The flagship programme of the Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) Scheme will get a further boost with the government deciding to increase the number of Anganwadis to 14 lakhs from the existing 10 lakh. The Ministry of Women and Child Development has decided to expand and universalize the scheme to provide supplementary nutrition, immunization and pre-school education to the children in the age group of three to six years at Anganwadis. Nutritional support and referral medical services are available to pregnant and lactating mothers and adolescent girls also at Anganwadis.The scheme is one of the world's largest programmes for early child development. It provides an integrated package of services in a convergent manner for holistic development of the child. As per 2001 census, there are 157.86 million children constituting 15.42 per cent of the India's ICDS Scheme.

Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC)
The second BIMSTEC summit on November 13 saw leaders from Bhutan, India, Thailand, Nepal, Myanmar, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh pledging to cooperate on several key issues affecting the region for mutual benefit. The summit also gave BIMSTEC a more comprehensive and detailed role with a joint declaration by the leaders to cooperate in areas like agriculture, climate, technology, poverty, food security, transport, crime and terrorism, culture, tourism and energy.
On Bhutan’s role in BIMSTEC, Lyonchen Jigmi Y Thinley said, “Bhutan stands not only to benefit but can also contribute for the overall development of the region and that is why we’ve become a member. May I assure you that, small as we are, we’ve been taking part and contributing in taking decisions, making policies and other ideas that BIMSTEC pursues,” he said.
The summit finalised a BIMSTEC cultural industries commission and BIMSTEC cultural industries observatory in Bhutan, a BIMSTEC energy centre in India, BIMSTEC weather and climate centre in India. The BIMSTEC convention on international terrorism, transnational organised crime and illicit drug trafficking was also finalised.
The body also took note of the progress made so far on negotiations for goods in the BIMSTEC free trade area and asked the trade negotiating bodies to conclude negotiations soon so that an agreement can be finalised at the earliest. The free trade agreement was one of the main underlying emphasis of the summit.
An important decision of the summit would be to establish a permanent secretariat for BIMSTEC for which a joint working group has been set to do the groundwork.
‘Climate Change’ has been introduced as a new 14th priority area, in addition to the existing areas of cooperation. The gathering also agreed to strengthen cooperation in poverty alleviation in the context of food security and made a proposal to establish a BIMSTEC poverty alleviation centre in Bangladesh and a food security reserve among BIMSTEC members.
The gathering also agreed to improve intra BIMSTEC tourism and the proposal of a BIMSEC tourism centre in Nepal will be discussed. Another proposal was to set up a BIMSTEC technology transfer facility in Sri Lanka to help in the sharing of technologies targeted towards micro, small and medium scale enterprises in the region.
BIMSTEC acknowledged the transport infrastructure and logistics study by ADB as an important first step to improve transportation and communications linkages within the region by identifying bottlenecks and overcoming them.
The countries agreed to cooperate in the area of energy and hold the second energy minister’s conference in 2009. Most leaders stressed the importance of developing energy sources like hydropower.
In the field of technology, India announced 150 new scholarships to facilitate the sharing of technical knowhow in the region. The body also agreed to cooperate in the area of traditional medicine by proposing to set up a BIMSTEC network of national centres of coordination in traditional medicine. BIMSTEC agreed to enhance collaborative efforts to jointly face the current global financial crisis.
The organisation will also be looking into enhancing people to people contacts and let India take the lead in establishing a BIMSTEC network of policy thinktanks in the region.
BIMSTEC is a regional body set up in 1997 whose main purpose is to serve as a link between South Asia and South East Asia for better trade, transport and overall development in the region. Bhutan has become a member in 2004 and is the lead country for culture. The total GDP of the area is 1.7 trillion dollars.
Meanwhile, Lyonchhen Jigmi Y Thinley met the Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on the sidelines of the summit and also paid a courtesy call on President Pratibha Patil.

G20 meeting took place in Washington.The body groups the United States, Germany, Japan, France, Italy, Britain, Canada, Russia, the European Union, Argentine, Australia, Brazil, China, India, Indonesia, Mexico, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, South Korea and Turkey.
Spain and the Netherlands have also been invited to the summit although they are not counted as members. Top officials from the United Nations, the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund will be also present at the meeting.

The summit, as Bush said, will focus on five key objectives: understanding the causes of the global crisis, reviewing the effectiveness of our responses thus far, identifying principles for reforming our financial and regulatory systems, launching a specific action plan to implement those principles, and reaffirming our conviction that free market principles offer the surest path to lasting prosperity.

India today expressed the hope that the summit of world leaders here would send the right signals by agreeing on a stimulus package to restore major economies back to normalcy so that the situation arising out of a global downturn does not deteriorate further.

