Vice-President of India visited Tajikistan, Agreed on Strengthening Strategic Partnership

The Vice-President of India, Hamid Ansari was on an official visit to Tajikistan from 14 April to 18 April 2013 and was accompanied by a high-level delegation that included Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Processing Industries and four Members of Parliament. 

During this visit of the Vice-President, the two nations discussed on several issues and agreed on working together towards strengthening the ties between the two countries, like, human resource development, academic exchange and promote joint research and project work between both the Tajik Technical University and IIT, Delhi and more. 

Some of the important issues on which discussions were made and agreed upon

• Regional Security Issues: Exchange of views on maintenance of regional peace and security by strengthening cooperation with each other. Discussions on strengthening Afghanistan’s capacity towards maintenance of peace and prosperity were also made. As well as cooperation on security issues as well as in countering cross-border terrorism were also discussed. 
• Strengthen the Strategic Partnership: Leaders of both the nations agreed to focus on the welfare of the people of both the nations, with a common approach. 
• Strategic Partnership in strengthening the relations in energy sector, health, IT, education as well as establishing the small and micro industries in the country

Agreements Reached

• Increasing Trade: The leaders of both the nation identified the areas, in which trade can be further extended. They also identified the issue of fine-tuned connectivity between the two countries as the barrier. 
• Trans-Afghan Corridor: Leader’s of both the countries agreed on opening the trans-Afghan corridor for to facilitate easy access of trade to and from the land-locked country. This proposed route will come via Afghanistan and Pakistan
• Agreement was also reached over strengthening relations in mining, information technology enabled services and medical sectors.

Hamid Ansari, is the first Vice-President of Indian Union to visit Tajikistan. Before this visit of Hamid Ansari to Tajikistan, President of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon visited India in 2012 and during the same visit the bilateral relationship between the two countries was elevated to the strategic partnership level.

India’s Exports in March 2013 were valued at 30849.65 Million Dollars

India’s Exports during March 2013 were valued at 30849.65 million US dollars (167836.31 crore rupees) which was 6.97 per cent higher in Dollar terms (15.65 per cent higher in Rupee terms) than the level of 28839.36 million US dollars (145123.41 crore rupees) during March, 2012. Cumulative value of exports for the period April-March 2012 -13 was 300570.58 million US dollars (Rs 1635261.02 crore) as against 305963.92 million US dollars (1465959.40 crore rupees) registering a  negative growth of 1.76 per cent in Dollar terms and growth of 11.55 per cent in Rupee terms over the same period 2011-12. 

Imports during March, 2013 were valued at 41164.71 million US dollars (223954.98 crore rupees) representing a negative growth of 2.87 per cent in Dollar terms and a growth of 5.01 per cent in Rupee terms  over the level of imports valued at 42380.68 million US dollars ( R. 213265.08 crore rupees) in March, 2012. Cumulative value of imports for the period April-March, 2012-13 was  491487.22 million US Dollars (2673113.08 crore rupees) as against 489319.50 million US dollars ( 2345463.25 crore rupees) registering a growth of 0.44 per cent in Dollar terms and growth of 13.97 per cent in Rupee terms over the same period last year.
 
CRUDE OIL AND NON-OIL IMPORTS   
Oil imports during March, 2013 were valued at 13327.1 million US dollars which was 16.56  per cent lower than oil imports valued at  15972.4 million US dollars in the corresponding period last year.  Oil imports during April-March, 2012-13 were valued at 169253.0 million US dollars which was 9.22 per cent higher than the oil imports of 154967.5 million US dollars in the corresponding period last year. 
 
Non-oil imports during March, 2013 were estimated at 27837.6 million US dollars which was 5.41 per cent higher than non-oil imports of 26408.3 million US dollars in March, 2012.  Non-oil imports during April - March, 2012-13 were valued at 322234.2 million US dollars which was 3.62 per cent lower than the level of such imports valued at 334352.0 million US dollars in April - March, 2011-12
 
TRADE BALANCE
The trade deficit for April - March, 2012-13 was estimated at 190916.64 million US dollars which was higher than the deficit of 183355.58 million US dollars during April -March, 2011-12.

Pak Court ordered Arrest of Parvez Musharraf in Judges’ Confinement Case

The High Court of Islamabad, Pakistan on 18 April 2013 dismissed the interim bail extension plea of former President, Parvez Musharraf and ordered his arrest in the Judges’ confinement case. 

The decision of the high court came up when Parvez Musharraf appeared before the Court to seek extension of his bail in the Judges Confinement case. Musharraf managed to flee away from the courtroom and its premises with the help of his private security guards. Earlier the interim bail term of the former President was extended by the Islamabad High Court till 18 April 2013. 

