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INDIA POLITICAL AND DIPLOMATIC

JANUARY 2011
* Thirteen eminent personalities of India were honoured with Padma Vibushan awardees.

* Anil Kakodkar, the former Chairman, Atomic Energy Commission, India has been honoured with Indian Nuclear Society's Homi J.Bhabha Life Time Achievement Award for the year 2009. The award was presented to him by DG of IAEA Yukiya Amano at the 21st Annual Conference of Indian Nuclear Society.

* On 20th January 2011, PM Manmohan Singh launched the nation wide Mobile Number Portability facility.

* Year 2010 was declared as the warmest year since 1901 by the Indian Meteorological Department with the annual mean temperature at 25.8023 degree C.

* The Bihar Government on 12th January 2011 signed 220 million USD Agreement with the World Bank. The State Government will chip in with 39 Million USD for Bihar Kosi Flood (2008) Recovery Project aimed at recovery and alleviation of the plight of millions.

* Justice B. SriKrishna Committee recently submitted its report on Telengana issue suggesting six options to resolve the Telengana issue. However, it has stated that united Andhra Pradesh is most workable solution.

* Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono was the Chief Guest at the Republic Day Celebrations of 2011. During his visit a number of agreements MoUs were signed on combating terror, curbing money launderings and exchange of information on criminals and activities.

* India joined UN Security Council as non-permanent member.

* India extended the ban on milk products from China for a year.

* University Grants Commission cleared the ban on animal dissections.

* India and Sri Lanka sign MoU to start ferry service.

* Over 55 Sabarimala pilgrims killed in stampede near Idukki in Kerala.

* Major fire in Navi Mumbai Indian Oil Corporation depot destroyed 50000 Litres of lubricant oil.

* Gujarat signed MoU worth one lakh crores for shipping industry.

* Government has agreed to reexamine its decision to close 44 deemed black listed universities.

* Criminal suit filed against Karnataka CM B.S.Yeddyurappa.

* The Supreme Court declared that the transfer of village community land for private and commercial use as illegal.

* On 25th January 2011, Elections Commission of India observes "National Voters' Day".

* The Jammu and Kashmir launched the "Maa Tujhe Salaam" free hospital services for pregnant women.

* The Supreme Court ruled that mere membership of a banned organization will not make anybody criminal unless he creates public disorder.
FEBRUARY 2011
* Union Budget presented in the Lok Sabha by FM Pranab Mukherjee. Major thrust has been accorded for the "Bharat Nirman" scheme with an allocation of 58000 Crores.

* 34th National Games held in Jharkhand.

* NALCO Chairman and MD Abhay Kumar Srivastava has been arrested on corruption charges.

* The Union Government decided to mint coins of Rs.150 denomination to mark the number of years of taxation of India.

* The Economic Survey of India 2010-11 was tabled in the Parliament. It predicted a 9% growth for Indian economy in the next fixcal and estimated 8.6% growth in this financial year.

* Joint Parliamentary Council formed to probe the 2G Spectrum case.

* Jamia Millia Islamia granted "minority status" by the Commission of Minority Institution.

* India decides to send INS Jalashwa to evacuate Indians in Libya.

* PM's Council on climate change approved 46000 Crore National Mission for Green India.

* The Special Court ruled that the Sabarmati train carnage in Godhra was the result of a criminal conspiracy.

* "Chandrayaan" discovered a cave or a lava tube which could be used as a base station for human expeditions in future.

* Children Literature writer Anant Pai, Amar Chitra Katha fame, expired on 24th February 2011.

* "SAVE" - "Saving Asia's Vulture from Extinction" was launched in Kathmandu as part of the vulture conservation in India and Nepal.

* According to World Bank's India Economic update, Indian economy is poised to grow 8.5 to 9% in 2011.

* India's largest naphtha cracker plant was inaugurated at Indian Oil Corporation Panipat Complex.

* "AMUL" will sponsor the Netherlands cricket team during 2011 ICC world cup as per its deal with Royal Netherlands Cricket Board (RNCB).

* Indian Government decides to increase vigil on all Foreign Direct Investments from Mauritius.

* PM Dr. Manmohana Singh inaugurated the International Container Tranship-ment Terminal at Vallarpadam in Kochi.

* Supreme Court convicted a former minister of Kerala R. Balakrishnan Pillai in the Idamalayar Dam corruption case.

* Shivraj Patil Committee report on Spectrum allocation emphasized the need for a comprehensive legislation for the telecom sector.

* CBI arrests Telecom Minister A.Raja in 2G spectrum case.

* On 2nd February 2011, the Planning Commission launched a website to get opinions and suggestions from general public.

* On 1st February 2011 India's renowned strategic affairs analyst K. Subramanian expired.

* As per the Asian Development Research Institute report, the quality of primary education in Bihar has improved considerably.

* POSCO - South Korean Steel Company and India's largest ever Foreign Direct Investment got the approval of the Union Environment Ministry.

* Manila based Asian Development Bank agreed to provide an aid of 7.4 billion USD to India.

* National Intelligence Agency (NIA) filed a charge sheet in the case relating to the recruitment of youths in 2006 from Kerala for anti-national activities.
MARCH 2011
* Government of India proposes to nominate "Majuli Island" on Brahmaputra in Assam for inclusion in the cultural landscape category of UNESCO's World Heritage list.

* A Tamil Brahmi Script on a pot rim reading " a mana" meaning "a Jaina" was unearthed at Pattanam in Ernakulam Dt., Kerala establishing that Jainism was prevalent on the West Coast atleast from 2nd Century CE.

* On 6th March 2011, India test fired an interceptor missile from Wheeler Island off Odisha Coast which intercepted the hostile missile launched from Chandipur ITR at an altitude of 16 Kms and pulverized it in a direct kill.

* Mahashweta Devi, a writer and social activist, has been appointed as the National Research Professor for a period of 5 years from February 2011.

* India's export reached the 200 billion USD mark in the first 11 months of 2010-2011.

* According to the 2010 tiger census whose results were announced on 28th March 2011, there are approximately 1706 tigers in the country which includes about 70 in the marshes of Sunderbans.

* On 24th March 2011, the Union Government constituted the Financial Sector Legislature Reforms Commission under the Chairmanship of former Justice B N Krishna to rewrite and harmonize financial sector legislations, rules and regulations so that the requirements of the country's fast growing financial sector may be fulfilled.

* 11 got death penalty and 20 others awarded life term for Godhra Carnage.

* Banking Laws Amendment Bill received the cabinet's approval.

* India has agreed to financially support Ethiopia's efforts to revamp its sugar sector.

* The Supreme Court approved a single MBBS entrance examination.

* Nuclear capable missiles Dhanush and Prithvi II successfully tested.

* India and Bangladesh decided to hold Wagah like retreat at their borders.

* Foundation for Judicial Academy at Jodhpur has been laid.

* Appointment of P.J.Thomas has been cancelled by the President.

* Union Cabinet approved the "General Sales Tax Bill".

* India's tallest 80 feet statue of Lord Buddha unveiled at Saranath.

* India breaks into the top 10 nations in Scientific Research Output.

* Results of Census 2011 released - India's population 1.21 Billion.

* Government approved 9.5% interest on PF deposits.

* A five member committee headed by Dr.Mohini Giri submitted a final draft on National Policy on Senior Citizens 2011 to the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment.

* 22nd March - World Water Day was observed with the theme "Water for Cities".

* 24/26th March 2011 - The Rajya Sabha has passed the Orissa (Alteration of name Bill) 2011 - changing the name of Orissa to Odisha and also passed the 113th Constitutional Amendment Bill for changing the name of the language Oriya to Odiya.

* 28th March 2011 - The Supreme Court ruled that political parties which damage public properties, should be derecognized.

* Government of India is to create a corpus of 2500 Cr.for technology modernization in micro, small and medium units.

* On 31st March the Gujarat Information Commission released the Braille version of the Right to Information Act for the benefit of the visually handicapped.

* On 31st March the Central Government has introduced a major policy reform to increase FDI inflow in India.

* On 28th March, the Tiger Population Census 2010 was released by the Ministry of Environment and Forests. According to the report, Madhya Pradesh has recorded a decline of 15% in Tiger population.
APRIL 2011
* India's Ravi Kannan, Mathematician and theoretical computer scientist has been honoured with the prestigious KNUTH prize for 2011.

* On 27th April 2011, 11 members of the 21 member Parliamentary Accounts Committee rejected the draft report on @G circulated to them by the Lok Sabha Secretariate.

* The Election Commission has assigned the job of probing the black money charges against the Trinamool Congress in the West Bengal elections, to the Central Board of Direct Taxes.

* The Government panel that was set up to recommend rules of pricing of all natural resources has declared that all future allocations of air waves must be done through auctions.

* On 27th April 2011 Duncan Fletcher is appointed as the new coach of Cricket Team India.

* To deal with the menace of terrorism effectively, the US signed a MoU with Defence Research & Development Organization (DRDO) for the use of an explosive detection technology.

* RBI fixed 19 banks including the country's top private and foreign banks for violating its guidelines on derivatives.

* SEBI Chairman U.K.Sinha was elected as Chairman of International Organization of Securities Commissions.

* On 25th April CBI arrested Suresh Kalmadi the Chief Organizer of Delhi's corruption tainted Commonwealth Games.

* Rourkela Steel Plant bagged the prestigious Srishti Good Green Governnance Award 2010.

* The CBI in its second charge sheet on the 2G scam charged Kanimozhi MP and daughter of M.Karunanidhi, CM Tamilnadu.

* Nawang Gombu, the first person to climb Mount Everest twice died on 26th April 2011.

* On 24th April 2011, Shri Satya Sai Baba, one of India's influential spiritual leader passed away at Puttaparthi in Andhra Pradesh.

* Caomptroller and Auditor General passed strictures against Maharashtra government for giving injudicious aid of 118.50 Cr rupees to the Nanded Dt. Central Cooperative Bank.

* The Supreme Court of India on 20th April 2011, ruled that Courts must not behave like super legislatures.

* The Kerala government has increased the amount of compensation being paid to the victims of the use of pesticide "Endosulfan" from Rs.300 to Rs.2000/- per month.

* The Gas Authority of India Ltd., (GAIL) as honoured with the "Outstanding Public Sector Unit of the Year" award by the All India Management Association.

* The Supreme Court of India declared Khap Panchayats as illegal.

* On 13th April 2011, India and China reached an in principle agreement for setting up working mechanism for consultations and coordination on border affairs to maintain peace along the boundaries of the two countries.

* The Union Government has handed over the investigation of German Bakery Blast, Jama Masjid shoot out and Shitla Ghat blast to the National Investigation Agency.

* Dr. Siddhartha Mukherjee a New Delhi born Oncologist, was awarded the Pulitzer Prize for his book " The Emperor of all Maladies - A Biography of Cancer".

* India signed a total of seven agreements with Kazakhstan including a Civil Nuclear Deal at Astana on 16.4.2011 during the visit of Indian PM Manmohan Singh's visit to Kazakhstan.

* RBI formed a conglomerate cell within its supervisory set up to keep a constant vigil on 12 large domestic and foreign banks.

* On 18th April 2011 the Supreme Court banned the employment of Children in Circuses and directed the government to rescue those employed in the sector.

* India's central tax collection including both direct and indirect taxes reached about 7.92 lakh crores in 2010-2011.

* On 15th April 2011, the Maharashtra Government announced that women would be allowed entry inside the sanctum sanctorum of the Sri Mahalakshmi Temple in Kolhapur.

* Comptroller and Auditor General decided to conduct a physical verification of state run granaries in the wake of India's record grain output.

* The Foreign Minister of Philippines Albert del Rosario visited India and signed a bilateral cultural exchange programme for the year 2011-2013.

* The Supreme Court gave a reprieve to the 44 deemed universities which are facing derecognition on the basis of Tandon Committee's report.

* Journalist Mrinal Pandey retained as the head of Prasar Bharati for the second term (for another three years).

* On 14th April 2011, Mumbai based model Kanishtha Dhankar won the Miss India World 2011.

* On 13th April 2011, the Supreme Court refused to lift the ban on sale of tobacco products like Gutka and Pan Masala in plastic packets.

* Public Sector Banks have been asked to monitor bad loans and focus on recovery in the wake of deteriorating asset quality.

* Sachin Tendulkar declared as the Wisden Leading Cricketer in the World for the year 2010.

* According to the Still Birth Series published in the British Medical Journal, The Lancet, India topped the list of ten countries that have the highest number of Still Births.

* According to IMF data, India's growth in 2010 was 10.4%, higher than that of China that recorded 10.3%.

* Yasmeen Abrar took charge on 8th April as the acting chairperson of National Commission for Women.

* Indian Finance Ministry decides the issue of biometric PAN cards to tax payers across India.

* On 11th April 2011, Telecom Policy of 2011 was unveiled by the Communication and Information Technology Minister Kapil Sibal.

* On 7th April 2011, Social activist Anna Hazare was announced as the winner of Rabindranath Tagore Peace Prize for 2011.

* The Punjab & Haryana High Court Bar Association passed a resolution asking its members not to address the Judges as "My Lord" and "Your Lordship" and instead they should address them as "Sir or Your Honour".

* According to a scientific estimate, every hour 760 thunderstorms occur at the earth. The figure was unveiled at the European Geosciences Union Meeting in Vienna.

* The Supreme Court held that under the Hindu Marriage Act, illegitimate children are entitled to all rights in the property of their parents.

* The Delhi State Cabinet on 7.4.2011 approved the division of Municipal Corporation of Delhi into 5 Corporations.

* NABARD signed MoU with all cooperative banks in Punjab to launch Core Banking Solutions.

* To finetune the draft National Sports Development Bill, a committee headed by Justice Mukul Mudgal formed.

* Indian prisoner Gopal Dass returned to India after 27 years in Pakistani prison.

* Delhi State Government to take the help of a Japanese firm to tackle the water crisis in the Capital.

* Department of Information Technology published a draft policy on mobile governance.

* Indonesia offered to help the Bihar government by providing electricity for its power projects in the State.

* Kannada writer S.L.Bhyrappa has been selected for the 20th Saraswati Samman for his novel "Mandra".

* Delhi state cabinet approved a blanket ban on the manufacture, storage and usage and sale of plastic bags in the capital.

* Planning Commission proposes a scheme of financial assistance for victims of rape.

* On 2nd April India became the first country to win the World Cup on its own soil.

* The Supreme Court, in the last week of March 2011, held that holding of an enquiry against a government employee involved in espionage has the potential to jeopardize national security and India's relations with its neighbouring countries, he could be sacked by dispensing with it.

* 18th April - World Heritage Day Observed with the theme "Cultural Heritage of Water".

* 20.4.2011 - The Supreme Court of India asserted that there exists a huge gap between poverty eradication measure and spread of the problem.

* 27.4.2011 - Lobsand Sangay was elected as the new Prime Minister (Kalon Tripa) of the Tibetan Government in exile.
MAY 2011
* 20th May 2011 - Jharkhand's Premalata Agarwal became the oldest Indian to climb Mount Everest. She is also the first from the State of Jharkhand to climb Mount Everest.

* Air Marshal N.A.K.Browne has been appointed the next Chief of Air Staff to take charge from Air Marshal P.V.Naik retiring on 31.7.2011.

* PM Dr. Manmohan Singh dedicated to India the Bina (Madhya Pradesh) Refinery with a refining capacity of 6 million ton per annum.

* Prof. Subhashish Chaudhari of IIT, Mumbai has been selected for the prestigious GD Birla Award for scientific research.

* "Aadaminte Makan Abu" Malayalam Film bagged this year's (58th) Best Film Award.

* PM Dr.Manmohan Singh during his visit of Africa in May 2011, has offered a 5 Billion USD 'line of credit' to help Africa to achieve its development goals.

* 21st May 2011 - India's GSAT 9 - the largest and heaviest satellite built by ISRO was launched through Ariane 5.

* 21st May 2011 - ASTRA - the air to air interceptor missile was successfully test fired from Chandipur ITR in Odisha.

* 21st May 2011 - Aeronautical Development Establishment - a research lab of DRDO has successfully flight tested the Russia 1 UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle) near Hosur in Karnataka.

* Mamata Banerjee of Trinamool Congress became the first woman CM of West Bengal upsetting the 34 year rule of the Left Front.

* Human Rights Activist Binayak Sen has been made the member of the Planning Commission's Steering Committee on Health, which will advise the panel on the 12th Five Year Plan 2012-2017.

* 10th May 2011: Famous Bollywood singer Shaan has been appointed as the Tobacco Control Ambassador of India by the Union Ministry of Heath and Family Welfare.

* The Union Government has appointed a panel under CBDT to examine tightening of laws to curb the growth of Black Money under the Chairman of CBDT.

* Lanco Solar announced to set up a 75 MW Solar power plant at Dhule in Maharashtra, at a cost of 884.18 Cr.

* National Advisory Council headed by Sonia Gandhi gave its nod to Government's proposal for fresh survey of identifying families below poverty line.

* India and the World Bank signed IDA (International Development Association) Credit of 162.7 million USD for Rajasthan Rural Livelihoods Project.

* A Memorandum of Understanding was signed between OP Jindal Global University and the National Institute of Administrative Research of the Lal Bahadur National Academy, Mussorie for training of IAS Officers.

* The Supreme Court quashed the allotment of land to former Indian Cricket Team Captain Sourav Ganguly by the West Bengal Government in 2009.

* The Union Minister of Health & Family Welfare decided to provide free nutritious food, transportation and treatment to all pregnant women who visit government facility for delivery.

* The new Foreign Contribution Regulation Act came into force. Under this law no political party can receive foreign funds as donation.

* According to Finance Ministry's data released, Foreign Direct Investment in India saw an unprecedented growth in May 2011 with the inflow jumping nearly 111% at 4.664 billion USD, the highest FDI inflow in any month in the preceding 11 years.

* The Union Government has partially opened limited liability partnerships for foreign investments.

* The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs approved the Asian Development Bank assisted North Eastern States Roads Investment Programme.

* The Congress won the Assam Assembly elections and assumed power for the third term in a row.

* According to the public debt management reports, the Centre's debt rose nearly 6% in the first quarter of the current financial year 2011-2012.

* The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports has announced the decision of setting up of the National Institute of Sports Science and Medicine.

* On 2nd May 2011, India's fastest supercomputer SAGA 220 was unveiled by Indian Space Research Organization.

* On 13th May India and Colombia signed a Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement.

* The UNESCO shortlisted Western Ghats for inclusion in the World Heritage list.

* The Delhi State Cabinet decided to increase the age of retirement of Nursing Teaching Faculty in the Nursing Institutions of the Delhi Government from 60 to 65 years.

* The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs on 28th April approved a 7000 Cr project to clean Ganga.

* Jarbom Gamlin, the Power Minister of Arunachal Pradesh has been been sworn in as the Chief Minister following the death of the Chief Minister Dorjee Khandu in the Pawan Hans Helicopter crash.

* 9th May 2011 - The Supreme Court of India directed the High Courts and trial courts in India to award the death sentence to people convicted in crimes related to honour killings.

* The Central Information Commission overruled its own decision and ruled that the Supreme Court cannot refuse information on judicial matters if an applicant filed a plea under the RTI Act.

* 12th May 2011 - The Supreme Court of India ruled that non minority educational institutions have no right to admit students of their choice.

* 16th May 2011 - J.Jayalalitha sworn in as the Chief Minister of Tamilnadu.

* 18th May 2011 - International Museum Day was observed with the theme "Museum and Memory".

* The Union Cabinet of India gave its approval for conducting the Below Poverty Line Census in rural and urban areas, by the Ministry of Rural Development.

* 24th May 2011 - The Union Environment and Forest Minister Jairam Ramesh launched the elephant conservation programme "Haathi Mere Saathi".
JUNE 2011
* National Advisory Council has advised the Tribal Affairs Ministry to consult the 'Jarawar' tribals of Andaman and Nicobar Islands before drafting any policy on their future.

* Foreign Directo Investment into India grew 310% to 5.65 billion USD in June 2011 (as per the data released in August 2011).

* The Bihar State Government decided to video record the process of coupon distribution for 1.45 Cr Below Poverty Line families with the objective to prevent corruption.

* 1.6.2011- Lt.Gen. H.L.Kakria took over as the Director General of Armed Forces Medical Services.

* 2nd June 2011 - The UP Government announced a new policy of acquisition of land. The acquisition will be done only if 70% of the farmers around give their consent for the acquisition.

* The Law Commission headed by Justice P. Venkatarama Reddy approved the proposed draft legislation - " The Endangerment of Life and Liberty (Protection, Prosecution and other measures) Act 2011.

* 8th June 2011 - Fast Attack Craft INS Kabra commissioned into the Indian Navy at Kochi, Kerala.

* 8th June 2011 - The Tamilnadu Assembly unanimously passed a resolution demanding economic sanctions against Sri Lanka by the United Nations.

* 15th June 2011 - 130 MW Kashang Hydropower Project in Himachal Pradesh received the clearance from the Union Government of India.

* 16th June 2011 - A survey report released by the Supreme Court appointed panel claimed that 55% of Bihar's population is malnourished and 70% of women and children are anaemic due to low intake of food because of poverty.

* Union Government decided to set up a high powered task force headed by Naresh Chandra to revamp defence management system in India.

* Haryana State Government has decided to waive of the 5% Value Added Tax on Kerosene.

* India and Mozambique signed an agreement on maritime security to make the Indian Ocean a safe region for trade.

* Union Government amended guidelines for Public Financial Institutions, permitting private companies to attain the status of a Public Finance Institution.

* India's exports rose by 46.45% to 29.21 billion USD during June 2011 (as per Commerce Ministry release dated 1.8.2011.

* The number of Indian people transacting on line is expected to tough 39 million by 2015.

* Prithvi II missile was successfully flight tested by the Strategic Forces Command Personnel.

* The West Bengal Government and Gorkha Janmukti Morcha signed a pact to set up a new elected body in the Darjeeling Hill Areas.

* The Union Government lowered the age limit for pension under 'below poverty line' to 60 years from 65 years.

* Cabinet Committee on Security chaired by PM Dr. Manmohan Singh gave its nod for National Intelligence Grid - NATGRID - which would be a repository of information.

* An online grievance redressal portal was launched for insurance policy holders.

* The Law Commission headed by Justice P. Venkatarama Reddy approved the proposed draft legislation " The endangerment of Life and Liberty (protection, prosecution and other measures) Act 2011.

* "Maharatna" Steel Authority of India Ltd., received the prestigious Golden Peacock Award for the year 2011.

* On 1st June 2011 The UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi launched the Janani Shishu Suraksha Programme at Mewat in Haryana.

* Pradeep Kumar, IAS of Haryana cadre, and Defence Secretary has been appointed as the Chief Vigilance Commissioner of India.

* 9th June 2011 - Celebrated and world renowned Indian artist M.F.Hussain passed away at London.

* India is setting up a special facility known as Gamma Ray Telescope in Hanle (Leh) which will help in unraveling the mysteries of normal and dark matter in the Universe.

* The provision of free and compulsory education will be extended at a meeting of the Central Advisory Board of Education.

* Indian American Sukanya Roy won the prestigious "Spelling Bee" championship in Maryland, USA for correctly spelling the tongue twister "cymotrichous".

* Hyderabad has been chosen as the venue for hosting the prestigious 11th conference of the "Parties to the UN's Convention on Biological Diversity" in October 2012.

* The Committee on Comprehensive Review of National Small Savings Fund has suggested 4% interest on Post Office Savings deposits.

* 5th June 2011 - World Environment Day observed with the theme "Nature at your Service".
JULY 2011
* Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dixit received the first "Mercy Ravi Award" for "Woman of Substance". This award has been instituted by the Mercy Ravi Foundation in rememberance of Mercy, wife of Vayalar Ravi the Central Minister, who died in October 2009.

* Centre sets 2012 as the deadline for sealing the Bangladesh border.