According to Forbes, Plunging stock and property values because of the global financial crisis has pushed steel tycoon Lakshmi Nivas Mittal to second place behind Mukesh Ambani of petroleum to textiles major Reliance Industries in the list of 40 richest Indians. Mittal was the topper of the last year Forbes 40 welthiest Indian.

Mohamed Nasheed is the new president of Maldives displacing Maumoon Abdul Gayoom.

Tata Teleservices Ltd (TTSL) and Tata Sons Ltd (TSL) the main promoters for Tata companies including TTSL, announced their agreement on a strategic alliance in India, under which Tokyo-based DoCoMo, the world's leading mobile operator, will acquire 26 per cent of TTSL's stock for approximately Rs 13,070 crore.

British Telecom Group Plc (BT), the UK's largest phone company, said it would cut its workforce by 6 per cent in the year through March, which would affect areas of ‘indirect labour’ such as agency, contractors, sub-contractors and offshore workers. BT has a workforce of 1,60,000 and it will cut 10,000 jobs by 2009. Most of these employees would be those who are in probation period and those hired on contractual basis. The impact will be most visible on Tech Mahindra, the IT arm of Mahindra & Mahindra group, BT contributes over 60 per cent to its revenue (around Rs 2,600 crore as of FY08). For Infosys, BT is its top client and one of among the top 10 for TCS.
RIL and RNRL are locked in a legal dispute over terms of Gas Supply Master Agreement whereby RIL is to supply gas to RNRL for latter's power plants. Gas production by Reliance Industries is slated to start next year but RNRL will take about three years to put up its power plant at Dadari in Uttar Pradesh. RNRL wants gas for 17 years and current GSMA does not assure this, it says. Therefore, the High Court suggested to RNRL that if court were to accept RNRL's case, it can order that the contract period of 17 years would start only after Anil Ambani power plant is up and running.
Anil Ambani Group company RNRL today demanded that Mukesh's RIL pay the difference between the price at which it will sell gas to other buyers and 2.34 USD, the rate at which RNRL is seeking gas, as an interim solution to the dispute between the Ambani siblings.

The fifth annual BSA and IDC Global Software Piracy Study estimated that the global piracy rate in 2007 rose from 35 per cent to 38 per cent, while economic losses due to PC software piracy increased by $8.5 billion to $48 billion. In an effort to combat the effects of pirated and counterfeit software, Microsoft has announced Global Anti-Piracy Day to mark the launch of a collection of intellectual property awareness campaigns, educational forums, partner engagements and law enforcement initiatives worldwide.
The initiative, which spans 49 countries across six continents, is part of Microsoft's ongoing efforts to protect its intellectual property, customers and partners.
According to Microsoft, counterfeit software may not run properly and exposes customers to increased risk of viruses, worms, spyware and Trojan horses. As a result, companies who pirate software risk security breaches, lost data, and a damaged reputation.

Germany has officially plunged into recession with economic activity contracting much faster than expected in the third quarter, intensifying fears about the depth and duration of continental Europe’s downturn.
Gross domestic product in Europe’s largest economy fell by 0.5 per cent in the three months to September, extending a 0.4 per cent drop in the previous quarter, the German statistical office reported.
Germany's Industrial outptr fell 3.6% in September.

India successfully test fired 'Shaurya', a medium-range surface-to-surface ballistic missile, to be used by its Army. With a 600-km range, the missile is capable of hitting targets deep inside Pakistan and China.
Agreement between India and Colombia
For exploration and production of oil and gas, exchange of training and human resource development, exchange of visits of professionals and technicians.
India became the only nuclear weapons power to be allowed global nuclear commerce without signing either the Nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty (NPT) or Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty (CTBT), when 45-member Nuclear Suppliers Group lifts its 16 year old embargo on nuclear commerce with India in Vienna.
Meghalaya becomes the first state to allow Muslim women to offer Ramzan prayer in mosque alongside men.
China opens Consulate General’s office in Kolkata.
Finance Minister P Chidambaram inaugurates the Universal Arogya Medical Insurance Scheme for persons belonging to below poverty line category.
People In News:
Amartya Sen is part of committee appointed by International Monetary Fund to advise on governance reform.
Steel tycoon Lakshmi Mittal has been conferred the third Malcom S Forbes Lifetime Achievement Award, which honours heroes of entrepreneurial capitalism and free enterprise.
Nepalese Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal arrived on September 14, 2005 on his first visit to India.
Bhupen Hazarika is conferred the ‘Asom Ratna’ on his 83rd birthday.
Former Punjab Chief Minister, Captain Amarinder Singh unseated from Punjab Assembly and disqualified for the remaining tenure of the 13th Vidhan Sabha for his alleged involvement in corruption.

