THE HINDU EDITORIAL: 27, JUNE 2017

THE HINDU EDITORIAL

A) In another court

Srikanth brought joy in two equal helpings. The 24-year-old won back-to-back badminton titles in the space of eight days, on Sunday adding the Australian Open title to the higher-rated Indonesia Open he had clinched on June 18. Success is not new to Srikanth, and in Sydney his domination of an elite field could be gauged from the fact that he dropped just one game in five matches. Even more heartening, he is part of a cohort in Indian men’s badminton, with the likes of B. Sai Praneeth and H.S. Prannoy, who have been beating elite players this season. For instance, Srikanth has upstaged the current World No. 1, Korea’s Son Wan Ho, twice in two weeks and raced past the reigning World and Olympic champion, Chen Long, in Sunday’s final at Sydney. He will be back in the world’s top 10 ranking this week, having also beaten World No. 4 and the topmost Chinese, Shi Yuqi, twice this year. In fact, Srikanth, who had overcome a bout of brain fever in July 2014 to become World No. 3 a year later, has beaten all the leading Chinese players. Praneeth, winner of the Singapore Open and the Thailand Open, is finally realising his potential. Interestingly, Praneeth holds a 5-2 head-to-head record against Srikanth, and the latter’s dream run is bound to increase his confidence of also beating the best in the world. Prannoy, unbeaten in this year’s Premier Badminton League and conqueror of the legendary Lee Chong Wei and Chen Long in successive matches in the Indonesia Open this month, will also expect to strike it rich going ahead. In sum, Srikanth, Praneeth and Prannoy are on track for a potential podium finish in the World Championship in Glasgow in August. With Saina Nehwal and P.V. Sindhu maintaining their formidable challenge in the women’s game, Indian badminton now has a strong nucleusof the world’s best. The biggest gain of late has been the consistency with which the male shuttlers are delivering, with each believing he has the game to outdo the other. This healthy competitiveness, coupled with the maturity and patience shown on the court of late, is paying dividends. Srikanth has wisely refrained from being in attack mode at will. Known for his powerful smashes, his current use of soft strokes and deft touches is proving very effective, complementing the deep clearances from the backhand corner. Pullela Gopi Chand’s role in the success of these players is well-known; Indonesian coach Mulyo Handoyo too has clearly made an impact, especially in rallying the players to think clearly in the heat of a match. As a result, Indian shuttlers are no longer ‘choking’ against more illustrious rivals. Significantly, all the leading overseas players today have lost to an Indian at least once. On current form, at least a medal each from the men’s and women’s singles in this year’s World Championship is now a realistic expectation.

B)  Mending the rift

The fact that Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates have handed over a list of demands to the Qatari regime should, on the face of it, indicate some progress in the impasse created after they cut ties with Qatar. The list has not been officially released, but is reported to include demands that Qatar snap all but trade ties with Iran, end military cooperation with Turkey and shut down the Al Jazeera news network. It may be that many of the demands are only meant to be bargaining counters — even U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, who has been running the backroom negotiation along with the Emir of Kuwait, said they are “very difficult for Qatar to meet”. In any case, such demands on the list may be more understandable if these countries complied with them as well. For example, in asking Qatar to disown ties with al-Qaeda and the Islamic State, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and the UAE cannot ignore their own role in building up Sunni extremist groups across West Asia, sometimes in partnership with Qatar. The UAE has a thriving business relationship with Iran. And while the Saudi-led bloc may object to “negative narratives” and the platform given to their dissidents on Al Jazeera and the other news outlets named, it is unlikely that they will lean too much on the internationally recognised news networks to close shop. The bulk of the demands, however, focusses on asking Qatar to enforce its own commitments from the 2014 Riyadh declaration of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) on ceasing support to extremist and terrorist groups. This indicates that a path is being cleared for a resolution to the current crisis. The next few days will be crucial in ensuring the outcome. There are implications of this crisis that India and the international community cannot afford to ignore. While the action against Qatar is mainly political and nowhere close to the Saudi-led action on Yemen, where more than 10,000 people have already been killed, in both cases the muscle power of the regional bullies has been allowed to prevail over a weaker nation. The treatment of Qatar could well become the playbook for future diplomacy, which would lead to a further weakening of the international order, the rule of law and the UN system of conflict resolution. There are also signs that this may be the precursor to a larger conflict with Iran. This is a troubling scenario for the world, and for India in particular with its commitment to build connectivity and shore up oil reserves. The impact of any conflict in the Gulf cannot be over-estimated, given India’s dependence on oil supplies and remittances from some eight million Indians based there. For New Delhi to continue to be as sanguine about the Qatar crisis as it appeared to be a few weeks ago, when External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj called it an “internal matter” of the GCC, is no longer an option.