* MPs and MLAs in Andhra Pradesh from the Telegana region, quit enmasse on the Telengana issue.

* Cho-Lhamu lake in Sikkim is declared as the highest lake in the country.

* Serial blasts in Mumbai kills twentyone.

* Supreme Court approves national level medical examination.

* India and Lithuania signed the 'Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement;.

* Union Cabinet of India gave its approval for setting up a national level security fund for unorganized sectors named as "National Social Security Fund".

* According to a report, India has registered a 20% increase in Tiger population.

* India and Mongolia signed three agreements on Defence cooperation, Media exchanges, and for cooperation between the two Planning commissions.

* Nileema Mishra and Harish Hande are the Indians to receive Ramon Magsaysay Awards for 2011.

* Former PM Smt. Indira Gandhi was posthumously honoured with the Bangladeshi award - "Bangladesh Swadhinata Sammanona".

* The Supreme Court stated in its ruling that water allocated by a state for a particular region is not a matter of judicial review.

* A release by the Agriculture Ministry indicates that Bt Cotton emerged as the largest cotton crop in all the major cotton producing states.

* Bihar state government adopted a new policy called "Aao Bihar" (Come to Bihar) for private entrepreneurs from outside the state for acquiring land for industry and other ventures of public good.

* Supreme Court appointed two committees to supervise the discovery and protection of wealth uncovered in Sree Parmanabhaswamy Temple in Tiruvananthapuram in Kerala.

* Aishwarya Rai Bachchan was honoured with "Knight of the Order of Arts and Letters" by the French Government. She is the first Asian Actress and the youngest Indian to receive this honour.

* On 11th July 2011 N R Narayanamurthy has been elected the Chairperson of Public Health Foundation of India replacing Rajat Gupta.

* Neptune the 8th Planet of the solar system completed its first orbit around the Sun on 12th July 2011 - 165 years after its discovery.

* The Supreme Court of India held in its recent judgement that the prohibition imposed by the centre on non-iodised salt for human consumption is unconstitutional.

* Justices Sudershan Reddy and S S Nijjar of Supreme Court of India declared "Salwa Judum" ( a tribal youth outfit of Jharkhand to counter naxalite violence) as illegal and unconstitutional and ordered the immediate disarming of the outfit who are deployed as "Special Police Officers".

* The Stock taking by a panel of experts at the Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple in Tiruvananthapuram, Kerala catapulted the temple to the country's richest temple status.

* The Union Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs approved the doubling of the honorarium for 'anganwadi' workers and helpers under Integrated Child Development Service Scheme.

* 7th July 2011 - Union Textile Minister Dayanidhi Maran resigned from the Cabinet.
AUGUST 2011
* The Supreme Court has said that hiring a lawyer is not mandatory for a person to fight his case in a consumer forum and he can plead his case personally or through his agent.

* On 30th August , the Union Cabinet of India cleared the Nuclear Regulatory Authority of India Bill. The Bill envisages an Autonomous Atomic Energy Regulatory Board.

* R.A.Mehta, a close Anna Hazare aide and former Justice of Gujarat, has been appointed as the Gujarat Lok Ayukta.

* Enforcement Directorate ordered freezing of bank accounts and attachment in connection with the bribe paid to Kalaigner TV in 2G Spectrum case.

* RBI panel headed by Usha Thorat, Director RBI, suggested a minimum asset size of more than 50 Crores for registering any new non-banking finance companies.

* The Government has planned a special package to provide solar energy in the naxal affected areas of the country.

* Union Home Minister P.Chidambaram laid the foundation stone for integrated check post at the India Bangladesh international border.

* The Government has instructed all states to appoint Ombudsman at district level to redress grievances related to the implementation of Mahatma Gandhi National Employment Guarantee Scheme.

* India and Georgia have signed the "Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement".

* M.P.Veerendrakumar, Chairman and MD of Mathrubhoomi Groups of Newspapers has been elected as the Chairman of Press Trust of India.

* Rohit Nandan, Jt.Secretary, Civil Aviation Ministry, has been appointed as the Chairman and MD of Air India for a period of three years.

* "Himayat" a programme for rural development in Srinagar was launched by the Union Ministry of Rural Development.

* Rajya Sabha passed a resounding vote to impeach Calcutta High Court Judge Justice Soumitra Sen.

* 9.8.2011 - Union Government accorded two year extension to RBI Governor D. Subba Rao.

* Ministry of Overseas Affairs has set up the Indian Community Welfare Fund which is operationalized in the Indian Missions in all the countries with effect from 24th March 2011.

* 12.8.2011 - The Union Government passed the Transplantation of Human Organs (Amendment Bill) 2011.

* 13.8.2011 - Complete National Anthem "Jaya Hey" with four additional and barely known stanzas was launched by Finace Minister Pranab Mukherjee.

* 14.8.2011 - Shammi Kapoor the vetern film actor of 1960s of Bollywood dies.

* 15.8.2011-114 Army personnel were awarded the Sena Medal for Gallantry

* 16.8.2011-Union Government suspended New India Assurance Chairman M.Ramadoss for alleged violations in issuing insurance cover to Paramount Airways.

* Competition Commission of India imposed a hefty penalty of Rs. 630 Cr on DLF the Real Estate Giant.

* Chhatisgarh will have 9 new districts from January 2012, thus making the number of districts to 27.

* Jharkhand state government launched the "Dal Bhat" (Rice and Grain) scheme under which lunch will be given to poor person at Rs.5/-.

* Rajasthan Agriculture Minister Hajiram Burdak flagged off the first ever consignment of certified organic food to be exported from Rajasthan to USA.

* Union Government approved the proposal of Ministry of Agriculture for setting up a new company called "AGRIINDIA".

* A study published in "The Lancet" (medical journal of UK) revealed higher prevalence of anaemia among non pregnant women in India.

* Supreme Court upheld the death sentence for Mohammad Arif alias Ashfaq in connection with the 2000 Red Fort attack case.

* Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs approved SAIL's proposal for reviving the Sindri unit of Fertilizer Corporation of India.

* Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs approved a special scholarship programme for 'Below Poverty Line' students in Jammu & Kashmir to improve literacy and financially boost them.

* The Food Safety and Standards Act of 2006 became effective in India.

* Oil Ministry accepted Ashok Chawla Committee's recommendation to make functioning of the Directorate General of Hydrocarbon more transparent.

* Telecom Commission permitted imposition of a uniform license fee of 8.5% on all Telecom Operators.

* B.S.Yeddyurappa, Karnataka CM resigned after indictment in Illegal Mining Scam.

* 19th August 2011 - West Bengal is renamed as Paschim Banga.
SEPTEMBER 2011
* The Union Government has increased the Foreign Direct Investment in the FM Radio Sector from 20 to 26%.

* Comptroller and Auditor General of India has been appointed as the external auditor for International Atomic Energy Agency and World Intellectual Property Organization.

* Indira Gandhi National Open University conferred the Rajiv Gandhi International Prize for Technology in Education and Development on Azim Premji Foundation.

* Legendary Playback singer Lata Mangeshkar honoured with the first Hridayanath award for her contribution to Indian music.

* India and Bhutan signed a Memorandum of Understanding on electoral cooperation for a period of 5 years.

* CSIT honours 11 scientists with SS Bhatnagar Prize for the year 2011.

* 27th September - World Tourism Day observed with the theme "Linking Cultures".

* India and China held their first comprehensive Strategic Economic Dialogue in Beijing.

* As per NHRC data, maximum cases of bonded labour reported in UP, Punjab and Haryana.

* Election Commission of India, for the first time, decided to deploy volunteers of NSS and NCC cadets for election duty in Assembly Polls of 2012.

* India took over the Presidency of the G24 (Group of 24) developing countries after a gap of 28 years.

* India and Estonia signed Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement.

* India and South Africa agreed to strengthen bilateral cooperation in MSME sector.

* Goa became the first state in India to launch "Swarnajayanthi Aarogya Bima Yojana" providing health insurance cover for the entire resident population of the state.

* The Union Government of India made it mandatory to tobacco traders, retailers and vendors to display the pictorial warning on all the Tobacco related products at their stores.

* Delhi State Government announced free housing for SCs living in Jhuggis (huts) under the "Rajiv Ratna Yojana".

* Karnataka Lokayukta Justice Shivaraja Virupanna Patil resigned over charge of violating cooperative housing society laws.

* An earthquake of 6.8 magnitude hit Sikkim. The epicenter of the quake, the biggest in two decades, was located at Mangan and Sakyong areas, over 50 Kms from Gangtok on the Sikkim Nepal border.

* Uttarakhand state government on 16th September 2011 announced a complete waiver of the state's share of 25% of the VAT on petrol.

* TN Assembly adopted a unanimous resolution on 30th August urging the President to reconsider the mercy petititons of Santhan, Perarivalan and Murugan in the Rajiv Gandhi assassination case.

* Cabinet Committee on infrastructure approved a Rs.6043 Cr. project for six laning of Kishangarh-Udaipur-Ahmedabad section on NH 79, NH 76 and NH 8.

* The Supreme Court recommended to the Centre and States to provide ration and voter cards to sex workers.

* PM Dr. Manmohan Singh unveiled the new policy which aims at dealing with naxalism through a five year integrated plan.

* Coca Cola India and Jain Irrigation launched "Project Unnati" for adoption of ultra high density plantation practice for mango cultivation.

* The Supreme Court of India ruled that farmers whose land is being acquired by the Government, should be compensated not only for their land but also for the plantation on it.

* India and Turkey agreed for the future cooperation in coal related issues.

* Maj.Genl (Retd) BC Khanduri was appointed the sixth CM of Uttarakhand in place of Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank.

* Rajasthan government launched "Janani Shishu Suraksha Yojana" to bring down maternal & child mortality rate in the state.

* The Supreme Court of India held that rules of reservation would not apply to upgraded posts in a service.

* India and Uruguay signed a Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement.

* The Haryana Government introduced a policy to provide security to whistle blowers and RTI activists.

* 8th September - World Literacy Day observed with the theme "Literacy and Empowerment".

* 6th September 2011 - The Union Cabinet unanimously extended the term of the Joint Parliamentary Committee.

* 6/7th September - PM Dr. Manmohan Singh visited Bangladesh and signed a number of agreements including the Historic Protocol on Land Boundary Agreement.

* Madhya Pradesh became the first state in the country to offer air taxi services inaugurated by Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chauhan at Bhopal's Raj Bhoj airport.

* UNCTAD's Trade and Development Report 2011 projected an economic growth of 8.1% for India in 2011.

* Three Member expert Committee set up by TRAI to determine the precise value of spectrum during 2001-2008 submitted its report.

* 6th September - Lok Sabha unanimously extended the term of the Joint Parliamentary Committee.

* The Assam Government has taken an initiative to have brand names for the famous Muga and Eri Silks.

* India and Israel, in a meeting between Stas Misczhnikov, Tourism Minister of Israel and Union Tourism Minister Subodh Kant Sahai decided to enhance cooperation to enhance cooperation in Tourism sector.

* Rating Agency Moody's projected India's GDP growth for the year 2011-2012 as 7.5% to 8%.

* Securities Appellate Tribunal observed that SEBI has wide powers under the SEBI Act to issue directions to even unlisted firms.

* Expert panel to decide on the security, inventory and opening the Kallara (Vault) in the Sree Parmanabhaswamy Temple submitted its report to the SC.

* 5th September - The Union Cabinet approved the "Land Acquisition, Relief and Rehabilitation Bill - 2011" - aiming to put in place a transparent and legal framework for lang acquisition.

* The Chhatisgarh Government has brought into force a rule which prohibits failing a student throughout primary school years.

* In Assam, the process to set up the first integrated "Tea Park" of the North Eastern Region has been initiated.

* The Supreme Court of India held that rule of law is an integral part of the basic structure of the constitution and cannot be abrogated by Parliament of India, which is bound by it.

* Meghalaya Government has ordered an inquiry into the alleged mass graves in some areas in West Garo Hills District.

* Asian Development Bank 500 million dollar loan to help India improve rail services.

* 3rd September - The Union Government released a list of assets owned by Union Ministers.

* The Supreme Court ordered Delhi's private hospitals to provide treatment to the poor.

* Rajya Sabha approved the Indian Medical Council (Amendment) Bill 2011 on 29th August 2011.

* The West Bengal Government raised the levies on alcohol and tobacco related products.

* The Central Zoo Authority has approved the breeding centre at Govindgarh in Madhya Pradesh which has the unique distinction of being the home of white tigers.

* Justice Sen quits ahead of the Lok Sabha action of impeachment on him.

* Centre, Assam Government and ULFA signed a tripartite peace agreement.

* RBI allows NRIs to hold joint accounts.

* 34th ISO General Assembly inaugurated in New Delhi.

* The Ministry of Tourism launched a scheme for Driver's training under "Hunar se Rozgar" initiative.

* 27th September 2011 - World Tourism Day observed with the theme -"Tourism - Linking Cultures".
OCTOBER 2011
* Uttarakhand State Cabinet cleared the "Uttarakhand Lokayukta Bill 2011"

* Tehelka and The Week were jointly chosen for the International Press Institute - India award for excellence in journalism.

* The Supreme Court of India ruled that the Centre has absolute powers to decide the terms and conditions for telecom operators as neither the TRAI nor the Telecom Disputes Settlement and Appellate Tribunal (TDSAT) can over rule it.

* The Union Government has prepared a blue print to provide jobs to three lakh youths in 60 naxal affected districts in India.

* 28th October 2011 - The Minority Affairs Ministry in its release stated that seven states have utilized over 60% of the total funds till September 2011.

* Union Ministry of Rural Development cleared the proposal to construct play grounds in villages under the 60 Integrated Action Plan Districts.

* RBI permitted Indians who have non resident accounts in the country to hold them in any currency which is fully convertible.

* Aman Sethi won International Committee of the Red Cross Award for the best Indian print media article on humanitarian issues.

* Indian Railways launched RTIS through which passengers can access the accurate train running information.

* The Rajasthan Government launched a web based Social Security Pension System at Jaipur.

* The Union Government decided to ban the use of infertility drug "Letrozole" which is mainly recommended for treating Cancer patients.

* Magsaysay awardee Sandeep Pandey to fast in protest against the Planning Commission's definition of poverty and setting of 'Below Powerty Line' bench marks.

* The Union Government finalized a developmental action plan called "Saranda Action Plan" for naxal affected districts particularly in eastern India.

* The Supreme Court of India directed all States and UTs to build toilets, especially for girls, in all government schools.

* Delhi State Cabinet hiked monthly pensions of senior citizens who are 70 years old and above.

* 16th October - World Food Day was observed all over the world with the theme - "Food Prices - From Crisis to Stability".

* The Government to infuse fresh fund into SBI to help it to achieve 8% Capital Adequacy Ratio.

* "Rashtriya Swasthya Bima Yojana" a jointly organized health scheme by the Centre and J & K State was formally launched.

* India and US agreed to explore new models for educational institutions to take knowledge partnership to a higher level.

* 10th October 2011 - "World Health Day" was observed all over the world with the theme "The Great Push - Investing in Mental Health".

* " Avahan" an initiative by Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, has successfully slowed the transmission of HIV among the general population in India.

* The Union Cabinet of India approved the introduction of the "Enforcement of Security Interest & Recovery of Debts (Laws) Bill 2011" in the winter session of Parliament.

* 14 day long India-Bangladesh joint military exercise started at Jalalabad Cant. in Sylhet Division some 240 KM north east of Dhaka. It was the first of its kind between the two countries.

* India and Japan agreed to cooperate on tourism and infrastructure investment in India.

* Environmentalist, Lawyer and former Union Minister Mohan Dharia was selected as the winner of the 26th Indira Gandhi Award for National Integration.

* India and South Africa signed a pact to facilitate exchange of knowledge and experience in the field of election management and administration in New Delhi.

* India and South Africa signed a pact to facilitate exchange of knowledge and experience in the field of election management and administration in New Delhi.

* 10th October 2011 -Ghazal Singer Jagjit Singh (Padma Bhushan 2003) passed away.

* " Come and Play" scheme launched nationwide by the Ministry of Youth and Sports Affairs".

* The World's highest webcam was installed on " Kala Pathar " a smaller mountain facing the Everest.

* 5th October 2011 - Steve Jobs, the Co-founder of Apple Inc., died at the age of 56 due to pancreatic cancer.

* 8th October 2011 - The Delhi State Government launched a micro finance project for women expected to extend financial support to over one lakh vulnerable women in the Capital.

* 6th October 2011 - The largest ever water supply scheme in Himachal Pradesh was inaugurated to cover Kangehan district area.

* India - Afghanistan signed three agreements for greater strategic partnership.

* The Assam Government launched the Social Auditing programme of Grama Panchayats from Nagaon District.

* The Union Government finalized a developmental action plan called "Saranda Action Plan" for Naxal affected districts specially in Eastern India.

* Ratan Tata was honoured with the Swiss Ambassador's award for exceptional leadership and his contribution to strengthening Indo Swiss ties.

* 26.10.2011 - Top 50 - The World Thinkers' List was released which included eight Indians. They are:

*
Name and Credentials: Rank
1. Vijay Govindarajan, Prof.Intl.Business, UK 3rd
2. Nitin Nohria, Dean, Harvard Business School, UK 13th
3. Nirmalya Kumar, Prof. London Business School, UK26th
4. Pankaj Ghemawat, Prof. of Business, Spain27th
5. Vineet Nayar, CEO, HCL Technologies 40th
6. Rakesh Khurana, Prof.Harvard Business School, UK 41st
7. Sheena Iyengar, Prof. Columbia Business School48th
8. Subir Chaudhary, Chairman, ASI Consultants50th.
NOVEMBER 2011
* The United Naga Council -UNC - decided to lift the economic blockade from Manipur following assurance from Union Minister of Home Affairs P. Chidambaram.

* 28.11.2011: The Supreme Court ruled that awards passed by the Lok Adalat either in criminal or civil matters are bound to be implemented through a court decree.

* Union Government asserted that 39% sourcing under Foreing Direct Investment in multi brand retail made mandatory from Indian MSEs only.

* UPA Government set up an expert committee headed by Planning Commission Member B.K.Chaturvedi for power sector reformation.

* Five working groups on road safety set up by Ministry of Road Transport, following the March 2011 meeting NRSC submitted report.

* "DAMN 999" a film directed by Sohan Roy, believed to be based on disputed Mullaiperiyar Dam between Tamilnadu and Kerala faced ban in Tamilnadu.

* 23.11.2011: Cyrus P. Mistry was chosen to succeed Tata Group Chairman Ratan Tata from 2012.

* 21.11.2011: The Delhi Cabinet approved conferring of "Life Time Achievement Awards" on Sarod Maestro Amjad Ali Khan, renowned Hindustani vocalist Girija Devi and noted author Ruskin Bond.

* India and UAE signed two key agreements. It is likely to benefit about 1000 Indians in different UAE jails for various crimes.

* The Supreme Court of India ruled that the government cannot indefinitely delay its decision on the representations from detenus.

* Department of Industrial policy and promotion proposed 26% FDI in domestic airlines.

* Indian Olympic Association decided to set up a 11 Member Athletics Commission to give more representation to sports persons in its board.

* India was elected to the UN's Joint Inspection Unit, returning to this oversight body after a gap of 35 years.

* 21.11.2011: The UP Assembly passed a resolution seeking to divide the state into four parts (states) viz: Purvanchal, Paschim Pradesh, Avadh Pradesh and Bundelkhand.

* Former Telecom Minister Sukh Ram sentenced to 5 years imprisonment for his alleged involvement in telecom scam.

* Supreme Court of India ruled that serious offences like attempt to murder can not be settled through compromise deals and the accused must suffer conviction and imprisonment.

* Supreme Court of India ruled that a Hindu woman cannot be evicted from the matrimonial home after divorce.

* 21.11.2011: Modified Tatkal Scheme for booking of train tickets came into effect - that is booking one day in advance.

* The Planning Commission has given investment clearance for Anti Erosion measures to protect two villages - Moisa and Belguri from erosion by River Gangadhar, Assam with an estimated cost of 14.97 crores.

* Two inscriptions - Tamil and Kannada - belonging to the reign of the Rashtra Kuta King Krishna III were found at Vallimalai village in Tamilnadu.

* Union Cabinet agreed to partially allow FDI to enter the pension sector to the extent of 26% .

* Eleven cities in the world are amongst the 100 fastest growing cities of the world. Ghaziabad is the second most fastest growing city in the world.

* Union Cabinet approved 51% Foreign Direct Investment in multibrand retail and also decided to raise the cap on foreign investment in single brand retailing to 100%. (However, this proposal has been stalled by opposition uproar by the first week of December 2011)

* Cabinet Committee on Infrastructure approved 15 projects for highway construction of about 1814 Kms.

* The Assam Government launched a pilot project to vaccinate girls against "Human Papiloma Virus" (HPV) causing cervical cancer.

* 15.11.2011: Agni IV - the most advanced long range missile - was successfully test fired from Wheeler Island Off Odisha Coast.

* 14.11.2011: Rajasthan Government became the first and the only state (as of now) to implement "Public Service Gurantee Act".

* 09.11.2011: Nobel Laureate (1968 - Medicine) Har Gobind Khorana died of natural causes at the age of 89.

* 14.11.2011: World Diabetes Day observed with the theme - "Diabetes Education and Prevention".

* A sessions court ruled that a woman who faced harassment and ill treatment from her step siblings is entitled to get protection under the Domestic Violence Act.

* According to the data released by the TRAI, 500 million Indians do not yet own a personal mobile device.

* Defence Minister A.K.Antony laid the foundation stone of the ambitious Rishikesh- Karnaprayag railway line at Gauchar in Chamoli Dt. of Uttarakhand.

* 09.11.2011: Indian Army received the second regiment of indigenously produced Brahmos Supersonic cruise missiles.

* 08.11.2011: The Delhi Cabinet decided to waive VAT on fertilizers to provide relief to the farmers.

* The Government has prepared a draft of "Citizens Right to Grievenaces Redressal Bill 2011". The Bill aims at creating institutionalize mechanism to ensure delivery of public services in a time bound manner.

* 02.11.11: Tribal Affairs Ministry launched a scheme - "Adivasi Shiksha Rinn Yojana" to offer subsidized education loans to Scheduled Tribes students.

* 05.11.2011: Bhupen Hazarika, the legendary singer composer died of natural causes.

* RBI liberalized FDI procedures and policies governing FDI in India to woo investors.

* SEBI ordered all mutual funds to disclose names of distributors who receive commission above Rs. One Crore.

* Legendary playback singer Asha Bhonsle entered the Guinness World Records for most number of single studio recordings.

* 02.11.2011: The Pakistani Cabinet voted unanimously to grant "most favoured nation" status to India.

* India ranks 134 out of 187 countries in terms of Human Development Index.

* 01.11.2011: Andhra Pradesh Government launched ' one rupee a kilo ' rice scheme in the state.
DECEMBER 2011
* 1.12.2011 - The Supreme Court of India stated that section 497 of Indian Penal Code is biased against men.

* UP Government announced the formation of three more districts namely - Prabhuddha Nagar, Panchsheel Nagar and Bhim Nagar.

* Rajasthan state government on 28.11.2011 approved the decision to give "Khatedari" rights to over 30000 farmers occupying the custodian land in Alwar, Sri Ganganagar, Hanumangarh and Bharatpur.

* 8.12.2011 - The Supreme Court of India directed all states to ensure vehicles carry tamper free high security number plates within four weeks.

* The Supreme Court directed state governments to build adequate number of night shelters to ensure that no homeless person has to sleep under sky this winter.

* The Supreme Court of India directed TN to ensure that the water level in the Mullai Periyar Dam does not exceed 136 feet but declined to entertain Kerala's demand for reducing the level to 120 feet.

* 15.12.2011 - The special session of Tamil Nadu assembly passed a resolution, which seeks immediate deployment of the Central Industrial Security Force at the vicinity of the Mullaiperiyar Dam.

