Current Affairs

Government convenes all Party meet on CSAT exam issue

Parties to submit their views on five issues in two weeks 
Parties appreciate government’s approach on the sensitive issue 

The Government today discussed the issues concerning the Civil Services Aptitude Test (CSAT) with leaders of various parties in both the Houses of Parliament. The meeting was convened by the Parliamentary Affairs Minister Shri M.Venkaiah Naidu in pursuance of the assurance given by the Government during the last Budget session of Parliament. Home Minister Shri Rajnath Singh and Finance Minister Shri Arun Jaitely, Minister of State in PMO Dr.Jitendra Singh, Ministers of State for Parliamentary Affairs –Shri Rajiv Pratap Rudy and Shri Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi besides leaders of 26 parties represented in both the Houses of Parliament. 

Shri Rajnath Singh and Shri Venkaiah Naidu said that the CSAT issue is a sensitive one and the Government would like to have the benefit of considered views of all parties. 

A detailed presentation was made by Secretary (DoPT) on the origin and evolution of the civil services examination over the years being conducted every year by the Union Public Services Commission. Dr.Jitendra Singh sought the views of different parties on five proposals. This followed expression of views by leaders of various parties, who said they need to consult their party colleagues in the sensitive matter. 

Shri M.Venkaiah Naidu informed the leaders that they will be circulated a detailed note in the matter in three days and suggested that may furnish their views in two weeks on the following five issues: 

1. On continuation of English Language Comprehension Skills in Paper – II 

2. Reduced weightage of analytical component 

3. To make Paper-II qualifying 

4. Revert back to Optional Paper 

5. Any other alternative. 

Several leader complimented the Government for its approach in the sensitive matter

Government asks UPSC to postpone the Civil Services Preliminary Examination

Government has asked Union Public Service Commission, UPSC, to postpone Civil Services preliminary examination till there is clarity on the syllabus and exam pattern. The examination is scheduled for 24th of next month.

UPSC aspirants are demanding scrapping of Civil Services Aptitude Tests, C-SAT. They say it is discriminatory against Hindi medium students as it puts them at a disadvantage.

Speaking to reporters in New Delhi on Tuesday, Minister of State for Personnel and Training Jitendra Singh said the committee constituted to look into the matter should submit its report at the earliest.

He said there should be no injustice on account of language and government does not support it.

A group of students, who are demanding scrapping of C-SAT met the Minister over the issue on Tuesday.

Telangana became the 29th state of the country and K.Chandrasekar Rao becomes first Chief Minister of the Sate

Telangana became the 29th state of the country today while K Chandrasekhara Rao formed the first Government on its formation day. Mr Rao and 11 others have been sworn-in this morning by Governor ESL Narasimhan and assumed the office. Chandrasekhara Rao has promised to the people of Telangana to provide corruption-free transparent government according top priority to welfare of poorer sections of society. 

Addressing them from Secunderabad Parade Grounds, he said all promises made during electioneering will be fulfilled. Stating that an advisory council consisting intellectuals will be in place soon, he said one lakh crore rupees will be earmarked for the welfare downtrodden and minorities. Stressing the need to maintain law and order, he mooted a single window for enhancing investments. 

He unveiled plans for modernizing the police forces by bringing them under one department. He accorded top priority to Agriculture sector he said farm loans up to one lakh will be waived. He assured employees who played key role in the Statehood agitation a special increment and better pay scales at par with the central government employees. He said cordial relations will be maintained with neighbouring states and also with the centre.

American author and poet Maya Angelou passes away

Renowned American poet and author, Dr. Maya Angelou passed away in North Carolina yesterday. 

She was 86. Dr. Angelou rose from extreme poverty to become a force on stage, screen, the printed page and the inaugural dais.

An actress, singer and dancer in the 1950s and 1960s, she broke through as an author in 1970 with, 'I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings'.

In 1993, she was a sensation, reading her cautiously hopeful "On the Pulse of the Morning" at former President Bill Clinton's first inauguration. 

For former President George W. Bush, she read another poem, "Amazing Peace," at the 2005 Christmas tree lighting ceremony at the White House.

Father of Malaysian Hockey, Sultan Azlan Shah passed away

Sultan of Malaysian state of Perak, Sultan Azlan Shah passed away yesterday at the age of 86. 

Sultan Azlan Shah, who reigned over Perak for three decades, was an avid fan of field hockey and the Azlan Shah Cup annual hockey tournament is named after him. Azlan will be laid to rest today at the royal mausoleum in Kuala Kangsar.

In 1997, Sultan Azlan Shah was elected the President of the Asian Hockey Federation, a position he held until his demise.

13-year-old Andhra teen, Malavath Purna becomes youngest woman to scale Everest

In a historic feat for Indian mountaineering, 13-year-old Malavath Purna on Saturday (25.05.2014) became the youngest female climber to scale the Mount Everest.

Purna was accompanied by Sadhanapalli Anand Kumar (16), a Class IX student from the Khammam district of Andhra Pradesh, and completed the feat this morning.

Anand and Purna are both students of Andhra Pradesh Social Welfare Educational Society.

"They climbed Everest at 6am today after a 52-day long expedition,"

"Purna created a record by becoming by youngest girl to climb the Everest,"

The duo were selected among about 150 children who were initially chosen for adventure sports as part of the society's initiative to promote excellence in the students of the society.

Twenty of them were sent to a prestigious mountaineering Institute in Darjeeling for training and nine among them were sent on expedition to Indo-China border earlier.

The two students with a higher degree of toughness and endurance were sent to the Everest Expedition in April.