Current Affairs : July 11, 2011

Ashadhi Akadashi being celebrated

• Ashadhi Akadashi is being celebrated on July 11, 2011 in Maharashtra
  
• Pandhapur the most popular place for the devotees from all over India, is a centre for Warkaries (the regular devotees) coming to this place for worshiping Vitthal –Rukhamini
  
• Over 8 lakh pilgrims came to have a glimpse of their god and goddess
  

World Population Day: July 11, 2011

• July 11, 2011: World population day
  
• The theme this year: “Calling Attention to Urgent Global Issues”
  
• Observed on July 11, every year the day attempts to lift alertness on global population issues
  
• Recognized by the UNDP (United Nations Development Programme)     in 1989
  
• Five Billion Day on July 11, 1987: Approximately the date on which the world’s population reached five billion people. World Population Day inspired by this DATE only.
  

Fernando Alonso wins British Grand Prix

• Fernando Alonso delivered Ferrari’s long-awaited first win of the
  

  2011 season when he made the most of unpredictable and challenging wet-dry conditions to triumph at the British Grand Prix
  

   

  Some Facts:-
  

1. British Grand Prix: A race in the calendar of the FIA Formula One World Championship
   
2. Currently held at the Silverstone Circuit near the village of Silverstone in Northamptonshire, UK
   
3. The British and Italian Grands Prix are the oldest continuously staged Formula One World Championship Grands Prix
   
   

Computerization of all Post Offices by 2012

• The Central Government has decided to computerize all     1.5 Lakh Post offices by 2012
  
• Around R`1800
  Crore to be spent for the purpose
  
• 1000 ATM Machines would also be installed at the post     offices in the country
  
• The Minister of State for communication: Sachin Pilot
  

India-West Indies Test Series

• India clinched the 3-match series 1-0
  
• Ishant Sharma of India was adjudged man of the Series
  

   

US suspends $800 million aid to Pakistan

• US suspended $800 Million aid to Pakistan
  
• Reasons quoted for the same:
  
• Infuriation over Pakistan’s reluctance to go full throttle in the war against     terror
  
• The suspended aid is about one-third of the $2 billion yearly US security     assistance to Pakistan
  
• India welcomed United States’ move to cut military aid to Pakistan
  
• As External Affairs Minister Shri SM Krishna further supply of military aid would have led to destabilising the region further
  
• Reasons for suspending the Aid:
  
• The US suspended $800 million worth of military aid to its ally Pakistan after it considered attempts to curb terror emanating from its own soil not up to the mark
  
• US’ deferral of military aid comes as of Pakistan’s denial to accept some of the controlled aid sent over by the US including rifles, ammunition, body armor and bomb-disposal gear
  
• The denial was due to Pakistan’s displease after ordering 100 Army Special Forces trainers to leave the country in recent weeks
  
• Some Army personnel from the US were denied visas who were proficient in providing training and operating equipments like radios, night-vision goggles and helicopter spare parts
  

Removal of EU trade curbs: India seeks Poland’s help

• India sought help from Poland to settle trade disputes/obstacles for Indian agricultural exports to 27 European Union countries
  
• Reason: Indian agri-exports to EU face several problems on account of use of some chemicals to preserve the products
  
• Issue taken up at a meeting in New Delhi b/w Commerce and Industry Minister Anand Sharma and visiting Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski
  
• Poland holds the European Union Presidency
  
• The two Ministers also revised the progress of the India-EU free trade pact
  
• India-EU free trade pact is officially known as “Broad-based Trade and Investment Agreement” BTIA
  

Month: Current Affairs - July, 2011