* 20.12.2011 - The Supreme Court of India ruled that courts can interefere in the case of contractual job if the decision taken by the management is arbitrary.

* Prime Minister Dr.Manmohan Singh declared the birth day of the great mathematician Srinivasan Ramanujan - 22nd December - as National Mathematics Day.

* 30/31.12.2011 - The year 2011 ends with the Cyclonic Storm "Thane" devastating Puducherry and Cuddalore regions of Tamilnadu, causing huge destruction.

* The country's first cooperative university will be set up at Sibsagar, Assam.

* A Cargo ship MV RAK sank off Mumbai Coast, increasing the fears of environmental pollution.

* Joseph Stalin's daughter Lana Peters, born as Svetlana Stalina, died of colon cancer on 22.11.11.

* SAIL Chairman C.S.Verma was conferred CEO of the year award under public sector category.

* Italian automaker Ferrari unveiled a 250000 USD diamond encrusted book depicting the history of Ferrari, in New Delhi.

* The first global Buddhist Congregation concluded in New Delhi on 30.11.11. The four day congregation decided to set up a new International Buddhist Organization in India.

* 3.12.2011 - Evergreen star Dev Anand died in London at the age of 88 due to heart attack.

* 1.12.2011- World Aids Day observed with the theme "Getting to Zero".

* Golden Peacock Award for the best film was given to Columbian Film 'Porfirio' at the 42nd International Film Festival of India.

* 3.12.2011 - World Disability Day observed with the theme - "together for a better world for all - including persons with disabilities, in development"

* Naveen Jindal, Chancellor of O P Jindal Global University has been conferred with the Justice P N Bhagwati Award by former President A P J Abdul Kalam.

* A bench of the Supreme Court including Justices B.S.Chauhan and T.S.Thakur ruled that even animals are entitled to accident compensation.

* Veteran actress Hema Malini was named the person of the year by PETA.

* 22.12.2011 - India's top nuclear scientist P.K.Iyengar, who designed India's first atomic bomb and was responsible for Pokhran nuclear test, died.

* Veteran Politician and former CM Karnataka, S. Bangarappa passed away.

2011 - INTERNATIONAL

JANUARY 2011
* Wikileaks founder Julian Assange signed a book deal for about 1.5 million pounds.

* India and Sri Lanka on 28th December 2010, agreed to hold joint naval exercise inside the latter's naval boundary.

* UN General Assembly declared 2011 as the "International Year of Forest".

* 14.1.2011 - 23 year old dictatorship government in Tunisia came to an end when President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali was ousted.

* 23.1.2011 - Anibal Cavaco Silva won Presidential elections in Portugal, for a second term in office.

* 24-26.1.2011 - Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono pays a 3 day state visit to India to be the Chief Guest of the 62nd Republic Day.

* According to the referendum results in South Sudan, it became the new (and 54th nation in African continent) nation. (However, it became a separate nation officially from 09.7.2011).

* PM Mohammad Ghannouchi announced the formation of a new Tunisian Government called "National Unity Government".

* 31.1.2011 - Myanmar's new parliament started functioning from the new capital Naypyitaw.

* President of Egypt Hosni Mubarak faced mass uprising against him at the Tahrir Square.

* Yasi, one of the most powerful cyclones on record smashed in the sea coast of Australia.
FEBRUARY 2011
* 18.2.2011 - Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak stepped down following an 18 day public protest.

* 21.2.2011 - Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh announced his decision to step down.

* The Pink and White Terraces ( natural geographic wonders of New Zealand) were discovered after remaining buried for 100 years.

* Public protests in Bahrain intensified during the third week of February 2011 with the famous Pearl Round becoming a visible symbol of revolt.

* India lodged its strong protest against the new UK student visa regime which would debar tens of thousands of Indian students from gaining admission to British Universities.

* 22.2.2011 - Christchurch in New Zealand was hit by a powerful earthquake measuring 6.3 in Richter Scale.

* 23.2.2011 - International Air Transport Association stated that the year 2010 was the safest one in terms of global commercial aviation.
MARCH 2011
* UN Women's Regional Programme announced a new regional programme to address the needs of widows in India, Nepal and Sri Lanka on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of International Women's Day. (March 8).

* The 8th session of India - South Africa Joint Ministerial Commission took place in India and Maite Nkoama, the South African Minister for Industrial Relations and Cooperation took part in the dialogues.

* Nobel Peace Prize Winner Dalai Lama to step down as political leader of the Tibetan Government in exile.

* 9.3.2011 - Illinois became the 16th state in USA to abolish death penalty announced by Patt Quinn the Governor.

* 11.3.2011 - Japan was hit by a massive Tsunami caused by an earthquake in the north east Japan seas causing huge damage and killing over 1000 people.

* France announced its official recognition of the Libyan National Council, to be the first western country to do so.

* European Nations took actions to isolate the regime of Libyan dictator Muammar Gaddafi.

* 15.3.2011 - Foreign Ministers from the G8 failed to reach any agreement on military intervention in Libya.

* Bahrain's King Sheikh Hamad bin Isa al Khalifa declared the 3 month state of emergency to quell an uprising in the nation.

* According to Stockholm International Peace Research Institute report on international arms trade, India has been the world's biggest weapon's importer.

* 21.3.2011 - The US led coalition forces intensified air and sea strikes on Libyan defence targets at Bab-al-Aziziya, South of Tripoli.

* 22.3.2011 - Former Israeli President Moshe Katsav was sentenced to 7 years jail term after being convicted of rape.

* The Parliament of Yemen enacted emergency laws to give special powers to its President Ali Abdullah Saleh to arrest, detain and impose censorship on media.

* 24.3.2011 - Earthquake of 6.8 magnitude struck Myanmar's borders with Thailand and Laos, about 70 miles from the northern Thai city of Chiang Rai. The region is known as the "Golden Triangle".

* 23.3.2011 - World Meteorological Day was observed.

* 23.3.2011 - Jose Socrates, PM of Portugal, along with the Ministry, resigned after the Portuguese Parliament rejected the austerity budget presented by him.

* Canadian PM Stephen Harper resigned after a no confidence vote was passed in the parliament.

* Mass unrest against the government in the town of Latakia, Syria, North West of Damascus.

* 29.3.2011 - International conference held at London urged Muammar Gaddafi to resign as the ruler of Libya. The conference was held on 29.3.2011 and participated by nearly 40 nations.

* 28/29.3.2011 - During the meeting held between the Home Secretaries of India and Pakistan in New Delhi, Pakistan has agreed to India's request to allow an Indian Probe Commission.

* 27.3.2011 - NATO takes over International Operations in Libya.
APRIL 2011
* Sheikh Nasser Mohammed, Prime Minister of Kuwait, along with his cabinet, resigned because of corruption charges against him.

* The Food and Agricultural Organization in its report to the UN Framework convention on climate change warned that climate change can have harmful impact on the food production of developing nations.

* President of Syria, Bashar-al-Assad accepted his government's resignation.

* China issued a white paper with the objective to enhance its military's transparency.

* Rebel forces attacked the Ivory Coast strongman Laurent Gbagbo's residence in Abidijan.

* The Supreme Court in Honduras dismissed arrest warrants for former President Manuel Zelaya.

* The Sri Lankan government revoked the suspension imposed on the import of Indian Locomotives.

* U Thein Sein was appointed as the new President of Myanmar, along with U Tin Aung Myint Oo and Dr. Sai Mauk Kham as Vice Presidents.

* Earth Quake struck south of Java in Indonesia with an estimated magnitude of 6.7.

* 4.4.2011 - Nursultan Nazarbayev was declared the winner of Kazakhstan Presidential elections for a second term.

* 9th SAARC conference on Police Matters was organized in Colombo to discuss terrorism and drug related problems in the region.

* 8.4.2011 - Australia and New Zealand discussed energy efficiency cooperation for households and businesses.

* 8.4.2011 - Indian foreign secretary Nirupama Rao during her visit to Japan agreed to establish an India - Japan - USA trilateral dialogue.

* Italy and France agreed to joint and sea air patrols to block Tunisian migrants from coming to European Shores.

* 9.4.2011 - Ismail Omar Guelleh won the Presidential election in Djibouti for a second term.

* 11.4.2011 - Lewis Binford, USA, a renowned archaeologist and founder of the New Archaeology movement died at the age of 80.

* 12.4.2011 - Japan's nuclear crisis worsened with the severity level at the devastated Fukushima Daichi plant increasing to a maximum sevel level.

* China stated that it would review its policy of issuing stapled visas to people of Jammu and Kashmir.

* Russia finalized a deal with NATO in the second week of April 2011, for the supply of 24 combat helicopters to Afghanistan.

* A 46 member Indian Relief and Rehabilitation team was deployed in the earthquake hit areas of Japan, under the National Disaster Management Authority initiative.

* US military successfully conducted its most challenging test of a ballistic missile defense system which is to be deployed in Europe to counter an Iran missile threat.

* Burkino Faso's President Campaore, dismissed the country's cabinet and the army chief following the disgruntled soldiers rampage in Ouagadougou apparently an attempt of mutiny.

* 14.4.2011 - BRICS - ( Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) for the first time called for a comprehensive reform of the UN and its Security Council. (South Africa joined this group in February 2011 in the Sanya (China) Summit to make it BRICS from BRIC)

* 15.4.2011 - European Parliament passed two declarations against the Pakistan government, condemning it for its support to Taliban.

* Sri Lanka's President Mahinda Rajapakse called for a mass protest against the UN report, which called for establishing an independent international probe into alleged war crimes committed during its war against the LTTE.

* 19.1.2011 - Pakistan test fired a newly developed short range surface to surface missile Hatf-9.

* The government of Syria passed a draft law to lift 48 years of emergency rule in the country.

* President Raul Castro was named first secretary of Cuba's Communist Party.

* Japan decided to cut its official development assistance during the FY 2011-12.

* Cuba began a 4 day Communist Party Congress to commemorate the 50 years victory over the CIA backed exiles at the Bay of Pigs.

* Cambodia and Thailand, of late, have been exchanging gun fires over claims to a piece of territory near the Preah Vihear Temple.

* Anti government protests intensifies in Syria and the armed forces shot dead 49 protestors.

* Iran and Iraq signed agreements in Tehran on the extradition of each other's detainees, including provisions for the repatriation of convicts to their country of origin.

* 28.4.2011 - US Ambassador to India, Timothy Roemer resigns.
MAY 2011
* 1.5.2011 - May Day observed throughout the world by the working class.

* 1.5.2011 - Public protests in Maldives demanding the resignation of its President Mohammad Nasheed.

* NATO carried out a strike on Muammar Gaddafi's home in Bab-al-Aziziya residential area near Tripoli the Capital, which killed Gaddafi's son.

* Conference of Parties to the Stockholm Convetion in Geneva approved the recommendation for elimination of production and use of Endo Sulfan.

* 1.5.2011 - Pope John Paul II was beatified by his successor Pope Benedict XVI (present Pope) which took Pope John Paul II closer to attainment of Sainthood.

* Vanuatu - a small island nation in the South Pacific oceans, is set to become the 154th member of World Trade Organization.

* 2.5.2011 - In the Canadian Federal election, Canada's Conservatives had a decisive victory making it a majority in Canada's Parliament.

* 2.5.2011 - Osama Bin Laden was killed after a gun battle with Navy SEALS and CIA paramilitary forces at a compound in the city of Abbottabad in Pakistan.

* 3.5.2011 - Portugal reached a deal with the European Union and the IMF on a 78 billion Euros on a three year bail out.

* 4.5.2011 - The leaders of two main Palestinian factions Fatah and Hamas - signed a reconciliation agreement for National Unity Government.

* First American in Space - Mercury astronaut late Alan Shephard was honoured with his own stamp.

* Lobsang Sangay was elected PM (called Kalon Tripa in Tibetan) of the Tibetan Government in exile, to succeed Dalai Lama.

* 4.5.2011 - PM of Nepal Jhalanath Khanal expanded his cabinet appointing Maoist Leader and Deputy PM Krishna Bahadur Mahara as Home Minister.

* 9.5.2011 - German Chancellor Angela Merkel was chosen for the prestigious Jawahar Lal Nehru Award for International Understanding for 2009.

* 9.5.2011 - South Pacific Island nation Samoa, currently positioned to the east of the International Date Line, decided to forego a day and shift to the time zone on its west.

* Russia delivered a new shipment of nuclear fuel to Iran for use at the Bushehr Nuclear power plant.

* Iran agree to resume talks on its controversial nuclear programme with six major nations.

* PM of Pakistan Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani inaugurated the second nuclear power plant at Chashma in Punjab.

* 18.5.2011 - USA imposed sanctions on Syrian President Basher-al-Assad and six other top aides for Human Rights abuses.

* Philip Roth was announced as the winner of the fourth Man Booker International Prize at a press conference at the Sydney Opera House.

* 21.5.2011 - Grimsvotn Volcano in glacier laced southern island erupted. Thousands of passengers have had their flights cancelled because of drifting ash from this island.

* Pakistani Archaeologist found the valuable manuscript of the Quran dating back to 12th century written on papyrus during an excavation trip to Jhelum.

* Russia warned US of mad arms race if the later goes ahead with its plans on missile defence in Europe.

* 24.5.2011 - The Iranian Parliament (Majlis) imposed defense and intelligence chiefs.
JUNE 2011
* Germany announced its decision to phase out all its nuclear plants by 2022, a decision taken after Japan's Fukushima nuclear disaster.

* The environmental agency of Brazil - Ibama - gave its final approval for a hydroelectric power plant in the Amazon Rain forest.

* 5.6.2011 - President of Yemen, Ali Abdullah Saleh, left for Saudi Arabia for medical treatment ending his 33 year rule over the nation.

* 5.6.2011 - Indian was chosen as the host country for World Environment Day 2011.

* India extended duty free market access to Afghanistan as part of its economic package.

* Muslim brotherhood was recognized as the "Freedom and Justice Party" in Egypt. It will allow Muslim Brotherhood to contest Parliamentary elections.

* Syria's President Bashar-al-Assad in an address to the nation called for sweeping reforms.

* 20.6.2011 - Tunisian court sentenced former President Zine-al-Abidine Ben Ali in absentia to 35 years in jail.

* UN's General Assembly appointed former South Korean foreign minister Ban Ki Moon to a second consecutive term as the Secretary General.

* 21.6.2011 - UN launched a drive to make sanitation accessible to all by 2015.

* 23.6.2011 - US President Barack Obama set in motion a substantial withdrawal of American troops and hand security over to Afghan Authorities in 2014.

* China's most prominent human rights activist, Hu Jia, was released after serving three and a half years in Jail on subversion charges.

* 24.6.2011 - Former Rwandan Minister for Women's Empowerment, Pauline Nyiramasuhuko became the first women to be found guilty of genocide (systematic elimination of an ethnic or racial group).

* International Criminal Court issued an arrest warrant for Libyan leader Muammar Gaddaf, his son Saif Islam and Libyan Intelligence Chief Abdullah.

* 28.6.2011 - French Finance Minister Christine Lagarde was appointed as the Chief of International Monetary Fund.

* The Sri Lankan Central Bank Monetary Board announced that Chinese Renminbi would be included in the list of designated currencies permitted for international transactions.
JULY 2011
* 1.7.2011 - People of Morocco approved the constitutional reforms which is expected to bring democratic reforms in the country.

* 4.7.2011 - Thailand's PM elect Yingluck Shinawatra formed a coalition consisting of five parties under the wings of her own Phen Thai Party following her landslide victory in Parliamentary elections in Thailand.

* 4.7.2011 - India decided to send a special team by the end of July to Kyrgyzstan to train the latter's armed force in UN Peace Keeping Missions.

* 5.7.2011 - Japan's disaster reconstruction minister Ryu Matsumoto resigned after making remarks widely criticized as offensive during a visit to the tsunami devastated northeastern coast.

* 5.7.2011 - A two day meeting of foreign ministers of the 46 nation Asia-Europe began on 4.7.2011 and ended on 5.7.2011. This was the 10th ASEM Foreign Ministers' Meeting.

* USA announced that it withheld the 800 million dollars aid to the Pakistan's military for its alleged role in the killing of Pakistani journalist Saleem Shahazad.

* 8.7.2011 - The US Bureau of Labour Statistics revealed that the unemployment in US increased to 9.2%.

* 10.7.2011 - Australia unveiled its economic reforms with a plan to tax carbon emissions from the worst polluters in the nation.

* 15.7.2011 - The Libya contact group in its fourth meeting held in Istanbul, Turkey declared Gadafi's regime no longer legitimate.

* 19.1.2011 - Hina Rabbani Khar became Pakistan's first woman foreign minister.

* Britain announced a new visa category to facilitate the immigration for exceptionally talented people from India and other non-EU countries in the fields of humanities, engineering, arts and science.

* 17 nationl Eurozone Summit was held in Brussels, Belgium with the objective of finalizing a second rescue package for debt plagued Greece.

* 22.7.2011 - Russia made an announcement that it built a missile defence shield which covers two thirds of the country. The new system is designed to provide protection against missile attacks on Moscow.

* 22.7.2011 - Foreign Minister of Libya, Abdel Aati Al Obeidi visited India and met External Affairs Minister E. Ahamed and briefed him on the latest developments in Libya.

* 25.7.2011 - Vietnam's National Assembly appointed Truong Tan Sang as the Communist country's nineth President.

* Former Indian PM Indira Gandhi was honoured posthumously with the highest Bangladesh civilian award - the Bangladesh Swadhinata Sammanona.

* 25.7.2011 - Germany revised its earlier advice that had cautioned against trips to Kashmir and stated that the situation in the valley has calmed down considerably.

* 26/28.7.2011 - Hina Rabbani Khar the first woman foreign minister of Pakistan visited India. It is agreed to simplify the travel procedures and increase bus frequency for people of the divided Kashmir.
AUGUST 2011
* Indian American Mitul Desai was appointed as Senior Advisor in the US State Department's South and Central Asia Bureau.

* 2.8.2011 - Italian Parliamentary Commission approved a draft law banning woman from wearing veils that cover their faces in public.

* 3.8.2011 - UN Security Council condemned the Syrian government for a deadly crackdown on protestors.

* New Zealand government imposed a 12 month ban on synthetic cannabis products.

* 7.8.2011 - In Nepal, ban on smoking in public came into effect.

* 10.8.2011 - China launched its 300 mtr long first aircraft carrier for a maiden run.

* 17.8.2011 - China announced measures to make it easier for Hong Kong companies to invest in mainland securities, the latest step in a continuing drive to make the Yuan an international currency.

* President Barack Obama and the leaders of several major European countries have called for the resignation of Syrian President Bashar Al Assad.

* The UN Human Rights Council ordered an investigation into violations committed by the Syrian regime during its crack down on popular protests.

* 22.8.2011 - North Korea announced that it has seized all South Korean assets at a jointly run resort and ordered that all South Korean employees must leave the country within 72 hours.

* Saudi Arabia has announced additional quota of 10000 seats more for the Haj season of 2011 for India.

* North Korea agreed to go ahead with international talks on denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula.

* US and European nation has passed draft resolution for tougher UN sanctions against Syrian President Bashar-al-Assad and other top regime leaderships for their deadly crackdown on opposition protests.

* In Nepal, the political parties have failed to meet the deadline for selecting a consensus candidate for the post of PM.

* Tropical storm Irene slammed New York with strong winds and heavy rain after battering the eastern coast of the US where it left atleast 14 people dead.

* 26.8.2011 - PM of Japan Naoto Kan resigned ending his 15 month tenure.

* 28.8.2011 - Maoist Vice Chairman Baburam Bhatta Rai was elected Nepal's 35th PM.

* 29.8.2011 - Japanese parliament voted for Yoshihiko Noda as the Nation's sixth PM in 5 years.
SEPTEMBER 2011
* 1.9.2011 - "Journal Nature" a magazine on nature, mentioned the recovery of rare haul of picks, flakes and hand axes from ancient sediments in Kenya.

* Former Singapore Dy.PM Tony Tan Keng Yam won the Presidential election in Singapore to become the 7th President.

* European Union announced a ban an oil imports from Syria. This step could strive away a major source of financial support for the governments' five month old crackdown on dissent.

* Fire fighters in drought stricken Texas are struggling to contain a 16 mile wide wild fire that has destroyed almost 500 homes.

* Top government, business and Civil Society leaders from several countries, including India, have formed a unique alliance to deal with climate change.

* 4.9.2011 - Five day 71st International Congress of FIP (International Pharmaceutical Federation) was inaugurated by Dr. Pratibha Patil in Hyderabad.

* India and Israel have decided to enhance cooperation in tourism sector. This was decided at a meeting between Stas Misezhnikov, Tourism Minister of Israel and Union Tourism Minister Subodh Kant Sahai.

* 5/7/9.2011 - India Japan global partnership Summit 2011 was held in Tokyo.

* 6.9.2011 - India and Bangladesh signed a historic protocol on land boundary following the talks between PM Manmohan Singh and Bangladeshi PM Sheikh Hasina.

* Brazilian Scientists believe they have located an underground river, an estimated 4000 mtrs below the Amazon river.

* 6.9.2011 - Yahoo's CEO Carol Bartz was fired from her job.

* 8.9.2011 - International Literacy Day observed with the theme "Literacy and Empowerment".

* ESPN-Star Sports, the official broadcaster and commercial partner of Nokia Champion's League Twenty20 announced Shah Rukh Khan as the face of the tournament.

* The head of Libya's National Transitional Council Mustafa Abdul Jalil delivered his first public speech in the Capital Tripoli.

* 11.9.2011 - Iran made the announcement that it would donate 100 million USD to Pakistan to help rehabilitate its flood affected people in Sindh Province.

* 11-16.9.2011 - Twenty second World Mining Congress and Expo was held at Istanbul, Turkey.

* 15.9.2011 - USA declared the Indian Mujahideen terror group as a Foreign Terrorist Organization under Section 219 of the Immigration and Nationality Act.

* The core voluntary budget of UN Entity for Gender Equality and the empowerment of women or UN Women, has received 1 million USD from India.

* India announced support for Libya's Transitional National Council in the UN.

* 20.9.2011 - Former Afghan President Burhanuddin Rabbani was killed by a suicide bomber in Kabul.

* 21.9.2011 - NATO agreed to extend its mission in Libya by 3 months.

* India took over the Presidency of the G 24 group after a gap of 28 years. (G 24 - Group of 24 developing countries).

* India and Zimbabwe agreed to expedite the ratification process of Bilateral Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement.

* USA said that Hakkani terror network carried out the recent attack on the US Embassy in Kabul with the help of Pakistan's ISI (intelligence agency).

* India and three other members (Japan, Germany and Brazil) of the G4 countries pledged to work together to bring about urgent reforms in the UN Security Council.

* 22.9.2011 - India and Nepal resumed bilateral talks on Security issues in Kathmandu.

* 25.9.2011 - King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia granted the voting rights to women and also run in future municipal elections.

* 26.9.2011 - India and China hold their first comprehensive strategic economic dialogue in Beijing.

* India and Pakistan have agreed to normalize their economic relations and jointly work to double bilateral trade to six billion USD.

* 29.9.2011 - China successfully launched its first unmanned space laboratory Tiangong 1 from a site in the Gobi desert.
OCTOBER 2011
* The United States issued a world wide travel alert to its citizens, warning of a heightened risk of violence in the wake of the killing of key Al Qaeda leader Alwar-al-Awlaki.

* 4.10.2011 - India signed three agreements with Afghanistan for both the countries greater strategic partnership.

* India and Iran agreed to set up a mechanism for payment of crude oil and ensure bilateral trade.

* 8.10.2011 - Egypt's military council amended a contentious election law to allow parties to contest a third of the seats in Parliament reserved for independents.

* 9.10.2011 - A 14 day long India - Bangladesh joint military exercise was held at Jalalabad cantonment in Sylhet Divn240 Kms north east of Dhaka.