WORDS/ VOCABULARY

1)      Mending

Meaning: Things to be repaired by sewing or darning.

Example: Once a week they had Troops Day when they could bring their mending,’ she says.

Synonyms: Resolution, Settlement, Rectification

2)      Regime

Meaning: A particular government or a system or method of government.

Example: The old corrupt, totalitarian regime was overthrown.

Synonyms: Government, Authorities

3)      Complied

Meaning: Act in accordance with a wish or command.

Example: We are unable to comply with your request.

Synonyms: Abide By, Agree To

Antonyms: Ignore, Disobey

4)      Thriving

Meaning: Very healthy or successful.

Example: The dog is thriving in its new home.

Synonyms: Flourishing, Prosperous

Antonyms: Moribund, Dying

5)      Dissidents

Meaning: A person who publicly disagrees with and criticizes their government.

Example: A dissident who had been jailed by a military regime.

Synonyms: Dissenter, Rebel

Antonyms: Conformist

6)      Ceasing

Meaning: To stop something.

Example: The company has decided to cease all UK operations after this year.

Synonyms: Pause, Break Off

Antonyms: Start, Continue

7)      Prevail

Meaning: To get control or influence.

Example: I am sure that common sense will prevail in the end.

Synonyms:Exist, Abound, Win

8)      Diplomacy

Meaning: The management of relationships between countries.

Example: Diplomacy has so far failed to bring an end to the fighting.

Synonyms: Statemanship, Negotiation

Antonyms: Tactlessness

9)      Precursor

Meaning: A person or thing that comes before another of the same kind; a forerunner.

Example: Biological research has often been a precursor to medical breakthroughs.

Synonyms: Forerunner, Predecessor, Forefather

10)    Remittances

Meaning: An amount of money that you send to someone.

Example: She sends a small remittance home to her parents each month.

Synonyms: Payment, Settlement

11)    Sanguine

Meaning: (Of someone or someone’s character) positive and hoping for good things.

Example: They are less sanguine about the prospects for peace.

Synonyms: Optimistic, Bullish

Antonyms: Pessimistic, Gloomy

12)    Clinched

Meaning: To finally get or win something.

Example: I hear he finally clinched the deal to buy the land he wanted.

Synonyms: Secure, Settle, Conclude

Antonyms: Lose

13)    Elite

Meaning: The richest, most powerful, best-educated, or best-trained group in a society.

Example: The silent majority were looked down upon by the liberal elite.

Synonyms: Best, Aristocracy

Antonyms: Dregs

14)    Gauged

Meaning: A way of judging or showing something, especially how successful or popular something is.

Example: The fact that the play is being performed on Broadway is a gauge of its success.

Synonyms: Assess, Evaluate, Appraise

15)    Cohort

Meaning: A group of people who support a particular person, usually a leader.

Example: The Mayor and his cohorts have abused their positions of power.

Synonyms: Group, Grade

16)    Reigning

Meaning: Being the most recent winner of a competition.

Example: She’s the reigning champion at Wimbledon.

