Useful Resources

Sunday, November 16, 2008

What is a Exoplanet?






The following links as news report can be useful in making a note on this question.
The astronauts have recently been able photograph a star called Fomalhaut which is nearly 25 light years away having planets. The exoplanets or extrasolar planets are issue of interest because they may become the case of discovery of extra territerial life as the planets orbiting the other stars may also have life as it is here on the earth. It may be cause of proving theory of existence of aliens. (Fascinating!!!. I have doubt about including in the notes because it is highly based on theories. The only factor played in the favour of imaging of the distant plant in other star system by Hubble telescope after technological advancement in imaging.)



BBC NEWS Science & Environment Exoplanets finally come into view


http://www.efluxmedia.com/news_Researchers_Capture_First_Photo_Of_An_Exoplanet_Orbiting_A_Star_29045.html




http://www.theregister.co.uk/2008/11/14/fomalhaut_b/

Wikipeida Article on Extra Solar Planets with definition of Planet:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Exoplanets



Friday, November 14, 2008

Slumdog Millionaire

The Hindu News Update Service

Slumdog Millionaire is a movie directed by British Director Danny Boyle baded on a best selling novel 'Q & A' written by an Indian diplomat Vikas Swarup. The movie is getting very good reviews. It remains in news for number of reasons like Merc manufacturer has objected to a scene wherein their product is shown in the film. It is about a Mumbai orphan's rag to riches story.


Thursday, November 13, 2008

Obama's books

Obama's books a big hit among book lovers




The books penned by the 44th President of America, Barack H Obama are
  • Dreams from my Fahter: A Story of Race and Inheritance.

  • The Audacity of Hope: Thoughts on Reclaiming the American Dream.

  • Barak Obama in his Own Words.

  • Barack Obama: What He Believes In – From His Own Works








  • Additional Sources: Wikipedia retrieved on November 14, 2008, 6.09 pm (IST)




    BIMSTEC 11th Submit under Chairmanship of India





    The Tribune, Chandigarh, India - Main News



    The full form of BIMSTEC is Bay of Bengal Initiative for MultiSectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC). It is also written as BIMST-EC.





    The official site of the BIMSTEC is http://www.bimstec.org/.





    The Wikipedia article is also useful addition at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BIMSTEC.





    Source:
    Label source: Official site of BIMSTEC as mentioned above.




    100 km above Moon: Final Circular Orbit of Chandrayaan-I

    Chandrayaan-I reaches its final resting orbit-India-The Times of India

    Chandrayaan I is the fifth satellite now orbiting moon. The other four members are the US, Russia (former Soviet Union), Japan, China and members of European Space Agency.

    The most crucial stage of taking Chandrayraan to its final orbit was LOI ie lunar orbit insertion. "At a certain point, the gravity of moon and that of earth cancel each other out, making LOI very challenging."


    The satellite will work for next two years taking 3D maps of moon, getting chemical mapping of the moon along with searching water and ice caps.


    Shourya missile system: Surface to Surface Missile: DRDO

    India test-fires new long-range missile



    Shourya missile system is a surface to surface missile newly developed by DRDO.
    Other missile systems developed by DRDO are the Agni, Prithvi and Trishul missiles and the Nag anti-tank missile for Indian Army and the Aakash surface-to-air missile for the Indian Air Force.

    Shourya has another capability of being fired from underground launchers.


    Additional Notes from The Hindu at http://www.hindu.com/2008/11/13/stories/2008111358700100.htm

    Shourya is the land version of the underwater-launched missile called K-15 (Sagarika), which was fired in February 2008 from an underwater pontoon.


    Monday, November 10, 2008

    Kalka-Shimla railway line declared World Heritage Site-India-The Times of India

    Kalka-Shimla railway line declared World Heritage Site-India-The Times of India


    Read it with the The Hindu report at http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/holnus/000200811092144.htm.
    It forms a complete report. It is good for Notes 2009.