* Russia and China vetoed UN Security Council draft resolution recommending sanctions against Syria.

* 10.10.2011 - India and Japan agreed to cooperate in the field of tourism and infrastructure. India and Japan also discussed opportunities for investment in tourism infrastructure in India.

* 11.10.2011 - European Union launched a visa Information System for Indians and other non-EU citizens applying for a Schengen Visa.

* Myanmar announced an amnesty for more than 6300 prisoners. This follows an appeal by the government appointed Human Rights Commission in Myanmar.

* 12.10.2011 - India and Vietnam signed six agreements during the visit of Vietnamese President Truong Tan Sang which included join oil exploration in South China Sea.

* 12.10.2011 - U Thein Sein, President of the Republic of Union of Myanmar visits India on a 3 day official visit.

* India took over as the Chairman of UN's South Asian Regional Commission for tourism. This was announced at the ongoing UNs World Tourism Organization conference at Gyeongju in South Korea.

* India and South Africa signed a pact to facilitate exchange of knowledge and experience in the field of election management and administration in New Delhi.

* India and China surpassed European countries in the number of affluent households as per TNS Global Affluent Investors' Study.

* Ukraine's former PM Yulia Tymoshenko was sentenced to 7 years in prison on charges of abuse of office in signing a gas deal with Russia.

* India and USA agreed to explore new models for educational institutions to take knowledge partnership to a higher level.

* Indian Urban Development Minister Kamal Nath and UK's Minister for Decentralization and cities agreed to work towards a MoU between the two countries in areas related to Urban Development.

* 16.10.2011 - World Food Day was observed with the theme - " Food Prices - From crisis to stability".

* 18.10.2011 - The first ever prisoner swap between Israelis and the radical Palestinian Group Hamas took place at the Rafah Crossing.

* 18.10.2011 - The fifth Summit of IBSA - (India, Brazil and South Africa) concluded in Pretoria, South Africa.

* India signed a deal with a six Lankan firm worth over 300 Cr rupees to procure 80 fast interception craft to equip Indian Navy's Prahari Bal.

* USA issued a travel alert to its citizens in India warning them of possible terror attacks in the country during the holiday season.

* 16/19.10.2011 - 125th Assembly of the inter-parliamentary union was held in Bern, Switzerland.

* 20.10.2011 - Muammar Gaddafi who ruled Libya for over 40 years was killed while trying to flee from his home town SIRTE.

* 22.10.2011 - Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal, Indian Origin American was reelected representing the Republican Party.
NOVEMBER 2011
* 02.11.11 - Bangladesh and Russia signed a deal to build a nuclear power plant at Rooppur in Pabna Dist.,
* UN study ranked India at 134 out of 187 countries in terms of Human Development Index.
* 02.11.2011 - The Pakistan Cabinet voted unanimously to grant most favoured nation status to India.
* 02.11.2011 - India - Japan Defence Ministers' meeting was held in Tokyo to discuss maritime issues.
* 03/04.11.2011 - The 6th G20 (Major Economies) Summit was held in Cannes, France to discuss key issues in the global economy.
* Former South African President Nelson Mandela, along with three Indian Journalists was selected for the People's Parliament Global Award.
* Gustavo Petro was elected Mayor of the Colombian Capital Bogota, in the local elections.
* Palestine won the membership of UNESCO, with 107 votes in favour on 31st October 2011.
* According to WHO survey, out of pocket spending of their income on medicines and health care services would puch 3.2% Indians below the poverty line.
* Retired General and former Intelligence Director Otto Perez Molina of the Conservative Patriotic Party won the Guatemala Presidential elections.
* 08.11.2011 - Australian Senate passed legislation that would impose a "Carbon Tax" on the nation's 500 largest polluters.
* IAEA in its report stated that it has credible information about Iran's nuclear activities.
* 10/11.11.2011 - The 17th SAARC Summit was held in Hithadhoo, Addu, Maldives.
* 10.11.2011 - Senior banker Lucas Papedemos was appointed PM of an interim Greek Unity Government.
* American Express, USA based financial company, launched its leadership academy in India as part of its corporate social responsibility.
* 13.11.2011 - Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation Summit was held in Honolulu, Hawai'i.
* Mario Monti to head an emergency Italian Government following the departure of Silvio Berlusconi who resigned as PM after losing parliamentary majority due to his unsuccessful handling of the financial crisis.
* 14.11.2011 - World Diabetes Day observed with the theme " Diabetes Education and Prevention".
* 14/15.11.2011 - India and Pakistan held two day trade talks in New Delhi.
* 16.11.2011 - The Arab League confirmed the suspension of Syria from the Organization and decided to impose economic sanctions.
* 17.11.2011 - Chinese Ambassador to India, Zhang Yan, handed over a cheque for 1 million USD for the construction of a library in Nalanda International University.
* World Powers put forward a resolution at IAEA expressing deep and increasing concern about Iran's nuclear programme.
* 17.11.2011 - The US Army concluded the test flight of Advanced Hypersonic Weapon from the military's Pacific Missile Range Facility on Kauai, Hawai'i
* In Oman, many changes were introduced in the new labour laws for the welfare of workers.
* 17/19.11.2011 - The 19th ASEAN Summit was held at Bali, Indonesia. PM Manmohan Singh attended the summit and also visited Indonesia and Singapore.
* Former Libyan Leader Muammar Gaddafi's second son Saif-al-Islam Gaddafi captured near the town of Obari in Libya.
* USA State Department removed the inaccurate maps of India and Pakistan from its website which did not reflect the correct boundary and geographical locations.
* Pro democracy demonstrators in Cairo, Egypt called for a million strong protest in the Capital's Tahrir Square against the interim military regime.
* India was elected to the UN's "Joint Inspection Unit" after a gap of 35 years.
* 21.11.2011 - India - Bangladesh Home Secretaries level talks concluded in New Delhi.
* 22.11.2011 - UN's General Assembly Human Rights Committee voted to strongly condemn Syria's crackdown on dissent.
* Leading NRI politician in the UK, Lord Navnit Dholakia won GG2 Hammer Award at the GG2 Leadership awards.
* Pakistan Government conferred "Nishan-e-Imtiaz" award on General Hou Shusen of Chinese People's Liberation Army.
* United Russia Party Convention nominated Vladimir Putin as the Presidential candidate for the 2012 elections.
* 23.11.2011 - India and UAE signed two key agreements on security and exchange of prisoners which is likely to benefit 1000 Indians imprisoned in various jails for various crimes.
* 23.11.2011 - Former Pakistan Information Minister Sherry Rehman was designated to become Pakistan's next Ambassador to US. She will succeed Hussain Haqqani who resigned over "memogate" scandal.
* Yemen's embattled President Ali Abdullah Saleh finally agreed to step down amidst massive public protests. Saleh signed a Gulf Cooperation Council brokered peace initiative, in Riyadh.
* 27.11.2011 - The Justice and Development Party won the parliamentary elections in Morocco according to the poll results announced.
* 28.11.2011 - Kuwait's PM Sheikh Nasser Mohammad-al-Ahmad-al-Sabah and the Cabinet resined amid accusations of corruption.
* 29.11.2011 - The Bangladeshi Parliament passed a landmark bill, the Vested Properties Return (Amendment) Bill 2011 - an act of Hindu Property Restoration Act.
DECEMBER 2011
* UK shut down the Iranian Embassy in London and expelled all its staff in retaliation to the storming of the British diplomatic compound by an angry mob.

* The European Union slapped increased sanctions on Syria over continuing violence.

* 03.12.2011 - World Disability Day observed with the theme " Together for a better world for all - including persons with disbilities in development".

* 4.12.2011 - Austalia's ruling Labour Party in its annual policy conference approved plans to open up Uranium sales to India.

* 05.12.2011 - A one day global conference on Afghanistan's future ended in Bonn.

* Greek Parliament approved a budget for 2012 pledging tough fiscal goals demanded by European Union partners in return for fresh loans.

* 07.12.2011 - Former Illinois - USA Governor Rod Blagojevich was sentenced to 14 years federal prison on corruption charges.

* 08.12.2011 - Turkey announced imposition of a fresh round of financial sanctions against Syria. Turkey would impose 30% tax on goods coming from Syria.

* 09.12.2011 - Japan announced imposition of a fresh round of financial sanctions against Iran.

* The Senate of Brazil approved the bill that reforms rules on the amount of land farmers must preserve as forest.

* NATO announced that it would withdraw its Iraw training missision by the end of 2011.

* 12.12.2011 - The Canadian government announced that women who aspire for Canadian citizenship can't wear 'burqa' or Islamic 'hijab' when they take oath of citizenship.

* 14.12.2011 - Book titled "The Official Journey to Makkah Opus" was unveiled by Prince Turki Bin Faisal al Saud.

* 14.12.2011 - OPEC in its summit held in Vienna, Austria decided to increase its production ceiling to 30 million barrels per day.

* 15.12.2011 - The US military officially ended its mission in Iraq.

* Former French President Jacques Chirac was sentenced to a two year suspended jail term for misapporopriation of public funds.

* UN Security Council lifted sanctions on Libya's Central Bank and the country's foreign investment banks.

* 15/17.12.2011 - PM Manmohan Singh visited Russia to participate in the 12th Indo Russian annual Summit, signed five agreements of cooperation.

* 17.12.2011 - NATO ended its training mission in Iraq. The mission was aimed at assisting in the development of Iraqi security forces training structures and institutions.

* 17.12.2011 - Enigmatic leader of North Korea Kim Jong II who led his country for 17 years passed away.

* The USA government lifted most of its sanctions on Libya unfreezing some of Libya's assets held in USA.

* Syria agreed to allow the Arab League observers to monitor the situation inside the country.

* Morocco ordered foreign fishing boats operating in its waters to leave immediately.

* As per the Charities Aid Foundations' World Giving Index, India ranked as the most uncharitable nation of South Asia in 2011.

* Iran's former Foreing Minister Ali Akbar Wilayati released a 1000 year old manuscript - Nahjul Balagha - at Aligarh Muslim University.

* 18.12.2011 - Vaclav Havel - the last President of Czechoslovakia and the first President of Czech Republic, playwright, poet, and a highly respected diplomat of Europe, died.

* 24.12.2011 - The UN and the Iraqi Government signed an agreement to relocate Iranian exiles living in a camp in north eastern part of Iraq.

* 26.12.2011 - A team of 50 Arab League observers and experts from Algeria and Tunisia, led by Sudanese General Mustafa Daby arrived in Damascus in Syria.

* Iran has threatened to close the Strait of Hormouz if western nations place an embargo on Iranian Oil.

* 28.12.2011 - In one of their biggest arms deal, the US and Saudi Arabia inked an agreement worth 29.4 billion USD.

* 29.12.2011 - Charismatic and Controversial South African Indian Politician Amichand Rajbansi died.

* Jamaica's main opposition party has won the country's parliamentary elections, defeating the ruling Jamaica Labour Party.

2011 ECONOMY & CORPORATE

JANUARY 2011
* Tata International Ltd., acquires 76% stake each in Bachi Shoes India Ltd., and Euro Shoes India P.Ltd.,

* Julian Assange, the Wikileaks Founder, signed a book deal for about 1.5 million pounds.

* South Indian Bank bagged India's Best Bank Award 2010.

* Kotak Mahindra Bank increased interest rates on retail term deposits.

* Nagesh Pydah has been appointed as Chairman and Managing Director of Oriental Bank of Commerce.

* 20th January 2011 - India and South Korea agreed to set a 30 billion USD bilateral trade target by 2014.

* Ford bagged three awards, including the "Car of the Year" title at ET Zigwheels Awards for 2010.

* Finance Ministry has said "No" to tax amnesty scheme to get back the black money.

* India's engineering exports grew by about 50% year on year to 5.5 billion USD in December 2010.

* Tuticorin Port Trust has been renamed as V.O.Chidambaranar Port Trust, as approved by the Union Cabinet.

* 31.1.2011 - Asian Development Bank announced an aid of 7.4 billion USD to India.

* Indian economy registered a growth of 8% in 2009-2010 compared to 6.8% in 2008-2009.

* POSCO the South Korean Steel Co., got the approval of the Union Environment Ministry. It is India's largest ever Foreign Direct Investment in India.

* Financial Action Task Force stated that money laundering still remains unchecked in India.

* 31.1.2011 - Steel Strips Wheels, Jamshedpur, Jharkhand bagged an order to export 20000 wheels per month to Renault, France.

* Sun Pharmaceutical received an approval from the US health regulator to sell generic drug "galantamine hydrobromide".

* Indian Government decided to pay in Euro for Crude Oil imported from Iran.
FEBRUARY 2011
* 3.2.2011 - U.K.Sinha was appointed the eighth Chairman of Stock Exchange Board of India.

* Two member committee appointed to review deal that Antrix had struck with Devas for lease of scarce S band spectrum.

* HDFC Mutual Fund launched HDFC Debt Fund for Cancer cure to support needy cancer patients.

* Comptroller and Auditor General started inquiries into a 2005 agreement between ISRO's commercial arm Antrix Corporation and Devas Multimedia.

* Empowered Group of Ministers on Food decided to lift 3 year old ban on non-basmati rice exports.

* TRAI suggested that each MHz of spectrum on pan-India basis beyond 6.2 MHz should be charged at 4571.87 Crores.

* Indian Union Cabinet approved the recapitalization of regional rural banks to improve their capital to risk weighted assets ratio.

* Cochin Shipyard Ltd., signed contracts with Shipping Corporation of India Ltd., for two 120 tonne bollard pull Anchor Handling Tug Supply vessels.

* IDFC Infrastructure Equity Fund was launched by IDFC Mutual Fund.

* BHEL BAGGED 436 million USD contract from Yemen for setting up a gas based power project in Yemen.

* Inter-ministerial Task Force to be set up under UIDAI Chairman Nandan Nilekani to evolve a suitable mechanism for direct subsidies to those who are entitled to Kerosene, LPG and Fertilizer.

* SEBI in February 2011 proposed a new reporting system for mutual funds based on "eXtensible Business Reporting Language" (XBRL).

* According to Tata Institute of Social Sciences two thirds of Mumbai's slum dwellers have to slog for several hours a day to procure potable water.

* Food and Public Distribution Ministry estimated that the total food subsidy will increase to 110600 Crores.

* IDBI Federal Life Insurance Co., launched its first guaranteed pension plan "RETIRESURANCE".

* 16.2.2011 - India and Japan signed the bilateral "Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement" in Tokyo.

* Gujarat State entered into MoU with RAK Ceramics to set up a Ceramic Tile manufacturing unit.

* Ramky Infrastructure tied up debt worth 1400 Cr with ICICI bank for financing its Srinagar-Banihal road project.

* BP Plc's deal with RIL to acquire 30% of Reliance's oil and gas acreages provided for India's largest ever FDI. (BP = British Petroleum).

* SEBI permitted State Bank of Bikaner and Jaipur to raise up to Rs.800 Cr through rights issue.

* According to World Bank's India Economic Update, Indian economy will grow 8.5 to 9% in 2011.

* 23.2.2011 - Ministry of Commerce and Industry released a draft strategy paper for doubling exports to 450 billion USD by 2014.

* 25.2.2011 - Mamata Banerjee while presenting the Railway Budget 2011 declared 2011-2012 as the "Year of Green Energy". The railway budget included introduction of 56 new trains and 9 Duronto Expresses. The Budget also provides for a Bridge factory in Jammu and Kashmir and proposes to set up a diesel locomotive centre in Manipur.

* Report by Financial Services Group Citi on Global Growth Generators, estimated India to become the world's largest economy worth 85.97 trillion USD by 2050.

* 28.2.2011 - Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee presented the Union Budget 2011-2012 with a proposed expenditure of Rs.1257729 Cr, with a forecase of 9% growth during this fiscal year. In the Union Budget, Agriculture and allied sector received an allocation of 14362 Cr while the "Bharat Nirman" scheme received an allocation of 58000 Cr.

* Munjal's led Hero to buy out Japanese co-promoter Honda Motor's 26% stake in Hero Honda.

* Steel Tycoon Lakshmi Mittal overtook Mukesh Ambani to become the wealthiest Indian as per the annual Forbes List of World Billionaires for 2011.

* China's trade deficit stood at 7.3 billion USD in February 2011, which is the largest in seven years.

* National Small Industries Corporation was awarded the "Mini Ratna" status by the Central Government.
MARCH 2011
* Global consultancy firm KPMG released a report on bribery and corruption in India.

* Union Government asserted that 30% sourcing under Foreign Direct Investment in multibrand retail made me mandatory from Indian MSEs only.

* Union Cabinet approved the Constitution Amendment Bill thereby paving the way for the introduction of Goods and Services Tax.

* RBI to signal its policy stance recommended the use of repo rate as a single policy rate.

* Department of Public Enterprises announced relaxation in norms for conferring the "Maharatna" status to central Public Sector Enterprises.

* Asian Development Bank pledged to provide a loan of 250 million USD as part of its infrastructure financing projects in India.

* Coca Cola India roped the creative agency, Leo Burnett for its soon to be launched music property "Coke Studio India".

* World Trade Organization's GPA is a forum for interested members to work out a pact for opening up and increasing transparency in government procurement.

* Vedanta Group firm Sesa Goa, acquired the assets of the upcoming steel plant of Bellary Steel and Alloys.

* SEBI announced a new set of code of conduct for staff of broking houses and other marketing intermediaries.

* HDFC Bank roped in Rakesh Singh to head its investment banking division.

* Department of Telecommunications imposed a "Managed by Indian" norm to escalate security in mobile infrastructure.

* ABB, a multinational power and transmission company from Zurich, Switzerland, won orders worth 900 million USD from Power Grid Corporation of India for an ultra high voltage direct current link.

* Sarah Lee Corporation terminated Godrej Group's license to sell Kiwi Shoe Care and Kiwi Kleen brands in India and Sri Lanka.

* Income Tax Department for the first time asked stock exchanges to submit monthly reports of all transactions.
APRIL 2011
* India's apparel export grew by about 24% in February 2011.

* Organized sector in India is set to create about 1.6 million new jobs in 2011.

* SEBI raised the overall investment limit for foreign institutional investors in corporate bonds to 40 billion USD.

* On 31.3.2011 the Central Government introduced a major policy reform to increase Foreign Direct Investment inflow into India.

* WIPRO Technologies signed an agreement to acquire US based Science Applications, International Corporations Global Oil and Gas IT services business.

* The Sri Lankan Government revoked the suspensions (imposed earlier) on the import of Indian Locomotives.

* Tata Power in Consortium with SN Power, Norway bagged the Dugar Hydro Electric Project.

* Insurance regulator IRDA issued guidelines on distance marketing of products.

* Buyer's Credit launched under the National Export Insurance Account to boost project exports from India.

* 7.4.2011 - Confederation of Indian Industry concluded two cluster projects benefiting over 15 MSMEs.

* Empowered Group of Ministers on Highways recommended setting up a Committee to settle road disputes.

* FICCI and leading business organization Economiesuisse entered into MoU to cooperate in areas of mutual interest.

* India imposed a three month complete ban on all food imports from Japan citing fears over radioactive contamination.

* Chainsa-Sultanpur-Neemrana pipeline was commissioned and dedicated to the nation by Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Jaipal Reddy.

* Tata Power bagged a contract to modernize the infrastructure of 30 Indian Air Force Fields.

* Multilingual retail portal launched to offer customers help in comparing varied products in the insurance sector.

* Petroleum Minister S. Jaipal Reddy inaugurated a unit at HPCL Mumbai refinery which will make products like LPG.

* Department of Telecommunications under the Telecom Ministry finalized a penalty demand of over Rs.150 Cr on the established telecom operators.

* India's tax collection, both direct and indirect, reached about 7.92 lakh crores during 2010-2011.

* Germany based "Continental" - world's fourth largest tyre manufacturers, decided to acquire Modi Tyre Co.,

* National Skill Development Corporation and Everonn Education Ltd., joined hands to launch International Skills Schools.

* Shipping Ministry decided to extend the 2005 port tariff guidelines supposed to lapse on 31.3.2011 by one more year.

* BHEL led consortium won 1600 Cr. contract for steam turbine generators for the Kakrapur Nuclear Power Station.

* India's exports rose 37.5% in 2010-11 to touch a record 246 billion USD.

* Ministry of Finance decided to allow the tax free import of sugar till 30.6.2011.

* India's oldest credit information bureau CIBIL launched CIBIL Transunion Score for retail consumers.

* SBI decided to discontinue its debated "teaser" home loan scheme from 30.4.2011.

* Indian Government ordered constitution of Inter ministerial group to review India's FDI norms in the pharmaceutical sector.

* 20.4.11 - The Union Government approved the signing of the Ngoya Protocol on Access and Benefit sharing by India.

* Axis Bank received RBI's in principle approval to merge the investment banking and equity capital market business of Enam Securities.

* Pension regulator PFRDA opposed any form of mandatory investments into infrastructure under the National Pension Scheme.

* India Trade and Exhibition Centre decided to hose an Indo Ayur Fest in Sharjah to promote Indian Ayurvedic products.

* RBI fined 19 banks, including the country's top private and foreign banks for violating its guidelines on derivatives.
MAY 2011
* Board of Directors of Infosys Ltd., decided to appoint K.V.Kamath as its Chairman after N.R.Narayanamurthy steps down.

* IRDA selected L & T Infotech for implementing project aimed at providing data and information for analyzing insurance companies.

* Stock Holding Corporation of India appointed Ashok Motwani as its new MD.

* Sardar Sarovar Narmada Nigam Ltd., awarded a 298.63 Cr contract to HCC for construction of the Limbdi Branch Canal.

* Index of the six core infrastructure industries registered a 7.4% annual growth in March 2011 compared with 6.8% for March 2010.

* 2.5.2011- Postal Department launched the new social security scheme - service discharge benefit scheme - for Grameen Dak Sevaks.

* RBI decided to accept the broad frame work of regulations recommended by the Malegam Committee report on Micro finance institutions.

* 1.5.2011 - The new Foreign Contribution Regulation Act came into force. Under the new law, no political party can receive foreign funds as donation.

* Portugal reached a deal with the European Union and the IMF for a 78billion Euros on a 3 year bail out.

* Essar Steel announced that it has won an order from Mazagaon Dock to supply 13000 tonnes of heavy plates.

* Jyothi Laboratories decided to acquire 50.97% stake in consumer goods from Henkel India Ltd.,

* SEBI decides to outsource an investor guidance helpline for its procedures.

* Piramal Health Care Ltd., to foray into the financial services business.

* Cognizant, a leading IT and BPO services co., joined the Fortune 500 companies.

* Commerce Ministry tightened the norms governing the deemed export benefit scheme in the wake of detection of several cases of misuse of incentives.

* The Ruia Group (India) finalized acquisition of Turkey based automotive sealing manufacturing firm - Standard Profil AS.

* Indian Government partially opened limited liability partnerships to foreign investments.

* Karnataka became the first state in India to launch an e-payment for commercial tax payers.

* The Index of Industrial production, released by the Central Statistical Organization revealed that the Industry's stand alone performance during March 2011 was the best since October 2010 with a growth of 7.3%.

* 13.5.2011 - Fortis Healthcare declared that it acquired 74.59% stake in its group firm Super Religare Laboratories for 803 Crores.

* ICICI Bank Ltd., launched "Money 25 Sri Lanka" an on line remittance tracking facility in collaboration with Sampath Bank Plc.

* Income Tax department finally provided tax exemption on the 9.5% income on PF deposits in 2010-2011.

* RBI tightened the norms for foreign exchange risk cover.

* According to a World Bank Report, India will be among six nations who will account for more than half of the global growth by 2025.

* The Corporate Affairs Ministry proposed that companies that fail to file key annual information should not be allowed to make other mandatory regular filings.

* India signed Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement with Republic of Colombia.

