CA January 8 & 9
CABINET APPROVES ‘PM GRAMIN DIGITAL SAKSHARTA ABHIYAN’ FOR DIGITAL EDUCATION
The Cabinet has approved Pradhan Mantri Gramin Digital Saksharta Abhiyan to make 6 crore rural households digitally literate by March 2019. The outlay for this project is over two thousand 351 crore rupees to usher in digital literacy in rural India. An official release said, the Abhiyan is expected to be one of the largest digital literacy programmes in the world. More from our correspondent.
ELECTRICITY TO ALL HOUSEHOLDS BY 2022, SAYS GOVT
The government today said that it has set a target of providing electricity to all households by 15th of August,2022. Replying to supplementary in the Lok Sabha, Power Minister Piyush Goyal said, the government is committed to this and efforts are on to achieve the goal.
He informed that there are over 18 thousand un-electrified villages in the country as on April,2015 and out of them, over 12 thousand villages have been electrified till 6th of this month. He said, the remaining villages will be connected with electricity by May,2018.
OVER 7.6 LAKH CITIZENS RECEIVE REWARD MONEY WORTH RS 117 CR FOR EMBRACING DIGITAL PAYMENTS
Seven lakh sixty thousand citizens have received reward money worth 117 crore rupees in 45 days for embracing digital payments. In addition to the daily cash backs to 15 thousand consumers, 90 additional consumers and 3 thousand merchants have won 1 lakh and 50 thousand rupees each as weekly prize money for adopting digital mode of payments.
WORLD’S LARGEST PRODUCER OF SOLAR POWER – CHINA
China has become the world’s largest producer of solar energy
Doubled its installed photovoltaic capacity in 2016 and generated 66.2 billion kilowatt-hours of energy
The country further plans to double its current solar energy capacity by 2020
Germany, once the global solar-power leader, produced 40.78 gigawatts in 2016 holds the second position
ISRAEL GOVT PASSED LAW LEGALISING 4000 HOMES IN OCCUPIED WEST BANK
Israel parliament passed a controversial law retroactively to legalize about 4,000 settler homes built on privately owned Palestinian land in the occupied West Bank
The law was passed by 60 votes to 52
Law states that the original landowners will be compensated with money or alternative land
It raised international concern and Palestinian anger
The Palestinian says it is a legalised land theft
RAISE ACT INTRODUCED IN US SENATE
The RAISE Act was introduced by Republican senator Tom Cotton and Democrat David Perdue
To cut the level of immigrants to the country by half
Proposed to reduce the number of green card or Legal Permanent Residency issued every year from currently about a million to half a million
Have a major impact on hundreds and thousands of Indian-Americans who are currently waiting to get their green cards on employment-based categories
BASANT FESTIVAL BANS IN PAKISTAN
Pakistan’s Punjab CMShehbaz Sharif imposed a “complete ban” on Basant
Festival celebrated to mark the start of the spring season
Punjab government won’t allow such festivals which endanger people’s lives
PUTIN SIGNED LAW ON DECRIMINALISING DOMESTIC VIOLENCE
Vladimir Putin,Russian President, has approved an amendment that decriminalises domestic violence
In Russia, 1 woman dies every 40 minutes from domestic abuse
Domestic violence that does not result in broken bones is punishable by 15 days in prison if it does not happen more than once a year
PIAGGIO LAUNCHES APRILIA SR150 RACE SCOOTER PRICED RS 70,288
Italy’s Piaggio Group today launched its second crossover sport-scooter in India under the Aprilia brand, the SR150 RACE priced at Rs 70,288 (ex-showroom Mumbai).
The launch is a significant step in Aprilia’s India journey as the SR150 RACE comes to the country within less than six months of the flagship SR150 introduction, Piaggio said in a statement.
Built on the philosophy of the MotoGP’s globally popular RS-GP, the new addition a faster ride with faster acceleration, it added.
