59.4% of Indian rural households have no latrines: NSSO survey

As per a survey conducted by the National Sample Survey Office (NSSO), 59.4% of rural Indian households lack latrine facility. The survey throws light on key indicators of living conditions like drinking water, sanitation, hygiene and housing condition in India.

The survey was done from July 2012 to December 2012 by National Sample Survey Office (NSSO) under the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI).

Key finding of the NSSO Survey:

Access to Drinking Water:

Around 88.5% rural households and 95.3% urban households improved source of drinking water.

Condition in Kerala is poor where 29.5% of rural households have access to safe drinking water whereas in Tamil Nadu it was 94%.

Access to safe drinking water in Bihar, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan are above national average.

In Bihar, 97.6% (rural) and 99.7% (urban) households improved source of drinking water and in Uttar Pradesh with 96.6% and 99.2% of rural and urban households respectively.

85.8% of rural households and 89.6% of urban households had adequate drinking water.

In Nagaland only 16% rural households have sufficient drinking water throughout year.

Sanitation & Housing Condition:

Around 62.3% of rural household and 16.7% of urban households lacked bathroom facility.

59.4% and 8.8% households in rural India and urban India respectively lacked latrine facilities.

Only 31.9% and 63.9% households in rural India and urban India respectively had access to latrine facility for its exclusive use.

38.8% and 89.6% households in rural and urban India respectively were found to have access to improved type of latrine.

80% of rural households and 97.9 percent of urban households had electricity for domestic use.

65.8% of rural households and 93.6% of urban households lived in a house with pucca structure whereas 24.6% of rural households and 5% of urban households lived in a house with semi-pucca structure during 2012.

Only 26.3% and 47.1% households in rural India and urban India respectively had good ventilation in their houses.

31.7% and 82.5% of rural and urban household respectively had improved drainage facility in the environment of their dwelling units.

Around 32% of rural households and 75.8% of urban household’s areas had some garbage disposal arrangement

Only 10.8% of urban dwelling units were situated in slum.

New Ministers of Rajasthan

Rajasthan Election Result 2013, Winner Name, Complete List

Rajasthan Election Result 2013, Winner Name, Complete List: Rajasthan Vidhan Sabha Elections was held on 1st December 2013 while Results is declared on 8th December 2013.  Rajasthan Legislative Assembly ( राजस्थान विधान सभा) or the Rajasthan Vidhan Sabha has total 200 seats.

TOTAL SEATS = 199/199
BJP = 162 Seat Wins
CONGRESS = 21 Seat Wins

RJP = 4 Seats Wins

BSP = 3 Seat Wins

Independent = 9 Seat Wins

Rajasthan Ratna Award 2013 Winners

Rajasthan Ratna Award 2013 :- Government awarded 7 persons for Rajasthan Ratna Award 2013 at Jawahar Kala Kendra, Jaipur. Rajasthan Ratna is the Rajasthan’s highest
civilian award, for performance of highest order in any field of human
endeavor. Founder of Bhagwan Mahaveer Viklang Sahayata Samiti Dr D R
Mehta (social service), Jasdev Singh (commentary), Pandit Ramnarayan
(Sarangi player), late Nagendra Singh (law), late Kailash Sankhla
(environment protection), late Hasrat Jaipuri (Art and Culture) and late
Gavri Devi (Maand singer) have been selected for the award. Rajasthan
Government started Rajasthan Ratna Award from year 2013.

Rajasthan Ratna awardees are given Rs 1 lakh as cash, a shawl and a citation by the stategovernor,chief minister and minister of art and culture.This award is on the lines of
the highest civilian award Bharat Ratna that is conferred by the central govt of India .