* Supreme Court of India upheld the legality of government's decision restraining the private operators from monopolizing the facilities of the ports.

* SEBI permitted investors eligible for differential pricing in public issues to make payment at a price net of discount at the time of bidding itself.

* NASSCOM disapproved of the new IT rules 2011 stating that the new rules will adversely affect the 76 billion USD Indian IT-BPO industry.

* RBI permitted foreign institutional investors to hedge foreign currency risks arising out of investment in IPOs made through ASBA route.

* (ASBA - Application Supported by Blocked Amounts - a process developed by SEBI for applying to Initial Public Offerings (IPO)).

* India's third largest private sector bank, AXIS Bank launched an innovative money management tool "My Money Card".

* The Information and Broadcasting Ministry okayed the proposal of TRAI to enhance FDI ceiling for DTH TV, Internet Protocol TV and Teleport from 49% to 74%.

* 24.5.2011 - Religare Mutual Fund launched an open ended exchange traded fund - Religare Nifty ETF.

* RBI relaxed the eligibility norms for using credit default swaps on Corporate bonds.

* Salaried tax payers who do not have other sources of income and whose income is below 5 lakh rupees per annum to be exempted from filing income tax returns.

* India signs two agreements with Ethiopia for Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement and development of small scale industries.

* National Mineral Development Corporation signed an agreement to acquire 50% stake in Australian mineral exploration company - Legacy Iron Ore.

* RBI reduced the time that banks take to resolve customer's complaints regarding ATM to seven working days from 12.

* External commercial borrowing limit raised to 30 billion USD from 20 billion USD for the Financial Year 2011-2012.

* 24.5.2011 - India and the World Bank signed International Development Association credit of 162.7 million USD for Rajasthan Rural Livelihood Project.
JUNE 2011
* Schneider Electric decides to acquire 74% in inverter make Luminous Power Technologies for Rs.1400 Cr.

* Comptroller General of Accounts revealed that fiscal deficit was lower by around Rs.32000 Cr over the revised estimates for 2010-2011.

* According to GDP data released on 31.5.2011 India's GDP growth slipped to 7.8% in the fourth quarter of 2010-2011.

* The World Bank approved the loan of 1 billion dollars to support India's efforts to clean up the River Ganga.

* 2.6.2011 - The Union Minister of Environment and Forests asked the Alaknanda Hydropower Co., to stop construction work.

* India signed the Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement with Mozambique.

* SEBI imposed a fine of Rs.14 Crores on Dushpant Natwarlal Dalal and Puloma Dushyant Dala, the main financiers of IPO scam.

* Ministry of Corporate Affairs directed all regional directors to organize Lok Adalats for reviewing corporate cases.

* RBI permitted Urban Cooperative Banks to give loans to SHGs to promote financial inclusion.

* India extended duty free market access for Afghanistan as part of its economic package.

* Ambuja Cements, India acquired 85% stake in Dang Cement Industries, Nepal.

* National Mineral Development Corporation to team up with Australia's Mine Makers Ltd., to develop a Phosphate mine in Wonarah, Australia.

* Union Government approved the setting up of a separate cell under the Tea Board to look after the interests of small tea growers.

* 7.6.2011 - RBI Committee on Small Savings headed by Dy.Governor Shyamala Gopinath suggested raising interest rates on Post Office Savings bank deposits to 4%.

* 6.6.2011 - The Cabinet Committee on Security cleared a proposal to buy ten C-17 heavy lift military aircraft from the USA - considered as the biggest defence deals.

* Competition Commission of India held the NSE guilty of indulging in unfair market practices and was ordered to cough up a penalty of Rs.55.5 Crores.

* Machendranathan Committee of Steel Industry on pricing of mineral ores, suggested that the state run mineral giant NMDC should fix its iron ore prices on a quarterly basis.

* International credit rating agency DBRS (Dominion Bond Rating Service, Toronto, Canada) upgraded India's long term foreign and local currency debt outlook from negative to stable.

* The Sri Lankan Central Bank Monetary Board announced that Chinese Renminbi would be included in the list of designated currencies permitted for International transactions.

* A report on "Customer Service" in Banks by a Committee chaired by M. Damodaran was released.
JULY 2011
* The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs approved the doubling of the honorarium for anganwadi workers and helpers under the Integrated Child Development Services Scheme.

* 7.7.2011-The Union Cabinet decided to increase the MPLAD (Member of Parliament Local Area Development) Fund from 2 to 5 Crores.

* Kirtilal's launched ITS Solitaire jewellery collection in Chennai. The Soulmate Collection for women will be one of ITS largest collection of Solitaire.

* DCM Shriram Consolidated received environment clearance from the Ministry of Environment and Forests for the Kaprion-ki-Dhani Lignite mining project.

* 5.7.2011 - The Supreme Court of India appointed a special Investigation Team - a committee of two of its retired judges to follow the trail of black money stashed in foreign banks.

* 11.7.2011 - Nestle - the world's biggest food and drink co., entered Chinese market with the acquisition of majority stakes in candy make Hsu Fu Chi for 2.1 billion USD.

* 6.7.2011-A report compiled by Swiss Re named "World Insurance 2010" India overtook Spain to become the 11th largest insurance market in the world.

* Finance Ministry modified the format for reporting suspicious transactions to deal with black money menace.

* According to a WTO report India achieved tenth rank in export services.

* ITC's luxury hotels was accorded the highest rating of greenest luxury hotel chain in the world for their environment friendly efforts.

* According to the World Investment Report 2011 released by UNCTAD India's position among the top 20 FDI receipients fell to 14th position from 8th in 2009.

* Central Board of Trustees of the Employees Provident Fund Organisation approved the appointment of Standard Chartered Bank as the custodian of securities of the EPFO.

* India signed the Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement with Luthuania.

* India and the European Union finalized an interim settlement to make sure that "Made In India" consignments of generic medicines will not be detained while transiting through Europe.
AUGUST 2011
* SEBI decided to make it mandatory for all promoter entities to disclose any considerable purchase or sale by them.

* Union Government lifted restriction on cotton export and permitted shipments under the Open General License.

* 1.8.2011 - India and Japan enters into "Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement". It is the third country after Singapore and South Korea to enter into such agreement.

* 1.8.2011 - As per Commerce Ministry's release India's exports rose by 46.45% to 29.21 billion USD during June 2011.

* RBI cleared Air India's loan restructuring proposal thereby extending Air India's loan tenures from 10 to 15 years.

* Oil Ministry accepted Ashok Chawla Committee's recommendation to make functioning of the Directorate General of Hydrocarbon more transparent.

* SEBI approved a single window clearance system for market entities like stock brokers, for grant of prior approval for change in control of their management structures.

* 5.8.2011 - The Food Safety and Standards Act 2006 came into effect.

* L & T bagged orders worth 889 million USD in the hydrocarbon sector from the UAE and Thailand.

* The US Credit rating was downgraded to AA+ from AAA by Standard and Poor's. This is the first time that Standard and Poor issued a negative outlook on the US Government.

* 9.8.2011 - Union Government accorded two year extension to RBI Governor D. Subba Rao.

* Google will buy cellphone maker Motorola Mobility for 12.5 billion USD. It is being considered one of the biggest deals in the Mobile Handset space.

* IRCON and Sri Lanka railways signed an agreement for supply and installation of the signaling and telecommunication system for railway network in Northern Province of Sri Lanka.

* SBI Mutual Fund launched Gold Fund to enable the common man to invest systematically in Gold.

* IBA - FICCI report on banking pointed out that India's GDP growth will make the Indian Banking Industry third largest in the world by 2025.

* 23.8.2011 - NASSCOM predicted that IT companies would continue to grow globally at 16 to 18% in 2011-2012.

* 29.8.2011 - CRISIL launched the first gold index in India with a base data of 2nd January 2007.
SEPTEMBER 2011
* According to Julius Baer, the Swiss Wealth Manager, Asia will add 1.66 million dollar millionaires by 2015

* 35 Indian companies are included in the top 200 Asia Pacific Corporations in Forbes Asia's Best under a Billion List for 2011.

* Enforcement Directorate informed the Supreme Court that companies involved in the 2G spectrum scam had violated FEMA to the tune of 10000 Crores.

* India Post signed a MoU with VFS Global to provide Visa related services for different countries.

* After 5 years of negotiations, NTPC and Ceylon Electricity Board have sealed a deal for jointly setting up a coal fired power plant in Sri Lanka at an investment of upto 700 million USD.

* UNCTAD's Trade and Development Report 2011 projected an economic growth of 8.1% for India in 2011.

* HDFC Bank Launched Personal Loan Swift - a product which is processed in 24 working hours of receiving complete loan documents.

* Finance Ministry relaxed the norms for Foreign Institutional Investment in the infrastructure space by reducing the residual maturity and lock in periods.

* Union Government approved the Approach Paper for the 12th Plan (2012-2017) which seeks to attain annual economic growth rate to 9%.

* Union Government decided to allow corporates to raise external commercial borrowings in Yuan (Renminbi) equivalent to 1 billion USD.

* India Post signed a MoU with National Stock Exchange for installing LCD TV screens in Post Offices across the country.

* 26.9.2011 - The Union Government announced the reconstitution of the National Manufacturing Competitiveness Council under the Chairmanship of V.Krishnamurthi.

* India and Myanmar agreed to set a 3 billion USD as trade target to be achieved by 2015.

* Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust awarded the contract for its fourth container terminal to the consortium of Singapore's PSA and the ABG (Aditya Birla Group) in India.

* China became Russia's biggest trading partner. The exports and imports between these two nations touched 50.8 billion USD from January to August 2011.

* India and Czech Republic upgraded their economic cooperation and fixed a target of bilateral trade volume of 2 billion USD by 2012.

* India decided to continue with 100% FDI for new ventures in the Pharmaceutical sector, decided at a high level meeting chaired by PM.
OCTOBER 2011
* 10.10.2011 - India and Japan agreed to cooperate in the field of tourism and infrastructure. Two countries also discussed opportunities in tourism infrastructure in India.

* Social networking site Facebook acquired Friend.ly-a social question and answer service.

* DGFT (Director General of Foreign Trade) introduced "Niryat Bandhu" scheme for international business mentoring for young turks for international business.

* India signed a deal with a Sri Lankan firm worth over 300 Cr rupees to procure 80 fast interception craft, which will equip Navy's Sagar Prahari Bal.

* RBI permitted Indians who have non resident accounts in the country to hold them in any currency which is fully convertible.
NOVEMBER 2011
* Government e-payment system launched to enable the Central Government to directly credit dues into the accounts of beneficiaries.
Finance Ministry gave its nod to mining company Coal India for acquiring stake in overseas unlisted firms.
SEBI ordered all mutual funds to disclose names of distributors who receive commission above Rs. 1 Crore.
1.11.11 - A major international conference on the threat from the Cyber Security attackes was held in London with an aim to have nationsl work together to combat international cyber crime.
Indirect tax collections in October 2011 dropped by 2.5% to 30278 Cr on account of cut in customs and excise duties on petroleum products.
India won 2 Awards - Best Destination and Best Marketing Campaign at the World Travel Awards 2011.
Global ratings firm Moody's downgraded the entire Indian Banking system's rating outlook from "Stable" to "Negative".
14/15.11.11 - India and Pakistan held two day trade talks in New Delhi.
Chinese Ambassador to India Zhang Yan handed over a cheque of 1 million USD for construction of a library in Nalanda International University.
Survey of eight sectors conducted by the Labour Ministry revealed that employment in eight sectors grew 2.15% during April-June 2011.
Standard & Poor's attributed slow infrastructure development in India to lack of reforms and limited long term funding options.
China signed a contract with ISA - International Seabed Authority - to gain rights toexplore polymetallic sulphide ore deposits in Indian Ocean over the next 15 years.
23.11.11 - Cyrus P. Mistry was chosen to succeed Tata Group Chairman Ratan Tata as the Group's new Chairman from 2012.
DECEMBER 2011
* HDFC bank launched premium credit cards - "Solitaire and Solitaire Premium" exclusively for women.

* SEBI constituted an 8 member advisory committee for "Investor Protection and Education Fund" to be headed by K.V.Kamath.

* IRDA launched two on line initiatives to safeguard the interest of insurance seekers guidelines for web aggregators and for launch of a mobile application.

* President Prathibha Patil constituted a 12 member committee to study and recommend measures for increasing productivity.

* 1.12.2011 - The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs approved the 1656 Cr scheme for the III phase of Yamuna Action Plan.

* ONGC announced two significant oil discoveries in North Kadi area of Gujarat's Mehsana district and in the Panna areas.

* RBI approved the creation of a separate category of non-banking financial companies for the microfinance institution sector.

* Number of corporate debt restructuring cases rose to 35 in the first half of 2011-2012 as compared to 22 in the first six months of 2010-2011.

* Retail entrepreneur Kishore Biyani of Future Capital & Future General Life - financial services through two separate transactions woth over 1000 Cr.

* Integrated Skill Development Scheme for the textile and apparel sector was launched by the Ministry of Textiles.

* 7.12.2011 - ICICI and IDBI Bank together launched India's first "Credit Default Swap".

* 7/9.12.2011 - The 4th International Tax Dialogue - a global conference on Tax and Inequality, was inaugurated by the Finance Ministry of India.

* Parliamentary committee headed by former finance minister Yashwant Sinha rejected reform to allow 49% FDI in insurance sector.

* 15.12.2011 - The Government of India and the Asian Development Bank signed an agreement for the first tranche (113 million USD) under the 350 million USD Himachal Pradesh Clean Energy Transmission Investment programme.

* 16.12.2011 - India - Australia signed an agreement to amend Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement.

* Union Government directed cash rich PSUs to issue bonue shares to bring about a proper balance between paid up capital and accumulated reserves.

* 20.12.2011 - India's leading commodity bourse MCX - Multi Commodity Exchange - became the world's fifth largest commodity futures exchange.

* Credit Rating Agency Moody's upgraded the credit rating of the Indian government bonds from the "speculative" to "investment" grade.

* 21.12.2011 - Ravi Ruia decided to step down as Chairman of the London listed Essar Energy.

* The top three IT companies, TCS, Infosys and WIPRO created the most jobs in the five years ending 2011.

* Reserve Bank directed all banks to issue cheques conforming to Cheque Truncation System 2010.

* Telecom Commission recommended a uniform license fee of 8% of adjusted gross revenues.

* RBI ordered banks to set aside more capital for their investments in financial entities such as insurance.

* Union Government quadrupled the limits on loans that a bank's internal committee can approve.

* RBI allowed non-residents to hedge their currence risk in respect of external commercial borrowings denominated in rupees.

2011 - SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

JANUARY 2011
* Unit 7 of 500 MW Korba Super Thermal Power Plant commissioned.

* National Institute for Inter-disciplinary Science and Technology, Thiruvananthapuram bagged the World Intellectual Property Organization Gold Medal.

* UP Government and THDC India Ltd., signed a MoU to set up Khurja Super Thermal Power Plant.

* Mumbai Patent Office rejected American drug maker Abbot Laboratories patent application for HIV combination drug.

* 98th Indian Science Congress held in Chennai from 3rd to 7th January 2011.

* 12.1.2011 - According to the NASA research analysis, the year 2010 was recorded as the warmest year since 1880.

* 13.1.2011 - Union Government permitted carriage of video calls on 3G Mobile Networks.

* 20.1.2011 - NASA announced its earth observing satellite mission named as "Glory".

* 24.1.2011 - Airtel launched its 3G Mobile service in Bengaluru.

* Scientists of University of New South Wales discovered the cause of Scizhophrenia.

* General Motors India launched its new locally developed petrol engine - SMARTECH.

* Albengoa, a Spanish Multinational Corporation on energy, signed an agreement with BHEL to jointly undertake and concentrate on Solar Power projects.

* 27.1.2011 - Apple launched iPad in India.

* ONGC produced first shale gas in India at Ichhapu in West Bengal.

* Quality Council of India appointed a 5 member committee to rate blood banks across India in order to regulate blood banks.

* A new scientific research done by the University of Abertay Dundee, Scotland and Scottish Police Services Authority forensic experts revealed that soon the finger print ridge detail and impressions from fabrics could be recovered using VMD - Vaccum Metal Disposition - technique.

* Carbon Footprint Calculator for the use of manufacturers was launched by

* UK based Manufacturing Advisory Service.

* A new type of stereo vision was creted by the engineers to study ocean waves.

* Advanced Micro Devices, a leading processor producers after Intel, launched its new version of processors, The Fusion Platform.
FEBRUARY 2011
* NASA released the first 360 degree images and video of the entire Sun for the first Time.

* Drug Controller General of India ordered all state Drug Controllers to withdraw permission to AZ drug brand.

* High powered committee formed to suggest mechanism for efficient distribution of natural resources such as telecom spectrum.

* A super-luxury sedan "Maybach" launched by Mercedes Benz.

* Aegis, the Philippine based BPO major, bagged a contract worth 2 billion USD from Saudi Telecom Co.,

* 2.2.2011-Maruti Suzuki India launched its luxury sedan "Kizashi".

* "Digital Drishti" - a scheme to provide basic computing skills to the visually challenged, a workshop was launched by ITI Mumbai and IGNOU.

* Tata Sky launched its new generation personal video recorder.

* Shivraj Patil Committee Report on Spectrum Allocation emphasized on the need of a comprehensive legislation for the telecom sector.

* Delhi Cabinet approved setting up of a 750 MW Pragati II project at Bamnauli by BHEL.

* India's largest naphtha cracker plant was inaugurated at IOC's Panipat Complex.

* Integrated Steel plant and captive power plant by Jindal Steel and Power, got green signal from the Environment Ministry.

* Scientists launched a project which could predict exactly when and where earthquakes would occur.

* A team of scientists from the University of Buffalo, synthesized a new kind of Nano technology to make drinking water safer.

* 23.2.2011 - "Europe India Gateway" cable system was launched by Bharti Airtel along with 16 other global telecommunication companies.

* MIT (Massachusettes Institute of Technology) engineers designed a new of Nano particles.
MARCH 2011
* Indian companies for the first time shot ahead of their chienese counterparts in acquiring overseas mineral assets as per Ernest & Young study.

* According to an extensive genetic study, modern humans may have originated from Southern Africa.

* 9.3.2011 - The e-commerce portal of India Post, e-post office was launched by Union Minister Kapil Sibal.

* According to the data released by Automobile manufacturers (SIAM) domestic passenger car sales jumped 22.63% in February 2011.

* Union Minister for Environment and Forest ordered the Genetic Engineering Approval Committee to cancel the field trials for Bt Maize in Bihar.

* In a possible breakthrough in the fight against cancer, scientists claimed to have discovered evidence that the body's immune cells often share information about foreign substances with each other to ward off the invaders.

* 11.3.2011 - TVS Motor Co., Chennai launched its premium Apache RTR 180 bike with antilock braking system technology.

* The 10 millionth car rolled out by Maruti Suzuki India Ltd., was a blue Wagon R.

* British scientiasts discovered a cholesterol regulating protein called LXR which plays an important role in the formation of thrombosis, a kind of blood clot that can result into heart attacks.

* German engineering giant 'Siemens" won contract to supply the complete railway electrification system for Kolkatta's new Metro Lines.

* HCL Infosystems bagged an order from the IAF to deploy wideband CDMA based portable wireless network.

* Indian Cabinet extended by a year, the term of the existing Board of Governors of the Medical Council of India.

* 21.3.2011 - TRAI put off indefinitely the new rules governing unwanted telemarketing calls that were supposed to be implemented.

* Industry association NASSCOM revamped NASSCOM Assessment of Competence (NAC) which is Nasscom's assessment and certification programme aimed at testing candidates on basic skills required for the BPO industry.

* A report by the Climate Group, named India's Clean Revolution, stated that India is making more progress than the US on energy efficiency and the market in India is expected to treble to 77 billion dollars in the next 10 years.

* 23.3.2011 - Tata Teleservices Ltd., launched its Tata Photon Plus mobile broad band service for Orissa in Rourkela.

* A new technology called "High Tibial Osteotomy" was developed in India to help people suffering from old age knee pain.

* 23.3.2011 - Scientists warned that upto 45 rare species of wallaby bandicoot and other Australian animals could become extinct unless some urgent action taken to restrain.

* Microsoft launched Internet explorer 9 at TechEd India 2011, an annual conference organized by Microsoft, India.

* For the first time, scientists grew sperms in a test tube which are capable of fertilizing eggs.

* According to a study currency notes and coins carry several kinds of bacteria of which three species are highly infectious.

* Surgeons in Houston successfully implanted the world's first continuous flow artificial heart on a 55 year old patient.

* Microsoft Corporation appointed ex-Oracle Chief Bhaskar Paramanik as the Chairman of Microsoft India.

* Lanco Infratech became the largest independent power producer by attaining 3292 MW generation capacity.

* Tehri Hydro Development Corporation of India Ltd., commissioned the first unit of its 400 MW Koteshwar Hydel Project.

* Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) announced BEE Star Label Version 1 for Laptops based on US Energy Version 5 guidelines.

* In February 2011 engineering exports grew by 75% to 7 billion USD from 4 billion USD in the same period in 2010.
APRIL 2011
* Scientists at the Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, UK, for the first time identified genetic mutations that led to the development of acute myeloid leukaemia.

* A team of scientists from Cardiac Research Institute, Sydney led by Victor Chang said that gene called "CITED 2" is responsible for the heart defects in children.

* Plutonium was traced in soil around the Fukushima Nuclear Complex. It may increase the problems for Japan.

* Department of Information Technology published a draft policy on mobile governance.

* GRT Jewellers tied up with State Bank Group's Freedom Rewardz, the largest debit card loyalty programme.

* Superluxury car maker Bentley unveiled Continental GT Sedan in India.

* New Nitrogen based acoustic test facility for satellites was inaugurated at ISRO's ISITE testing complex in Bangalore.

* According to a report published in the journal Cretaceous Research in the first week of April 2011, palaeontologists identified a giant predatory theroped dinosaur.

* Scientists have identified five genes which raise the risk of Alzheimer's disease.

* NDM 1 (New Delhi Metalo Beta Lactamase 1) also known as the Superbug was detected in drinking water samples collected from several sites in N.Delhi. (superbug is a bacteria which can survive exposure to antibiotics too).

* Japanese engineers pumped coloured powder to find radiation leaks. They poured 13 Kg of milky white dye into an underground trench to trace the source.

* British scientists at Edinburgh University created human kidneys from stem cells in a breakthrough.

* 13.4.2011 - HP announced a slew of solutions and services that would help companies transform applications to work from the cloud.

* 13.4.2011 - TRAI issued important recommendations related to manufacturing and green telecom to promote structural growth of the sector.

* National Policy for containment of Antimicrobial Resistance for the first time in the second week of April 2011, put a cap on how much of antibiotics should be used into poultry products or sea food.

* India is working on AURA (Autonomous Unmanned Research Aircraft) programme to develop the stealth UCAVs (Unmanned Combat aerial vehicles)

* US military successfully conducted its most challenging test of a ballistic missile defence system which is to deploy in Europe to counter an Iran Missile threat.

* Director General of Hydrocarbons refused to approve Reliance Industries spending on KG D6 gas fields.

* British scientists at the University of Leicester produced an injectible antibody that reduces the damaging effect of heart and the brain attack on human body.

* Tata Steel signed a licensing agreement with Rio Tinto for the development of iron smelting process called "Hlsarna".

* According to a study conducted over the well being of people in 124 countries, India ranked 71.

* A rapid molecular test kit has been invented to detect both TB and multi drug resistant TB in just 90 mts. The test kit is the size of a microwave.

* Scientists developed a new vaccine named "Bapineuzutunabjab" which is effective against the Alzheimer's disease.

* According to the data released by Central Electricity Authority, India generated 811 billion units of electricity in 2010-2011.

* CII (Confederation of Indian Industry) demanded introduction of Corrosion Act in India.