Commenting on the launch, Piaggio Vehicles Pvt Ltd Managing Director and CEO Stefano Pelle said, “The great response we got when we introduced the SR150 in India last year gave us the confidence that the market is now ripe for change.”
He said the youth of India is keen to explore the new and this augurs well for a brand like Aprilia which thrives on building different categories in every market that the company operates in.
GESTAMP INVESTS RS 260 CRORE IN HOT STAMPING PLANT IN PUNE TO MEET FUTURE LIGHT WEIGHTING NEEDS OF CAR MAKERS
Gestamp, a Spanish auto component major specialising in metal components has invested Rs 260 crore in a new hot stamping plant in Pune to cater to growing demand for safer and light weight vehicles in the country.
The company claims, Gestamp’s hot stamping technology can reduce the overall vehicle weight by up to 30%. Hot stamping is one of the solutions that allow manufacturers to reduce the weight of the body in white structure, resulting in reduced emissions. In addition, the hot stamping process improves the vehicle’s behaviour in case of collision and contributes to passenger safety.The new plant in Pune will be amongst 70 hot stamping lines around the world that the company has which manufactures lighter and safer metal components.
TYRE INDUSTRY VOICES CONCERN AT PROJECTED DEFICIT IN NR PRODUCTION
Expressing concern at the reported projection of a deficit of 3.4 lakh tonnes of natural rubber (NR) in 2017-18 by the Rubber Board, the tyre industry has asked the Commerce Ministry in a representation for duty free import of NR equivalent to the projected domestic deficit.
According to the industry, Rubber Board recently projected domestic production of 7.2 lakh tonnes and consumption of 10.6 lakh tonnes for the FY 17-18. Tyre industry consumes 65-70% of the natural rubber produced in the country.
“Domestic production of NR continues to be far below its requirement. Lately, sharp volatility in NR prices has led to further crunch in the domestic markets. In the last 45/60 days, NR prices have zoomed a significant 30% and growers are not willing to sell in the hope of a continued rally in the prices. With rise in prices and high import duty, imports have become unviable, said K M Mammen, chairman Automotive Tyre Manufacturers Association (ATMA).
300 MINING LEASES TO BE PUT ON AUCTION IN FY’18: GOVERNMENT
Government today said 2017-18 would be the most important year for the mining industry as leases of around 300 mineral blocks would be auctioned during the fiscal.
“In 2017-18 nearly 300 mining leases should be put on auction by different states,” Mines Secretary Balvinder Kumar said during an event.
Stating that some of the states have very large number of mining leases, he said that Karnataka alone has about 100 odd leases which would be put on auction.
“The fiscal 2017-18 will see a very big change in allocation of mining leases,” he said.
So far, around 21 mining leases have already been auctioned and these mineral blocks have a cumulative resource value of around Rs 94,000 crore, he added.
FSSAI TO BRING NEW REGULATIONS FOR ORGANIC FOODS
The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) will soon come out with a draft regulation for organic foods to ensure safety across the value chain through proper certification of such products, a top official said today.
The food regulator also plans to make it mandatory for hotels and restaurants to keep one trained and certified food safety supervisor, FSSAI CEO Pawan Agarwalsaid.
For capacity building, the FSSAI today tied up with the Hotel and Restaurant Association of Northern India (HRANI) to launch its programme for training of master trainers.
“We are taking 360 degree approach to food safety and healthy nutrition to prevent food borne infections and disease and for complete nutrition for citizens everywhere at all times,” Agarwal told reporters here.
KALPAKKAM TO HAVE TWO MORE PROTOTYPE FAST BREEDER REACTORS: GOVT
The Department of Atomic Energy will construct two Prototype Fast Breeder Reactors (PFBR) of 600 MW each at Kalpakkam in Tamil Nadu, besides the present one of 500 MW capacity which is expected to go fully functional by October, the government said today.
“All the construction activities of PFBR have been completed and the integrated commissioning activities have started. PFBR is expected to go fully functional by October 2017.