List of Rajasthan Ratna Award 2013 Winners

Mewat Area Development Project

Mewat Area Development Project started in 1987-88 by 100% funding from Rajasthan state Government in 8 Blocks of Alwar (5) and Bharatpur (3). Mewat Area Development Program is being implemented in 8 blocks  (Laxmangarh, Ramgarh, Tijara, Mandawar, Kishangarhbas, Kathumar, Umren and Kotkasim) of Alwar District and 3 blocks (Nagar, Kama, Deeg) of Bharatpur District. At District level, the implementing agency is Zila Parishad. Works are executed by Panchayat Raj Institutions and line Departments. At the state level, Secretary, Rural Dev. Department is in-charge for administration, supervision & monitoring of the programme. The main thrust of the programme is to fill the critical gaps in the area.


             Mewat is a distinct socio-cultural and ethnological region named after its predominant inhabitant’s viz. the Meos. They claim to be ‘Rajputs’ originally, and trace their descent to the Aryans, who invaded India. Meo (also called Mewati) is a Muslim Rajput from North-Western India, particularly in and around Mewat that includes Mewat district of Haryana and parts of adjacent Alwar and Bharatpur districts in Rajasthan. Meos speak Mewati, a language of the Indo-Aryan language family. They call themselves ‘chhatris’. They also make the proud claim of being one of the rare segments of the invading population that has not lost its original ethnic purity. A large number of Meos live in Alwar and Bharatpur district of Rajasthan apart from Haryana and UP. Mewat has come to mean “where the Meos live” because the extent and area is coterminous with the settlement of the Meos.

The objectives of the project are to :-

• Improve the economic and social well-being of the Mewat community.
• Promote greater self-reliance on a sustainable basis.
• Broaden the range of economic opportunities available to the community.

Economic activities :-

• Soil And Water Conservation
• Canal Irrigation
• Development Of Arable Crops
• Horticulture
• Livestock Improvement
• Off-Farm Enterprises
• Social Development Component
• Development Support Communication
• Community And Women’s Development
• Formal Education
• Rural Water Supply

Source - RPSC GK

Height of Main Mountain Peaks in Rajasthan

NAME	DISTRICT	HEIGHT (Meter)
Gurushikhar	Sirohi	1722
Ser(Mount Abu)	Sirohi	1597
Jarga	Udaipur	1431
Achalgarh(Mount Abu)	Sirohi	1380
Raghunathgarh	Sikar	1055
Kho	Jaipur	920
Taragarh	Ajmer	873
Bhairach	Alwar	794
Bawai	Jaipur	780

Pushkar Fair from 9 to 17th November 2013

Pushkar Fair 2013 is all set to starts from 9th November 2013 with flag hoisting ceremony at mela ground. Pushkar fair 2013 will be held from 9th November to 17th November 2013. Pushkar Fair is yearly camel and livestock fair, celebrated in the town of Pushkar in the state of Rajasthan. During the fair, Lakhs of people from rural India flock to Pushkar, along with camel and cattle for several days of livestock trading, horse dealing, pilgrimage and religious festival. "The fair will begin on November 9 and conclude on November 17. The Pushkar fair, one of the key tourist attraction of the desert state, will be held at the mela ground in Pushkar where people from around the country are likely to participate. This small town, becomes a cultural phenomenon when colourfully dressed devotees, musicians, acrobats, folk dancers, traders, comedians, ‘sadhus’ and tourists reach here during Pushkar fair. According to Hindu chronology, it takes place in the month of Kartika beginning on ‘ashtmi’ 8th day of Lunar Calendar and continues till full moon (‘Poornima’). The camel and cattle trading is at its peak during the first half of festival period. During the later half, religious activities dominate the scenario. Devotees take dips in the holy "Sarovar" lake, as the sacred water is known to bestow salvation.

It is one of the world's largest camel fair apart from buying and selling of livestock, and its highlights have become competitions such as the "matka phod", "longest moustache", and "bridal competitions" are the main draws for this fair which attracts thousands of tourists. People throughout the country are allowed to visit the fair to sell their live stocks as well. Handicrafts have much demand in the mela as worldwide tourists visit the destination to buy attractive arts and crafts. An estimated number of around 50,000 camels are brought in the Pushkar camel festival. In recent years the fair has also included an exhibition cricket match between the local Pushkar club and a team of random foreign tourists. People enjoy the dances, music, camel races and many other exciting competitions.