54th National Film Awards
Presented by: President Pratibha Patil
Dilip Kumar (Bollywood Actor), Lata Mangeshkar (Singer), Saroja Devi (South Indian Actress) got the Lifetime Achievement Award.
Konkona Sen Sharma Best supporting actress award.
Tapan Sinha -Dadasheb Phalke Award
Lage Raho Munna Bhai-Best entertainment film
Soumitra Chatterjee -Best actor award for the Bengali film Podokkhep
Madhur Bhandarkar-Best director award (Traffic Signal)

Sister Alfonsa of kerala will be the first women Saint from India announced by Pope Benedict XVI
Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck became the world's youngest reigning monarch and head of the newest democracy of Bhutan.

Some important Abbreviations
TRAI- TELECOM REGULATORY AUTHORITY OF INDIA
ISP- INTERNET SERVICE PROVIDER
IPC - INDIAN PENAL CODE
FDI- FOREIGN DIRECT INVESTMENT
FII- FOREIGN INSTITUTIONAL INVESTMENT
SEBI- SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE BOARD OF INDIA
AMFI - Association Of Mutual Funds Of India
UNICEF - United Nations International Children Emergency Fund
NABARD - National Bank For Agriculture And Rural Development
SME - Small And Medium Size Enterprises
ICICI - Industrial Credit and Investment Corporation of India
URL - Universal Resource Locator
DRDO - Defence Research and Development Organisation
OECD - Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development

Public sector banks have registered a robust growth due to global financial crisis. If we look at the data of July-September, we will find that Deposit Accretion for the period of July-September for State Bank of India went up by 68% to 57,861 Crore, Whereas Punjab bank showed a greater increase in Deposits by 80% to 13,241 Crore. Other public Sector Banks like Bank of Baroda and Corporation Bank also registered a growth in Deposits by 29% and 20% respectively. whereas ICICI Bank registerd a loss of -346% which means that deposits were taken out fron the bank the amount of deposit taken out was 11,058Crore. This trend analyses the fact that people consider Public Sector Banks to be a safer place for their money.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today said that despite the global turmoil, Indian economy may grow by 7 to7.5% .

Fitch retains India's sovereign rating

Even while retaining the sovereign credit rating of India, Fitch today downgraded the ratings for four emerging market economies (EMEs) -- Bulgaria, Kazakhstan, Hungary and Romania -- in the aftermath of the global financial meltdown.

The rating outlook, which expresses the possibility of a change in the near future, has been lowered for countries like South Korea, Mexico, Russia, South Africa, Chile and Malaysia, says international credit rating agency Fitch.
Fitch maintained India's long-term foreign currency Issuer Default Rating (IDR) at 'BBB-' with a 'stable' outlook. It also reiterated its long-term local currency rating for India at 'BBB-' with a 'negative' outlook.
'BBB-' is an investment grade rating reflecting low to moderate credit risk. A 'negative' outlook means that there is a high chance of the actual credit rating being downgraded.
Fitch, one of the three major international credit rating agencies, said in a statement today's action followed a review of the sovereign ratings of 17 major investment-grade EMEs.
"The profound shift in the global economic and financial outlook poses significant real economy and policy challenges for emerging markets," said David Riley, head of Fitch's Global Sovereign Ratings Group.
The long-term foreign currency IDRs of Bulgaria and Kazakhstan have been cut to 'BBB-' from 'BBB'. The credit rating for Hungary has been cut to 'BBB' from 'BBB+' and for Romania it has been lowered to 'BB+' from 'BBB'.
The outlook on the long-term foreign currency ratings for South Korea, Mexico, Russia and South Africa has been cut to 'negative' from 'stable'. The outlook on Chile and Malaysia has been lowered to 'stable' from 'positive'

Let us have a look at few important books that were in news

Animal's People- A book based on Bhopal Gas tragedy by Indian origin writter. The book was in news after it was named this year's best book in Europe and South Asia by Commonwealth.

Canada's Lawrence Hill won the top Commomwealth Writter's Prize for "The book of Negroes".

'A Golden Age' is a book written by Tahmima Anam bagged theaward for the best book in fiction category.

"India's Century"- A book written by Kamal Nath

'True Colours' is the name of book recently in news written by Adam Gilchrist.

Recently Manu script of Rig-Veda is included in the UNESCO"s Memory of World Register.

There are 18 High Courts in the country, three having jurisdiction over more than one state. Bombay High Court has the jurisdiction over Maharashtra, Goa, Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu. Guwahati High Court, which was earlier known as Assam High Court, has the jurisdiction over Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Tripura, Mizoram and Arunachal Pradesh. Punjab and Haryana High Court has the jurisdiction over Punjab, Haryana and Chandigarh

The Questions the interview Board of Allahabad Bank asked me were

Introduce Yourself?

