India unveiled the "look East" policy in 1991. East Asia including- China, South Korea Japan and ASEAN is today India's largest trading partner ahead of EU and the US.

India has signed $42 million "Country ProgrammeIndia 2008-2012" with the UNIDO (United Nations Industrial Development Organisation) to strengtehen the competitiveness and productivity of it's industrial enterprises, with special focus on employment generation and greening of the industry.the five year programme signed in Viena in May 16 will focus on key manufacturing sectors especially SME clusters, in order to enhance employment generation and to ensure a more balanced and inclusive pattern of growth.

Novelist Salman Rushdie has being awarded Knighthood award by the British Empire Queen for his services to the Literature.

Oprah Winfey topped the Forbes list of the '100 Most Powerful Celebrities' for the second consecutive year. She makes yearly earning of $275 million.