For More Info - CLICK HERE

Source - Rajasthan Voice

Rajan Committee’s new methodology to replace ‘special category’ status for devolution of funds to States

The panel set up by the government under the chairmanship of the then Chief Economic Advisor Raghuram Rajan (now RBI governor) has suggested ending the ‘special category’ criteria for providing additional assistance to poorer states.

Why did the government set up the Rajan Committee?

The Union Government set up Raghuram Rajan Committee amid demands for “special category” status by Bihar and some other status to get additional financial assistance from the Centre. The Committee was tasked to suggest methods for identifying backwardness of states using a variety of criteria and also to recommend how the criteria may be reflected in future planning and devolution of funds from the central government to the states.

What are the key recommendations of the Rajan Committee?

The Rajan Committee has made two key recommendations for devolution of funds to states. They are:

a) A new methodology based on a ‘Multi Dimensional Index (MDI)’.

Depending on the scores of the 28 states on the MDI, they will be split into 3 categories:

1. Least developed
2. Less developed
3. Relatively developed

b) Each state should get a basic fixed allocation and an additional allocation depending on its development needs and development performance. 

As per the Committee, these two recommendations, along with the allocation methodology, will effectively subsume what is now “Special Category” status.

According to the MDI scores: 

• Least Developed states: Odisha, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Arunachal Pradesh, Assam,Meghalaya, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan.
• Less Developed states: Manipur, West Bengal, Nagaland,Andhra Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Mizoram, Gujarat, Tripura,Karnataka, Sikkim and Himachal Pradesh.
  
• Relatively Developed states: Goa, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Punjab,Maharashtra, Uttrakhand and Haryana.

The Department of Economic Affairs will soon examine the report and take necessary action.

Source - GKToday

‘Great Indian Bustard’ (गोंडावन) in critically endangered stage

As per the  2013 ‘Threatened Bird’ list by theInternational Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), the Great Indian Bustard is  listed under the category of Critically Endangered birds.

The Great Indian Bustard (Scientific name: “Ardeotisnigriceps”) was once widely spotted across 11 Indian states, but now only less than 250 birds are left all across India. The destruction of the habitat is a primary threat to the bird’s endurance. The Great Indian Bustard is endemic to the Indian subcontinent. The Great Indian Bustard lives in short-grass plains and deserts in large arid landscapes.

Key reasons for the decrease in count of the Great Indian Bustard:-

1. Habitat destruction- The change of land use from grassland to farmland, thus shrinking the bird’s habitat.
2. Poaching.
3. Degradation and disturbance in existing grassland habitat
4. Hunting
5. Lack of importance for natural grassland conservation in policy, law and PA network due to incorrect perception on ecological value vis-a-vis forests
6. Lack of protection for many ‘lekking’ and nesting sites
7. Lack of cooperation between different departments/stakeholders in GIB habitats
8. Lack of awareness and support from local communities
9. Livestock overgrazing and feral dogs
10. Disturbance by photographers — there is now plenty anecdotal evidence to demonstrate that photography of the species causes substantial disturbance

In a recent judgement, the Supreme Court had directed the Ministry ofEnvironment and Forests to take steps for the recovery of the Great Indian Bustard.

Status of the Great Indian Bustard

• The Great Indian Bustard is now confined to only eight pockets in 6 Indian states — Rajasthan, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh.
• The largest population  (~50%) can be found in Jaisalmer, Barmer, and Bikaner districts of Rajasthan
•  Great Indian Bustard is the State Bird of Rajasthan.
• Bird may be already extinct in Madhya Pradesh.

Source - GKToday

New Zealand's Eleanor Catton wins 2013 Man Booker prize

New Zealand author Eleanor Catton won the 2013 Man Booker prize for English fiction on Tuesday for her novel "The Luminaries", to become the youngest winner in the award's 45-year history.