* According to a study done by the scientists at Columbia University the Antarctic Ozone hole caused the series of droughts in Australia.

* Union Minister for Environment and Forests Jairam Ramesh launched a Bio-remedian technology project in the Buddha Nallah of Ludhiana in Punjab.

* A team of scientists for the first time created a synthetic synapse circuit whose behaviour is very much similar to the function of a braincell.

* According a new study done at the Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York, a controlled diet low in carbohydrate and high in fat help repair kidney damage in diabetics. The new diet is named as "Ketogenic diet".

* 27.4.2011 - ONGC announced two new oil and gas discoveries in Gujarat.

* Russia proposed a plan to strengthen the safety standards in nuclear power plants of the world with the objective of not allowing any nuclear catastrophe to happen in future.

* 28.4.2011 - The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs cleared an intensified malaria control programme for the seven North East States.

* Conference of Parties to the Stockholm Convention in Geneva approved the recommendation for elimination of production and use of Endosulfan.

* According to a study conducted by the University of Calcutta, the Sunderbans forest plays an important ecological role by absorbing more than four crore tones of carbon di oxide from the atmosphere.
MAY 2011
* 2.5.2011 - ISRO unveiled a super computer which is to be India's fastest super computer in terms of theoretical peak performance.
* Department of the Environment and Forests of India declared of setting up a National Environmental Appraisal and Monitoring Authority as a part of efforts to bring in institutional reforms and improve environmental governance.
* 6.5.2011 - The Union Minister for Environment and Forests Jairam Ramesh stated that it had cleared 400 MW Maheshwar Hydro Electric Power Project on the Narmada River in Madhya Pradesh.
* According to NASA scientists, a giant asteroid named YU 55 is heading close to earth.
* 10.5.2011 - Hyundai Motor India launched a new version of its Verna Sedan.
* Scientists in the second week of May 2011 developed a new technique for Artificial photosynthesis.
* 16.5.2011 - NASA launched space shuttle Endeavour from the Kennedy Space Centre, Florida for its final mission.
* 19.5.2011 - BHEL successfully tested India's first 600 MW Turbo Generator Rating.
* The researchers from the University of Toronto, Missisanga discovered 47 million years old fossil of a lizard called " CRYPTOLACERTAHASSIACA".
* An engineer from the University of Missouri developed a flexible solar sheet that captures 90% of available light.
* 20/21.5.2011 - India successfully test fired indigenously developed air to air "Astra" interceptor missile.
* India's advanced communication satellite GSAT 8 successfully launched by Ariane Space Launch Vehicle Ariane 5 from Kourou in French Guyana.
* A team of scientists set a new data speed record transmitting 26 terabites equivalent to 700 DVDs.
* 24.5.2011 - International scientists claimed that they have found evidence that a medicinal mushroom used in Asia can completely suppress prostate tumors.
* Google launched its popular controversial mapping service street view in Bengaluru.
JUNE 2011
* The Union Government of India ordered security audit of all important installations comprising nuclear stations, military bases and oil refineries.

* ISRO announced its decision to launch its communication satellite GSAT 12 during July 2011.

* Germany announced its decision to phase out its all the nuclear plants by 2022. The decision prompted by Japan's Fukushima nuclear disaster.

* The US Scientists from the University of California developed a gas that can get rid of mosquitoes.

* 5.6.2011 - Scientists at the European Organisation for Nuclear Research in Geneva claimed that they had trapped and stored antihydrogen atoms for a record 16 minutes.

* Scientists at the University of Warwick in England discovered a new form of ultra-bad cholesterol called MGmin-LDL.

* Japanese super computer - K-Computer - built by Fujitsu Co., grabbed the title of world's best performing machine.

* 5.6.2011 - Scientists discovered a werewolf gene which causes hair to grow all over the body. Such a phenomenon is known as "werewolf syndrome" and clinically it is "hypertrichosis".

* 5.6.2011 - A new report released by the International Energy Agency that despite 20 years of effort green house emissions are increasing instead of decreasing.

* Drug Controller General of India's records pointed out that 25 people died in clinical trials carried out by nine pharmaceutical companies in 2010.

* 5.6.2011 - World Environment Day observed with the theme - "Nature at your Service".

* A 50 MW wind power project is to be set up in Tamilnadu by April 2012.

* Health researchers found that a drug named "exemstane" prevents breast cancer.

* 5.6.2011 - Spices Board launched a campaign to educate farmers, trades and exporters about "aflatoxin" a naturally occurring mycotoxin. Aflatoxins are toxic and the most carcinogenic substance.

* 7.6.2011 - The Prasar Bharti approved the working plan for expansion of Door Darshan's DTH platform to 200 channels by the year end and a proposal for education channels on this platform.

* A team of astronomers from the Australian National University discovered that a planet named WASP -17b moves in the opposite direction to the spin of the star.

* Scientists from the Northern Ireland's Queen's University, Belfast developed a new male infertility test called "Spermocomet".

* Diagnostic test discovered for hereditary children's disease - Idiopathic Infantile Hypercalcemia.

* Scientists at Karolinska Institute, Sweden discovered that a gene linked to dystexia - DCDC2 has a surprising biological function namely it controls cilia of cells.

* IAEA called for action on nuclear safety on the basis of lessons from the civil nuclear accident at Tsunami hit Fukushima Daichi Plant in Japan.
JULY 2011
* French scientists developed a two minute cure for glaucoma that uses intensely focused beams of ultrasound. The new technique stop the secretion of aqueous humour.

* UNAIDS -HIV -AIDS report 2011 revealed 56% fall in the number of new HIV+ infections in India between 1996-2010.

* The Union Government unveiled a new remote sensing data policy called the Remote Sensing Data Policy 2011 which allows all data of resolutions upto 1 mtr to be distributed.

* Yahoo announced that it would offer Tamil language content to its users in India and around the world.

* 11.7.2011 - The Maharashtra Government launched a website and a helpline to discourage the conducting of sex determination tests.

* 11.7.2011 - Orient Green Power Co.Ltd., commissioned a 18.7 MW wind farm project at Gudimangalam in Tirupur Dt., Tamilnadu.

* Scientists discovered eight arthritis genes which could pave the way for the development of effective treatment for a painful form of the disease.

* 12.7.2011 - Neptune the eighth planet of the solar system completed its first orbit around the Sun, 165 years after its discovery.

* "Boeing 787 Dreamliner" made its debut in India when it landed in Delhi.

* Doctors in Spain performed the world's first double leg transplant, giving two new legs to a man whose legs were severed in an accident.

* Scientists at the Massachusettes Institute of Technology, USA developed an artificial liver that could be transplanted into mice which would result into more accurate diagnosis and treatment.

* BHEL's performance in supply of power equipment considered higher and more efficient as compared to that of the Chinese companies.

* Scientists discovered that hepatitis B viruses attached themselves to receptors of the male sex harmone androgen before going on to damage liver tissues and cause cancer.

* Egg sized robots developed by the scientists can directly monitor nuclear reactors and pin point corrosion.

* 22.7.2011 - Russia announced that it built a missile defence shield which covers two thirds of the country. The new system is designed to provide protection against missile attacks on Moscow.

* 27.7.2011 - Ministry of Earth Sciences observed its foundation day.

* WHO sponsored study on Major Depressive Episode revealed that Indians are among the world's most depressed.

* A team of scientists led by Paul Hartogh of Max Planck Institute for Solar System recently solved a 14 year old mystery by discovering the source of the water in Saturn's upper atmosphere. The scientists discovered that giant jets of vapour from the planet's moon Enceladus is responsible for saturns's water.
AUGUST 2011
* Astronomer's using WISE telescope found the asteroid, named 2010 TKT which is the first known Trojan asteroid in Earth's orbit.

* Scientists discovered a chemical named UDCA that could prevent abnormal heart rhythm or arrhythmia in people who have had a heart attack.

* Scientists from France and Uganda discovered in Uganda the oldest known fossil of an African ape which will help shed light on how humans evolved.

* A team at Britain's Manchester University discovered that a positron emission tomography scan, usually used to spot cancerous tumours can diagnose Alzhemeir's disease.

* The Herschell Space Observatory's large telescope and infrared detectors have provided the first confirmed finding of oxygen molecules in space.

* 5.8.2011 - NASA scientists announced that they had found the first evidence of flowing water on Mars.

* A recent study found that vampire bats can locate blood vessels in their prey using infrared vein sensors on their lips.

* Jindal Steel and Power signed a MoU with global mining giant Rio Tinto to jointly work for global commercialization of the Hlsmelt technology. (Hlsmelt technology is a new technology of making steel directly from the Iron Ore).

* German scientists have developed a new software which can accurately detect when crowds are starting to build up to dangerous levels.

* British scientists developed an implanted sleeve which can cure diabetes. The new device is called the "Endo Barrier".

* Scientists at the University of Colombia in New York developed a portable blood test device which can diagnose an infection within minutes.

* 8.8.2011 - US Scientists have found an antibody called CH 65 that acts against influenza.

* Scientists found components of DNA in meteorites which confirms the theory that some of the materials required to make early life forms came to earth from space.

* German luxury car maker Mercedez Benz launched in India the new generation SLK 350.

* A study published in the "Lancet" revealed higher prevalence of anaemia among non-pregnant women in India.

* Annual health Survey by the Union Government pointed out that sex ratio at birth was higher in Urban areas than in rural areas.

* A new research published in Science magazine "Nature" revealed that more carbon-di-oxide in the atmosphere causes soil to release the green house gases methane and nitrous oxide.

* US Scientists recently developed cells that can destroy Leukemia within three weeks.

* Astronomers discovered that the planet named TrES-2b was darker than any planet or moon in our solar system.

* Two teams of astronomers discovered the largest and farthest reservoir of water ever detected in the Universe.

* Scientists discovered a natural preservative BISIN that could spell the end of rotting food.

* Scientists found the fossils of largest known Cheetah which roamed the planet Earth thousands of years ago.

* Food and Drug Administration of USA approved a first of its kind drug ZELBORAF to treat the deadliest form of skin cancer.

* 17.8.2011 - T 50 stealth fighter being jointly developed by Russia and India made its first international public appearance at the HAKS air show in Moscow.

* The Zoological Survey of India will establish DNA laboratories in Dehradun, Chennai, Kolkatta, Hyderabad and Pune with the objective of restraining wildlife poachers.

* Chinese scientists have completed a comprehensive satellite study of cross border Tibetan rivers determining their exact sources besides measuring the length of their drainage basins.

* According to a study conducted by the National Institute of Nutrition, Hyderabad 52% of rural children below 5 years of age of Madhya Pradesh, are underweight.

* The Australian and British geologists have found evidence of what may be the oldest known fossils of life on earth.

* A group of researchers from Canada's Dalhousie University estimated that 8.7 million species exist on earth.

* Financial Services Authority of UK, selected COGNIZANT, India to be a key supplier of solutions as part of its strategic outsourcing framework agreement.

* According to a study Private Cloud Landscape in India released by EMC Corporation and Zimov, total cloud market in India will reach a market value of 4.5 billion USD by 2015.

* Scientists in Australia say they have discovered a cheap and effective way to prevent transmission of dengue fever.

* 25.8.2011 - Indian, British and Korean scientists stated that they have together found the origin of El Tor, the highly virulent and drug resistant form of cholera strain.

* Scientists achieved a major breakthrough in the fight against Type I diabetes by developing a treatment which would save the sufferers from a lifetime of Insulin injections.

* Planetary scientists have discovered the closest young star to Earth. An international team carried out a research and showed that the star - AP Columbae - is the closest.
SEPTEMBER 2011
* The Union Government has entered into an agreement with University of Melbourne to address the problem of mental health in India.

* The Central Zoo Authority has approved the breeding centre at Govindgarh in M.P which has the unique distinction of being the home of white tigers.

* NASA funded researchers found evidence that some building blocks of DNA that carries the genetic instructions for life can be made in space.

* 7.9.2011 - LUKOSKIN - a herbal product for Leucoderma developed by DRDO was launched in New Delhi.

* Researchers have discovered a direct link between the areas of human brain responsible for voice and face recognition.

* Scientists discovered fossilized remains of a large predatory fish with a fearsome mouth which prowled North American waterways some 375 million years ago.

* 11.9.11 - Scientists said they had developed sensors to detect breath and sweat.

* 15.9.2011 - NASA's Kepler mission made the first unambiguous detection of a circumbinary planet - orbiting two stars - 200 light years from Earth.

* A team of scientists discovered a tiny plant which they say bows down and sows its own seeds.

* Researchers at Michigan State University developed a new laser which can accurately detect roadside bombs and helps identify improvised explosive devices.

* Scientists stated that the two powerful collisions with a dwarf galaxy in the past two billion years was the cause of the spiral arm structure of the Milky Way.

* Researchers created a new surgical technique to help doctors detect and remove cancerous cells. The new technique lights up tumour cells during surgery.

* European scientists reported particles apparently traveling faster than light.

* Scientists discovered genetic factors that make frog immune to the fungal disease "Chytrydionycosin".

* 24.9.2011 - Nuclear capable surface to surface medium range missile 'Shaurya' was test fired from Chandipur.

* 26.9.2011 - Surface to surface strategic Prithvi Missile developed by DRDO was successfully flight tested from Chandipur, Orissa.

* Scientists discovered the anatomy behind the strange sound that male Koala makes during mating season.

* 29.9.2011 - China successfully launched its first unmanned space laboratory "Tiangong- 1" from a site in the Gobi desert.

* Planetary scientists discovered that the Universe is bound by cosmic thread.
OCTOBER 2011
* Scientists gained fresh knowledge about how viruses and HIV jumped between species.

* For the first time in India, the genome and coding parts of multi-utility neem plant "Azadirachta Indica".

* Spanish researchers discovered a rare mollusc in Antarctic waters that looks the same as limpets but in bigger in size.

* Scientists for the first time discovered that neuronal connections grow excessively under stressful conditions as the brain ages.

* 12.10.2011 - Sistema Shyam Teleservices announced the launch of the High Speed connectivity.

* "Avahan" successfully slowed the transmission of HIV among the general population in India. " Avahan " is an initiative of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.

* A team of British scientists and Engineers planned to Drill three Kms through the ice in Antarctica to explore signs of life in a lake calle "Ellsworth".

* Australian Scientists created the world's first drug which can prevent blindness from cataract.

* Scientists found the Ozone hole above Antarctica. The Ozone hole found by the scientists reached its maximum annual size on 14.9.2011, becoming the fifth largest in the world.

* Scientists identified two genes which increase a person's risk of getting dengue. Dengue is the most common mosquito borne infection after malaria.

* Scientists claimed to have reconstructed the genome of the bug that caused the bubonic plague (after referred as "black death) in Europe.

* ICMR study revealed that the incidence of breast cancer nearly doubled in Indian metropolitan cities.

* Astronomers discovered a mysterious little dwarf planet which is believed to be covered in ice. The planet was nicknamed "Snow White".

* A new biochemical mechanism was identified which allows brain tumours to survive and grow. This finding will pave the way for new and effective treatments for some of the most aggressive tumours.
NOVEMBER 2011
* Scientists found a new species of trap door spider, the albino spider near Northam in Australia. The albino spider is white headed.

* Indian scientists succeeded in decoding the genome of the arhar dal which is also known as pigeon pea.

* Electronic nose which has the potential to diagnose TB in symptomatic patients was awarded a 950000 USD grant from Grand Challenger, Canada and Melinda Gates Foundation.

* One in every five Indian adults living in Indian Urban cities suffers not only from hypertension but also diabetes.

* A 400 mtr wide giant asteroid, called 2005 YU 55, came within 201700 miles of earth.

* Wheat crops in India is facing threat from a virulent strain of stem rust called UG 99.

* India has the highest number of the flu related Pneumonia deaths among children with more than 370000 children dying due to Pneumonia.

* 15.11.2011 - India's most advanced long range missile, Agni IV was test fired from a road mobile launcher on Wheeler Island of Coast of Orissa.

* A team of six scientists at the Indian Institute of Petroleum developed a new technology to convert plastic into petroleum products.

* Assam government launched a pilot project to vaccinate girls against human papiloma virus causing cervical cancer.

* "Dracula Therapy" - (Stimulate Self Serum Skin Therapy) is the latest medical technique is being used to fight ageing with your own blood. It is a process in which one's own blood is taken and then immediately separated in the serum from red cells and immediately stimulated with amino acids and Vit.C and immediately reinjected into the place where the ageing process is more evident and needs stimulation. Dr. Daniel Sister of UK is the pioneer in this technique.

* Scientists discovered two sunken islands in the Indian Ocean which once formed part of the last link between India and Australia.

* A study titled effects of 11 year mortality and morbidity of lowering LDL cholesterol with "Simvastatin" for about 25 years in 20536 high risk individuals, a randomized control trial was published in the medical journal "Lancet".

* A new study done by the scientists discovered a gene HTR 7, which plays a major role in making a person problem drinkers.

* A team of the scientists at the Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich identified the gene called ABCC 9 that can reduce the length of time people sleep.

* A researcher from Australia National University discovered a new type of cell, which boosts the ability of human body to fight off infections and life threatening diseases.
DECEMBER 2011
* Scientists identified genes that can increase a person's risk of developing multiple myeloma by 30%.

* A team at Aalto University in Finland claimed to have designed a network proxy, which can cut the power consumption of 3G Smart phones upto 74%.

* National AIDS Control Organization decided to roll out 21 ART plus Centres to provide second line drugs to HIV patients.

* Scientists prepared a detailed map of Antarctica which can help understand how Antarctica might respond to a warming world.

* An international team of scientists discovered a new population of adult stem cells in the heart.

* Centre for Development of Telematics - C-DoT - transferred indigenously developed GPON technology to seven telecom equipment makers.

* A team of researchers from NASA's Kepler Mission discovered a habitable earth like planet called "Kepler 22b".

* 6.12.2011 - EMB 145 I - the indigenously developed Indian Air borne Early Warning Control System undertook maiden flight.

* Scientists discovered a new gene, which playes a major role in making a person alcoholic.

* British scientists recently developed a technology which could be used to produce pocket TV.

* Scientists claimed that now a simple test could diagnose breat cancer in women in eight seconds.

* Scientists claim to have made a key discovery about the mechanism controlling the fat in human body.

* Scientists developed a hydrogel that regenerated healthy and scar free tissue on skin.

* NASA built a proto type capable of launching test harpoon tips across a distance of a mile 1.6 Kms. It would be safer to collect comet material using the space harpoon before landing on the celestial bodies.

* Scientists recently developed a genetic test to detect breast cancer. It will help those somen who are the in the early stages of breast cancer.

* 20.12.2011 - NASA'S Kepler Mission discovered the first Earth size planets orbiting a sun like star outside our solar system. The planets are called Kepler - 20 e and Kepler 20 f.

* Scientists discovered a fossil of a tail bone of a titonosaur in Antarctica.

* Scientists discovered a way to transform ordinary tissue into beating heart muscle cells.

* A team of neuroscientists found a gene that turns on when memories are stored in the brain. The memory gene is Npas 4.

* Scientists at the US National Institute of Health claimed that alcohol could be used to treat tremors, a brain disorder that triggers exaggerated shaking and occurs during movement.

SPORTS 2011

JANUARY 2011
* Annamalai University won the Inter University Basket Ball tournament.

* CR Viswanathan was appointed as the Chairman of SAFF Competition Committee.

* ICC theme song for world cup 2011 composed by Shankar Ehsan Loy was released.

* 23.1.2011 - Longest women's match that lasted for four hours and 44 mts was played between Francesca Schiavone (winner) and Svetlana Kuznetsova.

* Suresh Kalmadi and Lalit Bhanot sacked from Commonwealth Games Organizing Committee.

* Novak Djokovic and Kim Clijsters won the Australian Open tennis championship for men and women respectively.

* India won boy's title in the final of the Asian Junion Squash Championship for the first time in January 2011.

* Ceat Cricket Ratings honoured cricketers with stand out displays in every world cup by giving away the Retro Awards 2011.

* Rajasthan clinched the Ranji Trophy for the first time.
FEBRUARY 2011
* Australian cricketer Shane Watson won the Australian Cricket's top individual award - The Allan Border Medal.

* Mugu Antony Ndungu of Kenya won the 9th edition of the SDAT Chennai Marathon.

* "AMUL" will sponsor the Netherlands cricket Team as per its deal with Royal Netherlands Cricket Board.

* Indian ace golfer SSP Chowrasia won the 1.8 million Euro Avantha Masters title in February 2011.

* Indian Ace shooter Abhinav Bindra won the air rifle gold in the French GP in Paris in February 2011.

* 34th National Games was held in Jharkhand between 12th to 26.2.2011.
MARCH 2011
* 21.3.2011 - Saina Nehwal won the Swiss Grand Prix by defeating Ji Hyun Sung of South Korea.

* Ace Indian Badminton player Saina Nehwal regained the No.3 ranking in the latest world ranking released by the Badminton world Federation.

* 30.3.2011 - Michael Clarke was appointed Australia's Test and One day captain.
APRIL 2011
* 2.4.2011 - India won the ICC Cricket World Cup defeating Sri Lanka at the Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai and became the first country to win the world cup on their own soil.

* A Committee headed by Justice Mukul Mudgal formed to fine tune the draft National Sports Development Bill.

* 2.4.2011 - The Logo for the ICC Cricket World Cup 2015, to be held in Australia and New Zealand was unveiled.

* 13.4.2011 - Wisden, the Bible of Cricket, named Sachin Tendulkar as Wisden's leading cricketer in the world for the year 2010.

* Organizers of Wimbledon tournaments raised the Prize money by 6.4% for 2011.

* Abhijeet Gupta won the Dubai International Open Chess title defeating Parimarjan Negi.

* Indian trap shooter Ronjan Sodhi won the Double Trap Silver and an Olympic berth, in the short gun world cup held in China.

* 27.4.2011 - Duncan Fletcher appointed as the new coach of the Indian Cricket Team.
MAY 2011
* MC Marykom, in 48 Kg category, beat Asian Champion Kim Myong Sim of N. Korea 4-3in the final of the Asian Cup Women's Boxing tournament.

* ICC Committee recommended the use of controversial Decision Review System in all international matches.

* Virdhawal Khade, Asian Games Bronze medalist bagged eight medals, including three golds, at the 54th Malaysia Open swimming championship.

* Oil Ministry decided to shift the subsidy burden of 6000 Cr of 2010-2011 among oil marketing firms after the finance ministry rejected demands to fully compensate miners.

* Cabinet Committee on Infrastructure approved Neyveli Lignite Corporation's Rs.5907.11 Cr lignite based power project in Tamilnadu.

* Vijay Kumar became the seventh Indian shooter to earn a quota place for the 2012 London Olympics.

* India's middle distance runner Ghamanda Ram won Silver in 800 m in china.

* 24.5.2011 - Indian Olympic Association gave the go ahead to host the multi-discipline SAF Games in 2012.

* Mayookha Johnny won bronze in the women's triple jump in Asian Athletics Grand Prize in Wujiang, China.

* 28.5.2011-Chennai Super Kings won the IPL Season 4 defeating Royal challengers Bengaluru.
JUNE 2011
* 1.6.2011 - Delegates at FIFA's 61st Congress reelected Sepp Blatter as FIFA President.

* Delhi and Kerala won the 28th National Youth Basket Ball men and women championship respectively.

* Indian women boxers Monica Suan and Pooja Rani won bronze medals in the China Open boxing tournament.

* Chinese tennis player Li Na won the French Open to become the first Asian Women to win a grand slam title.

* Rafael Nadal defeated Roger Federer to win the French Open for the sixth time.

* Northern Ireland's prodigy Rory McIlroy captured his first major Golf Title with his victory in the 11th US Open.

* Annu Raj Singh became the 5th Indian shooter to book her berth for the 2012 London Olympic.

* 26.6.2011 - Wang Yihan defeated Saina Nehwal in the final of the Indonesian Open Super series.