Earlier in the third week of April 2013, the election officers of Pakistan barred Parvez Musharraf from standing in the general elections that is to be held on 11 May 2013 due to various legal challenges being faced by him. With this court order and his escape from the court room, the chances of Musharraf, the leader of All Pakistan Muslim League party has faded the hopes of the revival of his political action to the Pakistan’s next month 

A Giant Galaxy called HFLS3 discovered which is 12.8 Billion Light Years away from Earth

Scientists in the third week of April 2013 discovered a giant galaxy called HFLS3 in the Universe which is 12.8 Billion light years away from Earth. The newly found galaxy is believed to produce 3000 Suns every year. It has stars having a total mass nearly 40 billion times the mass of our Sun. The galaxy is shrouded in a dust cloud which is 100 billion times the mass of Sun.

The age of the galaxy has been estimated around 800 million years old which makes it as one of the youngest galaxies in the Universe. The astronomers used 12 orbiting and ground-based telescopes to discover HFLS3. The galaxy was described as a maximum star-burst galaxy due to its prodigious star formation rate

[Studyplan] LIC AAO Administrative Officer 2013: Topicwise booklist, cut offs

Overview of LIC AAO 2013 Exam

• Computer based: yes
• Negative marking: yes
• Sectional cut-off: yes.
• Bond System: yes, 1 lakh Rupees (4 years)
• Vacancies: around 750

Section	No.of Qs	Marks per Qs	Total
Reasoning	30	3	90
Maths	30	3	90
GK	30	2	60
Computers	30	2	60
English	40	2.5	100
Total	160	-	400

How is 2013 different from previous years’ LIC AAO exams?

How is LIC AAO 2013 different from previous exams

Earlier LIC AAO 2011 exam	Now LIC AAO 2013
Pen and Paper based	Computer based
Had only four sections Reasoning Maths GK English	Has five sections Reasoning Maths GK Computer awareness English grammar, comprehension and Vocab
Had descriptive English paper (précis and comprehension)	There is no descriptive English paper.
Did not have negative marking	Has -25% negative marking.
Fees was Rs.400	Rs.500 (inflation everywhere)

Approach: Maths, Quantative aptitude for LIC

Maths of LIC is pretty much the 90s era Bank/SSC tests = few questions on BODMAS, algebra, percentages, average-alligiation, Time speed work distance and you’re done. So, If you’re a serious player of SSC/IBPS, then it should hardly pose any challenge to you.

How is LIC maths different from SSC CGL?

• Trigonometry not asked
• Geometry not asked (only mensuration asked – that Is area, volume, perimeter)
• Coordinate geometry not asked.

How is LIC maths different from IBPS/SBI PO?

• LIC’s data interpretation questions are very cheap and easy compared to them.

ok, Question (again) is how to prepare it in a systematic manner?

• Ofcourse you can just mugup a few formulas, practice a few questions from book. But that’s like firefighting / desi-jugaad= not good.
• Why? Because apart from LIC, you’d also be preparing for IBPS, SSC, CDS, CAPF, ONGC, CSAT, CAT (depending on your taste). So better approach is: first get basic concepts clear (from NCERT etc), then try maximum questions.

Book for Quantitative aptitude?

• If you already have RS Aggarwal’s book on Quantitative aptitude, it is sufficient for LIC Exam.
• If you don’t have it, I would suggest go for Fast track to objective arithmetic by Rajesh Verma or Quantum CAT by Sarvesh Kumar because they help in other exams as well. (RS aggarwal’s Quantitative Aptitude book doesn’t have good coverage for geometry, trigonometry topics that come in SSC CGL, plus these new books have given explanations in more lucid manner .)

Approach: English grammar, comprehension

topic	AAO 2009	ADO 2010	ADO 2013
Sentence Arrangement	0	5	5
Sentence Correction	5	10	10
Comprehension	0	7	5
Fill in the Blanks	10		5
Vocabulary (Syn, Antonym, Fill in Blanks, Analogy)	15	3	0
Total	30	25	25

• for LIC AAO 2013, they’ll have 40 questions on English worth 100 marks.
• Again, LIC English section runs parallel to that of SSC, IBPS. Except that SSC has specific sets of active/passive, direct/indirect speech, idioms and phrases while LIC doesn’t.

Job Profile: LIC AAO (Administrative Officer)

Courtesy : Shri Sumeet from Orkut forum who has written following regarding Job Profiles of AAO,ADO. 