Synonyms: Incumbent, Current

17)    Conqueror

Meaning: A person who conquers a place or people; a vanquisher.

Example: A chance for revenge against his Olympic conqueror.

Synonyms: Vanquisher, Defeater, Subjugator

Antonyms: Loser

18)    Podium

Meaning: A raised area on which a person stands to speak to a large number of people, to conduct music, or to receive a prize in a sports competition.

Example: Tears ran down her face as she stood on the winner’s podium.

Synonyms: Platform, Stage, Dais

19)    Formidable

Meaning: Causing you to have fear or respect for something or someone because that thing or person is large, powerful, or difficult.

Example: She is a formidable figure who commands a great deal of respect .

Synonyms: Intimidating, Forbidding, Redoubtable

Antonyms: Comforting, Weak

20)    Nucleus

Meaning: The group of people or things that are the most important part of something.

Example: These three players will form the nucleus of a revised and stronger team.

Synonyms:Small group, Core

21)    Smashes

Meaning: In tennis or volleyball, to hit the ball down towards the ground quickly and forcefully.

Example: In tennis, there is the forehand, the backhand, the overhead smash and the drop volley, all with a different grip.

Synonyms:Crowd-puller, Knockout

22)    Deft

Meaning: Skilful, clever, or quick.

Example: Her movements were deft and quick.

Synonyms: Skillful, Nifty

Antonyms: Clumsy, Awkward

23)    Rallying

Meaning: A continuous exchange of hits between players in tennis, squash or badminton.

Example: There will be fierce competition among the top seeds over two tough days of rallying to decide the outcome of this most prestigious of motorsport events.

Synonyms:Gather, Improve

Antonyms: Deteriorate, Disband

THE HINDU EDITORIAL: 26, JUNE 2017

THE HINDU EDITORIAL

A) Whose privilege?

The Karnataka Assembly’s resolution imposing a one-year prison sentence and ₹10,000 fine on the editors of two tabloids is indefensible and deserving of unsparing criticism. The Constitution confers certain privileges on legislative institutions with the idea of protecting freedom of speech and expression in the House and ensuring that undue influence, pressure or coercionis not brought on the legislature in the course of its functioning. Unfortunately, breach of privilege is invoked for the ostensible reason of protecting the image of the House on the whole or its individual members; too often, it is a thinly disguised mechanism to insulate elected representatives from criticism. Without a law codifying the legislative privileges, there is little merit in subjecting anyone, leave alone a journalist, to penal action for allegedly breaching a legislator’s privilege, unless there is a move or attempt to obstruct the functioning of either the House or its members. The articles concerned were published in Hi Bangalore and Yelahanka Voice and were referred to the Privileges Committee in 2014. Whether what Ravi Belagere and Anil Raj, the editors of the two tabloids, published was fair comment or unfair criticism is not germane in this case. What matters is that by no stretch of the imagination could the articles have impeded the independent functioning of the three legislators who had complained against them. If the members felt defamed, they could have opted to pursue an appropriate judicial remedy in their individual capacity. The legislature must use the power to punish for contempt or breach of privilege sparingly, invoking it mainly to protect the independence of the House and not to take away the liberty of critics. Legislators are in a position to clarify facts and refute misconceived criticism. There is no reason for them to seek imprisonment for contempt. There are many unsettled questions about the very nature of legislative privileges. The absence of codification gives the House the freedom to decide when and how breach of privilege occurs. Even if it is conceded that the House has such a right, a moot question is whether the legislature, through its Committee of Privileges, should be a judge in its own cause. Whether the legislature’s power to punish for breach of privilege extends to handing down a prison term is still an open question. The time has come for the legislature to codify privileges and for the higher judiciary to lay down the limits of penal action for breach of privilege. The Karnataka government must consider the public odium it would attract if it acted on the resolution. If the Chief Minister and the Speaker take the lead in getting the Assembly to rescind the resolution, that would better safeguard the dignity of the august House.