“This delay is primarily due to augmentation of certain additional assessments and checks on the installed equipment prior to commencement of their commissioning,” Jitendra Singh, Minister of State in the PMO, which looks after the Department of Atomic Energy said in a written reply in Rajya Sabha.
VISTARA TO FLY INTERNATIONAL IN SECOND HALF OF 2018: COO
Vistara plans to start international flights in the second half of 2018, its chief operating officer said Wednesday.
The airline is a joint venture between Tata Sons and Singapore Airlines.
Vistara will first start short haul flights and then go long haul with widebodied planes, Sanjiv Kapoor said at the CAPA India Aviation Summit 2017. CAPA-Centre for Aviation is a Sydney-based consultant.
The airline now has 13 Airbus A320 planes and will get to 20 by July 2018. Indian carriers have to scale up their fleets to 20 planes in order to be considered for an international license, according to current norms. From April onwards, Vistara will start getting the A320 Neo (new engine options) plane, the upgraded version of the most popular airliner in the world.
KUDANKULAM’S 2ND UNIT TO START COMMERCIAL OPS THIS FISCAL
The second 1,000 MW unit of the Kudankulam nuclear power plant is expected to start commercial operations this fiscal, government said today.
The plant, located in Tamil Nadu, currently has an installed capacity of 1,000 MW. The second unit of the project was made critical in July 2016 and connected to the grid in August.
Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office Jitendra Singh said the unit power was raised in steps in line with the regulatory clearances and reached its full power of 1,000 MW on January 21 this year.
“The unit is presently under test operation at its rated power of 1,000 MW, generating infirm (non-commercial) power. The unit is expected to start commercial operation in the current financial year,” he said during Question Hour in the Lok Sabha.
MAHINDRA LIFESPACE, SBI TO CREATE PLATFORM ON HOME FINANCE
Mahindra group realty firm Mahindra Lifespace DevelopersBSE 0.54 % today announced a partnership with State Bank of IndiaBSE -0.07 % (SBI) to set up a platform for providing quicker and convenient financing of home purchases.
The establishment of a market-focused platform will provide information and bespoke home buying solutions for customers across India, the company said in a statement.
Mahindra Lifespace Developers LtdBSE 0.54 % has projects in Mumbai Metropolitan Region (Mumbai, Thane, Palghar, Alibaug and Boisar), Pune, Nagpur, Ahmedabad, Nashik, the National Capital Region (New Delhi, Gurgaon and Faridabad), Jaipur, Hyderabad, Bengaluru and Chennai.
SAIL LINES UP RS 4,000 CRORE CAPEX FOR NEXT FISCAL
Country’s largest steel maker SAILBSE 0.60 % is planning to spend up to Rs 4,000 crore on the modernisation and expansion of its plants in the coming fiscal.
“The Capex for the ongoing fiscal is nearly Rs 4,000 crore (2016-17). Next fiscal it should be similar range, somewhere between Rs 3,000 to Rs 4,000 crore,” SAIL Chairman P K Singh told PTI.
The company would fund the capital expenditure through debt, he said.
“We will invest the amount throughout our plants. We are a big company and continuously we have to invest otherwise technology goes obsolete, processes go obsolete…Continoulsy there is a need of investment … We need to invest to improve our processes,” he said.
ACCORHOTELS PLANS TO ADD CLOSE TO 550 ROOMS IN EASTERN INDIA
AccorHotels plans to add close to 550 rooms in eastern India as the company expands its footprint in Guwahati and Kolkata. The expansion is likely to take place over the next three years.
To start with, Novotel, a sub-brand of the company , will debut with its Guwahati property. Targeting a mid-year launch, it is likely to have 122 rooms. This would be followed by IBIS and Formule1 in Kolkata by 2018.
Talking about the eastern India hospitality scenario, Arif Patel, vice-president of sales, marketing, distribution and loyalty at AccorHotels India, said: “The potential in the east India market remained untapped for years and it has just started getting its share of branded hotels. Accor is attempting to give the east an option to choose from a chain of luxury hotel to branded budget rooms.“ The company is likely to double its Kolkata portfolio to four hotels.