• There are two wings in LIC where a Direct Recrutee AAO can work: 1.) Administrative 2.) Marketing
• Initially AAO will be given administrative responsibilities where u will be made HOD of a deptt. Or even more than one department Like New Business, Claims, Policy Servicing, Office services, Accounts..in every dept.
• You have to take the responsibility of all the works related to that dept.
• After two years you can get the chance for job rotation and move to marketing side as Asstt. Branch Manager(sales).
• You will get a car worth Rs. 5.50 lakhs.
• The work pressure is immense and those thinking of joining LIC as AAO and prepare for UPSC etc. You must be clear that its not possible at all once u r in LIC.
• Well Initially you have to join as Asst. Admin officer only….after 2 years of confirmed service in the cadre you will become eligible for marketing assignment as Asst.Branch Manager (Sales).
• Its your choice ..but since there are lot of promotee officers who are desirous of becoming ABM(s), the competition becomes tough, though Direct recruit AAOs are given the preference.
• And there is nothing like targets n all for AAOs…these targets are only for ADO…so be cool and prepare hard.
• Yeah the salary is under revision and is due w.e.f from Aug 2012..cant say the exact quantum  of revision but in hand salary will definitely be 35k+
• In addition to this you will be entiteled to Rs. 125/- per day as meal coupon(sodexo) for each working day +600 as entertainment allowance+400 mobile expenses(confirmed AAOs)+ reimbursement for any one financial news paper

Job Profile: Bank PO vs LIC AAO

• SBI PO is ahead in terms of perk and allowances.
• Promotion are time bound…i mean there is no separate departmental or any other exm to give to out of term promotion. The promotion duration as of now is long..like it takes about around 6-7 years for an AAO to become AO.
• Though things are expected to change in future. Probation is for 1 year.
• Regarding postings, since it’s an all India cadre u will be posted to any part of the country.
• During our time most of the AAOs had got home or nearby divisions

Sectional Cutoffs for LIC AAO 2011

Courtesy: My friend csl80 from Pagalguy forum.
According RTI, for LIC AAO 2011 exam, Total 1.8 lakh people applied but only about 54,000 appeared in the written exam.

		Max. Marks	Gen, OBC	SC,ST,PH
Paper I	Reasoning	60	36	30
	Maths	30	18	15
	GK	20	12	10
	English Grammar, Vocab	30	18	15
	Subtotal	140	84	70
Paper II*	English Descriptive: Précis, RC	50	25	20

*Paper II only qualifying nature, its marks not counted in merit list.

Anupam Kher receives UK's top Asian award

Actor Anupam Kher and Sir Ben Kingsley, musician Nicole Scherzinger and late Hollywood legend Bruce Lee were honoured at the third edition of The Asian Awards held in London last night (April 16, 2013). The award ceremony was hosted by former athlete and Olympian Lord Sebastian Coe.

Anupam Kher, who has received rave reviews for his performance in the Oscar winning movie Silver Linings Playbook, received the Outstanding Achievement in Cinema award. He said, "I am truly humbled and honoured for being awarded The Asian Award for my work as an actor. As an actor all we do and want to do is make people laugh, cry, and persuade many other emotions by our craft. Our achievement at the end of the day is when the audience really does understand what we are doing. And the best part is when the spectrum is not India but Asia and the awards are not only for the category of cinema but other fields too. It is also an honour to be given this award the same year as Sir Ben Kingsley. Makes me feel very proud!" 

Gandhi star Sir Ben Kingsley received the Fellowship award for his outstanding five decade career. Martial arts expert and actor Bruce Lee, who died in 1973, was honoured with the prestigious Founders Award for his impact and influence on western cinema, and also to mark the 40th anniversary of his death. 

The Asian Awards celebrate artistes, entrepreuners and other achievers of Asian origin. Previous awardees have included Sachin Tendulkar, Muttiah Muralitharan, Asha Bhosle, Jay Sean, AR Rahman and Ratan Tata.

World Hemophilia Day was observed on 17 April 2013

World Hemophilia Day was observed on 17 April 2013 across the world. The day is observed to advocate for the global efforts to ensure appropriate care and treatment of diseases, which are the oldest known genetic bleeding disorders caused by Genetic Deficiency. 

50 Years of Advancing Treatment for All has been decided as the theme for the year 2013. The World Federation of Hemophilia (WFH) and the global community have worked together, for over a period of past 50 years, to improve care and treatment for inherited bleeding disorders.