B) Being smart

The Centre would like us to believe that the Smart Cities Mission will transform urban life in the agglomerations that enter the elite club. With the latest inclusions, there are 90 cities in the list, each of which proposes to turn ‘smart’, utilising core funding from the Centre and other resources. By all accounts, the provision of basic services in urban India has been worsening, and this is clearly reflected in the winning city proposals: 81 of the selected plans seek funds for affordable housing, new schools and hospitals, and redesign of roads. This is at best a partial list, and there are many more aspects to achieving inclusivity. There is a high-visibility campaign around the Smart Cities Mission, but there is little evidence to suggest that State and local governments have either the fine-grained data or the capability to analyse them in order to understand the evolving needs of their communities. The Centre has apparently decided to skirt such a fundamental problem by adopting a ‘managed urbanisation’ approach in the chosen cities, with the powers of municipal councils delegated to a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV), under the Companies Act, that will act in its own wisdom. Given that this is the model adopted by the two-year-old Mission, the Centre must present a status report on what the SPVs have achieved so far. Any serious attempt at improving the quality of life in cities would depend on how governments approach data. It would be smart, for instance, to use sensors to estimate the low of vehicles and pedestrians, and create smart phone applications for the public to report on a variety of parameters. Making such data open would enable citizens’ groups to themselves come up with analyses to help city administrators make decisions, boost transparency and make officials accountable. There are several international examples now, such as the Array of Things sensors being installed on Chicago streets, which let people download the raw data on air quality, transport, pedestrian movement and standing water. Although India’s Smart Cities Mission has identified more than 20 priority areas, interventions by the respective agencies are weak. Access to special funding should make it mandatory for all public transport providers — city bus corporations, Metro Rail and suburban trains — to provide real-time passenger information in the form of open data, an inexpensive global standard that raises both access and efficiency through smart phone applications. Making street-level waste management data public would lead to a heat map of the worst sites, compellingmanagers to solve the problem. Clearly, there is a lot of low-hanging fruit on the road to smartness, and a nimble policy approach can tap this quickly. More importantly, the ideology that guides the plan should recognise that the vibrant life of cities depends on variety and enabling environments, rather than a mere technology-led vision. Pollution-free commons, walk ability and easy mobility, with a base of reliable civic services, is the smart way to go.

WORDS/ VOCABULARY

1) Tabloids

Meaning: A newspaper having pages half the size of those of the average broadsheet, typically popular in style and dominated by sensational stories.

Example: The tabloid press.

2) Coercion

Meaning: The action or practice of persuading someone to do something by using force or threats.

Example: It wasn’t slavery because no coercion was used.

Synonyms: Force, Compulsion

Antonyms: Persuasion

3) Breach

Meaning: An act of breaking or failing to observe a law, agreement, or code of conduct.

Example: A breach of confidence.

Synonyms: Contravention, Violation

4) Privilege

Meaning: A special right, advantage, or immunity granted or available only to a particular person or group.

Example: Education is a right, not a privilege.

Synonyms: Advantage, Right, Benefit

5) Allegedly

Meaning: Used to convey that something is claimed to be the case or have taken place, although there is no proof.

Example: He was allegedly a leading participant in the coup attempt.

Synonyms: Reportedly, Supposedly

6) Sparingly

Meaning: In a restricted or infrequent manner; in small quantities.

Example: The sharply flavoured leaves should be used sparingly.

7) Moot

Meaning: Subject to debate, dispute, or uncertainty.

Example: Whether the temperature rise was mainly due to the greenhouse effect was a moot point.

Synonyms: Debatable, Open to debate

8) Agglomerations

Meaning: A mass or collection of things; an assemblage.

Example: The arts centre is an agglomeration of theatres, galleries, shops, restaurants and bars.

Synonyms: Collection, Mass

9) Elite

Meaning: A select group that is superior in terms of ability or qualities to the rest of a group or society.