The 28-year-old novelist poked fun at the size of her 848-page tome about the 19th century New Zealand gold rush and thanked British publishers Granta for their patience.

The other shortlisted authors for the prize were Canadian Ruth Ozeki for "A Tale for the Time Being", Indian-American Jhumpa Lahiri for "The Lowland", Zimbabwean NoViolet Bulawayo for "We Need New Names", Briton Jim Crace for "Harvest" and Irish writer Colm Toibin for "The Testament of Mary".

Source - Reuters

Malala Yousafzai wins EU’s Sakharov Prize 2013

Pakistani teen activist Malala Yousafzai, who survived bullet-injury inflicted by the Taliban for championing girls’ education has won theEuropean Union’s (EU) Sakharov Human Rights Prize 2013. Past winners of the Sakharov Prize include South African anti apartheid hero Nelson Mandela and former UN secretary general Kofi Annan.

The Sakharov Prize

• The Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought, named after Soviet scientist and dissident Andrei Sakharov, was established in December 1988 by the European Parliament as a means to honour individuals or organisations who have dedicated their lives to the defence of human rights and freedom of thought.
• The first prize was awarded jointly to South African Nelson Mandela and Russian Anatoly Marchenko. 
• The Sakharov Prize is usually awarded annually on or around December 10, the day on which the United Nations General Assembly ratified the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in 1948,also celebrated as Human Rights Day.

Source - gktoday.in

Indira Gandhi Award for National Integration for the Year 2012

Famous agricultural scientist MS Swaminathan (known as the father of Green Revolution) has been selected for the Indira Gandhi Award for National Integration for the year 2012.

The Award for the year 2012 consisting of a citation and Rs 5 lakh will be presented to the 88-year-old scientist by Congress chief Sonia Gandhi at a function here on October 31, the death anniversary of Indira Gandhi, Member Secretary of the award committee Motilal Vora said.

Aruna Asaf Ali, P.N Haksar, M.S Subbulakshmi, A.P.J Abdul Kalam and Shankar Dayal Sharma are among some of the recipients of the Award which was also given to Rajiv Gandhi posthumously.

Winner of many a award, Swaminathan has served as Director of the Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi (1966-72), Director General of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research and Secretary to the Government of India, Department of Agricultural Research and Education (1972-79).

A plant geneticist by training, Professor Swaminathan’s contributions to the agricultural renaissance of India have led to his being widely referred to as the scientific leader of the green revolution movement.

About MS Swaminathan

• Indian geneticist and former member of Rajya Sabha.
• Contributed in revitalizing agricultural in the country and led the nation to achieve green revolution.
• Previously served as Director of the Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi.
• Also served as Director General of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research and Secretary to the Government of India, Department of Agricultural Research and Education.

The Sveriges Riksbank Prize in Economic Sciences in Memory of Alfred Nobel 2013

Eugene F. Fama (USA)

Lars Peter Hansen (USA)

Robert J. Shiller (USA)

Affiliation at the time of the award: University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA

The Sveriges Riksbank Prize in Economic Sciences in Memory of Alfred Nobel 2013 was awarded jointly to Eugene F. Fama, Lars Peter Hansen and Robert J. Shiller "for their empirical analysis of asset prices".

For More Details - CLICK HERE

Source - www.nobelprize.org

The Nobel Peace Prize 2013

Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW)

Founded: 1997

Field: arms control and disarmament

The Nobel Peace Prize 2013 was awarded to Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons "for its extensive efforts to eliminate chemical weapons".

For More Details - CLICK HERE

Source - www.nobelprize.org

The Nobel Prize in Chemistry 2013

Martin Karplus (Austria)

 Michael Levitt (South Africa)

Arieh Warshel (Israel)

Affiliation at the time of the award: Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA

The Nobel Prize in Chemistry 2013 was awarded jointly to Martin Karplus, Michael Levitt and Arieh Warshel "for the development of multiscale models for complex chemical systems".