    Thursday, November 06, 2008

    Wednesday, November 05, 2008

    Gagan Narang wins World Cup in 10m Rifle Shooting

    NDTV.com: Gagan Narang shoots to world record, wins World Cup






    SAARC Agriculture Ministers conference New Delhi

    SAARC Agriculture Ministers conference begins - Yahoo! India News



    The list includes the action plan of the SAARC countries on the agriculture front.



    Read the following news item along with above.
    SAARC nations to set up Food Bank to ward off crisis

    What is Bhuvan?

    Bhuvan, ISRO's new eye in the sky-Ahmedabad-Cities-The Times of India




    Bhuvan will be a portal of ISRO which will show the earth images upto 10 m. It is similar to Google Earth and Wikimapia.






    The Times of India Report is a complete note in itself. It is valid upto March 2009. After that, the portal will be launched and then more information can be added.






    High Probable Rate: Both Prelims 2009 and Mains 2009.




    Noted filmmaker B R Chopra passes away-India-The Times of India

    Noted filmmaker B R Chopra passes away-India-The Times of India





    Bharat Ratna for Vocalist Pandit Bhimsen Joshi

    Bharat Ratna for Vocalist Pandit Bhimsen Joshi




    List of Bharat Ratna awardees

    List of Bharat Ratna awardees






    Sunday, November 02, 2008

    hepatitis C can be treated by telaprevir

    Impressive Vertex hepatitis C drug data unveiled Health Reuters


    Hepatitis C is a blood-borne liver disease that can lead to chronic liver disease, liver cancer, cirrhosis and death.

    Telaprevir is a drug developed by Vertex drug, a US company.



    E.coli Bacteria

    E.coli Could Target Meat-eaters, Research Shows




    E.coli cause bloody diarrhoea and haemolytic uraemic syndrome (HUS).

    In HUS, toxin-induced damage to the delicate cells lining the blood vessels causes clots, damage to red blood cells and kidney failure.




    Vijaya Mehta to receive Pu La award-Pune-Cities-The Times of India

    Vijaya Mehta to receive Pu La award-Pune-Cities-The Times of India



    Vijaya Mehta is a theater personality of a repute.



    Strongly recommended: Include this name in Indian personality section.



    14th Kolkata film festival from November 10

    The Hindu : National : 14th Kolkata film festival from November 10






    Another Title for Sania Nehwal the Badminton Player

    Zee News - Sensational Saina wins junior world title






    Issues Related to Article 371

    The Hindu : Front Page : Fight for Article 371 amendment will continue, says Yeddyurappa



    There is need to understand the article 371 only.





    Manji Yamada/Surrogacy in India and Law

    TIMESNOW.tv - Latest Breaking News, Big News Stories, News Videos -


    It is an issue of debate. A probable issue which may find place in examination. But do not stress much on it at present as there are numerous such issues which the law department faces in world changing continously with the advancement in technologies.






    Saturday, November 01, 2008

    Six Classic Languages of India.

    Telugu gets classical status-Hyderabad-Cities-The Times of India


    There are six classic languages in India. They are Sanskrit, Palli, Prakrit, Tamil, Kannada and Telugu.

    Tamil was declared classic language in 2004.

    In order to qualify as a classic language, a language must have a recorded history of at least 1,500-2000 years and its literary tradition must be original and not borrowed from any speech community and must have a large and rich body of ancient literature.




    Right to free education gets a leg up-India-The Times of India

    Right to free education gets a leg up-India-The Times of India



    86 constitutional amendment has made the education a fundamental right.

    The proposed bill will give the Right to Education the status of fundamental right.

    Even if the present government is not able to convert it into an Act, it has definitely brought Amendment 86, Right to Information a Fundamental Right, the role of Centre and State in ensuring compulsory education to year 6 to year 14 children, the directive principles for State for compulsory education.


    Following link of TOI again is equally useful for substantiate the contents of the topic: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Mumbai/Edu_Bill_A_few_more_hurdles_to_overcome/articleshow/3666168.cms

    General Information


    UPSC has taken initiative to display Last Year Question Papers of CS, CDS, NDA, CMS, Engineering Service on its site. Check them out at www.upsc.gov.in. The files are PDF.


    go to www.upsc.gov.in and check what is new.




    Visitors' Log

    Total Pageviews