NO RATE CUT IS A BIG DISAPPOINTMENT: REALTY EXPERTS
Expressing displeasure over the RBI decision to maintain status quo on key policy rates, especially after demonetisation, real estate industry experts said lowering the repo rate would have helped ease borrowing costs.
THALES TO SHOWCASE INNOVATION, INDUSTRIAL PROWESS AT AERO INDIA 2017
a global technology provider for aerospace, transport, defense and security markets, to demonstrate its innovation, mastery of advanced technology and industrial prowess by displaying a wide range of its products, capabilities, and developments at the Aero India 2017.
The company said it is enthusiastic about the ‘Make in India’ policy of the Indian government and developing the industrial defense base of the country.
At Aero India 2017, the Thales plans to highlight its relationship with India, its cooperation with the local industry, and capabilities that can optimally serve the modernisation needs of the Indian armed forces.
Pascale Sourisse, Senior Executive Vice President, International Development, Thales, said the company’s capabilities on display at the Aero India includes rocket systems, underwater systems (sonars), surveillance and fire control radars, surface warfare systems (missiles), among others.
SAAB LOOKS TO SUPPLY LATEST GRIPPEN-E SUPPLY TO IAF
a Swedish defense equipment maker, is eyeing supply of latest Grippen-E (multi-role fighter jets) to Indian Air Force, single engine aircraft for the Navy’s aircraft carrier, air defense system for the country. It is also exploring a strategic tie-up with Indian SMEs under the ‘Make in India’ program.
“India has recently called for Request for Information (RFI) for naval aircraft and air defense systems to which we have applied,” said Jan Widerstorm, Chairman, and Managing Director, Saab India.
The company is participating in the country’s premier air show and defense exhibition – Aero India 2017 being held at Bengaluru from February 14-18.
ANY MOVE THAT HURTS INDIA IS BACKED BY CHINA, SAYS DEFENSE EXPERT
China again blocked the move to get the United Nations to sanction Masood Azhar, the chief of Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM), Defence expert Qamar Agha on Wednesday said that any move that hurts India is backed by China.
China’s stand on Masood Azhar is concerned and consistent. Any move that hurts India is backed by China. One side they are supporting Masood Azhar backing Pakistan anti-India activities and on another hand, they are trying to encircle India by building deep sea ports that would be used by the Chinese Army,? he said.
Qamar added that China has been exposed in front of the international community especially US, UK, France and others in United Nation Security Council.
TAIWAN LAUNCHES INDIGENOUS ADVANCED JET TRAINER PROJECT
The Taiwanese government on 7 February committed to supporting local industry to design and fly a prototype advanced jet trainer by 2020 and deliver 66 production aircraft to replace the air force’s aging fleet of AIDC AT-3 and Northrop F-5F trainers.
In a ceremony in Taichung attended by President Tsai Ing-Wen, the government launched the $1 billion development program to kick-start an indigenous aerospace industry that 30 years co-developed with General Dynamics the F-CK-1 twin-engined fighter.
Taiwan’s Aerospace Industrial Development Corp (AIDC) has previously revealed concepts of for the XT-5 trainer, which resembles a scaled-down variant of the F-CK-1.
Taiwan had flirted with acquiring an advanced jet trainer replacement from Western suppliers, including the Leonardo M-346, which is powered by Honeywell F124 engines assembled by AIDC in Taiwan.
INDIA TO SCRAP QR-SAM SURFACE-TO-AIR MISSILE CONTRACT? BIG SETBACK FOR MAKE IN INDIA SCHEME IN THE OFFING
The army had conducted field trials in 2014-15 of the missile systems from Rosoboronexport, the sole state agency for Russia’s exports/imports of defence-related products, Rafael Advanced Defense Systems of Israel and Swedish SAAB. (Reuters)
The ministry of defense (MoD) is planning to scrap a contract for buying surface-to-air missiles (QR-SAM) for the Indian Army to replace its Soviet-vintage OSA-AK (SA-8) and SA-6 units. Such a move is expected to come as a blow to the Make in India initiative as the chosen company was expected to make major parts of the system in India.