For More Details - CLICK HERE

Source - www.nobelprize.org

The Nobel Prize in Literature 2013

Alice Munro (Canada)

The Nobel Prize in Literature 2013 was awarded to Alice Munro "master of the contemporary short story".

For More Details - CLICK HERE

Source - www.nobelprize.org

Governmet sanctions 158 ‘Eklavya Model Residential Schools’ for ST students

Govt. of India has approved a total of 158 Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRSs) for Tribal students out of grants under Article 275(1) of the Constitution of India in 23 states out of which 111 schools have become fully functional with all facilities. Gujarat has been sanctioned 22 schools which is the highest for any state followed by Madhya Pradesh(20) and Rajasthan (17). Chhattisgarh and Odisha have been sanctioned 16 schools each.

All the facilities for a proper study environment like adequate number of class rooms, computer and science laboratory , library , recreation room, hostels for students and housing facilities for the teaching and other supporting staff are made available in the EMRSs. Further, the school buildings have been made accessible to students with disabilities.

What are the objectives of ‘Eklavya Model Residential Schools’?

The objective of EMRS is to provide quality middle and high level education to Scheduled Tribe (ST) students in remote areas, not only to enable them to avail of reservation in high and professional educational courses and as jobs in government and public and private sectors but also to have access to the best opportunities in education at par with the non ST population. This would be achieved by:

• Comprehensive physical, mental and socially relevant development of all students enrolled in each and every EMRS. Students will be empowered to be change agent, beginning in their school, in their homes, in their village and finally in a larger context.
• Focus differentially on the educational support to be made available to those in Standards XI and XII, and those in standards VI to X, so that their distinctive needs can be met.
• Support the annual running expenses in a manner that offers reasonable remuneration to the staff and upkeep of the facilities.
• Support the construction of infrastructure that provides education, physical, environmental and cultural needs of student life.

Source - gktoday.in

Rajasthan Ranji cricketer Vivek Yadav slams 287 runs and grabs 7 wickets in a 50-over match

Vivek Yadav (L) in the Ranji Trophy last season

In a tournament organized at Jaipur in the memory of former Ranji Player Shamsher Singh, Vivek Yadav played a blistering knock of 287 runs for his team Aravali Club in a 50 over match on Monday. This cricket tournament is affiliated with the Jaipur District Cricket Association. This is the highest individual score by any batsman in the 50-over format of cricket. Vivek Yadav also played a crucial role with the ball for Rajasthan to lift their very first Ranji Trophy.

In the match played between Aravali Club of Jaipur and Saint Angel Club of Lucknow, Vivek faced only 146 balls to pile up this huge individual score of 287 runs. He stayed at the crease for 209 minutes and hit a record 49 boundaries and 5 lofty sixes. Yadav took 78 deliveries to complete his century whereas he went past 200 in just 115 deliveries. He faced only 37 balls to move from 101 to 200.

He was sent back to the pavilion in the 43rd over after playing an airy pull shot. If Yadav had batted for the complete 50 overs, he could have easily crossed the 300 mark. The highest individual score in List-A matches is 268 runs by AD Brown of Surrey County club whereas in one-day international matches, Virender Sehwag has the grand achievement to his account, with the score of 219 runs against West Indies.

With this brilliant knock of 287 runs by captain Vivek Yadav, Aravali Club managed to score a giant total of 512 runs for the loss of 8 wickets at the end of 50 overs. This is the highest total in the 50-over format of the game and in fact the very first 500+ score so far. In the List-A matches, the highest total is to the account of English County Club – Surrey. The club scored 496/4 on 29th April, 2007. In one-day international matches, the record of the highest team total is in the name of Sri Lanka who scored 443/9 against Holland in July 2007.

Chasing a huge total of 513 runs in 50 overs, Saint Angel Club from Lucknow managed to score only 20 runs for the loss of 10 wickets. After giving a brilliant performance with the bat, Vivek Yadav shone with the ball too and picked up 7 wickets, conceding only 1 run in his four overs with 3 maidens.