Example: The elite of Britain’s armed forces.

Synonyms: Best, Pick

Antonyms: Dregs

10) Compelling

Meaning: Evoking interest, attention, or admiration in a powerfully irresistible way.

Example: His eyes were strangely compelling.

Synonyms: Enthralling, Captivating

Antonyms: Boring

Current Affairs June 27, 2017

1. Survey for world's highest rail track to commence in Leh

The Railways will kick off the final location survey of the 498 km long Bilaspur-Manali-Leh line at Leh in Jammu and Kashmir.

Coming up at a high of 3,300 metres, the strategically important rail project is touted to become the highest rail track in the world, overtaking China's Qinghai-Tibet Railway.

The all-weather Leh rail network is one of the four important railway connectivities identified by the defence ministry along the China border.

2. Govt to observe anti-Emergency day on Jun 25-26

The government has observed anti-Emergency day on June 25-26 and asked all its ministers to hold programmes across the country to remind people how Emergency was clamped by former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi in 1975.

Terming the Emergency as a "black day" in the constitutional democracy of independent India, Union Information and Broadcasting Minister M Venkaiah Naidu had written to all ministers, asking them to make themselves available.

3. Aadhaar not valid for travel to Nepal, Bhutan, says Home Ministry

Aadhaar is not a valid identification document for Indians travelling to Nepal and Bhutan, the Union Home Ministry has said.

Indians can travel to Nepal and Bhutan--countries for which they don't need visas--if they possess a valid national passport or election ID card issued by the Election Commission.

Moreover, to ease travel, persons over 65 and below 15 years of age can show documents with photographs to confirm their age and identity. These include PAN card, driving license, Central Government Health Service (CGHS) card and ration card but not Aadhaar.

4. World Bank clears $250-mn loan to train India's job seekers

The World Bank has cleared a USD 250-million loan for making Indian youth more employable through reskilling, in a move that is seen to aid the Skill India mission.

The multi-lateral lender is keen to support the Indian government in its efforts to better equip the young workforce with employable skills.

It said the support will help the youth contribute to India's economic growth and prosperity.

5. K Kasturirangan heads panel on National Education Policy

The committee for preparation of final draft of National Education Policy has been constituted under the Chairmanship of eminent Scientist Padma Vibhushan Dr K. Kasturirangan.

The council will start its work from immediate effect.

In an exhaustive democratic exercise carried for last 30 months the HRD ministry has received thousands of suggestions from, educationists, teachers, experts, students and other stakeholders from across the country.

6. J-K Governor N N Vohra appointed as president of IIC

Jammu and Kashmir Governor N N Vohra has been appointed the president of the India International Centre (IIC) - one of the premier cultural institutions in the country.

The appointment was made after eminent jurist Soli Sorabjee quit the presidential post.

7. Bhumika Sharma wins Miss World Bodybuilding Title

Dehradun girl Bhumika Sharma has won the World Bodybuilding Championship in Venice.

She made India proud after acing all the important rounds. She gained the maximum number of points in body posing, individual posing and fall category.

She bagged the Miss World Bodybuilding title and the gold medal at the world championship which was held in Venice last week.

8. Malayalam Film Director K R Mohanan Passes Away

Noted Malayalam film director K R Mohanan died following a brief illness.

69-year old Mohanan, a former chairman of Kerala State Chalachitra Academy, breathed his last at a private hospital.

Mohanan was in the forefront of the Malayalam parallel cinema movement.

His popular films are Ashwathama' in 1978, 'Purushartham' in 1987 and 'Swaroopam' in 1992.

Current Affairs June 26, 2017

1. International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking: 26 June

By resolution 42/112 of 7 December 1987, the UN General Assembly decided to observe 26 June as the International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking.

It aims to achieve the goal of an international society free of drug abuse.

The theme for 2017 is: "Listen First - Listening to children and youth is the first step to help them grow healthy and safe."