17 April is observed as the World Hemophilia Day every year across the world. Hemophilia generally is a blood disorder that effects a huge population across the world. The disease is generally transmitted to the daughter from his father at the time of birth, who further becomes the carrier of hemophilia cells of the defected gene to her children. 

This is a non-curable disease but can be handled, if treated finely. World Hemophilia Day aims to increase awareness of this disease and other bleeding disorders as well as where we have been, where we want to go, and that together, we can close the gap in care. Hemophilia B is the second most common kind of bleeding disorder, also termed as factor IX deficiency.

Reality of the Hemophilia 

75 percent of the people suffering from the disease across the world receive inadequate treatment or no treatment at all. The percentage of the people suffering from the disorder is higher than the Von Willebrand disorder and rare factor deficiencies.

Science Current Affairs Quiz/Questions-Answers April 2013, April 8-April 14

Science Current Affairs Quiz tests the aspirant’s knowledge of latest developments in the field of science, technology and environment. Wide range of questions on scientific development and inventions are provided in the section which enables the students to face competitive exams more effectively. Take these Science; technology and environment quiz to better understand this subject. 

1. Scientists developed a new device to detect gastro-intestinal cancers. What is the name of this new device?
a) Bile Duct Video Camera
b) Multi-Bending Camera
c) Advanced Multi-Bending Cholangioscope
d) Multi-Bending Peroral Direct Cholangioscope (PDCS)
Answer: (d) Multi-Bending Peroral Direct Cholangioscope (PDCS)
2. Which Government approved the plan to build the world’s largest telescope at the summit of Hawaii’s Mauna Kea volcano?
a) UK Government
b) US Government
c) Hawaii Government
d) Canadian Government
Answer: (b) US Government

3. Rings of which planet produce their own rain that falls onto the planet and cause major impact on its atmosphere?
a) Mercury
b) Earth
c) Pluto
d) Saturn
Answer: (d) Saturn

4. Researchers at the Institute of Cancer Research in London and the Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust revealed that men having BRCA2 gene are more prone to __________ cancer. Fill in the blank with an appropriate option. 
a) Prostate cancer
b) Ovarian cancer
c) Breast cancer
d) Uterus cancer
Answer: (a) Prostate cancer
5. Scientists found very strong evidence that aerosols from burning fossil fuels were affecting growth of _______. Fill in the blank with an appropriate option.
a) Reefs
b) Coral 
c) Rainforests
d) Trees
Answer: (b) Coral

UK Scientists produced a Disease-Resistant Piglet called Pig-26

Scientists produced a disease-resistant piglet called Pig-26 using a new technique which is more simple than cloning, paving way for genetically modified meat. The new technique is called gene editing and Pig 26 is the first animal to be created through gene editing. It was born in December 2012 at Edinburgh’s Roslin Institute, where the cloned sheep Dolly was created in the year 1996. 

The Special features of new technique are as following:
• Pig 26 was created through a process called gene editing.
• It is faster and more efficient than other methods. 
• It is immune to African swine fever which can kill within 24 hours. 
• The new scientific development could bring GM meat a step closer.

IMF slashed Economic Growth Rate of India to 5.7 percent from 5.9 percent for 2013

International Monetary Fund in its latest release on 16 April 2013 of the World Economic Outlook (WEO) slashed the growth projection of India from its earlier prediction of 5.9 percent to 5.7 percent for the calendar year 2013. 

The IMF slashed its projection for India based on the significant structural challenges faced by India, which would lower down the potential output keeping inflation elevated by regional reasons. It also predicted that the bottomed out India economy could recover following the policy reforms introduced by the Union Government and the improvement in external demands. All these depend upon a better monsoon season, solid consumption, external demand and improvement in policy making. 

IMF also slashed the global outlook to 3.3 percent from 3.5 percent predicted in January 2013 and for 17-nation Euro Zone, the forecast was 0.3 percent. It has advocated to the policymakers of European nations to come up with aggressive monetary policies to pull out Eurozone from the crisis situation. 

Growth Projection by Union Government of India
The Union Government projected its growth for the fiscal year 2013-14 to be 6.2-6.7 percent. Indian Government uses the factor of cost method for making growth projections related to economy.  Whereas IMF calculates the growth rate based on the estimates of Growth Domestic Product using market prices. 
 
The Current Account Deficit would be elevated at 4.9 percent against 5.1 percent in 2013, and the Consumer Price Inflation can move up to 10.8 percent from 9.3 percent. The latest data released in context of India’s retail inflation showed moderated impact of retail inflation in March 2013. 

IMF projected that India would grow at the rate of 6.2% in 2014. It projects the global economy to expand 4.1% in the 2014.