The army had conducted field trials in 2014-15 of the missile systems from Rosoboronexport, the sole state agency for Russia’s exports/imports of defence-related products, Rafael Advanced Defense Systems of Israel and Swedish SAAB.
GOVT’S DIGITAL PUSH LANDS INNEFU RS 5.5 CRORE
Security startup Innefu Labs has clocked a revenue of Rs 5.5 crore so far this fiscal, of which more than Rs 3.5 crore has come in the past three months alone, thanks to the government’s push to use digital technology.
The four-year-old company -which counts DRDO, RBI, CRPF, and BSF, among its clients -has signed two large deals with paramilitary and defense bodies worth a combined Rs 3 crore.
It has seen a doubling of demand since last year after it launched its data analytics product Prophecy, which can help intelligence agencies predict the occurrence of complex events such as narcotics smuggling or terrorist attacks.
“The government has been increasingly promoting the use of technology, like data analytics in multiple projects,” said Tarun Wig, CEO, Innefu Labs.
INDIA AND US AGREE TO SUSTAIN DEFENSE PARTNERSHIP
India and the US agreed to maintain the pace and momentum of their partnership, particularly their defense ties, after Secretary of Defence Jim Mattis spoke on the phone with his Indian counterpart Manohar Parrikar, a Pentagon spokesman said.
Spokesman Captain Jeff Davis said it was the “first conversation” between Mattis and Parrikar.
“Secretary Mattis committed to building upon the tremendous progress in bilateral defense cooperation made in recent years, underscoring the strategic importance of the US-India relationship and India’s role in advancing global peace and security,” Davis said.
Mattis and Parrikar, he said, also “affirmed their commitment to sustaining the momentum on key bilateral defense efforts to include the Defense Technology and Trade Initiative”.
ISRO DEVELOPS TELEMETRY AND TELECOMMAND PROCESSOR
ISRO Satellite Centre (ISAC), Bangalore, is the lead center for conceptualisation, design, development, fabrication, integration and testing of complex satellite technology. Spacecraft Checkout Group of ISAC is responsible for integrated spacecraft testing to ensure the flight worthiness of the spacecraft built at ISAC. During the testing, ground systems will communicate to spacecraft via the same uplink and downlink signals, as in space. The spacecraft typically use ISRO formats for telemetry and telecommand (downlink and uplink), for which indigenous equipment are being used. However, the interplanetary spacecraft use an international standard known as CCSDS – Consultative Committee for Space Data Systems. Presently equipment is being imported for telemetry reception and telecommand transmission requirements.
SCIENTISTS ARE GOING TO MARCH ON WASHINGTON. HERE’S WHY THAT’S AWKWARD.
President Barack Obama signed an executive order that created the White House’s Social and Behavioral Sciences Team, a team of social scientists tasked with using psychological research to make the government work better. Mostly, the team went after projects like A/B testing language on a human resources form to get more service members to sign up for a savings plan, and testing whether a single signature box could get government vendors to report sales more accurately.
It was a small but meaningful program — one that showed how much the Obama administration valued scientists’ input, even in how to improve bureaucracy. Though the Obama years weren’t paradise for scientists — sequestration cut divots in research budgets, and funding for the National Institutes of Health essentially flatlined, among other things — the scientific community generally felt valued and respected.
THESE FOUR BLACK WOMEN INVENTORS REIMAGINED THE TECHNOLOGY OF THE HOME
a woman named Sarah Goode applied for and was granted a patent in Chicago, Illinois. Goode had just conceptualized what she called the “cabinet-bed,” a bed designed to fold out into a writing desk. Meeting the increasing demands of urban living in small spaces, Goode invented the cabinet-bed “so as to occupy less space, and made generally to resemble some article of furniture when so folded.”