2. Day of the Seafarer: 25 June

Annual Day of the Seafarer (DotS) is observed on 25 June.

DotS was established in a resolution adopted by the 2010 Diplomatic Conference in Manila to adopt the revised STCW Convention.

Its stated purpose is to recognize the unique contribution made by seafarers from all over the world to international seaborne trade, the world economy and civil society as a whole.

This year’s theme is "Seafarers Matter".

3. IDFC Bank elevates Sunil Kakar as MD and CEO for 3 years

Private sector lender IDFC Bank announced the elevation of its CFO Sunil Kakar as the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the company with effect from July 17 for three years.

Besides, the bank announced that the Board has approved the resignation of veteran banker Vikram Limaye from the post of MD and CEO who is set to join leading stock exchange NSE as its new Managing Director and CEO.

4. Priyanka Chopra to endorse Skill India campaign

Actress Priyanka Chopra will soon be seen endorsing government's flagship Skill India campaign, with the National Skill Development Corporation roping in the Bollywood celebrity as an ambassador for the initiative.

Priyanka will use her celebrity status to motivate youngsters to hone their abilities through a media campaign.

Earlier, Indian cricket captain Virat Kohli, batting legend Sachin Tendulkar, Bollywood actors Sidharth Malhotra and Shabana Azmi and singer Mohit Chauhan had also become goodwill envoys for Skill India.

5. Haryana girl Manushi Chhillar is Femina Miss India World 2017

The 54th Femina Miss India World 2017 winner is Manushi Chhillar from Haryana, while the first runner-up is Sana Dua from Jammu and Kashmir and the second runner-up is Priyanka Kumari from Bihar.

The event was held at Yash Raj Studios in Mumbai.

Besides, Vinali Bhatnagar won the Miss Active crown whereas Vamika Nidhi won the special award of ‘Body Beautiful’.

6. PV Sindhu, Indian junior hockey team win SJFI annual awards

The Sports Journalists Federation of India, at its annual general meeting, decided to confer the best Sportsperson of the Year Award on the ace shuttler and Rio Olympics silver medallist P V Sindhu.

The Best Team of the Year award was bagged by the Indian junior hockey squad which won the World Cup in Lucknow last December.

7. Kidambi Srikanth wins Australian Open

Indian shuttler Kidambi Srikanth beat Olympic champion Chen Long 22-20, 21-16 in straight sets to win the Australian Open Superseries badminton tournament.

Chen enjoyed a 5-0 advantage against Srikanth in the head to head record, but the Indian dominated his rival and clinched the title.

With this, Srikanth has to his credit playing three consecutive finals. He finished runner-up at the Singapore Open before winning the Indonesia Open title last week.

8. Lone Fox Dancing: Ruskin Bond’s autobiography

The prolific writer Ruskin Bond recently launched his autobiography ‘Lone Fox Dancing’, a book that revolves around the writer's life in India.

Bond was born to Edith Clarke and Aubrey Bond during the Colonial rule and spent most of his childhood in Jamnagar and Shimla.

He wrote his first short story at the age of 16 and wrote his very first book, Room on the Roof, at the age of 17.

9. Naidu launches book ‘The Emergency-Indian Democracy’s Darkest Hour’

Union Minister for Information & Broadcasting Venkaiah Naidu launched a book titled ‘The Emergency-Indian Democracy’s Darkest Hour’ written by A. Surya Prakash, chairman Prasar Bharati Board.

The book launch was organised as part of the day-long convention organized to mark the anniversary of the Emergency by Megh Nirghosh Media today in Ahmedabad.

Mr.Naidu further said that freedom of speech and expression ensured in our Constitution comes with responsibility. He said the real essence of democracy lies in people’s participation.

Current Affairs June 25, 2017

1. Prime Minister Modi and Prime Minister Costa launch unique Start-up portal

Prime Minister Modi and Portuguese Prime Minister Costa launched a unique startup Portal - the India-Portugal International StartUp Hub (IPISH) - in Lisbon.