Since I am an agriculture graduate they asked me following agriculture based Questions

What is the role of Agriculture in Indian Economy?

what are the benefits of 60,000 Crore debt waiver scheme announced by Govt.

How can you help banking sector?

What is Bio Diesel?

Who is the Current agriculture Minister?

What do you understand by CRR?

Govt. is doing so much for agriculture yet the agriculture sector of teh country is poor. Why

Some other questions they asked were

What is your hobby?

What is the profession of your Father?

Recently Dumping was in news and World Trade organisation showed it concern over it what is 'Dumping'? well, Dumping’ refers to the act of transferring products from one country to another and selling it at a price, which is much below the selling price or cost of production of the home country. so the home country production gets affected and business community gets dissatisfied. this creates panic as this is not allowed by law in most of the countries.According to WTO (World Trade Organization), the first half of the current year witnessed a considerable increase in the instances of dumping and products being transferred across borders at unfair prices. The ‘number of investigations’ has jumped from 61 (in the first six months of last year) to 85 (in the present year) i.e. a 39% hike. Majority of the cases of introspections were related to dumping. Further study showed that 21 were from base metal sector, 20 from textiles and 10 from chemicals. Going by the nations, Turkey topped the list with recording 13 such scrutiny instances. The other countries are Argentina, India, United States and European nations like Australia, Brazil and Colombia.

Countries that make up G-8, Germany, Japan, United States, Britain, Italy, Russia, Canada and France are to hold a meeting in near future. This would be to devise measures to handle the chaos occurring on the Financial front. The meet is most likely to take place in November. Among the recommenders of the meeting were Angela Merkel, the German Chancellor and Nicolar Sarkozy, French President. British prime Minister, Gordon Brown emphasized that not only the developed nations be discussed in it, but also the emerging economies like China and India be given a thought. The leaders echoed that they all stood united to boost up the confidence of financial institutions and bring the countries out of this tough time. The meet aims at both correcting the current shortcomings and formulating strategies so as to avert any similar happening again, ever. The root cause of the present troubles is thought to be the investments in U.S. as subprime mortgages. So, steps to not let it repeat itself are to be framed in the discussion.

McLaren's Lewis Hamilton earned the 2008 Formula One World Championship with a fifth-place finish at Autodromo Jose Carlos Pace at Interlagos Hamilton, 23, becomes the youngest driver to win a World Championship in F1 history.

The International Monetary Fund Chief - Dominique Strauss Kahn
RBI Deputy Governor - V leeladhar
The CEO of the Two British Brands Jaguar and Land Rover appointed by Tata Motors - David Smith
The Intel Corporation Chairman - Craig Barrett

BSNL has reduced ISD tariff to some of the Saarc nations like Bangladesh, Bhutan, Maldives and Pakistan from mobile as well as fixed line phones.A BSNL official said the decision for selective ISD rate cut is based on traffic elasticity. From BSNL cell, under the Postpaid Plan 725, calls to Bangladesh, Bhutan, Maldives and Pakistan would cost Rs 9 per minute instead of the existing Rs 10, and from other post-paid plans and prepaid ones, call charges would be Rs 9 per minute instead of Rs 12. The drop in charges are in the range of 11-33%. For BSNL fixed line users, call charges to these four countries would now be Rs 9.60 paise per minute for a 7.5 second pulse

Duvvuri Subbarao is the new Governor of the Reserve Bank of India.

N. Rangaswamy is the new Chief Minister of Puducherry.

Rajasthan got the Today Travel Platinum Award 2008.Classical Singer Pandit Bhimsen Joshi was awarded the Swami Haridas Memorial Award. The renowned singer will be given Rs. 1 lakh.

Fidel Castro got the third Ubuntu Award.

Taro Aso is the new Prime Minister of Japan.

German Chancellor Angela Markel has topped the Forbes Power Women List.

Right to education Bill was cleared by the Union Cabinet on 29th of October 2008
And it is slated to be introduced in Parliament in December.
Right to Education Bill seeks to make free & compulsory education a fundamental right Aims at setting minimum standards for both public and private schools Prescribes pupil-teacher ratio of 40:1 Makes it compulsory for all private schools to reserve 25% of seats for poor neighbourhood children

The Right to Education Bill, make education a fundamental right for every child in the 6-14 age group, was cleared by the Union Cabinet on Thursday. It’s slated to be introduced in Parliament in December. If passed, one of the longest awaited political promises would be honoured.
Education as right to cost Rs 12000 crore a year. The cost will be divided between Centre and the States. The proportions are yet to be worked out.