
engineers will chose a project of their liking?
a) Snapdeal
b) Jabong
c) Flipkart
d) Yatra.com
33. Which Indian footwear company markets the Hush
Puppies and Footin brands in India?
a) Bata
b) Action
c) Liberty
d) Red Tape
34. Farhan Akhtar has been signed as brand ambassador
by which of the following for its deodorants?
39. Which Indian e-commerce company has launched the

micro site findmystyle.in where users will be able to
discover products of choice while saving time and effort?
a) Jabong
b) Myntra
c) Snapdeal
d) Infibeam
40. Which of the following launched its Women
Techmakers (WTM), a global programme aimed at
women entrepreneurs where they can connect, be inspired
and encourage each other, in India in August?
a) Intel
b) IBM
c) Microsoft
d) Google
THE GENESIS

41. Which multiplex company has been acquired by
South India-based Carnival Group in a deal estimated at
Rs 700 crore?
a) BIG Cinemas
b) Cinepolis
c) PVR
d) INOX
42. Which private sector bank launched an educational
film titled Dhanchayat to raise awareness on the dangers
of borrowing money from unorganised sources such as
moneylenders?
a) Axis Bank
b) ICICI Bank
c) HDFC Bank
d) Kotak Mahindra Bank
43. Which of the following acquired social shopping site
Polyvore in August?
a) ebay
b) Amazon
c) Yahoo!
d) Facebook
44. Which of the following has acquired the technology
to manufacture Lakshya unmanned drone for the armed
forces from the DRDO in August?
a) Larsen and Toubro
b) Godrej & Boyce
c) Crompton Greaves
d) Tata Advanced Systems
45. Jethabhai Patel was re-elected Chairman of Gujarat
Cooperative Milk Marketing Federation that owns the
brand Amul, in August 2015. He is the head of which
District Cooperative Milk Producers Unions?
a) Valsad
b) Mehsana
c) Sabarkantha
41
d) Panchmahal
46. Which Indian cycle company acquired UK-based
Avocet Sports in August?
a) Atlas Cycles
b) Hero Cycles
c) Avon Cycles
d) TI Cycles
47. Which of the following pairs of recently signed brand
ambassadors is not matched correctly?
a) Sonakshi Sinha Digisol
b) Ranbir Kapoor Renault Kwid
c) Shraddha Kapoor Titan Eye Plus
d) Ranveer Singh Quikr
48. Which of the following pairs of recently launched
mobile phones and their companies is not matched
correctly?
a) Elite Swipe
b) Love T10 Panasonic
c) Marathon M4 Gionee
d) Xenium Lava
49. Which film producer is the founder of the social
media platform Qyuki with music composer A.R.
Rahman for discovering new talent in films music and
photography?
a) Mahesh Bhatt
b) Aditya Chopra
c) Subhash Ghai
d) Shekhar Kapur
50. Which of the following introduced a new font
Bookerly in August?
a) Apple
b) Amazon
c) Yahoo!
d) Microsoft
Point-Counterpoint
If the enemy ever resorts to any

misadventure, regardless of its size and
scale - short or long - it will have to pay an
unbearable cost.
our army has strongly responded to

Pakistan armys provocations in the past,
continues to do so during the ongoing
ceasefire violations and will do so in case of
any future misadventure.
Raheel Sharif, Pakistan Army Chief
Shrikant Sharma, BJP Secretary
THE GENESIS
42
Corporate Knowledge Quiz: Answer Key

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Solutions:
CROSSWORD
SUDOKU I
SUDOKU II
THE GENESIS

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National Sports Awards conferred; Gallantry Awards announced

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Dhyan Chand Award

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Tenzing Norgay National Adventure Award

Maulana Abul Kalma Azad Trophy

Rashtriya Khel Protsahan Puruskar

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VAYU SENA MEDAL

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