Goode was a 19th century inventor who reimagined the domestic space to make city living more efficient. Yet unless you’re a very specific kind of historian, you’ve probably never heard of her name. She doesn’t appear in history books, and what she did remains largely unknown. The same goes for Mariam E. Benjamin, Sarah Boone and Ellen Elgin—all 19th century African-American women who successfully gained patents in the face of seemingly insurmountable odds.
CHINESE VICE-PREMIER INSPECTS SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY INNOVATION CENTER IN BEIJING
Chinese Vice-Premier Liu Yandong stressed the implementation of innovation-driven strategy during her construction inspection at a science and technology center in Beijing on Wednesday.
The vice-premier visited a science hub in Huairou District of Beijing and studied the progress of five major projects, including high-speed train test platform and coal liquefaction.
She also presided over a meeting regarding the construction of a national science and technology innovation center in Beijing, saying it is a systematic project which requires considerable planning, coordinated resources and policy support, and in-depth opening-up to the world.
Efforts should be made to enable sharing of science and technology resources among Beijing, Tianjin and Hebei, attracting high-end talent around the world and breaking down barriers that hinder innovation, according to the vice-premier.
THE FUTURE OF THE YOUTH AND GHANA — UTILISING SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
The establishment of a full Ministry of Industry, Science and Technology in the country was in the 1979-1981 government of former President Hilla Limann. A long time ago! Yet there seems to be little improvement in the country’s capacity to utilise science and technology for development.
Ghana’s participation in the global knowledge system depends on the development of a strong Science and Technology base. (Addae-Mensah, 2000)
It is true that knowledge in science and technology is currently the main source of achieving economic and social transformation in many countries today. To climb the “developmental” ladder and keep up with developed nations, Ghana has to elevate itself out of its present situation where science and technology is not applied in everyday thinking and actions. The youth constitute a major participant in this because they are the ones to bear the burden of re-creating a society that would ensure its survival in the coming future.
CABINET BRIEFED OF INDIA-FRANCE TECHNOLOGY PACT
The Union Cabinet was informed of the signing of the agreement between India and France on Wednesday to ensure exchange of best practices and technology.
The Cabinet meeting was chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
According to a release, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) of Cooperation will be signed between Technology Development Board (TDB), India, and Bpifrance, a public investment bank of France.
“The agreement will ensure exchange of best practices and setting up of coordinated measures to foster technological exchanges in the field of science, technology and innovation through collaboration between companies, organisations and institutions of France and India,” read a release.
TDB, which comes under the Department of Science & Technology, has been constituted to promote development and commercialisation of indigenous technology and adaptation of imported technology for a wider application.
BUSINESSES URGED TO TAP INTO SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY YOUNG TALENT
Internship opportunities at growth-hungry enterprises are sought for students studying a range of technical subjects at Lancaster University.
Opportunities during the summer months between July and September are particularly welcome, though part-time positions throughout the year are also desired.
Talented students are available with backgrounds in chemistry, computing and communications, cyber-security, engineering, environmental science, maths and statistics, physics, and psychology.
Academic and enterprise experts at the university work with host organisations to ensure the projects meet specific organisational needs.
Lancaster’s Science and Technology Business Partnerships and Enterprise team have a strong record of arranging mutually-beneficial partnerships between organisations and students through projects and placements, arranging over 500 a year. In a recent survey, 100 per cent of participating organisations in the Science and Technology Internships Programme stated they would recommend the programme to other employers, and 48 per cent of interns gained further employment with their intern hosts. It is considered a great way to trial new staff.
‘JUNGLE BOOK’, ‘GOT’ DOMINATE VISUAL EFFECTS SOCIETY AWARDS
Disney’s “The Jungle Book” took home major honours at the 15th Annual Visual Effects Society Awards.