* Mickey Arthur has been appointed as the head coach of Australian National Cricket Team.

* Indian Olympic Association decides to set up a 11 member Athletes commission to give more representation to sportspersons in its board.
JULY 2011
* 6.7.2011 - The International Olympic Council announced that PyeongChang, South Korea won the vote to be the host city for the 2018 Winter Olympics.

* 2.7.2011 - Petra Kvitova won her first Grand Slam by defeating Maria Sharapova in the Wimbledon Women's final.

* Serbian Novak Djokovic won his first Wimbledon title defeating Rafael Nadal the defending champion.

* 10.7.2011 - The Indian archers Deepika Kumari, Laishram Bombyala Devi, and Chekrovolu Surno settled for a silver medal in the Archery World Championship at Turin.

* Tamilnadu won the men's junior national Basket Ball Championship defeating Madhya Pradesh.

* 17.7.2011 - Japan won the women's Football World Cup defeating USA.

* Sports Ministry announced the separation of National Institute of Sports Authority of India.

* Karnataka's Uma Devi Nagaraj won the National Women's Billiards title defeating Meenal Thakur the defending champion.

* 22.7.2011 - Rifle shooter Gagan Narang has been selected for the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award.

* 24.7.2011 - Uruguay won the Copa America for a record 15th time by defeating Paraguay.

* Vidya Pillai Tilak Raj of Tamilnadu defeated Arantxa Sanchis in the final of National Billiards and Snooker Championship.

* Indian Hockey will be managed by a single administrative body as per an agreement reached between Hockey India and Indian Hockey Federation.

* Former India striker Shabbir Ali (Footballer) became the first footballer to win the prestigious Dhyan Chand Award.

* 27.7.2011 - Indian Swimmer Virdhawal Khade became the second Indian swimmer to qualify for the 2012 London Olympics.
AUGUST 2011
* Champion double trap shooter and Asian Games Gold Medallist Ronjan Sodhi was ranked No.1 as per the latest rankings released by ISSF.
Spain won the tenth edition of the UEFA European championship title in Romania.
Indian Olympic Association set up eight member Indian Court of Arbitration to resolve all sports related disputes in India.
6.8.2011 - Rahul Dravid, the "Wall" of Indian cricket, announced his retirement from T20 and One Day format of cricket.
Russia defeated top ranked Argentina to win the FWB World Junior Volley Ball title to Rio de Janeiro.
Ace Indian discuss thrower Krishna Poonia won the Gold Medal in the Annual Athletic Meet at Portland in the US.
22.8.2011 - England concluded the Test series with India with a 4-0 win.
24.8.2011 - Baichung Bhutia the Indian Footballer announced his retirement from International soccer.
SEPTEMBER 2011
* Olympic Champion Olga kanishkina won her third consecutive World Women's 20Km Walk title at the 13th World Athletic Championship.

* Indian Boxer Vijendra Singh won gold and also bagged the Best Boxer award at the "World Police and Fire Games" in New York.

* Preeja Sreedharan won the gold medal in the 10000 mtr race at the 51st National Open Athletics Championships.

* Australia's Samantha Stosur defeated Serena Williams to win the US Open - her first grand slam title.

* Novak Djokovic defeated Rafael Nadal to win his first career US Open crown.

* M.S. Dhoni and Abhinav Bindra were conferred with the rank of Hon.Lt.Col in the Territorial Army.

* 22.9.2011 - Mansur Ali Khan Pataudi (Tiger Pataudi) died in New Delhi.

* 23.9.2011 - Former Pakistani Crickert Shoaib Akhtar's autobiography "Controversially Yours" was launched.

* 25.9.2011 - Patrick Makan of Kenya shattered the world Men's marathon record by 21 seconds when he clocked 2 Hrs 3 mts and 38 Ss in Berlin Course.

* Salgaocar defeated East Bengal 3-1 in the final of the 33rd Fedration Cup in Kolkatta.
OCTOBER 2011
* 9.10.2011 - Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports launched the nationwide "come and play" scheme in New Delhi.

* Red Bull's Sebastian Vettel who finished third in the Japanese Grand Prix became the youngest double world champion.

* Fauja Singh, at the age of 100, recognized as the oldest person to complete full distance marathon at the Toronto Waterfront Marathon.

* MC Mary Kom won gold in the 51 Kg category at the 12th Senior Women's National Boxing Championships.

* 17.10.2011 - Commonwealth gold medalist Krishna Poonia won Discuss Gold at Halloween Throws meet at Portland.

* Churchill Brothers won the 124th edition (2011) of the Durand Cup.

* Abhinav Bindra won the air rifle silver in the fourth Asian air gun shooting championship in Kuwait.

* Union Minister for Rural Development cleared the proposal to construct playground in villages under the 60 integrated action plan districts.

* India finished the 5 match one day series cricket with England with a win margin of 5-0. M.S.Dhoni was named the Man of the Series.
NOVEMBER 2011
* Pakistan cricketers Salman Butt and Md. Asif were found guilty of their part in a spot fixing scam. A jury at London's Crown Court found Butt guildy of both charges and Asif guilty of conspiring to cheat. Md. Amir was also found guilty partner. All of them have been imprisoned along with their agent for spot fixing. NOVEMBER 2011 19.2

* Table Tennis Federation of India appointed Poland's Leszek Kucharski as the Indian TT Coach on a one year contract. NOVEMBER 2011 19.2

* Malaysian Squash player Nicole David won a record sixth women's World Open title by defeating England's Jimmy Duncaf. NOVEMBER 2011 19.2

* 7.11.2011 - Joe Frazier the former heavy weight boxing world champion died of liver cancer. NOVEMBER 2011 19.2

* 11.11.2011 - Indian Oil won the 116th All Indian Beighton Cup with a 2-0 win over ONGC. NOVEMBER 2011 19.2

* Renowned cricket writer and commentator Peter Roebuck committed suicide in South Africa. NOVEMBER 2011 19.2

* Jamaican sprinter Usain Bolt and Australian hurdler Sally Pearon won "Athlete of the Year" award from International Amateur Athletics Federation at a function held in Monaco. NOVEMBER 2011 19.2

* Karnataka's Saurabh Sangvekar created a national record by swimming in the 800 m freestyle in a time of 8:12:57. NOVEMBER 2011 19.2

* 17.11.11 - Richa Mishra became the first woman to clock the best Indian time in 800 m free style swimming. NOVEMBER 2011 19.2

* IBSA - India, Brazil and South Africa - gifted a multipurpose sports complex in Ramallah to the Palestinian Authority. NOVEMBER 2011 19.2

* 20.11.11 - Karnataka emerged the overall champion of the 65th National Aquatics meet. NOVEMBER 2011 19.2

* ONGC won their maiden Nehru Cup title by defeating Punjab & National Bank 1-0 at the Dhyan Chand Stadium. NOVEMBER 2011 19.2
DECEMBER 2011
* Belgium defeated India 4-3 in the final of the Champions Challenge hockey tournament in Johannesburg, South Africa.

* 1.12.2011 - Legendary weight lifter Karnam Malleswari resigned as Vice President of the Indian Weight Lifting Federation.

* Spain won its fifth Davis Cup title, after Rafael Nadal defeated Argentina's Juan Martin del Petro.

* Indian grandmaster Abhijeet Gupta won the London Chess Classic's Open section with a hard earned victory over grand master Keith Arkell of England.

* Wang Yihan won the women's singles final of the 500000 USD World Super Series badminton championship in China.

* Indian Women's Hockely Team defeated Ireland 4-1 to clinch the bronze medal in the four nation tournament held in Parana, Argentina.

* 20.12.2011 - Indian Striker Sunil Chetri was voted "player of the year" by the All India Football Federation.

* Olympian K.V.Varadaraj who played in the 1948 Olympics, 1951 Asian Games (Winner) and 1952 Olympics, passed away in Bengaluru.

* Archery Association announced that 32nd Sahara Senior National Archery Championship will be held in Jamshedpur from 24th to 29th January, 2012.

* Indian Team finished at the 4th position in the World Women's Team Chess Championship at Mardin, Turkey.

MISCELLEANEOUS

JANUARY 2011
* Thirteen eminent personalities of India were honoured with Padma Vibushan awardees.

* Anil Kakodkar, the former Chairman, Atomic Energy Commission, India has been honoured with Indian Nuclear Society's Homi J.Bhabha Life Time Achievement Award for the year 2009. The award was presented to him by DG of IAEA Yukiya Amano at the 21st Annual Conference of Indian Nuclear Society.

* On 20th January 2011, PM Manmohan Singh launched the nation wide Mobile Number Portability facility.

* Year 2010 was declared as the warmest year since 1901 by the Indian Meteorological Department with the annual mean temperature at 25.8023 degree C.

* Justice B. SriKrishna Committee recently submitted its report on Telengana issue suggesting six options to resolve the Telengana issue. However, it has stated that united Andhra Pradesh is most workable solution.

* India and Sri Lanka sign MoU to start ferry service.

* Over 55 Sabarimala pilgrims killed in stampede near Idukki in Kerala.

* Naval warship INS Deepak joined Navy's Western Fleet.

* Major fire in Navi Mumbai Indian Oil Corporation depot destroyed 50000 Litres of lubricant oil.

* Government has agreed to reexamine its decision to close 44 deemed black listed universities.

* Criminal suit filed against Karnataka CM B.S.Yeddyurappa.

* The Supreme Court declared that the transfer of village community land for private and commercial use as illegal.

* On 25th January 2011, Elections Commission of India observes "National Voters' Day".

* The Jammu and Kashmir launched the "Maa Tujhe Salaam" free hospital services for pregnant women.

* Pamela Anderson Canadian/American was named the "Person of the year by PETA - People for Ethical Treatment of Animals.

* Calcutta University has been shortlisted by the United Nations for its Academic Impact Programme.

* A.R.Rahman the Oscar winning compower, has won the "Crystal Award" of the World Economic Forum.

* V.K.Shunglu Committee appointed to investigate irregularities in the award of broadcasting rights of Commonwealth Games submitted its report.
FEBRUARY 2011
* 34th National Games held in Jharkhand.

* PM's Council on climate change approved 46000 Crore National Mission for Green India.

* The Special Court ruled that the Sabarmati train carnage in Godhra was the result of a criminal conspiracy.

* "Chandrayaan" discovered a cave or a lava tube which could be used as a base station for human expeditions in future.

* Children Literature writer Anant Pai, Amar Chitra Katha fame, expired on 24th February 2011.

* "SAVE" - "Saving Asia's Vulture from Extinction" was launched in Kathmandu as part of the vulture conservation in India and Nepal.

* "AMUL" will sponsor the Netherlands cricket team during 2011 ICC world cup as per its deal with Royal Netherlands Cricket Board (RNCB).

* PM Dr. Manmohana Singh inaugurated the International Container Tranship-ment Terminal at Vallarpadam in Kochi.

* On 1st February 2011 India's renowned strategic affairs analyst K. Subramanian expired.

* "Need You Know" by Lady Antebellum won the most number of awards at the 53rd Annual Grammy Awards.

* Prof. Arun Mohanty of Jawaharlal Nehru University was awarded Pushkin Gold Medal by Russian President Dmitry Medvedev.

* 23rd February - Christ Church in New Zealand was rocked by powerful earthquake of 6.3 magnitude.
MARCH 2011
* Government of India proposes to nominate "Majuli Island" on Brahmaputra in Assam for inclusion in the cultural landscape category of UNESCO's World Heritage list.

* A Tamil Brahmi Script on a pot rim reading " a mana" meaning "a Jaina" was unearthed at Pattanam in Ernakulam Dt., Kerala establishing that Jainism was prevalent on the West Coast atleast from 2nd Century CE.

* India's tallest 80 feet statue of Lord Buddha unveiled at Saranath.

* India breaks into the top 10 nations in Scientific Research Output..

* 22nd March - World Water Day was observed with the theme "Water for Cities".

* Ship "MV Red Star" reaches Libyan Coast to evacuate Indians caught in the political turmoil of Libya.

* 11th March 2011 - North East region of Japan is devastated by a tsunami leaving a 1000 dead and causing fears of radiation from Fukishima Daichi Nuclear power plant.

* 13th March - INS Kalapani intercepted a pirate mother vessel called Vega 5 in the Arabian Sea and rescued 13 crew members and caught 61 pirates.

* President of Maldives, Mohammad Nasheed was awarded one of the highest honour of Mauritius - Grand Commander of the Order of the Star and the Key of the Indian Ocean.

* 24.3.2011 Commemorative stamp on freedom fighter Subhadra Joshi released.
APRIL 2011
* India's Ravi Kannan, Mathematician and theoretical computer scientist has been honoured with the prestigious KNUTH prize for 2011.

* Rourkela Steel Plant bagged the prestigious Srishti Good Green Governnance Award 2010.

* Nawang Gombu, the first person to climb Mount Everest twice died on 26th April 2011.

* On 24th April 2011, Shri Satya Sai Baba, one of India's influential spiritual leader passed away at Puttaparthi in Andhra Pradesh.

* The Gas Authority of India Ltd., (GAIL) as honoured with the "Outstanding Public Sector Unit of the Year" award by the All India Management Association.

* On 13th April 2011, India and China reached an in principle agreement for setting up working mechanism for consultations and coordination on border affairs to maintain peace along the boundaries of the two countries.

* Dr. Siddhartha Mukherjee a New Delhi born Oncologist, was awarded the Pulitzer Prize for his book " The Emperor of all Maladies - A Biography of Cancer".

* On 18th April 2011 the Supreme Court banned the employment of Children in Circuses and directed the government to rescue those employed in the sector.

* On 15th April 2011, the Maharashtra Government announced that women would be allowed entry inside the sanctum sanctorum of the Sri Mahalakshmi Temple in Kolhapur.

* On 14th April 2011, Mumbai based model Kanishtha Dhankar won the Miss India World 2011.

* On 13th April 2011, the Supreme Court refused to lift the ban on sale of tobacco products like Gutka and Pan Masala in plastic packets.

* Sachin Tendulkar declared as the Wisden Leading Cricketer in the World for the year 2010.

* According to the Still Birth Series published in the British Medical Journal, The Lancet, India topped the list of ten countries that have the highest number of Still Births.

* On 7th April 2011, Social activist Anna Hazare was announced as the winner of Rabindranath Tagore Peace Prize for 2011.

* The Punjab & Haryana High Court Bar Association passed a resolution asking its members not to address the Judges as "My Lord" and "Your Lordship" and instead they should address them as "Sir or Your Honour".

* The Supreme Court held that under the Hindu Marriage Act, illegitimate children are entitled to all rights in the property of their parents.

* Indian prisoner Gopal Dass returned to India after 27 years in Pakistani prison.

* Delhi State Government to take the help of a Japanese firm to tackle the water crisis in the Capital.

* Kannada writer S.L.Bhyrappa has been selected for the 20th Saraswati Samman for his novel "Mandra".

* Delhi state cabinet approved a blanket ban on the manufacture, storage and usage and sale of plastic bags in the capital.

* Planning Commission proposes a scheme of financial assistance for victims of rape.

* On 2nd April India became the first country to win the World Cup on its own soil.

* 18th April - World Heritage Day Observed with the theme "Cultural Heritage of Water".

* 20.4.2011 - BJP's Rajni Abbi, Councillor, elected as the Mayor of Delhi.

* 27.4.2011 - Lobsang Sangay was elected as the new Prime Minister (Kalon Tripa) of the Tibetan Government in exile.

* Japan's nuclear crisis worsened with the severity level at the damaged Fukushima Daichi plant increasing to a maximum 'seven' level.

* Amorphophallus Titanum or Corpse Flower bloomed for the first time in 17 years in Swiss city of Basel.
MAY 2011
* 20th May 2011 - Jharkhand's Premalata Agarwal became the oldest Indian to climb Mount Everest at the age of 45. She is also the first from the State of Jharkhand to climb Mount Everest.

* Prof. Subhashish Chaudhari of IIT, Mumbai has been selected for the prestigious GD Birla Award for scientific research.

* "Aadaminte Makan Abu" Malayalam Film bagged this year's (58th) Best Film Award.

* Mamata Banerjee of Trinamool Congress became the first woman CM of West Bengal upsetting the 34 year rule of the Left Front.

* 10th May 2011: Famous Bollywood singer Shaan has been appointed as the Tobacco Control Ambassador of India by the Union Ministry of Heath and Family Welfare.

* The Supreme Court quashed the allotment of land to former Indian Cricket Team Captain Sourav Ganguly by the West Bengal Government in 2009.

* The Union Minister of Health & Family Welfare decided to provide free nutritious food, transportation and treatment to all pregnant women who visit government facility for delivery.

* The new Foreign Contribution Regulation Act came into force. Under this law no political party can receive foreign funds as donation.

* The UNESCO shortlisted Western Ghats for inclusion in the World Heritage list.

* The Delhi State Cabinet decided to increase the age of retirement of Nursing Teaching Faculty in the Nursing Institutions of the Delhi Government from 60 to 65 years.

* 18th May 2011 - International Museum Day was observed with the theme "Museum and Memory".

* 24th May 2011 - The Union Environment and Forest Minister Jairam Ramesh launched the elephant conservation programme "Haathi Mere Saathi".

* Sri Lanka to release a postal stamp on Nobel Laureate Rabindranath Tagore to commemorate his 150th birth day celebrations.

* IGNOU signed a MoU with Intel for empowering teachers through in-service programmes.

* Three day joint celebration of the 150th birth anniversary of Rabindranath Tagore by India and Bangladesh began in Dhaka.

* Pig nosed turtles are facing extinction threat because of large scale poaching due to high demand of meat of this turtle.

* Six day joint exercise of the Indian Army and Air Force "Vijayee Bhava" began on 9th May 2011 in the deserts of Bikaner and Suratgarh.

* Minister for Environment and Forests Jairam Ramesh declared that the Union Government had approved two more tiger reserves in Karnataka.

* Union Minister for Environment and Forests gave its approval for India's first IIT specializing in 'infrastructure development' in Himalayan region.

* A 2011 data sheet called "The world's women and girls" released by the Population Reference Bureau revealed that 47% of women in India were married by the age of 18.

* Samoa, currently positioned to the east of the International Date Line decided to forego a day and shift to the time zone on its west.

* Five Indian Americans including Pepsico Chief Indira Nooyi and Motorola Mobility Sanjay Jha are among the highest paid CEOs in the US.

* Fifty nine year old Aasha Jee became the first Kashmiri Pandit woman to win a Panchayat poll in a predominantly Muslim village in Kunzer Block.

* Wikileaks Founder Julian Asange was awarded the Sydney Peace Prize's Gold Medal for exceptional courage in pursuit of Human Rights.

* A Division Bench of the Bombay High Courtruled that dying declarations could not be accepted as truth.

* Registration of Travel Agents and Tour Operators became mandatory in New Delhi to protect both domestic and foreign tourists from getting harassed by fly by night travel agents.

* Data on infant deaths across states in India revealed that infant mortality rate for India as a whole stood at 50 in 2009, down by 30% compared to a decade ago.

* Philip Roth was announced as the winner of the fourth Man Booker International Prize at a prize conference at the Sydney Opera House.

* Pakistani Archaeologist found the faluable manuscript of the Quran dating back to the 12th century during an excavation trip to Jhelum.

* Sierra Leonean novelist Aminatta Foma won the 2011 Commonwealth Writer's Prize for her novel, "The Memory of Love".

* UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi laid the foundation stone for the construction of a permanent bridge over river Ravi at Basohli in Kathina Dt., of Jammu Kashmir.

* Central Bank of India and the National Skill Development Corporation entered into an agreement to promote vocational training amongst the youth.

* UNESCO shortlisted western ghats for inclusion in the World Heritage list. This will help in protecting this biodiversity righ area from land use change and other developmental activities.

* India and Afghanistan signed a MoU for training and skilled development of media personnel during the visit of Afghanistan Minister for information and culture.

* Thousands of passengers have had their flights cancelled because of drifting ash from the Grisvotn volcano in Iceland.

* Palestinian born, UAE settled Suzanne al Honby became the first Arab woman to reach Summit of Mt. Everest.
JUNE 2011
* National Advisory Council has advised the Tribal Affairs Ministry to consult the 'Jarawar' tribals of Andaman and Nicobar Islands before drafting any policy on their future.

* The Bihar State Government decided to video record the process of coupon distribution for 1.45 Cr Below Poverty Line families with the objective to prevent corruption.

* 1.6.2011- Lt.Gen. H.L.Kakria took over as the Director General of Armed Forces Medical Services.

* 2nd June 2011 - The UP Government announced a new policy of acquisition of land. The acquisition will be done only if 70% of the farmers around give their consent for the acquisition.

* 8th June 2011 - Fast Attack Craft INS Kabra commissioned into the Indian Navy at Kochi, Kerala.

* 8th June 2011 - The Tamilnadu Assembly unanimously passed a resolution demanding economic sanctions against Sri Lanka by the United Nations.

* 15th June 2011 - 130 MW Kashang Hydropower Project in Himachal Pradesh received the clearance from the Union Government of India.

* 16th June 2011 - A survey report released by the Supreme Court appointed panel claimed that 55% of Bihar's population is malnourished and 70% of women and children are anaemic due to low intake of food because of poverty.

* Union Government decided to set up a high powered task force headed by Naresh Chandra to revamp defence management system in India.

* Haryana State Government has decided to waive of the 5% Value Added Tax on Kerosene.

* India and Mozambique signed an agreement on maritime security to make the Indian Ocean a safe region for trade.

* The number of Indian people transacting on line is expected to tough 39 million by 2015.

* The West Bengal Government and Gorkha Janmukti Morcha signed a pact to set up a new elected body in the Darjeeling Hill Areas.

* The Union Government lowered the age limit for pension under 'below poverty line' to 60 years from 65 years.

* An online grievance redressal portal was launched for insurance policy holders.

* "Maharatna" Steel Authority of India Ltd., received the prestigious Golden Peacock Award for the year 2011.

* On 1st June 2011 The UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi launched the Janani Shishu Suraksha Programme at Mewat in Haryana.

* 9th June 2011 - Celebrated and world renowned Indian artist M.F.Hussain passed away at London.

* India is setting up a special facility known as Gamma Ray Telescope in Hanle (Leh) which will help in unraveling the mysteries of normal and dark matter in the Universe.

* The provision of free and compulsory education will be extended at a meeting of the Central Advisory Board of Education.

* Indian American Sukanya Roy won the prestigious "Spelling Bee" champion-ship in Maryland, USA for correctly spelling the tongue twister "cymotrichous".

* Lt.Genl. H.L.Kakria, in last week of May 2011, took over as Director General of Armed Forces Medical Services.

* Hyderabad has been chosen as the venue for hosting the prestigious 11th conference of the "Parties to the UN's Convention on Biological Diversity" in October 2012.

* 5th June 2011 - World Environment Day observed with the these "Nature at your Service".

* Samsung India signed MoU with country's top Business School IIM Ahmedabad to roll out a scholarship programme.

* Ashok Chawla was selected by the Ministry of Corporate Affairs, for the post of Chairman of India's antitrust watch dog "Competition Commission".

* Indian sailors, who were among the 22 member crew of MV Suez held captive by Somali pirates for nearly 10 months, reached Karachi.
JULY 2011
* Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dixit received the first "Mercy Ravi Award" for "Woman of Substance". This award has been instituted by the Mercy Ravi Foundation in rememberance of Mercy, wife of Vayalar Ravi the Central Minister, who died in October 2009.

* Centre sets 2012 as the deadline for sealing the Bangladesh border.

* MPs and MLAs in Andhra Pradesh from the Telegana region, quit enmasse on the Telengana issue.

* Cho-Lhamu lake in Sikkim is declared as the highest lake in the country.

* Serial blasts in Mumbai kills twentyone.

* Supreme Court approves national level medical entrance examination.

* India and Lithuania signed the 'Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement;.