This is a platform initiated by Startup India and supported by Commerce & Industry Ministry and Startup Portugal to create a mutually supportive entrepreneurial partnership.

IPISH hosts a range of tools and will provide information on the start-up hotspots of Bangalore, Delhi and Lisbon; and on associated subjects, such as policy, taxation, and visa options. It will develop a Go-To-Market Guide to support start-ups.

2. Naidu inaugurates ‘Homes For All’ property show in Ahmedabad

Union Minister for Urban Development, Housing and Poverty Alleviation Venkaiah Naidu has inaugurated the ‘Homes For All’ property show organized by Ahmedabad Municipal corporation and GIHED CREDAI in Ahmedabad.

The minister urged banks to invest more in the infrastructure sector.

On the occasion, Mr. Naidu launched several smart initiatives such as Janmitra Card -‘One Card Many Services’, AMC Seva Mobile Application, Amdavad Airport Shuttle Service, Intelligent Transit Management System among others.

3. Now mobile banking complaints under ombudsman: RBI

Reserve Bank of India has widened the scope of its banking ombudsman platform for addressing mis-sell of third party products, and customer grievances on and mobile banking and electronic banking issues, recognising customers' plight in dealing with such troubles.

The new rule will be effective from July 1, and the banking ombudsmen will enjoy more power in their pecuniary jurisdiction.

Banking ombudsman is a quasi judicial authority, created to resolve customer complaints against banks relating to certain services provided by them.

The pecuniary jurisdiction of the banking ombudsman to pass an award has been increased from existing Rs 10 lakh to Rs 20 lakh.

4. Imran Khawaja appointed as ICC deputy chairman  

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has appointed Chairman of Associates Imran Khawaja as its deputy chairman.

Khawaja, a veteran administrator from Singapore, was unanimously elected for the post created following the constitutional change approved at the ICC Full Council.

Khawaja will deputise in ICC meetings in case the chairman is absent.

5. Bengal's Kanyashree initiative wins United Nations Public Service Award

Kanyashree Prakalpa, the scheme launched by Mamata Banerjee in October 2013, two years after she became West Bengal chief minister, won the United Nations Public Service Award at The Hague. 

India was named first in the Asia-Pacific group for the category: 'Reaching the Poorest and Most Vulnerable through Inclusive Services and Participation'. 

Kanyashree aims to improve status of adolescent girls from disadvantaged families through small cash transfers.

6. Sultan Wins Best Action Movie Award At Shanghai International Film Festival

Salman Khan's Sultan, which released during Eid last year, has won the Best Action Movie award at the Shanghai International Film Festival and is the first Indian film to win this honour.

Sultan is all set to release in China later this year.

Sultan narrates the story of a fictional wrestling champion, Sultan Ali Khan (Salman), whose successful career creates a rift in his personal life.

7. Intellecap CEO Nisha Dutt gets social entrepreneur of year award

Nisha Dutt, Chief Executive Officer of Hyderabad-based Intellecap has been honoured with the “Social Entrepreneur of the Year” award at The 7th Asian Awards in London.

She is the first Indian woman leader to have been conferred with this recognition.

This award has been presented to her for leading Intellecap to become a globally known enterprise that focuses on social capital and impacts the underserved communities.

8. Vijaya Bank bags nine Skoch Awards

Vijaya Bank has bagged nine Skoch Awards.

The bank received awards in the following categories -- Best Bank in Public Sector; Best Bank for NPA Management – Organization Category; Retail Lending; Inclusive Wallet – VPAYQWIK; Digital Inclusion; IT Security; e-Surveillance of ATMs and branches; and 100 Digital Villages – Financial Inclusion.

The bank’s Executive Director B. S. Rama Rao received the NPA Management Award (individual category) from Sameer Kochhar, Chairman, Skoch Group at Mumbai.