The Jon Favreau-directed film was named photoreal feature film winner, earning five awards – Outstanding Visual Effects in a Photoreal Feature, Outstanding Animated Performance in a Photoreal Feature, Outstanding Virtual Cinematography in a Photoreal Project, Outstanding Effects Simulations in a Photoreal Feature and Outstanding Compositing in a Photoreal Feature.
Comedian Patton Oswalt served as host to more than 1,000 guests gathered at the Beverly Hilton to celebrate visual effects talent in 24 awards categories – and to mark the VES’ 20th anniversary.
20 AWARDS PRESENTED AT ARMED FORCES MEDICAL MEET
The 65th Annual Armed Forces Medical Conference hosted by Armed Forces Medical College (AFMC), was inaugurated by Lt Gen M K Unni, Director-General, Armed Forces Medical Services. At an academic awards presentation ceremony, 20 awards for excellence in post-graduate medical, dental, nursing and in-service training courses were presented by the DGAFMS.
This was followed by presentation of award-winning completed Armed Forces Medical Research Committee (AFMRC). Presentations were made by principal research workers on studies selected for awards by a panel of experts.
These include studies carried out on methods for blood pressure control in acute phase of intracerebral haemorrhage, blood flow assessment in In-vitro fertilisation (IVF), evaluation of growth indicator tubes in isolation of Mycobacterium Tuberculosis, epidemiological study of stress fracture among gentlemen and lady cadets undergoing physical training and effect of periodontal therapy on patients of rheumatoid arthritis.
MOHANLAL, MANJU WARRIER, NIVIN PAULY EMERGE BIG WINNERS AT MALAYALAM FILM AWARDS
Malayalam film industry’s most popular Vanitha-Cera film awards were announced on Tuesday. The winners were selected through a polling procedure in which readers of Manorama publications had cast their votes for their favourite nomination in different categories. The prize distribution ceremony will be held on Bristo Ground of Wellington Island, Kochi, on February 12.
FURIOUS JWALA GUTTA TAKES ON TROLLS, SAYS SHE NEVER CRIBS ABOUT AWARDS
Jwala Gutta, India’s top women’s doubles shuttler, has often found herself in the news for wrong reasons. Not known to hold back on expressing her opinion, the 33-year-old Gutta once again courted controversy when she was ignored for the Padma Shri for the third time.
In the past she had raised objection on her exclusion from the TOP scheme for Rio Olympics-bound athletes and then when she asked for a specialist doubles coach.
However, Gutta, the first Indian women’s doubles shuttler to win medals at the Commonwealth Games, has hit out at her trolls for voicing her opinion on the Padma Shri snub.
HERE ARE OUR STORIES THAT WON THE BIGGEST AWARDS IN THE MAGAZINE WORLD
The New York Times Magazine won three National Magazine Awards on Tuesday, tying New York Magazine for the most awards for any publication this year.
The winning stories showcased a wide range of reporting and storytelling, at home and abroad:
In the Public Interest category, “Worlds Apart,” by our staff writer Nikole Hannah-Jones, tells the story of Hannah-Jones’s own process of finding a school for her daughter in New York City, among the most segregated public school systems in the country.
SHIRLEY COLLINS: STAR WHO COULDN’T SING FOR 30 YEARS IS NOMINATED FOR TWO AWARDS
Folk star Shirley Collins, who was robbed of her voice for 30 years by an emotional crisis, has been nominated for two Radio 2 Folk Awards.
The 81-year-old is up for singer of the year, while Lodestar, her first record since 1978, is up for best album.
Collins was an immensely important figure in Britain’s folk-rock scene in the 1960s, thanks to her pared-down singing style and strong storytelling.
But her career was cut short by the end of her marriage in the late 1970s.
The star’s second husband, Ashley Hutchings, left her for a young actress who took to showing up at Collins’ performances.
One night, during a performance of Lark Rise at London’s National Theatre, she froze on-stage and found herself unable to sing.