In first-class matches, the 28-year-old Vivek Yadav has picked 56 wickets in his 17 matches whereas he has picked 9 wickets in his 8 List-A matches.

In List-A matches, the best bowling figures are 8 wickets for 15 runs by Rahul Sanghvi.

Source - SportsKeeda

Rajasthan Assembly Elections 2013 Schedule, Important Dates

Rajasthan Vidhan Sabha Elections 2013 Date: 

Rajasthan Vidhan Sabha Elections will be held in Single Phase on 1st December 2013. 

Election Commission has announced election dates for five states - Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, Mizoram and Delhi - seen as the semifinals before the General Election. 

Election Commission announced one-day poll in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Delhi and Mizoram while Maoist-infested Chhattisgarh will have two-phased elections. The two-phased polls in Chhattisgarh will be held on November 11 and 19 while elections will be held in Madhya Pradesh on November 25, Rajasthan on December 1, Delhi and Mizoram on December 4. Counting of votes in all the states will be taken up on December 8. Rajasthan Legislative Assembly ( राजस्थान विधान सभा) or the Rajasthan Vidhan Sabha has total 200 seats. There are currently 200 members of the legislative assembly with the Indian National Congress(INC) forming the majority with 102 seats, followed by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) with 79 seats. 

Rajasthan Assembly Elections 2013 Schedule, Important Dates: 
Rajasthan Assembly Elections 2013 Date of notification: 5th November 2013. 
Rajasthan Assembly Elections 2013 Date of scrutiny of nominations: 13th November 2013. 
Rajasthan Assembly Elections 2013 Date of poll: 1st December 2013 
Rajasthan Assembly Elections 2013 Results, Counting: 8th December 2013

Source - Rajasthan Voice

DLF sells 33 MW wind mills in Rajasthan for Rs 67 crore

Country's largest realty firm DLF has completed the sale process of 33MW wind turbines project in Rajasthan to Violet Green Power for Rs 67.44 crore. 

In early April, DLF announced that its arm DLF Home Developers Ltd (DHDL) had signed a definitive business transfer agreement with Violet Power Green Pvt Ltd to sell the 33MW wind turbines at Rajasthan for Rs 52.20 crore. 

Rajasthan among major states with lowest death rate

Rajasthan is among the states with lowest death rates and highest birth rates among major states. 

A decent place to live in, the state's death rate (6.6) is not as high as in 11 other major states. Delhi (4.2) has lowest death rate, while Jammu and Kashmir (5.4), Haryana (6.4), Maharashtra (6.3) and West Bengal (6.3) are the states with lower death rate than Rajasthan. However, Gujarat,Bihar and Rajasthan have equal death rates, the Sample Registration System, registrar general, India shows which was released last month. It shows figures of 2012. 

Though Rajasthan is continuously witnessing a dip in birth rate every year but it is still among the four states with the highest birth rates. However, the urban area of the state comes second in India with highest birth rate. Besides, Rajasthan the death rate is 6.6, which placed it at 12th position in the bigger states category, with highest death rates.

Birth rate means total number of births per 1,000 each year. The birth rate in Rajasthan is 25.9, while Bihar has the highest birth rate (27.7), Uttar Pradesh (27.4) and Madhya Pradesh has 26.6, the Sample Registration System, registrar general, India shows released last month, showing figures of 2012. 

From 2011 to 2012, birth rate in Rajasthan was on the decline. In 2011, the birth rate in the state was 26.2 but it came down to 25.9 in 2012 with a decline of 0.3 points. It was 26.7 in 2010. 

Source - TOI

The Nobel Prize in Physics 2013

François Englert (Belgium)

Peter W. Higgs (UK)

The Nobel Prize in Physics 2013 was awarded jointly to François Englert and Peter W. Higgs "for the theoretical discovery of a mechanism that contributes to our understanding of the origin of mass of subatomic particles, and which recently was confirmed through the discovery of the predicted fundamental particle, by the ATLAS and CMS experiments at CERN's Large Hadron Collider"

For More Details - CLICK HERE

Source - nobleprize.org