* Sikkim Highcourt CJ - P.D. Dinakaran resigned on 29.7.2011 in the wake of the impeachment motion proposed against him.

* On 28th July 2011 Union Government appointed T.K.A.Nair as Advisor to the PM.

* On 28th July 2011, Pulok Chatterji was appointed as the Principal Secretary to the PM.

* Union Cabinet of India gave its approval for setting up a national level security fund for unorganized sectors named as "National Social Security Fund".

* On 28th July 2011, the National Green Tribunal ordered Himachal Pradesh Power Corporation Ltd., to stop all construction activities related to the Renuka Dam project.

* According to a report, India has registered a 20% increase in Tiger population.

* India and Mongolia signed three agreements on Defence cooperation, Media exchanges, and for cooperation between the two Planning commissions.

* Nileema Mishra and Harish Hande are the Indians to receive Ramon Magsaysay Awards for 2011.

* India and Britain concluded trade deals worth billions of pounds after the conclusion of the talks between Union Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee and the Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osborne in London.

* Union Government restored the popular "Duty Entitlement Pass Book" scheme for Cotton and Cotton Yarn exporters.

* Former PM Smt. Indira Gandhi was posthumously honoured with the Bangladeshi award - "Bangladesh Swadhinata Sammanona".

* The Supreme Court stated in its ruling that water allocated by a state for a particular region is not a matter of judicial review.

* A release by the Agriculture Ministry indicates that Bt Cotton emerged as the largest cotton crop in all the major cotton producing states.

* Bihar state government adopted a new policy called "Aao Bihar" (Come to Bihar) for private entrepreneurs from outside the state for acquiring land for industry and other ventures of public good.

* Rohinton Nariman has been appointed as the Solicitor General (in place of Gopal Subramaniam who resigned).

* Supreme Court appointed two committees to supervise the discovery and protection of wealth uncovered in Sree Parmanabhaswamy Temple in Tiruvananthapuram in Kerala.

* Aishwarya Rai Bachchan was honoured with "Knight of the Order of Arts and Letters" by the French Government. She is the first Asian Actress and the youngest Indian to receive this honour.

* "Prahaar" short range surface to surface missile successfully test fired.

* Chaturvedi Committee recommended that all coal projects stranded due to the classification to be treated on their merits and cleared.

* Finance Ministry modified the format for reporting suspicious transactions to deal with black money menace.

* Gujarat High Court appointed Bihar IAS Officer Rajeev Ranjan Verma to head the three member body probing into 2004 Ishrat encounter.

* The Supreme Court of India directed the Centre, States, and UTS to carry out comprehensive survey to determine the number of sex workers who are agreeable for rehabilitation.

* India and USA signed the Bilateral Aviation Safety Agreement.

* The National Register and National Transport Portal was launched on 20th July 2011 which will make detection of fake driving licences and tracking of stolen vehicles easier.

* Rajya Sabha Chairman Hameed Ansari reconstituted the panel to probe the charges against CJ of Sikkim P.D.Dinakaran.

* Panel set up to recommend rules for pricing of all natural resources did not recommend all future allocations of air waves must be through auctions in its final report. (In its earlier interim report it has suggested that all future allocations of air waves must be made through auctions.

* On 11th July 2011 N R Narayanamurthy has been elected the Chairperson of Public Health Foundation of India replacing Rajat Gupta.

* Neptune the 8th Planet of the solar system completed its first orbit around the Sun on 12th July 2011 - 165 years after its discovery.

* The Supreme Court of India held in its recent judgement that the prohibition imposed by the centre on non-iodised salt for human consumption is unconstitutional.

* 11th July 2011 - The Union Finance Minister stopped all departments from meeting or holding conferences in 5 star hotels, banned purchase of new vehicles, put strict curbs on foreign travel and also prohibited creation of new posts.

* Solicitor General Gopal Subramaniam hurt at Communications Minister Kapil Sibal's decision to engage a lawyer to defend him in the Supreme Court, resigned from his post.

* The Supreme Court appointed Special Investigation Team with two of its retired judges to follow the trail of black money stashed in foreign banks.

* The Union Cabinet decided to increase the developments funds allocated to Member of Parliaments from 2 to 5 Crores.

* Justices Sudershan Reddy and S S Nijjar of Supreme Court of India declared "Salwa Judum" ( a tribal youth outfit of Jharkhand to counter naxalite violence) as illegal and unconstitutional and ordered the immediate disarming of the outfit who are deployed as "Special Police Officers".

* Harun Rashid Khan took over as Deputy Governor of RBI succeeding Shyamala Gopinath who retired in June 2011.

* The Stock taking by a panel of experts at the Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple in Tiruvananthapuram, Kerala catapulted the temple to the country's richest temple status.

* The Union Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs approved the doubling of the honorarium for 'anganwadi' workers and helpers under Integrated Child Development Service Scheme.

* 7th July 2011 - Union Textile Minister Dayanidhi Maran resigned from the Cabinet.
AUGUST 2011
* The Supreme Court has said that hiring a lawyer is not mandatory for a person to fight his case in a consumer forum and he can plead his case personally or through his agent.

* R.A.Mehta, a close Anna Hazare aide and former Justice of the Gujarat, has been appointed as the Gujarat Lok Ayukta.

* The Government has planned a special package to provide solar energy in the naxal affected areas of the country.

* Union Home Minister P.Chidambaram laid the foundation stone for integrated check post at the India Bangladesh international border.

* The Government has instructed all states to appoint Ombudsman at district level to redress grievances related to the implementation of Mahatma Gandhi National Employment Guarantee Scheme.

* "Himayat" a programme for rural development in Srinagar was launched by the Union Ministry of Rural Development.

* 15.8.2011-114 Army personnel were awarded the Sena Medal for Gallantry

* 13.8.2011 - Complete National Anthem "Jaya Hey" with four additional and barely known stanzas was launched by Finace Minister Pranab Mukherjee.

* 14.8.2011 - Shammi Kapoor the vetern film actor of 1960s of Bollywood dies.

* Jharkhand state government launched the "Dal Bhat" (Rice and Grain) scheme under which lunch will be given to poor person at Rs.5/-.

* Rajasthan Agriculture Minister Hajiram Burdak flagged off the first ever consignment of certified organic food to be exported from Rajasthan to USA.

* Union Government approved the proposal of Ministry of Agriculture for setting up a new company called "AGRIINDIA".

* A study published in "The Lancet" (medical journal of UK) revealed higher prevalence of anaemia among non pregnant women in India.

* B.S.Yeddyurappa, Karnataka CM resigned after indictment in Illegal Mining Scam.

* 19th August 2011 - West Bengal is renamed as Paschim Banga.
SEPTEMBER 2011
* Comptroller and Auditor General of India has been appointed as the external auditor for International Atomic Energy Agency and World Intellectual Property Organization.

* Indira Gandhi National Open University conferred the Rajiv Gandhi International Prize for Technology in Education and Development on Azim Premji Foundation.

* Legendary Playback singer Lata Mangeshkar honoured with the first Hridayanath award for her contribution to Indian music.

* India and Bhutan signed a Memorandum of Understanding on electoral cooperation for a period of 5 years.

* CSIR honours 11 scientists with SS Bhatnagar Prize for the year 2011.

* 27th September - World Tourism Day observed with the theme "Linking Cultures".

* Goa became the first state in India to launch "Swarnajayanthi Aarogya Bima Yojana" providing health insurance cover for the entire resident population of the state.

* Delhi State Government announced free housing for SCs living in Jhuggis (huts) under the "Rajiv Ratna Yojana".

* An earthquake of 6.8 magnitude hit Sikkim. The epicenter of the quake, the biggest in two decades, was located at Mangan and Sakyong areas, over 50 Kms from Gangtok on the Sikkim Nepal border.

* TN Assembly adopted a unanimous resolution on 30th August urging the President to reconsider the mercy petititons of Santhan, Perarivalan and Murugan in the Rajiv Gandhi assassination case.

* The Supreme Court recommended to the Centre and States to provide ration and voter cards to sex workers.

* PM Dr. Manmohan Singh unveiled the new policy which aims at dealing with naxalism through a five year integrated plan.

* Coca Cola India and Jain Irrigation launched "Project Unnati" for adoption of ultra high density plantation practice for mango cultivation.

* The Supreme Court of India ruled that farmers whose land is being acquired by the Government, should be compensated not only for their land but also for the plantation on it.

* Maj.Genl (Retd) BC Khanduri was appointed the sixth CM of Uttarakhand in place of Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank.

* Rajasthan government launched "Janani Shishu Suraksha Yojana" to bring down maternal & child mortality rate in the state.

* The Supreme Court of India held that rules of reservation would not apply to upgraded posts in a service.

* The Haryana Government introduced a policy to provide security to whistle blowers and RTI activists.

* 8th September - World Literacy Day observed with the theme "Literacy and Empowerment".

* Madhya Pradesh became the first state in the country to offer air taxi services inaugurated by Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chauhan at Bhopal's Raj Bhoj airport.

* The Assam Government has taken an initiative to have brand names for the famous Muga and Eri Silks.

* The Chhatisgarh Government has brought into force a rule which prohibits failing a student throughout primary school years.

* In Assam, the process to set up the first integrated "Tea Park" of the North Eastern Region has been initiated.

* The Central Zoo Authority has approved the breeding centre at Govindgarh in Madhya Pradesh which has the unique distinction of being the home of white tigers.

* The Ministry of Tourism launched a scheme for Driver's training under "Hunar se Rozgar" initiative.

* 27th September 2011 - World Tourism Day observed with the theme - "Tourism - Linking Cultures".

* 3 distinguished Indian Americans, two inventors and one researcher, were named as receipients of National Medal of Science by USA President Barack Obama.

* UNICEF estimated that as many as 63.8 crore people in India practice open defecation due to inadequate sanitation facilities.
OCTOBER 2011
* Uttarakhand State Cabinet cleared the "Uttarakhand Lokayukta Bill 2011"

* Union Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Textiles cleared the proposal for setting up of 21 new Textile Parks under the scheme for Integrated Textile Parks with a project cost of 2100 Cr to be implemented over a period of 3 years.

* Tehelka and The Week were jointly chosen for the International Press Institute - India award for excellence in journalism.

* The Supreme Court of India ruled that the Centre has absolute powers to decide the terms and conditions for telecom operators as neither the TRAI nor the Telecom Disputes Settlement and Appellate Tribunal (TDSAT) can over rule it.

* The Union Government has prepared a blue print to provide jobs to three lakh youths in 60 naxal affected districts in India.

* 28th October 2011 - The Minority Affairs Ministry in its release stated that seven states have utilized over 60% of the total funds till September 2011.

* Union Ministry of Rural Development cleared the proposal to construct play grounds in villages under the 60 Integrated Action Plan Districts.

* RBI permitted Indians who have non resident accounts in the country to hold them in any currency which is fully convertible.

* Aman Sethi won International Committee of the Red Cross Award for the best Indian print media article on humanitarian issues.

* Indian Railways launched RTIS through which passengers can access the accurate train running information.

* The Rajasthan Government launched a web based Social Security Pension System at Jaipur.

* The Union Government decided to ban the use of infertility drug "Letrozole" which is mainly recommended for treating Cancer patients.

* A probe by TRAI established the 3G roaming agreements between telecos violated license conditions.

* The UP Government raised the age limit from 35 years to 40 years to fill around 70000 posts of primary school teachers lying vacant.

* Magsaysay awardee Sandeep Pandey to fast in protest against the Planning Commission's definition of poverty and setting of 'Below Powerty Line' bench marks.

* The Union Government finalized a developmental action plan called "Saranda Action Plan" for naxal affected districts particularly in eastern India.

* The Supreme Court of India directed all States and UTs to build toilets, especially for girls, in all government schools.

* Capital market regulator SEBI approved share sale guidelines for insurance firms.

* Delhi State Cabinet hiked monthly pensions of senior citizens who are 70 years old and above.

* SEBI panel on mutual funds, retained the minimum capital requirement to start a fund house at Rs.10 Cr.

* 16th October - World Food Day was observed all over the world with the theme - "Food Prices - From Crisis to Stability".

* The Government to infuse fresh fund into SBI to help it to achieve 8% Capital Adequacy Ratio.

* Union Agriculture Commissioner Gurbachan Singh was appointed Chairman of the Agricultural Scientists Recruitment Board for a 7 year term.

* Rajasthan's Water Resources Minister Mahipal Maderna was dropped from the Cabinet for his alleged involvement in Bhanwari Devi missing case.

* President of the Republic of Myanmar HEU Thein Sein visited India between 12th to 15th October 2011. During this visit, both countries agreed to step up cooperation in Oil and Natural Gas sector.

* "Rashtriya Swasthya Bima Yojana" a jointly organized health scheme by the Centre and J & K State was formally launched.

* India and US agreed to explore new models for educational institutions to take knowledge partnership to a higher level.

* The Union Cabinet approved the proposal of Information and Broadcasting ministry to publicize the Digitalisation of Analogue Cable Systems Ordinance.

* The Supreme Court of India directed the States and UTs to appoint Child Welfare Officers in every Police Station for monitoring and extending better treatment of juveniles by the Police.

* The Commerce and Industries ministry announced a Rs.900 Cr package for exporters to support them against slow down in the US and Europe.

* 10th October 2011 - "World Health Day" was observed all over the world with the theme "The Great Push - Investing in Mental Health".

* " Avahan" an initiative by Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, has successfully slowed the transmission of HIV among the general population in India.

* The Union Cabinet of India approved the introduction of the "Enforcement of Security Interest & Recovery of Debts (Laws) Bill 2011" in the winter session of Parliament.

* 14 day long India-Bangladesh joint military exercise started at Jalalabad Cant. in Sylhet Division some 240 KM north east of Dhaka. It was the first of its kind between the two countries.

* India and Japan agreed to cooperate on tourism and infrastructure investment in India.

* Finance Ministry revised the Budget estimate of direct tax collection upwards by 53000 Cr to 5.85 lakh crores.

* Environmentalist, Lawyer and former Union Minister Mohan Dharia was selected as the winner of the 26th Indira Gandhi Award for National Integration.

* Indian Government decided not to discontinue circulation of higher denomination notes of Rs.500 and Rs.1000/-.

* Former Supreme Court Judge Markandeya Katju was appointed as the new Chairman of the Press Council of India.

* India and South Africa signed a pact to facilitate exchange of knowledge and experience in the field of election management and administration in New Delhi.

* India decided to continue with 100% FDI for new ventures in the Pharmaceutical sector.

* India took over the Chairmanship of UN's South Asian Regional Commission for tourism. It was decided at the UNs World Tourism Organization conference at Gyeongju in South Korea.

* 10th October 2011 -Ghazal Singer Jagjit Singh (Padma Bhushan 2003) passed away.

* " Come and Play" scheme launched nationwide by the Ministry of Youth and Sports Affairs".

* The Election Commission raised the cap of minimum votes political party must secure in election to get the status of a state party or maintain it further, from 6 to 8%..

* The World's highest webcam was installed on " Kala Pathar " a smaller mountain facing the Everest.

* 5th October 2011 - Steve Jobs, the Co-founder of Apple Inc., died at the age of 56 due to pancreatic cancer.

* 8th October 2011 - The Delhi State Government launched a micro finance project for women expected to extend financial support to over one lakh vulnerable women in the Capital.

* 5th October 2011 - The Goa Assembly passed "Goa Lokayukta Bill 2011" - a modified version of the earlier Bill of 2003.

* 6th October 2011 - The largest ever water supply scheme in Himachal Pradesh was inaugurated to cover Kangehan district area.

* India and Iran agreed to set up a mechanism for payment of crude oil and ensure bilateral trade.

* India - Afghanistan signed three agreements for greater strategic partnership.

* The Assam Government launched the Social Auditing programme of Grama Panchayats from Nagaon District.

* The Union Government finalized a developmental action plan called "Saranda Action Plan" for Naxal affected districts specially in Eastern India.
NOVEMBER 2011
* "DAMN 999" a film directed by Sohan Roy, believed to be based on disputed Mullaiperiyar Dam between Tamilnadu and Kerala faced ban in Tamilnadu.

* 23.11.2011: Cyrus P. Mistry was chosen to succeed Tata Group Chairman Ratan Tata from 2012.

* 21.11.2011: The Delhi Cabinet approved conferring of "Life Time Achievement Awards" on Sarod Maestro Amjad Ali Khan, renowned Hindustani vocalist Girija Devi and noted author Ruskin Bond.

* India and UAE signed two key agreements. It is likely to benefit about 1000 Indians in different UAE jails for various crimes.

* Indian Olympic Association decided to set up a 11 Member Athletics Commission to give more representation to sports persons in its board.

* India was elected to the UN's Joint Inspection Unit, returning to this oversight body after a gap of 35 years.

* 21.11.2011: The UP Assembly passed a resolution seeking to divide the state into four parts (states) viz: Purvanchal, Paschim Pradesh, Avadh Pradesh and Bundelkhand.

* Former Telecom Minister Sukh Ram sentenced to 5 years imprisonment for his alleged involvement in telecom scam.

* Supreme Court of India ruled that serious offences like attempt to murder can not be settled through compromise deals and the accused must suffer conviction and imprisonment.

* Supreme Court of India ruled that a Hindu woman cannot be evicted from the matrimonial home after divorce.

* 21.11.2011: Modified Tatkal Scheme for booking of train tickets came into effect - that is booking one day in advance.

* Two inscriptions - Tamil and Kannada - belonging to the reign of the Rashtra Kuta King Krishna III were found at Vallimalai village in Tamilnadu.

* Union Cabinet agreed to partially allow FDI to enter the pension sector to the extent of 26% .

* Eleven cities in the world are amongst the 100 fastest growing cities of the world. Ghaziabad is the second most fastest growing city in the world.

* Union Cabinet approved 51% Foreign Direct Investment in multibrand retail and also decided to raise the cap on foreign investment in single brand retailing to 100%. (However, this proposal has been stalled by opposition uproar by the first week of December 2011).

* The Assam Government launched a pilot project to vaccinate girls against "Human Papiloma Virus" (HPV) causing cervical cancer.

* 15.11.2011: Agni IV - the most advanced long range missile - was successfully test fired from Wheeler Island Off Odisha Coast.

* 14.11.2011: Rajasthan Government became the first and the only state (as of now) to implement "Public Service Gurantee Act".

* 09.11.2011: Nobel Laureate (1968 - Medicine) Har Gobind Khorana died of natural causes at the age of 89.

* 14.11.2011: World Diabetes Day observed with the theme - "Diabetes Education and Prevention".

* A sessions court ruled that a woman who faced harassment and ill treatment from her step siblings is entitled to get protection under the Domestic Violence Act.

* According to the data released by the TRAI, 500 million Indians do not yet own a personal mobile device.

* Defence Minister A.K.Antony laid the foundation stone of the ambitious Rishikesh- Karnaprayag railway line at Gauchar in Chamoli Dt. of Uttarakhand.

* The Government has prepared a draft of "Citizens Right to Grievenaces Redressal Bill 2011". The Bill aims at creating institutionalize mechanism to ensure delivery of public services in a time bound manner.

* 02.11.11: Tribal Affairs Ministry launched a scheme - "Adivasi Shiksha Rinn Yojana" to offer subsidized education loans to Scheduled Tribes students.

* 05.11.2011: Bhupen Hazarika, the legendary singer composer died of natural causes.

* SEBI ordered all mutual funds to disclose names of distributors who receive commission above Rs. One Crore.

* Legendary playback singer Asha Bhonsle entered the Guinness World Records for most number of single studio recordings.

* 02.11.2011: The Pakistani Cabinet voted unanimously to grant "most favoured nation" status to India.

* India ranks 134 out of 187 countries in terms of Human Development Index.

* 01.11.2011: Andhra Pradesh Government launched ' one rupee a kilo ' rice scheme in the state.

* Miss Venezeula Ivian Sarcos - crowned Miss World 2011 at the 61st Miss World Contest in London.

* Second Annual Pushkar International Balloon festival was held in Pushkar near Ajmer, Rajasthan.
DECEMBER 2011
* 1.12.2011 - The Supreme Court of India stated that section 497 of Indian Penal Code is biased against men.

* 2.12.2011 - India approved the housing project in Sri Lanka which includes repair and reconstruction of 49000 houses for internally displaced persons in the Northern and Eastern provinces.

* UP Government announced the formation of three more districts namely - Prabhuddha Nagar, Panchsheel Nagar and Bhim Nagar.

* Rajasthan state government on 28.11.2011 approved the decision to give "Khatedari" rights to over 30000 farmers occupying the custodian land in Alwar, Sri Ganganagar, Hanumangarh and Bharatpur.

* Manipur Cabinet on 29.11.2011 decided to extend the "Disturbed Area Status" for another one year.

* 5.12.2011 - Empowered committee decided to send two technical members to inspect the Mullaiperiyar Dam.

* 6.12.2011 - The Union Ministry for Urban Development launched the National Common Mobility Card by the name "More".

* Delhi State government launched the Electronic Public Distribution System -ePDS -. This system will help consumers get on line information on the availability of good grains.

* 8.12.2011 - The Supreme Court of India directed all states to ensure vehicles carry tamper free high security number plates within four weeks.

* The Parliamentary Panel on Law and Justice, headed by Abhishek Singhvi stated that the constitution should be amended to set up a National Judicial Commission with powers to initiate criminal prosecution and sacking of corrupt judges.

* The Supreme Court directed state governments to build adequate number of night shelters to ensure that no homeless person has to sleep under sky this winter.

* The Maharashtra government announced a package of two thousand crore for the distressed cotton, soya, and paddy growers mainly belonging to the Vidharbha, Marathwada and Khandesh regions of the state.

* Coal Ministry decided to bar captive coal miners from raising production beyond the approved level, rejecting industry demands.

* Government waived about Rs.3521 Cr loan of handloom weavers under Revival, Reform and Restructuring package.

* The Supreme Court of India directed TN to ensure that the water level in the Mullai Periyar Dam does not exceed 136 feet but declined to entertain Kerala's Demand for reducing the level to 120 feet.

* 15.12.2011 - The special session of Tamil Nadu assembly passed a resolution, which seeks immediate deployment of the Central Industrial Security Force at the vicinity of the Mullaiperiyar Dam.

* The Union Ministry of Home Affairs agreed to fill 10% of the Group B posts in Central Paramilitary forces from among ex-service men.

* 18.12.2011 - Rashtriya Lok Dal leader Ajit Singh was inducted into the Union Cabinet as Civil Aviation Minister.

* 18.12.2011 - The Union Cabinet of India approved a National Food Security Bill that seeks to give legal entitlement of cheaper food grains to 62.5% of the country's population.

* 20.12.2011 - The Supreme Court of India ruled that courts can interefere in the case of contractual job if the decision taken by the management is arbitrary.

* 20.12.2011 - Delhi government signed an agreement with the National Institute for Smart Government, Hyderabad for digitization of its archival records.

* 22.12.2011 - The Lokpal and Lokayuktas Bill was introduced in Lok Sabha. The Bill was aimed at setting up the Lokpal at the Centre and Lokayuktas at the states level.

* 15/17.12.2011 - Prime Minister Manmohan Singh visited Russia to participate in the 12th Indo Russia annual Summit.

* Prime Minister Dr.Manmohan Singh declared the birth day of the great mathematician Srinivasan Ramanujan - 22nd December - as National Mathematics Day.

* 27.12.2011 - Lok Sabha approved the Lokpal and Lokayuktas Bill 2011 with the government making it clear that setting up of Lokayuktas by the states would not be mandatory.

* 27.12.2011 - India and Pakistan concluded their sixth round of Expert Level Talks on Nuclear Confidence Building measures in Islamabad.

* 30/31.12.2011 - The year 2011 ends with the Cyclonic Storm "Thane" devastated Puducherry and Cuddalore regions of Tamilnadu, causing huge destruction.

* The country's first cooperative university will be set up at Sibsagar, Assam.