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2 Indians posthumously chosen for UN’s prestigious Dag Hammarskjold Medal

Two Indian peacekeepers have been chosen posthumously for United Nation’s Dag Hammarskjold Medal. They are Lance NaikNand Ram and Raju Joseph. Both of them are among the 126 police, military and civilian personnel who have been posthumously awarded a prestigious UN medal. They have been chosen for this award for their courage and sacrifice while serving in UN peacekeeping operations in 2014 and lost their lives as a result of hostile acts, accidents and disease. They will be presented with this medal on May 29, 2015 i.e. on the International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers. Lance Naik Nand Ram had served with the UN Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO). While, Raju Joseph had served in a civilian capacity with the UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS).

Tanishq Abraham, 11-year-old Indian-American creates record by graduating from California College

Tanishq Abraham, 11-year-old Indian-American child prodigy created a record by graduating from California College with three associate degrees in science, maths and foreign language studies. He is native of Sacramento, California and youngest to graduate from the American River College (ARC), in Sacramento, California. In 2014, he also had created a record by becoming one of the youngest ever in the US to graduate high school. Earlier in March 2014, he had passed a state exam which had certified him having appropriate academic standards to receive his high school diploma. Tanishq is home-schooled since the age of seven. At the age of four he had joined MENSA, the prominent and oldest high IQ society in the world.

Indian Film Masaan wins critics prize at 68th Cannes film festival

Indian film Masaan has won the prestigious critics prize in the Un Certain Regard category at the 68th Cannes Film Festival after it was premiered on May 20, 2015. The film is directoral debut of Neeraj Ghaywan and a joint production of Manish Mundra, Macassar Productions, Arte France Cinema, Sikhya Entertainment & Phantom Films. It stars Vicky Kaushal, Shweta Tripathi along with Richa Chadda and Sanjay Mishra. The film is a narrative set based in Varanasi and its characters connected with the Ganga. The critic’s prize in the Un Certain Regard category runs parallel to the competition for the main prize, Palme d’Or in the film festival. Apart from Masaan, Hungarian film Son of Saul by László Nemes has won the critics prize in Official Competition, and Paulina Paulina has won the prize in Parallel Sections. In this edition of festival, Indian film critic Borborah Bitopan from The Assam Tribune was part of the FIPRESCI jury.

India-Singapore bilateral naval exercise SIMBEX-15 commences in Singapore

Bilateral naval exercise SIMBEX-15 between India and Singapore commenced on 23 May 2015 in Singapore and concluding on May 26, 2015. This edition of naval exercise will give traditional emphasis on anti-submarine warfare (ASW) and more complex maritime exercises. It will involve various facets of naval operations such as air and surface practice firing, air defence, maritime security and search & rescue operations. For this edition of exercise, Indian navy is represented by

INS Satpura- an indigenously built guided missile stealth frigate with integral helicopter. 

INS Kamorta- an indigenous anti-submarine warfare (ASW) corvette. 

P 8I Aircraft- It is a long Range Maritime Reconnaissance Anti- Submarine (LRMRASW) aircraft. 

Indian boxers clinch 4 gold, 1 silver, 2 bronze medals in Doha Boxing Tournament    

Indian boxers have rounded off a brilliant run at the Doha International Tournament by winning four gold, one silver and two bronze medals.

Gold medal winners are

L Devendro Singh in 49 kg category by defeating Aldren Moreno of Philippines by 3:0.

Shiva Thapa in 56kg category by defeating HYM Abdelaal of Egypt by 2:1.

Manish Kaushik in 60 kg category by defeating Rabi Hamza of Morocco by 3:0.

Manoj Kumar in 64 kg category by defeating Magliquian Nicole of Philippines by 3:0.

The silver medal was won by Gaurav Bidhuri in 52 kg category. While Mandeep Jangraand Vikas Krishan bagged bronze medals in 69kg and 75kg categories respectively.

China sets up largest gold sector fund for nations along ancient Silk Road

China has set up a gold sector fund involving 65 countries along the ancient Silk Road.  It has been set up in China’s northwest Xi’an city during ongoing forum on investment and trade. The fund will be led by Shanghai Gold Exchange (SGE) and is expected to raise 16.1 billion dollars in three phases. It should be noted that it is the largest fund set up by China in the gold sector. Around 60 countries which fall along the routes of 21st-Century Maritime Silk Road (MSR) and Silk Road Economic Belt have invested in the fund. This fund will facilitate gold purchase for the central banks of member states to increase their holdings of the precious metal. It will be also invested in gold mining in countries along the Silk Road and also to increase exploration in countries such as Afghanistan and Kazakhstan. At present, China is the world’s largest gold producer and also a major importer and consumer of gold. But its share in international gold trade is very small and does not have a big say in gold pricing. By setting up this fund China is seeking to increase the influence of its domestic currency Renminbi (RMB) in the international gold pricing by opening the domestic gold market to international investors.

Russia enacts law banning undesirable NGOs

Russian government officially has enacted a law banning undesirable non-governmental organisations (NGOs) in the country.

The law came into force after President Vladimir Putin signed the bill in this regard after it was passed by both houses of the Russian parliament.

The newly enacted law allows government authorities to

·         Prosecute foreign NGOs or firms designated as undesirable on national security grounds.

·         Individuals working for such NGOs could face up to six years in prison or fines.

·         Barr foreign NGOs employees from the country.

·         Ban Russian citizens or groups that have involvement or are engaged with such undesirable foreign NGOs.

·         The definition of undesirable in this case can be considered as threat to Russia’s defence capabilities or constitutional foundations.